Mission CTRL

• Ep. 185 Fueling a Life of Wellness: The Vibrant Health Journey with Paige & Ted Parker

  What happens when a personal health crisis, an unexpected love story, and a shared belief in holistic wellness collide? For Paige and Ted Parker, co-owners and co-presidents of Vibrant Health, it led to a thriving company, a rebrand decades in the making, and a marriage strengthened through both challenge and choice.This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon sits down with Ted and Paige to explore the real, unfiltered journey behind one of the most award-winning brands in the natural health space. From navigating 25 years of marriage and 17 years of co-ownership, to balancing their opposite personalities, the Parkers open up about the work it takes to build both a business and a partnership that lasts.Paige reflects on her battle with chronic illness and how an elimination diet led her to open her first health food store - and eventually bump into Ted at her aunt’s restaurant. Ted recalls how a single supplement, Green Vibrance, transformed his health after years of an unhealthy lifestyle… and how his enthusiasm for that product eventually changed the entire trajectory of their lives.Whether you're an entrepreneur, a couple in business together, or someone passionate about wellness, this episode delivers honest insight into partnership dynamics, purpose-driven growth, and what it really takes to build something extraordinary - together.•••Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

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• Ep. 184 Finding Your Neech: Youth Development, Confidence & Community with Mike “Neech” Cannici

  What happens when a generation of kids is searching for confidence, connection, and a place to belong - while youth programs everywhere face budget cuts and shifting priorities? For Mike “Neech” Cannici, longtime Program Coordinator at the Boys & Girls Club of the Naugatuck Valley, the answer is simple: you keep showing up for them, no matter what.This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Neech, who has spent nearly 30 years helping young people discover who they are and what they can become. From the game room where he first started in 1995 to the life-changing programs he oversees today, Neech has seen firsthand how youth development transforms kids - and whole communities.He shares powerful stories: children who once lacked confidence becoming “Youth of the Year,” older kids embracing younger ones like family, and entire generations returning to the Club because of the impact it had on their lives. Neech opens up about his own struggles with confidence growing up, the mentors who changed his path, and why programs like Torch Club and Keystone are so essential in building dedication, leadership, and belonging.As services are being slashed and community priorities shift, Neech reminds us why investing in youth is everyone’s responsibility - including the business community. Because behind every “tough” kid is someone searching for guidance, connection, and someone who cares enough not to give up.Whether you’re a parent, educator, leader, or anyone who believes in the power of community, this episode is a moving look at the heart and hope of youth development - and a reminder to never stop dreaming, no matter your age.

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• Ep. 183 Community Action in Crisis: Leadership and Legacy with Michelle James

  What happens when the very programs meant to fight poverty are on the brink of disappearing? For Michelle James, Executive Director of the Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut (CAAWC), that question isn’t hypothetical - it’s her daily reality.This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Michelle to unpack the vital role of Community Action in our nation’s social safety net. CAAWC helps individuals and families move toward self-sufficiency - offering a hand up, not just a handout. From heating assistance and food pantries to job readiness and ESL programs, Michelle and her team serve over a thousand people each month, connecting them with the resources they need to survive and thrive.But with federal funding for critical programs like the Community Services Block Grant and the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program “zeroed out” of the federal budget, the agency faces an uncertain future. Michelle opens up about the sleepless nights of running a nonprofit like a business - forecasting, adapting, and fighting for every dollar to keep her team and programs afloat.As CAAWC celebrates 60 years of service, Michelle reflects on resilience, reinvention, and what it truly means to lead through uncertainty. Whether you’re a changemaker, community advocate, or entrepreneur navigating tough times, this episode is a masterclass in transformational leadership, persistence, and purpose.•••Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

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• Ep. 182 Bucka Fogey Sports: Family, Friends, and Fairways with Dr. Al B. Quarles Jr.

  What do family, friends, and a missed putt have in common? For Dr. Al B. Quarles Jr., they’re the foundation of Bucka Fogey Sports - a lifestyle brand born from friendship, golf, and a desire to look good while doing what you love.This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Dr. Quarles, Founder and CEO of Bucka Fogey, to explore how a single moment on the green turned into a growing apparel and manufacturing company that blends faith, fashion, and fun. From humble beginnings making shirts and hats for his golf trips with friends, to running full-scale events like the Bucka Fogey Family & Friends Trip, Mancation, and BFF Weekend, Dr. Quarles shares how passion and persistence turned a grassroots idea into a thriving brand.He opens up about the challenges of manufacturing high-quality gear, the importance of photography and branding in apparel, and how word-of-mouth and authentic community support helped Bucka Fogey grow - especially during COVID. The conversation dives into his design process, his innovation team (including ideas from his college-athlete daughter), and how staying true to his values helped the company evolve beyond just clothing to become a lifestyle movement.From creating limited-edition drops to expanding into women’s apparel and strengthening ties with the Sifford family, Dr. Quarles proves that building a brand is far from “set it and forget it.” It’s about learning from mistakes, celebrating wins, and keeping your vision aligned with your purpose. Whether you’re a golf enthusiast, a creative entrepreneur, or just someone who loves a great origin story, this episode is packed with insights on growth, grit, and the grind behind great branding. 

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• Ep. 181 Ruth’s House: Perseverance, Redemption, and Refuge with Jeanne Korman

   What do seven years of setbacks, a calling rooted in faith, and the story of Ruth from the Bible have in common? They’re all part of the journey behind Ruth’s House, founded by Jeanne Korman to provide loving homes for single moms and their children.This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Jeanne to explore how her own experience as a single mom of five - and the hardships, loneliness, and redemption that came with it - inspired her to create a refuge for women in crisis. Wanting to quit more often than continuing but finding strength in God through each obstacle, Jeanne shares the perseverance it took to move Ruth’s House from an idea to a thriving nonprofit with a waitlist of moms seeking stability and hope.Jeanne opens up about the early days of balancing teaching with moonlighting at Ruth’s House, why patience and timing matter in building a sustainable mission, and how a strong board and community partners helped bring her vision to life without government funding. She also shares moving stories of transformation, like the first resident who went from escaping abuse to building a new life as a college student and mom.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a nonprofit leader, or simply someone who believes in redemption and second chances, this conversation is full of lessons on resilience, faith, and the power of community. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn personal struggle into a mission that helps others build safe, independent lives, this episode is for you.•••Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

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