Welcome to Operations Unfiltered, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of influencer and talent management. In this episode, host Zuryna speaks with award-winning content creator and influencer Simone Phillips, also known as Charm City Table. They discuss Simone's journey into content creation, her influence on the Baltimore food scene, her team, and the challenges and achievements along the way. Simone shares valuable insights into her content creation process, the tools she uses, and the importance of authenticity and networking. Don't miss out on this in-depth conversation that offers a wealth of knowledge for aspiring content creators.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:31 Meet the Host and Guest
01:46 Simone Phillips' Journey to Content Creation
04:37 Defining Influencer vs. Content Creator
05:59 Tools and Techniques for Content Creation
11:06 Team and Project Management
16:41 Bragging Rights: Major Accomplishments
17:33 Community Impact and Recognition
18:39 Collaborations and Dream Partnerships
21:15 Advice for Aspiring Content Creators
23:24 The Reality of Content Creation
28:22 Navigating Restaurant Reviews
33:30 Future Plans for Charm City Table
35:01 Follow Charm City Table

Meet The Host Zuryna
Zuryna Livermore is a project management professional from Houston, Texas. She graduated from Stevenson University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Communication. Zuryna's diverse career includes founding Live More Agency LLC, where she excels in operations project management for small businesses, professional athletes, and content creators. Known affectionately as "Air Traffic Control for Marketing Operations," Zuryna splits her time between Baltimore and Houston, ensuring her clients have the right people, processes, and tools to achieve their business goals.

Follow along on Instagram (@LadyZSays) and (@LiveMoreAgency).

Meet Simone Phillips
Simone Phillips is an award-winning content creator, influencer and highly sought-after event curator who takes an informative and fun approach to her Baltimore-based platform, Charm City Table which she founded in 2017.

A pioneer and visionary, Simone received a Certificate of Recognition from the Mayor’s office in 2024, served as a founding member of The Baltimore Banner’s inaugural Creatives-In-Residence program and was awarded Best Foodie 2023 by Baltimore Beat, Best Twitter 2022 by The Baltimore Sun, and Best Instagram 2021 by Baltimore Magazine. She also serves as a Community Advisory Board Member for The National Aquarium’s Voyages event series which highlights Baltimore’s arts, science, and food scene to audiences ages 21+.

In addition to uplifting the Greater Baltimore Area and the DMV through her exemplary work in food and media, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, art, and travel.

Follow along on Instagram (@CharmCityTable) and TikTok (@baltimorefoodblogger)

This week, host Zuryna welcomes Jannay McIver, owner of the Asili Haircare Center. Jannay specializes in educating her clients on the crucial connection between health, nutrition, and hair care. Her salon, Asili Haircare Center, has become an epicenter for black women's hair restoration, offering holistic services provided by her skilled and dedicated team. Join us as we dive into the world of natural hair care and explore the operations behind Jannay's successful business.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction to Operations Unfiltered
00:41 Meet Jannay McIver: Natural Hair Extraordinaire and Salon Owner
01:18 Jannay's Journey into the Natural Hair Movement
05:46 The Holistic Approach at A Sealy Haircare Center
08:30 Educating Clients on Health, Nutrition, and Hair Care
11:24 Behind the Scenes of Running a Successful Salon
15:45 Building and Leading a Dedicated Team
16:50 Future Aspirations and Upcoming Projects
18:30 Closing Remarks and Thank You

Meet The Host Zuryna
Zuryna Livermore is a project management professional from Houston, Texas. She graduated from Stevenson University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Communication. Zuryna's diverse career includes founding Live More Agency LLC, where she excels in operations project management for small businesses, professional athletes, and content creators. Known affectionately as "Air Traffic Control for Marketing Operations," Zuryna splits her time between Baltimore and Houston, ensuring her clients have the right people, processes, and tools to achieve their business goals.

Follow along on Instagram (@LadyZSays) and (@LiveMoreAgency).

Meet Jannay McIver
Jannay McIver has been a prominent influence in the natural hair community for over 10 years. She specializes in educating her clients on the importance of health and nutrition when it comes to caring for their hair. Her salon, Asili Hair Care Center, is an epicenter for black women's hair restoration through holistic services provided by her trained staff.

Follow along on Instagram (@asilihaircarecenter) and (@thenutristylist)

This week, host Zuryna reunites with fellow Stevenson University alum Dwight to discuss tech fatigue, the state of AI, and advice for small business owners. They reminisce about college days and share insights for new freshmen. Dwight also looks into his role at Litera and his side hustle, TechFluent Creative. Tune in for an engaging discussion filled with tech tips and fond memories.

00:00 Introduction to Operations Unfiltered
00:41 Meet Dwight: Tech Consultant and Stevenson Alum
01:18 College Memories and Life Lessons
05:46 Dwight's Career Journey and Side Hustle
08:30 Tech Tools and AI in Professional Life
11:24 Challenges and Opportunities in Tech
15:45 Dream Clients and Future Aspirations
16:50 Advice for Freshmen and Closing Remarks

Meet The Host Zuryna
Zuryna Livermore is a project management professional from Houston, Texas. She graduated from Stevenson University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Communication. Zuryna's diverse career includes founding Live More Agency LLC, where she excels in operations project management for small businesses, professional athletes, and content creators. Known affectionately as "Air Traffic Control for Marketing Operations," Zuryna splits her time between Baltimore and Houston, ensuring her clients have the right people, processes, and tools to achieve their business goals.

Follow along on Instagram (@LadyZSays) and (@LiveMoreAgency).

Meet The Guest - Dwight
Dwight Foote is a Senior Customer Success Manager at Litera, with a master's degree in business and technology management and a keen enthusiasm for legal tech. As a former black business owner, Dwight provided tech consulting to small businesses and continues to offer his expertise on a per diem basis. His passion lies in leveraging technology to help people and solve problems. A native of Baltimore, MD, Dwight is true to his roots, enjoying a good crab cake and the tradition of cracking Maryland blue crabs. A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Dwight is dedicated to uplifting and supporting fellow members in a positive light.

This week, we're having a Mustang Meetup with a fellow alumni from Stevenson University, Alaina Maracotta (BS, Business Communications - Class of 2016). We'll talk about our times in the admissions office, explore the operations side of Alaina's career in health tech and brand strategy, and end with some advice for future Mustangs.

00:00 Introduction to Operations Unfiltered
00:09 Mustang Memories with Alaina
03:34 Career Journey and Current Role
05:43 Side Hustles and Passion Projects
06:39 Tools and Technologies for Success
13:15 Challenges in Brand Strategy
23:36 Advice for Stevenson Freshmen
25:26 Conclusion and Farewell

Meet The Host Zuryna
Zuryna Livermore is a project management professional from Houston, Texas. She graduated from Stevenson University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Communication. Zuryna's diverse career includes founding Live More Agency LLC, where she excels in operations project management for small businesses, professional athletes, and content creators. Known affectionately as "Air Traffic Control for Marketing Operations," Zuryna splits her time between Baltimore and Houston, ensuring her clients have the right people, processes, and tools to achieve their business goals.

Follow along on Instagram (@LadyZSays) and (@LiveMoreAgency).

Meet This Week's Guest - Alaina Maracotta
Alaina Maracotta is a dynamic professional from Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from Stevenson University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Communication. Alaina's diverse career includes internships and full-time roles across music, city agencies, professional sports media, and health tech. Currently, she excels in operations at GRAIL, a pioneering biotech company in cancer diagnostic testing, while also running a successful side business as a brand strategy manager for beauty and aesthetic brands in Baltimore.
Follow along on Instagram (@alainamaracotta)

In this episode of Operations Unfiltered, titled "AI Is The Answer," I dive into the transformative power of outsourcing for efficiency through the lens of operations and project management. As someone who juggles multiple roles—from corporate professional to fractional project manager and podcast host—I've found that artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and the AI note taker app, Fathom, have been game-changers in maximizing my productivity. I discuss how these tools help streamline my processes, save time, and reduce stress, both personally and professionally. Additionally, I share insights on the importance of outsourcing tasks such as hiring virtual assistants, cleaning services, and childcare to maintain balance and improve overall efficiency. Tune in to learn how AI and strategic outsourcing can revolutionize your workflow!

Follow on Instagram @livemoreagency and @ladyzsays

Join Zuryna on "Operations Unfiltered" as she takes you behind the scenes of influencer, talent, and sports management. Each week, she shares her invaluable insights and interviews industry professionals, from solo-preneur talent managers to directors at top talent agencies. Expect deep dives into the operational side of content creation, candid conversations, and practical advice on succeeding behind the scenes.

Whether you're an aspiring manager or just curious about the industry, this podcast is your go-to resource. Subscribe now and uncover the real magic that happens behind the scenes!