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Black Businesses Matter

Black Businesses Matter is a weekly podcast show on the impact of collaborating and advocating for Black Businesses to drive impact. It is hosted by Larvetta L. Loftin. Founder of The L3 Agency, a full service influencer marketing and communications agency. Hear from investors, thought leaders, supply chain leaders, DEI practitioners and business owners on why engaging minority businesses should be a social responsibility when black businesses are the largest employers of black people. Each episode will provide inspiration and actionable tools to help you become culturally sensitive in growing your business or brand. Each episode are about 30 - 45 minutes in length to help you to pledge to support Black businesses EVERY DAY in EVERY WAY and REIMAGINE #blackbusinessesmatter.

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Black Businesses Matter

SPECIAL EPISODE: Evolution of Entrepreneurship

September 01, 2025 • Larvetta Loftin • Season 10 • Episode 117

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300.

Special Episode :

Guest Name: Marc Brooks

Guest Business: Hyde Park Hospitality

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this special live episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we sit down with Marc B. Brooks, CEO of Hyde Park Hospitality, a privately held hospitality company specializing in foodservice management, airport concessions, lounge operations, and customer excellence advisory services.

Marc shares his journey growing up on the South Side of Chicago with two hardworking parents who inspired his entrepreneurial spirit. He recalls watching his father launch a Chicago-based business during his high school years, a pivotal moment that fueled his own drive to create opportunities and uplift communities.

From early ventures in DJing and wireless cellphones to leading one of the fastest-growing companies in Chicago, Marc opens up about the lessons he has learned along the way. He offers insights on knowing when it is time to exit a business, the complexities of selling a company, and how to refine your strategy as a serial entrepreneur.

Under Marc’s leadership, Hyde Park Hospitality has grown more than 900 percent since 2018 and now employs over 1,000 people across 20 states. Recently recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of the 50 fastest-growing companies in Chicago, Marc continues to lead with a vision for excellence and a commitment to developing diverse talent at every level of his organization.

If you are an entrepreneur looking for real-world strategies on scaling, leadership, and resilience, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…

What was Marc like as a child?
His inspiration for entrepreneurship
How to know when to leave a business venture?
How to scale your business?
BBM Brag Moment
What brings them joy?
Why do black businesses matter?

Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!

Connect with them

Connect with them on their website:

https://hph-us.com/

Support the show

To connect further with me:
Visit my website: Thel3agency.com
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thel3agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/
Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency
Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can't wait to see you join us and take the pledge of #blackbusinessesmatter

People on this episode

Larvetta L. Loftin

Host