The Inner Work Podcast

In this episode, I share a story about how you can make your most powerful decisions under immense pressure and intense emotions. The idea that healing comes before an outcome is disempowering. You have more power than that. Creating your dream life isn’t about being perfect and polished in order to deserve it.Your next step is making one powerful decision.To schedule a clarity session, you can do so here: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

We’re taking a break from business content to tell a love story This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

Executive 1:1 - Schedule your time hereBook rec for no reason, but it will change your life: The Big Leap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

My Executive 1:1’s are back this week! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

Resources mentioned in this episode: 90 Questions That Will Transform Your Relationship With MoneyThe Big LeapI have VIP Office Hours for people with a major project or moment in their business to work through. It’s $1000. Let’s get to work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

John Hu, founder of Stan Store, gave a bold take in a LinkedIn post about the fear of your idea being stolen. He said that if someone can out-execute you, then they are better suited to bring the idea to life. John is building a personal brand around the creator economy and his life as a founder. He typically champions an inclusive, nurturing working environment. He talks about paying people great salaries, buying his staff lunches, and investing in their ability to learn and grow creatively. I’m actually stunned that he even has this take. To be fair, I don’t know him personally and we all have an unsavory opinion about something. So, in case I didn’t make it known…I 100% DISAGREE. I won’t apologize for being dramatic. Here’s some examples of a stolen idea, IP, or work in general that might surprise you and what we can learn from these stories. Let’s start with McDonald’s. Yeah, the largest distributor of food on the planet was stolen from the McDonald’s brothers, Richard and Maurice. Ray Crock joined them as a managing partner to help them scale up to more locations. It was the 1950’s and the concept of fast food didn’t exist. We had drive up restaurants and the food took the same amount of time as it would at a dine-in restaurant. The McDonald’s brothers came up with a system that allowed them to make food within a minute or two. It was mind blowing at the time. After scaling up for the next few years, Ray Crock teamed up with his lawyer to trademark the McDonald’s name and gave them a one time pay out for the rights to buy the company. He famously gave them a handshake deal for royalties that never materialized. They lost control over the company, they lost legal access to their own name, and ultimately missed out on the growth that McDonald’s went on to have. At the time, there wasn’t a model for what we now know as the modern corporation. As a small business, they didn’t expect for someone to see something in what they were building that they didn’t see. Right away, they should have trademarked their name before opening up 2nd and 3rd locations. As their relationship with Ray Crock shifted, revisiting the terms of their partnership was also a must.I’m not a lawyer, but the reality is that some people will see the opportunity and jump on it when you’re most vulnerable.The second example I want to share isn’t in the video. You might have heard of an entrepreneur named Rachel Rodgers. Rachel Rodgers helps business owners scale to 7-figures and grow their businesses in general through her memberships and group programs. Before she launched Hello 7, she was a laywer who scaled her business to $700,000 annually. She did this with a digital product that helped founders streamline the legal work they needed at the onset of building their brand or launching a product. She did it in partnership with one of her best clients who eventually became a friend. Rachel built the product with her legal expertise and her partner handled the marketing. Everything was above board and on paper. Over time, the marketing fell by the waste side, but Rachel was still able to make it work with the product and make a descent about of sales. They eventually severed ties with no hard feelings, and Rachel walked away with the rights to the product. To her surprise her old business partner started selling the product on her own without Rachel’s knowledge or legal consent. Rachel’s team delivered a cease and desist, but it escalated to a 3 year legal battle to get her old business parter to take down the digital product. In Rachel’s book, she says that the lesson was about having the right boundaries and noticing signs earlier when something doesn’t sit right. Even upon reflection, I don’t know what she could have done differently to avoid the legal battle. The truth is that ideas do get stolen and your ability to prevent that depends on how much money and time you have to enforce things legally. It’s not all about execution or who has the vision. If it’s not yours to take, it’s simply wrong to do so (no matter if the law makes that clear or not). Should you let the fear of a stolen idea stop you from building? Absolutely not.But have clear boundaries in your partnerships, as soon as you can afford to, get a hold of a great lawyer in your industry who can guide you on the best steps to take to protect your business. Understand that what you’ve built matters. Just the way that we put on a seat belt every time you get in the car, your business deserves the same care so that your vision can come to life.Here’s an article listing out 5 high level ways to protect your business.Here’s a more in depth article that talks about business protection from a technology and financial perspectiveA list of resources and articles about trademark laws and legal protections This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

In this video I break down the benefits of de-centering your product and focusing on the values and belief systems that you share with your audience.___________________________________________HOW TO WORK WITH ME: To hire me for production work, branding assets, and creative projects, you can schedule a discovery call at https://calendly.com/gingerandcarrot MY BIO: I’m Neysa Garcia-Muhammad, a storyteller, producer, and creative strategist passionate about bringing food, culture, and community to life through authentic media. I co-founded Ginger and Carrot Productions, where I create cinematic content, documentaries, and brand stories that connect with audiences on a cultural and emotional level. On TikTok (@helloneysa), I share insights on industry trends and personal growth with curiosity, humor, and honesty. I work with brands, organizations, and creatives to craft stories that resonate, inspire connection, and spark meaningful engagement. ___________________________________________________ ABOUT GINGER AND CARROT PRODUCTIONS:Ginger and Carrot Productions is a Black and Queer owned media company specializing in authentic storytelling that celebrates food, culture, and connection. Founded by husband and wife duo Neysa & Tabari Garcia-Muhammad, the company creates cinematic content, documentaries, brand stories, and short-form social media experiences that reflect the heart of each client’s vision. With work featured in Bon Appétit, Epicurious, and Canvas Rebel, including photography for My Creole-Cali Kitchen with her partner Tabari, Ginger and Carrot Productions brings a unique blend of creativity, cultural insight, and strategy to every project. The team helps brands, creatives, and organizations tell stories that resonate, inspire loyalty, and spark cultural conversations. Whether through short-form TikTok content or high-end productions, Ginger and Carrot Productions delivers storytelling that is thoughtful, impactful, and unforgettable. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

Content creators are just as impactful if not more so than major publishers and every single customer IS a food critic. Curious about how those two worlds can come together to create something meaningful?In this video, I break down a shift in mindset that restaurant owners need to make if they want to scale their impact in the food industry. _________________________________________HOW TO WORK WITH ME: To hire me for production work, branding assets, and creative projects, you can schedule a discovery call at https://calendly.com/gingerandcarrot MY BIO: I’m Neysa Garcia-Muhammad, a storyteller, producer, and creative strategist passionate about bringing food, culture, and community to life through authentic media. I co-founded Ginger and Carrot Productions, where I create cinematic content, documentaries, and brand stories that connect with audiences on a cultural and emotional level. On TikTok (@helloneysa), I share insights on industry trends and personal growth with curiosity, humor, and honesty. I work with brands, organizations, and creatives to craft stories that resonate, inspire connection, and spark meaningful engagement. ___________________________________________________ ABOUT GINGER AND CARROT PRODUCTIONS: Ginger and Carrot Productions is a Black and Queer owned media company specializing in authentic storytelling that celebrates food, culture, and connection. Founded by husband and wife duo Neysa & Tabari Garcia-Muhammad, the company creates cinematic content, documentaries, brand stories, and short-form social media experiences that reflect the heart of each client’s vision. With work featured in Bon Appétit, Epicurious, and Canvas Rebel, including photography for My Creole-Cali Kitchen with her partner Tabari, Ginger and Carrot Productions brings a unique blend of creativity, cultural insight, and strategy to every project. The team helps brands, creatives, and organizations tell stories that resonate, inspire loyalty, and spark cultural conversations. Whether through short-form TikTok content or high-end productions, Ginger and Carrot Productions delivers storytelling that is thoughtful, impactful, and unforgettable. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

The creator economy is so much more than brand collaborations to make content. There is a real opportunity to create memorable experiences for your audience and lasting impact. In this video I explored how Jeni’s did it and how you can create something just as meaningful for your customers.__________________________________________________HOW TO WORK WITH ME: To hire me for production work, branding assets, and creative projects, you can schedule a discovery call at https://calendly.com/gingerandcarrot MY BIO: I’m Neysa Garcia-Muhammad, a storyteller, producer, and creative strategist passionate about bringing food, culture, and community to life through authentic media. I co-founded Ginger and Carrot Productions, where I create cinematic content, documentaries, and brand stories that connect with audiences on a cultural and emotional level. On TikTok (@helloneysa), I share insights on industry trends and personal growth with curiosity, humor, and honesty. I work with brands, organizations, and creatives to craft stories that resonate, inspire connection, and spark meaningful engagement. ___________________________________________________ ABOUT GINGER AND CARROT PRODUCTIONS Ginger and Carrot Productions is a Black and Queer owned media company specializing in authentic storytelling that celebrates food, culture, and connection. Founded by Neysa Garcia-Muhammad, the company creates cinematic content, documentaries, brand stories, and short-form social media experiences that reflect the heart of each client’s vision. With work featured in Bon Appétit, Epicurious, and Canvas Rebel, including photography for My Creole-Cali Kitchen with her partner Tabari, Ginger and Carrot Productions brings a unique blend of creativity, cultural insight, and strategy to every project. The team helps brands, creatives, and organizations tell stories that resonate, inspire loyalty, and spark cultural conversations. Whether through short-form TikTok content or high-end productions, Ginger and Carrot Productions delivers storytelling that is thoughtful, impactful, and unforgettable. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

Every Black founder that I’ve worked with or had a discovery call with asks me some version of this question: “How do I build a brand that both serves my community without making anyone feel left out” This is code for.. “I don’t want to piss off white people”. This concern is rooted in the impact of white supremacy because that’s where we get the idea that any kind of exclusion means that it’s creating harm. The truth is that we all need spaces where we can be among our own, but historically when white folks have created spaces for themselves…it involved denigrating others. As a result, some assume that if we create our own spaces, we’ll treat them just the same. The reality is that reverse racism doesn’t exist because there isn’t an institution to support it. A space just for Black people or any sub group within the Black community creates safety. Brands can’t be for everyone and that’s okay. The worst thing you can do is water down your message and be difficult for your audience to find. As a founder, you do need to take a stand on something so that people can decide if you’re the right choice for them. Let me know if this resonates. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com

I don’t believe in DEI because it’s performative “wokeness”. DEI asks nicely “please accept me and accomodate me at your earliest convenience”. It will never be convenient to sacrifice privilege and oppression. Brands are now in a position of having to clearly state what they believe and model that through every decision that they make as a company. HOW TO WORK WITH ME: To hire me for production work, branding assets, and creative projects, you can schedule a discovery call at https://calendly.com/gingerandcarrotMY BIO:I’m Neysa Garcia-Muhammad, a storyteller, producer, and creative strategist passionate about bringing food, culture, and community to life through authentic media. I co-founded Ginger and Carrot Productions, where I create cinematic content, documentaries, and brand stories that connect with audiences on a cultural and emotional level.Along with my partner Tabari, I was the photographer for My Creole Cali Kitchen, a cookbook featured in Bon Appétit and Epicurious. My work has also been highlighted in Canvas Rebel, reflecting my commitment to elevating diverse voices and celebrating heritage through modern storytelling.On TikTok (@helloneysa), I share insights on industry trends and personal growth with curiosity, humor, and honesty. I work with brands, organizations, and creatives to craft stories that resonate, inspire connection, and spark meaningful engagement.___________________________________________________ABOUT GINGER AND CARROT PRODUCTIONSGinger and Carrot Productions is a Black and Queer owned media company specializing in authentic storytelling that celebrates food, culture, and connection. Founded by Neysa Garcia-Muhammad, the company creates cinematic content, documentaries, brand stories, and short-form social media experiences that reflect the heart of each client’s vision.With work featured in Bon Appétit, Epicurious, and Canvas Rebel, including photography for My Creole-Cali Kitchen with her partner Tabari, Ginger and Carrot Productions brings a unique blend of creativity, cultural insight, and strategy to every project. The team helps brands, creatives, and organizations tell stories that resonate, inspire loyalty, and spark cultural conversations. Whether through short-form TikTok content or high-end productions, Ginger and Carrot Productions delivers storytelling that is thoughtful, impactful, and unforgettable. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com