In this episode of Change the Reel, Monique and Piper sit

down with Jennie Lopez—Latina chemical engineer turned corporate

executive, professional dancer, author, and speaker—to talk about

authenticity, inclusion, and why embracing your uniqueness is the key to

success.

From NFL sidelines to executive boardrooms, Jennie’s journey shows

what happens when you stop hiding your “horn” and start leading as your

full self. Now known as the “Intentional Unicorn,” she empowers leaders,

entrepreneurs, and changemakers to harness their authentic superpowers

and thrive. #Authenticity #WomenInLeadership #ChangeTheReel

Why This Matters Now

In an era where AI and automation dominate headlines, authenticity is

becoming the most valuable edge. Jennie’s story proves that inclusion,

intentionality, and authenticity aren’t buzzwords—they’re business

strategies that drive impact, innovation, and legacy.

#RepresentationMatters #AuthenticVoices #InclusionInBusiness

Owning the Unicorn Within

• From Puerto Rico to the C-Suite
• Jennie reflects on her path as a Latina engineer and executive
• navigating industries where diversity wasn’t the norm—and the moment she
• realized hiding her accent, culture, or energy was holding her back.
• 
  
• 
  
• Turning Vulnerability into Power
• 
  
• What others called “too nice” or “too Latina” became Jennie’s
• differentiators. She shares how embracing vulnerability and authenticity
• transformed her career trajectory.
• 
  
• 
  
• The Power of Representation
• 
  
• For Jennie, representation isn’t optional—it’s a responsibility. Her
• work demonstrates how intentional inclusion brings out the best in
• people and organizations alike.
• 
  

Storytelling, Dance, and Video as Amplifiers

From dancing professionally and cheering for the NFL to launching

empowering videos on LinkedIn, Jennie shows how storytelling and

movement have always been part of her leadership. She explains why

video, used authentically, remains one of the most powerful ways to

connect with audiences. #Storytelling #AuthenticVoices #WomenInMedia

Beyond Corporate to Entrepreneurship

Leaving behind a career she loved wasn’t easy—but Jennie knew her

mission to empower others was bigger. Today, she speaks, coaches, and

consults through her brand Intentional Unicorn, guiding others to unlock their own superpowers and step boldly into leadership. #WomenEntrepreneurs #LatinasInBusiness

Looking Forward

From bestselling books to TEDx stages, Jennie continues to innovate. Her

upcoming app will make her coaching more accessible, proving that

authentic leadership and intentional inclusion scale far beyond a single

keynote or boardroom.

Bottom Line

Jennie Lopez reminds us that success comes from showing up as your full

self—intentionally, authentically, and unapologetically. By embracing

diversity, inclusion, and authenticity, leaders can create impact that

lasts beyond themselves.

Change the Reel: Where representation starts here. Join

us twice monthly as we explore how different voices shape the stories

we tell and help you navigate the world of authentic media production.

#ChangeTheReel #Authenticity #WomenInLeadership #RepresentationMatters

#IntentionalUnicorn #LatinasInBusiness #WomenEntrepreneurs

#InclusionInBusiness #Storytelling #AuthenticVoices

2 3 The Intentional Unicorn: Authenticity, Inclusion, and Leadership...

Feeling overwhelmed by video marketing demands while managing a small team? You're not alone. In this episode, Monique and Piper break down the reality of video production statistics and share practical strategies for scaling your video efforts without burning out your team.

Why This Matters Now

The numbers don't lie: small businesses average 15 videos per year, medium businesses produce 84, and large companies create 118 annually. If you're not hitting these benchmarks, your competitors likely are. With 87% of businesses now using video as a marketing tool, the question isn't whether you should be creating video content, it's how to do it strategically without overwhelming your already stretched team.

Key Insights

The Video Production Reality Check

Here's what the data tells us: small businesses drop one video every 24 days, medium businesses every four days, and large companies every three days. If you're falling short of these averages, you're potentially behind competitors who might be offering less than what you provide but are more visible online. The psychology is simple. People engage with live streams and are 43% more likely to buy premium products after watching, and 67% more likely to purchase event tickets.

Building Your Video Strategy Foundation

Stop treating video as an add-on decided two weeks before an event. Developing a clear video strategy means knowing the purpose of each video, identifying your target audience, and understanding how each piece of content increases brand awareness. We've seen too many videos sitting in digital no-man's land with one or two views because there was no strategic plan for distribution or connection to business goals.

The Content Repurposing Game Changer

Your long-form content is a goldmine waiting to be mined. That 15-minute testimonial or executive interview contains multiple short clips perfect for social media. AI tools can now transcribe your content, making it easy to search for specific soundbites without watching entire videos. This isn't just about efficiency. It's about maximizing your content investment and maintaining consistent frequency.

Creating Your Production Workflow

Define roles across your team for planning, scripting, storyboarding, producing, editing, and publishing. Not everyone needs to be good at everything. Maybe you're strong on the technical side but shouldn't handle the writing. Spread the workflow across different departments so no single person carries the entire load. This collaborative approach can actually make video production an enjoyable, creative experience for your team.

Smart Tools and Outsourcing Decisions

AI editing tools like Eddie AI and Riverside FM can handle formatting for different social platforms. The landscape changes daily, so stay informed about available resources. But here's the strategic question: do you invest time learning these tools, or do you outsource to someone who already knows the prompts and has the technical skills? For complex needs like hybrid live events with proper audio management, outsourcing often provides faster scaling without the learning curve.

Making It Work

Video production success for small teams comes down to strategic planning over ad-hoc execution. Start with:

• Honest Assessment: Are you meeting industry video averages for your business size?
• Strategic Planning: Create a defined plan showing what you'll produce throughout the year
• Workflow Development: Assign clear roles so no one person is overwhelmed
• Content Maximization: Plan to repurpose longer content into shorter social pieces
• Smart Scaling: Decide what to...

2 1 The Truth About Retirement & Representation with April Browne

• Zelken Financial Services on YOUTUBE - April shares tons of information Youtube.
• Zelken Financial Services - How to work with April Browne

Change the Reel is back for Season 2! In this first episode, Monique and Piper sit down with April Browne, retired Durham Police Department captain turned financial advisor, to talk about representation, resilience, and rewriting the story of who gets to lead in finance.

After nearly 30 years in law enforcement, April faced the confusing world of retirement planning and realized how many hidden pitfalls existed for first responders and everyday people alike. Instead of settling for unclear answers, she launched Zilkin Financial Services to help others navigate their financial futures with clarity and confidence. #FinancialEmpowerment #WomenInFinance #ChangeTheReel

Why This Matters Now

Money is one of the last taboos, and financial literacy is often locked behind jargon and inequitable access. April’s work brings transparency and representation to a field dominated by white men, showing why diverse voices are essential in financial services. She reminds us that inclusion in finance isn’t just about fairness—it’s about creating trust and building futures that reflect our communities. #RepresentationMatters #FinancialInclusion #WealthBuilding

Building a Second Career with Purpose

• From Captain to Consultant
• April shares how her transition from law enforcement to finance was fueled by frustration and how that drive now fuels her mission to educate and empower others.
• 
  
• The Power of Representation
• From being one of the few women of color in the command staff to demanding diversity in financial partnerships, April talks about why visibility and intentional leadership matter.
• 
  
• Inclusion as a Business Value
• April doesn’t just talk about equity! She practices it. From who she partners with to who she serves, she insists that diversity and inclusion aren’t optional; they’re essential.
• 
  

Authenticity in Storytelling and Business

Whether it’s building a YouTube presence, bringing humor and honesty to tough financial conversations, or holding boundaries in business, April shows how authenticity attracts the right people and repels the wrong ones. Her story is a reminder that showing up as your true self is a superpower. #AuthenticVoices #WomenEntrepreneurs #FinancialFreedom

Looking Forward

April’s next chapter is about more than money…it’s about service. She’s helping people, especially first responders and those approaching retirement, build confidence in their financial decisions. And she’s proving that representation changes not only who’s at the table, but how the work gets done.

Bottom Line

Representation in finance matters. By blending the skills she honed in law enforcement with her commitment to equity and transparency, April Browne is changing the reel on who can be a trusted guide in building wealth and securing retirement.

Change the Reel: Where representation starts here. Join us twice monthly as we explore how different voices shape the stories we tell and help you navigate the world of authentic media production.

#ChangeTheReel #RepresentationMatters #WomenInFinance #FinancialEmpowerment #AuthenticVoices #InclusionMatters #WealthBuilding #FinancialFreedom #WomenEntrepreneurs #DiversityInBusiness