Butternomics the Business of Culture

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Peter Kiley to talk about how he’s reshaped what a brewery can represent. Peter shares the Monday Night Brewing origin story, how the team scaled with intention, and why community is the heartbeat of the brand. They dig into the business side of craft brewing—from funding to culture to creativity—and what it takes to stay grounded while growing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, talks with entrepreneur and attorney Khadijah Robinson about what happens after the deal closes. Khadijah opens up about building Nile List from a spreadsheet to an acquired platform, all while balancing a high-powered legal career. She shares what most people get wrong about acquisitions, why the VC system doesn’t work for most Black founders, and what it really means to protect your peace while scaling impact. If you’re thinking about building something big, this conversation will save you years of mistakes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Olajuwon Ajanaku, co-founder of Eastside Golf, to break down how an idea born in an apartment turned into a cultural movement. Olajuwon shares how Eastside Golf redefined what golf looks like—and who it’s for—by leading with authenticity, grit, and purpose. From sketching logos by hand to collaborating with Jordan Brand and changing lives through community programs, this episode is packed with lessons on building a brand that stands for more than just business. If you’re serious about growing something real, this is a masterclass in vision, perseverance, and impact.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Camaran Burke, founder of Holiday in Atlanta, to talk about what really goes into building a bar that becomes a community hub. Cam shares his journey from physics major to bartender to owner, and how the business of hospitality demands more than most people realize. From grief and burnout to building systems and culture, Cam gets honest about what it takes to survive in an industry where 16 bars in West Midtown have closed in just the last year. If you’ve ever thought about owning a bar, this conversation is your reality check—and your blueprint.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Troop Brand, the creative force behind Trap Sushi. What started as a passion project to find fellow anime lovers turned into a full-on cultural movement—now backed by brand deals with Adult Swim, UTA, and more. Troop shares how he blended nightlife, hip-hop, cosplay, and community into one of the most unique event brands in Atlanta. This episode is full of real talk on partnerships, business growth, and how to scale without losing your voice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, Butternomics host Brandon Butler sits down with Southside Ken, the mastermind behind Atlanta’s professional party scene, to unpack how he turned a single Facebook post into a movement that reshaped the city’s nightlife. From pitching restaurant owners on the Southside to packing out rooftops and opening his own restaurant, Ken breaks down the power of consistency, the importance of relationships over transactions, and why curating authentic experiences beats bottle service every time. If you’ve ever wanted to build something real from scratch—or just throw a party people never forget—this one’s a blueprint.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ty McMath scaled and sold his first fitness company before building The Union Fit Hub—Atlanta’s first gym designed for fitness entrepreneurs. In this episode of Butternomics, he breaks down how he made it happen and why betting on trainers was the smartest move he ever made.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Butternomics, host Brandon Butler sits down with Kenny Burns to talk about how he became the Lifestyle Specialist before influencers were a thing. They get into building culture, moving brands, and why real influence starts with authenticity. From radio to spirits to the streets of Atlanta, Kenny shares how he turned connection into a career—and why the dream is still real.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Butternomics, we sit down with Atlanta’s own cultural curator and Hip Hop’s official historian, Nuface. From ticket stubs to Grammy-winning studio sessions, Nuface has transformed a passion for hip hop and community into an unmatched legacy of being everywhere culture happens. We dive into how he built relationships that turned a love for music into a thriving business, the art of always knowing exactly where to show up, and the value of being authentically present. Tune in to hear how Nuface turned his incredible collection and impeccable timing into a powerful role at the center of hip hop culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, Butternomics host Brandon Butler sits down with powerhouse entrepreneur and media innovator Sherrell Dorsey to break down how she built The Plug into the first Black-owned tech news publication to syndicate with Bloomberg—and why she ultimately decided to sell it. Sherrell shares her  approach to securing corporate sponsorships without chasing vanity metrics, the power of a hyper-engaged audience over a massive following, and why climate tech is the next billion-dollar opportunity Black entrepreneurs can’t afford to ignore. If you’ve ever wondered how to build, scale, and exit a media business on your own terms, this episode is packed with hard-won insights you won’t find anywhere else.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.