May 3, 2023 - The Franchise Player Tarji Carter and Social Bee Jason Lebaw

Tarji Carter - Founder & President of The Franchise Player

Tarji Carter is the Founder and President of The Franchise Player, a revolutionary initiative aimed at expanding the number of African franchises across the country. The Franchise Player provides education, resources, and opportunities to aspiring franchisees and small business owners, with a focus on increasing franchise ownership and wealth across the African American community. With more than a decade of experience in franchise sales and development, Tarji has helped hundreds of small business operators realize their dream of owning a franchise while expanding the footprint of some of the world's most popular brands, including Cinnabon, Carvel, Baskin Robbins, Dunkin, Wingstop, Edible Arrangements, Fuddruckers, Bojangles', and more. Through her work with The Franchise Player, Tarji is pushing for African entrepreneurs to operate high-performing restaurants while helping companies grow their brands and build wealth in the African community.

 

Jason LaBaw - Founder & CEO of Social Bee & Bonsai Media Group

Jason LaBaw is an experienced entrepreneur and digital marketing professional with over 13 years of experience as the owner and operator of Bonsai Media Group, serving top brands such as Samsung, Amazon, Supra Boats, and CTG. bringing 18+ years of industry experience and strategic leadership. He holds an in Web Management & Web Development and is certified in AdWords, Google Analytics, and Umbraco development. Jason’s in-depth knowledge of digital marketing communications combined with his technical experience as a certified web developer, make him uniquely capable of driving both technology-focused and marketing-focused solutions. He is the Founder and CEO of Social Bee, a travel AR app that combines elements of Pokemon Go and Trip Advisor to enhance the travel experience. Jason is also a leader in developing in-person digital experiences (IPDEs), including 3D product configurators, AR apps, and branded scavenger hunts, for clients worldwide. He provides valuable insights and strategies for brands seeking to become metaverse ready. Based in Seattle, Jason regularly speaks at the University of Washington and Western Washington University on a variety of topics, including Web Development & Design, Usability Enhancements, Conversion Rate Optimization, Search Engine Optimization (both paid and organic), and Social Media.