The Scoop with Tanya Flanagan

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Tanya Flanagan 0:19
Good morning, and thank you for joining me for the scoop with Tanya Flanagan, I'm so happy you decided to wake up and start your day with me here on the scoop, where we talk about life, joy, funny moments, trending topics and so much more. We promise to keep you in the know and find out what you know. So let's get started.

You Good morning Las Vegas, and thank you for waking up once again on a Sunday morning and joining me red hero 91.5k U N, V as always. I'm delighted to spend some time with great people here in the studio. And this morning is no different than any other morning, I am excited to welcome back to the studio a long time friend of mine for what I like to consider my occasional man on the street segment where we just have a conversation with an interesting person and you find out something that you never knew about, someone that you might be familiar with and you may not be familiar with, but after this show is over, you will know Him so much better. So without further ado, I am excited to welcome my dear friend, Eric James, to the show.

Eric James 1:25
Happy holidays, everyone, and I'm happy to be here.

Tanya Flanagan 1:29
Thank you for showing up this morning and hanging out with me. We usually share our birthdays and try to do something fun on them, and we haven't had a chance to do that this year. And while this is no substitute for that. It is a way to spend a little bit of time together. And I know a lot has happened in your life and is always happening in the last year or so. So just you do so many interesting things, I thought others would be enlightened by finding out what some of that stuff is. So

Eric James 1:56
well be said, still too long they might catch you. So I like to keep moving and keep moving and moving forward. And as life years pass, I find that new challenges always keeps my mental and physical well being in a good place. So always a new challenge, always a new day and a new sunshine.

Tanya Flanagan 2:15
I got that. And speaking of mental you are a thinker and essentially kind of an economist, if you will, by day, State Farm Insurance agent and many other hats. Game board creator. Board game creator, I should say, home health. You do so many things you I could keep running the list down, folks, dad, community activist, volunteer supporter, but you know, jack of all trades. Jack of all trades.

Eric James 2:44
Well, I mean, hopefully a master of some I'm blessed to have graduated from UNLV. Some people don't know that I graduated with economics degree. I won't mention a year and tell my age too much, but it was been a few minutes. But I did even have the opportunity to attend UNR for a few years before graduating down here in lovely southern Southern Nevada. But I can say that my journey has allowed me to see both sides of the state, see both sides of the economy and the economics of state, and I think that's been to my advantage. So I've been able to use that to help myself over the years and find niches in the economy and to the business industry here that's been beneficial to me.

Tanya Flanagan 3:25
I would love for you and congratulations to you on your business acumen and what you've been able to do over the years as an entrepreneur. I would love for you to share a little bit with people how you acquired some of your success and what advice you have to them as we're in the space we are, and with the transition in the election space from Democrat to Republican, not to get into the weeds of politics, but just how you see, what you think people will watch for, what you would encourage someone to watch for, based on what you understand about economy. Well, in your business, I've

Eric James 3:56
always said I've been asked to speak at the university or at different schools. And, you know, I have a kind of a set program that I speak on usually, and I advise people do something people have to have a lot of times, especially new business owners, have something that burns in their heart and they want to do shoes or cigars or they they have something that they personally really are attached to so that drives them. And I understand that, and I get a having a passion. But when economic hard times come, people cut back. You don't, you know, my dog's hair can get a little bit longer. They'll need a $200 grooming. Or, you know, those expensive cigars I'll cut down to the cheap ones. Or, you know, skip that. So sometimes folks had to look at, what do people need? Therefore, you always have a business or a client in need of your business.

Tanya Flanagan 4:47
That does make perfect sense. And I know you've said that many times over the years, that your strategy or your logic behind being in business as has been to provide people with goods that they need. As opposed to feel good. What makes you feel good because and you're in insurance?

Eric James 5:06
Well, you can have both, because, you know, one of when I give those talks, one of my jokes I like to put out there is, like, who hasn't used toilet paper this week? Because if you haven't, you know, you might want to step out of the room, but everybody needs toilet paper, so there's always going to be somebody around. And if it's two ply, it's going to feel better than one ply. So, you know, two things that people have to have, and that that category,

Tanya Flanagan 5:34
good Sunday morning Las Vegas. You see why I just, you know, I never know what to expect when I hang out with my dear friend Eric. That's his feel good joke for the day. But I get it. Do something that it's not, not bad to do something that makes you feel good. I get that, but you're doing some new things as well.

Eric James 5:52
Well, over the last couple of years, I started a small entertainment company. We've worked our way through COVID and actors and writers strike of last year, with the entertainment industry having great interest in Las Vegas. Some of you may have heard that Sony studios and some other studios are vying for space here in Las Vegas and Nevada, and if some politicians that I know, I'm not going to mention any names. Work on getting those tax credit and tax bills available to these large industries. US local small businesses will be able to benefit from that. But, you know, we just, you know, we just stay positive, and hopefully those things will work itself out. But we launched a card game, adult party card game. For those of you that are young enough that know Cards Against Humanity, I always say my game is Cards Against Humanity on steroids. It's a fun drinking party game. So it's great fun, and people seem to enjoy it. So I like doing tapping into my creative side as well as my business side. And so the two have come together, allowed me to branch out new things. Currently in negotiations, to purchase a home inspection company, so to keep expanding my portfolio, along with my real estate. Nevers so I like to you, like said, I don't sit still. You know the old joke is, you have to be of Jamaican. You have to have multiple jobs to keep keep the multiple revenue streams coming in, to make sure everything's good to go. So

Tanya Flanagan 7:24
at this point, we have insurance with State Farm. We have paradox of morality. Keep

Eric James 7:31
in mind, with State Farm, we do 85 different products, so from commercial to personal to light health. So that's a full load all in itself.

Tanya Flanagan 7:40
You do have a full load on itself, and you encourage drinking early on Sunday morning. I didn't miss that.

Eric James 7:48
Gonna have a nice Mimosa today. Don't, don't, don't.

Tanya Flanagan 7:50
Oh my, well, I guess there's moderate justification in that. It's the holidays. It is season of festivities, and people should have some fun, drink responsibly. There you go. That's all we can say. I love all of that. You have a lot going on. And as far as the comment about local businesses benefiting from the growth going on in the state, in the valley, with the potential entertainment, with Sony's pictures, talking about coming here, I do hope to see a lot of small businesses benefit from that. It's great when we have industry expansion, because we need that here so much. It's also really wonderful when the businesses who've been here serving our communities are able to really be a part of that expansion and to see their potential grow. And I know we have some great people here from custom creators. I mean, we are a town of entertainment already, so we're creating customs for shows. There are people who are doing that. To see them expand and do that on a different scale from movies, is going to be fantastic. Sound Engineer, stage hands. I mean, there's just a lot to come into that space. So I'm also excited to see you seeing that and forecasting, to put yourself in position to take advantage of this new market that's coming. Well, Vegas

Eric James 9:09
is truly and I'm born and raised in Vegas. For my generation, I'm one of the few actual father was an Air Force. I was Army paramedic myself, but military family. So I was born and raised here in the valley, but Vegas is growing into what it's always advertised itself as a true entertainment capital of the world. And now with the sports and with the music and now with the Hollywood coming this way, we are actually fulfilling what our promotion has been and becoming an entertainment capital. And with myself, we have my team, we have some game shows, TV shows and episodic episodes that we're in pre production on. So we're hoping as those come but people don't realize we already have studios here, for those that you haven't, and it's not a self promotion for. Going to work for them. But if you haven't visited or toured the view or the Warri studios, it is incredible the technology that they've developed over there and the cost cutting that they're going to bring to the industry. And with Vegas having so much warehouse space available and open space, Vegas is a great market. No state tax here, which you know, cost cutting is always an incentive for any business, active labor, plenty of hotel space for events and concert venues. With the new stadium, the Legion and T Mobile and the other stadiums that are in production, a stadium, we will have the concert venues for more and more music, or even award shows, etc. So I think, and we have the weather that allows for year round entertainment. So I really do see Vegas as really fulfilling its own marketing and becoming a true entertainment capital of the

Tanya Flanagan 10:57
world. We really do offer so much in so many different ways Vegas is. I've always described it as an anomaly, because there really is no other place like it. And there are cities in this country that have energy similar to ours, be it Los Angeles, be it New York, but I still believe that there's no other city that is quite like Vegas is, and I've been to both of those and to the heart of those spaces that we hear so much about Times Square and things like that, and it's not the same extra sensory experience that we offer here, and the growth has become exponential. And so you're right, we really are beginning to offer everything that people could possibly imagine. So it will be interesting to see how the four corners of our Valley really benefit from that growth, and if the four corners of our Valley truly benefit from that growth. Well,

Eric James 11:48
I mean, a quarter of California lives there already, so it's not a far leap to see that. You know, they're bringing their talents and their skill sets along with them. The looks like the bullet train is moving forward to allow easier transportation avenues to come in here, the expansion of McCarran Airport seems to be moving forward to allow more international travelers to come and we're already, I believe, ranked in the top five nationally as far as traffic currently. So all these things are allowing us to continue to grow in a healthy manner and to bring more and more options, jobs and revenue streams to the local economy. So many states, I think, in Las Vegas or Nevada and itself, because even Reno, Nevada seeing a dramatic growth increase. A lot of folks coming from Oregon and Washington and California as well, moving to northern Nevada. So the state as a whole seems to be in a good place overall. I

Tanya Flanagan 12:51
agree with you on most of that, and I don't have an argument against any of it. With you doing so much. It makes me curious if your next endeavor might be to, you know, write a book. I mean,

Eric James 13:02
well, oddly enough, that's how the card game came about. It was originally a book for socializing at parties, scenarios or interesting topics, things to for people to open up conversations, to meet other folks on and it evolved due to an accident. When I was out of the country traveling, I was had the notes for I saw it as a rapper do it years ago. They typed their notes and their rap lyrics on their their cell phone. And I did that considerably when things came to me in the moment, if I didn't have a piece of paper, it was a way to keep myself organized. But I was actually in out of the country, and I was on a small they call sandblast islands, and was being picked up in a canoe to go to another island for a party. You know, it was, it was a like a barbecue type party, and the salt water got into my phone and ruined my notes. And months later, I was re organizing and rethinking, you know, what those things were, and updating things. And someone asked me, Hey, is that a is that a show, or what are you typing in there? Is that a game? And I start real, really, re evaluating what I wanted, my thoughts or process or my, you know, you know what I wanted, and it ended up seeing that fun, intellectually challenging game that people could enjoy was the avenue that I chose. And so far, I think we've gotten great feedback from folks. I think it's

Tanya Flanagan 14:32
really unique, and I congratulate you on the product. I've seen it, I've read some of the questions, they are kind of outlandish, and, you know, get you to maybe let your guard down a little bit, or release some inhibitions, and just kind of go with the flow. And you never know who you're going to be in the room with and what, I guess you'll learn about yourself or about any other person when you play a game that is a human interaction game where you're bouncing off one another.

Eric James 14:59
Well, that's. Actually the primary objective or motivation of the game. The game is paradox of morality. So paradox is there's no right or wrong answer, and morality is the game play is based on you and your personal beliefs. Whether you're white, black, Asian, Latino, straight, gay, Republican, Democrat, whoever you are is what you bring to the game play itself. So it's not a lot. What I found is a lot of trivia games. Other games were repetitious. If you know the question is, hey, in 1962 this actor played this character in the film, who is it? If you played the game again, the answers, you know, is the same. So you've kind of played it out once and one and done with paradox morality. It's never going to be the same game based on the creativity, the personalities or the outlandishness of your friends. So the Wilder your friends are, the Wilder gameplay. If your friends are timid, then get some fun or friends. But you know, the more outlandish your friends are, the more fun you're gonna have, because you get a group of people that like to have fun with some over the top scenarios or situations, and a lot of it, you have to act out or role play the scenarios. And that really brings out, especially if you have a couple drinks in you, it brings out people's true personality. I'm

Tanya Flanagan 16:18
telling you again on early Sunday morning, have a drink. I am not saying to anyone what you should get your friends for Christmas. But I always love when the light bulb goes off and it's like, oh, that's a, you know, you have that friend who has everything, right? And so you're like, what do I get this person I've known them forever? Or what shock effect item Could I could I put under the tree for my dear friend and so paradox morality sounds like one of those options that you can put on your list of consideration when you're looking for that unique gift to give to someone as well.

Eric James 16:52
Now, I might be a little biased, but I think it's the best game out there hands down. So. But you know, modesty

Tanya Flanagan 16:58
this morning is about drinking and lack of modesty. We like to have fun. I've known him for what have you known each other for about 20 Yes, almost 20 years. It's been about that long. Started. Did some Urban League work together back in I don't want to date, but you know, in the 2000s

Eric James 17:19
Urban League young professionals, we started Nevada chapter and brought all our friends together, and a lot of those relationships are still strong to this day, because we spent so much time giving back to the community and working within and networking within a small population of folks at that time that has grown, and a lot of those folks have gone on to do some amazing things. And so it's been amazing to watch folks grow and life change. It

Tanya Flanagan 17:47
has been, and I think it's also, as we speak, about the Urban League young professionals, a lot of them still have ingrained in them this passion about giving back so in some way or another, after being a part of the organization, they understand or have, I think, a continued commitment to the importance of serving in the community through whatever nonprofit, whether it's a church or a nonprofit or just a simple idea that they have that allows them to go out on a regular basis and help in a senior living community or help some kids in a sports program. So kudos and thank you for serving alongside me as my vice president for two three years to do to set that up,

Eric James 18:25
I've had the opportunities to work with 100 Black Men the urban Chamber of Commerce. I served 17 years on goodwill of Southern Nevada, Goodwill of Southern Nevada's board, which I just stepped down from last December, and I'm currently being vetted or approached for United Way of Southern Nevada, and also for a veterans rights group. So I'm looking to kind of continue the service here locally in the valley, and as long as, and you know, being your own business owner allows a little bit more flexibility than maybe, you know some folks, so it's given me some flexibility to you may take off in an afternoon and go to a play or go to a soccer event, or coach football team, or even, I even did Lego robotics teams with the at the 100 Academy excellence years ago. So it's given me a lot of opportunities to be a part of the community and give back. I have a question

Tanya Flanagan 19:22
for you in that bank, in that space, as you serve, because as we get older, we look at service differently. What has changed for you from the time and and I'll say at 2006 when we started the Urban League young professionals, to now 2024 when someone says, Hey, will you serve on a board? Energy

Eric James 19:39
has gotten older. You know, do you think you look

Tanya Flanagan 19:41
at it differently, though, like, what is the board? What do they want? What can I offer? Because sometimes, when we're young, we're just excited to serve or to stack that resume right to get engaged and to build up what it that portfolio looks like. And then as you get older and you really learn more about yourself, you're like, where do where can I have the. Most impact.

Eric James 20:00
I think, I think that's absolutely true, because I've taken a different approach to these two new boards. There was a time when I think I was serving on eight different board of directors and running a mentoring program, and now that I, you know, removed myself from all those over the years, aged out or termed out is more appropriate term the two new boards, I am interviewing them, as opposed to them interviewing me. Is it something I truly want to be a part of? Are they completing the mission, or how effective are they doing on their mission? What is the chemistry of the board? What is the personality of the board? Do I fit with that? You know, personality, because I'm a big personality. I mean, everybody that knows me knows that I'm not one to hold my tongue, and if I believe I'm speaking the truth, do it. I'm going to speak it. So I want to know that it's a place where I can go and move the needle in what I believe is a progressive way. And early on, it was, how can I help? Now I feel like I've gained enough knowledge at this age to say I believe I'm bringing something to the table. Let's go together. And so I think it's a little bit different mentality. It's a maybe a little more confidence in who I am and what I've learned over the years and what I've seen grow our community, and a belief that I'm in touch enough with the folks on the ground to make sure that the dollars that are coming in are used in an appropriate manner. I want

Tanya Flanagan 21:24
to say thank you for sharing that, and that's why I asked that question, because I know you could so perfectly answer it. And I think there's so much value in the growth that we experience in life to understand who we are when you're serving on boards. And not just how can I help? But you know, is this effective? Is it doing what it's supposed to do, and it takes time in life to mature, to understand that. And I hope that anyone who's trying to chart their course and figure out where they can be of service work that into your consideration, into your thought process, on how you determine where you serve, who and why you're serving with that organization, and what you're going to bring to it, but also what you're going to take away,

Eric James 22:01
because keep in mind, everything has a business model behind it. Even nonprofits or charities, there's a business model. There's somebody sitting in a seat that's making decisions and where dollars are going to flow to how efficient are they being with those dollars? How? How well are they moving the programs and what are their their metrics are there are how many people are they serving with those dollars? As opposed to another organization? Efficiency business model is just as important for a non profit as it is for a, you know, profitable business, and so you want to be able to use those dollars efficiently enough to help the most people. Because if you know someone gives their hard earned money, they don't want it to be wasted. They want it to be used to help as many people as possible. And we all see it. There's a great deal of homelessness in our in our in our world, and there's a lot of people struggling with mental health issues, among other things, and it's hard because you can't help everyone. And there's a, you know, underlying feeling of guilt at times, because you wish you could help each and every individual. But if you can help one more person, or two more or three more persons with your dollars, that could make be all the difference in the world.

Tanya Flanagan 23:11
It does matter just one, each one reach one. Each one teach one. Is often said in the community. We are coming to the end of 2024, and I know you, you mentioned the flexibility you have in your life to balance your work life with your play life. And just curious I know you, you mentioned being out of the country on a trip, but looking back over 2024 one of the more exciting places that you visited, as you reflect on the year and what's on the schedule for 2025 Well,

Eric James 23:39
last year, oh, this year, I got to do the largest cruise ship in the world at the icon of the sea, and I had the opportunity to take my children and family to out of the country on that and visit parts of the world that they had never seen. Put some stamps in their passports. So that was nice, because they're at an age to where now they can appreciate those kind of big excursions out of the country, whereas before, a beach was a beach, or, you know, they didn't really get it so much. So why spend the money? But also, last year, about this time, I was in Greece, then I spent some time travel from Greece to Turkey. Then I actually spent a day and a half in Jordan during the Israeli conflict, which was a phenomenal cultural experience, seeing things from both sides of the conflict, some of the refugee crisis that were going on there, as well as and I got to swim in the Dead Sea. And for those of you of color, you know the Dead Sea is a very unique thing, because you float. So if you got a big butt like myself, it's hard to swim in the Dead Sea because your butt floats to the top at first. But so traveling is always been something I've done everything from the running of the bulls to riding elephants in India and camels. You know, it's so. White Water, white water, rafted down the Amazon and Costa Rica. So I've had the opportunity and the blessings in my life. I've been through some hard times. Don't get me wrong, things you know, have life has tested me, but stayed strong, stay within my means, and stayed humble and tried to give back to find that balance in life. And I think that's the key. I always strive. You can never guarantee it, but my goal is always to strive to find balance, and when I get out of balance, I work that much harder to regain that balance. And I think that's what's helped carry me through the good and bad times.

Tanya Flanagan 25:34
I can absolutely say that you are one of the most generous people that I know. People don't always know that, but you do give a lot to the community. And I do watch the waves in economy come and go, and I don't know what may happen in the business you know, space as you try to run your businesses, but I always feel like it seems like you're doing okay. And I think part of that grace is a testament to your graciousness, because you do give a lot to the community, whether you're supporting a youth group or showing up to mentor some kids, or just whatever you're doing, you do give a lot. And I think that it says, The Word says it's better to give than to receive, and so I think that you are definitely an example and a testament to that we're coming to toward the end of the show, and I want to make sure we have time to properly share any information for people who are interested in learning more about you or about anything that you've shared with us this morning.

Eric James 26:28
Yeah. I mean, feel free to reach out to me, my for at my office, or personally, I don't even mind giving folks out my cell phone, but you know, I want people just blowing me up just to holler, you know, it's about that business. But you know, feel free to reach out at 702-836-0953, 702-836-0953, and just have a conversation with me. If you have a question, something I can help you understand better in the business world or insurance and financial, like I said, I'm licensed six and 63 so I'm more than happy to just provide information. I'm not one to push people or trying to sell if you just need to know or understand what's going on. I'm more than happy to do that. And of course, you know the board game is paradox morality, and hopefully you'll be seeing us, with my company, Black Rose LLC, with some TV shows, we're actually working on some to be shows that looks like we're talking in talks for some distribution, but we're not sure if it's the right venue yet for us. So we're looking to keep moving forward and add more and more layers. And next year looks like the negotiation goes right. I'll be I'll be owner of a home and inspection company, which I feel is kind of an extension to my insurance background, and because I was a real estate agent for several years as well, till dual license, these laws didn't allow me comfortably to do both. But so I'm always looking to expand and and keep growing. But feel free to reach out or go to our website. Just look up paradox, morality, the game. And, you know, can find us on Amazon and other places, but you don't have to buy, I'm just saying where you can find us.

Tanya Flanagan 28:10
I like all of that, and we are going to do as I love to do this with you, a short rapid fire as much as I can like, put you on the spot for so what music is in your ear right now.

Eric James 28:22
You know what? I've been kind of feeling this new Kendrick Lamar album. He just dropped it recently. And you know, it's amazing that he's been able to cross over, because every sporting event I go to seems to be rocking this is rapper,

Tanya Flanagan 28:42
no country. Lamar. We want to know what you're watching on Netflix. What's the movie? What's the theater for you? You

Eric James 28:47
know what? I haven't watched anything on Netflix lately. Latest movie, quickest

Tanya Flanagan 28:51
movie. What you see?

Eric James 28:52
Latest movie was, we were gonna go see the wicked, and didn't get a chance over Okay, so

Tanya Flanagan 28:59
wicked. So we got wicked favorite Thanksgiving food. What was it?

Eric James 29:02
Oh, what do you eat? Too much of I ate too much Turkey and

Tanya Flanagan 29:05
gravy. Okay, too much Turkey and gravy. Where you want to go in 2025

Eric James 29:10
possibly Dubai or Japan, Dubai

Tanya Flanagan 29:12
or Japan. All right. Well, folks, there you have it. As always, you see, I tried to give me a long answer. It's rapid fire. Rapid fire. Thank you for tuning in to another edition of the scoop. Have a great week, and we will see you next time. Happy

Eric James 29:23
holidays.

Tanya Flanagan 29:24
Happy holidays. I want to thank you for tuning in to the scoop with me. Tonya Flanagan, and I want to invite you to get social with me. I'm on Facebook and Twitter. My name is my handle, T, a n, y a F, l, a n, a G, A N. You can also find me on Instagram at Tanya almond eyes Flanagan, and if you have a thought, an opinion or a suggestion, don't hesitate to shoot me an email to tanya.flanagan@unlv.edu Thanks again for joining in. Stay safe and have a great week. You.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai