Building a large business in the beauty, barber, and wellness industries is no easy feat. These sectors are ripe for competition, and historically, don't scale.

On todays episode, Will Lucas, Brand Manager at AfroTech talks with entrepreneurs who've built million dollar enterprises in an industry that is known for being a hodge-podge of hustlers with no actual business operations to see how they did it, and you can too.

*Originally published April 5, 2022*

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Tré Baker is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and author dedicated to advancing Black economic leadership and fostering innovation. With a diverse portfolio of over 80 angel investments and extensive experience founding and operating companies across industries like renewable energy, blockchain, and consumer goods, Tré is a seasoned leader in the startup ecosystem. As the former Managing Director of the Build in Tulsa Techstars Accelerator, Tré championed early-stage companies and fostered an ecosystem of innovation in Tulsa's tight-knit and resource-rich startup community.

On this episode, Tré speaks with AfroTech’s Will Lucas about the role of AI in shaping Black economic self-determination, building sustainable startup communities, strategies for investing in pre-seed companies, and the lessons he’s learned from his entrepreneurial journey.

Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas
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Learn more at AfroTech.com
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Aaron Samuels is Founder and Managing Partner of Collide Capital, a $66M fund, and the first VC fund to be simultaneously backed by Amazon, Alphabet, and Twitter. He is also the co-founder and former COO of Blavity, the largest global Black media company for Millennials and Gen-Z, and AfroTech, the world’s largest Black tech conference.

Aaron began his professional journey as a spoken word artist before transitioning into strategy consulting at Bain & Co. and later serving as a Product Manager at TeleSign.

On this episode, Aaron speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about his journey to becoming a venture capitalist, the creation of his $66 million fund, and the opportunities and challenges in supporting underrepresented founders in today’s legal and economic landscape.

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John Hope Bryant is an entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, best known for his work in economic empowerment and financial literacy. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing financial literacy and economic education to underserved communities. Bryant has been a vocal advocate for financial inclusion and has worked tirelessly to uplift communities through initiatives aimed at improving credit scores, increasing homeownership, and fostering entrepreneurship.

In this episode of Black Tech Green Money, Bryant talks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about the nature of money, describing it as a "coward" that seeks safety and high returns. He emphasizes the importance of building relationship capital and the value of strategic partnerships. Bryant also discusses the misconceptions around debt, explaining the difference between good and bad debt, and highlights the importance of financial literacy as a new civil rights issue. He encourages listeners to think beyond making money to building wealth through investments in education, relationships, and smart financial strategies. The conversation underscores the need for a comprehensive business plan and the significance of creating scalable businesses to foster long-term economic growth in the Black community.

Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas

Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast

Learn more at AfroTech.com

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Ep. 192 Ameer Brown is the co-founder and CTO of Breakr, a groundbreaking platform revolutionizing the way artists, influencers, and brands connect to break new music and shape culture. Breakr is backed by prominent investors like Nas, Andreessen Horowitz, and Slow Ventures, and has created opportunities for creators and brands alike, helping them save costs, streamline processes, and build direct-to-creator relationships at scale.

On this episode, Ameer speaks with AfroTech’s Will Lucas about the inspiration behind Breakr, the journey to securing support from industry giants, and the challenges of disrupting the music-tech space as a Black entrepreneur.

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Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech

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Ep. 191 Mandela SH Dixon is a startup executive, investor, and board member. She's the former CEO of All Raise and Founder Gym, where she focused on making tech more inclusive and accessible for underrepresented founders. As one of the first Black women to raise venture capital in Silicon Valley, Mandela has paved the way for countless others and now serves as an executive coach, helping high-performing founders and executives lead with purpose. She MC'd the very first AfroTech in 2016.

On this episode, she chat's with AfroTech's Will Lucas about life since that first AfroTech.

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Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech

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Shontay Lundy is the Founder and CEO of Black Girl Sunscreen, a pioneering brand created to address the sun care needs of Black and Brown skin. Launched in 2016, Black Girl Sunscreen has grown from a single product to a trusted line available in major retailers like Target and Ulta.

On this episode, Shontay speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about building Black Girl Sunscreen from the ground up, including the challenges of funding her vision and breaking into the beauty industry.

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Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech

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The Black Effect Presents... Black Tech Green Money!

Marketing Strategist Mahdi Woodard is an innovative thinker with broad business acumen and in-depth marketing and branding experience. He serves as a marketing Consultant and Chief Marketing Officer, and was previously a Marketing Brand Analyst and Associate Brand Manager at Mars Petcare which is home to Iams, Pedigree and more, and he was Brand Manager at Newell Brands, home to Rubbermaid, Graco, and Paper Mate.

His social media profiles teach others how to grow online and monetize their content.

Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas

Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech

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DeMarcus Shawn is one of the funniest people on Tik Tok, reaching over 6.6 million followers on TikTok and a million more on Instagram. Known for his relatable humor, DeMarcus has become a master of online entertainment, crafting skits and engaging videos that resonate across audiences and platforms. But his path to full-time content creation wasn’t always straightforward. 

In this episode, DeMarcus speaks with AfroTech’s Will Lucas to share insights on what it takes to grow massive followings on multiple platforms, build a sustainable income through content creation, and stay authentic while adapting to the demands of the digital world.

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Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech

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C. David Moody, Jr., is the President and CEO of C.D. Moody Construction, one of the largest Black-owned construction companies in the nation. With a career that spans over three decades, Moody has built iconic projects like the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Maynard H. Jackson International Concourse, while navigating the complexities of the construction industry.

On this episode, Moody speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about lessons on how Black entrepreneurs can thrive in competitive industries, securing major contracts, and leveraging technology for growth. Moody also opens up about his personal journey of healing from childhood trauma and how it has shaped his approach to leadership and community service. 

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Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech

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