Many Black entrepreneurs know what it feels like to consistently show up online, grow a following, build connection, and still feel like the space you are building on does not fully belong to you. The rules change, your reach shifts, and suddenly everything you worked for feels like it is sitting in someone else's hands. This episode speaks to the founder who wants stability, ownership, and the freedom to build without worrying about algorithms or disappearing access.

D'Angelo Senat joins us to break down what it takes to create an online community that is truly yours. He is the Founder and CEO of AllPeep, an open-source platform designed to help leaders own their data, their conversations, and their digital presence. His journey as an engineer and builder who has supported thousands of founders gives him a unique perspective on how ownership shapes the future of your business. He shares what real ownership looks like, why it matters for Black entrepreneurs, and how to create a space that grows with you.

This conversation offers clarity for the entrepreneur who wants to strengthen their brand, deepen their community, and create a digital home that cannot be taken away. There is real power in ownership, and this episode walks you through how to claim it.

DURING THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

• Why building your community on rented platforms limits your growth and impact

• What it really means to "own" your community and how to start shifting your mindset

• Step-by-step actions to create a digital space that you control from day one

• How to keep your audience engaged and connected without relying on social media algorithms

• The power of data ownership and how it protects your brand and creative work

• How community ownership helps Black entrepreneurs build legacy, not just visibility

Don't miss out on the resources mentioned in this episode by checking out the show notes at blacktobusiness.com/279

Thank you so much for listening! Please support us by simply rating and reviewing our podcast!

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As we head into the holiday season, the pressure to show up and sell can feel heavy. Timelines are flooded with promotions. Everyone seems to be launching something. Meanwhile, you might be feeling like sales are stalling, your energy is low, or the results just aren't matching the effort.

We definitely get it.

In this episode, Monique is talking about how to stay consistent and strategic when sales feel slow and motivation feels shaky. This season is noisy, but it's also full of opportunity. The key is figuring out how to show up in a way that aligns with your goals, your energy, and your audience.

• How to recognize the season you're in and adjust your expectations

• What to do when results aren't matching the work you're putting in

• How to sell without shame, even when it's quiet

• What "showing up" can look like based on your capacity and business model

• Why repurposing, reconnecting, and real conversations still matter

This is not about trying to match the internet's energy. It's about choosing what makes sense for your goals, your offers, and your people.

Thank you so much for listening! If you liked this episode, please subscribe to "The Black to Business Podcast" and rate and review on Apple Podcasts:

Don't miss out on the resources mentioned in this episode by checking out the show notes at blacktobusiness.com/278

Thank you so much for listening! Please support us by simply rating and reviewing our podcast!

Got a question? We'd love to answer it in an upcoming Q&A. Simply record your quick question → https://blacktobusiness.com/QA

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You've probably heard the phrase "raise capital to scale your business" more times than you can count. But when it comes to venture capital, most Black founders quickly realize that the rules, access, and exposure are not the same. The reality is that getting VC funding is not about how hard you work, it is about how strategically you prepare and how well you understand the game you are walking into.

In this episode, we are breaking down what that really looks like with James Norman, Managing Partner at Black Operator Ventures and a 3x founder who has seen both sides of the table. James has built and led companies for nearly three decades and now invests in extraordinary Black founders who are building tech and tech-enabled businesses that change industries.

During this conversation, James gives a real-world breakdown of what venture capital actually is, how to know if it is right for you, and what to have in place before you ever pitch an investor. He also shares what it means to be a Black founder in rooms that were not built for us, how to maintain your power dynamic during fundraising, and why the most successful founders focus less on chasing checks and more on building excellence.

DURING THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

• The real meaning of venture capital and how it differs from loans, grants, and bootstrapping

• How to determine if your business model and growth potential fit the VC path

• What VC readiness truly looks like before you start pitching

• Why your mindset and power dynamic matter just as much as your pitch deck

• The realities of being a solo founder, how to build the right support team, and what investors actually look for

• How to navigate life after funding, from scaling your team to keeping control of your vision

Don't miss out on the resources mentioned in this episode by checking out the show notes at blacktobusiness.com/277

Thank you so much for listening! Please support us by simply rating and reviewing our podcast!

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You've been doing the work. You've been showing up consistently, building your content muscle, and laying the foundation. Now what?

In this final episode of the October solo series, Monique is diving into what comes next. The holiday season brings a flood of content and sales, but it also brings opportunity. This is not just the end of the year. It is a chance to turn the trust you've built into traction for your business.

DURING THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

• Why this season matters more than ever for Black entrepreneurs

• How to repurpose your best content with intention and clarity

• What to do if you are feeling behind, overwhelmed, or unsure

• Why showing up with focus can outperform loud, over-the-top campaigns

• How to move your audience from awareness to action

• The strategy behind Monique's own seasonal approach inside Black to Business

Thank you so much for listening! If you liked this episode, please subscribe to "The Black to Business Podcast" and rate and review on Apple Podcasts:

Don't miss out on the resources mentioned in this episode by checking out the show notes at blacktobusiness.com/276

Thank you so much for listening! Please support us by simply rating and reviewing our podcast!

Connect with us on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/blacktobusiness/

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If you've ever felt like you're doing all the things, posting, planning, showing up, and still wondering if it's working, this episode will give you real clarity.

This week, Monique is pulling back the curtain on what publishing over 270 podcast episodes and sending weekly emails has taught her about showing up consistently. You'll learn why content is not just about being seen, but about building something that people can come back to again and again.

Content is how you:

• Learn who your audience really is

• Build long-term trust

• Clarify your message

• Guide people back to your offer, your site, or your platform

Daily posts are not the requirement. A system that fits your life and business goals is what will help you stay consistent.

• How consistency revealed who Monique's audience actually was

• Why posting daily is not necessary for growth or visibility

• What it means to guide your audience back to something you own

• How to stay consistent with content as a solo entrepreneur or small team

• A challenge to help you build a schedule you can stick to

Bonus: Monique is hosting a live Quick Win Workshop on Wednesday, October 29. You'll walk away with a 30-day content plan that fits your business even if you're doing it solo.

Sign up at BlacktoBusiness.com/workshops (If you're catching this after the live event, that link will direct you to replays or upcoming sessions.)

Looking for a ready-to-go system? The 30 Days of Content in Hours Shortcut is now available at BlacktoBusiness.com/shortcuts. It's the same method Monique uses to plan content for the podcast, newsletter, and social platforms.

Thank you so much for listening! If you liked this episode, please subscribe to "The Black to Business Podcast" and rate and review on Apple Podcasts:

Don't miss out on the resources mentioned in this episode by checking out the show notes at blacktobusiness.com/275

Thank you so much for listening! Please support us by simply rating and reviewing our podcast!

Connect with us on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/blacktobusiness/

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Some people post to be seen. You post to be believed.

Credibility is not about looking the part. It is about proving it. It is the alignment between what you say, what you show, and what people experience when they engage with your work. That is the focus of this episode.

In this solo conversation, Monique explains how Black founders can use content to build real credibility that earns trust, opens doors, and keeps you top of mind. This is about showing your receipts in public view, not for validation but as proof of the excellence you bring to the table.

Visibility gets you noticed. Credibility keeps you chosen. This episode will help you build it with intention.

• What credibility really means and why it goes deeper than branding or presentation

• How to align your message, your content, and your audience's experience

• The Teach Show Prove method for building trust through content

• Common credibility mistakes that weaken your message and how to fix them

• The 4 C's Framework Clarity Consistency Connection and Community Proof

• How to use tools and systems to maintain credibility without burning out

Thank you so much for listening! If you liked this episode, please subscribe to "The Black to Business Podcast" and rate and review on Apple Podcasts:

Don't miss out on the resources mentioned in this episode by checking out the show notes at blacktobusiness.com/274

Thank you so much for listening! Please support us by simply rating and reviewing our podcast!

Connect with us on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/blacktobusiness/

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Visibility can make or break your business. You can have the best product or service, but if people don't see it, they can't support it.

This week's episode of the Black to Business podcast dives into why visibility is power and how consistent content builds credibility for Black founders. Because for us, being visible isn't just about posting more. It's about being remembered, trusted, and chosen for what we bring to the table.

Many Black entrepreneurs are still building without access to big teams, media features, or industry connections. The game has changed though. Digital tools and social media have given us the power to create our own platforms and control our own narratives.

If staying consistent feels overwhelming, this conversation will help you simplify it. You'll walk away understanding how to make visibility a natural part of your business, not another task on your list.

• Why visibility is the new currency of credibility for Black founders

• How to use consistent content to build trust, recognition, and opportunity

• What makes visibility feel hard and how to move through that fear

• How to define what visibility looks like for you without burning out

• Why social media is a powerful equalizer when you learn to use it intentionally

• How to use tools and AI to stay visible and consistent, especially in busy seasons

Thank you so much for listening! If you liked this episode, please subscribe to "The Black to Business Podcast" and rate and review on Apple Podcasts:

Don't miss out on the resources mentioned in this episode by checking out the show notes at blacktobusiness.com/273

Thank you so much for listening! Please support us by simply rating and reviewing our podcast!

Connect with us on Instagram:

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Creating content shouldn't feel like another full-time job, especially when you're already wearing every hat in your business. But for so many Black entrepreneurs, staying consistent online feels like a constant uphill battle. One week you're posting every day. The next? You're exhausted and falling off again.

If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

We're kicking off a new solo series for October focused on helping you finish Q4 strong and step into the new year with more clarity and consistency. And we're starting with the number one question we get asked: "How do I stay consistent with content without burning out?"

IN THIS EPISODE, MONIQUE BREAKS DOWN:

• Why content consistency feels so hard (and it's not because you're undisciplined)

• How to set up a simple content rhythm you can actually keep up with

• The difference between "creating content" and having a content system

• How batching, themed days, and repurposing help you stay visible without the stress

• How Monique uses AI tools to speed up content planning without losing her voice

Thank you so much for listening! If you liked this episode, please subscribe to "The Black to Business Podcast" and rate and review on Apple Podcasts:

Don't miss out on the resources mentioned in this episode by checking out the show notes at blacktobusiness.com/272

Thank you so much for listening! Please support us by simply rating and reviewing our podcast!

Connect with us on Instagram:

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Selfish. That word alone probably makes you tense up. Most of us were raised to believe that being selfish is wrong, especially as Black entrepreneurs carrying the weight of family, community, and proving ourselves in business. The idea of putting yourself first feels uncomfortable, maybe even impossible. Yet constantly putting yourself last is the fastest way to burn out and stall your growth.

In this episode, leadership advisor and coach Dawn Christian, founder of BeLeadership, flips the script on what it means to be selfish. After 25 years of leading billion-dollar product launches in corporate and then pivoting into entrepreneurship, Dawn knows firsthand how dangerous self-neglect can be and how transformational self-prioritization truly is. She shares her Ethos Driven Leadership framework, practical ways to set boundaries, and why choosing yourself is actually the best thing you can do for your business.

• What it really means to be a selfish leader and why that choice fuels growth

• The four pillars of Ethos Driven Leadership, purpose, needs, beliefs, influence

• Clear signs you are neglecting yourself as a leader and how to course correct

• How to create capacity, delegate with confidence, and move from teams to collaborators

• Practical boundary practices that protect your time, energy, and focus

• Why authenticity beats performance and how alignment attracts the right partners and clients

Don't miss out on the resources mentioned in this episode by checking out the show notes at blacktobusiness.com/271https://blacktobusiness.com/271-2/

Thank you so much for listening! Please support us by simply rating and reviewing our podcast!

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As a Black entrepreneur, you've probably felt the weight of trying to keep up with new technology while still running every part of your business. Maybe you've asked yourself if AI is just another passing trend or if it's something you really need to pay attention to. The truth is, AI is already transforming how businesses operate and compete. For us, staying informed and prepared is not just about keeping up, it is about leveling the playing field and creating opportunities to lead.

That is why we brought in Stacy Kirk, a tech entrepreneur and thought leader who has built her career helping businesses embrace innovation. In this episode, Stacy shares why AI cannot be ignored, the most important tools and trends you should know about, and how to use them in practical ways that fit your business. She makes technology feel approachable and offers strategies that allow you to save time, streamline your work, and create opportunities to grow.

DURING THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

• Why AI matters for every business owner no matter the industry you are in.

• The most important tools and trends to watch in the AI space.

• How to adopt AI with confidence even if you are not a "tech person."

• Ways AI can help you save time, reduce stress, and focus on growth.

• How to create a future-ready business by embracing innovation and adaptability.

• Why staying informed about AI trends is essential for Black entrepreneurs who want to stay competitive and ahead of the curve.

Don't miss out on the resources mentioned in this episode by checking out the show notes at https://blacktobusiness.com/270-2/

Thank you so much for listening! Please support us by simply rating and reviewing our podcast!

Connect with us on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/blacktobusiness/

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