It feels like yesterday that the idea for this podcast came to me. I was still in my corporate job and met with the decision of whether or not to go down the entrepreneurial route. Ultimately, I chose to go solo, and I haven’t looked back. In this season finale, I want to reflect on the journey so far and how minority-owned businesses can build and maintain a competitive edge in the market. I’ll also talk about the show's future and how we’ll be shifting gears to get more focussed on creating bridges to fuel growth. 

Let’s dive in and start thinking about the bridges we need to build between corporations and minority-owned businesses to drive more equity and better results for everyone. 

Key Highlights:

• You can take those corporate skills into the marketplace as an entrepreneur.
• What do you do when the corporate cycle fails you? You need to ask yourself if the money is worth your time and freedom.
• This show will be refocused on helping minority entrepreneurs navigate the ins and outs of the corporate process. 
• Season two of the talk show will focus on connecting minority-owned businesses to corporations and vice versa to create growth opportunities.
• There is a need to connect minority-owned businesses to corporations and vice versa to create opportunities for growth.

Tweetable Quotes:

"We cannot remain a competitive power if we do not engage and do business with one another.” - Karl Sona

“We’re going to look to create a bridge between both [the corporate world and minority-owned businesses] so that we can really see more inclusive and more equitable decisions.” - Karl Sona

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LEAVE A RATING AND REVIEW on Itunes and subscribe to get first access to every inspirational story shared on the show and share with friends and family.

Let’s connect! You can find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or check out my website http://karlsona.com/. And The Kas Company to find out more about my coaching program.

You don’t have to be anyone other than who you are to be a world-class CEO!

Entrepreneurship is about moving; it's about taking that risk. Let’s continue with our topic about leaving the corporate job to get into the ownership space. It can be done when you understand there is a definite learning curve and that you need to plan for it. In this episode, I talk about breaking the corporate thought process so you can strategize your entrepreneurial journey without the mental barriers, all while bringing your learned skills along with you.

To those who aspire to be successful, jump in, and let’s talk about how to overcome corporate conditioning.

Key Highlights:

• Corporate conditioning can be a challenge to overcome when starting a business
• Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship can’t be done without good planning
• Having cross-functional skill sets is essential for entrepreneurs to carry into business
• Time blocking can help entrepreneurs stay organized and focused
• It is important to stay positive and have a clear vision of why you’re starting a business

Tweetable Quotes:

“You are not expendable.” - Karl Sona 

“There's a definite learning curve. There's some planning at that point that you should definitely take into consideration that can definitely help your transition from corporate to entrepreneurship.” - Karl Sona

"When you quit your corporate job, have you put together a business plan? This is something that I think all too often we skip because it's not sexy." - Karl Sona

Sign Up for the Dear BLK CEO Executive Board Room Meeting!

LEAVE A RATING AND REVIEW on Itunes and subscribe to get first access to every inspirational story shared on the show and share with friends and family.

Let’s connect! You can find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or check out my website http://karlsona.com/. And The Kas Company to find out more about my coaching program.

You don’t have to be anyone other than who you are to be a world-class CEO!

Are you burned out or just generally unhappy with your workplace? It's time to start finding some significance and meaning in your work! We're going to continue talking about leaving your corporate job and how to take the leap of faith in a way that will help you find success. In this episode, I break down 10 specific questions to ask yourself or to think about to determine whether or not you are ready to leave the job. Today is all about digging deep and answering the deeper questions we may have been avoiding.

Dive in, and let's unpack the 10 questions everyone needs to answer before becoming an entrepreneur.

Key Highlights:

• You should only quit your job if you have a solid plan in place for what comes next.
• Figure out your north star
• Don't be afraid of the risks associated with leaving your job, but be realistic about the potential rewards.
• Make sure you're taking care of yourself physically and mentally before making any major changes.
• Consider all of your financial needs and obligations before making a decision.
• Seek out guidance from professionals or those who have been through a similar situation before making major changes.
• Leaving your job is not for everyone; some people can do their job and build their business.

Tweetable Quotes:

"What is 'north star' for you...? For me, my goal has always been to run my own company." - Karl Sona

"Entrepreneurship, this idea of building a brand within an organization that allows you, the flexibility to do so is a very valuable way to feel and to connect with a level of significance and purpose." - Karl Sona

"It's pretty difficult to leave a high, mid-six-figure paying job and expect to make that your first year in entrepreneurship... I think that the way to overcome the dark days is not to be afraid of them." - Karl Sona

Sign Up for the Dear BLK CEO Executive Board Room Meeting!

LEAVE A RATING AND REVIEW on Itunes and subscribe to get first access to every inspirational story shared on the show and share with friends and family.

Let's connect! Find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or check out my website http://karlsona.com/. And The Kas Company to find out more about my coaching program.

You don't have to be anyone other than who you are to be a world-class CEO!

Consumers want to do the right thing if only manufacturers would give them the opportunity. Today’s guest is stepping in to fill the gaps! We have Hassan Pierre, CEO, and co-founder of Maison de Mode, a luxury ethical fashion retailer! In this episode, Hassan discusses sustainable fashion and how his company is leading the way in this growing industry. He shares how he is creating things that make an impact greater than itself, how to penetrate the market, and how he's bringing sustainability to the luxury fashion space. 

Dive in, and let’s learn how to create a brand that doesn’t just impact the environment but gets people rushing to the check-out counter!

Key Highlights:

• Hassan shares his experience becoming a co-found and CEO of a luxury ethical fashion retailer, his background in organics, and how he started “upcycling” vintage clothes.
• The ten pillars brands have to have to be considered sustainable.
• How Hassan got the conversation going with major retail brands by framing his concept as innovation from a marketing perspective.
• Hassan’s education and how a diverse cultural influence played a huge part in his success.
• How Maison de Mode's company shot up 161% last year and what led them to be chosen to host the Sustainable Style Awards in La.

Tweetable Quotes:

“People who have different cultures and different views thrown at them make the best leaders because they can really understand a wider view of the population as opposed to just being so tunnel vision.” - Hassan Pierre

"Sustainable fashion is anything that has a social, environmental, or economic impact that's greater than their aesthetic.” - Hassan Pierre

“I think being flexible is your path to achieving your goal. What’s been really instrumental to me is not being so rigid in my ways because I do have an end goal, and I can achieve that end goal if I move slightly left or right.” - Hassan Pierre

Want to connect with Hassan? You can find him on Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin. If you’re looking to combine luxury fashion with ethical and sustainable business, look no further than https://maison-de-mode.com/. 

Sign Up for the Dear BLK CEO Executive Board Room Meeting!

LEAVE A RATING AND REVIEW on Itunes and subscribe to get first access to every inspirational story shared on the show and share with friends and family.

Let’s connect! Find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or check out my website http://karlsona.com/. And The Kas Company to find out more about my coaching program.

You don’t have to be anyone other than who you are to be a world-class CEO!

Leaving your corporate job can seem like a daunting idea, but it doesn't have to be, not if you know what's at stake. If you're prepared for the challenges and are willing to put in the work, you can build a successful business and achieve the financial freedom you've always wanted. In this episode, I share my thoughts on the importance of taking the time to understand the process and some of the challenges you may face along the way. At the end of the day, you need to be honest with yourself and live a life that is true to you.

So dive right in and let's talk about what it takes to leave that corporate job, whether or not it's right for you, and the promise that's yours if you're willing to take the leap.

Key Highlights:

-Quitting a corporate job can empower people to build a nest egg and work towards some financial freedom and flexibility

-In order to be successful as a business owner, one must be willing to wear many hats and take on many responsibilities

-Quitting a corporate job can symbolize the death of one version of oneself in order to create a rebirth of a greater version

-The process of quitting a corporate job and becoming a business owner is not for everyone and should not be taken lightly

-It is important to question whether or not you actually like your life before making the decision to quit your corporate job

Tweetable Quotes:

"Quitting a corporate job can symbolize the death of one version of you. In order to create a rebirth of a greater version of you." - Karl Sona

"One of the best things about leaving the corporate world Is just the freedom that it provides. Life is too short to not be yourself. Life is far too precious to never come to terms with who you truly are, what excites you, what revs you up, and what you're here for!" - Karl Sona

Sign Up for the Dear BLK CEO Executive Board Room Meeting!

LEAVE A RATING AND REVIEW on Itunes and subscribe to get first access to every inspirational story shared on the show and share with friends and family.

Let’s connect! Find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or check out my website http://karlsona.com/. And The Kas Company to find out more about my coaching program.

You don’t have to be anyone other than who you are to be a world-class CEO!

When I stopped caring and stopped being motivated, I knew it was time to leave. If you're not putting your all into your job, it's time to move on. In this episode, I talk about my experience leaving my corporate job to become an entrepreneur. I believe if you're no longer happy in your job, it's probably time to consider moving on and start making decisions like an owner.

Let's dive in and look at knowing when it's time to go, the importance of thinking like an owner. 

Tweetable Quotes:

"I think that's something a lot of people can relate to. They're not fulfilled in their job and they're not really doing what they want to do." - Karl Sona

"Think like an owner, don't just think like an employee... Think like someone who adds value to the marketplace." - Karl Sona

Key Highlights:

1. How I recently exited my corporate W-2 job and decided to go off on my own as an entrepreneur.
2. If you're no longer happy in your job, it might be time to consider moving on. 
3. If you're going through the motions, you might not be motivated anymore and it's time to wake up.
4. Thinking like an owner can help you make decisions that are best for your career.

Sign Up for the Dear BLK CEO Executive Board Room Meeting!

LEAVE A RATING AND REVIEW on Itunes and subscribe to get first access to every inspirational story shared on the show and share with friends and family.

Let’s connect! Find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or check out my website http://karlsona.com/. And The Kas Company to find out more about my coaching program.

Remember, you don’t have to be anyone other than who you are to be a world-class CEO!

Did anything ever change by staying comfortable? There are things happening in society today that, until we recognize and plan for, we will never break the cycles of. In this episode, me and my good friend, Trey Johnson aka Uncle Trey, have a very candid conversation about the current state of society, and future opportunities for minorities and people of color. Trey is the owner and operator of TREYD LLC, a cryptocurrency investment company. Trey believes within the next ten years cryptocurrency will facilitate the biggest wealth transfer America has ever seen.    

Let’s dive in deep and start asking the difficult questions and talk candidly about what is happening in the world around us!

Asking the Difficult Questions; An Uncensored Talk About Our Society:

[00:01 – 05:34] Opening Segment 

• I welcome Trey Johnson to the show
• Trey gives us a look into his background 
• • Born and raised in Sacramento 
  • Tried a little bit of everything in the job space 
  • Now going into entrepreneurship
  • Trey’s story about building a relationship with his dad

[05:35 – 26:22] A Look at the Current State of Society

• Trey shares his perspective of the role fathers play in their children’s lives
• • “It takes a man to raise a man” 
  • There’s something different about having your own father with you 
  • You need to find a mentor 
  • “Old man for council, young men for war” 
• How finding mentorship ultimately plays into your success 
• • Trey talks about his experience with his mentors 
  • You can get mentored by people you’ve never met 
  • We need to be more receptive to paying our success forward 
• How we need to engage with other black folks in business
• • We need to get comfortable with doing business with each other
  • “Your enemies look like you” - the preconditioning of competition 
  • We’re craving black brotherhood 
• Getting rid of the excuse that “this was the hand you were dealt” 
• • Look at yourself in the mirror and be honest
  • Then you act - what do you want to change? 
  • Be hard on yourself and do the work 
• Trey and I unpack the difficult conversation around what it takes to be a high achiever
• • You have to unplug - how our algorithms are working against us 
  • Social media is engineered to create certain types of people 
• Trey talks about how we’re undergoing the biggest wealth transfer in modern history
• • Pretty soon there will only be rich and poor 
• Book your free consultation at The Kas Company

[26:23 – 38:06] Asking the Difficult Questions

• Trey shares his thoughts on what is happening right now in society
• • There will only be rich and poor, no middle class
  • The time for people to step up is now 
• We take a look at the biggest companies and how we should engage with them
• • Get back to the basics - S.T.E.M.
  • We can put our dollars back into the community 
  • We need to move away from begging for things 
• Unpacking the misconceptions in politics 
• • We can’t keep looking for a savior 
  • There are people in the community that can actually make a difference
  • It’s within our control to be on the right side of history 
• A look into the next 10 years 
• • Wealth is transferring
  • The government is becoming more authoritative 
  • It’s up to us to create a plan and carry our community forward 
• Exposing the reality of poverty 
• • It’s not just a financial problem, it’s a mindset problem
  • A lot of people are asleep to it
• Trey talks about how people are waking up to reality and making shifts
• • A lot of people are unplugging from social media
  • Now more than ever people are investing in crypto
  • Maneuvering out of jobs and going into entrepreneurship
  • Tech is the future and you need to pay to play 

[38:07 – 52:39] Turning Things Around for Yourself 

• Trey gives his insights on leveraging capital
• • You don’t get anywhere by being realistically 
  • Thinking is free, so think big
• Tapping into your creativity to make things change 
• • Going back to the concept of unplugging
  • Get into books and build yourself up 
  • It comes down to becoming intentional with your energy 
  • What can you create that can be of value to others?

[47:41 – 52:39] Closing Segment 

• We need to keep getting candid with these conversations 
• • Audit your conversations with your closest units 
  • Are you expanding or contracting? 
• You deserve to be the best person you can be 
• • It takes doing the work 
  • Do the things that others aren’t willing to do 
• Do what you can do to get closer to your target
• Final words 

Tweetable Quotes:

“What things do I want to change about myself? What things can I change? What things can’t I change? Write down the list, then attack it!” - Trey Johnson 

“You don’t get anywhere by thinking realistically… What I want to do in the next two years is unrealistic.” - Trey Johnson 

Want to connect with Trey? Go show Uncle Trey some love over on Instagram. 

LEAVE A RATING AND REVIEW on Itunes and subscribe to get first access to every inspirational story shared on the show and share with friends and family.

Let’s connect! Find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or check out my website http://karlsona.com/. And The Kas Company to find out more about my coaching program.

You don’t have to be anyone other than who you are to be a world-class CEO!

Welcome back to another great episode of the Dear BLK CEO Podcast.

To reach equality and diversity in the workplace, it takes brilliant minds like Nikki Lanier to make sure black and brown talent thrive once they’re there! Nikki is the CEO of Harper Slade, a racial equity advisory firm focused on “helping organizations advance equity for some and equality for all.” A Chief HR Officer for three companies, Nikki, takes a more collaborative approach to leadership that has proven successful for over 25 years. She is responsible for driving accelerated cultural change and creating and implementing innovative organizational development. 

Get ready for a power-packed episode where we’ll explore the urgency of the racial equality mission, how organizations can get involved, and why this nation’s future depends on it! 

Equity for Some, Equality for All:

[00:01 – 04:16] Opening Segment 

• I welcome Nikki Lanier to the show
• • Bio 
• Nikki talks about the role of faith in her incredible journey 
• • Acting out a divine assignment 
  • A mission to build racial equality in the workplace 

[04:17 – 12:06] Operating From a Divine Downloading

• Nikki shares about her vision and “divine downloading”
• • Righting wrongs and resetting narratives 
  • Her experience as a Louisville native during the Breonna Taylor murder
  • Fasting to ask God to illuminate the path to racial equality 
  • Deciding to build a company/asset around this mission
• Nikki talks about her time in the Federal Reserve 
• • Confidence in being carried by intellect 
  • “Presumed deference” - feeling like you have to work to prove your position
  • Drop the assumptions and know that you deserve your role 

[12:07 – 21:40] Equity for Some, Equality for All 

• How Harper Slade is disrupting the DEI space
• • The presumptions of marginalization of darker citizens 
  • Being darker in this country has significant ramifications
  • Being afraid to offend the ones in control 
  • So what are we doing to fix the problem through DEI? 
  • Unearthing the culture and climate, you’re cultivating 
• Making sure black and brown people can thrive in the workplace 
• • Amplifying the talent that comes from diversity 
• Nikki explains the missteps organizations have been making
• • We have inherited this race issue, not created it 
  • It’s our generation’s responsibility to unpack this 
  • It’s not about blame; it’s about restoration 
  • It’s going to take a collective resetting 
• Book your free consultation at The Kas Company

[21:41 – 33:41] Operating the Mission of Racial Equality with Urgency

• We need to speak the right language 
• • Arguments have a place, but they don’t move capital 
  • Minorities are already the majority 
  • Understand the health of the middle class 
  • We will be relying on black and brown people to bolster the economy 
  • Holistically, “It’s not a black or brown issue, it’s an American issue” 
• The main call to action for organizations to start doing the right thing 
• • Compliance has its place, but commitment also has its place 
  • Choices made vs. choices had 
  • Realize that change and disruption doesn’t feel safe 
  • Staying the same is truly what’s unsafe 
• Opportunities to get on board with this mission 
• • Launch discussions around the country 
  • How to get involved
  • • Links below 

[33:42 – 38:48] Closing Segment 

• The legacy Nikki is leaving in this world
• Does Nikki have a pre-speech/pre-talk ritual? 
• • Cutting loose with a little Proud Mary 
• One stereotype that needs to be done away with? 
• • The idea that anger needs to play a major role in equality 
• Nikki’s favorite wealth-building strategy 
• • Enacting this mission to create equality for future generations
• Final words 

Tweetable Quotes:

“When we think about the workplace, it is a microcosm for the entire society at large. And our society has conditioned itself to presume marginalization, stunting, muting, diminution, of darker citizens.” - Nikki Lanier

“I’m not interested in helping you devise a recruiting plan. I’m more interested in understanding and unearthing what kind of culture and climate you’re cultivating in the workplace to ensure that, once recruited, black and brown talent can thrive.” - Nikki Lanier

“Arguments still apply, but they don’t move capital.” - Nikki Lanier

Resources Mentioned: 

• Black Enterprise: Black Business Development

Want to connect with Nikki? You can find her active on LinkedIn. Advance racial equity and equality by visiting https://www.harperslade.com/. 

LEAVE A RATING AND REVIEW on Itunes and subscribe to get first access to every inspirational story shared on the show and share with friends and family.

Let’s connect! Find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or check out my website http://karlsona.com/. And The Kas Company to find out more about my coaching program.

You don’t have to be anyone other than who you are to be a world-class CEO!

Welcome to another solo episode of the Dear Black CEO podcast with your host, Karl Sona!

We live in a world that is constantly programming us to go fast. The problem entrepreneurs face when they adopt this mindset is that we quit far too soon when we don’t see quick results. In this solo episode, I’m going to challenge that view, explore what it means to play the long game, and unpack going from “6-figures in one month” thinking, to 7-figures in the long term!

Are you willing to stay in the game to make sure you get the win? Dive in if you want to learn how to play the long game by combining optimism with realism. 

[00:01 – 04:30] Opening Segment

• Welcome to the show, I talk about our focus over the last couple of weeks
• I talk about my past experience with podcasting
• I introduce the topic for today’s episode
• • Bringing up the concept of “the long game” 
  • Challenging my own short-sighted views 
  • The temptation is to think our business has to grow fast 

[04:31 – 07:53] Stop Chasing Exceptions to the Rule

• Identifying the noise that makes us think we need to move fast
• • Ex: “how I grew my business in 30 days” 
  • Going from 0 to 6 figures in a month is the exception, not the rule 
• When things go slow, there is nothing wrong with you 
• • Don’t give up a 7-figure opportunity chasing a 6-figure exception

If you are a black business owner looking to grow your revenue, listen up. There is a major revenue-generating opportunity for you, and The Kas company is here to help you secure the bag. The Kas Company is a black-owned alliance agency specializing in finding and brokering partnerships between black-owned companies and big brands looking to diversify their supply chains.

• See the link below to book your free consultation today

[07:54 – 12:07] Play the Long Game; Combining Optimism with Realism

• It’s time to adopt patience
• • We need to become more realistic
  • Combine optimism with realism
• Monitor your self-talk
• • Plan for the best-case scenario AND the worst-case scenario
  • Turn over every stone possible 
• Underwrite what you’re willing to invest
• • How much time and money are you willing to invest? 
• Set yourself a realistic time frame to avoid dropping out too early 
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“‘It should take me half a year to go from 0 to 6-figures, right…?’ The consequence of that thinking is you end up quitting on an opportunity that could have gotten you to 7-figures had you just stuck with it long enough.” - Karl Sona

“It’s awesome to plan for the best-case scenario, but when you’re just starting out, how do you underwrite the worst-case scenario…? Think about what you’re willing to invest from a time perspective.” - Karl Sona

Sign Up for the Dear BLK CEO Executive Board Room Meeting!

Let’s connect! Find me on LinkedIn, Instagram or check out my website http://karlsona.com/. And The Kas Company to find out more about my coaching program. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] with any questions. 

You don’t have to be anyone other than who you are to be a world-class CEO!

Welcome to another solo episode of the Dear Black CEO podcast with your host, Karl Sona!

Today I open up with a question I want you to have on your mind as we dive in: why did you get into Business? Whatever your reasons may be, I believe that a strong “why,” the reason for your business’ very existence, is the driving force behind your impact in the market. In this episode, I’ll break down the importance of understanding your value in the marketplace and challenge us to deepen that value to figure out how to create opportunities for minorities. 

Tune in to the conversation, and let’s start deepening our value in the marketplace.

[00:01 – 05:55] Opening Segment

• Welcome to the show; I talk about our focus over the last couple of weeks
• I introduce the topic for today’s episode
• • Why did you get into Business?
  • Everyone may have a different answer, simple or complex
  • I go through potential reasons why someone may do Business 

[05:56 – 16:01] Deepening Your Value in the Marketplace

• At the end of the day, we are in pursuit of happiness and life 
• • That happiness can be connected to generating revenue 
  • Getting services and solutions into people’s hands
  • For many, it’s about freedom
  • Customer satisfaction is another driver 
• The importance of defining your value in the marketplace, questions to answer
• • What problem do you solve, and who are you solving it for?
  • What is the magnitude of that problem? 
  • Where does your market value derive from? 
• I give an example from Black Enterprise
• • 85% of black-owned businesses are single owned
  • We need to grow to the level of creating jobs for other minorities 
  • Framing it as an American Perspective/Problem
  • What if we created more opportunities? What would happen?

If you are a black business owner looking to grow your revenue, listen up. There is a major revenue-generating opportunity for you, and The Kas company is here to help you secure the bag. The Kas Company is a black-owned alliance agency specializing in finding and brokering partnerships between black-owned companies and big brands looking to diversify their supply chains.

• See the link below to book your free consultation today.

[16:02 – 30:21] Tapping into the Opportunity to Build Up Minority

• We have an opportunity to build strength in numbers 
• • Black businesses are rising exponentially
  • How we can help each other scale 
• We need to start challenging our mindsets
• • We need to shift our mindset - we are thinking too small
  • We are doing too many things and losing time to focus on building 
  • We focus too much on lack instead of what we can create 
• Find things in your control and maximize them
• Going back to your “why”
• • It’s not about having the answers but finding them 
  • You need to have the resilience to stay in the game
  • Where are you positioned to give strength to the market? 
• When the dust settles, what side of history are you going to be on? 
• • Will you be the Business that finds the gaps and fills them?
  • If not you? Then who?
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“I feel that for too long we have thought far too small… Our mindset has been so focused lack versus opportunity; so focused on what we don’t have rather than what we can create.” - Karl Sona

“Business is not about having all of the answers; it’s about being willing to stay in the game long enough to go find the answers.” - Karl Sona

“Are you going to be the business that never was willing to shift your business model, or are you going to be the business that was daring enough to say, ‘You know what, there is a real hole and gap in the marketplace.’” - Karl Sona

Resources Mentioned: 

• How to Remain Optimistic About the Year Ahead - Episode
• Black Enterprise: Black Business Development

Sign Up for the Dear BLK CEO Executive Board Room Meeting!

Let’s connect! Find me on LinkedIn, Instagram or check out my website http://karlsona.com/. And The Kas Company to find out more about my coaching program. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] with any questions. 

You don’t have to be anyone other than who you are to be a world-class CEO!