She's Off Script

In today’s episode, we meet Jasmin Foster, the founder, and owner of Be Rooted, an inclusively designed stationery brand created to uplift and celebrate women of color. After years of working in retail, Jasmin saw a gap in the multicultural stationary market and decided to fill the gap herself.

During our conversation, Jasmin and I talk about what goes into turning an idea into a product in order to get it on the shelves of big-name retailers like Target. Jasmin also shares how she leveraged her network to navigate the first steps of building Be Rooted, the media strategy behind increasing brand awareness and the upfront investment, as well as how she found buyers and got their attention. 

If you want to learn about what goes into getting your product on the store shelves, click that play button.

Listen on Apple Podcast

You’ll learn:

* How she found a gap in the market of retail* Making the leap from ideation to execution* Four things buyers look for in brands* Three ways to meet buyers across all retail categories* The KPIs you need to hit to maintain your shelf space

Mentioned in this episode:

Business Website: berootedco.com

Business Instagram:@berootedco

Ready to Launch Your Side Business?

Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer.

The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working your 9-5.

https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today’s episode, we meet Berrion Berry, a Holistic Menstrual Health Educator, and Practitioner. She’s also the creator and CEO of Optimize Your Flow, a business that helps women biohack their cycles. After a long, toxic relationship with her period, Berrion used science to eat her way to a perfect period, and now she helps other women do the same.

During our conversation, Berrion shares how actively optimizing your menstrual cycle can have a direct impact on your productivity and, as a result, the revenue you produce in your business, the mindset barriers you need to overcome when integrating your period into your business, plus she shares how to move, nourish, and thrive in the four phases of a menstrual cycle. 

If you want to learn how to eat your way to a healthier, pain-free period, click that play button.

Listen on Apple Podcast

You’ll learn:

* How to optimize your period & what the journey looks like* Why painful periods don’t have to be the status quo* The four phases of a menstrual cycle and how to eat for each phase* Ways to identify which phase we’re in to become more aware* How your menstrual cycle can impact your business

Mentioned in this episode:

Business Instagram: @optimizeyourflo/

Podcast: www.berrionlberry.com/podcast

Website: www.berrionlberry.com/optimize-your-flo

Graphic: Foods to support your flo

Graphic: Aligning menstrual cycle phases to business activities

Ready to Launch Your Side Business? Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer.

The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working your 9-5.

https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today’s episode, we meet Janice Omadeke, CEO of the Mentor Method, an enterprise SAS platform that helps companies build inclusive mentorship programs. After finding that her male counterparts were getting more concrete mentorship on the golf course than she was receiving at her in-office coffee chats, she set out to solve the gaps in the mentorship process. 

The Mentor Methods patent-pending algorithm removes the bias in the mentorship process. It leverages potential compatibility to find ideal matches using a customizable framework focused on retention, development, and relationship nurturing so that companies can bolster their employee retention initiatives and advance underrepresented professionals within those companies in a systemic way.

During our conversation, Janice shares how she side-hustled for four years before going full time, how her experience in corporate America drove her to build a mentorship program, how she navigated pivoting her business, what it took to raise capital, and so much more. 

If you’re interested in finding a mentor for yourself, Janice also shares the best traits that make for a great mentor-mentee relationship.

Listen on Apple Podcast

You’ll learn:

* The process of building The Mentor Method* Why you should leverage support when and where you can get it* What drove the decision to pivot from previous business models* The decision behind going for VC funding now versus when she first launched* Why mentorship is essential for business and personal well-being

Mentioned in this episode:

Business Website: www.thementormethod.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/janiceomadeke

Email: [email protected]

Ready to Launch Your Side Business? Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer.

The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working your 9-5.

https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today’s episode, we meet Dr. Lisa Williams, creator and founder of the World Of EPI, a toy company that creates a line of multicultural dolls that reflect the beauty and brilliance of children of color. After being the first African American to graduate with a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University and the highest-ranking professor in her field, Dr. Lisa went off script and shifted her focus to creating something fresh, powerful, and beautifully authentic for children of color.

During our conversation, we talk about how Dr. Lisa went all-in on creating World Of EPI and took on the challenge of getting her dolls on the shelves of big-name companies including Walmart, Target and so many more. She also gives us insight into setting up international manufacturing, the importance of getting clear on your ‘why, and how the changes she sees in modern society are reflected in the sales of her dolls. Plus, Dr. Lisa shares the key players on her team and why every entrepreneur needs them to build and scale a successful business.

Listen on Apple Podcast

You’ll learn:

* The challenges of marketing multicultural dolls to big companies* How to figure out the logistics of shipping products globally* The unique set of challenges faced as a black woman doing business in Asia* How to defend the shelf space allotted to you

Mentioned in this episode:

Business Website: thefreshdolls.com

Business Instagram: @thedrlisa

Ready to Launch Your Side Business?

Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching and landing your first online business customer.

The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working your 9-5.

https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today’s episode, we meet Ericka Dukes, CEO of Social Ink Co., a social media management agency that helps brands stand out online and connect with their followers. Erika also coaches others on how to use Instagram to launch and scale agencies of their own.

After she was unexpectedly let go from corporate America, Erika took it as a sign to finally go out on her own and start the social media management business she’d been dreaming of. 

During our conversation, we talk about what it takes to run an agency and how to know when you’re ready to go from freelance social media management to an agency model. Erika also gives her best tips on how business owners can approach hiring their first Social Media Manager and what to expect. 

Listen on Apple Podcast

You’ll learn:

* How to scale a social media management business* The importance of creating a social media strategy based on your business goals* How to streamline tasks by planning content in advance* When to hire a social media manager and what to look for* Why your business goals need to be in place before you hire a SMM* The top three Instagram “hacks” for new accounts looking to grow

Mentioned in this episode:

* Business Instagram: @socialinkco* Website: socialinkco.com* Blueprint Accelerator: socialinkco.com/blueprint-accelerator-waitlist/

Ready to Launch Your Side Business? 

Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer.

The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working you’ 9-5.

https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today’s episode, we meet Tasha Booth, founder and CEO of The Launch Guild, a full-service launch support agency. She’s also a coach and mentor for virtual assistants, online business managers, and project managers who want to learn how to start, grow, and scale their businesses.

After looking at the needs of her clients as she worked as a Virtual Assistant, she quickly realized that there was a space to fill as a launch specialist. She adjusted her business model accordingly, and has since built a thriving agency.

During our conversation, we talk about the process of splitting two very different businesses, how she initiated collaborations with other business owners to grow her brand, and what running a 22 person team looks like. Tasha also gives us insight on all things launches and answers common questions when it comes to launching successfully.

Listen on Apple Podcast

You’ll learn:

* The moving pieces of a successful launch* Pitfalls of going the DIY route when launching* Key members to have on your launch team* An inside look at the progression of an ideal launch* How to warm up and engage an audience to build launch momentum 

Mentioned in this episode:

* Coaching Website: www.tashabooth.com* The Launch Guild: thelaunchguild.com

Ready to Launch Your Side Business? 

Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer.

The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working your 9-5.

https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today’s episode, we meet Xayli Barclay, a video content creation coach who helps people get confident on camera so they can share their passion and purpose while also monetizing it. 

After watching her grandmother thrive as an entrepreneur serving her local community, Xayli knew that entrepreneurship was in her blood and sought it out in every part of her life. From sharing beauty tutorials on YouTube to marketing her successful visual coaching business,  Xayli is confident, capable, and creates amazing content - and she’s sharing all her insight with us today. 

During our conversation, we talked about why video is so important now more than ever, how to find your purpose and share that abundance with your audience, and why you need to embrace change or get left behind. Plus, Xayli shares her best tips on where to start using video to build your brand.

Listen on Apple Podcast

You’ll learn:

* Why you need to know yourself in order to market your business confidently* How she diversifies her income streams* The secret behind creating engaging videos on a budget* Why lighting is what will bring your video to the next level* The difference between content creation on Instagram vs. YouTube

Mentioned in this episode:

* Website: xaylibarclay.com* YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCfkYw-BU8gjwP4yAL2M8Iiw/featured* FREE guide with a basic, intermediate and advance video setup guide

Ready to Launch Your Side Business?

Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer.

The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working you’ 9-5.

https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today’s episode, we meet Afua Osei, an entrepreneur and global growth coach who helps digital entrepreneurs grow beyond their borders using high value global partnerships. 

After working in corporate America, Afua co-founded She Leads Africa, a digital lifestyle platform for millennial multicultural women which has reached more than 800,000 women across 100+ countries.

During our conversation, we talked about why self-awareness around your skills and expertise is important for any entrepreneur, the importance of thinking beyond our borders when running a sustainable business, plus, how to make the most of connections to build your business. Afua also gives us her best tips on approaching speaking engagements that go beyond money so you can land partnerships that help build your global brand.

Listen on Apple Podcast

You’ll learn:

* Why bringing on a co-founder can change the course of your business* The challenges of starting a business where you don’t have connections* How to grow a company with the world as your target market* How to balance building your business with building a personal brand* Four ways to foster authentic relationships that move your business forward

Mentioned in this episode:

* Website: www.afuaosei.com* She Leads Africa: sheleadsafrica.org* Instagram: @helloafua

Ready to Launch Your Side Business?

Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer.

The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working you’ 9-5.

https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today’s episode, we meet Latasha James - coach, educator, and owner of the creative marketing agency James + Park, where she provides social media marketing and video marketing services to clients. Latasha also creates educational content for new freelancers and aspiring entrepreneurs to navigate the online world. After side hustling as a freelancer for ten years, Latasha finally struck out on her own, found success, and hasn’t looked back since.

During our conversation, we talk all about what being a freelancer means, what it looks like for Latasha, and how she turned a side hustle into a full-time freelancing career. Latasha also gives us her best tips and resources for new freelancers as they are starting out. 

Listen on Apple Podcast

You’ll learn:

* How to avoid operating your business from a place of desperation* Types of inbound streams you can start cultivating today* How to calibrate and set your rates when first starting out* Why you always need to think one step ahead with your systems* The importance of setting boundaries with technologies (& client communication)

Mentioned in this episode:

* Website: latashajames.com* Instagram: @thelatashajames* Built To Sell Book* Freelance Friday Club

Ready to Launch Your Side Business?

Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer.

The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working your 9-5.

https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today’s episode, I am turning the tables around and talking about how things are going for me from a business perspective. I’m unveiling some big business updates for She’s Off Script which I am so excited to share, so if you want a behind-the-scenes look into the reasoning and thought process behind these exciting changes, listen up. 

From starting (and pausing) a membership community and prioritizing video content, to merging two very different parts of my business, tune in to get the inside scoop on how I am pivoting my business in a way that works for me and my vision but still serves my audience first and foremost. Also, stay until the end to hear a big life update.

Listen on Apple Podcast

You’ll learn:

* My three takeaways from launching a membership community* How to serve your community where they’re at* Why I decided to merge two different parts of my business * How to monetize with integrity * Why you should use platforms that give you the biggest ROI

Mentioned in this episode:

* How to Grow on Instagram in 2021 (The Hard Truth) by Ijeoma Kola* She’s Off Script YouTube Channel* Serwaa’s personal YouTube Channel

Ready to Launch Your Side Business?

Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer.

The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working your 9-5.

https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab