So Ambitious

Dive into some of the top entrepreneurial advice from our lineup of innovative founders in this special Best Of episode. Discover the secrets to their success as we feature their invaluable insights and strategies that have propelled their ventures forward. From navigating the complexities of startup life to pioneering new industries, these inspiring founders offer a wealth of knowledge for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned innovators alike. Be sure to catch these essential lessons that can ignite your entrepreneurial journey and propel you to new heights!

KEY POINTS 

- Ep 204: Beyond the Spicy Tweets: Brian Brackeen's Tech Odyssey from Philly to Lightship Capital

- Ep 207: Shifting the Narrative on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion with Amber Cabral 

- Ep 208: Vision to Victory: Evan Leaphart’s Road to Entrepreneurial Success & Million-Dollar Grant Win

- Ep 211: Empowering Black Voices in the Fragrance World with Exalté Parfum Founder Funmi Monet

- Ep 212: From College Parties to Empowering HBCUs: Corey Arvinger's Journey in Supporting Black Colleges

RESOURCES

[APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now 

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Celebrate the extraordinary spirit of Black ambition in another special "Best Of" episode, where we highlight what true success looks like through the eyes of our lineup of remarkable founders. Tune in as our guests share powerful stories of their journeys, reflecting on the challenges they've faced and the victories they've achieved. 

This episode is a tribute to the relentless pursuit of dreams, showcasing the resilience, innovation, and brilliance that truly  define Black ambition. Don't miss these inspiring tales of triumph and the dynamic pathways to success!

KEY POINTS 

- Ep 210: How One Man's Journey Led to Investing in 50 Companies with ACT House Founder Dominick Ard’is

- Ep 211: Empowering Black Voices in the Fragrance World with Exalté Parfum Founder Funmi Monet

-Ep 204: Beyond the Spicy Tweets: Brian Brackeen's Tech Odyssey from Philly to Lightship Capital

- Ep 205: Grown from Ground Up: Shannon Allen's Culinary Venture with a Purpose

- Ep 206: RICE and Shine: Cultivating Black Entrepreneurial Excellence with Jay Bailey

RESOURCES

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Explore the transformative power of embracing entrepreneurial failure in this special "Best Of" episode, where we delve into the journeys of entrepreneurs who turned their setbacks into stepping stones toward success. Join us as our guests share candid stories of their toughest challenges, the lessons learned, and how embracing failure propelled them toward greater heights in their journey. 

Tune in for an inspiring collection of narratives highlighting resilience, innovation, and the true essence of entrepreneurial spirit today!

KEY POINTS 

- Ep 202: Pivot with Purpose: How Necole Kane Turned Failure Into Fuel for Success

- Ep 203: Beats to Eats: Derrick Turton a.k.a. Chef Teach’s Journey from Music Mogul to Mac & Cheese Maestro

- Ep 205: Grown From Ground Up: Shannon Allen’s Culinary Venture with a Purpose

- Ep 206: RICE and Shine: Cultivating Black Entrepreneurial Excellence with Jay Bailey

- Ep 207: Shifting the Narrative on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion with Amber Cabral

- Ep 210: How One Man's Journey Led to Investing in 50 Companies with ACT House Founder Dominick Ard’is

RESOURCES

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media

Join us for a special episode featuring all the Good, Bad, and Ugly Parts of Entrepreneurship! Discover how these founders overcame doubt, racism, and financial challenges to build their successful business empire. Tune in for their inspiring stories, resilience, determination, and the power of not caring what others think. 

KEY POINTS 

- Ep 202: Pivot with Purpose: How Necole Kane Turned Failure Into Fuel for Success 

- Ep 203: Beats to Eats: Derrick Turton a.k.a. Chef Teach's Journey from Music Mogul to Mac & Cheese Maestro

- Ep 204: Beyond the Spicy Tweets: Brian Brackeen’s Tech Odyssey from Philly to Lightship Capital

- Ep 208: Vision to Victory: Evan Leaphart’s Road to Entrepreneurial Success & Million-Dollar Grant Win

- Ep 209: Money, Privilege, and Advocacy: Ana Pompa Alarcón’s Guide to Entrepreneurship and Social Justice in Tech

- Ep 212: From College Parties to Empowering HBCUs: Corey Arvinger's Journey in Supporting Black Colleges

RESOURCES

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Celebrate the indomitable spirit of Black ambition with this special “Best Of” episode, showcasing our founders’ unwavering power of bold belief in the face of doubts and naysayers! Tune in to discover riveting tales of resilience and triumph, as our guests share inspiring narratives of overcoming adversity on the path to success. Don't miss out on this uplifting journey of determination and achievement!

KEY POINTS 

- Ep 203: Beats to Eats: Derrick Turton a.k.a. Chef Teach’s Journey from Music Mogul to Mac & Cheese Maestro

- Ep 205: Grown From Ground Up: Shannon Allen’s Culinary Venture with a Purpose

- Ep 209: Money, Privilege, and Advocacy: Ana Pompa Alarcón’s Guide to Entrepreneurship and Social Justice in Tech 

- Ep 211: Empowering Black Voices in the Fragrance World with Exalté Parfum Founder Funmi Monet

RESOURCES

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

In this episode of the So Ambitious Podcast, host Felecia Hatcher sits down with Corey Arvinger, CEO of Support Black Colleges, to dive into his remarkable journey from college party promoter to the helm of a thriving e-commerce brand. 

Corey shares insights into the evolution of Support Black Colleges and how it blossomed into a full-blown brand with a powerful message of support for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The conversation dives deep into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, with Corey offering candid reflections on navigating adversity, including overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and rebounding from significant financial setbacks.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into Corey's unique approach to marketing and brand building, including his strategies for forging connections with major influencers and A-list celebrities. Corey also opens up about the importance of legacy and honoring the sacrifices of his ancestors, highlighting his unwavering commitment to leaving a lasting impact on his family and community. With engaging anecdotes and actionable advice, this episode offers a compelling glimpse into the mind of a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to making a difference in the world.

KEY POINTS

[1:28] - Corey’s entrepreneurial evolution from throwing parties in college to Support Black Colleges 

[4:03] - How Support Black Colleges Became A Full-Blown Brand 

[7:27] - Navigating and sharing the real highs & lows of entrepreneurship 

[11:34] - Thriving amidst adversity: How Support Black Colleges beat the pandemic odds

[16:47] - Losing over $40k in one day: How to find the strength to persist in entrepreneurship

[20:41] - How Corey finds balance and enjoyment in his work 

[22:05] - Corey's approach to marketing and building a brand

[24:01] - Corey's secret sauce to networking and relationship-building with celebrities 

[30:56] - Starting from scratch: Why Corey had to shut his website down 

[32:45] - How to strike a balance between friendships and management  

[34:14] - The biggest lesson learned from working with Tyler Perry

[35:47] - 3 songs that define Corey’s perspective on life and business 

[38:51] - Corey’s key lessons on failure: Trying things publicly with confidence & consistency

[40:17] - Honoring ancestors' sacrifices and building a legacy

QUOTABLES 

“A lot of current entrepreneurs on social media make it seem easy and fun 100% of the time, and I think it is honestly really unfair to those who are interested in going into entrepreneurship because they're going with the false preset.” - Corey Arvinger 

“It's about legacy; What can I leave to my family and my next generation behind me? How can I change the trajectory of where my family is going?? - Corey Arvinger 

“Having the right team is so important. You could have a great product with the wrong team and things will not get accomplished at a high level.” - Corevy Arvinger 

GUEST RESOURCES

Corey Arvinger 

IG | @coreyarvinger 

X | @mrarvinger 

LinkedIn | @coreyarvinger

TikTok | @coreyarvinger 

Support Black Colleges

IG | @supportblackcollege

RESOURCES 

[APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now 

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Today, we are joined by Funmi Monet, the brilliant mind behind Exalté Parfum, a groundbreaking perfume brand that has been making waves in the luxury perfume space. In this episode, Funmi shares her insights on navigating the fragrance industry, from the inception of her brand to its meteoric rise in the social media sphere. With a keen focus on community building and content creation, Funmi shares the  essence of confidently crafting content that resonates with authenticity and ultimately builds a loyal community. She also dives into the intricate science of fragrances, highlighting their profound psychological impacts and the art of curating a personalized fragrance wardrobe for various occasions.

Funmi emphasizes the importance of breaking barriers, particularly as a Black woman in the luxury fragrance space. She shares invaluable insights into pricing products based on their worth, not succumbing to external criticism, and staying steadfast in pursuing one's ambitious vision. Funmi Monet's story is an inspiring testament to the power of having the audacity to dream big for yourself and risking your reputation in the name of staying true to your vision. 

KEY POINTS 

[1:25] - Funmi Monet’s content creation and community building journey 

[3:14] - Finding your content comfort zone: How to create content confidently 

[5:14] - The science of fragrance and its psychological impacts 

[7:05] - Building your fragrance wardrobe: How to craft essential scents for every occasion 

[10:41] - How to master the subtle art of fragrance in business relationships

[16:37] - Breaking barriers as a Black women in the luxury fragrance space

[20:10] - Value over voices: How to price yourself based on worth, not critics

[24:50] - What success looks like for Funmi Monet and her brand 

[27:09] - Finding your North Star and trusting your vision despite the doubters 

[30:24] - Funmi on risking your reputation in pursuit of your ambitious vision

QUOTABLES 

“No one else has to see your vision but yourself.” - Funmi Monet

“You don't have to shrink yourself because of what people think you should do to fit an audience they think that you deserve.’ - Funmi Monet

GUEST RESOURCES

Funmi Monet | Shop Exalté 

IG | @funmimonet

TikTok |/@funmimonet 

YouTube | @funmimonet

RESOURCES 

[APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now 

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media

In this episode of the So Ambitious Podcast, we dive into the dynamic journey of Dominick Ard’is, the innovative mind behind ACT House,  a team formation platform, accelerator and VC providing tools and resources to founders to match with co-founders, build their team, and secure their first check.

From his upbringing as a military brat to his diverse career spanning management consulting, politics, and now entrepreneurship, Dominick shares the transformative moments that shaped his multifaceted path. With a portfolio of 50 companies and a total of over $4M in investments through the ACT House Accelerator program, Dominick reveals insights into the keys to starting a successful company and the 3 things that make or break its success.

Dominick also opens up about his unique approach to personal and professional growth, from adopting a uniform to streamline decision-making to reflecting on life through heartfelt typewritten letters. Dominick also shares his philosophy of incremental progress, highlighting the power of aiming for 2% better every day, and as he explores what success truly means, Dominick will leave you with profound reflections on the essence of investing in human potential and the audacity to reshape the world through passion, support, and relentless determination.

KEY POINTS 

[1:43] - Who was Dominick Ard’is before ACT House?

[5:12] - Grad school to start-up: Dominick’s career transitions into entrepreneurship 

[11:37] - The story behind ACT House's inception and its impact on entrepreneurship

[15:58] - The 3 things that make or break a start-up company’s success 

[18:37] - How to learn and grow from your entrepreneurial failures 

[21:28] - 3 reasons why Dominick wears a uniform as an entrepreneur 

[26:35] - Writing letters to the month: How Dominick's typewriter reflections inspired intentional living 

[28:15] - Dominick reflects on what it means to have invested in 35 companies through ACT House 

[30:53] - How tapping into the power of 2% in goal setting will result in massive gains

[33:19] - What success means to Dominick Ard’is

QUOTABLES 

“Everything starts at the human. And oftentimes, we look at a founder as a founder first instead of a human first.” - Dominick Ard’is 

“The reality is this entity can be bankrupt tomorrow, but that person isn't bankrupt. And so if you invest in the human, you get an opportunity to actually see them take this vessel to the next level.” - Dominick Ard’is 

GUEST RESOURCES

ACT House 

IG | @theacthouse

X | @theacthouse

LinkedIn | @theacthouse

Dominick Ard’is 

IG | @iamdardis

LinkedIn | @dardis 

RESOURCES 

[APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now 

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

In this episode of So Ambitious, we are joined by Ana Pompa Alarcón, CEO of Founders Registry, as she shares her journey of advocating for marginalized founders and creating impactful solutions in the tech industry.

From her beginnings at Rikers Island to supporting our Black Ambition finalists, Ana's story is one of fierce advocacy, resilience, and empowerment. In this conversation we uncover how she navigates the complexities of entrepreneurship and addresses systemic issues faced by minority founders that sometimes even stem from minority organizations. 

We talk about the importance of using privilege to open doors for others and the need for diverse communities to support each other and work together to create change in the industry. Ana also discusses challenges faced by early-stage entrepreneurs, especially those from diverse backgrounds, in navigating the venture space, and provides insights on how to make the best decisions for their companies while dealing with financial desperation and toxic relationships with money.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in raising capital, advocating for social justice, and empowering underrepresented communities. Tune in to hear Anna's powerful story and insights on building a more inclusive and supportive ecosystem.

KEY POINTS 

[1:56] - How Ana is supporting systemically purposefully marginalized founders in raising capital

[2:55] - Ana’s entrepreneurial roots - how her first company started out of Rikers Island 

[6:38] - How do you get someone that you recently met to introduce you to an investor?

[10:12] - Resources and tools to help you negotiate better on your behalf 

[12:11] - Grappling with privilege gaps and lack of diversity and in VC industry

[18:12] - Dealing with disillusionment of organizations’ support (of lack thereof) of marginalized founders 

[23:46] - How can we create more transparency between founders and investors?

[26:04] - Addressing money wounds and toxic relationships with money in the VC space 

[30:04] - Ana on self-care as an advocate and entrepreneur 

[32:25] - Who is Ana uninterrupted? 

QUOTABLES 

"People need to walk the walk. And if they're not doing this, they need to suffer the consequences, and the consequence is deal flow. Do not take money from people that will throw you under the bus the second they have the opportunity." - Ana Pompa Alarcón

“Whatever privilege you have, whether that's money, education, skin, color, race - use that privilege to open doors.” - Ana Pompa Alarcón

“I do not believe that we should shame anyone who has been marginalized for where they get the money from.” - Ana Pompa Alarcón

"I truly believe that, [and] there's data to back up that, if all indigenous Brown, Black people, Muslims, Arabs would work together and have each other's back, the buying power, the purchasing power that we have, we could take over the economy." - Ana Pompa Alarcón

GUEST RESOURCES [megaphone] 

Ana Pompa Alarcón

IG | @ana_pompa_alarcon 

LinkedIn | @ana-pompa-alarcon-rawls 

Founders Registry 

IG | @founders_registry

RESOURCES 

[APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now 

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

In this episode, we sit down with Evan Leaphart, founder of Kiddie Kredit, co-founder of Black Men Talk Tech, and recent million-dollar grant recipient of the 43North accelerator program. With such a robust portfolio, what does it entail to lead not just one but two major initiatives that make such a significant impact on the world? 

Discover how Kiddie Kredit is reshaping credit education by addressing the needs of over 90 million credit-challenged Americans burdened by $1 trillion in credit card debt. Evan stresses the significance of proactive credit education, positioning Kiddie Kredit as a preventive measure rather than a reactive solution in the credit industry. You will also learn how Evan cultivates personal connections to forge partnerships with industry giants like Equifax and Discover, and follow him along his transformative fundraising journey, where a small but powerful shift in mindset towards mission alignment empowered him to navigate the fundraising landscape with confidence and purpose. 

Tune in as Evan discusses the challenges he faced throughout his many entrepreneurial journeys, how he navigates the complexities of the fundraising world, and the invaluable lessons he learned along his path to success. Get ready to be inspired by the trailblazing entrepreneur shaping the future of the tech industry!

KEY POINTS 

[1:08] - Evan’s entrepreneurial journey to founding Kiddie Kredit 

[2:51] - How Kiddie Kredit addresses credit card issues that 90 million Americans face

[5:55] - Evan Leaphart’s role as co-founder of Black Men Talk Tech and the inspiration behind it

[7:55] - What drives Evan’s pursuit of impact through Kiddie Kredit and Black Men Talk Tech 

[9:22] - Evan’s secret to building is deep resources and support system 

[11:45] - How Evan cultivated his relationships in funding and investments 

[13:28] - Evan on navigating shifts in power dynamics in the venture capital space 

[16:45] - Keeping up with the pace and pressures of being an entrepreneur 

[18:34] - Challenges faced by Black founders in the venture space and the need for true equality

[20:32] - Winning 43North: Evan's process & journey leading up to winning the million-dollar investment

[23:34] - Evan’s insights & advice on building partnerships with major corporations like Discover and Equifax

QUOTABLES 

“4 out of every 10 Adults don't know what goes into their own credit score, and for the first time in US history, credit card debt surpassed $1 trillion.” - Evan Leaphart

“10 seconds you spend thinking on how great you are is 10 seconds lost on how much better you could be.” - Evan Leaphart

GUEST RESOURCES

Evan Leaphart

Kiddie Kredit

Black Men Talk Tech 

LinkedIn | @evanleaphart 

IG | @evanleaphart 

X | @evanleaphart 

RESOURCES 

[APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now 

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media