Entrepreneurship is not just about strategy. It is about resilience, self-forgiveness, and learning how to move forward after mistakes, losses, burnout, and rejection. This compilation episode is about having the inner strength required to survive and grow as a founder, and captures the emotional reality behind the journey and the lessons learned through experience.

Discover how founders fail forward, rebuild after setbacks, and develop the endurance needed to stay in the game. This episode is for anyone navigating a hard season or questioning whether the struggle is worth it; it is a reminder that resilience is a skill you build, not a trait you are born with.

KEY POINTS: 

307: Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche on Losing Everything to Find Yourself: Lessons After $300,000 in Debt

306: One Vision, One Weekend, 50,000 People: Michael Barclay on Scaling Essence Festival and Cultural Legacy

301: The $15 Trillion Opportunity: Protecting Black Culture & Ownership | Lanny Smith, Tommy Johnson

304: The Future of Music is AI: How Black Creators Can Win the Next Creative Era

308: Love Is the Investment Thesis: Lessons From 8-Figure Investment Decisions | Liz Thompson

305: The Hidden Cost of Ambition: Candace Washington on Founder Mental Health

RESOURCES

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media

This Best-Of episode spotlights founders who stopped waiting for permission and chose to build anyway.

These stories highlight what happens when creators are overlooked, underestimated, or even excluded from traditional systems. Instead of fitting into spaces that were not built for them, they created their own ecosystems rooted in ownership, culture, and authenticity.

You’ll hear how conviction, self-trust, and long-term vision fuel innovation. This compilation is for anyone building without validation, navigating cultural gatekeeping, or creating something new because what they needed did not exist.

KEY POINTS: 

301: The $15 Trillion Opportunity: Protecting Black Culture & Ownership | Lanny Smith, Tommy Johnson

302: The Unusual Pairing - Ingrid Best on Building Space for Black Women in Luxury & Wine

303: The Internet Was Built on Black Culture, Alphonzo Terrell Says It’s Time We Own It

304: The Future of Music is AI: How Black Creators Can Win the Next Creative Era

306: One Vision, One Weekend, 50,000 People: Michael Barclay on Scaling Essence Festival and Cultural Legacy

307: Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche on Losing Everything to Find Yourself: Lessons After $300,000 in Debt

RESOURCES 

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Liz Thompson is an investor, philanthropist, and CEO of the Café Group, whose story embodies ambition, faith, and love in action. From her beginnings in Chicago’s Cabrini Green to co-founding Cleveland Avenue with her husband, former McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson, Liz has built a legacy around pouring into people and proving that love is a strategy for leadership, not a sentiment.

In this inspiring episode of So Ambitious, Liz opens up about what it means to take leaps of faith, navigate “no’s” as data points, and use abundance as a guiding force. She shares lessons on mentorship, marriage, and building both billion-dollar businesses and impact-driven communities, rooted in faith, excellence, and purpose.

“No is a data point. It’s information that makes you stronger for the next yes.” – Liz Thompson

Through personal stories of resilience, risk-taking, and radical love, Tune in as Liz reminds us that the real work of leadership isn’t about titles… it’s about sending the elevator back down and bringing others up with you.

KEY POINTS 

- Growing up in Cabrini Green and learning the value of love, resilience, and self-worth

- Starting college at 16 and tackling the challenges of being “the only one” in the room

- Lessons from corporate life at Ameritech: excellence, humility, and constructive feedback

- Taking the leap from corporate to purpose - founding City Year Chicago

- The story behind Cleveland Avenue and The Café Group: building wealth and impact

- Love as leadership: why “I am the elevator” became Liz’s life mantra

- The power of mentorship, faith, and being in relationship with your community

- Turning rejection into growth: “No is a data point.”

- Redefining abundance and what it means to lead, give, and build with love

- The urgency of investing in education and betting on overlooked genius in our communities 

QUOTES 

“Genius is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We invest in the people closest to the answers.” – Liz Thompson

“Love is a strategy. Nothing of any importance will happen without it.” – Liz Thompson

“Abundance has always existed—it’s our limitations that stop us from touching it.” – Felecia Hatcher

RESOURCES

Liz Thompson 

Website | www.thecafe.org/ 

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Tiffany Aliche, better known as The Budgetnista, built a multimillion-dollar empire rooted in transparency, discipline, and service. From being scammed out of $35,000 and sleeping on her sister’s couch to leading a global financial education movement, Tiffany’s story is a masterclass in rebuilding, resilience, and radical integrity.

In this episode of So Ambitious, Tiffany joins host Felecia Hatcher to unpack her journey from preschool teacher to eight-figure entrepreneur. She breaks down what it really means to build a profitable, values-based business without outside funding, how to heal a toxic relationship with money, and why slow and steady growth beats overnight success every time.

Tiffany also opens up about her late husband’s influence, her unique leadership style, and how she’s creating generational impact through community, honesty, and heart-centered entrepreneurship.

This episode is a blueprint for founders, dreamers, and builders who want to grow sustainably – without losing their soul in the process.

KEY POINTS 

- Tiffany’s traumatic financial wake-up call: losing $35,000 to a scam before the recession

- Rebuilding from $300,000 in debt and moving back home with her parents

- The power of community and vulnerability in overcoming financial shame

- Turning pain into purpose: from teaching preschool to teaching personal finance

- How The Budgetnista became an eight-figure, self-funded business

- Why venture capital wasn’t her path and how she built wealth through ownership

- Creating a healthy company culture rooted in trust, rest, and autonomy

- Financial wellness as emotional wellness: healing toxic money beliefs

- How Tiffany runs a debt-free business that prioritizes team wellbeing and sustainability

- Legacy redefined: kindness, obedience, and being a vessel for impact

QUOTES 

“The worst thing for someone who’s not ready for success is to become successful.” – Tiffany Aliche

“You don’t have to be perfect before you start; you just have to be willing to grow.” – Tiffany Aliche

“Revenue is freedom—it’s what allows you to serve with integrity.”  – Felecia Hatcher

“Money is an amplifier. If you have poor business habits, funding will only make it worse.” – Tiffany Aliche

“Entrepreneurship will rock you, but it will also reveal you. It pulls you to your highest self if you let it.” – Tiffany Aliche

RESOURCES 

Tiffany Aliche

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Michael Barclay is the Chief Events Officer of Sundial Media Group, the company behind the Essence Festival of Culture – one of the largest and longest-running cultural events in the world. From managing a $10 billion finance portfolio to orchestrating global experiences that celebrate Black joy, Michael’s career proves what happens when passion meets precision.

In this episode of So Ambitious, Michael sits down with Felecia Hatcher to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build and sustain an iconic brand like Essence Fest. He shares lessons on leadership, longevity, and logistics, especially why the festival is more than an event, it’s a living ecosystem, and the mindset required to grow with courage in an era of change.

From his first entrepreneurial “failure” that taught him everything about contracts, time, and worth, to launching his new tech platform Crowded House, Michael unpacks how he’s redefining cultural value, authenticity, and ownership in the events and tech worlds.

This conversation is a masterclass in ambition, resilience, and building legacy through community, creativity, and conviction.

KEY POINTS 

- Essence Festival as a living, breathing ecosystem 

- The real story behind Essence Fest 2024: challenges, resilience, and evolution

- How to balance consumer emotion, business logistics, and cultural impact

- Lessons from failure: the business, financial, and emotional tuition of entrepreneurship

- Turning a setback into strategy – learning contracts, pricing, and the value of time

- Balancing art and science of decision-making

- Building Crowded House: bringing human energy back to virtual events

- Why culture is a premium asset and how to prove its business value

- The importance of honesty, transparency, and long-term relationship building in business

- How to protect legacy while evolving for the next generation of creators

QUOTES 

“When you’re building something for community, you’re not just managing logistics…you’re protecting legacy.” – Felecia Hatcher

“There are humans behind everything—behind every brand, every experience.” –  Michael Barclay

“All business ain’t good business. Know your numbers and know your worth.” –  Michael Barclay

“You can’t build for longevity if you’re afraid to evolve.” – Michael Barclay

“The cost of neglecting your genius is higher than any check.” – Felecia Hatcher

RESOURCES 

Michael Barclay

LinkedIn | @iambarclay 

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Candace Washington is a licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, production therapist, and author whose journey embodies resilience, transformation, and purpose. From surviving suicide attempts and battling alcoholism to walking away from a federal career and choosing her own healing, Candace has built a thriving practice where she now serves high performers, creatives, and entrepreneurs at the intersection of mental health and ambition.

Today, Candace shares her story of wandering, healing, and stepping into her calling. She unpacks what burnout really is (and what it isn’t), the hidden cost of wearing the “cape,” and the importance of redefining success around rest, joy, and liberation. She also dives into imposter syndrome, loneliness in entrepreneurship, and why therapy should be proactive - not just for crisis moments.

This conversation serves as a reminder that ambition without wellness is unsustainable—and that prioritizing yourself can unlock both healing and a lasting legacy. 

KEY POINTS 

- From Air Force veteran to licensed psychotherapist: Candace’s personal journey of survival and healing

- Why wearing the “mask” and “cape” leads to burnout, and how to take them off

- Redefining success: rest, joy, and liberation as entrepreneurial pillars

- Burnout vs. exhaustion: how to recognize the difference (and act before crisis)

- The mental health toll on entrepreneurs: loneliness, fear of failure, imposter syndrome

- Why therapy is a proactive tool, not just a last resort

- Understanding the “cup and saucer” strategy for self-care and sustainability

- The role of vulnerability, intimacy, and surrender in leadership and entrepreneurship

- Building trusted community and safe spaces beyond social media “highlights”

- Candace: Anchoring ambition in purpose, authenticity, and uninterrupted joy

QUOTABLES 

“If we invest in entrepreneurs but don’t prioritize their mental health, we’re being irresponsible.” – Felecia Hatcher

“Rest is radical. Rest is liberation. Rest is success.” – Candace Washington

“Imposter syndrome tells you you’re not deserving. Put your thoughts on trial and check the evidence.” – Candace Washington

“My pillars are joy, peace, and liberation. Happiness is fleeting, but joy is something no one can take from me.” – Candace Washington

“People will adjust to your boundaries. The only way to serve everything else is to listen to your body.” – Felecia Hatcher

RESOURCES 

Candace Washington

IG | @candacewrites

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

What happens when two visionary creators collide at the intersection of comedy, technology, and music? 

In this episode of So Ambitious, host Felicia Hatcher sits down with Zayd Portillo (creatrgd) and King Willonius, creator of “BBL Drizzy”, to unpack their journeys in tech, AI, and cultural innovation.

From viral comedy hits to groundbreaking AI music, Zayd and King are pushing boundaries on how Black creators can own their narratives, monetize their IP, and turn moments into movements. They reflect on early experiments with Clubhouse, YouTube, and Twitch, the birth of viral songs like BBL Drizzy, and how AI tools are reshaping artistry, ownership, and community. 

This conversation is equal parts hilarious and profound, revealing the tension between incubation and deadlines, internal validation and external recognition, and what it really takes to stay consistent (even when the world doesn’t quite understand your vision yet).

If you’ve ever wrestled with impostor syndrome, felt pressure to deliver under deadlines, or wondered how AI is transforming creativity, this episode is for you.

KEY POINTS

- How early experimentation on YouTube, Twitch, and Clubhouse sharpened creative skills

- The viral phenomenon of BBL Drizzy and what it revealed about culture and community

- Navigating impostor syndrome and redefining what it means to be “creative”

- The role of deadlines, hackathons, and incubation periods in producing great work

- Why Black creators must embrace AI tools to own the next wave of innovation

- Balancing business deadlines with the creative process

- Building future-ready platforms: virtual artists, dome experiences, and AI-driven IP

- How faith, timing, and consistency shape long-term creative success

QUOTABLES 

“Comedy is the easiest way to introduce people to scary new tech.” - Zayd Portillo

“Sometimes you’re just the vessel — the idea is bigger than you.” -  King Willonius

“If you fight for your limitations, you get to keep them.” - Felicia Hatcher

“Great art is polarizing. If people love it and hate it, you’re onto something.” - Zayd Portillo

“We need to stop saying we’ll get left behind in AI and start saying we’re mastering it.” -  King Willonius

RESOURCES

Zayd Portillo 

IG | @creatrgod

King Willonius 

IG | @kingwillonius

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Alphonzo "Phonz" Terrell, co-founder and CEO of Spill, is rewriting what it means to build community online. From his early days in music and media to leading social strategy at HBO and Twitter, Alphonzo’s journey embodies the intersection of culture, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. After being laid off during Twitter’s transition, he transformed a setback into an opportunity by launching Spill: a Black-owned social platform designed for safer, more rewarding, and more authentic online connections.

In this episode of So Ambitious, Alphonzo opens up about the urgency of creating digital spaces rooted in trust, cultural fluency, and joy. He shares lessons from building at the highest levels of entertainment and tech, how Buddhism guides his leadership philosophy, and why dismantling gatekeeping is critical for future generations of Black entrepreneurs. This conversation explores risk, resilience, and redefining authenticity in the era of AI.

If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or community builder who believes ambition is about more than vanity metrics, Alphonzo’s story is proof of how vision and conviction can create movements with lasting impact. As he reminds us: “Entrepreneurship is really an act of faith. You’re creating something from nothing.”

KEY POINTS 

- How a “Great Day at Inkwell” photo became a cultural moment for Black ownership and legacy

- Alphonzo’s transition from music to media to tech

- Lessons from HBO, Insecure, and Twitter on how conversations online reshape culture

- Why marginalized communities drive internet trends yet face the most harm online

- Founding Spill: designing platforms that prioritize joy, safety, and fair credit for creators

- Redefining “builder” beyond technical vs. non-technical labels

- Spill’s vision: To have safer, more rewarding, and more human digital connections

- The role of Buddhism in Alphonzo’s leadership and resilience

- Why gatekeeping harms Black entrepreneurs

- The power of collaboration and equity crowdfunding

- On raising millions in venture funding while centering culture and community impact

QUOTABLES 

“One out of every two Black people has experienced hate speech online in the past year. It’s a health crisis, not just a business problem.” – Alphonzo Terrell

“Authenticity is just a proxy for trust, consistency, subject matter expertise, and honesty.”  – Alphonzo Terrell

“Gatekeeping comes from white supremacy telling us there’s only one seat on the bus. We need to expand the pie into a garden where everyone eats.” – Alphonzo Terrell

“If we’ve been blessed with platforms, what are we going to build to unleash the next generation?” – Alphonzo Terrell

RESOURCES 

Alphonzo "Phonz" Terrell

Website | www.spill.com 

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media

Welcome back! 

In this inspiring episode of So Ambitious, we sit down with Ingrid Best, founder of IBest Wines, to unpack her bold journey from corporate spirits executive to visionary wine entrepreneur. Ingrid reveals how her time in South Africa unlocked her creative superpower, why she walked away at the height of her career to launch her own brand, and how she’s rewriting the rules of storytelling, brand-building, and legacy creation.

From the messy middle of entrepreneurship to navigating naysayers, fundraising challenges, and staying true to her love for wine, Ingrid shares the lessons that keep her grounded, ambitious, and committed to lifting others along the way. Whether you’re a creative, a founder, or someone daring to take a big leap, this conversation will fuel your courage to bet on yourself.

KEY POINTS

- South Africa unlocked Ingrid’s creative superpower and fueled her vision for IBest Wines

- Lessons from working with global giants like Diageo, Bacardi, and Moët Hennessy shaped her brand approach

- How storytelling and showing the “messy middle” are essential for building authentic brands

- Walking away from a top corporate role was the bold step toward her true passion

- How naysayers pushed her to focus, stay quiet, and trust her vision

- Focus is a discipline; mentorship, walking, and long flights became part of her process

- Mentorship revealed confidence as the key barrier holding young women back

- Building IBest Wines with personal capital, then raised support from trusted Black women investors

- Transparency with investors and the community builds resilience during challenges

- Ingrid: Legacy is about self-belief, equity for women, and creating generational wealth

QUOTABLES 

“I’m a 20-year overnight success. Everything I know came from working with the biggest brands in the world.” – Ingrid Best

“People don’t just want to see the perfect ad. They want to see the messy middle.” – Ingrid Best

“I walked away from the height of my career because I finally had the faith, courage, and ambition to bet on myself.” – Ingrid Best

“Legacy for me is equity, global storytelling, and proving that big acquisitions can close the wealth gap.” – Ingrid Best

RESOURCES

Ingrid Best 

IG | @Ms_Ibest

Ibest Wines 

IG | @ibestwines/ 

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Our culture is being packaged, praised, and profited from without ever being protected. Until now.

In this Season 3 premiere of So Ambitious, host Felecia Hatcher sits down with two visionary founders reshaping the way we think about ownership, culture, and commerce.

🏗️ Lanny Smith, founder of Actively Black, built a purpose-driven athleisure brand with its own Black-owned supply chain, sourcing cotton from Black farmers and reinvesting over 10% of profits back into the community. His mission: to prove that Black excellence is not a niche, it’s global.

💡 Tommy Johnson, founder of Made with Black Culture, is pioneering a new standard for cultural equity. Using blockchain to certify ethical trade and authentic representation of Black culture, he’s ensuring that creators—and the communities they come from—finally get credit and compensation for what they’ve built.

Together, they unpack what it means to move beyond “representation” toward reclamation: of value, of narrative, and of power. This episode is the heartbeat of Season 3 - a masterclass in building legacy with integrity and turning ambition into infrastructure.

Because ambition doesn’t need permission. It needs protection.

KEY POINTS  

- Why both founders chose social impact over traditional career paths

- Lanny’s NBA dream, career-ending injury, and pivot to entrepreneurship

- Tommy’s “moment of obligation” after Philando Castile’s death and vision for cultural equity

- Actively Black: building the “Black Nike” through purpose, storytelling, and community reinvestment

- Made with Black Culture: certifying Black cultural influence for ethical trade and economic power

- The role of messaging vs. data in shifting consumer behavior and values

- Why we must stop saying “support Black business” and start saying “value Black business”

- Lessons learned in scaling fast, raising capital, and navigating bias in venture funding

- The $15 trillion opportunity in commerce to transform communities by 2050

- Legacy: protecting Black culture, creating infrastructure, and proving global brand potential

QUOTABLES 

“Actively Black isn’t just apparel. The clothes are a uniform for the movement.” – Lanny Smith

“This is a conversation we needed years ago and still desperately need today, because building Black brands isn’t just about representation - it’s about reclaiming the narrative, the revenue, and the right to own what we create.” – Felecia Hatcher

“A person’s loyalty is directly proportionate to their level of feeling appreciated.” – Tommy Johnson

“Brands have profited billions off Black culture while giving little back. It’s time we build our own table.” – Lanny Smith

RESOURCES

Lanny Smith 

IG | @l.smith23

Actively Black 

IG | @activelyblack

Tommy Johnson 

IG | @tommyljohnson

Made with Black Culture

IG | @tommyljohnson

Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media