By Harrison Wheeler
5
1616 ratings
The podcast currently has 79 episodes available.
I'm excited to welcome Arlan Hamilton to our show. Arlan is a trailblazer in the venture capital world, focusing on helping underrepresented founders. She has a deep passion for both the business and personal aspects of her work, and she's here to share her incredible journey and insights with us.
Summary
In our conversation, Arlan opens up about her love for "General Hospital" and how her personal challenges, including overcoming homelessness and addiction, have shaped her mission in venture capital. She also dives into her latest book, "Your First Million," providing practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Key Takeaways
* Arlan is dedicated to diversifying the entrepreneurial world by supporting founders who often get overlooked.
* Her book, "Your First Million," is a must-read for entrepreneurs, packed with strategies on navigating the business landscape.
* Arlan's story is a powerful reminder that personal struggles can fuel a mission to create positive change.
* For entrepreneurs, it's vital to have a clear vision that aims to benefit more than just oneself.
* Preparation and self-funding are crucial steps before seeking external investment.
Let's dive into the details of our chat and learn more from Arlan's experiences and wisdom.
Notable Quotes
* "I only do what I want to do. I figured out those boundaries, so don't feel sorry for me."
* "It's the fact that I can still bounce back."
* "There's no question here. And again, it goes back to who else is it affecting if it plays out?"
* "We have so much agency of our own lives. And it's hard for me... but because of the way that I built Backstage and because of the things I've been through, I know firsthand how much of our own power we have."
Resources
* Arlan Hamilton's Book: "Your First Million"
* Arlan Hamilton’s Podcast: "Your First Million"
* Event Mention: Your First Million Live in LA, April 9-12 yourfirstmillionlive.com
Arlan Hamilton's journey is a testament to the boundless potential within each entrepreneur, serving as a beacon for those striving to carve their own paths in business and beyond. Don't miss out on the full breadth of wisdom shared in this episode—listen now and be part of the conversation that's shaping the future of innovation and inclusivity.
Arlan Hamilton is an esteemed figure in the entrepreneurial and investment landscape, best known for her role as the founder of Backstage Capital, a venture capital firm that champions underrepresented founders by investing in their companies. With over 200 companies in her portfolio, Arlan is a champion for diversity and inclusion in the startup ecosystem. She's also an acclaimed author, having penned titles such as "It's About Damn Time" and "Your First Million," the latter being the inspiration for her podcast sharing the same name. Her journey from overcoming personal challenges to leading a movement in the VC world has made her an inspirational and influential voice in the industry.
Episode Summary:In this episode, Harrison welcomes Arlan Hamilton, a visionary entrepreneur and investor renowned for her dedication to underrepresented founders. The conversation begins by acknowledging the profound connection between the guest and the host, ranging from crowdfunding initiatives to shared investment ventures, effectively setting a tone of mutual respect and collaboration.
The episode delves into Arlan's passion for the daytime drama "General Hospital," showcasing her unique and relatable interests. In a powerful narrative, Arlan reveals her personal motivations, emphasizing the importance of pursuing goals that transcend self-interest. She candidly shares her journey through homelessness and overcoming addiction, and talks through the pivotal moments that solidified her resolve to make a lasting impact in the venture capital space. The discussion pivots to offer valuable insights into her latest book, "Your First Million," which serves as a practical guide for aspiring entrepreneurs, focusing on how to navigate the business world with wisdom and resilience.
Key Takeaways:Join us for more engaging and inspiring episodes by tuning in to this podcast series. Arlan...
Fonz Morris, a growth design lead at Netflix, shares his journey from working at a strip club to becoming a successful designer and investor. He discusses his role in growth design at Netflix and highlights the importance of balancing business and design decisions. He also talks about his upcoming memoir and its therapeutic writing process. He emphasizes the need for patience, self-belief, and continuous learning in one's career. He shares his speaking experiences at various events and his impact on others' lives. He encourages designers to improve their communication skills and utilize networking opportunities. He also discusses his involvement in the VC space and angel investing.
Key Takeaways:
Quotes:
"If you believe in something, you can get it done." - Fonz Morris"Treat yourself like a project. Don't be too hard on yourself." - Fonz Morris"Designers, we have a seat at the table, so take the seat." - Fonz Morris"Work on your communication. It is critical for your success." - Fonz Morris"Get out there, meet people, network, ask questions, get a mentor, have fun, shine, be great, and lean on a community when you need support." - Fonz MorrisTimestamps:
(03:15) Introduction to Fonz Morris and our mutual connections through networking
(05:01) His personal growth and industry impact
(06:00) On Growth Design at Netflix, retention projects, and global impact
(08:41) Password-sharing initiative at Netflix
(11:04) How to overcome impostor syndrome
(14:04) On writing his memoir, Self Design
(17:28) His early career and personal challenges
(19:57) Public speaking and strengthening his voice
(21:07) A full-circle moment speaking at Google
(26:46) His Involvement with VC and angel investing
(33:02) Encouraging community engagement in VC
(36:02) His final Advice for listeners
(37:56) How to connect with him
(39:10) How his airport habits and commitment helped with the episode
About The Guest:
Fonz Morris is a growth design lead at Netflix. With a background in computer science and a passion for design, he has worked on various projects at Netflix, including the password-sharing initiative. He is also involved in the VC space as an LP in a fund and is an angel investor and board member for several companies. He strongly advocates education and community building and is dedicated to helping others succeed in their careers.
Connect with Fonz Morris:
Website
Referenced Links/Episodes:
Krislam Chin, a designer and educator based in West LA, shares her journey in the design industry and her passion for teaching. She discusses the importance of travel for creative individuals and the need for designers to experience the world. Her studio, Hello World Studio, aims to provide opportunities for emerging designers. She emphasizes the importance of not defining success based on external factors and encourages emerging designers always to acknowledge opportunities.
Key Takeaways:
Quotes:
"If you stay in one place for too long, you just need to see different things, be with other people." - Krislam Chin"Success is what you determine what success is." - Krislam Chin"Never let the world define what success looks like to you." - Krislam ChinTimestamps:
(02:27) Introduction to Krislam Chin, how she met Harrison, and the benefits of traveling to creative individuals
(04:53) How she achieved her ultimate dream of being submerged in education as a student, educator, and studio owner
(07:04) The interplay between teaching and being a student running a studio and the importance of providing experience for emerging designers
(10:41) Acknowledging the challenges and responsibilities of students, making dreams come true for emerging designers and companies through Hello World Studio, and her motivation to move to Downtown LA
(15:25) What we can learn from Gen Z, reflecting on the stress and toxic culture in design, and the responsibility of Millennials to prepare the field for future design workforce
(24:48) From What If to Why Not: Success Tips for Emerging Designers
(31:01) Why the individual, not external factors, define success
(34:12) How she radically accepted herself as a fun teacher using rubber duckies
(37:44) How to get in touch with Krislam and collaboration with small businesses
(38:48) Her appreciation for the podcast and community-building efforts
About The Guest:
Krislam Chin is a designer and educator based in West LA. With a passion for teaching, she has pursued a career in graphic design and recently launched Hello World Studio. She is dedicated to providing opportunities for emerging designers and helping them gain the experience they need to succeed in the industry.
Connect with Krislam Chin:
Website
Hello World Studio
Referenced Links:
Michael Dahms
Two Backpacks Book
What's Next:
Please leave us a rating and a review on Apple...
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We will be diving into the fascinating story of the rise and fall of InVision. In this episode, join host Harrison Wheeler and special guest Jay Demetillo as they take you on a journey through the history of InVision and discuss the impact it had on the design industry. They explore the evolution of design tools, from the days of Photoshop and Dreamweaver to the emergence of Sketch and the game-changing introduction of InVision. Join us as we reminisce about the challenges designers faced, the joy of collaborative work, and the race to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving design tool landscape.
About The Guest(s):
Jay Demetillo is a design practitioner with extensive experience in the industry. He has traveled the world giving talks on design and has a deep understanding of the importance of inclusive design and bringing value to design through business.
Key Takeaways:
Show notes:
00:00 Introduction and Birthday Celebration
00:29 The Rise and Fall of InVision
02:04 The Evolution of Design Tools
02:23 The Emergence of Collaborative Work
02:51 Insights and Anecdotes
03:52 Jay's World Tour and Talks
06:39 The Rise and Fall of Envision: A Discussion
10:10 The Challenges of Designing for Multiple Devices
11:39 The Emergence of Sketch
17:01 The Role of Zeppelin in the Design Process
18:13 Discussing Envision's Early Days
18:41 Introduction to Envision's Features
20:22 The Impact on User Testing
22:14 Marketing and Community Engagement
24:30 Investment and Funding
25:17 Product Updates and Innovations
27:32 The Downfall of InVision Studio
33:17 Reflecting on InVision's Missteps
35:10 Final Thoughts on InVision's Journey
Chris Do, a personal branding coach and host of The Futur podcast, discusses the importance of personal branding and standing out in a changing market. He emphasizes the need to show up authentically and express your unique perspective and the value of thought leadership and writing in building your personal brand. He also shares his experience with coaching and the benefits of investing in mentorship. He encourages listeners to start now and act toward their goals, reminding them that their future selves will thank them.
Key Takeaways:
Quotes:
"People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it." - Simon Sinek"Your CV are your qualifications, but what perspective do you bring? What about your cultural currency?" - Chris Do"Every decision you make has a consequence. Otherwise, there's no point to have a lens or perspective on this." - Chris Do"Develop in public, iterate as you go. Your audience is bought in, and you have great use case and feedback." - Chris Do"Start now. Your future self will thank you for it." - Chris DoTimestamps:
(03:01) Introduction to Chris Do
(04:17) Icebreaker: Why he's currently obsessed with luxury goods and brands
(07:57) Icebreaker: How AI replaces designers and why it's essential to shift and explore options
(08:54) Icebreaker: The 2 projects that stood out in his 20-year career
(12:19) What it means to show up and brand yourself
(15:01) How your social media presence can either make or break your personal brand
(20:16) Building an audience through writing
(22:46) Product development in 2 steps
(25:41) The 2 types of learners, why it's essential to apply what you've learned, and how to navigate plateaus through development
(29:41) What he would do if he could travel back in time
About The Guest:
Chris Do is a personal branding coach, renowned designer, and the host of the successful podcast The FuWhat'sth Chris Do. He is also the CEO and Founder of The Futur, a platform providing creative professionals education and resources. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, he has worked on various projects, including music videos and 360 campaigns. He is passionate about helping individuals and businesses build their personal brands and achieve success in their creative endeavors.
Connect with Chris Do:
Website
Podcast
Referenced Links:
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Adekunle Oduye, a Design Engineer at Plaid, discusses his journey from art to design to engineering and how he became a design engineer. He emphasizes the importance of understanding both design and code and communicating and collaborating effectively. He also talks about his podcast, "Code & Pixels," which aims to provide practical guidance and insights for those interested in design engineering. He encourages listeners to try new things and not be afraid to fail to learn and grow.
Key Takeaways:
Quotes:
"I think for me, it's always, you're going to learn best by doing. That's how I learned, I was like, all right, I'm going to build this thing. I have no clue. I'm going to build it, but I'm just going to figure it out." - Adekunle Oduye"Don't be afraid to try new things. You're going to try things and it's going to be frustrating and you're going to feel down about yourself. But I think that's like anything, it's like you're going to suck at first." - Adekunle OduyeTimestamps:
(01:20) Introduction to Adekunle Oduye and his experience in design and engineering
(01:54) Icebreaker: His current obsession with going to museums
(03:23) Icebreaker: His interest in incorporating AI into his work
(05:29) Icebreaker: His preference for lo-fi hip-hop music while working
(06:54) His background in art and transition to design and engineering
(11:32) Evaluating the role of a design engineer based on project needs
(15:28) Core competencies of a design engineer: ambiguity, project management, communication
(21:05) "Code & Pixels Podcast and its impact
(24:58) His upcoming speaking engagements
(26:31) Why you should try new things and not be afraid to fail
About The Guest:
Adekunle Oduye, a design engineer at Plaid, is based in Brooklyn, New York. With a background in art and design, Adekunle has a unique perspective on the intersection of design and engineering. He is passionate about using AI in his work and constantly explores ways to leverage it in design systems. He is also the co-host of the podcast "Code & Pixels," where he discusses various topics related to design engineering.
Connect with Adekunle Oduye:
Website
Code & Pixels
Referenced Links:
That Conference
Converge US
What's Next:
Please leave us a rating and a review on Apple Podcast.
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Kendall "Boo Boo" Howse, a Senior Designer, Illustrator, and Musician, discusses his design journey, which started with creating artwork for his music projects that eventually led to him freelancing full-time. He shares his passion for Dungeons & Dragons and its evolution to becoming a more inclusive and cooperative game. He emphasizes the importance of community and inclusivity in design and shares his experiences advocating for diversity and equity in the tech industry. He also encourages slow progress and reevaluation of solutions to create meaningful change.
Key Takeaways:
Quotes:
"If I believe that I am to do this alone, if I believe that the best ideas available to me are already in my head, I am doomed to fail." - Kendall "Boo Boo" Howse"In alternative spaces, we have the power to set our own rules and create new realities." - Kendall "Boo Boo" Howse"Every once in a while, we need to take stock and see if there has actually been progress forward." - Kendall "Boo Boo" HowseTimestamps:
(01:28) Introduction of the multi-talented Kendall "Boo Boo" Howse
(02:24) Icebreaker: How playing Dungeons & Dragons impacts him as a designer
(06:31) The history of his nickname "Boo Boo" and why he sought out alternative culture as a kid
(10:02) Feeling isolated after the Murder of George Floyd, the transformation of his music from despair and frustration to hope and encouragement, and the self-made CEO myth
(17:39) His path into design, freelancing, and how he almost lost his home
(24:03) ERGs and Bay Area Black Designers: His career in tech and inclusion
(26:29) The importance of allyship to get through marginalization and isolation and how to make a meaningful impact in the workplace
(31:04) How to measure systemic change and the importance of knowing the differences between no progress, slow progress, and false progress
(32:21) Ways to get in touch with Kendall
About The Guest:
Kendall "Boo Boo" Howse is a Senior Designer, Illustrator, and Musician based in Oakland, California. With a background in DIY punk rock bands, he developed a passion for design and visual communication. He has freelanced for various clients and worked in-house at CoreOS, later acquired by Red Hat and IBM. He also actively promotes diversity and inclusion in the tech industry by helping companies form ERGs, co-chairing Bay Area Black Designers, and facilitating Frame Shift Consulting.
Connect with Kendall "Boo Boo" Howse:
Referenced Links:
Dungeons & Dragons
Mass Arrest
Zulu
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Eso Tolson, a Memphis-based designer and brand strategist, shares his journey as an artist and how he developed his unique style. He reveals his passion for uplifting and inspiring people through his work, including his art projects. He also talks about finding safety and comfort in different spaces and the impact of his trip to Hawaii. He emphasizes the importance of taking breaks and finding inspiration outside of work. His love for Memphis and its vernacular language has influenced his art, which resonated with the community. He encourages creatives to stay true to themselves and make a difference.
Key Takeaways:
Quotes:
"AI art is just a tool to speed up the process of whatever you're trying to build." - Eso Tolson"Feeling safe is about creating spaces where people can let their guard down and just be themselves." - Eso Tolson"When I'm in a creative rut, I take a step back and do things that fulfill me, like taking a walk or engaging in activities unrelated to my work." - Eso Tolson"I wanted to celebrate the vernacular language of Memphis and highlight that it doesn't diminish intelligence or other qualities." - Eso Tolson"The words of empowerment I share are meaningful to me first, and I know that others can benefit from them too." - Eso TolsonTimestamps:
(01:36) Introduction of Eso Tolson, The Multi-Disciplinary Artist
(03:14) Icebreaker: His current obsession with AI art and his take on new technology
(06:47) Icebreaker: What he realized about adaptability during his recent trip to Hawaii and what makes a space safe and inclusive
(11:15) Icebreaker: Discover your "coffee bean" and how it can help you break your creative rut
(13:42) From track star to artist: His journey from East St. Louis, IL to Memphis, TN
(20:49) How he developed his unique and authentic lettering style, his love letter Spectacular Vernacular to Memphis, and why Memphis embraced it
(28:11) The reason he shows up online and shares empowering messages to others
(31:42) How creativity isn't just for artists, and how every person is creative in their own way
(32:45) Where to find Eso online
About The Guest:
Eso Tolson is a Memphis-based multi-disciplinary artist and creative director known for his unique lettering style and ability to uplift, inspire, and celebrate people through his work. He specializes in hand-lettering for branding, editorial, and commercial projects. He is also an accomplished speaker and shared his story and philosophy on TEDx Talks "Less Grind, More Chill."
Connect with Eso Tolson:
Referenced Links:
Watch Less Grind, More Chill on TEDx
Spectacular Vernacular: Eso’s Love Letter to Memphis
What's Next:
Please leave us a rating and a review on Apple Podcast.
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Get full access to Technically Speaking at www.technicallyspeakinghw.com/subscribe
Donald Burlock, User Experience Designer and Author of Superhuman by Design, joins the show to discuss his book and his mission to bring authenticity and social impact to the design profession. He shares his journey of self-discovery and the importance of showing up as your authentic self in a world that often pressures us to conform. He also highlights the need for unification and the power of community in driving positive change. Whether you're a designer just starting or an experienced leader in the field, his book offers valuable insights and guidance for making a lasting impact in the design world.
Key Takeaways:
Quotes:
"I challenge those folks to not rely on the hubris. You're not in a position as a leader to say wonderful things about diversity and inclusion and belonging." - Donald Burlock"Design is more than just creating products or services. It's about bettering the human experience and making a positive impact." - Donald Burlock"Authenticity is the key to making a meaningful contribution as a designer." - Donald Burlock"Designers have the power to shape the future and drive social change." - Donald Burlock"The design industry needs to have more conversations about unification and finding common ground." - Donald BurlockTimestamps:
(01:26) Introduction of Donald Burlock, Author of Superhuman by Design
(03:50) Icebreaker: His golfing journey, the intriguing intricacies of the sport, and his newfound appreciation for coordination and balance
(08:43) Icebreaker: The importance of unification and social connection in the evolving landscape of remote work and independence
(14:00) Icebreaker: How to own your image and persona amidst societal pressures to conform
(24:31) Superhuman by Design, a decade of design wisdom and inspiration from Donald Burlock to creatives of all levels
(35:13) His mission: To use design to enhance the human experience for the long term, looking beyond short-lived product improvements
(39:08) How to purchase the book and engage with Donald
About The Guest:
Donald Burlock is a User Experience Designer and Author of the book Superhuman by Design. He has over 10 years of experience in the design industry, focusing on leveraging creativity to drive social impact. He is passionate about helping designers and creatives find their authentic voices and contribute meaningfully to the world.
Connect with Donald Burlock:
Website
Referenced Links:
Superhuman by Design Paperback
Superhuman by Design Ebook
What's Next:
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The podcast currently has 79 episodes available.