Trademark lawyer extraordinaire and author Radiance Harris shares some gems about knowing when to quit your job to start a business AND when to work with a trademark lawyer to protect your growing brand.

Tweet: "Every single business has trademarks, but it only has its value when it's protected." @radianceharris via @ShontaviaJEsq

Visit https://shontavia.com/episode44 for more.

Text PODCAST to me at 864-651-9920 to get announcements and insights about starting and growing your business.

// Show Summary

5:23 How Radiance knew it was time to leave her Big Law employer to start her own law firm

8:58 The one thing that helped Radiance more than anything when starting her own business

11:00 How Radiance built her customer base from zero

14:05 The fundamental things entrepreneurs need to know about trademarks

22:00 When Radiance says you should talk to a lawyer (hint: it's probably earlier than you think!)

23:40 How much a trademark lawyer ACTUALLY costs

26:44 Why it takes 10 months on average to get a trademark approved by the USPTO

32:09 Why Radiance says staying focused is the hardest part of entrepreneurship

// Show Notes

Where to find Trademark Like a Boss, Radiance's new book

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rl4yTA
Website: https://www.radianceiplaw.com/book

Where to find Radiance Harris

Website: https://www.radianceiplaw.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radianceiplaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radianceharrisesq/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/radianceharris/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1lo5oBeQ4ajqIBMv3dSbdA?

// Internet + Social Media

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Anne T. Griffin, a product professional in tech and founder of Pivot Grow Hustle, shares her experience starting a business during the COVID-19 pandemic while working full time. Find out how she got started, what helped her the most, and the biggest mistakes she's made. 

Tweet: "People quit when the timeline doesn't look like the timeline they imagined. But we have to keep going." @annetgriffin via @ShontaviaJEsq

Visit https://shontavia.com/episode43 for more.

Text PODCAST to me at 864-651-9920 to get announcements and insights about starting and growing your business.

// Show Summary

7:00 Why the COVID-19 pandemic motivated Anne to start her business

8:07 Why Anne stopped giving away her intellectual property and started her own business

9:56 How Anne's Pivot Grow Hustle business helps tech professionals find their dream job

16:54 The first steps Anne took when she decided to start her business during the pandemic

18:11 How the Brand and Business Academy helped Anne get started the right way

23:32 The two things Anne would have done differently

33:41 Why you shouldn't quit when the timeline doesn't meet your expectations

// Show Notes

Where to find Pivot Grow Hustle

Course: https://pivotgrowhustle.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pivotgrowhustle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotgrowhustle/

Where to find Anne T. Griffin

Website: https://www.annetgriffin.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/annetgriffin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atgrif/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/annetgriffin/
Tech2025: https://tech2025.com/our_team/anne-t-griffin/

Watch Anne's Brand and Business Academy testimonial: https://youtu.be/zHLQ_0GrgAA

More About Anne T. Griffin:

We Got Next with Anne T. Griffin : https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/we-got-next-with-anne-t-griffin/id1364451513?i=1000457345094

Anne Griffin - Time for Your Come Up: https://thedrwillshowpodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/anne-griffin-annetgriffin-time-for-your-come-up

// Internet + Social Media

Website: https://shontavia.com/
Get weekly tips: shontavia.email
Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ 

Stephanie Humphrey, also known as Tech Life Steph, visited the Shontavia Show to discuss navigating her career path, finding her God-given purpose, and knowing when it's time to stay or pivot.

Tech Life Steph has LIVED, honey. Stephanie is currently a technology contributor for ABC News where she worked as part of the nationally syndicated Strahan Sara & Keke team, as well as contributing to Good Morning America. Before that, she spent two years as the technology contributor to daytime talk show The Harry Show, hosted by Harry Connick, Jr. She has also been a guest expert on the daytime morning show Home & Family on The Hallmark Channel, and Sister Circle Live on TV One.

Helping students is a passion that drives Stephanie, and she has channeled this motivation into a seminar called ‘Til Death Do You Tweet. Her new book “Don’t Let Your Digital Footprint Kick You in the Butt!” expands on these concepts.

Visit https://shontavia.com/episode42 for more.

// Show Summary

00:03:00 How Stephanie's unfulfilling career as an engineer led to her first modeling gig

00:08:07 When Stephanie knew it was time to leave her engineering job

00:15:09 How one 2011 meeting gave Stephanie the idea for her Tech Life Steph brand

00:25:03 What Stephanie's business looks like today

00:34:13 Why Stephanie thinks everybody needs to be on LinkedIn

00:42:46 How to clean up past mistakes you've made online

00:47:20 How Stephanie went from her first event with 4 people to having her book featured in Times Square

00:55:50 How to leverage unpaid opportunities for paid ones

// Show Notes

Where to find Tech Life Steph and her book:

Book: Don't Let Your Digital Footprint Kick You in the Butt!: A lesson in what NOT to on the internet to build your personal brand online
Website: https://www.tildeathdoyoutweet.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/techlifesteph
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techlifesteph/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/techlifesteph/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sthumphrey24

More About Tech Life Steph:

Former engineer Stephanie Humphrey helps people understand technology: https://rollingout.com/2020/04/01/former-engineer-stephanie-humphrey-helps-people-understand-technology/
Internet & device solutions for back to school: https://youtu.be/nDCAbvYhMx4

// Internet + Social Media

Website: https://shontavia.com/
Get weekly tips: shontavia.email
Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ 

Well, it's been a minute. Between the anti-racism protests, COVID, the 2020 election, #ENDSARS, and everything else, life has been a roller coaster. In this episode of the Shontavia Show, Shontavia walks through her brief hiatus, what she's been up to, and what she's learned about surviving and thriving in uncertain times.

Visit https://shontavia.com/episode41 for more.

// Show Summary

00:01:34 Girl, where you been?

00:06:49 Join Shontavia's book club

00:09:21 The first thing you can do to survive: get educated

00:10:38 The three courses I took to make five figures in five months

00:17:13 The second thing you can do to survive: pursue economic independence/financial freedom

00:22:15 The third thing you can do to survive: do good in the world and give yourself grace

// Show Notes

Join Shontavia's Book Club : shontavia.com/bookclub
Get The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks on Amazon.com
Tonya Evans' From Cash to Crypto course
Danielle Leslie's Course from Scratch
Courtney Sanders' Project Management Course

// Internet + Social Media

Website: https://shontavia.com/
Get weekly tips: shontavia.email
Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ 

Denise Woodard, the founder and CEO of Partake Foods, visits the Shontavia Show to talk about her experience as the first Black woman to raise $1 million for a food startup, landing Jay-Z's Marcy Venture Partners as an investor, and Partake's exponential growth in the middle of a pandemic.

Founded in 2016, Partake Foods provides cookies that are Gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO and free of the top 14 allergens. Denise found the company after learning about her daughter's allergies and wanting to provide her with healthy, kid-friendly food options. In this episode, Denise walks us through her journey and how she used Google and LinkedIn to find the resources she needed to make Partake a success.

Denise also shares some amazing tips for working professionals who are thinking about a business idea while at their full-time jobs. If you have a dream idea swirling in your head, this episode is truly a must listen.

Visit https://shontavia.com/episode40 for more.

// Show Summary

00:02:32 How Denise transitioned from corporate America to entrepreneurship

00:03:40 How Denise's daughter's allergies, and one question from her nanny, gave her the idea for Partake Foods

00:06:23 Denise's journey from weekly trade shows to landing Jay-Z's Marcy Venture Partners as an investor

00:10:03 How Denise used LinkedIn to scale her startup

00:12:34 How focusing helped Denise get Partake's cookies into Whole Foods

00:14:48 Figuring out when it's time to hire new employees

00:16:16 The experience of fundraising as a black woman startup CEO

00:19:28 Denise's two biggest wins thus far with Partake Foods

00:22:00 How Denise is giving back through the Food Equality Initiative and HBCU partnerships

00:24:42 Why you need to just get started with your business idea

// Show Notes

Where to find Partake Foods and Denise Woodard:

Website: https://partakefoods.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/partakefoods
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partakefoods/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/partakefoods/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PartakeFoods/

Denise's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgwoodard/

More About Denise's journey: The Odds Are Stacked Against Women Of Color Seeking Venture Funds. Here’s How One Cookie Startup Broke The Mold: https://www.forbes.com/sites/shaynaharris/2020/06/17/jay-z-marcy-venture-partners-vc-funds-start-up-that-sells-at-whole-foods/#769512fb3c1b

// Internet + Social Media

Website: https://shontavia.com/
Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ 

I visited the Dr. Will Show to talk about my story and journey with entrepreneurship, including quitting my six-figure job, moving to South Africa for several months, and taking a $100,000 pay cut to come back to the United States to teach.

I also provide suggestions to educators for they can be entrepreneurial, especially during the COVID-19 era. 

Visit https://shontavia.com/episode39 for more.

// Show Summary

// Show Notes

Original Episode: https://thedrwillshowpodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/shontavia-johnson-esq-shontaviajesq-the-power-of-one

This Educator Made A Documentary About Teachers Turning Toward Entrepreneurship: https://www.forbes.com/sites/robynshulman/2019/04/20/this-educator-made-a-documentary-about-teachers-turning-toward-entrepreneurship/#24aebf6169e7

Where to find Will H. Deyamport, III, Ed.D.:

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrWillDeyamportIII/featured
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamDrWill
Podcast: https://thedrwillshowpodcast.simplecast.com
Website: https://www.tdg.education 

// Internet + Social Media

Website: https://shontavia.com/
Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/
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Kanika Tolver, CEO & Author of Career Rehab, comes to the Shontavia Show to drop ALL the knowledge about how to build your personal brand while working full time.

As a career coach and full-time tech professional, Kanika is walking the walk and talking the talk. In this episode, she is very transparent about how she got a book deal with a major publisher while working full-time, how she shifted from an employee mindset to a branding mindset, and how becoming a "networking junkie" helped her land a job at one of the best places to work in the world.

Kanika also shares her best tips for employees who want to level up in their careers and with their brands. If you have any dreams of expanding beyond the job you currently have, this episode is a must-listen!

Visit https://shontavia.com/episode38 for more.

// Show Summary

02:59 Why Kanika ignored the advice of family, friends and co-workers and quit her "good government job" for a job at Deloitte

08:38 How Kanika found her value and worth in her career

11:07 Why finding "virtual mentors" is important for your career

12:25 How Kanika decided on her side hustle idea while working in the corporate sector

17:03 How to build an authentic brand online

20:00 How Kanika found an agent and landed her first book deal with Entrepreneur Press

27:42 Why people are so unhappy at work right now

29:18 The two things you need to do to create a personal brand at work

32:53 How to turn your knowledge and expertise into a product or service

35:37 Why you should be dating jobs

38:43 Why Kanika highlights other people's successes in her latest book, Career Rehab

44:00 Why you should fight for the way you want your personal brand represented by others

// Show Notes

Where to find Kanika Tolver:

Website: https://kanikatolver.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KanikaTolver
Buy Career Rehab: https://amzn.to/2EIFaTP
Read Kanika's articles on Entrepreneur.com: https://www.entrepreneur.com/author/kanika-tolver

// Internet + Social Media

Website: https://shontavia.com/
Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
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This is unapologetically a black women appreciation episode. The world is on fire, but black women entrepreneurs are killing it in their respective fields and giving me inspiration at the same time.

I wanted to share a few of the lessons I've learned from six amazing black women entrepreneurs: Tabitha Brown, Rachel Rodgers, Danielle Leslie, Dawn Dickson, Teri Ijeoma, and King Ashley Ann. I know you'll find some inspiration from their stories too!

// Show Summary

02:19 Lesson #1 from Tabitha Brown: Continue to make your content

06:36 Lesson #2 from Rachel Rodgers: Speak your truth

13:02 Lesson #3 from Danielle Leslie: "I dream it. I work hard. I grind, I own it." 

16:12 Lesson #4 from Dawn Dickson: Invest in yourself and your education

23:26 Lesson #5 from Teri Ijeoma: You can talk about God AND business IN your business

26:18 Lesson #6 from King Ashley Ann: Authenticity is your superpower

// Show Notes

Tabitha Brown

• https://www.instagram.com/iamtabithabrown/
• TikTok Star Tabitha Brown Lands Her Own Show on EDN: https://www.blackenterprise.com/tiktok-star-tabitha-brown-lands-web-series-on-ellen-degeneres-digital-network/

Rachel Rodgers

• https://helloseven.co
• This entrepreneur brought in $1 million in June—while building a network of anti-racist small businesses: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/17/hello-seven-rachel-rodgers-hits-1-million-forms-anti-racist-pledge.html

Danielle Leslie

https://www.danielleleslie.com

Dawn Dickson 

• https://www.dawndickson.me
• Dawn Dickson’s Road to $1 Million Started at the Entrepreneurs Summit: https://www.blackenterprise.com/the-road-to-1-million-can-start-at-the-entrepreneurs-summit/

Teri Ijeoma

https://investwithteri.com

King Ashley Ann

• https://kingashleyann.biz/
• King Ashley Ann teaches how to monetize social media; hosts annual wealth expo: https://rollingout.com/2017/10/19/king-ashley-ann-teaches-how-to-monetize-social-media-hosts-annual-wealth-expo/ 

// Internet + Social Media

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Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/
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YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

Jess Avolio, an Ontario-based entrepreneur and branding expert, stops by the Shontavia Show to talk about how she helps creators and entrepreneurs build their brand identity while also publicly supporting anti-racist efforts in her business.

Jess drops lots of knowledge for early-stage business owners and entrepreneurs about how to start building a consistent and dynamic brand. From color palettes and social media strategy to fonts and user experience, Jess provides invaluable expertise for people starting from the ground zero.

She also talks about how recent anti-racist protests around the world motivated her to take a public stance through her business and the feedback she's gotten from her followers and clients. 

// Show Summary

01:22 Why entrepreneur Jess Avolio tells people up front that her business is anti-oppressive and anti-racist 

03:35 Why Jess decided to leave her corporate jobs for entrepreneurship 

07:20 Two methods for setting your rates as a new entrepreneur 

11:31 Where Jess thinks new entrepreneurs should start with their branding 

13:42 Why Jess thinks user experience is a critical part of the brand process 

18:39 Why Jess believes consistency is so important for brands 

20:55 How creatives and entrepreneurs can be good clients to their branding professionals 

22:44 Why Jess thinks establishing customer trust also includes an anti-racist stance 

28:17 Why Jess thinks brands should use their platforms to support anti-oppression and anti-racism 

// Show Notes

Where to find Jess Avolio:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.avolio/
Jess Avolio's website: https://javolio.com/
Is my biz anti-oppressive? https://javolio.com/anti-o/

// Internet + Social Media

Website: https://shontavia.com/
Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/
Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

Professor D. Wendy Greene visits the Shontavia Show to talk about growing her global #FreeTheHair brand while also building a movement to make natural hair discrimination illegal. Through her nearly two decades of dedication, she's worked with lawmakers, lawyers, community leaders, and everyone in between to ensure that African descendants can rock their natural hair in schools and the workplace.

Wendy's fascinating story begins with her parents' status as civil rights icons in South Carolina, including her mother's voter registration work during the Jim Crow era and her father's civil rights case being successfully argued before the United States Supreme Court. This background has positioned her uniquely today as one of the world's foremost legal experts on natural hair discrimination.

This episode is all about how she's managed to accomplish the herculean task of literally changing the law and positively impacting the world--while also building her own personal brand.

// Show Summary

02:56 How growing up the child of civil rights activists shaped Wendy's life 

09:43 The moment Wendy decided that she was going to change the law to prohibit natural hair discrimination 

15:08 Why Wendy had to pivot with her strategy to change American anti-discrimination law 

24:42 How to build a movement for EVERYONE while also building a brand for YOURSELF 

30:52 The unbreakable connections Wendy sees between #FreeTheHair and #BlackLivesMatter 

// Show Notes

Where to find Wendy Greene:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/professordwendy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professordwendy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freethehairnow/
Free the Hair website: https://freethehair.com/

Doris "Wendy" Greene Helped Fight for New York City’s Ban on Natural-Hair Discrimination: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/doris-wendy-greene-natural-hair-anti-discrimination-ban

Made for the moment: Wendy Greene, daughter of anti-discrimination pioneers, to present Angela Davis with Shuttlesworth award: https://www.al.com/news/2020/06/made-for-this-moment-wendy-greene-to-present-angela-davis-with-shuttlesworth-award.html

The Official Crown Act campaign: https://www.thecrownact.com/

// Internet + Social Media

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Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/
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