The Shontavia Show

By Shontavia Johnson

The Shontavia Show gives working professionals--especially old Millennials and Gen Xers--the motivation and inspiration they need to start their business and grow their personal brand while working fu... more

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FAQs about The Shontavia Show:

How many episodes does The Shontavia Show have?

The podcast currently has 43 episodes available.

The Shontavia Show episodes:

April 23, 2020 #24 - How to build a brand internally at work (especially at a law firm)
On Thursdays, Shontavia provides thoughts on your questions and reviews interesting things she's read, listened to or watched. On this #ThursdayThoughts episode, Shontavia and Nichole Hayden answer a question about how to build a brand internally at work from someone who is just starting her career at a Midwestern law firm.
Their advice: (1) make a good first impression by being dependable and communicating early and often; (2) make connections with your colleagues; (3) do good work; and (4) choose the career path that works for you.

Check out this episode for more.

// Show Highlights

01:54 Listener Rachel asks her question about creating a "brand" inside her law firm as a new employee
02:49 Why Nichole thinks first impressions are the most important thing when you're a new employee/law firm associate
05:04 Why being dependable is one of the best things a new employee/law firm associate can do
05:57 Nichole's advice on what to do when you make mistakes
07:11 How to make connections with colleagues at a new employer/law firm
08:41 How to create a reputation at work without going to any social functions
10:20 How Nichole navigated motherhood and law firm life

// Show Notes

Answering all of your intellectual property questions with Nichole Hayden, law firm partner: https://shontavia.com/episode23/

Where to find Nichole Hayden: https://www.nelsonmullins.com/people/nichole-hayden?#overview

// Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/
Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
...more
16min
April 20, 2020 #23 - Answering all of your intellectual property questions with Nichole Hayden, law firm partner
In this episode of The Shontavia Show, host Shontavia Johnson speaks with Nichole Hayden, an amazing intellectual property lawyer and law firm partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough. Nichole focuses on helping clients obtain patent protection for their inventions and trademarks that effectively protect their brand.

Shontavia and Nichole had a wide-ranging conversation about everything from how to find an IP lawyer, how long the whole application processes take, and how to be a good client. If you're an inventor, content creator, or entrepreneur, this episode is definitely for you.

// Show Highlights
08:25 How long it takes to get a registered trademark or patent
09:30 What inventors should do before reaching out to a patent lawyer
10:56 When inventors should reach out to a patent lawyer
12:00 How much it costs to file a patent application
13:09 How a provisional patent application can help you save money up front
15:30 How trade secrets can save you money and protect your invention
18:15 When you should contact a lawyer if you want to protect your trademark (it's earlier than you think!)
22:13 How much it costs to file a trademark or copyright application
23:36 Why Nichole thinks you need to always have an initial conversation with an IP lawyer
24:27 Why choosing a good IP lawyer can save you now AND years down the line
28:14 How startups can decide when to hire an in-house lawyer versus working with one on a contract basis
30:13 Why creating a software- or app-based company is harder now than its ever been
35:28 How IP lawyers decide whether you're a good client
37:43 What you should do once you finally get that registered trademark, copyright or patent
// Show Notes

Where to find Nichole Hayden: https://www.nelsonmullins.com/people/nichole-hayden?#overview

How to find a good intellectual property lawyer on a budget: https://shontavia.com/how-to-find-a-good-intellectual-property-lawyer-on-a-budget/

The Difference Between Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents: https://www.nytimes.com/article/copyrights-trademarks-patents.html

// Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/
Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
...more
44min
April 16, 2020 #22 - Three Tips for Becoming an Academic Entrepreneur
On Thursdays, Shontavia provides thoughts on your questions and reviews interesting things she's read, listened to or watched. On this #ThursdayThoughts episode, Shontavia answers a question about how to become an academic entrepreneur and keep your day job at the university.
Shontavia's advice: (1) Read your university's conflicts of interest policy; (2) Create an easy-to-digest message; and (3) Position yourself as an expert on your own platform and on other people's platforms.

Check out this episode for more.

// Show Highlights

00:56 BJ's question about establishing yourself as an academic entrepreneur
03:02 Tip #1: Read your university's conflicts of interest policy
04:54 Tip #2: Create an easy-to-digest message
05:37 How the COMPASS Message Box can help you create a clear, public message
07:51 Leveraging TheConversation.com to get published in places like TIME, US News, Newsweek, Scientific American, and elsewhere
09:44 Tip #3: Position yourself on your platform and others as an expert in your field
// Show Notes

Build a website you’re proud of in 9 steps: https://shontavia.com/build-a-website-youre-proud-of-in-8-steps/

The Message Box by COMPASS: https://www.compassscicomm.org/message-box-workbook

The Conversation: https://theconversation.com

My articles on The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/profiles/shontavia-johnson-203059/articles

The OpEd Project: https://www.theopedproject.org/

Help A Reporter Out (HARO): https://www.helpareporter.com/

// Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/
Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
...more
13min
April 13, 2020 #21 - Why you need a tax ID number and how to get one
In this episode of The Shontavia Show, host Shontavia Johnson talks about why you need a tax ID number from the IRS and how to get one. This won't be the most riveting topic, but it's definitely required listening if you're starting a new business. The last place you want to be is in trouble with the IRS!

Check out this episode and decide whether getting a tax ID number is the right next step for you.

// Show Highlights

01:24 Why you probably need a tax ID number - thoughts from my conversation with a business law expert
05:14 How to determine when the law requires you to get a tax ID number
06:22 The benefits of having a tax ID number, even if the law doesn't require it
10:32 How to get a tax ID number (it's free and you can probably do it yourself!)

// Show Notes

Choosing a Business Structure: https://shontavia.com/choosing-a-corporate-structure-advice-from-a-business-law-expert/

How to get a tax ID number for your business: https://shontavia.com/tax-id-numbers-biz-better-have-my-money/

How and Why to Avoid Commingling Personal and Business Funds: https://blogs.findlaw.com/free_enterprise/2017/03/how-and-why-to-avoid-commingling-personal-and-business-funds.html

Do You Need an EIN?: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/do-you-need-an-ein

Apply for your Tax ID number/EIN online: https://sa.www4.irs.gov/modiein/individual/index.jsp

Paper Application for Employer Identification Number (Form SS-4): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf

// Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/
Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
...more
15min
April 06, 2020 #20 - Finding extra time to start your business
In this episode of The Shontavia Show, host Shontavia Johnson talks about how to find extra time in your day to start your business. If you've ever said, "I'm just too busy right now," or "if I just had more hours in a day" when it comes to pursuing that idea, project, or business idea, this is the episode for you.

Shontavia's four suggestions for finding extra time include: (1) eliminating aimless scrolling; (2) using social media to learn, build and grow; (3) being consistent; and (4) learning from others.

// Show Highlights:

01:02 Why busy-ness and "no time" are bad excuses
03:53 Why prioritizing other things is okay
05:17 How you can figure out where your time is going: the 3 day audit
06:39 The embarrassing places where I was wasting time and not growing my business
07:25 Where most people are losing time
09:33 How to get your wasted time back
10:28 How to measure how much time you're spending on your phone
12:35 Where you can reclaim your time
16:49 4 things you can do right now to find more time in your day
// Show Notes

Finding time to start your business: https://shontavia.com/find-time-to-start-your-business-by-finding-lost-time/

Find time to start your business: Stop scrolling: https://shontavia.com/finding-time-to-start-your-business-no-more-aimless-scrolling/

How to Check Screen Time on Different Devices: https://www.guidingtech.com/check-screen-time-different-devices/
How Much Time Do People Spend on Social Media? [63+ Facts to Like, Share and Comment]: https://review42.com/how-much-time-do-people-spend-on-social-media/

How Much Time Do People Spend on Social Media in 2019? [Infographic]: https://medium.com/@JBBC/how-much-time-do-people-spend-on-social-media-in-2019-infographic-cc02c63bede8

HOW TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS & FIND TIME FOR THE CREATIVE WORK, TOO: https://www.marieforleo.com/2016/03/time-management/

// Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/
Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
...more
20min
March 30, 2020 #19 - How to Use Conferences to Build Your Business and Brand
In this episode of The Shontavia Show (pre-recorded long before the COVID-19 pandemic), host Shontavia Johnson talks about using conferences to build your business and brand. She provides advice about how to get the coveted invitation from conference organizers, including how to choose a speaking topic, how to create content around your speaking topic, and how to create "social proof" of your speaking abilities--even if you haven't been invited to speak anywhere yet.

Shontavia also provides a list of +100 conferences that can serve as starting points for your research and eventual speaker pitches.

01:37 Story about how attending one conference (where I was told my idea was trash) led to me winning international awards and being invited to the TEDx stage
10:26 The three things you should aim to do as a conference speaker
12:51 How to get the invitation from conference organizers to serve as a speaker
16:14 Why I think you need to create a vision before accepting any speaking engagements
18:01 How to choose the topic you plan to speak about in 3-4 words
19:37 Why creating content around your speaking topic is critically important
20:41 The types of content you can create to grow your speaking opportunties
23:29 How to develop some "social proof" of your speaking capabilities
24:16 Where to find conferences to pitch yourself as a speaker
// Show Notes

Create your vision: https://shontavia.com/starthere/

List of +100 conferences: http://listofconferences.com/

Being Prepared For the Future of Events for Speakers and Event Professionals: https://gravityspeakers.com/being-prepared-for-the-future-of-events-for-speakers-and-event-professionals/

How Not to Pitch Yourself as a Speaker: https://archive.yellowco.co/blog/2018/05/07/how-to-not-pitch-yourself-speaker/

How to pitch for speaking opportunities at a conference: 3 tips for success: https://muckrack.com/blog/2019/02/13/how-to-pitch-for-speaking-opportunities-at-conferences

How to Pitch Yourself (or Your CEO) as a Speaker: https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-pitch-yourself-or-your-ceo-as-a-speaker

//Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/
Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://
...more
29min
March 23, 2020 #18 - How to Turn a Viral Moment into a Successful Business with Sherrica Sims
On this week's episode of The Shontavia Show, host Shontavia Johnson speaks with Sherrica Sims, who has received more than 13 million views and counting on a viral YouTube video featuring her and her daughter.

Seeing the potential opportunity to leverage their millions of views, Sherrica turned her family's viral moment into Simply Sims - a brand based on her family's digital content. Sherrica also founded Go Be Great Productions, a business entity that houses all of their brand and partnership opportunities.
To date, the Simply Sims brand has appeared on shows including Ellen, Little Big Shots, and Good Morning America. Simply Sims has also worked with brands like YouTube, Nickelodeon, Kohl's, and #RyansPlayDate. In this episode, Sherrica talks about how she's turned a 3.5 minute video into a dynamic brand and successful business.

//Show Highlights

02:15 How growing up in a very religious home led Sherrica Sims to finding her own voice
03:13 Why Sherrica created the viral video that now has more than 13 million views
04:47 How Sherrica received help in making her video go viral
06:07 How people make money off of viral videos
09:25 How Sherrica capitalized on the new attention from her viral video by listening to her target audience
10:33 How 2 years of consistency led to a partnership with YouTube
11:44 How Sherrica created a business after her viral video
13:16 How having a family brand impacts the Sims family
16:01 How to secure brand deals while being true to yourself
19:18 How content creators make money online
23:02 Three things people need to do if they want to become content creators/influencers
24:47 Who's helped Sherrica build her successful business and platform
27:51 Where to find the Simply Sims brand online

// Show Notes

My 3 year old tries to get out of trouble by telling stories with Tiffany Sims: https://youtu.be/MVs71CBX7J8

Simply Sims YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UConfdDrYWwZm_rUtTYnf6hw

Simply Sims on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplysimsfamily/

Simply Sims on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplysimsfamily/

Simply Sims on Twitter: https://twitter.com/simplysimsFam

Simply Sims on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simplysimsfamily

//Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/
Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
...more
31min
March 16, 2020 #17 - Copyrights 101 for Content Creators
In this episode of The Shontavia Show, host Shontavia Johnson runs through copyrights 101--she talks about why content creators--and everybody who uses/posts things on social media--probably interact with, and create more, copyrighted work than any other type of intellectual property. She also explains why, even though you don't have to register works with the Copyright Office, you might want to think about it.
If you've ever wondered if you own any copyrighted work, and what you should do if you do, this episode is for you!

02:05 Missy Elliott's important definition of copyrights!
03:21 The importance of copyrights for content creators
04:43 Taking it all the way back to the U.S. Constitution
05:45 The three things you need to protect your work via copyright law
12:17 What you DON'T need to protect your work via copyright law
16:14 Why your work can suck and still be copyrighted
18:39 Why you may want to pay to register your copyrighted work with the Copyright Office, even though you don't have to
21:57 How long copyright protection lasts
23:45 What copyright protection gives you
26:12 Why you should understand copyright law, even if you have a team of lawyers
// Show Notes
How to copyright your content: https://shontavia.com/how-to-protect-the-content-youve-created/
Don’t put off protecting your work: https://shontavia.com/you-may-be-ignoring-the-most-important-parts-of-your-business/
Copyright Protection: What it Is, How it Works: https://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview/faqs/copyright-protection/
Copyright Definition: https://www.thebalancesmb.com/copyright-definition-2948254
Answers from the U.S. Copyright Office to Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright: https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/index.html
//Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/
Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
...more
29min
March 08, 2020 #16 - What's a trademark? How to identify one of most important parts of your business
In this episode of The Shontavia Show, host Shontavia Johnson runs through trademarks 101--she talks about why trademarks are one of the most important components of a business, and the different types of trademarks that exist. If you're wondering what a trademark is and whether you have any, check out this episode!

*AKAs: please don't be mad about my comment about the SKEE-WEE! It is all in love, and I really respect that your organization has built an amazing intellectual property strategy. I wish the rest of the D9 would do the same :-). Find a full summary and show notes at: https://shontavia.com/16-2/ .

01:08 How trademarks protect the relationship between entrepreneur and customer/client.
03:16 What is a trademark? The definition and examples
04:00 AKA SKEE WEE trademark example (no disrepect to AKAs intended!)
05:00 The legal requirements to have a protectable trademark
07:34 The 4 trademark categories: arbitrary/fanciful, suggestive, merely descriptive, and generic
14:22 4 ways to protect your trademark

// Show Notes

AKA’s “Skee Wee” Sound is Now a Registered Trademark: https://popcultureclass.com/2017/01/12/akas-skee-wee-sound-is-now-a-registered-trademark/

Goats on the Roof: Iconic Wisconsin Restaurant Wins Trade Dress Dispute: http://www.dewittllp.com/news-education/posts/2019/12/16/goats-on-the-roof-iconic-wisconsin-restaurant-wins-trade-dress-dispute

How to protect and register your trademarks: https://shontavia.com/how-to-protect-and-register-your-trademarks/

What does it mean to “use” a trademark?: https://shontavia.com/what-does-it-mean-to-use-a-trademark-little-word-big-question/

You can trademark almost anything : https://shontavia.com/you-can-trademark-almost-anything/

Secretary of State's Offices: https://tinyurl.com/w4fye7l

Registering your business: A directory: https://shontavia.com/where-to-incorporate-your-business-a-directory/

//Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/
Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv
...more
19min
March 02, 2020 #15 - Raising Startup Capital with Bandwagon Founder and CEO Harold Hughes
In this episode of the #ShontaviaShow, host Shontavia Johnson interviews Harold Hughes, the Founder and CEO of Bandwagon Fanclub, Inc., about raising money in the twenty-first century startup world. Harold, a first-generation Jamaican-American, provides some incredible insights about starting from ground zero after being fired from his six-figure job while his wife was pregnant with their first child. To date, Bandwagon has raised more than $2 million dollars and participated in prestigious programs like Google for Startups, IBM Blockchain Accelerator, and The Founder Institute. In this episode, Harold talks about landing his first investor, finding investors on Twitter, and why mentoring women and black founders is so important to him.

// Show Notes
Harold Hughes on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OneBandwagonFan/
Bandwagon: https://bandwagonfanclub.com/
Harold's Medium page: https://medium.com/@OneBandwagonFan
Here’s Your Chance to Invest in the Blockchain Technology Curbing Ticket Fraud: https://www.blackenterprise.com/blockchain-bandwagon-equity-crowdfunding-ticket-fraud/

Bandwagon Aims to Solve Ticket Fraud With The Blockchain: https://cryptobriefing.com/bandwagon-ticket-fraud-blockchain/

Ticket Scalpers, Beware! Blockchain Is Coming for You (#50, Bandwagon): https://gimletmedia.com/shows/the-pitch/kwhaw8
‘We Had An Acquisition Offer. We Turned It Down’: Bandwagon Founder Harold Hughes On Mogul Watch: https://moguldom.com/157548/bandwagon-blockchain-sports-fan-analytics-company/
The Venture Capital Fundraising Landscape: https://www.siskar.co/blog/2019/11/1/the-venture-capital-fundraising-landscape
For Communities Of Color, Startup Funding Efforts Can Hold Promise And Pitfalls: https://www.fastcompany.com/40512319/backing-startups-outside-of-silicon-valley-dont-overlook-families-of-color

//Show Outline

00:03:34: Harold's childhood in the U.S. and Jamaica
00:06:10: Harold's experience with the "black tax" (income black professionals give to their families to support them)
00:12:44: How Harold originally funded his startup with his own money and an Indiegogo campaign
00:14:04: How getting fired from a six-figure job led to Harold working on his startup full-time
00:20:19: How Harold landed his first 6-figure investor
00:23:54: Using Twitter to land high-profile investors
00:25:57: How Harold used creative recruiting (and a creative salary structure) to hire his first software developer
00:27:05: How to set a valuation for your new startup
00:30:26: How doing a podcast interview landed Bandwagon a new investor
00:32:02: The one service you must use if you're raising money for your startup
00:32:28: How Bandwagon has raised $2 million and its financial philosophy
00:33:30: How Harold built Bandwagon's very diverse team
00:37:14: Why Bandwagon turned down an acquisition offer
00:40:15: The mentors who have helped Harold and Bandwagon succeed
00:41:59: Why Harold says his best mentors have been his peers and other startup founders of color
00:43:30: What's next for Bandwagon
00:44:17:&
...more
50min

FAQs about The Shontavia Show:

How many episodes does The Shontavia Show have?

The podcast currently has 43 episodes available.