WHERE’S THE FUNDING?

By WTF (Where Is The Funding?!) Podcast

The WHERE’S THE FUNDING? podcast demystifies entrepreneurship and the fog around funding for Black and other underserved entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs share their entrepreneurship journeys, fundraising... more

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2121 ratings

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FAQs about WHERE’S THE FUNDING?:

How many episodes does WHERE’S THE FUNDING? have?

The podcast currently has 110 episodes available.

WHERE’S THE FUNDING? episodes:

May 19, 2023Scaling Black Beauty with Leslie Roberson S7 Ep. 4
Scaling Black Beauty with Leslie Roberson S7 Ep. 4

The US beauty industry is worth about $60 billion and spending on beauty is robust among Black Americans, a diverse and growing group of 41 million people with increasing spending power. In 2021, they spent $6.6 billion on beauty. However, Black brands make up only 2.5 percent of revenue in the beauty industry and Black consumers are responsible for 11.1 percent of total beauty spending according to a 2022 McKinsey & Company report titled Black Representation in the Beauty Industry. Leslie is on a mission to fix that by creating opportunities for Black women to thrive in the beauty space. Stick around to find out how.

Leslie Roberson is the Founder of the Black Beauty Collective with a dynamic past that lead her to create an initiative that fills a gap in the beauty industry. Leslie is a military veteran and has a background in corporate talent acquisition and business development. She is an expert at leading human resource functions, acquiring and training senior staff, and having an eye for unique talent.

In this episode we discuss:
How she is creating place and space for Black women in the beauty business to feel valued, seen and heard
Providing a sense of community with built in business development resources to help founders in the collective thrive through community and collaboration.

PR is an important part of a businesses marketing strategy. The WTF? Podcast has partnered with The PR University to help your business get SEEN and VALUED by your target customers.

If you want to learn How to be SEEN and HEARD via social and other media, follow these steps to use the WTF25 code to get a 25% discount on the Do It Yourself PR 101 class at The PR University:
1. Go to www.thePRuniversity.com to view all course options or go straight to the class at Do It Yourself PR (thinkific.com)
2. Go to the sign up option with either one of the buttons and follow the prompt to purchase the course - use the code "wtf25 - to get the course access for 25% off.
3. You can start the DIY course as soon as you are ready!

Learn more about Leslie:
Instagram
LinkedIn

Learn more about the Black Beauty Collective:
Instagram
Website

I hope you enjoyed this episode. Dont keep good content to yourself. If you enjoyed this episode, let me know by rating, reviewing, and sharing this episode with 3 friends.

Subscribe to the podcast at its home on the ALIVE Podcast Network, here https://wheres-the-funding.onpodium.com/ and here https://bit.ly/wheresthefundingpodcast. Follow the podcast on your favorite podcast streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, and more to get notified when new episodes drop.
To be a guest or sponsor the podcast, email [email protected].
Follow the podcast on Instagram at whereisthefunding_podcast and follow me, your host Michelle J. McKenzie and the show page on LinkedIn
...more
35min
May 12, 2023Investing in BIPOC Founders and Normalizing Black Wealth with Danielle Shoots S7 Ep. 3
Investing in BIPOC Founders and Normalizing Black Wealth with Danielle Shoots S7 Ep. 3

Danielle Shoots is the Managing Partner and Managing Director of the New Community Transformation Fund a $50 million equity venture capital fund for BIPOC founders in Denver. She is also President and CEO of Wealth Equity Enterprises, her holdings company, which owns several businesses that support the mission of building BIPOC wealth and leadership.

Her passion for people and leadership, distinguished business acumen, and tenacious work ethic have garnered her numerous accolades, including the 2019 list of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business from the Colorado Womens Chamber of Commerce, the 2020 Emerging Leader in Philanthropy award, the 2018 Woman of the Year award, and a recipient of the 2017 Denver Business Journals 40 Under 40 award.

In this episode we discuss:
Her leadership and entrepreneurship journey
Insights for Black women about leadership and growing a profitable business
How she is building BIPOC wealth and leadership
The New Community Transformation Fund and its unique approach
The most significant challenges founders should be aware of when raising their first round of funding; and
What she looks for in founders she funds

When was the last time you enjoyed REST?

At the WTF? Podcast we are big proponents of rest as a productivity hack. Book your next relaxing luxury getaway with our partner in rest and luxury at Farringdon Jets!
Learn more about Danielle:
Website
Linkedin
Twitter
Instagram:

Learn more about Wealth Equity Enterprises here: https://wealthequityent.com/

I hope you enjoyed this episode. Dont keep good content to yourself. f you enjoyed this episode, let me know by rating, reviewing, and sharing this episode with three friends. Sharing is caring so be generous.

Subscribe to the podcast at its home on the ALIVE Podcast Network, here https://wheres-the-funding.onpodium.com/ and here https://bit.ly/wheresthefundingpodcast. Follow the podcast on your favorite podcast streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, and more to get notified when new episodes drop.
To be a guest or sponsor the podcast, email [email protected].
Follow the podcast on Instagram at whereisthefunding_podcast and follow me, your host Michelle J. McKenzie and the show page on LinkedIn.
...more
29min
May 05, 2023Pull Up and Pitch to Win with Omi Bell S7. Ep. 2
Pull Up and Pitch to Win with Omi Bell S7. Ep. 2

She dabbled in all sorts of ventures such as building a tent in her living room to rent on AirBnB, building furniture, owning a t-shirt company and a print shop before she started Black Girl Ventures. Stick around to hear how this system disruptor moves ideas to profit while empowering people to live more authentically.

Shelly Omild Bell ("Omi" Bell) She was named one of the Top 100 Powerful Women in Business by Entrepreneur Mag,Entrepreneur of the Year by Technically DC, and acknowledged as ARising Brand Star by Adweek. She is among the nation's most sought-after inspirational speakers in the DC Metro area with features in Forbes, The Washington Business Journal, NewsOne, The Afro, People of Color in Tech, and on Politico Live. Her organization, Black Girl Ventures (BGV) is a social enterprise that creates access to social and financial capital for Black/Brown women founders.

In this episode well discuss:
How her endeavors before the started Black Girl Ventures
Her pitching advice for Black women to help them stand out and improve their fundraising outcomes
What not to say when you are pitching investors
The things founders should know and do when they are pitching

Learn more about Omi:
Linkedin:@omibell: Twitter: @theomibell: Instagram: @omibell: Facebook: /theomibell

Learn more about Black Girl Ventures: https://www.blackgirlventures.org/
Instagram: @blackgirlventures Twitter: @bgirlventures Facebook:/blackgirlventures

At the WTF? Podcat we are big proponents of rest as a productivity hack. Book your next relaxing luxury getaway with Farringdon Jets!
I hope you enjoyed this episode. Dont keep good content to yourself. If you enjoyed this episode, let me know by rating, reviewing, and sharing this episode with three friends. Sharing is caring so be generous.

Subscribe to the podcast at its home on the ALIVE Podcast Network, here https://wheres-the-funding.onpodium.com/ and here https://bit.ly/wheresthefundingpodcast. Follow the podcast on your favorite podcast streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, and more to get notified when new episodes drop.
To be a guest or sponsor the podcast, email [email protected].
Follow the podcast on Instagram at whereisthefunding_podcast and follow me, your host Michelle J. McKenzie and the show page on LinkedIn.
...more
29min
May 01, 2023 "Milestone Season Ahead! with Michelle McKenzie S7 Ep.1 "
OMG Milestone Season with Michelle McKenzie S7 Ep.1

Hey WTF? Podcast listeners! If you are new here, welcome. If you have been rocking with me for a while, thank you for being here!

Its been three years of podcasting and before the end of this season I will hit the 100th episode mark! Stay tuned to see what it will be about and make sure to check out all of the wonderful episodes coming up this season!

Please complete this survey to let me know how I can I can improve the podcast.

See you on the other side of the season.

Michelle
...more
14min
March 31, 2023Changing the Funding Ecosystem for Afropreneurs with Fernando Cabral S6 Ep. 12
Changing the Funding Ecosystem for Afropreneurs with Fernando Cabral S6 Ep. 12

If you are an early-stage Black founder, keep listening to learn how to survive your first 24 months as a startup entrepreneur.

Fernando Cabral is the co-founder of Djassi Africa, which invests in African tech-enabled startups and ecosystem builders by providing world-class expertise, operational support, and access to a global network to help these startups build the future of Africa.
In this episode youll learn:
How Djassi Africa is empowering African and Afro-descendent founders and supporting entrepreneurship ecosystem builders
How hes working to change the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Portugal for Black founders through the Afropreneur initiative; and
How to survive your first 24 months as a Black founder

Learn more about Fernando here:
Fernando Cabral
Founder & Managing Director | FS-360
Chief Venture Growth | Djassi Africa
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fjcabral/
www.fs360global.com
www.djassiafrica.com
Afropreneurs.pt: https://www.afropreneurs.pt/

To my listeners, I hope you enjoyed this episode. Dont keep good content to yourself. If you enjoyed this episode, let me know by rating, reviewing, and sharing this episode with others.

Subscribe to the podcast at its home on the ALIVE Podcast Network, here https://wheres-the-funding.onpodium.com/ and here https://bit.ly/wheresthefundingpodcast. Follow the podcast on your favorite podcast streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, and more to get notified when new episodes drop.
To be a guest or sponsor the podcast, email [email protected].
Follow the podcast on Instagram at whereisthefunding_podcast and follow me, your host Michelle J. McKenzie and the show page on LinkedIn.
Join me next Friday for another episode.
...more
31min
March 24, 20235 Fundability Factors for Building Small Business Credit with Jonathan Fodera S6 Ep.11
5 Fundability Factors for Building Small Business Credit with Jonathan Fodera S6 Ep.11

If you are a small business owner, lean in and keep listening to hear more about how to structure your business to qualify for SBA and commercial bank credit for your business.

My guest is the President of Integrated Business Financing, and the host of the podcast Create Success Out Of iFailure. Jonathan Fodera has been in business financing for 14 years and has helped thousands of entrepreneurs get over $500 million in funds. He founded Integrated Business Financing, a small business lending marketplace specializing in getting businesses into the best financing programs they qualify for.
In this episode we discussed:
The findability factors for accessing business credit
How to cut payment processing costs by 95%.
How to set up your business for long-term success.
The best time to apply for business financing
Understanding common mistakes entrepreneurs make and how to avoid them.
Key Takeaways:
Cash Flow management helps with business financing
Apply for financing when you dont need it
4 Things to Decide to Fund a Small Business;
Business and personal credit
Strong cash flow
Profitability
To my listeners, I hope you enjoyed this episode. Dont keep good content to yourself. If you liked it, leave a rating and review and share this episode with other people who need to hear it. Click here to review: https://kite.link/where-E2-80-99s-the-funding-3F

Subscribe to the podcast at its home on the ALIVE Podcast Network, here https://wheres-the-funding.onpodium.com/ and here https://bit.ly/wheresthefundingpodcast. Follow the podcast on your favorite podcast streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, and more to get notified when new episodes drop.
To be a guest or sponsor the podcast, email [email protected].
Follow the podcast on Instagram at whereisthefunding_podcast and follow me, your host Michelle J. McKenzie and the show page on LinkedIn.
Join me next Friday for another episode.
...more
29min
March 17, 2023How Purse Empowered Women Prepare to Invest in Their Side Hustle with Shani Curry S6 Ep. 10
How Purse Empowered Women Prepare to Invest in Their Side Hustle with Shani Curry S6 Ep. 10

Are you thinking of launching a business or side hustle and need some strategies to help you get your money right? If you are interested in learning strategies to start stacking coins to invest in launching your business then stick around because my guest today is all about purse empowerment and helping women live more financially empowered lives.

My guest is Shani Curry, the head of Purse Empowerment providing a safe haven for women to learn, share and grow in the area of financial literacy. Shani regularly contributes her personal finance tips in publications such as Black Enterprise Magazine and she is often called upon to appear on media outlets, including Hot 105 FM, CBS Channel 4 and other Cox Media Group companies in the South Florida area.

In this episode you’ll learn:
5 steps to prepare yourself to invest in your side hustle
How personal credit can impact business credit; and
A checklist to implement and maintain healthy personal finance habits whether you plan to start a business or not.
Key Takeaways:

The Purse Empowered Woman’s Checklist for Financial Accountability
Write a gratitude list.
Look at your credit score
Look at your bank account
Be accountable to yourself

Guest Info:
Learn more about Purse Empowerment: https://www.purseempowerment.com/
Follow Shani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purseempowerment/?hl=en
Follow Shani on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pursempowerment
Buy Shani’s book Money Therapy: https://www.purseempowerment.com/shop/

What did you learn or like most about this episode? Let me know by rating, reviewing, and sharing this episode with three friends. Sharing is caring so be generous.

Subscribe to the podcast at its home on the ALIVE Podcast Network, here https://wheres-the-funding.onpodium.com/ and here https://bit.ly/wheresthefundingpodcast. Follow the podcast on your favorite podcast streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, and more to get notified when new episodes drop.
To be a guest or sponsor the podcast, email [email protected].
Follow the podcast on Instagram at whereisthefunding_podcast and follow me, your host Michelle J. McKenzie and the show page on LinkedIn.
Join me next Friday for another episode.
...more
19min
March 10, 2023Strategies to Standout on Social Media, Market and Increase Revenues with Danielle Jeter S6 Ep.9
Strategies to Standout on Social Media, Market and Increase Revenues with Danielle Jeter S6 Ep.9

Danielle P. Jeter has been quoted in over 20 national publications for her ability to advocate, inspire, lead, and build community. Her relentless pursuit of storytelling has culminated in hundreds of media features for her clients and partners!

Danielle is a dynamic storyteller and an award-winning travelpreneur. Her 13 years of experience and proven strategies have garnered her opportunities to share the stage with many greats like Master P, Kindred The Family Soul, Wale, Governor Tom Wolf, Senator Bob Casey, Sonia Sanchez, Angela Yee, and many more.

Youll learn about:
How to collaborate to grow your brand
How to do partnership outreach
How to use storytelling as a marketing strategy
How to simplify your messaging
Key takeaways:
Storytelling is messaging
Collaboration is an excellent marketing strategy
All brands have a story to tell
Simplify your message
Guest contact: @DPJeter on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
To my listeners, I hope you enjoyed this episode. Dont keep good content to yourself, so if you enjoyed this episode, let me know by rating, reviewing, and sharing this episode with others.
Subscribe to the podcast at its home on the ALIVE Podcast Network and follow the podcast on your favorite podcast streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, and more to get notified when new episodes drop.
To be a guest or sponsor the podcast, email [email protected].
Follow the podcast on Instagram at whereisthefunding_podcast and follow me, your host Michelle J. McKenzie and the show page on LinkedIn.
Join me next Friday for another episode.
...more
27min
March 03, 2023How I Show Up as Woman in a Male Dominated Industry with Vava Angwenyi S6 Ep.8
How I Show Up as Woman in a Male Dominated Industry with Vava Angwenyi S6 Ep.8

How much do you know about your coffee before it comes out of your Keurig coffee machine or handed to you by the barista at your favorite coffee shop?

We hardly have any stories told by the coffee producer or the person living in that country and experiencing all the emotions that go with working in the coffee industry, from the growing of the coffee, processing and selling it. This story has always been from the point of view of the buyer, the roaster, the trader - the foreigner looking in and excited about the new adventure of experiencing the place and its people. Hardly do we have stories especially from this continent that clearly touch on the perception of this continent and the real story of doing business in these environments.

That was an excerpt from the Coffee Milk Blood by todays guest, Vava Angwenyi. In 2009, Vava started Vava Coffee Limited a social enterprise that exports, roasts and consults on coffee value chains. Her main aim is to contribute to better future prospects for coffee communities and the industry as a whole. The company ensures sustainable livelihoods for the people and communities in which it works. Vava is also the co-founder and director of business development & fundraising at GENTE DEL FUTURO (People of the Future). GDF is an organization born out of a partnership between African Plantations Kilimanjaro and Vava Coffee Ltd. Gente Del Futuros focus is to amplify the voices of youth by creating economic empowerment, choices and sustainability for the coffee industry.
In this episode youll learn:
How to navigate as a woman in a male-dominated industry
How to be a changemaker as a female entrepreneur challenging the status quo
In the coffee industry.

Key Takeaways
Women (especially Black women) deal with unreasonable judgements about their appearance and their ability, especially when they are playing in a male-dominated space;
While the entrepreneurship journey is challenging for many, adding layers of race and gender discrimination make the journey for Black women (especially Black African women) even more challenging;
Make sure you understand what types of funding are best for you and your business structure; and
Entrepreneurs should do better vetting of VCs and other funders. Due diligence is a two-way street.

Guest Info:
Learn about Vava here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vavaj/
Learn more about Vava Coffee here: https://www.vavacoffeeinc.com/
Learn more about GENTE DEL FUTURO here:https://www.gente-delfuturo.com/
Learn about Coffee Milk Blood here: https://www.coffeemilkblood.com/

What did you learn or like most about this episode? Let me know by rating, reviewing, and sharing this episode with three friends. Sharing is caring so be generous.

Subscribe to the podcast at its home on the ALIVE Podcast Network, here https://wheres-the-funding.onpodium.com/ and here https://bit.ly/wheresthefundingpodcast. Follow the podcast on your favorite podcast streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, and more to get notified when new episodes drop.
To be a guest or sponsor the podcast, email [email protected].
Follow the podcast on Instagram at whereisthefunding_podcast and follow me, your host Michelle J. McKenzie and the show page on LinkedIn.
Join me next Friday for another episode.
...more
32min
February 24, 2023How to Win Business Grants with the Grant Lady Danita Doleman S6 Ep. 7
How to Win Business Grants with the Grant Lady Danita Doleman S6 Ep. 7

My guest is known as the Grant Lady. If you want to learn how to win grants for your business or nonprofit, break out your notebook and pen, tablet, or the notes app on your phone, sit in a quiet place and listen. Oh, and you can write a review and thank me later!

Danita C. Doleman has over 20 years of business experience and grants consulting. Recognizing the struggle that business owners face when it comes to applying for grants she created Grants4Biz to make that part of life simpler. Lets face it: running a small business isnt easy. Throughout her career, shes helped many nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, and small business owners connect with grant opportunities.

In this episode youll learn:
The first 5 steps to getting grant money for your business or organization
The different types of grants that exist
The 3 most important things business owners should know about grants
The 5 most important things nonprofits should know about grants
The most common misconceptions about grants; and
The 5 most important things to do to successfully win grants for a business or nonprofit.
Key Takeaways:

Common misconceptions grantseekers have about grants
That they are eligible for everything
Grants are easy to get
Key things to know about grants:
Some grants have lengthy reporting requirements, especially for government grants)
Grants can be audited so accurate good records
Grants can be terminated or revoked if you dont comply with the conditions of use and grant awardees can be asked to return grant funds or assets purchased with grant funds
Grant awardees might be asked to return cash on hand or unspent funds at the closeout of grant
3 Things to consider below applying for grants:
Do you meet the eligibility criteria, are you qualified to apply for that grant?
Will you be able to convince the grant reviewer that you are a capable and good candidate to receive the grant award?
Are you willing to commit to the time some grant applications take to prepare?
5 things successful applicants do to win grants:
Read grant eligibility criteria to ensure that you qualify to apply for the grant
Never submit a grant application the date its due. Prepare and submit your grant application ahead of the deadline if possible
Establish strong quality control for your final submission to ensure you submit an application that is complete and compelling
Craft a compelling story not just of need but of the intended outcomes that money will have on your ability to serve your customers
Write a detailed budget narrative

Guest Info:
Business IG: @grants4biz
Email: [email protected]
Website: grants4biz.com
To my listeners, I hope you enjoyed this episode. Dont keep good content to yourself. If you enjoyed this episode, let me know by rating, reviewing, and sharing this episode with 3 friends.

Subscribe to the podcast at its home on the ALIVE Podcast Network, here https://wheres-the-funding.onpodium.com/ and here https://bit.ly/wheresthefundingpodcast. Follow the podcast on your favorite podcast streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, and more to get notified when new episodes drop.
To be a guest or sponsor the podcast, email [email protected].
Follow the podcast on Instagram at whereisthefunding_podcast and follow me, your host Michelle J. McKenzie and the show page on LinkedIn.
Join me next Friday for another episode.
...more
24min

FAQs about WHERE’S THE FUNDING?:

How many episodes does WHERE’S THE FUNDING? have?

The podcast currently has 110 episodes available.