When you realize you are role models for millions of women, it’s both exhilarating and scary. Sister co-founders Angela Muhwezi-Hall and Deborah Gladney had their reckoning this year as women of color founders. Both realized they are role models for all Black women — the 99.5 percent that haven’t yet succeeded in raising capital like they have — and they feel added pressure and responsibility to succeed.

Last year when we spoke, these founders covered their oversubscribed raise of $1.4M after completing the Techstars accelerator. In this episode, the sister-founder duo talks about raising more capital and share how it was tougher this time despite both being a “known quantity.”

Listen to them candidly discuss race, venture capitalists, the rebrand of their career-discovery platform to WorkTorch, and their goals for 2023. And yes, we set a date to speak again in 2024 to trace their growth, hardships, and wins. 

As women of color, the pair discuss role-modeling for other women in entrepreneurship and tech and how important it is to remain confident. 

Tune in to hear about what they believe they’ve done well, where they can improve, and their respective goals until we speak next year. 

 

2:40 Muhwezi-Hall and Gladney discuss the milestones and barriers of raising capital. 

8:10 The duo talk discrimination in the tech industry as women of color founders. 

11:50 Tips for staying fueled and dealing with microaggressions in the workforce 

14:00 All about WorkTorch and why a rebrand was essential 

19:45 How WorkTorch is positioned as a B2C and a B2B company, always free for job seekers with a subscription model for companies 

23:45 The impact and responsibilities Muhwezi-Hall and Gladney face as minority founders

27:20 Three tips about entrepreneurship the founder-duo would give to their past selves 

31:50 Muhwezi-Hall and Gladney discuss their goals for 2023.