MBA Minority Business Access

For Laughlin Associates' CEO, Aaron Young, the timing could not be more perfect. After 50 years of privately advocating for entrepreneurs and business owners, Laughlin Associates is going public. In this episode of Minority Business Access, host, Solomon “RC” Ali and Aaron Young discuss the benefits of small business owners having attorneys and accountants on their team, as well as share what Laughlin Associates' going public will mean for small businesses who are in need of cohesive structure while navigating the uncharted terrain of today's post-COVID-19 global gig economy.

74% of people who have unique abilities are in the wrong job, but Amilya Antonetti of Genius Key has literally made it her business to tap into people's inner desires in efforts to drive them, and the companies they work for towards success. Genius Key is positioned to disrupt the project management, personal development, and digital/social industries simply by embodying the elements of each to empower what truly drives businesses to wealth and sustainability. People. Within this global gig economy, top talents have more options to choose from. Genius Key's purpose is to connect the individuals' genius to the work itself. The brilliance and ingenuity of this Minority Business Access is unmatched, so do yourself the favor.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a multitude of uncertainties and myths on just about everything, especially the mortgage industry. In this Minority Business Access, Charles Giscombe of Malibu Funding enlightens the masses by debunking existing myths about the mortgage industry during COVID-19. He discusses the value of gaining people's trust in business, as well as how Malibu Funding's going public will set a positive tone within the culture and the community. Ignorance can never be blissful when it means exclusion from wealth opportunities due to not knowing about them. Now is the time to get information.

Many have concluded that being strong means suppressing negative emotions, yet according to Executive Coach Michelle Pearson Young, such a notion could not be further from the truth. It is critical for one to be able to pinpoint the root cause of negative thoughts and limiting beliefs to succeed. In this episode of Minority Business Access, host Solomon RC Ali and Michelle Pearson Young discuss why entrepreneurs should enlist help from coaches who create safe spaces for them to navigate and overcome the very real feelings of uncertainty and inadequacy. The world needs you to achieve, so make space to do exactly that.

Being at the top would not be as lonely if more people reached down to uplift another person. As a man of many accolades and high achievements, Jeff Hoffman, founder of Priceline.com, understands that true power begins and remains with the people we pour into, which is why he prides himself most in serving communities who are underserved and otherwise systematically excluded from resources and opportunities. In this insightful episode of Minority Business Access, Solomon RC Ali, and Jeff Hoffman discuss the value of impacting and empowering communities through education, building networks, and mentorship.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul? Risking personal relationships, and sight of your true purpose seems to be the costliest of sacrifices made when in the pursuit of achieving entrepreneurial success. In this episode of Minority Business Access, host Solomon RC Ali and Chris Ryan, President of Paradigm Enterprises and Managing Partner at R360, lift the veil to reveal that success means more than money, and luxury, while cautioning to not “sell-out” your significance. If you remain unclear of if your current work will write your resume or your eulogy, then the cost of missing this Minority Business Access will be too grave.

Feeling unsure of how to make success an obsession? Then this episode of Minority Business Access is for you. Host, Solomon RC Ali sits down with Alec Stern, co-founder of online marketing company Constant Contact and “serial entrepreneur,” to discuss the humble beginning that led him and his team to a billion-dollar acquisition. While chronicling his rise to entrepreneurial attainment, Stern also displays his prowess in marketing to your target audience and making your vision plain and clear in order to obtain funding from investors. Yes, it is true that good things come to those who wait, yet thriving businesses are built by those who stalk success at all costs. Time to get on the prowl.

Due Diligence is more than being able to check off boxes when doing research to purchase a business, as there are varying levels to what should be confirmed about the business in question. In this Minority Business Access, Solomon RC Ali does his due diligence to share how deeply one should research before taking the plunge to purchase a business or invest in it. To master how the money “moves” within a business, Solomon RC Ali suggests researching three years' worth of the business's historical numbers, among other strategies. He stresses that having the right sized team factors into due diligence being completed within a reasonable timeframe, and how the various mindsets of a diverse team help to drill down details. When it comes to mergers and acquisitions, it is important to know what you know, so just do your research.

Money begets money, and early stage investment opportunities are generally reserved for accredited high net worth individuals, defined as those with a net worth of at least $1 million or those who have earned $250,000 consistently for two years or more. It is not uncommon for these folks to get in early, pre-IPO, on some of the world's most successful public company stocks from Facebook to Apple, garnering a 10.4 million% return on their initial investment. In addition to pre-IPO investing, those who get in on an initial public offering (IPO) before the general population can buy in, can also earn as much as a 770% return on their investment. In this episode of Minority Business Access, host Solomon RC Ali explains tried and true methods for identifying and investing in businesses before they go public, and how high net worth individuals learn about the market's most promising investment opportunities before the general public is ever tipped off. With the information provided in this episode of Minority Business Access, you don't have to be a millionaire or Wall Street insider to learn how to get in early, either before a company's Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the stock exchange, or at entry level stock prices, before the herd rushes in, where the lion's share of the money is made. You'll want to take notes for this one and share with a friend!

In this episode of Minority Business Access, host Solomon RC Ali outlines the 8 steps you must take when researching a company, and how knowledge helps you invest with your head and not your emotions. From a company’s cashflow and quarterly reports to their ability to gain market share in a crowded space and its management team; learn where to find the information you need to make educated, science-based investment moves. Does a dip in the market or bad news mean you should pull out, double down, or stay the course? “When people are pulling out, that may be the time for you to buy in or buy more, but you won’t be able to make that decision if you haven’t done your homework or consulted with the right people or sources.” This episode also covers why it is critical to familiarize yourself with a company’s management team before deciding whether or not to invest your money. Lastly, you’ll learn when market volatility can hurt you and when it can help you.

In this latest episode of Minority Business Access, host Solomon RC Ali and Farming and Agricultural Entrepreneur David Buurma chop it up about gaining access to exclusive financial circles, must have experts in your business network, the pros and cons of raising capital, going public versus staying private, leveraged buyouts, tax shelters, buying businesses and exit strategies. In the game of business, networks should work exponentially as each expert you connect with should introduce you to their network, creating a ripple effect that grants you access to exclusive circles of inside information. Listen to top farming and agricultural entrepreneur David Buurma and private equity investor Solomon RC Ali debate and discuss the secrets of good business and how to avoid the pitfall that 95% of privately held businesses experience.

In the latest episode of Minority Business Access, host Solomon RC Ali explains how his company’s smart home technology intellectual property disrupted and cornered an entire industry. With the help of former hedge fund manager, Ian King’s YouTube video, Solomon explains how to get in on tech innovation at the ground level, before the herd, and earn big returns. Investing in the early stages of a company’s lifecycle is key to earning returns on your investment of as much as 200%, 300%, or even 1000%, but it does involve some risk. While companies that have been around for 30 years are safer investments, you aren’t going to get those game changing returns. To invest effectively at the ground level and avoid market saturation and the herd, learn how to spot potential market disruptors and new stocks before they soar by studying industry trends and vetting a company’s management team before investing your money.

In this latest episode of Minority Business Access, host Solomon RC Ali explains how the stock market works, the right and wrong ways to pick your stocks, why acquisitions (or roll ups) fail or succeed, overcoming stock fear, how to take a company public when an IPO is not on the table, and the difference between buying a stock directly from a company versus buying the stock “retail.” Tune in to this episode to the how the stock market really works.

The Law of Attraction has many components, and in this latest episode of Minority Business Access, host Solomon RC Ali does a deep dive into how prayer, meditation and detailed visualization will open doors for you in business and buoy your financial prospects. Solomon explains and clarifies the focused process of magnetic meditation that will help draw you closer to your vision and towards gaining wealth. Plus, how to properly utilize the right consultants, identify the right business tools, and how to grow your income by solving people's problems.

The #1 reason businesses fail in their first 5 - 7 years is due to lack of capital. Looking to raise money for your business? It's a fact that businesses need capital to grow and gain market share, but what you may not know are the key ingredients investors look for when considering whether or not to invest in your business. No matter how innovative or disruptive you think your business is, if you lack these four ingredients, you won't raise capital. In this episode of Minority Business Access, host Solomon RC Ali, shares the top four things that he and his colleagues will look for before investing in your business, and the deal breakers that make investors walk away from the table. Is your business a good investment for an angel investor, venture capital firm, or private equity firm? Tune in to find out.

In this episode of Minority Business Access, host Solomon RC Ali along with health and wellness coach, former police officer and Howard University graduate, Mitchell Smith-Bey, discusses financial fitness, the ten commandments of good business, and the difference between presentation and implementation on the road to success. “Howard University taught me about presentation,” Smith-Bey tells Solomon. “You’re teaching me how to implement. You can tell people in academia how it should look and what you should say and do, but there is a difference when you meet someone who is implementing that; and that’s huge in my life.” You won’t want to miss this conversation!

Looking to invest in the stock market but don’t know where to begin? The stock market has always been a vague and complex system. In this episode of Minority Business Access, host Solomon RC Ali, along with YouTuber Jack Chapple, breaks down the non-negotiable rules of smart stock market moves for beginners. Whether you’re in your early twenties or late sixties, you’re never too young or too old to invest in stocks. This latest episode covers the value of having “safe stocks” in your portfolio, how to invest early at a discount, earning dividends and gaining compound interest on your money, why triple digit returns should be your gold standard, and how doing your due diligence quells stock market anxiety and keeps you in the game. Don’t miss this episode to know the shortcuts and the possible pitfalls that most investors lose sight of when trying to invest in stocks. Also, discover why you should never invest in a stock and only invest in a company, and more in this episode!

One of the first things you have to learn as a beginner investor is to pay yourself first. Now, many people would tell you to pay yourself 10%, which isn’t bad advice at all. But Solomon Ali says you should do 30%. That is just one of the spins that he adds to what is already a sound piece of advice. In this episode, Solomon plays a video about investing for beginners and throws in his opinions along the way. What Solomon has to say about this is born out of years of investing experience, including a particularly painful and humiliating bout of failure. But you don’t have to suffer the same debilitating experience to learn how to invest wisely and create financial freedom and security for yourself. It’s simply a matter of finding the people who have done these things and listening to what they have to say. Start here!

Are you a minority looking to start your own company? Then you definitely need capital. In this episode of Money For Lunch, Solomon Ali joins Bert Martinez in discussing the challenges minority companies face in raising capital for their company, such as the lack of connections and solid profit. That is why the Solomon RC Ali Corporation offers to arrange capital for minority companies and to help you restructure your businesses to maximize profitability. You need to have specific characteristics to increase your chances of raising capital, such as having a good track record and the ability to grow by triple digits. Listen to this episode and learn how you can strategize your way to getting the capital you need for your company.

Being an entrepreneur is all about the continuous pursuit of your own potential, but it can also be about helping others pursue theirs. Empowering people is David Meltzer’s mission, but it hasn’t always been like that for him. In this episode, the serial entrepreneur, author, television host and self-made millionaire tells Solomon Ali how he went from adversity to millions by age 24. You’d think that was a happy ending for David, but it wasn’t enough. When he got his millions, David quickly realized that money doesn’t buy happiness. After shifting his direction and deciding to give back, Meltzer began building community centers in Kenya and donating funds to universities in support of diversity and equality. To this day, David builds wealth to create a positive impact, but his rise to a place of significance continues to be an inspiring story that the world needs to hear. Listen in and learn how you, like David, can make money, help people, and have fun!

In the game of investing for your future, it goes without saying that the earlier you start on your investing journey, the better, and the goal is compounding, which means that your money is working exponentially for you. That’s why it is never a bad idea to start investing in your 20s or as soon as you can to reap handsome results in the years to come and until you retire. But since the 20s is typically a time of mid-life crisis and uncertainty, it may be a bit puzzling where and how to start organizing your finances. Solomon Ali dissects an online video that shares valuable tips on how to proceed with your investments even at a young age and plant your financial seeds that will yield exciting results in the future. He goes deep on the right way to approach tax payments, how to be clear with your personal goals, and the best strategies for compounding.

Playing to win with investing? Then keep your emotions out of the game. Billion-dollar Private Equity Investor, Solomon RC Ali, shares his Four Tenets of Good Investing to help entrepreneurs and investors side-step major financial losses by avoiding the pitfalls of emotional investing. He stresses the importance of creating your own road map, due diligence, and pulling from others who know more than you do. Solomon also reveals what the 9% who win at investing have learned that the 91% who lose money don't yet know.

Gone are the days when those working for large financial institutions and brokerages were the only ones who could trade actively in the stock market. With the rise of online trading houses, any average individual investor can now get in on the game. Though it can be a very lucrative career, day trading can also be very challenging for those who don’t have a well-planned strategy. Joining Solomon Ali on today’s show is Anthony Williams, a day trader with a true talent in numbers. Anthony was once featured in a financial magazine for making $28,000 in a day. Today, you will hear about how he got started and honed his talent, as well as learn his secrets to day trading success.

One huge mistake every entrepreneur usually deals with is the inability to maximize the tools and skills they already have. Fighting procrastination calls for a lot of patience and courage, and the rewards of doing so are pretty sweet. Solomon Ali talks about his own experience of surviving the negative results of procrastination as one of the keynote speakers at Magnify Your Wealth Summit in Denver, Colorado last October 2020, hosted by Laughlin Associates. In his speech, he looks back on the time when he fell into a huge debt just for taking everything for granted. He explains how he overcomes his suicidal thoughts, the importance of having well-sorted out business paperwork, and the investment strategies he has learned throughout the years.

Crop farming is a high investment industry, but only has little revenue. For someone who dabbles in that area, Dave Buurma has decided to start a fertilizer company to achieve a completely balanced cashflow. He joins Solomon Ali to share the story of how a school dropout like him managed to purchase a plot of farming land and eventually establish his own company, LaSalle Agri Fertilizer. He discusses the right business mindset every farmer must possess, which is all about creating the right connections and learning the best money management strategy. Dave also shares his plans for his business, which focuses on farming equipment distribution.

The old-time notion of men as breadwinners has left many women struggling to free themselves financially. Personally seeing the grip that it had on her mother and eventually more women in various countries, Sophia Olivas made it her mission to help so that they can get access to capital. In this episode, she joins Solomon Ali to talk about how she is using real estate investing to do that. She takes us across her projects, both residential and commercial, and her latest one, where she is building a smart city called Utopia Smart Cities. Sophia is reinventing a number of things in the world of financial literacy, affordable housing, and cryptocurrency. Follow her in this episode to see the amazing things she is doing to help the many untapped members of society.

Losing your assets because of lawsuits is certainly an annoying thing to experience, but most people realize this only when it's too late. Therefore, many individuals turn to the best deterrent against this situation: asset protection. Exploring this topic further with Solomon Ali is Kevin Day, an attorney specializing in asset protection and estate planning. He shares some key secrets surrounding this legal area, from how irrevocable trusts work, the right time to acquire asset protection, to what people can do at a bare minimum to mitigate the risks of lawsuits. Kevin also details a few interesting cases he has handled in the past, focusing on the wins and losses in the industry, as well as some loopholes in the law.

Real estate investing is more than just the act of buying and selling at home. Not your typical syndication business, Sterling Lund, the founder of Refuge Investments, LLC, is putting social impact to real estate, where he and his team are targeting distressed assets that benefit from their management and renovation experience to improve the lives of the families that call their properties home. In this episode, he joins Solomon Ali to take us deep into their great work while sharing how they are doing in this time of the pandemic. Sterling also talks about some of his experiences working with investors and developers on renovating properties and what he thinks about the current marketplace, where he believes it is going, and whether or not it will help change society and how we do business.

The path to financial independence starts with education. However, with so many resources out there, it can be difficult to take that first step. Walking clients who are in this position through this dilemma, Solomon Ali sits down with Jim Conaway of Blue Pacific Solutions Group. In this episode, Jim talks about helping clients in need of education to know what’s best and how they lead them to their investments and identify tax savings. He also shares some client stories where he helped take them from $2,800 a month of cash flow to $6,000 a month.

How do people become their highest and best use? What do people need in order to meet and achieve a goal? With an instinct for figuring out the answers to these questions, guest Amilya Antonetti has since become one of the most sought after human behaviorist and conflict resolution experts in the world. For more than 25 years, Amilya has dedicated her life to helping people and leaders through some of the most challenging and scariest parts of their lives. She joins host Solomon Ali in this episode to talk about how you can unlock your highest growth potential with the genius key. Discover what that is and watch as the magic happens with your business, your people, and yourself. Amilya also shares with us her journey, working with big names, and then taps into the role of our subconscious, understanding ourselves as leaders or CEOs, having better operating systems, and more.

Picking the best business model or entity for you and your business is the first step to inherit success. If you're serious about becoming an entrepreneur, you have to educate yourself about which entity is the best for you and what you're trying to achieve. In this episode of Minority Business Access, join Solomon Ali as he dives into the murky waters of business entities and go more into the specifics of how each one will actually help you and which one might be the best for you to actually utilize.

Before becoming one of the top investors in the world, William Albert Ackman learned the basics of investing in his early 20s. Today, he’s a billionaire investor who runs a hedge fund and is doing amazing things in the finance and investing world. In parts two to four of this four-part series, host Solomon Ali plays and breaks down one of Ackman’s most popular videos, where he talks about everything people need to know about finance and investing using a lemonade stand. Tune in to today’s show and discover the secrets of growing a business.

Everyone in the finance and investing world has probably heard about billionaire investor William Albert Ackman. Before becoming one of the top investors in the world, he learned the basics of investing in his early 20s. On today’s podcast, host Solomon Ali plays and breaks down one of Ackman’s most popular videos, where he talks about everything […]

Everyone in the finance and investing world has probably heard about billionaire investor William Albert Ackman. Before becoming one of the top investors in the world, he learned the basics of investing in his early 20s. On today’s podcast, host Solomon Ali plays and breaks down one of Ackman’s most popular videos, where he talks about everything people need to know about finance and investing using a lemonade stand as an illustration.

The Black Lives Matter Movement has sparked many important conversations about race, discrimination, and injustice that have long been kept on the periphery. Now, with it going loud on the mainstream media, it has become hard to ignore this pressing issue that has been affecting so many lives in the Black community. In this episode, Solomon Ali takes a stand together with the movement and speaks about the systemic oppression that is stripping away opportunities for Black people to thrive. Particularly, he taps into the small number of black-owned companies and the problems when it comes to access to the capital markets. He goes deep into the issues about the unemployment rate and social security of Black people, especially in this time of COVID-19, where the already unlevel playing field is becoming even farther apart. The amount of injustice the Black community has been receiving has gone on for so long. It is time to change that by waking up and fighting the battle. Join Solomon in this important conversation to know how you can fight against injustice.

The Black Lives Matter Movement has sparked many important conversations about race, discrimination, and injustice that have long been kept on the periphery. Now, with it going loud on the mainstream media, it has become hard to ignore this pressing issue that has been affecting so many lives in the Black community. In this episode, […]

Don’t let your business be one of those businesses that neglect the way their services and products are perceived by the people to whom they’re supposed to be selling. Many customers tend to choose companies to work with based on their customer service track record, so you should be wary about the way you carry out your day-to-day operations. Solomon Ali emphasizes the importance of making sure your customer service is always in good shape. Bad customer service reflects very poorly on the quality of the work you’re doing. Solomon can help you take full control of the situation so, going forward, you know how to deal with customers and provide the best possible customer service!

Don't let your business be one of those businesses that neglect the way their services and products are perceived by the people to whom they're supposed to be selling. Many customers tend to choose companies to work with based on their customer service track record, so you should be wary about the way you carry […]

The process of hiring vendors is one that you shouldn’t be taking lightly because these people—their reputations and the quality of their work—will reflect directly on you and the company you’re running. Be slow to hire but quick to fire in order to make sure that you’re cutting any losses as quickly as possible. Solomon Ali runs you through the most important things to remember when hiring vendors. It’s a much more delicate process than you might think. Make sure you’re always at the top of your game when you’re hiring out!

The process of hiring vendors is one that you shouldn't be taking lightly because these people—their reputations and the quality of their work—will reflect directly on you and the company you're running. Be slow to hire but quick to fire in order to make sure that you're cutting any losses as quickly as possible. Solomon […]

Building a team, especially one as crucial to your company as the Board of Directors—people who have a large say in how you’ll be running your company going forward—is an essential skill to understand and learn. Without this insight, you’re entrusting the future of your company to people who might not exactly be up to the task. Solomon Ali illustrates some of the best practices you can implement when you’re building a team, and this knowledge extends far past just your Board of Directors, but to the rest of your company as well. Learn how to make strong and well-balanced teams and keep them in great shape!

Building a team, especially one as crucial to your company as the Board of Directors—people who have a large say in how you'll be running your company going forward—is an essential skill to understand and learn. Without this insight, you're entrusting the future of your company to people who might not exactly be up to […]

Are you thinking of borrowing money and are confused about what kind you wish to borrow? This episode helps lay out your options and let you make the smartest investment decisions. Join Solomon Ali as he tackles the different options for borrowing money – debt, equity, and hybrid. Breaking down each of these, he shares scenarios and mechanisms of how you can successfully transact with them. He also highlights the difference between a creditor and an equity owner, as well as the importance of having legal representation during the borrowing process.

Are you thinking of borrowing money and are confused about what kind you wish to borrow? This episode helps lay out your options and let you make the smartest investment decisions. Join Solomon Ali as he tackles the different options for borrowing money – debt, equity, and hybrid. Breaking down each of these, he shares […]

There certainly is no one path to doing business, but one thing is for sure, you can always count on people’s advice to help you see the road that will best take you to your goals. Going off tangent from the previous episodes, Solomon Ali flies solo to share with you his own personal opinions about your business problems. He shares his personal information and beliefs that may guide you in your journey. For whatever it’s worth, this episode aims to offer another perspective to some of the most common problems of budding entrepreneurs. What makes a business essential? What should you do with your 401k retirement plan? Should you pull out your money from the market? Equipped with his own knowledge and experience, Solomon answers all these questions and more.

There certainly is no one path to doing business, but one thing is for sure, you can always count on people's advice to help you see the road that will best take you to your goals. Going off tangent from the previous episodes, Solomon Ali flies solo to share with you his own personal opinions […]

Genuine success can be measured by the number of positive relationships you have built through the process. In this short but meaningful episode, Solomon Ali interviews Chris Ryan, the Austin & Dallas Chair at TIGER 21 and President at Paredigm Enterprises. Chris is an experienced entrepreneur, rainmaker, investor, turn-around specialist, and philanthropist with a career that spans over 25 years of building, leading, and growing both people and organizations. With an experience long enough to identify the real meaning of success, he notes the three things that should stand out when building your business – health, purpose and growth, and focusing on relationships. Earn some useful advice on becoming successful from Chris on today’s show!

Genuine success can be measured by the number of positive relationships you have built through the process. In this short but meaningful episode, Solomon Ali interviews Chris Ryan, the Austin & Dallas Chair at TIGER 21 and President at Paredigm Enterprises. Chris is an experienced entrepreneur, rainmaker, investor, turn-around specialist, and philanthropist with a career […]

Everyone’s talking about COVID-19, but what’s really going on and what does that mean to the economy? As many of you know, approximately 16 million jobs have been lost, and thousands of businesses currently have gone out of business because they weren’t able to sustain themselves. On today’s show, Solomon Ali takes a closer look at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to businesses as well as to individuals personally, likening it to a tidal wave that’s overtaken us. He also discusses how business owners can make informed decisions and do business moving forward in a totally different way to keep their companies from going under.

Everyone's talking about COVID-19, but what’s really going on and what does that mean to the economy? As many of you know, approximately 16 million jobs have been lost, and thousands of businesses currently have gone out of business because they weren't able to sustain themselves. On today’s show, Solomon Ali takes a closer look […]

Applying the best tactics in scaling your business should be fundamental, and learning them from the best is necessary. Today, Solomon Ali chats with Vince Guest, the Senior Executive of UnCommon Rezultz, a company that helps leaders of publicly traded and private companies formulate strategies that help their financial conditions. Vince imparts the essentials on achieving business success, beginning by sharing what to look – from what a particular industry demands to how you can apply your skillsets and become an authority.