Mogul Chix Podcast

Networking hasn't changed. But the way you approach it should. As a CEO you have to be discerning about  the rooms you enter. Be intentional about your long game and be mindful about who you associate with. If you're not clear about your "why" for networking, you won't find yourself in the appropriate rooms, circles or events. The last thing you want to do is waste your time and energy with anything that will prove fruitless. Focus on getting in better rooms and making connections that lead to real deal. 

Some entrepreneurs get a little busy, and the first thing they do is decide they need to hire. But they often try to hire before they're ready. Not ready in terms of need, but ready in terms of preparation. Hiring is strategy. And if you don't have a plan in place, you can set yourself up for a lot of headaches by making the wrong hires. Don't hire based on emotion or overwhelm. In this episode I discuss the things you need to do BEFORE you hire to make sure you do it right.

It's the wild wild west out in these internet street. Every day I open my social media to complaints about people copying or outright jacking content and courses. But nine times out of ten, the person haven't taken the steps to legally protect their IP! In today's episode I give you a few tips on things you can do to protect your content and retain the right to make money on the IP.

Serial entrepreneurship isn't for everyone. But that doesn't mean anyone has the right to tell you that you can't do it. I firmly believe that everyone has a right to multiple streams of revenue. But there are subtle nuances to it if you want to keep your sanity. In this episode, I share my personal tips on how I manage to have multiple companies running concurrently and successfully.

Did you know you can negotiate terms with an investor? A lot of people don't know that. The assumption is that once an investor makes an offer, you to take it as is. But as in life, everything is negotiable. In this episode I give tips on how to effectively position yourself to negotiate the terms and get the best chance of securing a funding deal that you can be happy with. Also, you can buy the book The Mogul Chix® Guide to Getting VC Funding (on the Mogul Chix® website, or on Amazon) or join Funding School™ (mogulchixacademy.com) to improve your chances of successfully getting funding for your company.

Ladies, it's OK. Constructive criticism usually doesn't come from ill intent. Many women honestly want to see you win. And sometimes it means helping you adjust that crown and make better decision in this business world. But sometimes the delivery can be perceived as wrong or harmful. So how do we help each other adjust our crowns? It starts with open conversation. I don't know about you, but I am my sister's keeper.

When you have hiring needs, it's easy to start interviewing before understanding the salary landscape. Many entrepreneurs make that mistake. A lot try to fit their hired to their budget. In fact they end up losing on great talent when they take that approach. It's better to understand what salaries look like before even talking to the first candidate. It saves time and helps you find the right people and pay them what they're worth. 

DISCLAIMER: I did this podcast episode as a Facebook/Youtube livestream. So the quality is a little different.The political landscape has gotten hot! Biden is out, Harris is in. There have been coalitions breaking records in funding and Zoom calls. But not everyone is on board. People have questions, and rightly so. But now is the time to focus on things like policy. Women and people of color stay under attack. And Kamala Harris is getting it from all sides. There's a chance to make history. But it's going to take a steady ground game and an even baton passing relay race. Can it be done?

Imitation is not the highest or sincerest form of flattery. It's theft. While nothing in business or social media is ever new, what you offer has your own stamp and identity. When you oenly share your message with the world, it's easy to become a target of copycats. It happens with designer goods, and services are no different. In this episode I talk about things you can do to protect your brand.

Most business owners get so caught up in the hiring process and the search for great talent, they often forget about after the hire. Getting them is a lot easier than keeping them. How you treat your employees will determine how long they stay and how loyal they will be. In this episode I talk about the things you can do to keep your employees engaged, happy and loyal.

When working with clients, it should never be strictly transactional. Clients remember how they were treated and made to feel more than what they paid for. Most business owners don't take the time to understand the client success journey. In this episode I give some insight into what the process is and how to make it a fruitful one.

There's a difference between wealthy and rich. Wealthy is quiet, rich is loud & bragging. In this social media world, people can be anything they want to be, and often times the images of wealth get confused with real wealth. Unless your brand is about wealth, there should be no reason to use images or posts to falsely portray an image of a life you don't live. Inevitably, someone will buy your product or service in the hopes that they too can achieve the wealthy you show. But when it's not real, it leads to disappointment, anger and sometimes threat of being sued for false advertisement. In this episode I break down the difference and how to prevent sending the wrong messages on social media.

I learned long ago that if I don't establish my value, someone else would. And the value they establish won't line up to the truth. When establishing value, don't think in terms of price or affordability. Think about the results you deliver. They have to match the promise in order for the value to be accepted. You decide what your value should be, not the consumer. But whatever you choose, you have to be prepared to stand by it. Remember, value is not just about price. 

I know it's happened to you. You and your girls are in the middle of a great conversation. All of you are dropping gems. Valuable strategy that have the potential to change your life and the way you do business. An hour later, you forget half of what was said! Start normalizing having brainstorming sessions with your business besties...and recording them! These conversations are a treasure trove of intellectual assets. The right idea can set you up for a huge win. What kind of conversations are you having with your biz besties?

We have what it takes to be the boss. We're building amazing companies and making power moves that are setting up our future generations for wealth. Yet we are vulnerable as Moms in this society. We work to get parity with our counterparts. In short, we are drained at times. In a world that's fighting so har to eliminate "woke" and refuse to acknowledge diversity, we find ourselves exhausted but steady moving. Our accomplishments matter. Let's take back the narrative and have the conversations. We have to do this amongst our own community and the community of women at large. So let's start the conversation so we can get on one accord because women banded together harness such power and can affect real change. But first, hear us.

Yes, Mary J. Blige in collaboration with Giuseppe Zanotti launched a boot for $1,300. Some people are complaining about the price and are calling for her to release a lower priced one. But is that fair? I learned a long time ago that the price is the price but terms are negotiable. While I am sympathetic to the world and economy we live in. everything ain't for everybody. If there is value in something, nobody should be asking for lower prices. That's why there are payment plans and financing opportunities. As Alex Hormozi said "Poor people stay poor because they're worried about poor people judging them". Sell your stuff. Assign a price to it. Don't let anyone shame you about it. People will afford what they want to afford. That is not your focus. Assign a price based on the value of the product or service and don't worry about the rest.

With the democratization of platforms the good and bad thing is anyone can launch one. It doesn't mean everyone's message is positive. We as women have a responsibility to uplift, inspire and educate. We have a responsibility to honor and tell our stories. So many people fumble that opportunity by degrading adn spreading negative energy.. You can speak or show the facts without tearing down a segment of people or causing harm or embarrassment. It's time to reclaim our narrative and use ur platforms for their best and highest use.

When I started on this IP journey, my thinking and scope was so limited. I had a lot of assumptions that had me afraid to work my numbers or go for opportunities. I thought about what it would be like to actually really own Mogul Chix® and the power that it gave me to create new long term opportunities for my company. People used to ask me if I was licensing out anything. I always said no. I had the licensing agreement before the trademark was official, and I let it sit. Now I have finally started the process of licensing out some of my trademark and licensing agreement. But I wasted so much time sitting on the sidelines. In this episode I want to clarify the process and inspire you to hop off that fence and stop blocking your revenue blessings.

On Facebook, I posted about Women of Color & access to capital, & it got lot's of like's comments & views. Clearly this is a conversation that needs to be had. People often lament about there not being any viable capital resources for Women of Color and how we can't get into those rooms. But you've seen Mogul Chix® Academy, right? This is not a new conversation. There ARE resources to get WOC in the door and across the threshold. And I have been talking about this since the early 2000's. The conversation has been there. So let's make some inroads to change the narrative. Today I'm giving my insight into why the media headlines will keep us thinking there isn't much out there for us, and what we need to be doing (as founders and investors) to make sure that WOC are getting the access and getting into the rooms to make it happen.

Beyonce is coming out with a new Haircare Line! And it's got people talking. It seems a lot of people, fans and non-fans are confused about this. The general consensus is she is not known for haircare. But it opens up a deeper conversation. Will consumers buy for name recognition or is your personal story behind the brand what attracts them? Well we're all not Beyonce so we don't have a built in audience that will buy whatever. We as businesswomen have to be strategic. It has to make sense to the buying public. People are more focused on authenticity and alignment these days when making purchasing decisions. So let's talk about it.

I made a post on social media the other day. I said “If you can't take a 2 week vacation and be off the grid and the business can still run smoothly, you have a leverage problem. If you are not looking to build a company that is independent of you, this episode is not for you.  I have been stressing since forever the power of building a team. Most times I get favorable responses, but every now and then I get the peanut gallery who want to stay small justify all the reasons why they shouldn't hire.  I'll guess that right now if you're listening to this episode you don't have the luxury of stepping away for any amount of time. Whether a vacation or an emergency, stepping away now would severely handicap your business and earnings. Mostly because you have build a business that is heavily reliant on you, instead of building a company that can be autonomous. Is it fear? Is it the desire to NOT be responsible for other people? Is it that you want to be the center square in the business? Well whatever it is, if you have any goals of building a successful profitable company, you need a team. What that team looks like depends on you and the vision for the company. Today I'll talk about operational leverage and building a solid team. I'll share my own tips and when I got to the point that leveraging a team was priority one.

Whether you're a starter or a veteran entrepreneur, we all experience bouts of imposter syndrome. But more often than not, it's a result of someone else's words, not what we tell ourselves. As women we have to recondition our minds to not let other people's perceptions, labels or words hold our minds hostage. Stand proud and firm in your value and know what you bring to the table.

No one woman can be an island unto herself…or however the saying goes. Let me just say if you are not looking to build a company that is independent of you, this episode is not for you.  It's OK to be the little fish and play small, for a little while. But if you're listening to this, I get the feeling you're ready to play bigger. When you're looking to build generational wealth, a company that can be handed down through generations, you have to build with the intention to scale. And for you that means, as the Founder, diminishing your day to day role so that you can leverage the expertise of your team. I know, it can be tough to spend so much time and energy on building the business, endearing yourself to clients, servicing all the clients, and doing every job within the business simply because it's YOURS. But guess what. Doing that leads you to burn out and severely handicaps your earning potential. What do you want? Do you want to build a thriving company that produces jobs as well as solves your clients' pain points? Or do you want to be the star of the show? You can't do both, nor should you want to. Let's look that the long game here. Building a company that can stand strongly independent of you takes time, understanding and releasing the ego. Today I want to focus on building a scalable company without crumbling beneath the weight of it all. I'll share my own tips and when I finally got a firm understanding of what it all means.

You know the old saying. “Everything ain't for everybody”. Well that's true. Now a lot of people may not want to hear that, but it's the facts. As you grow your company and become more mature as a CEO, you start to realize that you cannot serve everyone. And by the same token everyone isn't meant to come along with you on your journey. So it's not just about the business and clients.  So many of us try to bring everyone along on an idea or a journey and we don't even realize they're not meant to come. Well that's the nice way of putting this. In reality, sometimes you just have to laser focus in on a select niche in order to achieve your goals. Again everything ain't meant for everybody and you have to be OK with that. Today I want to focus on giving yourself permission to eliminate clients who are not aligned with you. I'll share my own tips and how I became a master at this by necessity.

In a world full of carefully curated, PR driven fake social media driven images, be authentically you.  There is so much pressure on these internet streets to look and play the part. I'm here to tell you that being authentically YOU is enough. People are shifting from the glitz and glam of the dream life and outcomes in favor of real talk from people they'll be trusting to deliver results to them. All of the high glamor photo sessions, pictures of yachts and mansions and talk about making 6 or 7 figure mean NOTHING if you don't have the goods to back it up. So give you customers what they really want. Straight talk with no BS or chaser. In this episode I talk about building your personal and business brand based on walking in your truth.

In life and business you have to be discerning about who you let in your orbit. You're taught from an early age who and who not to trust. For some people, as you get into business, it's easy to want to befriend everyone. But you quickly learn based on how high you fly who's there for you, who's not, and who's just there for access. You have to be discerning with your circle. And a lot of times, some of you are letting this social media celebrity fame go to your heads when you're really just being followed by a lot of folks who constantly judge, make up groups and rooms to talk about you, and those who just want to steal your blueprint. Everyone rises when the tides are high. But eventually we'll see who's swimming naked when the tide comes in. Today I want this episode to have two purposes. 1) getting you crystal clear on who deserves to be in your circle, and 2) getting good at weeding out the hangers on and leeches. But first ask yourself two questions: 1)     Were it not for social media, would these people still roll with me?2)     Am I giving away too much information that can cause jealousy and copycats? 

How many times have you put out some great news or something exciting on social media, only to have some negative people start dogging your post? The world is full of negative people. But you can't let those people stop your flow. There will always be naysayers and detractors who just always want to have something to say. But unless and until they know you, have all the facts, and can come with something insightful and helpful, you can't let them stop your flow. Work on building your inner confidence and game so they won't have an affect on you. Step into and own your greatness. Don't let those folks steal your shine.

How many times have you had a client come to you asking to make long term payment arrangements because they feel your price is too high? You end up giving them terms of 12-18 months on something that takes you about 3-6 months to deliver. I used to do that. While most people pay diligently, some people ghost you after a few months! That's when I decided I'm not in the finance business and turned that piece over to a finance company. When you sell something thats $5k or more, many times people are going to ask for a payment plan. In some cases, I firmly believe in the phrase "price is firm, terms are negotiable". But within reason. Some people take advantage of that and you find yourself with crappy cash flow...all because you're trying to be nice. STOP IT. This is not a non-profit and you're not in business of charity. Today I'm talking about the benefits of financing companies. Stop chasing your money!

Being a CEO is a privilege as much as it is a responsibility. People often conflate "business owner" with "CEO. Too many folks out there assigning the title of CEO when you aren't ready to be an effective CEO. Just because you own or lead a business doesn't make you a CEO. I'm here to help you transition into a full CEO. And when you do, there's a lot that goes into it, including building the right relationships, getting the mental and mindset help you need, and learning how to step back to allow full growth through delegation. If you're not ready for all of that, you're not ready to be a CEO. Do you have what it takes to be a CEO? Well, let's find out.

Building wealth isn't just about having money. There are stages you must go through in order to reach true wealth. But before you can get to true wealth, you have to define what true wealth looks like for you. What is the end goal? What are you willing to do to get there? What sacrifices are you going to have to make? What education, skills or training do you need? How will you know when you get there?Building wealth takes you through a process that include four stages. They may not all be fun and some stages may even take longer than others.  But you have to go through these stages to reach that end goal of true wealth.But what is the definition of "true wealth" any way? Well in today's episode I break down the four stages and define true wealth for you.

When you're a successful entrepreneur, you're on top of the world. But often times, there's an ego thing that comes with it that can affect your relationship if it wasn't already solid. Many times women are taught they don't need a man/partner to be successful. And a lot of times some of you take it to the extreme. That being the boss filters into the relationship and turmoil can erupt. You CAN be submissive in a relationship (without being subservient) and still build a badass business. But you have to unlearn some things before that can happen. Today I talk about navigating relationships and entrepreneurship. I ask that you be open and receptive to change. 

Things change. People change. Situations change. As a business owner, you should never remain stagnant. Growth is integral to success. And if you're afraid of growing, especially if you're worried about what others think, you'll remain mediocre and stagnant. Nobody wants that. I think it's fitting to close out the old year by giving you a much needed heart-felt message. I usually ask you to ask yourself two questions as a moment of reflection. But today, I'll skip it and get straight to the point. 

How are you finding your best talent?Often times business owners will settle for what they can get instead of going for top talent. There are a few reasons for that. In today's episode I'll be talking about 3 main issues actually KEEPING you from finding your top talent. It really doesn't have to be that hard, if you just get out of your own way. Need help? I have a class coming up next month or you can work with us directly to help you hire right. Contact me for more information and let's make sure you're making smart hiring decisions.

Growing a company is not a cake walk. Sure, there are some people who make it look easy, and at some levels it is. But as you start making bigger goals and envisioning more success, things get tougher, decisions get more complicated, and you have to evolve at each level in business. Not necessarily in a bad way though. Well you shouldn't let that scare you. In fact, I want you to embrace it all fully. No business should remain stagnant. Some may see the word “stagnant” and say "well it's comfort. I stick with what works". That's perfectly fine if that is your intention. But if you're looking to build a massive brand and empire, it's going to take more than coasting.  Today I want to talk about Risk and Challenge. This episode should give you the push you need to push yourself to new levels in business. But first, ask yourself 2 questions: 1)    What risks are you willing to take to build your empire?2)    And are you letting what I call “background noise” keep you from greatness? 

Most of my life I relied on me. I didn't ask because people didn't offer.I was raised to never ask anyone for anything. And somehow, I became the person everyone went to to ask for advice, favors, help. I gave so much because I never wanted people to feel like I was untouchable. I had not yet learned boundaries. Because I had few boundaries, people took advantage. I positioned myself as a giver, I never allowed myself to be a receiver. I want to help you unlearn this toxic behavior so you can grow and prosper with ease and peace.

When you started a business, you threw yourself in head first, determined to make it work. After a while, you look up and realize your business has exploded...in a good way. Now, panic set in because you're overwhelmed and have limited you capacity to service clients. This would be a great time to start planning your team. Well, having a Staffing Plan in place would have allowed you to get ahead of it. But now, it's time to take action. Congratulations my friend. You are ready to hire!

In the beginning, it may look like you're saving money by hiring a contractor. But over time, contractors cost way more than employees. There's a mindset that hiring a contractor will save money. That's not the case in most situations. Small businesses may feel that contractors are the best solution, but it's a temporary one at best. And if done incorrectly, can cost you lots of money if the IRS comes knocking. Just ask Microsoft! Today I'm talking about building your team with little to no contractors and why it's a smart move to focus on hiring in-house employees.

Believe it or not, there is an art to networking and the secret ingredient is relationship building. Let's talk about how to network strategically so you can leverage those relationships to generate more revenue. 

Networking CAN'T be business as usual. A lot of people are caught up in Facebook Groups, Linked In Groups, etc, and experiencing that as "real networking". It's not. Not 100% anyway. Covid shut down all in person contact, forcing us to rely on Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet to come together, While the online world most times leads to real life (in person) collaborations, most people have grown uncomfortable and unsure how to make that happen again.  But we're changing the game.  Mogul Chix® is changing the way women in business network, connect & do business.I'm ready to kick off the in-person gatherings. Ready to start doing some real business as opposed to just talking about it.  People want action, not instruction. People want to do business and MAKE MONEY, not just talk about it. In this episode I talk about the two networking membership Mogul Makers™ Club and Mogul Circle™ Club.  If you're ready to shake up your networking, increase your business and build powerful, strategic relationships don't miss this episode.

Some people are thinking about raising their prices but are afraid to abandon the people that have always ridden for them. But in this game of business, you can't make important decision such as pricing based on emotion. Business is business, and I'll keep on saying that until the end of time. In the final analysis, good will is not going to pay the bills or allow you to retire. While it's OK to want to have a philanthropic heart, when it comes to your business, you need to do what's best for you, your team, your business and believe it or not, even your clients. Today I'm going to relieve you of all of the hesitations, blocks and fears you have around pricing for profitability. But first, ask yourself two questions:1) What does my business look like when I can't reach maximum profitability (what money and opportunities will I be leaving on the table)?2) And did I really start my business to create a job for myself or to build a legacy for my family?

Let me say this. There is nothing to fear in hiring. Some of you stay in your own way and are tripping yourselves up on that path to growth. I know, you have tons of excuses of why you can't or shouldn't hire. But I'm here to give you reasons you should; especially if you're trying to grow a multi-million dollar company. You simply cannot do the same things you did at $100K, $250K or even $500K when you're moving towards or already have a multi million dollar company. It simply doesn't allow for it. In today's episode, I want to ease your mind and remove all doubts regarding hiring. Stop sitting on the fence because it is literally making you leaving money on the table. Plus, I'm addressing those bootleg recruiting practices!  This podcast isn't for you if you're not looking to play bigger. 

They always say "Network Up". But everybody isn't always ready or in position to do that.Some folks are about to be mad at me, but this won't be the first or last time. This is a timely conversation. We ALL have to start somewhere. In my early days, I had to jump out and learn how to network the old fashioned way. Going to events, mixers and meetings. I didn't have social media (this was 1994). So I had no choice but to learn how to network up at the time. Getting into rooms, faking it until I made it...the absolute WRONG way and a way to set yourself up for failure quickly.If I had to start fresh and new from today, I'd do it differently. Don't get me wrong. I made powerful connections, learned a lot, did some business. But it was like a bootcamp experience for me. I didn't know what I didn't know. Had social media and the real internet (as it exists today) been around then, I would have taken a different approach in the beginning. I don't know if the internet and social media actually hurt or help because there's a false sense of security in networking on the internet. It almost makes you lazy. You see a profile, click, send friend request. And most times people leave it right there. But how do they build RELATIONSHIPS offline? Does it even matter? Of course it does.There are levels to this thing. And how fast you progress up those levels is individual. Some will get there faster than others. It depends on your end goals. 

I've always felt if real estate investors can get creative financing, business owners can offer creative compensation packages. There was a time when companies would predominantly offer commission based roles to their sales teams. A lot of people loved this because it was mostly uncapped earning potential. If there were high ticket items being sold, a great Sales Specialist could make a killing in earnings. I know, because part of hiring salespeople for clients includes a look at past W2s. But in a world of instant gratification and microwave living, how do you get people to accept a commission based role? Today I'll talk about how to make commission based roles work for your company, your budget and your employee.

In many Black & Brown communities, estate planning was not something we talked about as we were growing up. I mean, in MY family, estate planning was never a topic of conversation at the dinner table. None of my friends families were talking about it either. But my generation Gen Xers are talking about it. I started talking to my son about it when he was 14. Some people may say that a teenager isn't interested in such talk. I say you're wrong.  I don't know about you, but the only time people in my family spoke about anything relating to an estate was who has insurance to cover the funeral. That's sad. Well as an entrepreneur, a Mogul if you will, I want to make sure my assets are protected, but also that my son is 1) knowledgeable about my assets and 2) set to inherit them without a bunch of foolishness when I die. And don't think estate planning needs to be a morbid conversation that's left until you absolutely have to talk about it. Today my guest and I will be talking about how to have the tough conversations and set your family up for an easy transition. But first, ask yourself 2 questions:-       What happens if I die tomorrow, and my family is caught off guard?-       And, what does my estate plan look like?

When you're just starting out, growing and hiring people for your team can be a daunting task. But it's not impossible. As you grow and scale you need to be able to make smart decisions and make sound hiring moves in order to bring on the best people for your teams. A lot of small businesses struggle when it comes to hiring people for their team. There's a lot of sentiment that says, "hey, I can put an ad on Facebook or I can go to an indeed post or I can just put anything on social media saying, Hey, I'm hiring", and give some stipulations as far as applying for the position. But it's not that simple. A lot of people try to minimize the role of effective recruiting. Yes, we all need to hire the best talent. Yes, we want people that are going to be able to do the things that we need them to do at great prices. But as you grow, you have to be very mindful of how and who you hire. You have to look at your audience, your platform and your process, because it all matters. Today, I want to talk about the smart hiring decisions that you need to make in order to build out your team. But first ask yourself two questions. Am I making this job as appealing as I needed to be in order to hire the right people? And what does it take to be competitive in this market and be able to hire great talent?

Not everyone is at the same level in business. Some people are content with 6 figures, and that's OK for them. If you are them, this episode isn't for you. But if you're at 6 figures pushing for 7, or if you're at just about 7 figures and are stalled, this episode is for you.Throughout my years in business, I went through cycles. In each cycle I learned valuable business lessons that carried me through to the next level. Not always comfortable lessons, but lessons nonetheless. I learned the universal lesson of what gets you here won't get you there, and it certainly won't KEEP you there.There are some basic things every business needs to do as they're growing that are pretty much similar at each level. But what I learned was that while some things may be similar (staffing/hiring for example) they require different things to be effective.I've never really gotten vulnerable about what I do, did, or didn't do. My podcasts are usually to inspire, motivate, educate and uplift (with the occasional dragging LOL). But while I talk about The Mogul Circle, I also give insight into my frustrations and growing pains. Hopefully you'll relate or at least gain some perspective. Enjoy.And to apply for the Mogul Circle membership, please visit circle.mogulchix.com.

Make That Money! That's a long time mantra for any entrepreneur. But at what point do we go from thinking about sales and profits, to what we do with all of that profit? Sure we can invest it back into the business, and you know that investing in your own business is key. But we rarely think about real portfolio investment strategies. With so many resources on the market it can be dizzying to find what we need that meets us where we're at. But it doesn't have to be daunting. Today Keisha Bailey will be chatting with me about how women entrepreneurs can prepare themselves for building an investment portfolio, clearing out the mind clutter that comes with investing, and the steps you should take to get into investing.

Ladies, can we have some real talk for a moment? This is a long one! Women of color who are founders and/or entrepreneurs who are grossing 6 figures with their businesses, yes, I want to talk to you. This advice is applicable to almost anyone, but I want to talk to you!I LOVE that there are so many women doing the damn thing. I LOVE that so many women of color are taking their fate into their own hands and are on this journey to build legacy wealth to pass down through generations. You're bold, courageous and talented. Pre-pandemic, we were out there making it happen. But something shifted during COVID that paved the way to so many new entrepreneurs (male, female, Black, Hispanic, White, multiracial, you name it). We were all faced with having to make it happen. And people were making money.BUT can I ask a question? Girl, why are you limiting yourself? You are riding with the brakes on. I need you to take your foot off that brake and step on that accelerator.

Ladies look. Can we have some real talk here? We don't start a business to create a JOB for ourselves. We create opportunities and provide solutions for our clients. We go into business for ourselves to make an impact, make connections and make money. And in the beginning, we're fine with being everything for the business. Somewhere along the line though, we end up painting ourselves into a JOB. Yep, I said it. A JOB.  I don't know about you, but I did not get into business for myself to be working by myself. I'm building COMPANIES. I am a CEO and that means that I've structured my companies in a way that supports a team and allows maximum work to get done for maximum profit while keeping some time to myself. But it wasn't always like that. I used to think since it was my company and I knew what to do and how to serve my clients, that I didn't need any help. HAH! I was so wrong. That wasn't being smart. That was being driven by ego.  As I've matured as a business owner and I've learn to delegate and hire for maximum effect. I've freed up more time, serve my clients better and I truly call my own shots. I am a true CEO in every sense of the word. Wouldn't you like to be one too? It's time to slap life in the face and take what's yours. It's time to claim your rightful spot and BE a CEO. Today I want to just put it out there real and raw. Let's talk about what it takes to delegate. Let's talk about what it takes to get that mindset stuff together. Let's talk about what it means to be in the driver's seat while you build a dynamic team that can increase your profile and free you from the day to day…all while increasing your bottom line.  But first, ask yourself 2 questions: -       What do I really want for my life? -       And, what does my ideal team look like? 

 Whether you're starting a company or knee-deep in one, EVERYONE needs an exit strategy. But I know that many of you aren't even thinking that far ahead yet because you're in the thick of growing your business. But I'm here to tell you that no matter where you are on the scale, you should always be thinking of your exit. Whether that looks like selling, stepping back and installing leadership or passing the business on to a family member, you should have a solid exit plan in place to avoid any hiccups or confusion. Your business is an asset that you have invested time, energy and yes, money into. It has revenue streams that support your salary, pays a profit and supports your employees. And if you've been doing it right, it is increasing in value year to year.  Planning your exit is the most commonly overlooked and the most difficult decision an entrepreneur has to make. It means you are transitioning into the next phase of life or business. Whether you're leaving altogether or dramatically changing your role or involvement, it's important for you to carefully evaluate your business plan, strategy and vision to determine what a favorable (and lucrative) exit looks like for you.  Today I'm talking with Sankeetha Selvarajah, and we're going to break down the finer points of planning your exit. She'll be talking about what an exit strategy is, how to plan for one, the vital components of the strategy are, and who should be included in the strategy planning.     But first, ask yourself 2 questions: -       Have I thought about what life after this business looks like? -       And, how can I make sure that when I walk away from it, I am sitting in a great financial position? 

Ownership is so important. In a previous episode you heard me talk about compete ownership from content all the way down to the raw manufacturing. I never get tired of talking about this because just as it's important to own your brand (trademarks, copyright, patents, etc) it is vitally important to own your platforms where you deliver your content, products and services. I am a firm believer in ownership and not many people even think about full ownership. Yes we say we want the table, the building and the block and that's good. But we need strategic ownership plans. Yes, many of us won't own major TV network stations. But as you can see with Jay Z and Tidal, platform ownership is possible and we have to be willing to start somewhere. It's not about music or online content or publishing (which it kind of is to a degree). It doesn't matter where you start as long as you start. Today I'm talking with Dr. Letitia Wright of Wright Place TV and we're going to break down the opportunities that are out there for us, women of color, to start building platforms for the inevitable ownership plan. We're talking about having your own streaming TV channel. That's right. There's a need for us to not just own the platforms but reclaim the narrative and images of us out there. When you think about it, even shows designed to give us a world platform denigrate us in some ways. Let's look at the Real Housewives franchise. I love a good mindless entertainment. I even like Andy Cohen. But let's get real for a moment. With the exception of the fabulous Kandi Burress, no other housewife, black, Latina or other, has had the exposure or opportunities of a Bethenny Frankel. Love or hate her, she rose to a level far above the rest of them, with the exception of Kandi Burress. Kandi is doing the damn thing. She has multiple businesses but she does not own a true platform (I don't think). Aside from them, Housewives has squandered the opportunity to showcase successful businesswomen properly. I ask you, don't you think it's time to own some shit? I can go on and on about women of color who were given a platform and it turned into a shit show of fighting and cattiness. And may I add platforms that were lead by women of color but ultimately not owned by them, which gave them creative license to accentuate the drama. (Love & Hip Hop, Basketball Wives, etc). And there are Netflix and other streaming platforms who have given women of color an inch, but trust me when I say they are still on a tight leash. Hurray for small inroads. But I'm tired, done and fired up and so ready for this conversation. So ladies, do you want to own some shit? Let's get it! But first, ask yourself 2 questions:-       Who are the people controlling our narrative and how can we take back control of it?-       And, how can I create my OWN platform so I can fully control the content, narrative, message and reach?