What's Next Podcast with Umindi Francis

Jennifer Justice is a successful entrepreneur, entertainment executive, and lawyer. After 17 years as Jay-Z's personal entertainment attorney, in which she was instrumental in some of the rapper's high-profile projects, Jennifer left and eventually started her own venture, The Justice Department. Her new company champions gender equality and focuses on helping women maximize their value in business. In this episode, Jennifer shares valuable advice for those aspiring to follow her career path, underscores the importance of adopting a passion-and-purpose-driven approach to work, and more.Follow Jennifer on Instagram @thejustice.dept or visit her online at thejusticedept.com.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.

Desiree Rogers, the CEO and co-owner of Fashion Fair Cosmetics and Black Opal Beauty, shares her journey in the beauty industry. From her time at the White House to her leadership at Johnson Publishing Company, and now her groundbreaking acquisition of iconic Black beauty brands, Rogers keeps making a mark. We get into her challenges, the state of the beauty industry, and the vital importance of supporting Black businesses.Follow Desiree on Instagram @iamthatdesiree and find her online at iamthatdesiree.com. About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.

In this episode, Madison Utendahl, founder of Utendahl Creative, shares her insights about creatives and the struggle with self-worth and burnout prevalent in many industries. Madison talks about the difference between success and true fulfillment, and warns of the pervading “burnout epidemic.”Follow Madison on Instagram @madison.utendahl.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.

Jessel Taank shares her experiences as a new cast member on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York", her struggles and triumphs from being on the show, and the impacts it had on her personal relationships. She also discusses her pride in representing her Indian culture, her reaction to early negative reactions towards her, and her upcoming e-commerce platform focused on Indian fashion.Follow Jessel on Instagram @jesseltaank. She is the founder of Ōushq. Follow her company on Instagram @oushq.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.

Juliette Jones is the chief operating officer at Alamo Records, with more than 25 years of experience in the music industry. She shares her journey and the key lessons she has learned along the way, including how she got her start in the business, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and the advice she offers to artists.Juliette also gives her take on the current state of the music industry and the impact of social media and streaming platforms on artists and their careers.Follow Juliette on Instagram @msjuliettejones.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here. Follow the podcast on Instagram @whatsnextwithumindi.

Abyah Wynn is the fund manager for TRUE Capital Management's TRUE Culture Fund, which focuses on funding underrepresented founders with venture capital.She talks with Umindi about her journey into venture capital, the legal challenge threatening the Fearless Fund's approach to investing in Black women, and her advice for founders looking to position themselves for funding opportunities.Follow Abyah on Instagram @abyah or on LinkedIn at Abyah Wynn.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here. Follow the podcast on Instagram @whatsnextwithumindi.

Marielle Bobo, Editor-in-Chief and Senior Vice President of Programming at Ebony Media, shares her journey in the publishing industry and her experience leading Ebony's digital transformation.From her early love of fashion magazines to her role as a fashion director at various publications, Marielle has always been drawn to the creative side of media. She discusses the challenges she faced as a Black woman in the industry and the importance of staying true to herself. Marielle also offers insights into the power of partnerships and the need to create content that resonates with diverse audiences.Follow Marielle on Instagram @MarielleBobo.  About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here. Follow the podcast on Instagram @whatsnextwithumindi.

Rebecca Minkoff is a fashion industry leader in accessible luxury handbags, accessories, and apparel. She shares her journey of falling in love with fashion at a young age to starting her own namesake brand and growing it into a global enterprise. She discusses the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way and shares insights on fundraising and financing your business. Rebecca also talks about the importance of building a strong brand and how to connect with consumers. She shares insights Rebecca Minkoff's approach to technology and innovation, as well as the brand's foray into various technology verticals including web3. She also discusses the founding of the Female Founder Collective and the importance of supporting and empowering women in business.For fashion, style, and design, follow Rebecca Minkoff the brand on Instagram @rebeccaminkoff. And, for a peak into Rebecca's personal life, follow Rebecca Minkoff the woman @beckyminkoff. Listen to her podcast, Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff, on Apple Podcasts.  About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here. Follow the podcast on Instagram @whatsnextwithumindi.

Chrissy Rutherford, a former editor at Harper's Bazaar, is a fashion and social media expert and influencer.In this episode, Chrissy discusses her career in the fashion industry and her transition to becoming a full-time creator and entrepreneur. She talks about the importance of curating content that resonates with your audience and her experience as Special Projects Director at Harper's Bazaar, where she spearheaded the brand's Instagram account, growing a community of over 4 million followers. She also shares her passion for mental health advocacy, starting her own diversity consulting practice, a podcast, and her work as an influencer with numerous leading brands, including Maybelline and J.Crew.Follow Chrissy on Instagram @chrissyford. Listen to Chrissy's podcast with Maybelline, “I'm Fine, You?” on Apple or Spotify.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here. Follow the podcast on Instagram @whatsnextwithumindi.

Sharmadean Reid is the founder and CEO of The Stack World, a technology platform and community for women that works to move the needle on gender equality by increasing the global GDP of the women's economy.Sharmadean shares her journey from studying at Central Saint Martins to founding and then launching The Stack World. She discusses her love for media and magazines, her experience working with renowned fashion designers and later launching a wildly successful beauty company. She also discusses her frustration with the lack of technological solutions in the beauty industry, and how that inspired her to launch The Stack World and its mission to bridge the gap between lifestyle content, and business and financial content, for women.Find Sharmadean on The Stack World, but you can also follow her on Instagram @sharmadeanreid.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement. Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here. Follow the podcast on Instagram @whatsnextwithumindi.

Ben Demiri is a seasoned executive and entrepreneur with more than 16 years of experience in the corporate world. He has held various roles in the fashion industry, including CEO and Director at Six London, co-founder and CEO at PlatformE, and Chief Brand and Partnerships Officer at Twig. He is also a partner at SKINVADERS and an advisor at several other companies.In this episode, Ben talks about the importance of reducing overproduction and waste in fashion and using technology to optimize supply chains and meet customer needs.Find more information about PlatformE at https://www.platforme.com/. Find more information about Twig at https://www.twig-group.com/.Find Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-demiri-a7aaa06/.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.

Areej Noor is a writer, producer, political analyst, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of STATEMENT, which began as a film production and content company but is currently expanding to include a trade publication focused on the African entertainment industry and a creative studio for African creators.In this episode, Areej talks about expanding STATEMENT's vision, including its focus on bridging the gap between the market and African women creators.She also shares her journey of working in U.S. foreign policy, becoming an entrepreneur in the film industry, her challenges as a woman of color in the media, and the importance of creating a company that supports African women.Find STATEMENT on Instagram @statement_africa. And for more on Areej, go to areejnoor.com.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.

Restaurateur and Nightlife Partner David Rabin shares his journey of building a portfolio of nightlife and restaurant venues in New York City and the challenges that come with it. David's company manages American Bar, Temple Bar, Veranda, Sona, Jimmy, The Skylark, The Lambs Club, and now 23 Grand, many of which cater to New York's fashion, business, and media companies.In this episode, David discusses the difficulties of staffing and maintaining successful businesses in a competitive market, the importance of understanding your target audience to create a buzzworthy business, and the need for strong partnerships. He also addresses some of the threats the hospitality industry faces.Find David on Instagram @davidrabin8.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.

Maria Brito is an award-winning contemporary art advisor, entrepreneur, author, and curator. Her bestselling book, “How Creativity Rules The World,” was a winner of the International Book Awards in the Business and Entrepreneurship Categories, as well as chosen by Next Big Idea Club as one of the best business and creativity books of the year in 2022.She's worked with some of the world's most renowned artists and institutions and has been an art advisor for many notable celebrities. In 2020, Brito was named by Art News as one of the visionaries who have shaped the art world, and Complex Magazine selected her as one of the 20 power players in the world of art.In this episode, we talk about boosting creativity for entrepreneurs, her superpowers as a marketer, and how artists are always on the cusp of the next big thing. Find Maria online at https://www.mariabrito.com. And check out her book, “How Creativity Rules The World: The Art and Business of Turning Your Ideas into Gold.”About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.

Ade Samuel is a native New Yorker and world-renowned fashion stylist. Ade has worked with some of the most famous names in Hollywood, such as Michael B. Jordan, Christina Aguilera, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Miley Cyrus, Cynthia Erivo, Big Sean, Nicole Richie, Yara Shahidi,  Khaled, and the City Girls to name a few. Her mission is to bridge the gap between American and Nigerian fashion, using her creative approach to cutting-edge style.We talk about her journey to becoming a fashion stylist, her collection at Macy's, how she's conquered social media, and what she has in store as a creative director.Find Ade online at https://www.adesamuel.com. Follow her on Instagram @adesamuel.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.

Carly Cushnie is a New York-based creative director and fashion designer. Carly is best known for her luxury women's Ready-to-Wear collection CUSHNIE and the many influential women who have worn her designs, including Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Zendaya, Ava Duvernay, Rihanna, and Ashley Graham.Carly talks about starting and winding down her business, venturing into interior design, and taking a break from the relentless design cycle.Follow Carly on Instagram @carlycushnie and find her online at https://www.carlycushnie.com.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.

Marjorie Hernandez is a futurist and entrepreneur focused on blockchain design and technology. She is a co-founder of the first Web3 digital fashion marketplace, The Dematerialised, and LUKSO, an Ethereum-based blockchain for the new creative economy.Marjorie's companies have shared Karl Lagerfeld's first NFT and have now partnered with the Karl Lagerfeld brand on a new initiative she'll share at the Met Gala.We talk about Marjorie's relationship with the Karl Lagerfeld brand, the use cases for blockchain technology in the creative and fashion industries, and how brands need to be prepared for the future.Find Marjorie online at https://www.marjoriehernandez.com and on Instagram @m_h_d_v.Check out her work at LUKSO and The Dematerialised.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here. Follow the podcast on Instagram @whatsnextwithumindi.

Chris Chambers' clients include Erykah Badu, Usher, Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell, Big Sean, Teyana Taylor, Lil' Wayne, Drake, Future, and so many more. He's distinguished himself as the CEO and founder of The Chamber Group, a boutique public relations firm that he founded in 2006, by branching out beyond his music roots to fashion and entertainment.Chris talks about how he started with dreams of becoming a journalist but found himself in love with PR, and then how he built connections in the industry before launching his own company  focused on lifestyle marketing.For more information on The Chamber Group, go to https://thechambergroup.com or follow the company on Instagram @thechambergroup_experience. Follow Chris on Instagram @chamberschris.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.

Anabel Maldonado is the founder and CEO of PSYKHE AI, a next-generation recommendation tool for e-commerce brands powered by machine learning and psychology.Anabel, who started her career as a journalist, talks about her rise in the fashion industry, her journalism career, and her transition to leading an emerging tech company.For more information on PSYKHE AI, go to https://psykhe.com or follow the company on Instagram @psykhe_ai.Follow Anabel on Instagram @anabelmaldonado or on LinkedIn here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here. 

Kevin Harter is the Vice President for Integrated Marketing at Bloomingdale's, where he oversees partnerships, philanthropy, special events, brand communication and the fashion office.Kevin talks about his three-decades-long career at Bloomingdale's, how the fashion and retail industries have changed, the importance of experiences in retail, and where the industry is headed.Follow Kevin on Instagram @klharter or LinkedIn here.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led business strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 @whatsnextwithumindi and on Linkedin here. 

Stephanie Horton is Google's Senior Director for Global Consumer Marketing and Commerce, where she focuses on shopping and travel. She's also the co-founder of Fashion Tech Connects, which is focused on increasing the number of women of color in the tech and fashion industries. Stephanie talks about her rise in the fashion and tech industries and how she's concentrated on supporting women-owned businesses and recruiting the next generation of talent.Follow Stephanie on LinkedIn or on Instagram @shorton007.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led business strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 @whatsnextwithumindi and on Linkedin here. 

I want to share some of the insights I've learned over the years, and I wanna do it with some of my close friends and colleagues in the fashion, entertainment, and tech industries who shape these industries as we know it. And trust me, there are so many people behind the scenes that you ought to know.The What's Next Podcast with Umindi Francis is an opportunity to hear from executives, creatives, and thought leaders that are leading the way. Yes, this is about business. Yes, this is about entrepreneurship, but it's also about people and their incredible journeys and the innovation they're driving.This podcast is about celebrating truly brilliant people and sharing how they made it happen so that you can be inspired to achieve your dreams no matter what stage you are today. Let's talk about what's next and how we're getting there. I'm excited to share my tribe with you. Join me. About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led business strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 @whatsnextwithumindi and on Linkedin here.