So Ambitious
Black Ambition
Hosted by Black Ambition CEO Felecia Hatcher, So Ambitious is a series about what's possible when Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs can build uninterrupted. From the tech founder to the creative entrepreneur, So Ambitious tells the stories of the people building, creating, and organizing - against all odds, with authenticity, and in community. Their stories propel the conversation about ambition beyond money, titles, or vanity metrics and dive into details of what it takes to do impactful, transformative work with longevity.
Best of Entrepreneurial Advice for Innovators from Founders
Dive into some of the top entrepreneurial advice from our lineup of innovative founders in this special Best Of episode. Discover the secrets to their success as we feature their invaluable insights and strategies that have propelled their ventures forward. From navigating the complexities of startup life to pioneering new industries, these inspiring founders offer a wealth of knowledge for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned innovators alike. Be sure to catch these essential lessons that can ig
Best of What Success & Black Ambition Looks Like
Celebrate the extraordinary spirit of Black ambition in another special "Best Of" episode, where we highlight what true success looks like through the eyes of our lineup of remarkable founders. Tune in as our guests share powerful stories of their journeys, reflecting on the challenges they've faced and the victories they've achieved. This episode is a tribute to the relentless pursuit of dreams, showcasing the resilience, innovation, and brilliance that truly define Black ambition. Don't miss
Best of Navigating & Embracing Entrepreneurial Failure
Explore the transformative power of embracing entrepreneurial failure in this special "Best Of" episode, where we delve into the journeys of entrepreneurs who turned their setbacks into stepping stones toward success. Join us as our guests share candid stories of their toughest challenges, the lessons learned, and how embracing failure propelled them toward greater heights in their journey. Tune in for an inspiring collection of narratives highlighting resilience, innovation, and the true essenc
Best of The Good, Bad, and Ugly Parts of Entrepreneurship
Join us for a special episode featuring all the Good, Bad, and Ugly Parts of Entrepreneurship! Discover how these founders overcame doubt, racism, and financial challenges to build their successful business empire. Tune in for their inspiring stories, resilience, determination, and the power of not caring what others think. KEY POINTS - Ep 202: Pivot with Purpose: How Necole Kane Turned Failure Into Fuel for Success - Ep 203: Beats to Eats: Derrick Turton a.k.a. Chef Teach's Journey from Music M
Best of Overcoming Doubts & Naysayers: The Power of Bold Belief in Black Ambition
Celebrate the indomitable spirit of Black ambition with this special “Best Of” episode, showcasing our founders’ unwavering power of bold belief in the face of doubts and naysayers! Tune in to discover riveting tales of resilience and triumph, as our guests share inspiring narratives of overcoming adversity on the path to success. Don't miss out on this uplifting journey of determination and achievement!KEY POINTS - Ep 203: Beats to Eats: Derrick Turton a.k.a. Chef Teach’s Journey from Music Mog
212. From College Parties to Empowering HBCUs: Corey Arvinger's Journey in Supporting Black Colleges
In this episode of the So Ambitious Podcast, host Felecia Hatcher sits down with Corey Arvinger, CEO of Support Black Colleges, to dive into his remarkable journey from college party promoter to the helm of a thriving e-commerce brand. Corey shares insights into the evolution of Support Black Colleges and how it blossomed into a full-blown brand with a powerful message of support for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The conversation dives deep into the highs and lows of entr
211. Empowering Black Voices in the Fragrance World with Exalté Parfum Founder Funmi Monet
Today, we are joined by Funmi Monet, the brilliant mind behind Exalté Parfum, a groundbreaking perfume brand that has been making waves in the luxury perfume space. In this episode, Funmi shares her insights on navigating the fragrance industry, from the inception of her brand to its meteoric rise in the social media sphere. With a keen focus on community building and content creation, Funmi shares the essence of confidently crafting content that resonates with authenticity and ultimately build
210. How One Man's Journey Led to Investing in 35 Companies with ACT House Founder Dominick Ard’is
In this episode of the So Ambitious Podcast, we dive into the dynamic journey of Dominick Ard’is, the innovative mind behind ACT House, a co-living incubator constructing the next generation of innovators, founders, and product developers to shape the future of enterprises, products, and services.From his upbringing as a military brat to his diverse career spanning management consulting, politics, and now entrepreneurship, Dominick shares the transformative moments that shaped his multifaceted p
209. Money, Privilege, and Advocacy: Ana Pompa Alarcón's Guide to Entrepreneurship and Social Justice in Tech
In this episode of So Ambitious, we are joined by Ana Pompa Alarcón, CEO of Founders Registry, as she shares her journey of advocating for marginalized founders and creating impactful solutions in the tech industry.From her beginnings at Rikers Island to supporting our Black Ambition finalists, Ana's story is one of fierce advocacy, resilience, and empowerment. In this conversation we uncover how she navigates the complexities of entrepreneurship and addresses systemic issues faced by minority f
208. Vision to Victory: Evan Leaphart’s Road to Entrepreneurial Success & Million-Dollar Grant Win
In this episode, we sit down with Evan Leaphart, founder of Kiddie Kredit, co-founder of Black Men Talk Tech, and recent million-dollar grant recipient of the 43North accelerator program. With such a robust portfolio, what does it entail to lead not just one but two major initiatives that make such a significant impact on the world? Discover how Kiddie Kredit is reshaping credit education by addressing the needs of over 90 million credit-challenged Americans burdened by $1 trillion in credit car
207. Shifting the Narrative on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion with Amber Cabral
In this episode, we are joined by Amber Cabral, renowned DEI expert, author, entrepreneur, and founder of Cabral Co., as she brings us into the intricate world of diversity, equity, and inclusion, offering invaluable insights on creating genuinely inclusive spaces within organizations.Drawing from her rich career budding from her impactful work at Walmart, Amber emphasizes the transformative power of intentional actions, feedback loops, and storytelling in fostering workplace environments that p
206. RICE and Shine: Cultivating Black Entrepreneurial Excellence with Jay Bailey
Jay Bailey started his first business at 12, bought his first house at 19, and made his first million at 23. But the true turning point in his narrative came when he chose significance over success, recognizing that the real impact lay in building enduring legacies for fellow Black entrepreneurs. This audacious decision marked a profound chapter in his story, reflecting a commitment to empower others with the same bold vision.In this episode, Jay Bailey lets us in on the compelling legacy crafte
205. Grown from Ground Up: Shannon Allen's Culinary Venture with a Purpose
Profound and enduring impact lies at the intersection of entrepreneurship and advocacy - and there is no better testament to this than the story of Shannon Allen. Shannon Allen is the visionary founder of Grown, a healthy fast-casual restaurant franchise that has not only disrupted but redefined the culinary landscape in Miami. Shannon's story goes beyond entrepreneurship; it is a powerful testament to the transformative potential when business acumen meets a deep commitment to positive change.I
204. Beyond the Spicy Tweets: Brian Brackeen's Tech Odyssey from Philly to Lightship Capital
Although notoriously known as the King of Spicy Tweets, Brian Brackeen, seasoned entrepreneur and General Partner at Lightship Capital, has built a track record of raising billions in support of Black businesses and entrepreneurs, making waves that resonate far beyond the confines of 280 characters.In this interview, Brian Brackeen provides an intimate look into his journey as he recounts the pivotal moment of his removal as CEO, offering profound insights into the distinctive challenges encount
203. Beats to Eats: Derrick Turton a.k.a. Chef Teach's Journey from Music Mogul to Mac & Cheese Maestro
Meet the man who made Mac & Cheese cool - Derrick Turton a.k.a. Chef Teach, went from managing music artists to becoming the culinary force behind the World Famous House of Mac in Miami. Renowned for his exceptional mac and cheese, Chef Teach's story is a testament to resilience, adaptation, and the pursuit of passion. In this episode, Derrick imparts invaluable lessons learned from the music industry that laid the groundwork for his triumphs in the culinary world. You’re going to learn the secr
202. Pivot with Purpose: How Necole Kane Turned Failure Into Fuel for Success
[APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now In this episode, Felecia Hatcher is joined by Necole Kane - a retired celeb blogger, media mogul, founder of My Happy Flo, and the queen of making piv
201. Who Are You Uninterrupted? Felecia Hatcher on Supporting Black Ambition Through Storytelling
[APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now Imagine a world where Black and Hispanic innovators are provided with the resources, mentorship, and backing to thrive without any interruption. In ju
So Ambitious Podcast Season 2 - Launching 2.26.24
Step into the dynamic world of Season 2 of the So Ambitious podcast, an electrifying exploration of stories driven by our community of Black Founders and Entrepreneurs. Founded by Pharrell Williams, Black Ambition has unleashed a wave of impact, propelling nearly 100 entrepreneurs with unique tales of tenacity and innovation. Launching on 26 February 2024, join us in Season 2 of the So Ambitious Podcast as we celebrate the audacity to dream and build. This new season promises an unfiltered dive
110. The Finale - Felecia Hatcher & Pharrell Williams in Conversation
From a high school talent show that landed him in the presence of music industry vet Teddy Riley to becoming one of the most influential and successful music producers and businessmen of the 21st century. We close out our first season of the So Ambitious Podcast with an intimate conversation between Black Ambition’s CEO Felecia Hatcher and musician, producer, and serial entrepreneur, Pharrell Williams. https://pharrellwilliams.com/Sponsored by Heineken USA.
109. Introducing the 2022 Black Ambition Grand Prize Winner Camille Belle - Pound Cake
From selling beautifully crafted yarn bracelets as a pre-teen to becoming our 2022 $1M Black Ambition Grand Prize Winner, Camille Bell, shares her remarkable journey of betting on herself and persevering. "We're creating award-winning formulas that are personalized to different skin and lip tones so everyone can achieve the color they want," says Camille. The founder of cosmetics company Pound Cake sits down with Felecia in this episode to break down crowdfunding and turn lessons into l
108. Modernist Interior Design - Sire Design & Eilyn Jimenez
From pushing furniture sales at a Miami design showroom to venturing out on her own to create a full-service interior design studio bringing in seven-figure projects. Eilyn Jimenez, Sire Design's founder and creative director is no stranger to rough starts. "Being ambitious, at least for me, represents not only what I can bring to the table for myself, but also what I can bring to the table for somebody else," says Eilyn. In the episode, she talks to Felecia about staying authentic, cu
107. Destigmatizing Modern Wellness - Xula Herbs CBD Botanicals
From pushing papers at a local Maryland radio station to apprenticing under Whoopi Goldberg's cannabis line, Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey is on a path to nurture a more inclusive cannabis industry with regenerative product. In this episode, Mennlay talks with Felecia about the benefits and science behind her product Xula Herbs, and her quest to promote hemp products that support comfort and relief during hormonal cycles. “I was immersed in this cannabis culture from, from seed to sale,” says
106. The First House of Ballroom - The Royal House of LaBeija
From a shout-out by Beyonce to securing partnerships with Facebook and Louis Vuitton, Jeffrey LaBeija and Marcus LaBeija of the Royal House of LaBeija know the power of visibility in building a brand. In this episode, they talk with Felecia about the multimillion dollar business of ballroom. “Who we are as Black queer people isn't necessarily always celebrated,” says Marcus. “It's always associated with shame or guilt or remorse. In ballroom, it’s associated with a grand prize and cash.
105. Rooting for Everyone Black - Benoni Tagoe & Issa Rae's Hoorae Media
From folding T-shirts at Abercrombie & Fitch to running Issa Rae’s record label, Benoni Tagoe has learned the value of both pursuing work that you love and uplifting others. “It feels great to see other people succeed based off of a dream and a vision that you had,” the head of business development for Hoorae Media and president of Raedio tells Felecia in episode 5. “And to see that your dream and vision help other people, that's the ultimate feeling. That's what it's really all about.”
104. Bringing Community to Life with Voice - Naj Austin & Somewhere Good
From developing a social media app that generates true connection to founding a community space where people can come and just be, Naj Austin creates products that combat isolation. “That was part of my pitch,” says the founder and CEO of Somewhere Good. “I led with, ‘I’m going to solve loneliness.” She talks to Felecia about finding the one perfect investor and the power entrepreneurs have in that relationship: “They may have the check, but you have the vision, and only one thing is go
103. 2021 Black Ambition Grand Prize Winners Justin Turk & Andre Davis - Livegistics
A special two-episode drop: From pitching family members at a birthday barbecue to winning the $1 million Black Ambition grand prize, Justin Turk and Andre Davis funded their construction-software company without any experience raising capital for a startup. “I didn't have a venture capital Rolodex,” Justin tells Felecia in episode 3 of So Ambitious. “I didn't know the angel investors were around the corner.” What he was sure of was that even when he was one of three Black entrepreneurs
102. A Digital Nation - Afropolitan & Eche Emole
A special two-episode drop: From throwing Afrobeat parties to founding a country online, Eche Emole has spent his career building community. “The internet is the equalizer,” he tells host Felecia Hatcher about the nation he’s creating. “It’s the only place where as Black people we’re free.” Listen in as he describes his vision of a real-life Wakanda, and the investors who believe in it as much as he does. https://www.afropolitan.io/ Sponsored by Heineken USA.
101. So Ambitious Season Premiere with Felecia Hatcher featuring Dosso Beauty
From braiding hair in her dorm room to securing placements with one of the highest-earning e-commerce retailers in the country -- in our series premiere Felecia Hatcher sits down with Kadidja Dosso of Dosso Beauty, an organic and gender-inclusive beauty and hair product line. Check out Dosso Beauty at https://www.dossobeauty.com
Sponsored by Heineken USA.
Welcome to So Ambitious
Welcome to So Ambitious a new kind of business podcast focused on Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs who are dreaming and building their companies to excel, uninterrupted. Hosted by Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Black Ambition Prize and fellow entrepreneur. Premieres Friday, December 9th.
Black Ambition Prize Presents... So Ambitious
A new kind of business podcast. Presented by Black Ambition Prize. Learn more: https://www.blackambitionprize.com/