Jessica Spaulding, a lifelong hustler and professional chocolatier understands the unexpected should be expected when starting your own business. Owner of the Harlem Chocolate Factory, Spaulding takes us on a journey of rebellion, luck, and overcoming obstacles. From entering business plan competitions to opening up a chocolate shop in the heart of Harlem, she details how she finessed her finances, swayed minds with chocolate bars, and took L’s with grace. 

Learn more: https://harlemchocolatefactory.com/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessofhcf/

These days, businesses can be more than just turning a profit. On a mission to combine people, purpose, and profit, DiverseCiti offers resources to ambitious entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses. This week we chat with DiverseCiti’s CEO, Claudia DaRobi, and a member of its community, Dr. Benita Ledet, about the impact businesses can make on its environment. We’ll discuss key opportunities entrepreneurs can take advantage of post-pandemic, the success of networking, and how to lead with love in everything you pursue.

Lionheart is a modern Nollywood drama depicting the journey of a daughter trying to save her family’s business. As her father’s health declines, Adaeze takes on the challenge of keeping the business alive, alongside her uncle in a turn of dramatic and comedic events. In this episode we discuss the blend of Nigerian culture and capitalism in a mixed economy, and how family politics plays a part in keeping a legacy alive.

Reginald F. Lewis was one of the wealthiest black men in the 80’s, becoming the first to close a billion dollar leveraged buyout deal. In this episode, we review the book “Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun”, a biography of Lewis’ short, but powerful life, and discuss the makings of a billionaire. A titan of his time, Lewis paved the way for future entrepreneurs and demonstrated that all dreams are possible, with the right attitude and mindset.

The faceless basketball player logo of AND1 is as memorable as the story behind the brand. Listen as we discuss the rise and missteps of this cultural clothing staple, through the lens of the Netflix documentary, Untold: The Rise and Fall of AND1. From employee burnout to unfair compensation practices, we identify common issues that arise from capitalizing on cultural trends.

They say some of the biggest ideas and companies are born out of a recession, but is that true? In this episode, we discuss the current state of the economy and what that means for entrepreneurs looking to start a new venture. We’ll talk about how to take advantage of a downturn, leaning into your bargaining power, and why waiting for ‘the right time’ to start a business may not be the best strategy. 

Your relationship with money always starts with your mind. In this episode we dive into the book, The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, and discuss the financial short stories and behaviors associated with personal finance. We’ll talk about how money determines the way we relate to others, ourselves, and our potential future and share a few of our own personal opinions on creating a wealth-mindset.

Maurice Cherry’s name holds weight in the design and media industry. A designer, strategist, podcaster, and pioneering digital creator located in Atlanta, GA, Cherry founded the award-winning podcast, Revision Path, Lunch., a creative studio, and co-owns a production company called Cultural Algorithms. Safe to say, the man is BUSY. From monetizing podcasts to pursuing passion projects over profit, Cherry discusses his journey in a constantly evolving industry. 

Every day we’re hustling, but at what cost? In this episode, we discuss hustle culture mentality and some of the pitfalls that may come with it when running a business. We also discuss if there is such a thing as having balance when trying to start and run a successful company. Tune in to hear our take on the topic and ponder if there is a way to reach a happy medium.