Debug Information

Processing Details

• VTT File: media.vtt
• Processing Time: September 11, 2025 at 04:06 PM
• Total Chunks: 2
• Transcript Length: 86,799 characters
• Caption Count: 905 captions

Prompts Used

Prompt 1: Context Setup

You are an expert data extractor tasked with analyzing a podcast transcript. 
I will provide you with part 1 of 2 from a podcast transcript. 
I will then ask you to extract different types of information from this content in subsequent messages. Please confirm you have received and understood the transcript content.

Transcript section:
[00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:07.920] Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees.
[00:00:07.920 --> 00:00:10.320] Just ask the Capital One Bank Guy.
[00:00:10.320 --> 00:00:13.040] It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way.
[00:00:13.040 --> 00:00:16.640] He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast, too.
[00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:17.680] Ah, really?
[00:00:17.680 --> 00:00:19.600] Thanks, Capital One Bank Guy.
[00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:20.640] What's in your wallet?
[00:00:20.640 --> 00:00:21.520] Terms apply.
[00:00:21.520 --> 00:00:23.840] See capital one.com/slash bank.
[00:00:23.840 --> 00:00:26.400] Capital One NA member FDIC.
[00:00:27.360 --> 00:00:32.480] Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the void?
[00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:38.800] But with LinkedIn ads, you can know you're reaching the right decision makers, a network of 130 million of them, in fact.
[00:00:38.800 --> 00:00:44.640] You can even target buyers by job title, industry, company, seniority skills, and did I say job title?
[00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:48.480] See how you can avoid the void and reach the right buyers with LinkedIn ads.
[00:00:48.480 --> 00:00:53.440] Spend $250 on your first campaign and get a free $250 credit for the next one.
[00:00:53.440 --> 00:00:55.840] Get started at linkedin.com slash campaign.
[00:00:55.840 --> 00:00:57.760] Terms and conditions apply.
[00:00:59.680 --> 00:01:05.120] There is so much power in wanting more and going after more.
[00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:09.360] And don't let your box be defined by what you only see today.
[00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:18.720] You're listening to Side Hustle Pro, the podcast that teaches you to build and grow your side hustle from passion project to profitable business.
[00:01:18.720 --> 00:01:21.600] And I'm your host, Nikayla Matthews Okome.
[00:01:21.600 --> 00:01:23.120] So let's get started.
[00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:26.720] Hey, friends.
[00:01:26.720 --> 00:01:27.360] Hey, welcome.
[00:01:27.360 --> 00:01:29.840] Welcome back to Side Hustle Pro podcast.
[00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:40.880] It's Nikayla here, and today I am joined by a truly inspirational figure, Marty McDonald, the founder of Boss Women Media and Elle Olivia.
[00:01:40.880 --> 00:01:45.360] Marty is not just an entrepreneur, she is what I would call a visionary.
[00:01:45.360 --> 00:01:56.480] After an 11-year stint in corporate America, working with various Fortune 500 companies, Marty took a brave leap towards her dream of creating a meaningful impact.
[00:01:56.480 --> 00:02:10.840] She founded Boss Women Media, a dynamic platform dedicated to empowering women through networking workshops and events like the multi-city Black Girl Magic Tour and the annual Boss Woman of the Year summit.
[00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:12.680] But Marty didn't stop there.
[00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:24.440] Drawing from personal challenges during her pregnancy, she recently launched El Olivia, a children's wear brand that champions representation and advocacy for girls up to age five.
[00:02:24.440 --> 00:02:32.760] The brand has gained traction and is now featured in over 400 target locations nationwide.
[00:02:32.760 --> 00:02:41.240] And in today's episode, Marty shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming a beacon of change and empowerment.
[00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:52.920] She also shares the challenges she's faced, the triumphs she celebrated, and her continuous mission to inspire women to chase their dreams without fear.
[00:02:52.920 --> 00:02:55.000] Let's get right into it.
[00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:01.000] So, Marty, welcome.
[00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:02.120] Welcome to the guest chair.
[00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:03.720] Thank you for being here.
[00:03:03.720 --> 00:03:05.880] Thank you so much for having me.
[00:03:05.880 --> 00:03:07.480] What an honor.
[00:03:07.480 --> 00:03:10.200] Oh my gosh, it's an honor to speak to you as well.
[00:03:10.200 --> 00:03:12.760] The founder of Boss Women Media.
[00:03:12.760 --> 00:03:18.040] I have seen so much of your brand before I really knew who you were.
[00:03:18.040 --> 00:03:21.880] So that's a testament to the brand that you have built.
[00:03:21.880 --> 00:03:26.440] But tell me a little bit more about how this all got started.
[00:03:26.440 --> 00:03:33.800] You describe yourself, I've heard you describe yourself as a corporate queen, turned side hustler, turned entrepreneur.
[00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:35.880] Let's hear about the corporate queen.
[00:03:37.400 --> 00:03:40.120] Feels like that was forever ago.
[00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:40.680] Yeah.
[00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:42.680] What was your original career path?
[00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:48.320] You know, I like to describe it this way: I did all the right things the right way, right?
[00:03:48.320 --> 00:03:53.760] So, my actual background of corporate America, it's it kind of interesting.
[00:03:53.760 --> 00:03:56.400] It definitely had a parallel path to it.
[00:03:56.400 --> 00:04:03.200] When I first started in corporate America, my degree, my bachelor's degree, is in interior design and architecture.
[00:04:03.200 --> 00:04:10.640] And so, I went right after out of undergrad and got a job in an architectural firm and a design firm.
[00:04:10.640 --> 00:04:14.720] So, I did that for about, I don't know, four or five years.
[00:04:15.040 --> 00:04:18.960] And then, you know, something interesting happened in the economy.
[00:04:18.960 --> 00:04:20.320] People were losing jobs.
[00:04:20.320 --> 00:04:21.760] The economy was collapsing.
[00:04:21.760 --> 00:04:29.680] And I remember one day my boss coming to me telling me, Hey, we're about to make a switch and you work on the design team.
[00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:33.120] But if you want to keep a job, you're going to have to move to another team.
[00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:35.520] And the only team that's vacant is marketing.
[00:04:35.520 --> 00:04:40.000] So, do you want to leave or do you want to go over to the marketing field?
[00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:42.080] I said, I'll get the marketing job.
[00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:42.960] Sure will.
[00:04:42.960 --> 00:04:43.200] Okay.
[00:04:43.520 --> 00:04:45.520] I've never heard of that.
[00:04:45.520 --> 00:04:49.040] That is so cool that your boss even wanted to keep you employed.
[00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:51.760] That's a testament to the kind of employee you were.
[00:04:51.760 --> 00:04:55.680] And also, as someone who works in marketing, they usually try to cut marketing.
[00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:59.600] So they were like, you can go over here.
[00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:03.440] And so I moved to the marketing department.
[00:05:03.440 --> 00:05:08.640] And then what ended up happening was I didn't know anything necessarily about marketing, right?
[00:05:08.640 --> 00:05:10.240] Like these people were trained.
[00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:12.080] They went to some top B schools.
[00:05:12.080 --> 00:05:12.880] And I said, you know what?
[00:05:12.880 --> 00:05:15.440] Let me go back to school and get my MBA.
[00:05:15.440 --> 00:05:16.560] I go back to school.
[00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:17.920] I got my MBA.
[00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:19.680] While working at the company?
[00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:21.120] While working at the company.
[00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:21.440] Yep.
[00:05:21.440 --> 00:05:23.440] So that was really, really interesting.
[00:05:23.440 --> 00:05:24.000] It was hard.
[00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:24.640] It was tough.
[00:05:24.640 --> 00:05:26.560] It was hard to navigate, but we did it.
[00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:28.800] It took me about a year and a half.
[00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:32.200] And I stayed at that company for some time after.
[00:05:32.200 --> 00:05:34.680] And then I started working in CPG marketing.
[00:05:34.680 --> 00:05:36.440] I did a little stint in that.
[00:05:36.440 --> 00:05:39.240] Then I moved over into restaurant marketing.
[00:05:39.640 --> 00:05:44.360] And that's where I met some of the smartest people.
[00:05:44.360 --> 00:05:45.720] These people went to Wharton.
[00:05:45.720 --> 00:05:49.640] These people went to like top beast schools.
[00:05:49.640 --> 00:05:57.960] And they were really solving problems in the restaurant industry with top brands such as Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, right?
[00:05:57.960 --> 00:06:04.920] Like, and I was able to really expand as a brand marketer in this space.
[00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:05.960] I learned a lot.
[00:06:05.960 --> 00:06:09.080] I had out-of-body experiences every single day.
[00:06:09.480 --> 00:06:11.160] With out-of-body experiences?
[00:06:11.400 --> 00:06:13.000] Out-of-body experiences.
[00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:15.640] Because I was the only one who looked like me.
[00:06:15.640 --> 00:06:19.560] There were not a ton of black people in brand marketing at all.
[00:06:19.880 --> 00:06:25.320] And I had to assimilate to this culture that had been created around brand marketing.
[00:06:25.320 --> 00:06:33.560] And it was definitely an interesting culture, a culture of the compliment that you wanted to receive was that she's so smart.
[00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:37.640] Like that was like the compliment that you wanted to receive in this space.
[00:06:37.640 --> 00:06:43.720] It was like we were curring for cancer, child, because you know, like that's really a tough experience.
[00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:45.480] I know what you mean.
[00:06:45.480 --> 00:06:45.880] Yeah.
[00:06:46.200 --> 00:06:48.520] And oh my God, how many of you can relate to that?
[00:06:48.520 --> 00:06:50.280] You know, everyone listening.
[00:06:50.280 --> 00:07:05.880] I know that you're speaking about CPG, but I think we can all relate to, we hate being in this space, but we find ourselves really needing that validation to feel like we've done a good job to hear someone say, oh, she's a rock star, right?
[00:07:05.880 --> 00:07:06.680] That's another one.
[00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:07.800] She's a rock star.
[00:07:07.800 --> 00:07:09.800] She's so smart.
[00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:21.280] And we should know that about ourselves already, but we need to hear that when we work day in and day out in these places, we find ourselves in that situation where we need to hear that.
[00:07:21.280 --> 00:07:23.280] How did you navigate that?
[00:07:23.280 --> 00:07:25.600] It was really hard for me to navigate it.
[00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:31.840] I didn't realize until I left it what I actually needed to do to solve that problem, right?
[00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:39.040] But as I was in corporate America, I spent about 11 years in totality in corporate America of my career.
[00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:40.400] Did your time?
[00:07:40.720 --> 00:07:42.480] I did my time.
[00:07:42.880 --> 00:07:48.720] And then one day, it was really almost like a one-day moment in time.
[00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:51.440] I decided this is not for me anymore.
[00:07:51.440 --> 00:07:58.160] I remember driving home thinking, is this what adult life is all about?
[00:07:58.480 --> 00:07:59.920] It's the rat race.
[00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:00.800] It's grinding.
[00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:04.480] It's making someone else believe that I'm good enough.
[00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:07.840] And I was like, this can't be it.
[00:08:07.840 --> 00:08:15.440] I remember going to a lunch with my mentor at the time that also was in marketing, and she was a director.
[00:08:15.440 --> 00:08:18.080] And that was like the North Star, right?
[00:08:18.080 --> 00:08:19.440] Like being a CMO.
[00:08:19.440 --> 00:08:21.840] Being a CMO was the North Star.
[00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:23.280] She was a director.
[00:08:23.280 --> 00:08:27.280] There wasn't a ton of black women CMOs, definitely not during this time.
[00:08:27.280 --> 00:08:31.120] This was like 2015, 2016 timeframe.
[00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:36.480] And I remember thinking, she felt seemed so unfulfilled.
[00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:39.440] In 20 years, is this what I want for myself?
[00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:49.360] Do I want to have put all this work in and then have left this thinking I could have done something else while I was in my 20s or my early 30s?
[00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:54.160] And so when I was 32, I was like, there has to be something more.
[00:08:54.160 --> 00:08:56.640] And I ended up leaving my corporate gig.
[00:08:56.640 --> 00:09:00.600] I remember going into the office, telling my CMO, this is it.
[00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:01.880] I'm putting my notice in.
[00:09:01.880 --> 00:09:03.080] I'm out of here.
[00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:05.640] And she was asked, she asked me this interesting question.
[00:09:05.880 --> 00:09:07.720] She was like, so what are you going to go do?
[00:09:08.040 --> 00:09:11.640] Almost as if I didn't have skills.
[00:09:11.640 --> 00:09:13.400] I wasn't smart enough.
[00:09:13.400 --> 00:09:19.000] I didn't know how to navigate outside of this box that they've given me.
[00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:20.760] That's a mind game.
[00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:22.680] It was time to go.
[00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:30.600] Yes, and I love that you said so.
[00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:32.680] Two things I want to unpack here.
[00:09:32.680 --> 00:09:34.840] I'll start with the ladder that you just said.
[00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:36.040] That is a mind game.
[00:09:36.040 --> 00:09:51.480] I know for myself and for others who have left their jobs, they have gone through a similar experience where people try to insert doubt to, and I think it comes out of, you know, the saying, it's anything people say to you, it's about them.
[00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:57.160] It is about them because they know they can't imagine a world where they'd ever leave a good job.
[00:09:57.160 --> 00:09:59.560] And so it's like, well, what else are you going to do?
[00:09:59.560 --> 00:10:03.240] Like, this is what we do out here, especially if you're of color.
[00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:07.720] Like, how can you walk away from a good job as a black woman, as a black man, right?
[00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:16.760] But then the second thing you said is: so you went to lunch with your mentor and you assessed how happy she was.
[00:10:16.760 --> 00:10:19.560] That's such a good tip, you guys.
[00:10:19.880 --> 00:10:32.840] If you're working at a company and you are looking at the people who are on the trajectory that you will be on, that have the roles that you're going to be promoted into, that you're trying to be promoted into, look at what that looks like for them.
[00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:34.360] Are they happy?
[00:10:34.680 --> 00:10:36.360] Could you be happy?
[00:10:36.360 --> 00:10:37.720] What are you chasing?
[00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:39.080] So, ask yourself that.
[00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:41.800] If you're happy with what you're chasing, then keep going.
[00:10:41.800 --> 00:10:44.160] But if you're not, make a pivot.
[00:10:44.160 --> 00:10:48.560] Start to think about what that pivot would be for you that would make you happy.
[00:10:48.560 --> 00:10:50.720] So, thank you for sharing that, Marty.
[00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:51.760] Yeah, absolutely.
[00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:52.240] Absolutely.
[00:10:52.400 --> 00:10:54.800] So, I'll remember the date for forever.
[00:10:54.800 --> 00:10:58.000] It was December 1st, 2017.
[00:10:58.320 --> 00:10:58.720] Wow.
[00:10:58.800 --> 00:11:04.800] It was my last day in corporate America, and I have not turned back and I have not went back.
[00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:05.760] Thank God.
[00:11:05.760 --> 00:11:06.160] And my life is.
[00:11:08.560 --> 00:11:13.760] So, there's just something so powerful about that, just starting the year fresh.
[00:11:14.400 --> 00:11:16.240] Yes, starting the year fresh.
[00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:20.800] Now, there are a couple of times I've wanted to go back, and I'm not going to lie to y'all.
[00:11:20.800 --> 00:11:21.200] Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:11:21.280 --> 00:11:22.720] I keep on going back every time.
[00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:28.480] The patient, the insurance, the benefits, now that we have kids, especially.
[00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:32.320] So, how have you been able to not go back, right?
[00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:34.320] Like, so what was your next step after quitting?
[00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:37.600] When did you start working on one of your brands?
[00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:38.240] Yeah.
[00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:48.720] So, when I left there in December of 2017, I ended up going to this conference in LA that spring.
[00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:51.760] The conference in LA was the Girl Boss Rally.
[00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:58.560] At the time, that was like one of the biggest, I would say, entrepreneurial events happening.
[00:11:58.560 --> 00:12:01.440] I remember going to a breakout room.
[00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:03.360] So, I left my job.
[00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:07.520] Me and my other friend, my other friend, she actually opened up a gym here.
[00:12:07.520 --> 00:12:08.880] She went to Harvard B.
[00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:13.280] Like, she also quit a really good job at a consulting firm.
[00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:14.080] So, we were out there.
[00:12:14.400 --> 00:12:15.920] Y'all had a little quit club.
[00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:17.200] Yeah.
[00:12:17.520 --> 00:12:19.440] Like, we were just ready.
[00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:21.200] Like, we were just on fire.
[00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:25.120] So, we go to this conference really with high expectations.
[00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:34.600] But because I had been in the event and programming space before, I also knew clearly what I was looking to gain at this event.
[00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:40.440] I remember going into a breakout session around creating like taboo brands.
[00:12:40.440 --> 00:12:45.240] And the lady who was on the panel was the CEO of Sugar Fina.
[00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:50.360] This lady talked about how Sugar Fina creates these taboo gummy bears, et cetera, et cetera.
[00:12:50.680 --> 00:12:52.680] What do they mean by taboo?
[00:12:52.680 --> 00:13:01.000] Like they had just launched a green juice gummy, something like so like really like no one would have expected, right?
[00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:03.080] Very different and unique.
[00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:09.240] I remember listening to her, but right before I quit my corporate gig, remember I was in brand marketing.
[00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:12.840] So I'm always looking at data, consumer insights.
[00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:17.880] Like it was very much so like a consumer driven position that I was in.
[00:13:17.880 --> 00:13:22.360] I had just read this Neil Sendada report called Black Girl Magic is Real.
[00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:25.720] And it talked about the buying power and behavior of Black women.
[00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:31.880] And by 2022, Black women would be the highest spending consumer, but brands were not paying attention to her.
[00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:36.600] As I was listening to her say that, I'm like, she should create a gummy bear called Black Girl Magic.
[00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:39.400] After she gets off this panel, I'm going to go up to her.
[00:13:39.400 --> 00:13:43.640] There also was another girl on the panel, and she was this big influencer.
[00:13:43.640 --> 00:13:46.440] So after the event, everybody was checking for her.
[00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:48.440] Nobody was checking for Rosie.
[00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:56.440] I make my way up to Rosie and I basically said to her, You should create a gummy bear called Black Girl Magic.
[00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:58.440] Of course, this is before George Floyd.
[00:13:58.440 --> 00:14:00.760] Nobody is saying this out loud, right?
[00:14:00.760 --> 00:14:08.920] Like, and this really changed the trajectory of everything that I did moving forward.
[00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:12.200] Um, I tell her, Hey, my name is Marnie McDonald.
[00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:14.280] I'm the CEO of Boss Women Media.
[00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:18.960] Um, we create these programs and experiences for women to connect, et cetera, et cetera.
[00:14:19.280 --> 00:14:23.520] You, um, and then I asked her this question: I said, Have you ever heard of Black Girl Magic?
[00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:27.280] And of course, she's looking at me like I'm absolutely crazy.
[00:14:27.280 --> 00:14:30.160] And like, why I can't even say that out loud.
[00:14:30.160 --> 00:14:34.000] And I ended up telling her about the buying power and behavior of Black women.
[00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:42.080] I really educated her in a way that allowed her to see that there were gaps in the target audience that she was serving.
[00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:43.680] And I asked for her email.
[00:14:43.680 --> 00:14:49.680] She gave me this email address basically that was like contact at Sugar Fina, right?
[00:14:49.680 --> 00:14:52.400] Like it was the nowhere email address.
[00:14:53.040 --> 00:14:54.800] She didn't really want to talk to you.
[00:14:54.800 --> 00:14:55.360] Right.
[00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:59.840] And so I remember sending her a pitch deck that I go home.
[00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:01.920] I was so focused on this pitch deck.
[00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:09.440] My earlier and former training in corporate America prepared me for this moment that I didn't even know.
[00:15:10.160 --> 00:15:17.280] And six weeks later, I was on a phone call with her and I was pitching her a five-city tour called Black Girl Magic.
[00:15:17.280 --> 00:15:20.560] We created a gummy bear together called Black Girl Magic.
[00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:30.720] And I was able to pop up and utilize Sugar Finas to create a national footprint for myself instead of being a localized Dallas-based brand.
[00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:36.400] And that changed everything for how I positioned myself moving forward.
[00:15:36.400 --> 00:15:38.480] That is amazing.
[00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:50.320] I want to take a step back because you mentioned that you introduced yourself as CEO of Boss Women Media.
[00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:56.160] When did you actually start Boss Women Media and what were you doing with it at that time?
[00:15:56.160 --> 00:15:56.560] Yep.
[00:15:56.560 --> 00:16:03.640] I started Boss Women Media in 2016 as really an outlet to gather people that I knew who wanted more.
[00:16:03.640 --> 00:16:05.880] Like I would always say, Do you want more?
[00:16:05.880 --> 00:16:08.440] Like I just knew that there was something else.
[00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:12.520] Like this corporate rat race is not just it, right?
[00:16:12.520 --> 00:16:14.360] Like I know that these other people.
[00:16:14.520 --> 00:16:16.200] That's such a good question.
[00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:16.600] Yes.
[00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:18.040] Do you want more?
[00:16:18.040 --> 00:16:20.920] That's all I ever want to ask people myself.
[00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:23.880] And you just summed it all up with that question.
[00:16:23.880 --> 00:16:25.480] Don't settle for less.
[00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.520] Like, what do you really want?
[00:16:26.520 --> 00:16:27.720] Do you want more?
[00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:29.400] Let's help you start it.
[00:16:29.400 --> 00:16:29.960] Yes.
[00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:35.800] And so I drew myself to people who wanted more because people who want more, you can dream with.
[00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:39.640] They're not afraid to hear your dreams and you're not afraid to hear theirs.
[00:16:39.640 --> 00:16:41.480] And so really, it was very small.
[00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:45.560] I mean, it was like when I first started, we had 25 people.
[00:16:45.560 --> 00:16:53.400] To think about how I went from 25 people to streaming on Amazon with 500,000, it just blows my mind.
[00:16:53.400 --> 00:17:00.520] But that just goes to show that there is so much power in wanting more and going after more.
[00:17:00.520 --> 00:17:04.760] And don't let your box be defined by what you only see today.
[00:17:04.760 --> 00:17:06.920] And so that's how I started.
[00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:11.240] I mean, it's just you're dropping all the games and you say, you say it so casually.
[00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:13.080] I always have to put a pin.
[00:17:13.080 --> 00:17:15.480] Like, don't let, what did you just say?
[00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:20.200] Don't let your small beginnings like put you in a box.
[00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:30.680] Like, and don't just because you just see those 12 people, right, that you just start with today, don't think that it's not going to expand and be something greater than you could even imagine.
[00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:39.440] Something that drives me is when I look back, and this might happen to you too, but when I look back at what I've accomplished since quitting my job, right?
[00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:41.880] Everything I've accomplished, I didn't imagine.
[00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:43.640] Like, I couldn't have imagined.
[00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:48.800] So, what inspires me is the fact that what's coming is something beyond my imagination.
[00:17:48.800 --> 00:17:50.240] And that goes for you guys too.
[00:17:44.840 --> 00:17:51.680] It's beyond your imagination.
[00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:54.000] So, just get excited.
[00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.440] Yes, I love that.
[00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.480] I love that.
[00:17:56.480 --> 00:18:00.000] Now, were you trying to monetize it while you were side hustling?
[00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:02.800] You know, were you charging attendees for events?
[00:18:02.800 --> 00:18:04.720] Like, how were you starting to make money?
[00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:12.560] Yeah, so I was charging attendees to come to the events, but to be completely transparent with you, I did not know how to monetize it.
[00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:14.560] I did not know how to monetize it.
[00:18:14.560 --> 00:18:18.960] And events do not garner money, right?
[00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:25.680] Like, yes, for somebody who like just wants to throw events, that doesn't necessarily always garner money.
[00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:29.200] There's a strategy behind it that you have to put forth.
[00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:31.920] And I had to learn the really, really hard way.
[00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.440] What's the strategy?
[00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.880] Because I still haven't learned.
[00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:37.680] When I tell you, don't ask me to do an event.
[00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:39.440] I don't want to do an event.
[00:18:39.760 --> 00:18:46.000] You have to get people who want to be a part of your audience to pay for the programming.
[00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.600] And we have to switch our language.
[00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:48.480] It's not an event.
[00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.600] This is programming.
[00:18:49.600 --> 00:18:59.280] This is programming that impacts X amount of people that meets the measures and the goals that someone else has who has bigger dollars to give to you, right?
[00:18:59.600 --> 00:19:00.240] Right.
[00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:03.120] And how do you not end up overspending?
[00:19:03.120 --> 00:19:11.360] Because we are trying to make it Instagrammable, overspending, and having to charge your audience exorbitant fees.
[00:19:11.360 --> 00:19:12.240] Oh my God.
[00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:19.520] Like you have to put your budget together beforehand and stick to what your budget is, right?
[00:19:19.520 --> 00:19:25.360] I think that so often the audience of women can sometimes be hard to please.
[00:19:25.360 --> 00:19:25.760] Right.
[00:19:26.080 --> 00:19:36.440] And so you have to be strategic in what you're communicating that you're going to deliver for what they're going to receive at this price point, right?
[00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:43.320] But then the receiver of that has to understand what they're getting and how they're going to be impacted by it.
[00:19:43.320 --> 00:19:47.640] So I think it's a two-way street of how you put the strategy together.
[00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:57.480] A communication plan is the best and the most concise way if you're asking an audience to pay for something of what they're going to receive from it.
[00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:11.640] Now, when you made the leap, were you profitable or were you at least earning revenue consistently from your side hustle?
[00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:16.440] No, I was not earning any revenue at all.
[00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:18.120] I had your plan then.
[00:20:18.760 --> 00:20:21.160] And I had a lot of big dreams.
[00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:28.840] But when I left my corporate job, right when I left, I was planning our first large summit.
[00:20:28.840 --> 00:20:31.560] And I just knew like this was going to be the thing.
[00:20:31.560 --> 00:20:33.080] It was going to put us on the map.
[00:20:33.080 --> 00:20:33.400] Right.
[00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:39.480] And at that summit, my largest check that I got was a $500 sponsorship.
[00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:43.080] But it was more so the mindset of the dollars, right?
[00:20:43.080 --> 00:20:46.840] So I think I might have, I netted positive from that event.
[00:20:46.840 --> 00:20:58.120] I didn't come out in the red, but it was more so the mindset of believing if someone gave me $500, somebody could give me $5,000.
[00:20:58.120 --> 00:21:05.240] If someone gives me $5,000, I could get $50,000, or I could get $500,000.
[00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:09.480] But it all started first with me believing I could get that first check.
[00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:13.880] Once I got that first check, that was it for me.
[00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:16.320] It was like, let's take off.
[00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:22.000] Let me build this ship and fly it and show the power in which I'm building.
[00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:23.920] The checks will come.
[00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:28.080] And what exactly is it that you set out to build?
[00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:32.160] Because what it sounds like is you did a proof of concept.
[00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:35.040] Not only 500, but you know, netted positive.
[00:21:35.040 --> 00:21:39.680] But then that proof of concept showed, like, I have created this.
[00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.520] What was the this?
[00:21:41.840 --> 00:21:42.720] Yes.
[00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:48.800] So at the time, my goal was to create an offline online women's empowerment community, right?
[00:21:48.800 --> 00:21:54.320] And then create this media component in it where I could storytell these women's stories.
[00:21:54.320 --> 00:21:57.040] Like, that's something that I'm so passionate about.
[00:21:57.040 --> 00:22:00.480] I love hearing the stories of women who have overcome.
[00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:09.280] I love hearing the stories of women who have, they had the obstacle in front of them, but then they were able to push through.
[00:22:09.280 --> 00:22:12.480] Those are the stories that our community needs more of.
[00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:20.000] And so I wanted to bring those stories to the forefront so that any woman could know anything was possible for her.
[00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:24.960] But I didn't necessarily know how to monetize that, but I knew that's what I wanted to create.
[00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:35.520] Once I started learning more about sponsorships and partnerships and how to navigate that space, that's how I knew I was going to monetize what I was creating.
[00:22:35.520 --> 00:22:47.360] I love that you shared this because those of us who are creators, let's say you're creating content about it, could be fashion, it could be business topics, entrepreneurship.
[00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:52.080] It's so easy nowadays to create content and for that content to do really well.
[00:22:52.080 --> 00:22:55.360] We don't talk enough about the monetization piece.
[00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:59.040] I'm passionate about it, especially as it relates to podcasting.
[00:22:59.040 --> 00:23:02.680] And I am trying my best to share and teach and all of this.
[00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:16.680] But I love that we're having these conversations because it's so important when you go into any space, when you create, that you know what possibilities exist to monetize and that you know that monetization isn't a bad word.
[00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:20.680] Are you ever approached by people who expect you to do this all for free?
[00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:23.080] Because it's women's empowerment, right?
[00:23:23.080 --> 00:23:30.280] Yeah, I think that that's so good because I think that for a while, I thought I was supposed to do it for all for free, right?
[00:23:30.280 --> 00:23:35.400] Like, I would always say, I don't want to capitalize off of my community, right?
[00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:37.960] Like, I just don't want to capitalize.
[00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:44.040] And I had to shift my brain around this isn't about capitalization, right?
[00:23:44.040 --> 00:23:51.480] I'm going to bring along the right people that can serve as a resource to help alleviate, right?
[00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:54.760] But I'm delivering out some dynamic programming, right?
[00:23:54.760 --> 00:23:55.000] Oh, yeah.
[00:23:55.160 --> 00:24:05.000] I'm giving you the voices of Yara Shahidi and Megan Goode and all of the women, the Valerie Jarretts, the women that we've had in programming, right?
[00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:10.440] You get to see and be a part and listen and take in this information, right?
[00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:13.080] There is a value to that.
[00:24:13.080 --> 00:24:19.640] And so I had to shift my brain and say, this isn't about I'm capitalizing off of my community.
[00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:24.120] Instead, I'm delivering a resource for my community that's needed in the marketplace.
[00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:24.840] Oh, yes.
[00:24:24.840 --> 00:24:34.840] And how are you able to get this caliber of guests, pay for them, pay for the event itself, and still make money?
[00:24:34.840 --> 00:24:35.560] Yeah.
[00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:37.560] Oh, listen.
[00:24:37.560 --> 00:24:40.120] Let's listen.
[00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.280] I need to know.
[00:24:40.280 --> 00:24:42.600] That's the beginning of all of it.
[00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:48.160] You know, I remember when we first reached out, our first big speaker was Angela Ra.
[00:24:48.320 --> 00:24:49.680] It was in 2018.
[00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.880] We had Angela Ra.
[00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:53.280] We had an event at the W Hotel.
[00:24:53.280 --> 00:24:55.600] And our sponsor was Verizon, right?
[00:24:55.600 --> 00:25:04.960] They were able to help leverage a lot of the programming that we put in place, a lot of the negotiating that we put in place, right?
[00:25:05.280 --> 00:25:10.640] But I won't sit here and act like it was done right the first time because it was not.
[00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:12.640] There were a lot of lessons learned.
[00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:16.160] There was a lot of falling on my face, right?
[00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:18.000] Felling out loud.
[00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:26.800] But there's an opportunity for any brand to get in front of the right audience at the right time if you're delivering what it is that they want.
[00:25:26.800 --> 00:25:33.600] There are some people who are speakers who will do it for free based off of the audience that you're giving them.
[00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:37.840] How do you negotiate the value of what you're bringing to the table?
[00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:40.400] Is it, can you share with them an email list?
[00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:43.200] Can you share their brand in front of your audience, right?
[00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:50.720] Like there's different ways to think about it versus I got to get money to get this speaker to pay for this venue, right?
[00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:58.320] There might be venues that want to do it for free because, or do it at a discounted price because they're looking for value and exposure.
[00:25:58.320 --> 00:26:06.240] And so I never look at it and go at it of money for this, right?
[00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:17.680] Instead, what are the relationships and how do I make this an approachable two-way negotiating street that works out for every party that's involved?
[00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.240] Yes.
[00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:29.200] And I can tell you are very gifted at this just based on, again, the caliber of guests that you have, the experience you have created, and the community you're building.
[00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:29.680] Thank you.
[00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.000] Thank you.
[00:26:30.280 --> 00:26:31.080] Yeah.
[00:26:31.080 --> 00:26:40.520] Now I will say this: the piece of just empowerment is not enough, right?
[00:26:40.520 --> 00:26:44.040] Like there has to be more to it, right?
[00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:45.320] Say that again.
[00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:45.640] Yes.
[00:26:46.040 --> 00:26:48.920] Of empowerment organizations, right?
[00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:53.880] Don't allow what you bring to the table to stop there.
[00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:56.600] Women need more than just to be empowered.
[00:26:56.600 --> 00:27:00.280] They need tools, they need resources, they need funds, right?
[00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:14.600] And so when I'm talking to organizations that have some of these same goals in mind, that's what I'm ensuring that's being brought to the table that I don't necessarily have the resource or manpower of, but some of my partners do.
[00:27:14.600 --> 00:27:21.000] And together, we can create a force to change the way black women are being served.
[00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.560] Yes.
[00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:23.400] Do you have like an example of that?
[00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:26.440] How do you actually execute that?
[00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:26.760] Yeah.
[00:27:26.760 --> 00:27:31.960] So like we've had a partnership with Capital One for the, this is going on our fifth year, right?
[00:27:32.280 --> 00:27:37.400] And with Capital One, we cross-collaborate with different departments, right?
[00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:47.320] So we work with a department within Capital One that helps with the programming side, but we also work with their small business team that helps with grants and funding, right?
[00:27:47.320 --> 00:27:55.480] So that when we deliver the programming for the year, we know that we're going to give out $100,000 in pitch dollars every single year, right?
[00:27:55.480 --> 00:28:03.240] So they're going to get the programming behind it, but they're also going to get the dollars and the funds that they need to really elevate their businesses.
[00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:09.960] When we are able to give that woman a check for $50,000, that can change a lot in someone's life.
[00:28:10.360 --> 00:28:15.600] And so that's really what I think about when I'm going to partners.
[00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:18.880] How can we work cross-functionally together?
[00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:27.120] Because a lot of these corporations do have the funds to and the wherewithal, but they don't have the people, right?
[00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:29.120] To make it all come together.
[00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:35.840] And if I could be the brain for the people to make the story all come together, that's where we sit.
[00:28:36.080 --> 00:28:38.160] That's a really sweet spot.
[00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:46.400] If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify.
[00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:52.080] You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout, the one that makes buying so incredibly easy?
[00:28:52.080 --> 00:28:53.360] That's Shopify.
[00:28:53.360 --> 00:29:00.480] And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business.
[00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:08.960] Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10% of all e-commerce in the U.S., from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started.
[00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:17.520] Shopify gives you that leg up from day one with hundreds of beautiful ready-to-go templates to express your brand style and forget about the coat.
[00:29:17.520 --> 00:29:23.040] Tackle all those important tasks in one place from inventory to payments to analytics and more.
[00:29:23.040 --> 00:29:28.160] And spread your brand name with built-in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers.
[00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:33.920] And did I mention that iconic purple shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world?
[00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:37.840] It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet.
[00:29:37.840 --> 00:29:39.920] Your customers already love it.
[00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:44.400] If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify.
[00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:51.040] Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/slash hustlepro.
[00:29:51.040 --> 00:29:53.600] Go to shopify.com/slash hustlepro.
[00:29:53.600 --> 00:30:04.520] Shopify.com/slash hustle pro sweet dash is the ultimate all-in-one business software platform designed to simplify your operations and supercharge your growth.
[00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:20.520] Say goodbye to Tech Tool Overload and hello to a single unified system that handles CRM, proposals, scheduling, contracts, invoicing, subscriptions, project management, client portals, file sharing, marketing, and more, all in one place.
[00:30:20.520 --> 00:30:28.360] With Sweet Dash, you'll enjoy one consolidated platform to streamline your business, saving you time, money, and sanity.
[00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:34.760] No code automations that put your business on autopilot by eliminating mountains of manual tasks.
[00:30:34.760 --> 00:30:38.040] And the real kicker, unlimited users and clients.
[00:30:38.040 --> 00:30:44.120] Invite your team, clients, and contractors without ever worrying about added fees.
[00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:48.360] But Sweet Dash isn't just about software, it's about community.
[00:30:48.360 --> 00:30:52.520] Their roadmap is powered by user feedback and live support sessions.
[00:30:52.520 --> 00:30:55.880] In short, you're never alone on your journey to success.
[00:30:55.880 --> 00:31:10.120] Sweet Dash has earned the business of tens of thousands of companies and collected over a thousand five-star reviews on Captera and G2, proving itself as the trusted platform to help your business grow and succeed.
[00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:14.600] You can try it free at sweet-com slash sidehustle.
[00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:21.560] That's S-U-I-T-E-D-A-S-H.com backslash sidehustle, all one word.
[00:31:21.560 --> 00:31:28.120] Sweet Dash, one login, one platform, one monthly payment, unlimited potential.
[00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:34.120] This is all so inspiring, Marty.
[00:31:34.120 --> 00:31:37.320] And I'm curious, what did it look like in the very, very beginning?
[00:31:37.320 --> 00:31:41.080] Once you left your corporate job, what were the first steps?
[00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:43.080] How big was your team?
[00:31:43.080 --> 00:31:45.440] And what did it look like day in and day out?
[00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:51.040] Are you working out of your living room with an assistant only as you build up this major platform?
[00:31:51.360 --> 00:32:01.760] Yeah, so when I did that pitch to Sugar Venus C, we ended up going on that five-city tour in 2019.
[00:32:02.080 --> 00:32:12.480] And let me tell you who popped up with me: it was me, my social media manager/slash friend at the time, and my balloon guy.
[00:32:12.800 --> 00:32:14.160] I had the balloon guy.
[00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:18.160] I thought the balloon guy was one of the first hires.
[00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:23.360] Listen, the balloon guy could create all the magic in the Instagram, right?
[00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:25.680] The look, the feel, right?
[00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:32.880] That social media girl knew how to capture and tell the story in a way that the audience online would be drawn in.
[00:32:32.880 --> 00:32:45.840] And then in each city, what I ended up doing was I ended up hiring someone that could get us PR in each of those cities because I didn't have the dollars to hire PR, this big PR firm, right?
[00:32:45.840 --> 00:32:52.000] So I would find like local people who were doing PR in LA or in Houston, right?
[00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:54.480] And I would ask them, Hey, could you get us on a morning show?
[00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:56.560] Could you get us featured in something?
[00:32:56.560 --> 00:32:59.520] And you know any influencers who can come, right?
[00:32:59.520 --> 00:33:01.520] And so I was really nimble.
[00:33:01.520 --> 00:33:04.160] There was no team when we first started, right?
[00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:06.800] Like it was me, me, me, and me, right?
[00:33:06.800 --> 00:33:09.520] And then asking for help.
[00:33:09.520 --> 00:33:15.120] Don't be afraid to ask your network for what you need from them.
[00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:23.360] And that's really, man, the people who helped me in them early days, man, I owe them so much.
[00:33:23.360 --> 00:33:31.320] I mean, they leaned in, they bought into the vision, they understood what I was trying to build and create, and they went with it.
[00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:34.280] And everybody wants to be a part of something.
[00:33:34.280 --> 00:33:39.720] So don't be afraid to ask because everyone wants to be a part of something great.
[00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:42.920] And so that's how we got started at the beginning.
[00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:43.960] That's awesome.
[00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:44.680] And I love that.
[00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:46.840] Everybody does want to be a part of something great.
[00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:49.080] And when you believe in yourself, it just shows.
[00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:51.640] It just shows like, no, this is serious.
[00:33:51.640 --> 00:33:53.320] And you mentioned being nimble.
[00:33:53.320 --> 00:34:01.640] As someone who quit without having a consistent revenue stream, how were you staying afloat as you built up your business?
[00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:07.320] And how were you growing it without having that recurring income?
[00:34:07.320 --> 00:34:08.040] Yep.
[00:34:08.040 --> 00:34:17.320] So remember, I had shared earlier, I was in an environment that I really didn't have the ability to flex my muscle to get confident, right?
[00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:26.440] When I left my corporate gig, I ended up going to work as a contractor at my job at my church.
[00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:32.280] And I was helping our first lady build out some stuff for the women's ministry.
[00:34:32.280 --> 00:34:41.400] When I got into that space and that role, and I was able to help her, I used every single dime that I was getting as a contractor from doing that.
[00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:44.280] And I poured it all back into Boston Media.
[00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:48.680] That's every piece of how we built every single thing that we had.
[00:34:48.680 --> 00:34:51.880] So I was side hustling and hustling full time.
[00:34:52.200 --> 00:34:54.760] I was like drawing deep.
[00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.320] Yes.
[00:34:55.320 --> 00:35:01.080] But when I was also in that environment, every idea I had to them was fantastic.
[00:35:01.080 --> 00:35:02.280] It was great.
[00:35:02.280 --> 00:35:06.760] And so my muscle of confidence started to get even stronger.
[00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:09.400] I was flexing that muscle more and more.
[00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:16.560] So as I was going out to pitch for business opportunities, I became even more confident and more stronger.
[00:35:16.560 --> 00:35:24.160] And so I would encourage anyone who's in an environment that doesn't necessarily allow their light to shine right now.
[00:35:24.160 --> 00:35:27.040] Go find you a volunteer opportunity, right?
[00:35:27.040 --> 00:35:35.440] Go find you something else on the side that will allow you to flex your muscle of the strengths that you have.
[00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:40.560] You will be surprised how that shifts everything and what you're delivering.
[00:35:40.560 --> 00:35:44.160] And so that was really big for me.
[00:35:44.160 --> 00:35:46.080] That struck a chord with me.
[00:35:46.080 --> 00:35:52.640] I am over here feeling emotional and I don't know why, but I think it's because I have been there.
[00:35:52.640 --> 00:35:55.040] I know y'all listening have been there.
[00:35:55.040 --> 00:36:05.600] Let me tell you, if you're in an environment, if you are in an environment where you do not feel confident, where you feel unlike yourself, get out.
[00:36:05.600 --> 00:36:07.200] Do what you have to do to get out.
[00:36:07.200 --> 00:36:08.160] Move somewhere else.
[00:36:08.160 --> 00:36:10.160] We're not telling you to go out here and be broke.
[00:36:10.160 --> 00:36:11.040] Move somewhere else.
[00:36:11.040 --> 00:36:15.040] Because as Marty has shown, it makes a world of difference.
[00:36:15.040 --> 00:36:21.920] I have been in that environment working for a brand name company, but feeling like I was looked at as dumb.
[00:36:21.920 --> 00:36:25.680] And then as brilliant as we are, I started to feel dumb.
[00:36:25.680 --> 00:36:27.280] I started to feel less than.
[00:36:27.280 --> 00:36:30.480] I was hearing feedback like you're not this enough, you're not that enough.
[00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:32.880] And I was internalizing all of that.
[00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:34.640] Get out, get out, get out.
[00:36:34.640 --> 00:36:39.760] It's one thing to get constructive feedback to work on your evaluations, right?
[00:36:39.760 --> 00:36:42.480] It's another thing to be slowly being beat down.
[00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:57.360] And you got to recognize the nuance there because when you're in an environment where you're not only appreciated, where you're actually celebrated, the difference, what will come out of you, your soul and your spirit, 10 times difference.
[00:36:57.360 --> 00:36:57.920] Okay.
[00:36:57.920 --> 00:37:02.520] So I'm going to leave it right there, but oh my gosh, that really, really resonated with me.
[00:37:02.520 --> 00:37:05.480] And it was because of a volunteer experience for me as well.
[00:37:05.480 --> 00:37:09.160] So volunteering might be the move.
[00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:11.800] That is the move.
[00:37:11.800 --> 00:37:25.240] And also, another tip there that you shared is if you feel like you need to leave, what contract work can you do so that you still do have income when your company that you're building is not yet able to pay you, right?
[00:37:25.240 --> 00:37:40.760] So there are different ways that you can hustle where you might go from a nine to five or nine to eight that sucks all your time, or you might move from that to something where you work three days a week and you make enough to cover your bills, but now you're able to also grow your side hustle even bigger.
[00:37:40.760 --> 00:37:42.440] Yep, absolutely.
[00:37:49.240 --> 00:37:54.920] So now I want to transition to learn a little bit more about some of the more personal things that you shared in your bio.
[00:37:54.920 --> 00:38:06.360] You know, and I appreciate you sharing this because that level of transparency, you know, not everyone's always comfortable with, but you talked about the impact that your daughter had on your career path.
[00:38:06.360 --> 00:38:09.400] So here you are growing boss women media.
[00:38:09.400 --> 00:38:16.840] Then you are also, you know, you're starting your family, you're trying to get pregnant, you're having different experiences with that.
[00:38:16.840 --> 00:38:19.800] Can you share a little bit more about that with the audience?
[00:38:19.800 --> 00:38:20.440] Yeah.
[00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:23.880] So me and my husband have been trying to get pregnant for some time.
[00:38:23.880 --> 00:38:26.040] We had two miscarriages.
[00:38:26.200 --> 00:38:29.560] And there was so, you know, God's timing is incredible, right?
[00:38:29.560 --> 00:38:31.720] Like there's nothing like God's timing.
[00:38:31.720 --> 00:38:36.360] And God is, you know, my faith is my North Star in everything that I do.
[00:38:36.360 --> 00:38:43.400] But we ended up getting pregnant in 2020, one of the most interesting times to get pregnant, right?
[00:38:43.400 --> 00:38:46.560] And so everything was shifting in the world, right?
[00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:51.280] We're in the pandemic and the world really went silent too, you know?
[00:38:51.280 --> 00:38:55.200] And so it allowed me to embrace being pregnant very differently.
[00:38:55.200 --> 00:39:09.680] But when I was 24 weeks pregnant, I ended up finding out that my daughter would be born with something called congenital diaphragmic hernia, which basically meant that her liver, her spleen, and her intestines would be in her chest, covering her lungs.
[00:39:09.680 --> 00:39:14.560] And that we would have to have a surgery to move everything into its respective places.
[00:39:14.560 --> 00:39:20.960] When I found that out, we ended up having to change our delivery plan.
[00:39:20.960 --> 00:39:31.520] And as someone who grew up in very humble beginnings, someone who I am the first college grad in my family, first generation, first generation to get an MBA, right?
[00:39:31.520 --> 00:39:33.920] We didn't, I didn't grow up with a ton, right?
[00:39:34.240 --> 00:39:41.520] To be able to have this hospital birth that was a private birth meant a lot to me, but that kind of got taken away from me.
[00:39:41.520 --> 00:39:52.960] And we ended up having to deliver at a county hospital because the county hospital was connected to the children's hospital and that would be safer for her versus being life lighted over.
[00:39:52.960 --> 00:39:54.800] It was so risky.
[00:39:54.800 --> 00:39:58.000] And so we ended up doing that, changing my birth plan.
[00:39:58.000 --> 00:40:02.880] That was really tough, but we, I, I made, I mean, I made the sacrifice because it was the right thing.
[00:40:02.880 --> 00:40:05.760] I wanted my baby to be born and to be healthy.
[00:40:05.760 --> 00:40:09.920] And so she ended up delivering three days after she delivered.
[00:40:10.240 --> 00:40:15.920] We ended up having a surgery to move everything into its respective places.
[00:40:15.920 --> 00:40:25.840] And we ended up staying in the NICU for 35 days for her to completely develop and heal her lungs because everything was covering it.
[00:40:25.840 --> 00:40:33.960] And that NICU experience was something that taught me as a new mom, I had to pull up for her.
[00:40:29.840 --> 00:40:36.840] No one in this hospital looked like me and my husband.
[00:40:37.160 --> 00:40:41.640] We were being asked questions that were, to be honest, insulting.
[00:40:41.640 --> 00:40:42.280] Are you married?
[00:40:42.280 --> 00:40:43.960] Are you on government assistants?
[00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:47.800] Like, you know, different things like that, because we were a black family.
[00:40:47.800 --> 00:40:49.720] We are a black family.
[00:40:49.720 --> 00:40:57.400] And from that experience, it taught me very quickly: I have to learn how to advocate for her life.
[00:40:57.400 --> 00:41:00.920] I have to teach her how to advocate for her life.
[00:41:01.240 --> 00:41:04.840] And I have to show her big possibility in this world.
[00:41:04.840 --> 00:41:13.160] I have to show her that anything is possible so that she's not in spaces and places where she feels like she's the only and she's the first, right?
[00:41:13.160 --> 00:41:13.800] Yes.
[00:41:13.800 --> 00:41:19.400] It was a big life lesson that I learned very quickly as a new mom.
[00:41:20.040 --> 00:41:32.520] You know, thinking about that experience and really processing that and just thinking about just how you must have been feeling in those moments, you know, having to go to the NICU every day and deal with that.
[00:41:32.520 --> 00:41:39.320] But also, you're right, as a parent, we no longer get to be like, I'm having a bad day, so I can't get out of bed today.
[00:41:39.320 --> 00:41:45.160] I just need to be in bed and get some food and just, you know, woe is me today.
[00:41:45.160 --> 00:41:50.920] No, no, we got to get up, stand up, and support these little humans.
[00:41:51.240 --> 00:41:55.560] And not only did you do that, but then it birthed a whole different kind of baby, right?
[00:41:55.560 --> 00:41:56.360] So it did.
[00:41:56.360 --> 00:41:56.920] It did.
[00:41:56.920 --> 00:42:00.360] When did the seeds of Ell Olivia start to come together?
[00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:01.000] Yeah.
[00:42:01.000 --> 00:42:03.320] So, okay, I'm building boss.
[00:42:03.640 --> 00:42:08.440] I am not, do not have the space, the bandwidth to create anything else.
[00:42:08.440 --> 00:42:18.000] Like, this was not something that was in the plan, but that's how I know that this is what I'm supposed to be doing because it was not on the vision board.
[00:42:14.760 --> 00:42:20.480] It was not in the plan, none of the things.
[00:42:20.800 --> 00:42:26.560] But I remember about eight months after we left the NICU, we ended up going on a vacation.
[00:42:26.560 --> 00:42:30.000] I was able to sleep a little bit, rest a little bit.
[00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:36.160] And when I came back home, for some reason, I was going into Target to look for something.
[00:42:36.160 --> 00:42:40.960] Because listen, all the mamas going to Target, and you go into Target, you can go in the toddler section.
[00:42:40.960 --> 00:42:42.960] You're going to look to see what you can find.
[00:42:44.880 --> 00:42:55.360] And when I went over to the toddler section, I was looking for something that showcased it diversity, and I did not see it at all in Target.
[00:42:55.360 --> 00:43:02.960] And I remember going, like leaving out of Target, having this really out-of-body experience come over me.
[00:43:02.960 --> 00:43:07.920] And what I thought was, I'm supposed to create it.
[00:43:07.920 --> 00:43:16.800] Like, I'm supposed to create something that showcases this black little girl and showcases all the possibilities and these affirmations.
[00:43:17.120 --> 00:43:23.760] And I remember going into my car, I actually recorded myself when I left out of Target saying, I'm supposed to go create this thing.
[00:43:23.760 --> 00:43:25.120] I have no idea what this is.
[00:43:25.120 --> 00:43:27.200] I have no idea what to do.
[00:43:27.840 --> 00:43:29.920] And it was like really like that.
[00:43:29.920 --> 00:43:33.440] It was so serendipitous in so many ways.
[00:43:33.440 --> 00:43:38.800] And I got on the phone, I called my creative director who'd been working with me with boss for forever.
[00:43:38.800 --> 00:43:41.120] I give her, you know, I tell her what happened.
[00:43:41.120 --> 00:43:43.200] I tell her this idea that I have.
[00:43:43.200 --> 00:43:47.280] And I go, show me a design of a character.
[00:43:47.280 --> 00:43:48.480] Show me this girl.
[00:43:48.480 --> 00:43:49.840] I don't know what she looks like.
[00:43:49.840 --> 00:43:50.720] She's brown.
[00:43:51.120 --> 00:43:52.960] I can see her, but I can't see her.
[00:43:52.960 --> 00:43:53.600] She's bright.
[00:43:53.600 --> 00:43:54.400] She's colorful.
[00:43:54.400 --> 00:43:55.200] She's playful.
[00:43:55.200 --> 00:43:56.640] Like she's artistic.
[00:43:56.640 --> 00:43:58.480] She's uplifting.
[00:43:58.480 --> 00:44:01.160] And she brings back this illustration.
[00:44:01.240 --> 00:44:03.400] I'm like, This is it.
[00:43:59.760 --> 00:44:04.760] This is El Olivia.
[00:44:05.320 --> 00:44:09.720] I am about to go create a lifestyle brand for black and brown little girls.
[00:44:10.840 --> 00:44:12.840] And things happen really quickly.
[00:44:12.840 --> 00:44:16.440] So, this is September 2021.
[00:44:16.760 --> 00:44:22.120] February 2022, we launched this brand called El Olivia.
[00:44:22.440 --> 00:44:28.360] We launched the brand, and it was just sweatshirts when we launched.
[00:44:28.360 --> 00:44:30.840] We didn't have much, and we had a book.
[00:44:30.840 --> 00:44:42.360] In May of 2022, I said, I want to come out with a mommy and me collection, and we want to do a play and lay set, something that little girls can play in and they can lay in.
[00:44:42.360 --> 00:44:50.280] Um, that's easy and that's accessible, that maybe is sustainable, that is breathable, that's soft on their skin.
[00:44:50.280 --> 00:44:54.200] And I remember doing this campaign, it was called Play and Slay.
[00:44:54.200 --> 00:44:58.040] It was May 2022, it was coming out Memorial Day weekend.
[00:44:58.040 --> 00:45:03.320] We hired some influencers to roll this out with us.
[00:45:03.640 --> 00:45:06.920] I took it and I sent it to Target.
[00:45:06.920 --> 00:45:10.920] I said, Hey, there's this collection that I'm working on that I'm creating.
[00:45:10.920 --> 00:45:12.280] It's called El Olivia.
[00:45:12.280 --> 00:45:19.960] I showcased all of the things that I did for our first campaign rollout and I shared with them that there was a white space in their store.
[00:45:20.680 --> 00:45:25.880] We ended up getting an offer to come into Target that fall.
[00:45:25.880 --> 00:45:30.280] So, this is May 2022, October 2022.
[00:45:30.280 --> 00:45:35.080] We ended up getting like a line review from buyers.
[00:45:35.080 --> 00:45:53.200] Two months later, we got our first reward to go into 400 Targets with a fall collection and then a holiday collection for Ell Olivia and really all of us, which was crazy.
[00:45:58.000 --> 00:45:59.040] How are you funding that?
[00:45:59.040 --> 00:46:05.360] Was Boss Women Media reinvesting into this new business before you were earning anything from it?
[00:46:05.360 --> 00:46:07.120] Before or still not.
[00:46:07.120 --> 00:46:07.680] No.
[00:46:08.640 --> 00:46:14.320] No, Boss Women Media was definitely the funder of the dream, El Olivia.
[00:46:14.320 --> 00:46:21.200] So our first order, I invested about $20,000 into our first order and our first campaign.
[00:46:21.200 --> 00:46:26.000] And that's how we were able to get out the door and into the marketplace.
[00:46:26.000 --> 00:46:38.320] And then as we entered into Target, that was a whole nother beast of a whole different type of funds and a whole different type of prayer that went up for us to be able to get that order out of the door.
[00:46:38.320 --> 00:46:51.520] But it has literally been one business was sustainable to fund the next business to get us to where we are trying to go and becoming this lifestyle brand for black and brown little girls.
[00:46:51.520 --> 00:46:52.560] Love it.
[00:46:52.560 --> 00:46:56.880] And so this, your first run in Target was really 2023, right?
[00:46:56.880 --> 00:46:58.800] Yes, September 2023.
[00:46:58.800 --> 00:46:59.520] September.
[00:46:59.520 --> 00:47:02.080] So moving, we're still within that first year.
[00:47:02.080 --> 00:47:03.680] How's it been going?
[00:47:03.680 --> 00:47:06.640] You know, it's here's the thing.
[00:47:06.640 --> 00:47:09.040] I thought I got into Target.
[00:47:09.040 --> 00:47:11.840] You couldn't tell me nothing.
[00:47:11.840 --> 00:47:12.400] Okay.
[00:47:12.400 --> 00:47:13.520] Like, what?
[00:47:13.520 --> 00:47:15.120] We're not even a year old.
[00:47:15.120 --> 00:47:16.800] I got into Target.
[00:47:16.800 --> 00:47:18.560] I am so excited.
[00:47:18.560 --> 00:47:20.400] I'm so filled with joy.
[00:47:20.400 --> 00:47:24.240] And then I started realizing Target became a label for me, right?
[00:47:24.240 --> 00:47:27.840] Like, I'm telling everybody, we're in Target, but we're in Target.
[00:47:27.840 --> 00:47:29.960] But, girl, you're in Target.
[00:47:29.120 --> 00:47:30.920] You got to stay in Target.
[00:47:32.440 --> 00:47:38.440] And that has been really an interesting ride of lessons for me, right?
[00:47:38.440 --> 00:47:41.640] Like, how am I driving their category forward?
[00:47:41.640 --> 00:47:44.280] How am I getting consumers in the door?
[00:47:44.280 --> 00:47:45.720] We're a brand new brand.
[00:47:45.720 --> 00:47:48.840] So we don't have a brand following, a community.
[00:47:48.840 --> 00:47:51.080] We're building this community.
[00:47:51.080 --> 00:48:04.360] And so learning how to communicate this product-based brand that we have, who it's being marketed to, how we're really focused on this mom who seeks to shop with intentionality, right?
[00:48:04.360 --> 00:48:10.200] Like how we're really serving her and her daughter has been, it's been hard.
[00:48:10.200 --> 00:48:11.400] It's been tough.
[00:48:11.400 --> 00:48:20.440] It's been challenging, but it's also been so rewarding to see little girls put on our clothes and say, Mama, it looks just like me.
[00:48:20.760 --> 00:48:22.600] Like she looks just like me.
[00:48:22.600 --> 00:48:24.360] And that's been so rewarding.
[00:48:24.600 --> 00:48:25.880] And we're just getting started.
[00:48:25.880 --> 00:48:29.800] And we've gotten a lot of lessons in the book in our first year.
[00:48:29.880 --> 00:48:31.400] We're really excited about it.
[00:48:31.400 --> 00:48:32.520] Retail is hard.
[00:48:32.520 --> 00:48:33.320] It's hard.
[00:48:33.880 --> 00:48:36.120] But it's been worth it.
[00:48:36.120 --> 00:48:37.080] I hear that refrain.
[00:48:37.080 --> 00:48:38.200] I'm glad it's been worth it.
[00:48:38.200 --> 00:48:45.960] As you said, that I realized a common thing with marketing that I always tell people about is: so the call to action, right?
[00:48:45.960 --> 00:48:56.840] What you're trying to get people to do, the call to action, like the last thing you say to people, like go here or do this, is so important because you want to make sure you're streamlining that as much as possible.
[00:48:56.840 --> 00:49:04.440] I hate in a post or an ad when they're like, go listen to this episode, and then they link out to the full catalog.
[00:49:04.440 --> 00:49:06.760] So now people got to go dig for it, right?
[00:49:06.760 --> 00:49:09.080] Instead of linking to the exact episode.
[00:49:09.080 --> 00:49:22.800] So with Ella Livia, I imagine it's hard because here you want people to drive units in store so Target can see your impact, but then that's harder to measure versus a click to a website.
[00:49:22.800 --> 00:49:26.240] So I imagine that part is kind of tricky too.
[00:49:26.240 --> 00:49:32.000] Yeah, I mean, our first order we got, I mean, 70,000 units, right?
[00:49:32.000 --> 00:49:35.360] So we had to push through 70,000 units.
[00:49:35.360 --> 00:49:44.160] That means we had to get at the minimum, if you're buying one set, 70,000 people into those doors, right?
[00:49:44.160 --> 00:49:49.600] And so we also are a very small business with very small marketing budget, right?
[00:49:49.600 --> 00:49:53.440] So like, how do we become strategic and nimble?
[00:49:53.440 --> 00:49:55.200] And we've done it before.
[00:49:55.200 --> 00:49:56.800] We know how to, right?
[00:49:56.800 --> 00:49:57.280] Yeah.
[00:49:57.680 --> 00:50:02.400] But like, how do we do it in a way that drives guest check, right?
[00:50:02.720 --> 00:50:12.080] We haven't done it from that perspective before, but we have done it from the perspective of, you know, building out community.
[00:50:12.080 --> 00:50:14.400] And that's really what we're focused on right now.
[00:50:14.400 --> 00:50:30.800] We're focused on building up community and resources for this black and brown mom who's serving her daughter and allowing our black and brown little girl to see herself in the clothes that she's wearing is our first pathway.
[00:50:30.800 --> 00:50:33.600] But there are several other pathways that we want to take.
[00:50:33.600 --> 00:50:36.960] I like to say, Nike's not an apparel brand.
[00:50:37.120 --> 00:50:40.000] They're a marketing company that sells apparel, right?
[00:50:40.640 --> 00:50:43.520] Ell Olivia is not an apparel company.
[00:50:43.520 --> 00:50:46.800] We are a lifestyle brand for black and brown little girls.
[00:50:46.800 --> 00:50:53.120] But our first way to kind of put the stamp on who we are was to launch with apparel.
[00:50:53.120 --> 00:50:58.320] But there's going to be so many different things that we do to really create our mark.
[00:50:58.320 --> 00:50:58.800] Yes.
[00:50:58.800 --> 00:51:04.120] And I imagine your experience in CPG has come in handy with all of this brand building, right?
[00:50:59.840 --> 00:51:05.320] Yes, 1000%.
[00:51:05.640 --> 00:51:08.360] Brand building, how to tell our story.
[00:51:08.680 --> 00:51:12.440] My story is the forefront of even why I started this, right?
[00:51:12.440 --> 00:51:15.560] If that experience didn't happen to me in the NICU, right?
[00:51:15.560 --> 00:51:28.120] If I didn't have that NICU experience, I probably wouldn't be sitting here talking to you about El Olivia because it wouldn't be something that it would have been, you know, something that impacted me that I would be telling a story from, right?
[00:51:28.120 --> 00:51:37.480] And so my story of how I understand how advocacy and representation is so important is why I am building this brand out.
[00:51:37.480 --> 00:51:38.840] Absolutely.
[00:51:38.840 --> 00:51:40.600] Tap into your story, you guys.
[00:51:40.600 --> 00:51:46.200] Really think about the experiences you've had that have shaped who you are today.
[00:51:46.200 --> 00:51:51.960] There's a reason for those experiences, and there is a story that you need to tell.
[00:51:51.960 --> 00:51:57.720] And if you are waiting for an aha moment, try starting to tell your story.
[00:51:57.720 --> 00:52:02.920] I promise you that the clues will start coming after that, after you start to share.
[00:52:02.920 --> 00:52:03.560] Yeah.
[00:52:09.320 --> 00:52:14.840] Before we jump into the lightning round, Marty, I need to know one, how are you doing all this?
[00:52:15.160 --> 00:52:16.680] How big is your team these days?
[00:52:17.000 --> 00:52:18.120] Who is on your team?
[00:52:18.440 --> 00:52:19.800] How are you doing this?
[00:52:19.800 --> 00:52:33.480] Yeah, so our team now, we have a social media director, copywriter, we have a creative director, we have a website, an email developer.
[00:52:33.480 --> 00:52:41.480] We also have a consultant, a marketing consultant, a PR consultant, and then an EA.
[00:52:41.960 --> 00:52:43.800] That is our fierce and mighty team.
[00:52:43.800 --> 00:52:44.640] It's about being a musician.
[00:52:44.880 --> 00:52:47.120] Wait, what happened to the balloon guy?
[00:52:44.600 --> 00:52:48.800] Oh, look, he's not here.
[00:52:49.920 --> 00:52:52.720] He is still ride or die for us.
[00:52:53.040 --> 00:52:55.440] Because you have the best balloons I have ever seen.
[00:52:55.440 --> 00:52:55.920] Yes.
[00:52:56.480 --> 00:52:57.680] And we call him.
[00:52:57.680 --> 00:53:04.640] We are doing a photo shoot next week, and he is on deck and on the team to deliver what we need.
[00:53:04.640 --> 00:53:05.360] Right.
[00:53:05.360 --> 00:53:07.600] And are they working on both businesses?
[00:53:07.600 --> 00:53:08.880] Everyone you just mentioned?
[00:53:08.880 --> 00:53:09.200] Okay.
[00:53:09.200 --> 00:53:09.440] Yeah.
[00:53:09.440 --> 00:53:10.960] So they're crossed over.
[00:53:10.960 --> 00:53:13.600] They work on both businesses.
[00:53:13.600 --> 00:53:16.160] And then are these contractors or full-time?
[00:53:16.160 --> 00:53:18.640] Like you have salary positions under you?
[00:53:18.640 --> 00:53:20.800] Because I think the stress is different, right?
[00:53:21.120 --> 00:53:22.320] Listen, yes, it is.
[00:53:22.320 --> 00:53:26.000] Everybody is a 1099 employee on our team.
[00:53:26.000 --> 00:53:26.560] Okay.
[00:53:26.880 --> 00:53:31.120] Who is on your life team, your family team?
[00:53:31.120 --> 00:53:31.680] Listen.
[00:53:31.680 --> 00:53:33.840] To help you manage two businesses.
[00:53:33.840 --> 00:53:36.240] I can't do any of this without my husband.
[00:53:36.240 --> 00:53:40.640] Like he wants, like, man, my husband wants me to win.
[00:53:40.640 --> 00:53:45.840] And that's why I'm able to dedicate so much time to all of this, right?
[00:53:45.840 --> 00:53:47.040] Like, that's helpful.
[00:53:47.040 --> 00:53:55.680] But after, so not only did I get pregnant with L in 2020, but in 2023, I got pregnant with twins.
[00:53:56.320 --> 00:54:01.600] And so I have nine-month-old twins now.
[00:54:01.600 --> 00:54:07.360] When I was delivering our target order, I was about to deliver the twins two weeks later.
[00:54:07.360 --> 00:54:10.320] So it was a lot going on for sure.
[00:54:10.640 --> 00:54:12.240] Oh, you don't say.
[00:54:13.200 --> 00:54:17.920] So, in terms of like my life team, oh, it's totally different now.
[00:54:17.920 --> 00:54:22.240] Like, don't, I'm not even trying to act like I do this by myself because I don't.
[00:54:22.240 --> 00:54:24.080] My mother-in-law is a force.
[00:54:24.080 --> 00:54:25.280] She helps us so much.
[00:54:25.280 --> 00:54:29.400] I got a night nurse for the twins when they first came.
[00:54:29.400 --> 00:54:30.680] That helped so much.
[00:54:30.680 --> 00:54:34.440] We have a part-time nanny that comes and helps.
[00:54:35.000 --> 00:54:38.040] Like, none of this happens by yourself.
[00:54:38.040 --> 00:54:42.440] And people used to say it takes a village to raise a kid.
[00:54:42.440 --> 00:54:45.480] And as a mom now, I know exactly what that means.
[00:54:45.480 --> 00:54:50.920] It takes a ton of support to raise little human beings.
[00:54:50.920 --> 00:54:57.000] And then also, I'm really, really strategic on my schedule.
[00:54:57.000 --> 00:55:02.760] So, with everything going on, I actually don't say yes to a lot of stuff anymore, right?
[00:55:02.760 --> 00:55:05.240] Like, I don't have the time or the space to.
[00:55:05.240 --> 00:55:08.520] And so, on Wednesdays, Wednesdays are carved out.
[00:55:08.520 --> 00:55:11.080] I don't necessarily take meetings on Wednesdays.
[00:55:11.080 --> 00:55:14.120] I use that as a time to take the kids to the doctor.
[00:55:14.120 --> 00:55:16.360] I spend time with the twins on that day.
[00:55:16.360 --> 00:55:17.880] I use that as my day.
[00:55:17.880 --> 00:55:26.200] And then on Fridays, I use that as a half day to like mentally take a break and pause and allow myself to reset a little bit.
[00:55:26.200 --> 00:55:32.760] And so, I've figured out the schedule and the cadence that works for me, my family, and my mental health.
[00:55:32.760 --> 00:55:39.160] Because if my family is not good, it doesn't matter what I'm doing at work, right?
[00:55:39.160 --> 00:55:39.480] Yes.
[00:55:39.480 --> 00:55:41.000] It's none of that matters.
[00:55:41.000 --> 00:55:44.440] My family is my number one priority, hands down.
[00:55:44.440 --> 00:55:45.320] Same here.
[00:55:45.560 --> 00:55:46.840] And you too, right?
[00:55:46.840 --> 00:55:52.120] If your mental health is not good, none of this works because we are the core right there.
[00:55:52.440 --> 00:55:56.440] So we have to make sure that we are good.
[00:55:56.440 --> 00:55:59.400] And so I thank you for sharing about your team.
[00:55:59.400 --> 00:56:02.280] You know, having a child, obviously, it takes a village.
[00:56:02.280 --> 00:56:03.960] It also takes money.
[00:56:03.920 --> 00:56:10.600] Um, and and but we have to keep working to keep making all the money that this required.
[00:56:11.240 --> 00:56:12.440] Yes, we do.
[00:56:12.440 --> 00:56:13.640] Oh, my gosh.
[00:56:13.640 --> 00:56:16.000] I am laughing, but it's a serious thing, guys.
[00:56:16.320 --> 00:56:18.000] But I appreciate that.
[00:56:14.840 --> 00:56:19.840] I think you know, I knew you had two kids.
[00:56:20.000 --> 00:56:26.800] I don't know why I didn't know, I didn't remember about the twins, so that is just blowing my mind right now.
[00:56:26.800 --> 00:56:29.360] That blows mine every day, too.
[00:56:29.920 --> 00:56:32.960] You wake up, you're like, Oh, what y'all doing here?
[00:56:32.960 --> 00:56:40.160] Yes, I'm like, I'm like, Man, God, like you know, you really gave us what we lost, right?
[00:56:40.160 --> 00:56:45.520] Like, we had two miscarriages, and like you gave that back to me tenfold.
[00:56:45.520 --> 00:56:58.480] Like, and so, and I'm like, Nail God, you got to give us the funds take care of these children as well, and the funds to take a break.
[00:56:58.480 --> 00:57:04.320] You know, it's funny because I'm like, Man, I feel so rejuvenated when somebody else watches my kids for a bit.
[00:57:05.280 --> 00:57:11.840] I need more funds to do this, all the back, yes.
[00:57:11.840 --> 00:57:13.760] So, okay, I have kept you too long.
[00:57:13.760 --> 00:57:15.360] We have to jump into the lightning round.
[00:57:15.360 --> 00:57:36.240] I could talk forever because I really love the fact, you guys, that she has not only a digital platform that's helping so many events and empowerment, actual tactical pitch money, and resources for your business, and then also a physical product-based business inside of Target and beyond.
[00:57:36.240 --> 00:57:40.640] I don't often talk to guests who are doing both, so I could talk to you forever, Marty.
[00:57:40.640 --> 00:57:44.320] But I'm going to go ahead and pin it here and jump into the lightning round.
[00:57:44.320 --> 00:57:48.120] So, you'll find out where you can keep hearing from Marty in this route, all right.
[00:57:48.000 --> 00:57:49.440] So, so now let's jump in.
[00:57:49.440 --> 00:57:50.480] Are you ready?
[00:57:50.480 --> 00:57:51.760] Yes, I'm ready.
[00:57:51.760 --> 00:58:02.040] Number one: What is a resource, not Google, that has helped you in your business, businesses that you can share with the side hustle pro audience?
[00:57:59.680 --> 00:58:21.960] Yeah, I would say the number one resource that I've been able to utilize in my businesses, um, I would say it's two: someone who understands financials, so a CFO, someone who can project out and can know where you are today.
[00:58:22.280 --> 00:58:27.720] We have to know more about where our money is coming and going.
[00:58:27.720 --> 00:58:31.640] We can't, if we're a business owner, we have to know the numbers, right?
[00:58:31.640 --> 00:58:33.960] And we can't avoid the numbers.
[00:58:33.960 --> 00:58:52.920] And then, number two, having a startup lawyer to be able to utilize for trademarks and copyrights and like all of those things, those are two resources that are not sexy and they're not glamorous, but those are resources that every single business needs.
[00:58:52.920 --> 00:58:57.400] And those resources have helped me immensely in my business.
[00:58:57.400 --> 00:59:06.280] Number two, who is a non-celebrity black woman entrepreneur who you would trade places with for a day and why?
[00:59:08.120 --> 00:59:17.160] I, of recent, have been really drawn into the story of Emma Greed, who's the founder of Good American.
[00:59:17.560 --> 00:59:22.440] I absolutely love what she's created and how she's making a way.
[00:59:22.440 --> 00:59:25.000] I literally could connect with her.
[00:59:25.000 --> 00:59:26.920] Like, there's so much synergy.
[00:59:26.920 --> 00:59:28.520] I love what she's doing.
[00:59:28.520 --> 00:59:30.760] I see this in my future.
[00:59:30.760 --> 00:59:33.320] And so, yeah, I would any day sign me up.
[00:59:33.320 --> 00:59:36.360] Emma, if you're listening, yes, I see that.
[00:59:37.480 --> 00:59:40.600] I could totally see you, you know, shark tank and all of that.
[00:59:40.600 --> 00:59:41.480] So, yes.
[00:59:41.480 --> 00:59:46.160] Um, number three: what is a non-negotiable part of your day these days?
[00:59:46.800 --> 00:59:51.680] A non-negotiable part of my day is every single morning.
[00:59:51.680 --> 00:59:54.240] I have this app called Powerful Thoughts.
[00:59:54.240 --> 01:00:10.080] It's by Joyce Myers, and I read every single day, whatever that daily devotional is around how to really reset my mind while I'm drinking my coffee and drinking my eight ounces of water.
[01:00:10.080 --> 01:00:26.960] Like, if I don't get water anymore throughout that day, while I'm reading this, I am drinking,

Prompt 2: Key Takeaways

Now please extract the key takeaways from the transcript content I provided.

Extract the most important key takeaways from this part of the conversation. Use a single sentence statement (the key takeaway) rather than milquetoast descriptions like "the hosts discuss...". 

Limit the key takeaways to a maximum of 3. The key takeaways should be insightful and knowledge-additive. 

IMPORTANT: Return ONLY valid JSON, no explanations or markdown. Ensure:
- All strings are properly quoted and escaped
- No trailing commas
- All braces and brackets are balanced
Format: {"key_takeaways": ["takeaway 1", "takeaway 2"]}

Prompt 3: Segments

Now identify 2-4 distinct topical segments from this part of the conversation.

For each segment, identify:
- Descriptive title (3-6 words)  
- START timestamp when this topic begins (HH:MM:SS format)
- Double check that the timestamp is accurate - a timestamp will NEVER be greater than the total length of the audio
- Most important Key takeaway from that segment. Key takeaway must be specific and knowledge-additive.
- Brief summary of the discussion

IMPORTANT: The timestamp should mark when the topic/segment STARTS, not a range. Look for topic transitions and conversation shifts.

Return ONLY valid JSON. Ensure all strings are properly quoted, no trailing commas:
{
  "segments": [
    {
      "segment_title": "Topic Discussion", 
      "timestamp": "01:15:30",
      "key_takeaway": "main point from this segment",
      "segment_summary": "brief description of what was discussed"
    }
  ]
}

Timestamp format: HH:MM:SS (e.g., 00:05:30, 01:22:45) marking the START of each segment.

Prompt 4: Media Mentions

Now scan the transcript content I provided for ACTUAL mentions of specific media titles:

Find explicit mentions of:
- Books (with specific titles)
- Movies (with specific titles)  
- TV Shows (with specific titles)
- Music/Songs (with specific titles)

DO NOT include:
- Websites, URLs, or web services
- Other podcasts or podcast names

IMPORTANT: 
- Only include items explicitly mentioned by name. Do not invent titles.
- Valid categories are: "Book", "Movie", "TV Show", "Music"
- Include the exact phrase where each item was mentioned
- Find the nearest proximate timestamp where it appears in the conversation
- THE TIMESTAMP OF THE MEDIA MENTION IS IMPORTANT - DO NOT INVENT TIMESTAMPS AND DO NOT MISATTRIBUTE TIMESTAMPS
- Double check that the timestamp is accurate - a timestamp will NEVER be greater than the total length of the audio
- Timestamps are given as ranges, e.g. 01:13:42.520 --> 01:13:46.720. Use the EARLIER of the 2 timestamps in the range.

Return ONLY valid JSON. Ensure all strings are properly quoted and escaped, no trailing commas:
{
  "media_mentions": [
    {
      "title": "Exact Title as Mentioned",
      "category": "Book",
      "author_artist": "N/A",
      "context": "Brief context of why it was mentioned",
      "context_phrase": "The exact sentence or phrase where it was mentioned",
      "timestamp": "estimated time like 01:15:30"
    }
  ]
}

If no media is mentioned, return: {"media_mentions": []}

Prompt 5: Context Setup

You are an expert data extractor tasked with analyzing a podcast transcript. 
I will provide you with part 2 of 2 from a podcast transcript. 
I will then ask you to extract different types of information from this content in subsequent messages. Please confirm you have received and understood the transcript content.

Transcript section:
, we have to know the numbers, right?
[00:58:31.640 --> 00:58:33.960] And we can't avoid the numbers.
[00:58:33.960 --> 00:58:52.920] And then, number two, having a startup lawyer to be able to utilize for trademarks and copyrights and like all of those things, those are two resources that are not sexy and they're not glamorous, but those are resources that every single business needs.
[00:58:52.920 --> 00:58:57.400] And those resources have helped me immensely in my business.
[00:58:57.400 --> 00:59:06.280] Number two, who is a non-celebrity black woman entrepreneur who you would trade places with for a day and why?
[00:59:08.120 --> 00:59:17.160] I, of recent, have been really drawn into the story of Emma Greed, who's the founder of Good American.
[00:59:17.560 --> 00:59:22.440] I absolutely love what she's created and how she's making a way.
[00:59:22.440 --> 00:59:25.000] I literally could connect with her.
[00:59:25.000 --> 00:59:26.920] Like, there's so much synergy.
[00:59:26.920 --> 00:59:28.520] I love what she's doing.
[00:59:28.520 --> 00:59:30.760] I see this in my future.
[00:59:30.760 --> 00:59:33.320] And so, yeah, I would any day sign me up.
[00:59:33.320 --> 00:59:36.360] Emma, if you're listening, yes, I see that.
[00:59:37.480 --> 00:59:40.600] I could totally see you, you know, shark tank and all of that.
[00:59:40.600 --> 00:59:41.480] So, yes.
[00:59:41.480 --> 00:59:46.160] Um, number three: what is a non-negotiable part of your day these days?
[00:59:46.800 --> 00:59:51.680] A non-negotiable part of my day is every single morning.
[00:59:51.680 --> 00:59:54.240] I have this app called Powerful Thoughts.
[00:59:54.240 --> 01:00:10.080] It's by Joyce Myers, and I read every single day, whatever that daily devotional is around how to really reset my mind while I'm drinking my coffee and drinking my eight ounces of water.
[01:00:10.080 --> 01:00:26.960] Like, if I don't get water anymore throughout that day, while I'm reading this, I am drinking, I'm drinking my water and I'm reading something that really sustains me and nurtures me and gives me exactly what I need to say what I want my day to be.
[01:00:27.360 --> 01:00:32.960] Yes, I think that we have the control over what we want our day to be, and that sets the tone for me.
[01:00:32.960 --> 01:00:38.960] Number four, what is a personal habit or trait that has helped you significantly in your business?
[01:00:38.960 --> 01:00:53.840] Consistency, consistently showing up when I don't want to show up, when it's hard, when I ain't got no money, when I'm bankrupt, when I got a lot of money in my bank account, like I continue to show up.
[01:00:53.840 --> 01:00:59.040] I say it all the time: you be the most talented person in the room, but if you don't show up, nobody cares.
[01:00:59.040 --> 01:01:13.200] And like, I'm I know I'm not the most talented person in the room, there are so many more people that are way more talented than I am, but I'm consistent, and you can guarantee you that I'm always going to show up on what I say that I'm going to deliver.
[01:01:13.200 --> 01:01:16.640] And I think that that's the thing that sets me apart.
[01:01:16.800 --> 01:01:17.680] Love it.
[01:01:17.680 --> 01:01:27.920] And then finally, what is your parting advice for fellow black women entrepreneurs who want to be their own boss, but are worried about not having a steady paycheck?
[01:01:27.920 --> 01:01:34.120] Oof, listen, it depends on the stage of life that you're in, right?
[01:01:34.120 --> 01:01:39.080] Like, so, so, you have to evaluate the stage of life that you are in, right?
[01:01:39.080 --> 01:01:41.480] To know what you can sacrifice.
[01:01:42.040 --> 01:01:46.120] But I will say, there's no such thing as an overnight success.
[01:01:46.120 --> 01:01:49.800] And an overnight success is 10 years in the making.
[01:01:49.800 --> 01:01:55.320] And that if you put your head down and you grind really hard and you do it, right?
[01:01:55.320 --> 01:01:58.840] And you allow miraculous works to take place.
[01:01:58.840 --> 01:02:00.760] That's the key ingredient.
[01:02:00.760 --> 01:02:05.400] You got to allow space for miraculous works to take place.
[01:02:05.400 --> 01:02:07.080] That's the advice I would give you.
[01:02:07.080 --> 01:02:09.640] Allow space, do the hard work, right?
[01:02:09.640 --> 01:02:23.000] But don't try to control and manipulate every situation because then you're not allowing those God moments to come into place and to really take root on what God wants to do in your life as well.
[01:02:23.320 --> 01:02:29.800] God told you to whisper that to me today, and I hope that y'all had that experience as well.
[01:02:29.800 --> 01:02:33.240] So we thank you so much, Marty, for being in the guest chair.
[01:02:33.240 --> 01:02:38.040] Where can people connect with you and continue to get your gems after this episode?
[01:02:38.040 --> 01:02:40.520] Yeah, you guys can connect with me on Instagram.
[01:02:40.520 --> 01:02:42.440] My Instagram is Marty T.
[01:02:42.440 --> 01:02:43.560] McDonnell.
[01:02:43.560 --> 01:02:47.160] You can follow us at Bosswoman Media Instagram.
[01:02:47.160 --> 01:02:51.960] Or please, please, please go and support our line at Target.
[01:02:51.960 --> 01:03:05.320] Our Instagram is shop L Olivia, E-L-L-E, Olivia, or you can find us on our website, shopolivia.com, and to see how you can support us at your local Target on our Target Finder.
[01:03:05.320 --> 01:03:09.320] We have our spring collection in Target right now, and it's super, super cute.
[01:03:09.320 --> 01:03:10.120] Oh, yes.
[01:03:10.120 --> 01:03:10.520] Thank you.
[01:03:10.520 --> 01:03:12.840] Thank you for showing us all the places.
[01:03:12.840 --> 01:03:15.760] We'll be sure to link to all of them in the show notes.
[01:03:14.840 --> 01:03:19.760] Thank you again, Marty, and I will talk to you next week.
[01:03:21.360 --> 01:03:24.400] Hey guys, thanks for listening to Side Hustle Pro.
[01:03:24.400 --> 01:03:29.200] If you like the show, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
[01:03:29.200 --> 01:03:32.880] It helps other side hustlers just like you to find the show.
[01:03:32.880 --> 01:03:37.520] And if you want to hear more from me, you can follow me on Instagram at SideHustle Pro.
[01:03:37.520 --> 01:03:44.640] Plus, sign up for my six-foot Saturday newsletter at sidehustlepro.co/slash newsletter.
[01:03:44.640 --> 01:03:52.000] When you sign up, you will receive weekly nuggets from me, including what I'm up to, personal lessons, and my business tip of the week.
[01:03:52.000 --> 01:03:56.720] Again, that's sidehustlepro.co/slash newsletter to sign up.
[01:03:56.720 --> 01:03:58.320] Talk to you soon.
[01:04:02.800 --> 01:04:06.960] If you love to travel, Capital One has a rewards credit card that's perfect for you.
[01:04:06.960 --> 01:04:11.840] With the Capital One Venture X card, you earn unlimited double miles on everything you buy.
[01:04:11.840 --> 01:04:17.680] Plus, you get premium benefits at a collection of luxury hotels when you book on Capital One travel.
[01:04:17.680 --> 01:04:22.720] And with Venture X, you get access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide.
[01:04:22.720 --> 01:04:27.280] Open up a world of travel possibilities with the Capital One Venture X card.
[01:04:27.280 --> 01:04:28.480] What's in your wallet?
[01:04:28.480 --> 01:04:29.200] Terms apply.
[01:04:29.200 --> 01:04:30.640] Lounge access is subject to change.
[01:04:30.640 --> 01:04:32.400] See CapitalOne.com for details.
[01:04:32.400 --> 01:04:34.320] Ready to elevate your skincare?
[01:04:34.320 --> 01:04:41.840] Introducing Medicaid, a clinically proven dermatologist-recommended British skincare brand known for age-defying results.
[01:04:41.840 --> 01:04:53.040] You may have heard about growth factors as the must-have anti-aging ingredient, and that's why Medicaid is excited about their latest innovation, the Liquid Peptides Advanced MP Face Serum.
[01:04:53.040 --> 01:05:03.400] This serum harnesses the power of Growth Factor Mini Protein, a cutting-edge technology that mimics natural growth factors but goes deeper, delivering visible, transformative results.
[01:05:03.720 --> 01:05:12.440] Studies show immediate improvement in expression lines in just 10 minutes and a significant decrease in deep-set wrinkles after 8 weeks of use.
[01:05:12.440 --> 01:05:21.800] The Liquid Peptides Advanced MP Face Serum not only reduces wrinkles, but also gives a filler-like effect, smoothing out your skin's appearance dramatically.
[01:05:21.800 --> 01:05:23.960] Visit medicate.us.
[01:05:23.960 --> 01:05:28.440] That's M-E-D-I-K and the number 8.us.
[01:05:28.440 --> 01:05:32.520] Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your purchase today.

Prompt 6: Key Takeaways

Now please extract the key takeaways from the transcript content I provided.

Extract the most important key takeaways from this part of the conversation. Use a single sentence statement (the key takeaway) rather than milquetoast descriptions like "the hosts discuss...". 

Limit the key takeaways to a maximum of 3. The key takeaways should be insightful and knowledge-additive. 

IMPORTANT: Return ONLY valid JSON, no explanations or markdown. Ensure:
- All strings are properly quoted and escaped
- No trailing commas
- All braces and brackets are balanced
Format: {"key_takeaways": ["takeaway 1", "takeaway 2"]}

Prompt 7: Segments

Now identify 2-4 distinct topical segments from this part of the conversation.

For each segment, identify:
- Descriptive title (3-6 words)  
- START timestamp when this topic begins (HH:MM:SS format)
- Double check that the timestamp is accurate - a timestamp will NEVER be greater than the total length of the audio
- Most important Key takeaway from that segment. Key takeaway must be specific and knowledge-additive.
- Brief summary of the discussion

IMPORTANT: The timestamp should mark when the topic/segment STARTS, not a range. Look for topic transitions and conversation shifts.

Return ONLY valid JSON. Ensure all strings are properly quoted, no trailing commas:
{
  "segments": [
    {
      "segment_title": "Topic Discussion", 
      "timestamp": "01:15:30",
      "key_takeaway": "main point from this segment",
      "segment_summary": "brief description of what was discussed"
    }
  ]
}

Timestamp format: HH:MM:SS (e.g., 00:05:30, 01:22:45) marking the START of each segment.

Prompt 8: Media Mentions

Now scan the transcript content I provided for ACTUAL mentions of specific media titles:

Find explicit mentions of:
- Books (with specific titles)
- Movies (with specific titles)  
- TV Shows (with specific titles)
- Music/Songs (with specific titles)

DO NOT include:
- Websites, URLs, or web services
- Other podcasts or podcast names

IMPORTANT: 
- Only include items explicitly mentioned by name. Do not invent titles.
- Valid categories are: "Book", "Movie", "TV Show", "Music"
- Include the exact phrase where each item was mentioned
- Find the nearest proximate timestamp where it appears in the conversation
- THE TIMESTAMP OF THE MEDIA MENTION IS IMPORTANT - DO NOT INVENT TIMESTAMPS AND DO NOT MISATTRIBUTE TIMESTAMPS
- Double check that the timestamp is accurate - a timestamp will NEVER be greater than the total length of the audio
- Timestamps are given as ranges, e.g. 01:13:42.520 --> 01:13:46.720. Use the EARLIER of the 2 timestamps in the range.

Return ONLY valid JSON. Ensure all strings are properly quoted and escaped, no trailing commas:
{
  "media_mentions": [
    {
      "title": "Exact Title as Mentioned",
      "category": "Book",
      "author_artist": "N/A",
      "context": "Brief context of why it was mentioned",
      "context_phrase": "The exact sentence or phrase where it was mentioned",
      "timestamp": "estimated time like 01:15:30"
    }
  ]
}

If no media is mentioned, return: {"media_mentions": []}

Full Transcript

[00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:07.920] Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees.
[00:00:07.920 --> 00:00:10.320] Just ask the Capital One Bank Guy.
[00:00:10.320 --> 00:00:13.040] It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way.
[00:00:13.040 --> 00:00:16.640] He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast, too.
[00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:17.680] Ah, really?
[00:00:17.680 --> 00:00:19.600] Thanks, Capital One Bank Guy.
[00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:20.640] What's in your wallet?
[00:00:20.640 --> 00:00:21.520] Terms apply.
[00:00:21.520 --> 00:00:23.840] See capital one.com/slash bank.
[00:00:23.840 --> 00:00:26.400] Capital One NA member FDIC.
[00:00:27.360 --> 00:00:32.480] Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the void?
[00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:38.800] But with LinkedIn ads, you can know you're reaching the right decision makers, a network of 130 million of them, in fact.
[00:00:38.800 --> 00:00:44.640] You can even target buyers by job title, industry, company, seniority skills, and did I say job title?
[00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:48.480] See how you can avoid the void and reach the right buyers with LinkedIn ads.
[00:00:48.480 --> 00:00:53.440] Spend $250 on your first campaign and get a free $250 credit for the next one.
[00:00:53.440 --> 00:00:55.840] Get started at linkedin.com slash campaign.
[00:00:55.840 --> 00:00:57.760] Terms and conditions apply.
[00:00:59.680 --> 00:01:05.120] There is so much power in wanting more and going after more.
[00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:09.360] And don't let your box be defined by what you only see today.
[00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:18.720] You're listening to Side Hustle Pro, the podcast that teaches you to build and grow your side hustle from passion project to profitable business.
[00:01:18.720 --> 00:01:21.600] And I'm your host, Nikayla Matthews Okome.
[00:01:21.600 --> 00:01:23.120] So let's get started.
[00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:26.720] Hey, friends.
[00:01:26.720 --> 00:01:27.360] Hey, welcome.
[00:01:27.360 --> 00:01:29.840] Welcome back to Side Hustle Pro podcast.
[00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:40.880] It's Nikayla here, and today I am joined by a truly inspirational figure, Marty McDonald, the founder of Boss Women Media and Elle Olivia.
[00:01:40.880 --> 00:01:45.360] Marty is not just an entrepreneur, she is what I would call a visionary.
[00:01:45.360 --> 00:01:56.480] After an 11-year stint in corporate America, working with various Fortune 500 companies, Marty took a brave leap towards her dream of creating a meaningful impact.
[00:01:56.480 --> 00:02:10.840] She founded Boss Women Media, a dynamic platform dedicated to empowering women through networking workshops and events like the multi-city Black Girl Magic Tour and the annual Boss Woman of the Year summit.
[00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:12.680] But Marty didn't stop there.
[00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:24.440] Drawing from personal challenges during her pregnancy, she recently launched El Olivia, a children's wear brand that champions representation and advocacy for girls up to age five.
[00:02:24.440 --> 00:02:32.760] The brand has gained traction and is now featured in over 400 target locations nationwide.
[00:02:32.760 --> 00:02:41.240] And in today's episode, Marty shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming a beacon of change and empowerment.
[00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:52.920] She also shares the challenges she's faced, the triumphs she celebrated, and her continuous mission to inspire women to chase their dreams without fear.
[00:02:52.920 --> 00:02:55.000] Let's get right into it.
[00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:01.000] So, Marty, welcome.
[00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:02.120] Welcome to the guest chair.
[00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:03.720] Thank you for being here.
[00:03:03.720 --> 00:03:05.880] Thank you so much for having me.
[00:03:05.880 --> 00:03:07.480] What an honor.
[00:03:07.480 --> 00:03:10.200] Oh my gosh, it's an honor to speak to you as well.
[00:03:10.200 --> 00:03:12.760] The founder of Boss Women Media.
[00:03:12.760 --> 00:03:18.040] I have seen so much of your brand before I really knew who you were.
[00:03:18.040 --> 00:03:21.880] So that's a testament to the brand that you have built.
[00:03:21.880 --> 00:03:26.440] But tell me a little bit more about how this all got started.
[00:03:26.440 --> 00:03:33.800] You describe yourself, I've heard you describe yourself as a corporate queen, turned side hustler, turned entrepreneur.
[00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:35.880] Let's hear about the corporate queen.
[00:03:37.400 --> 00:03:40.120] Feels like that was forever ago.
[00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:40.680] Yeah.
[00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:42.680] What was your original career path?
[00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:48.320] You know, I like to describe it this way: I did all the right things the right way, right?
[00:03:48.320 --> 00:03:53.760] So, my actual background of corporate America, it's it kind of interesting.
[00:03:53.760 --> 00:03:56.400] It definitely had a parallel path to it.
[00:03:56.400 --> 00:04:03.200] When I first started in corporate America, my degree, my bachelor's degree, is in interior design and architecture.
[00:04:03.200 --> 00:04:10.640] And so, I went right after out of undergrad and got a job in an architectural firm and a design firm.
[00:04:10.640 --> 00:04:14.720] So, I did that for about, I don't know, four or five years.
[00:04:15.040 --> 00:04:18.960] And then, you know, something interesting happened in the economy.
[00:04:18.960 --> 00:04:20.320] People were losing jobs.
[00:04:20.320 --> 00:04:21.760] The economy was collapsing.
[00:04:21.760 --> 00:04:29.680] And I remember one day my boss coming to me telling me, Hey, we're about to make a switch and you work on the design team.
[00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:33.120] But if you want to keep a job, you're going to have to move to another team.
[00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:35.520] And the only team that's vacant is marketing.
[00:04:35.520 --> 00:04:40.000] So, do you want to leave or do you want to go over to the marketing field?
[00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:42.080] I said, I'll get the marketing job.
[00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:42.960] Sure will.
[00:04:42.960 --> 00:04:43.200] Okay.
[00:04:43.520 --> 00:04:45.520] I've never heard of that.
[00:04:45.520 --> 00:04:49.040] That is so cool that your boss even wanted to keep you employed.
[00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:51.760] That's a testament to the kind of employee you were.
[00:04:51.760 --> 00:04:55.680] And also, as someone who works in marketing, they usually try to cut marketing.
[00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:59.600] So they were like, you can go over here.
[00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:03.440] And so I moved to the marketing department.
[00:05:03.440 --> 00:05:08.640] And then what ended up happening was I didn't know anything necessarily about marketing, right?
[00:05:08.640 --> 00:05:10.240] Like these people were trained.
[00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:12.080] They went to some top B schools.
[00:05:12.080 --> 00:05:12.880] And I said, you know what?
[00:05:12.880 --> 00:05:15.440] Let me go back to school and get my MBA.
[00:05:15.440 --> 00:05:16.560] I go back to school.
[00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:17.920] I got my MBA.
[00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:19.680] While working at the company?
[00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:21.120] While working at the company.
[00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:21.440] Yep.
[00:05:21.440 --> 00:05:23.440] So that was really, really interesting.
[00:05:23.440 --> 00:05:24.000] It was hard.
[00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:24.640] It was tough.
[00:05:24.640 --> 00:05:26.560] It was hard to navigate, but we did it.
[00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:28.800] It took me about a year and a half.
[00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:32.200] And I stayed at that company for some time after.
[00:05:32.200 --> 00:05:34.680] And then I started working in CPG marketing.
[00:05:34.680 --> 00:05:36.440] I did a little stint in that.
[00:05:36.440 --> 00:05:39.240] Then I moved over into restaurant marketing.
[00:05:39.640 --> 00:05:44.360] And that's where I met some of the smartest people.
[00:05:44.360 --> 00:05:45.720] These people went to Wharton.
[00:05:45.720 --> 00:05:49.640] These people went to like top beast schools.
[00:05:49.640 --> 00:05:57.960] And they were really solving problems in the restaurant industry with top brands such as Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, right?
[00:05:57.960 --> 00:06:04.920] Like, and I was able to really expand as a brand marketer in this space.
[00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:05.960] I learned a lot.
[00:06:05.960 --> 00:06:09.080] I had out-of-body experiences every single day.
[00:06:09.480 --> 00:06:11.160] With out-of-body experiences?
[00:06:11.400 --> 00:06:13.000] Out-of-body experiences.
[00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:15.640] Because I was the only one who looked like me.
[00:06:15.640 --> 00:06:19.560] There were not a ton of black people in brand marketing at all.
[00:06:19.880 --> 00:06:25.320] And I had to assimilate to this culture that had been created around brand marketing.
[00:06:25.320 --> 00:06:33.560] And it was definitely an interesting culture, a culture of the compliment that you wanted to receive was that she's so smart.
[00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:37.640] Like that was like the compliment that you wanted to receive in this space.
[00:06:37.640 --> 00:06:43.720] It was like we were curring for cancer, child, because you know, like that's really a tough experience.
[00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:45.480] I know what you mean.
[00:06:45.480 --> 00:06:45.880] Yeah.
[00:06:46.200 --> 00:06:48.520] And oh my God, how many of you can relate to that?
[00:06:48.520 --> 00:06:50.280] You know, everyone listening.
[00:06:50.280 --> 00:07:05.880] I know that you're speaking about CPG, but I think we can all relate to, we hate being in this space, but we find ourselves really needing that validation to feel like we've done a good job to hear someone say, oh, she's a rock star, right?
[00:07:05.880 --> 00:07:06.680] That's another one.
[00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:07.800] She's a rock star.
[00:07:07.800 --> 00:07:09.800] She's so smart.
[00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:21.280] And we should know that about ourselves already, but we need to hear that when we work day in and day out in these places, we find ourselves in that situation where we need to hear that.
[00:07:21.280 --> 00:07:23.280] How did you navigate that?
[00:07:23.280 --> 00:07:25.600] It was really hard for me to navigate it.
[00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:31.840] I didn't realize until I left it what I actually needed to do to solve that problem, right?
[00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:39.040] But as I was in corporate America, I spent about 11 years in totality in corporate America of my career.
[00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:40.400] Did your time?
[00:07:40.720 --> 00:07:42.480] I did my time.
[00:07:42.880 --> 00:07:48.720] And then one day, it was really almost like a one-day moment in time.
[00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:51.440] I decided this is not for me anymore.
[00:07:51.440 --> 00:07:58.160] I remember driving home thinking, is this what adult life is all about?
[00:07:58.480 --> 00:07:59.920] It's the rat race.
[00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:00.800] It's grinding.
[00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:04.480] It's making someone else believe that I'm good enough.
[00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:07.840] And I was like, this can't be it.
[00:08:07.840 --> 00:08:15.440] I remember going to a lunch with my mentor at the time that also was in marketing, and she was a director.
[00:08:15.440 --> 00:08:18.080] And that was like the North Star, right?
[00:08:18.080 --> 00:08:19.440] Like being a CMO.
[00:08:19.440 --> 00:08:21.840] Being a CMO was the North Star.
[00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:23.280] She was a director.
[00:08:23.280 --> 00:08:27.280] There wasn't a ton of black women CMOs, definitely not during this time.
[00:08:27.280 --> 00:08:31.120] This was like 2015, 2016 timeframe.
[00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:36.480] And I remember thinking, she felt seemed so unfulfilled.
[00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:39.440] In 20 years, is this what I want for myself?
[00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:49.360] Do I want to have put all this work in and then have left this thinking I could have done something else while I was in my 20s or my early 30s?
[00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:54.160] And so when I was 32, I was like, there has to be something more.
[00:08:54.160 --> 00:08:56.640] And I ended up leaving my corporate gig.
[00:08:56.640 --> 00:09:00.600] I remember going into the office, telling my CMO, this is it.
[00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:01.880] I'm putting my notice in.
[00:09:01.880 --> 00:09:03.080] I'm out of here.
[00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:05.640] And she was asked, she asked me this interesting question.
[00:09:05.880 --> 00:09:07.720] She was like, so what are you going to go do?
[00:09:08.040 --> 00:09:11.640] Almost as if I didn't have skills.
[00:09:11.640 --> 00:09:13.400] I wasn't smart enough.
[00:09:13.400 --> 00:09:19.000] I didn't know how to navigate outside of this box that they've given me.
[00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:20.760] That's a mind game.
[00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:22.680] It was time to go.
[00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:30.600] Yes, and I love that you said so.
[00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:32.680] Two things I want to unpack here.
[00:09:32.680 --> 00:09:34.840] I'll start with the ladder that you just said.
[00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:36.040] That is a mind game.
[00:09:36.040 --> 00:09:51.480] I know for myself and for others who have left their jobs, they have gone through a similar experience where people try to insert doubt to, and I think it comes out of, you know, the saying, it's anything people say to you, it's about them.
[00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:57.160] It is about them because they know they can't imagine a world where they'd ever leave a good job.
[00:09:57.160 --> 00:09:59.560] And so it's like, well, what else are you going to do?
[00:09:59.560 --> 00:10:03.240] Like, this is what we do out here, especially if you're of color.
[00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:07.720] Like, how can you walk away from a good job as a black woman, as a black man, right?
[00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:16.760] But then the second thing you said is: so you went to lunch with your mentor and you assessed how happy she was.
[00:10:16.760 --> 00:10:19.560] That's such a good tip, you guys.
[00:10:19.880 --> 00:10:32.840] If you're working at a company and you are looking at the people who are on the trajectory that you will be on, that have the roles that you're going to be promoted into, that you're trying to be promoted into, look at what that looks like for them.
[00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:34.360] Are they happy?
[00:10:34.680 --> 00:10:36.360] Could you be happy?
[00:10:36.360 --> 00:10:37.720] What are you chasing?
[00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:39.080] So, ask yourself that.
[00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:41.800] If you're happy with what you're chasing, then keep going.
[00:10:41.800 --> 00:10:44.160] But if you're not, make a pivot.
[00:10:44.160 --> 00:10:48.560] Start to think about what that pivot would be for you that would make you happy.
[00:10:48.560 --> 00:10:50.720] So, thank you for sharing that, Marty.
[00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:51.760] Yeah, absolutely.
[00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:52.240] Absolutely.
[00:10:52.400 --> 00:10:54.800] So, I'll remember the date for forever.
[00:10:54.800 --> 00:10:58.000] It was December 1st, 2017.
[00:10:58.320 --> 00:10:58.720] Wow.
[00:10:58.800 --> 00:11:04.800] It was my last day in corporate America, and I have not turned back and I have not went back.
[00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:05.760] Thank God.
[00:11:05.760 --> 00:11:06.160] And my life is.
[00:11:08.560 --> 00:11:13.760] So, there's just something so powerful about that, just starting the year fresh.
[00:11:14.400 --> 00:11:16.240] Yes, starting the year fresh.
[00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:20.800] Now, there are a couple of times I've wanted to go back, and I'm not going to lie to y'all.
[00:11:20.800 --> 00:11:21.200] Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:11:21.280 --> 00:11:22.720] I keep on going back every time.
[00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:28.480] The patient, the insurance, the benefits, now that we have kids, especially.
[00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:32.320] So, how have you been able to not go back, right?
[00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:34.320] Like, so what was your next step after quitting?
[00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:37.600] When did you start working on one of your brands?
[00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:38.240] Yeah.
[00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:48.720] So, when I left there in December of 2017, I ended up going to this conference in LA that spring.
[00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:51.760] The conference in LA was the Girl Boss Rally.
[00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:58.560] At the time, that was like one of the biggest, I would say, entrepreneurial events happening.
[00:11:58.560 --> 00:12:01.440] I remember going to a breakout room.
[00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:03.360] So, I left my job.
[00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:07.520] Me and my other friend, my other friend, she actually opened up a gym here.
[00:12:07.520 --> 00:12:08.880] She went to Harvard B.
[00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:13.280] Like, she also quit a really good job at a consulting firm.
[00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:14.080] So, we were out there.
[00:12:14.400 --> 00:12:15.920] Y'all had a little quit club.
[00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:17.200] Yeah.
[00:12:17.520 --> 00:12:19.440] Like, we were just ready.
[00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:21.200] Like, we were just on fire.
[00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:25.120] So, we go to this conference really with high expectations.
[00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:34.600] But because I had been in the event and programming space before, I also knew clearly what I was looking to gain at this event.
[00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:40.440] I remember going into a breakout session around creating like taboo brands.
[00:12:40.440 --> 00:12:45.240] And the lady who was on the panel was the CEO of Sugar Fina.
[00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:50.360] This lady talked about how Sugar Fina creates these taboo gummy bears, et cetera, et cetera.
[00:12:50.680 --> 00:12:52.680] What do they mean by taboo?
[00:12:52.680 --> 00:13:01.000] Like they had just launched a green juice gummy, something like so like really like no one would have expected, right?
[00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:03.080] Very different and unique.
[00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:09.240] I remember listening to her, but right before I quit my corporate gig, remember I was in brand marketing.
[00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:12.840] So I'm always looking at data, consumer insights.
[00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:17.880] Like it was very much so like a consumer driven position that I was in.
[00:13:17.880 --> 00:13:22.360] I had just read this Neil Sendada report called Black Girl Magic is Real.
[00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:25.720] And it talked about the buying power and behavior of Black women.
[00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:31.880] And by 2022, Black women would be the highest spending consumer, but brands were not paying attention to her.
[00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:36.600] As I was listening to her say that, I'm like, she should create a gummy bear called Black Girl Magic.
[00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:39.400] After she gets off this panel, I'm going to go up to her.
[00:13:39.400 --> 00:13:43.640] There also was another girl on the panel, and she was this big influencer.
[00:13:43.640 --> 00:13:46.440] So after the event, everybody was checking for her.
[00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:48.440] Nobody was checking for Rosie.
[00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:56.440] I make my way up to Rosie and I basically said to her, You should create a gummy bear called Black Girl Magic.
[00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:58.440] Of course, this is before George Floyd.
[00:13:58.440 --> 00:14:00.760] Nobody is saying this out loud, right?
[00:14:00.760 --> 00:14:08.920] Like, and this really changed the trajectory of everything that I did moving forward.
[00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:12.200] Um, I tell her, Hey, my name is Marnie McDonald.
[00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:14.280] I'm the CEO of Boss Women Media.
[00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:18.960] Um, we create these programs and experiences for women to connect, et cetera, et cetera.
[00:14:19.280 --> 00:14:23.520] You, um, and then I asked her this question: I said, Have you ever heard of Black Girl Magic?
[00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:27.280] And of course, she's looking at me like I'm absolutely crazy.
[00:14:27.280 --> 00:14:30.160] And like, why I can't even say that out loud.
[00:14:30.160 --> 00:14:34.000] And I ended up telling her about the buying power and behavior of Black women.
[00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:42.080] I really educated her in a way that allowed her to see that there were gaps in the target audience that she was serving.
[00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:43.680] And I asked for her email.
[00:14:43.680 --> 00:14:49.680] She gave me this email address basically that was like contact at Sugar Fina, right?
[00:14:49.680 --> 00:14:52.400] Like it was the nowhere email address.
[00:14:53.040 --> 00:14:54.800] She didn't really want to talk to you.
[00:14:54.800 --> 00:14:55.360] Right.
[00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:59.840] And so I remember sending her a pitch deck that I go home.
[00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:01.920] I was so focused on this pitch deck.
[00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:09.440] My earlier and former training in corporate America prepared me for this moment that I didn't even know.
[00:15:10.160 --> 00:15:17.280] And six weeks later, I was on a phone call with her and I was pitching her a five-city tour called Black Girl Magic.
[00:15:17.280 --> 00:15:20.560] We created a gummy bear together called Black Girl Magic.
[00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:30.720] And I was able to pop up and utilize Sugar Finas to create a national footprint for myself instead of being a localized Dallas-based brand.
[00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:36.400] And that changed everything for how I positioned myself moving forward.
[00:15:36.400 --> 00:15:38.480] That is amazing.
[00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:50.320] I want to take a step back because you mentioned that you introduced yourself as CEO of Boss Women Media.
[00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:56.160] When did you actually start Boss Women Media and what were you doing with it at that time?
[00:15:56.160 --> 00:15:56.560] Yep.
[00:15:56.560 --> 00:16:03.640] I started Boss Women Media in 2016 as really an outlet to gather people that I knew who wanted more.
[00:16:03.640 --> 00:16:05.880] Like I would always say, Do you want more?
[00:16:05.880 --> 00:16:08.440] Like I just knew that there was something else.
[00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:12.520] Like this corporate rat race is not just it, right?
[00:16:12.520 --> 00:16:14.360] Like I know that these other people.
[00:16:14.520 --> 00:16:16.200] That's such a good question.
[00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:16.600] Yes.
[00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:18.040] Do you want more?
[00:16:18.040 --> 00:16:20.920] That's all I ever want to ask people myself.
[00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:23.880] And you just summed it all up with that question.
[00:16:23.880 --> 00:16:25.480] Don't settle for less.
[00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.520] Like, what do you really want?
[00:16:26.520 --> 00:16:27.720] Do you want more?
[00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:29.400] Let's help you start it.
[00:16:29.400 --> 00:16:29.960] Yes.
[00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:35.800] And so I drew myself to people who wanted more because people who want more, you can dream with.
[00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:39.640] They're not afraid to hear your dreams and you're not afraid to hear theirs.
[00:16:39.640 --> 00:16:41.480] And so really, it was very small.
[00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:45.560] I mean, it was like when I first started, we had 25 people.
[00:16:45.560 --> 00:16:53.400] To think about how I went from 25 people to streaming on Amazon with 500,000, it just blows my mind.
[00:16:53.400 --> 00:17:00.520] But that just goes to show that there is so much power in wanting more and going after more.
[00:17:00.520 --> 00:17:04.760] And don't let your box be defined by what you only see today.
[00:17:04.760 --> 00:17:06.920] And so that's how I started.
[00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:11.240] I mean, it's just you're dropping all the games and you say, you say it so casually.
[00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:13.080] I always have to put a pin.
[00:17:13.080 --> 00:17:15.480] Like, don't let, what did you just say?
[00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:20.200] Don't let your small beginnings like put you in a box.
[00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:30.680] Like, and don't just because you just see those 12 people, right, that you just start with today, don't think that it's not going to expand and be something greater than you could even imagine.
[00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:39.440] Something that drives me is when I look back, and this might happen to you too, but when I look back at what I've accomplished since quitting my job, right?
[00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:41.880] Everything I've accomplished, I didn't imagine.
[00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:43.640] Like, I couldn't have imagined.
[00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:48.800] So, what inspires me is the fact that what's coming is something beyond my imagination.
[00:17:48.800 --> 00:17:50.240] And that goes for you guys too.
[00:17:44.840 --> 00:17:51.680] It's beyond your imagination.
[00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:54.000] So, just get excited.
[00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.440] Yes, I love that.
[00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.480] I love that.
[00:17:56.480 --> 00:18:00.000] Now, were you trying to monetize it while you were side hustling?
[00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:02.800] You know, were you charging attendees for events?
[00:18:02.800 --> 00:18:04.720] Like, how were you starting to make money?
[00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:12.560] Yeah, so I was charging attendees to come to the events, but to be completely transparent with you, I did not know how to monetize it.
[00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:14.560] I did not know how to monetize it.
[00:18:14.560 --> 00:18:18.960] And events do not garner money, right?
[00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:25.680] Like, yes, for somebody who like just wants to throw events, that doesn't necessarily always garner money.
[00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:29.200] There's a strategy behind it that you have to put forth.
[00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:31.920] And I had to learn the really, really hard way.
[00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.440] What's the strategy?
[00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.880] Because I still haven't learned.
[00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:37.680] When I tell you, don't ask me to do an event.
[00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:39.440] I don't want to do an event.
[00:18:39.760 --> 00:18:46.000] You have to get people who want to be a part of your audience to pay for the programming.
[00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.600] And we have to switch our language.
[00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:48.480] It's not an event.
[00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.600] This is programming.
[00:18:49.600 --> 00:18:59.280] This is programming that impacts X amount of people that meets the measures and the goals that someone else has who has bigger dollars to give to you, right?
[00:18:59.600 --> 00:19:00.240] Right.
[00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:03.120] And how do you not end up overspending?
[00:19:03.120 --> 00:19:11.360] Because we are trying to make it Instagrammable, overspending, and having to charge your audience exorbitant fees.
[00:19:11.360 --> 00:19:12.240] Oh my God.
[00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:19.520] Like you have to put your budget together beforehand and stick to what your budget is, right?
[00:19:19.520 --> 00:19:25.360] I think that so often the audience of women can sometimes be hard to please.
[00:19:25.360 --> 00:19:25.760] Right.
[00:19:26.080 --> 00:19:36.440] And so you have to be strategic in what you're communicating that you're going to deliver for what they're going to receive at this price point, right?
[00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:43.320] But then the receiver of that has to understand what they're getting and how they're going to be impacted by it.
[00:19:43.320 --> 00:19:47.640] So I think it's a two-way street of how you put the strategy together.
[00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:57.480] A communication plan is the best and the most concise way if you're asking an audience to pay for something of what they're going to receive from it.
[00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:11.640] Now, when you made the leap, were you profitable or were you at least earning revenue consistently from your side hustle?
[00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:16.440] No, I was not earning any revenue at all.
[00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:18.120] I had your plan then.
[00:20:18.760 --> 00:20:21.160] And I had a lot of big dreams.
[00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:28.840] But when I left my corporate job, right when I left, I was planning our first large summit.
[00:20:28.840 --> 00:20:31.560] And I just knew like this was going to be the thing.
[00:20:31.560 --> 00:20:33.080] It was going to put us on the map.
[00:20:33.080 --> 00:20:33.400] Right.
[00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:39.480] And at that summit, my largest check that I got was a $500 sponsorship.
[00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:43.080] But it was more so the mindset of the dollars, right?
[00:20:43.080 --> 00:20:46.840] So I think I might have, I netted positive from that event.
[00:20:46.840 --> 00:20:58.120] I didn't come out in the red, but it was more so the mindset of believing if someone gave me $500, somebody could give me $5,000.
[00:20:58.120 --> 00:21:05.240] If someone gives me $5,000, I could get $50,000, or I could get $500,000.
[00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:09.480] But it all started first with me believing I could get that first check.
[00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:13.880] Once I got that first check, that was it for me.
[00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:16.320] It was like, let's take off.
[00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:22.000] Let me build this ship and fly it and show the power in which I'm building.
[00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:23.920] The checks will come.
[00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:28.080] And what exactly is it that you set out to build?
[00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:32.160] Because what it sounds like is you did a proof of concept.
[00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:35.040] Not only 500, but you know, netted positive.
[00:21:35.040 --> 00:21:39.680] But then that proof of concept showed, like, I have created this.
[00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.520] What was the this?
[00:21:41.840 --> 00:21:42.720] Yes.
[00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:48.800] So at the time, my goal was to create an offline online women's empowerment community, right?
[00:21:48.800 --> 00:21:54.320] And then create this media component in it where I could storytell these women's stories.
[00:21:54.320 --> 00:21:57.040] Like, that's something that I'm so passionate about.
[00:21:57.040 --> 00:22:00.480] I love hearing the stories of women who have overcome.
[00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:09.280] I love hearing the stories of women who have, they had the obstacle in front of them, but then they were able to push through.
[00:22:09.280 --> 00:22:12.480] Those are the stories that our community needs more of.
[00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:20.000] And so I wanted to bring those stories to the forefront so that any woman could know anything was possible for her.
[00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:24.960] But I didn't necessarily know how to monetize that, but I knew that's what I wanted to create.
[00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:35.520] Once I started learning more about sponsorships and partnerships and how to navigate that space, that's how I knew I was going to monetize what I was creating.
[00:22:35.520 --> 00:22:47.360] I love that you shared this because those of us who are creators, let's say you're creating content about it, could be fashion, it could be business topics, entrepreneurship.
[00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:52.080] It's so easy nowadays to create content and for that content to do really well.
[00:22:52.080 --> 00:22:55.360] We don't talk enough about the monetization piece.
[00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:59.040] I'm passionate about it, especially as it relates to podcasting.
[00:22:59.040 --> 00:23:02.680] And I am trying my best to share and teach and all of this.
[00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:16.680] But I love that we're having these conversations because it's so important when you go into any space, when you create, that you know what possibilities exist to monetize and that you know that monetization isn't a bad word.
[00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:20.680] Are you ever approached by people who expect you to do this all for free?
[00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:23.080] Because it's women's empowerment, right?
[00:23:23.080 --> 00:23:30.280] Yeah, I think that that's so good because I think that for a while, I thought I was supposed to do it for all for free, right?
[00:23:30.280 --> 00:23:35.400] Like, I would always say, I don't want to capitalize off of my community, right?
[00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:37.960] Like, I just don't want to capitalize.
[00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:44.040] And I had to shift my brain around this isn't about capitalization, right?
[00:23:44.040 --> 00:23:51.480] I'm going to bring along the right people that can serve as a resource to help alleviate, right?
[00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:54.760] But I'm delivering out some dynamic programming, right?
[00:23:54.760 --> 00:23:55.000] Oh, yeah.
[00:23:55.160 --> 00:24:05.000] I'm giving you the voices of Yara Shahidi and Megan Goode and all of the women, the Valerie Jarretts, the women that we've had in programming, right?
[00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:10.440] You get to see and be a part and listen and take in this information, right?
[00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:13.080] There is a value to that.
[00:24:13.080 --> 00:24:19.640] And so I had to shift my brain and say, this isn't about I'm capitalizing off of my community.
[00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:24.120] Instead, I'm delivering a resource for my community that's needed in the marketplace.
[00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:24.840] Oh, yes.
[00:24:24.840 --> 00:24:34.840] And how are you able to get this caliber of guests, pay for them, pay for the event itself, and still make money?
[00:24:34.840 --> 00:24:35.560] Yeah.
[00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:37.560] Oh, listen.
[00:24:37.560 --> 00:24:40.120] Let's listen.
[00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.280] I need to know.
[00:24:40.280 --> 00:24:42.600] That's the beginning of all of it.
[00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:48.160] You know, I remember when we first reached out, our first big speaker was Angela Ra.
[00:24:48.320 --> 00:24:49.680] It was in 2018.
[00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.880] We had Angela Ra.
[00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:53.280] We had an event at the W Hotel.
[00:24:53.280 --> 00:24:55.600] And our sponsor was Verizon, right?
[00:24:55.600 --> 00:25:04.960] They were able to help leverage a lot of the programming that we put in place, a lot of the negotiating that we put in place, right?
[00:25:05.280 --> 00:25:10.640] But I won't sit here and act like it was done right the first time because it was not.
[00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:12.640] There were a lot of lessons learned.
[00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:16.160] There was a lot of falling on my face, right?
[00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:18.000] Felling out loud.
[00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:26.800] But there's an opportunity for any brand to get in front of the right audience at the right time if you're delivering what it is that they want.
[00:25:26.800 --> 00:25:33.600] There are some people who are speakers who will do it for free based off of the audience that you're giving them.
[00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:37.840] How do you negotiate the value of what you're bringing to the table?
[00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:40.400] Is it, can you share with them an email list?
[00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:43.200] Can you share their brand in front of your audience, right?
[00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:50.720] Like there's different ways to think about it versus I got to get money to get this speaker to pay for this venue, right?
[00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:58.320] There might be venues that want to do it for free because, or do it at a discounted price because they're looking for value and exposure.
[00:25:58.320 --> 00:26:06.240] And so I never look at it and go at it of money for this, right?
[00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:17.680] Instead, what are the relationships and how do I make this an approachable two-way negotiating street that works out for every party that's involved?
[00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.240] Yes.
[00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:29.200] And I can tell you are very gifted at this just based on, again, the caliber of guests that you have, the experience you have created, and the community you're building.
[00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:29.680] Thank you.
[00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.000] Thank you.
[00:26:30.280 --> 00:26:31.080] Yeah.
[00:26:31.080 --> 00:26:40.520] Now I will say this: the piece of just empowerment is not enough, right?
[00:26:40.520 --> 00:26:44.040] Like there has to be more to it, right?
[00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:45.320] Say that again.
[00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:45.640] Yes.
[00:26:46.040 --> 00:26:48.920] Of empowerment organizations, right?
[00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:53.880] Don't allow what you bring to the table to stop there.
[00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:56.600] Women need more than just to be empowered.
[00:26:56.600 --> 00:27:00.280] They need tools, they need resources, they need funds, right?
[00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:14.600] And so when I'm talking to organizations that have some of these same goals in mind, that's what I'm ensuring that's being brought to the table that I don't necessarily have the resource or manpower of, but some of my partners do.
[00:27:14.600 --> 00:27:21.000] And together, we can create a force to change the way black women are being served.
[00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.560] Yes.
[00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:23.400] Do you have like an example of that?
[00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:26.440] How do you actually execute that?
[00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:26.760] Yeah.
[00:27:26.760 --> 00:27:31.960] So like we've had a partnership with Capital One for the, this is going on our fifth year, right?
[00:27:32.280 --> 00:27:37.400] And with Capital One, we cross-collaborate with different departments, right?
[00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:47.320] So we work with a department within Capital One that helps with the programming side, but we also work with their small business team that helps with grants and funding, right?
[00:27:47.320 --> 00:27:55.480] So that when we deliver the programming for the year, we know that we're going to give out $100,000 in pitch dollars every single year, right?
[00:27:55.480 --> 00:28:03.240] So they're going to get the programming behind it, but they're also going to get the dollars and the funds that they need to really elevate their businesses.
[00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:09.960] When we are able to give that woman a check for $50,000, that can change a lot in someone's life.
[00:28:10.360 --> 00:28:15.600] And so that's really what I think about when I'm going to partners.
[00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:18.880] How can we work cross-functionally together?
[00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:27.120] Because a lot of these corporations do have the funds to and the wherewithal, but they don't have the people, right?
[00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:29.120] To make it all come together.
[00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:35.840] And if I could be the brain for the people to make the story all come together, that's where we sit.
[00:28:36.080 --> 00:28:38.160] That's a really sweet spot.
[00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:46.400] If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify.
[00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:52.080] You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout, the one that makes buying so incredibly easy?
[00:28:52.080 --> 00:28:53.360] That's Shopify.
[00:28:53.360 --> 00:29:00.480] And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business.
[00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:08.960] Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10% of all e-commerce in the U.S., from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started.
[00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:17.520] Shopify gives you that leg up from day one with hundreds of beautiful ready-to-go templates to express your brand style and forget about the coat.
[00:29:17.520 --> 00:29:23.040] Tackle all those important tasks in one place from inventory to payments to analytics and more.
[00:29:23.040 --> 00:29:28.160] And spread your brand name with built-in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers.
[00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:33.920] And did I mention that iconic purple shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world?
[00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:37.840] It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet.
[00:29:37.840 --> 00:29:39.920] Your customers already love it.
[00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:44.400] If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify.
[00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:51.040] Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/slash hustlepro.
[00:29:51.040 --> 00:29:53.600] Go to shopify.com/slash hustlepro.
[00:29:53.600 --> 00:30:04.520] Shopify.com/slash hustle pro sweet dash is the ultimate all-in-one business software platform designed to simplify your operations and supercharge your growth.
[00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:20.520] Say goodbye to Tech Tool Overload and hello to a single unified system that handles CRM, proposals, scheduling, contracts, invoicing, subscriptions, project management, client portals, file sharing, marketing, and more, all in one place.
[00:30:20.520 --> 00:30:28.360] With Sweet Dash, you'll enjoy one consolidated platform to streamline your business, saving you time, money, and sanity.
[00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:34.760] No code automations that put your business on autopilot by eliminating mountains of manual tasks.
[00:30:34.760 --> 00:30:38.040] And the real kicker, unlimited users and clients.
[00:30:38.040 --> 00:30:44.120] Invite your team, clients, and contractors without ever worrying about added fees.
[00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:48.360] But Sweet Dash isn't just about software, it's about community.
[00:30:48.360 --> 00:30:52.520] Their roadmap is powered by user feedback and live support sessions.
[00:30:52.520 --> 00:30:55.880] In short, you're never alone on your journey to success.
[00:30:55.880 --> 00:31:10.120] Sweet Dash has earned the business of tens of thousands of companies and collected over a thousand five-star reviews on Captera and G2, proving itself as the trusted platform to help your business grow and succeed.
[00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:14.600] You can try it free at sweet-com slash sidehustle.
[00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:21.560] That's S-U-I-T-E-D-A-S-H.com backslash sidehustle, all one word.
[00:31:21.560 --> 00:31:28.120] Sweet Dash, one login, one platform, one monthly payment, unlimited potential.
[00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:34.120] This is all so inspiring, Marty.
[00:31:34.120 --> 00:31:37.320] And I'm curious, what did it look like in the very, very beginning?
[00:31:37.320 --> 00:31:41.080] Once you left your corporate job, what were the first steps?
[00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:43.080] How big was your team?
[00:31:43.080 --> 00:31:45.440] And what did it look like day in and day out?
[00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:51.040] Are you working out of your living room with an assistant only as you build up this major platform?
[00:31:51.360 --> 00:32:01.760] Yeah, so when I did that pitch to Sugar Venus C, we ended up going on that five-city tour in 2019.
[00:32:02.080 --> 00:32:12.480] And let me tell you who popped up with me: it was me, my social media manager/slash friend at the time, and my balloon guy.
[00:32:12.800 --> 00:32:14.160] I had the balloon guy.
[00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:18.160] I thought the balloon guy was one of the first hires.
[00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:23.360] Listen, the balloon guy could create all the magic in the Instagram, right?
[00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:25.680] The look, the feel, right?
[00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:32.880] That social media girl knew how to capture and tell the story in a way that the audience online would be drawn in.
[00:32:32.880 --> 00:32:45.840] And then in each city, what I ended up doing was I ended up hiring someone that could get us PR in each of those cities because I didn't have the dollars to hire PR, this big PR firm, right?
[00:32:45.840 --> 00:32:52.000] So I would find like local people who were doing PR in LA or in Houston, right?
[00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:54.480] And I would ask them, Hey, could you get us on a morning show?
[00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:56.560] Could you get us featured in something?
[00:32:56.560 --> 00:32:59.520] And you know any influencers who can come, right?
[00:32:59.520 --> 00:33:01.520] And so I was really nimble.
[00:33:01.520 --> 00:33:04.160] There was no team when we first started, right?
[00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:06.800] Like it was me, me, me, and me, right?
[00:33:06.800 --> 00:33:09.520] And then asking for help.
[00:33:09.520 --> 00:33:15.120] Don't be afraid to ask your network for what you need from them.
[00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:23.360] And that's really, man, the people who helped me in them early days, man, I owe them so much.
[00:33:23.360 --> 00:33:31.320] I mean, they leaned in, they bought into the vision, they understood what I was trying to build and create, and they went with it.
[00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:34.280] And everybody wants to be a part of something.
[00:33:34.280 --> 00:33:39.720] So don't be afraid to ask because everyone wants to be a part of something great.
[00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:42.920] And so that's how we got started at the beginning.
[00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:43.960] That's awesome.
[00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:44.680] And I love that.
[00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:46.840] Everybody does want to be a part of something great.
[00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:49.080] And when you believe in yourself, it just shows.
[00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:51.640] It just shows like, no, this is serious.
[00:33:51.640 --> 00:33:53.320] And you mentioned being nimble.
[00:33:53.320 --> 00:34:01.640] As someone who quit without having a consistent revenue stream, how were you staying afloat as you built up your business?
[00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:07.320] And how were you growing it without having that recurring income?
[00:34:07.320 --> 00:34:08.040] Yep.
[00:34:08.040 --> 00:34:17.320] So remember, I had shared earlier, I was in an environment that I really didn't have the ability to flex my muscle to get confident, right?
[00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:26.440] When I left my corporate gig, I ended up going to work as a contractor at my job at my church.
[00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:32.280] And I was helping our first lady build out some stuff for the women's ministry.
[00:34:32.280 --> 00:34:41.400] When I got into that space and that role, and I was able to help her, I used every single dime that I was getting as a contractor from doing that.
[00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:44.280] And I poured it all back into Boston Media.
[00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:48.680] That's every piece of how we built every single thing that we had.
[00:34:48.680 --> 00:34:51.880] So I was side hustling and hustling full time.
[00:34:52.200 --> 00:34:54.760] I was like drawing deep.
[00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.320] Yes.
[00:34:55.320 --> 00:35:01.080] But when I was also in that environment, every idea I had to them was fantastic.
[00:35:01.080 --> 00:35:02.280] It was great.
[00:35:02.280 --> 00:35:06.760] And so my muscle of confidence started to get even stronger.
[00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:09.400] I was flexing that muscle more and more.
[00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:16.560] So as I was going out to pitch for business opportunities, I became even more confident and more stronger.
[00:35:16.560 --> 00:35:24.160] And so I would encourage anyone who's in an environment that doesn't necessarily allow their light to shine right now.
[00:35:24.160 --> 00:35:27.040] Go find you a volunteer opportunity, right?
[00:35:27.040 --> 00:35:35.440] Go find you something else on the side that will allow you to flex your muscle of the strengths that you have.
[00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:40.560] You will be surprised how that shifts everything and what you're delivering.
[00:35:40.560 --> 00:35:44.160] And so that was really big for me.
[00:35:44.160 --> 00:35:46.080] That struck a chord with me.
[00:35:46.080 --> 00:35:52.640] I am over here feeling emotional and I don't know why, but I think it's because I have been there.
[00:35:52.640 --> 00:35:55.040] I know y'all listening have been there.
[00:35:55.040 --> 00:36:05.600] Let me tell you, if you're in an environment, if you are in an environment where you do not feel confident, where you feel unlike yourself, get out.
[00:36:05.600 --> 00:36:07.200] Do what you have to do to get out.
[00:36:07.200 --> 00:36:08.160] Move somewhere else.
[00:36:08.160 --> 00:36:10.160] We're not telling you to go out here and be broke.
[00:36:10.160 --> 00:36:11.040] Move somewhere else.
[00:36:11.040 --> 00:36:15.040] Because as Marty has shown, it makes a world of difference.
[00:36:15.040 --> 00:36:21.920] I have been in that environment working for a brand name company, but feeling like I was looked at as dumb.
[00:36:21.920 --> 00:36:25.680] And then as brilliant as we are, I started to feel dumb.
[00:36:25.680 --> 00:36:27.280] I started to feel less than.
[00:36:27.280 --> 00:36:30.480] I was hearing feedback like you're not this enough, you're not that enough.
[00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:32.880] And I was internalizing all of that.
[00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:34.640] Get out, get out, get out.
[00:36:34.640 --> 00:36:39.760] It's one thing to get constructive feedback to work on your evaluations, right?
[00:36:39.760 --> 00:36:42.480] It's another thing to be slowly being beat down.
[00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:57.360] And you got to recognize the nuance there because when you're in an environment where you're not only appreciated, where you're actually celebrated, the difference, what will come out of you, your soul and your spirit, 10 times difference.
[00:36:57.360 --> 00:36:57.920] Okay.
[00:36:57.920 --> 00:37:02.520] So I'm going to leave it right there, but oh my gosh, that really, really resonated with me.
[00:37:02.520 --> 00:37:05.480] And it was because of a volunteer experience for me as well.
[00:37:05.480 --> 00:37:09.160] So volunteering might be the move.
[00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:11.800] That is the move.
[00:37:11.800 --> 00:37:25.240] And also, another tip there that you shared is if you feel like you need to leave, what contract work can you do so that you still do have income when your company that you're building is not yet able to pay you, right?
[00:37:25.240 --> 00:37:40.760] So there are different ways that you can hustle where you might go from a nine to five or nine to eight that sucks all your time, or you might move from that to something where you work three days a week and you make enough to cover your bills, but now you're able to also grow your side hustle even bigger.
[00:37:40.760 --> 00:37:42.440] Yep, absolutely.
[00:37:49.240 --> 00:37:54.920] So now I want to transition to learn a little bit more about some of the more personal things that you shared in your bio.
[00:37:54.920 --> 00:38:06.360] You know, and I appreciate you sharing this because that level of transparency, you know, not everyone's always comfortable with, but you talked about the impact that your daughter had on your career path.
[00:38:06.360 --> 00:38:09.400] So here you are growing boss women media.
[00:38:09.400 --> 00:38:16.840] Then you are also, you know, you're starting your family, you're trying to get pregnant, you're having different experiences with that.
[00:38:16.840 --> 00:38:19.800] Can you share a little bit more about that with the audience?
[00:38:19.800 --> 00:38:20.440] Yeah.
[00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:23.880] So me and my husband have been trying to get pregnant for some time.
[00:38:23.880 --> 00:38:26.040] We had two miscarriages.
[00:38:26.200 --> 00:38:29.560] And there was so, you know, God's timing is incredible, right?
[00:38:29.560 --> 00:38:31.720] Like there's nothing like God's timing.
[00:38:31.720 --> 00:38:36.360] And God is, you know, my faith is my North Star in everything that I do.
[00:38:36.360 --> 00:38:43.400] But we ended up getting pregnant in 2020, one of the most interesting times to get pregnant, right?
[00:38:43.400 --> 00:38:46.560] And so everything was shifting in the world, right?
[00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:51.280] We're in the pandemic and the world really went silent too, you know?
[00:38:51.280 --> 00:38:55.200] And so it allowed me to embrace being pregnant very differently.
[00:38:55.200 --> 00:39:09.680] But when I was 24 weeks pregnant, I ended up finding out that my daughter would be born with something called congenital diaphragmic hernia, which basically meant that her liver, her spleen, and her intestines would be in her chest, covering her lungs.
[00:39:09.680 --> 00:39:14.560] And that we would have to have a surgery to move everything into its respective places.
[00:39:14.560 --> 00:39:20.960] When I found that out, we ended up having to change our delivery plan.
[00:39:20.960 --> 00:39:31.520] And as someone who grew up in very humble beginnings, someone who I am the first college grad in my family, first generation, first generation to get an MBA, right?
[00:39:31.520 --> 00:39:33.920] We didn't, I didn't grow up with a ton, right?
[00:39:34.240 --> 00:39:41.520] To be able to have this hospital birth that was a private birth meant a lot to me, but that kind of got taken away from me.
[00:39:41.520 --> 00:39:52.960] And we ended up having to deliver at a county hospital because the county hospital was connected to the children's hospital and that would be safer for her versus being life lighted over.
[00:39:52.960 --> 00:39:54.800] It was so risky.
[00:39:54.800 --> 00:39:58.000] And so we ended up doing that, changing my birth plan.
[00:39:58.000 --> 00:40:02.880] That was really tough, but we, I, I made, I mean, I made the sacrifice because it was the right thing.
[00:40:02.880 --> 00:40:05.760] I wanted my baby to be born and to be healthy.
[00:40:05.760 --> 00:40:09.920] And so she ended up delivering three days after she delivered.
[00:40:10.240 --> 00:40:15.920] We ended up having a surgery to move everything into its respective places.
[00:40:15.920 --> 00:40:25.840] And we ended up staying in the NICU for 35 days for her to completely develop and heal her lungs because everything was covering it.
[00:40:25.840 --> 00:40:33.960] And that NICU experience was something that taught me as a new mom, I had to pull up for her.
[00:40:29.840 --> 00:40:36.840] No one in this hospital looked like me and my husband.
[00:40:37.160 --> 00:40:41.640] We were being asked questions that were, to be honest, insulting.
[00:40:41.640 --> 00:40:42.280] Are you married?
[00:40:42.280 --> 00:40:43.960] Are you on government assistants?
[00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:47.800] Like, you know, different things like that, because we were a black family.
[00:40:47.800 --> 00:40:49.720] We are a black family.
[00:40:49.720 --> 00:40:57.400] And from that experience, it taught me very quickly: I have to learn how to advocate for her life.
[00:40:57.400 --> 00:41:00.920] I have to teach her how to advocate for her life.
[00:41:01.240 --> 00:41:04.840] And I have to show her big possibility in this world.
[00:41:04.840 --> 00:41:13.160] I have to show her that anything is possible so that she's not in spaces and places where she feels like she's the only and she's the first, right?
[00:41:13.160 --> 00:41:13.800] Yes.
[00:41:13.800 --> 00:41:19.400] It was a big life lesson that I learned very quickly as a new mom.
[00:41:20.040 --> 00:41:32.520] You know, thinking about that experience and really processing that and just thinking about just how you must have been feeling in those moments, you know, having to go to the NICU every day and deal with that.
[00:41:32.520 --> 00:41:39.320] But also, you're right, as a parent, we no longer get to be like, I'm having a bad day, so I can't get out of bed today.
[00:41:39.320 --> 00:41:45.160] I just need to be in bed and get some food and just, you know, woe is me today.
[00:41:45.160 --> 00:41:50.920] No, no, we got to get up, stand up, and support these little humans.
[00:41:51.240 --> 00:41:55.560] And not only did you do that, but then it birthed a whole different kind of baby, right?
[00:41:55.560 --> 00:41:56.360] So it did.
[00:41:56.360 --> 00:41:56.920] It did.
[00:41:56.920 --> 00:42:00.360] When did the seeds of Ell Olivia start to come together?
[00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:01.000] Yeah.
[00:42:01.000 --> 00:42:03.320] So, okay, I'm building boss.
[00:42:03.640 --> 00:42:08.440] I am not, do not have the space, the bandwidth to create anything else.
[00:42:08.440 --> 00:42:18.000] Like, this was not something that was in the plan, but that's how I know that this is what I'm supposed to be doing because it was not on the vision board.
[00:42:14.760 --> 00:42:20.480] It was not in the plan, none of the things.
[00:42:20.800 --> 00:42:26.560] But I remember about eight months after we left the NICU, we ended up going on a vacation.
[00:42:26.560 --> 00:42:30.000] I was able to sleep a little bit, rest a little bit.
[00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:36.160] And when I came back home, for some reason, I was going into Target to look for something.
[00:42:36.160 --> 00:42:40.960] Because listen, all the mamas going to Target, and you go into Target, you can go in the toddler section.
[00:42:40.960 --> 00:42:42.960] You're going to look to see what you can find.
[00:42:44.880 --> 00:42:55.360] And when I went over to the toddler section, I was looking for something that showcased it diversity, and I did not see it at all in Target.
[00:42:55.360 --> 00:43:02.960] And I remember going, like leaving out of Target, having this really out-of-body experience come over me.
[00:43:02.960 --> 00:43:07.920] And what I thought was, I'm supposed to create it.
[00:43:07.920 --> 00:43:16.800] Like, I'm supposed to create something that showcases this black little girl and showcases all the possibilities and these affirmations.
[00:43:17.120 --> 00:43:23.760] And I remember going into my car, I actually recorded myself when I left out of Target saying, I'm supposed to go create this thing.
[00:43:23.760 --> 00:43:25.120] I have no idea what this is.
[00:43:25.120 --> 00:43:27.200] I have no idea what to do.
[00:43:27.840 --> 00:43:29.920] And it was like really like that.
[00:43:29.920 --> 00:43:33.440] It was so serendipitous in so many ways.
[00:43:33.440 --> 00:43:38.800] And I got on the phone, I called my creative director who'd been working with me with boss for forever.
[00:43:38.800 --> 00:43:41.120] I give her, you know, I tell her what happened.
[00:43:41.120 --> 00:43:43.200] I tell her this idea that I have.
[00:43:43.200 --> 00:43:47.280] And I go, show me a design of a character.
[00:43:47.280 --> 00:43:48.480] Show me this girl.
[00:43:48.480 --> 00:43:49.840] I don't know what she looks like.
[00:43:49.840 --> 00:43:50.720] She's brown.
[00:43:51.120 --> 00:43:52.960] I can see her, but I can't see her.
[00:43:52.960 --> 00:43:53.600] She's bright.
[00:43:53.600 --> 00:43:54.400] She's colorful.
[00:43:54.400 --> 00:43:55.200] She's playful.
[00:43:55.200 --> 00:43:56.640] Like she's artistic.
[00:43:56.640 --> 00:43:58.480] She's uplifting.
[00:43:58.480 --> 00:44:01.160] And she brings back this illustration.
[00:44:01.240 --> 00:44:03.400] I'm like, This is it.
[00:43:59.760 --> 00:44:04.760] This is El Olivia.
[00:44:05.320 --> 00:44:09.720] I am about to go create a lifestyle brand for black and brown little girls.
[00:44:10.840 --> 00:44:12.840] And things happen really quickly.
[00:44:12.840 --> 00:44:16.440] So, this is September 2021.
[00:44:16.760 --> 00:44:22.120] February 2022, we launched this brand called El Olivia.
[00:44:22.440 --> 00:44:28.360] We launched the brand, and it was just sweatshirts when we launched.
[00:44:28.360 --> 00:44:30.840] We didn't have much, and we had a book.
[00:44:30.840 --> 00:44:42.360] In May of 2022, I said, I want to come out with a mommy and me collection, and we want to do a play and lay set, something that little girls can play in and they can lay in.
[00:44:42.360 --> 00:44:50.280] Um, that's easy and that's accessible, that maybe is sustainable, that is breathable, that's soft on their skin.
[00:44:50.280 --> 00:44:54.200] And I remember doing this campaign, it was called Play and Slay.
[00:44:54.200 --> 00:44:58.040] It was May 2022, it was coming out Memorial Day weekend.
[00:44:58.040 --> 00:45:03.320] We hired some influencers to roll this out with us.
[00:45:03.640 --> 00:45:06.920] I took it and I sent it to Target.
[00:45:06.920 --> 00:45:10.920] I said, Hey, there's this collection that I'm working on that I'm creating.
[00:45:10.920 --> 00:45:12.280] It's called El Olivia.
[00:45:12.280 --> 00:45:19.960] I showcased all of the things that I did for our first campaign rollout and I shared with them that there was a white space in their store.
[00:45:20.680 --> 00:45:25.880] We ended up getting an offer to come into Target that fall.
[00:45:25.880 --> 00:45:30.280] So, this is May 2022, October 2022.
[00:45:30.280 --> 00:45:35.080] We ended up getting like a line review from buyers.
[00:45:35.080 --> 00:45:53.200] Two months later, we got our first reward to go into 400 Targets with a fall collection and then a holiday collection for Ell Olivia and really all of us, which was crazy.
[00:45:58.000 --> 00:45:59.040] How are you funding that?
[00:45:59.040 --> 00:46:05.360] Was Boss Women Media reinvesting into this new business before you were earning anything from it?
[00:46:05.360 --> 00:46:07.120] Before or still not.
[00:46:07.120 --> 00:46:07.680] No.
[00:46:08.640 --> 00:46:14.320] No, Boss Women Media was definitely the funder of the dream, El Olivia.
[00:46:14.320 --> 00:46:21.200] So our first order, I invested about $20,000 into our first order and our first campaign.
[00:46:21.200 --> 00:46:26.000] And that's how we were able to get out the door and into the marketplace.
[00:46:26.000 --> 00:46:38.320] And then as we entered into Target, that was a whole nother beast of a whole different type of funds and a whole different type of prayer that went up for us to be able to get that order out of the door.
[00:46:38.320 --> 00:46:51.520] But it has literally been one business was sustainable to fund the next business to get us to where we are trying to go and becoming this lifestyle brand for black and brown little girls.
[00:46:51.520 --> 00:46:52.560] Love it.
[00:46:52.560 --> 00:46:56.880] And so this, your first run in Target was really 2023, right?
[00:46:56.880 --> 00:46:58.800] Yes, September 2023.
[00:46:58.800 --> 00:46:59.520] September.
[00:46:59.520 --> 00:47:02.080] So moving, we're still within that first year.
[00:47:02.080 --> 00:47:03.680] How's it been going?
[00:47:03.680 --> 00:47:06.640] You know, it's here's the thing.
[00:47:06.640 --> 00:47:09.040] I thought I got into Target.
[00:47:09.040 --> 00:47:11.840] You couldn't tell me nothing.
[00:47:11.840 --> 00:47:12.400] Okay.
[00:47:12.400 --> 00:47:13.520] Like, what?
[00:47:13.520 --> 00:47:15.120] We're not even a year old.
[00:47:15.120 --> 00:47:16.800] I got into Target.
[00:47:16.800 --> 00:47:18.560] I am so excited.
[00:47:18.560 --> 00:47:20.400] I'm so filled with joy.
[00:47:20.400 --> 00:47:24.240] And then I started realizing Target became a label for me, right?
[00:47:24.240 --> 00:47:27.840] Like, I'm telling everybody, we're in Target, but we're in Target.
[00:47:27.840 --> 00:47:29.960] But, girl, you're in Target.
[00:47:29.120 --> 00:47:30.920] You got to stay in Target.
[00:47:32.440 --> 00:47:38.440] And that has been really an interesting ride of lessons for me, right?
[00:47:38.440 --> 00:47:41.640] Like, how am I driving their category forward?
[00:47:41.640 --> 00:47:44.280] How am I getting consumers in the door?
[00:47:44.280 --> 00:47:45.720] We're a brand new brand.
[00:47:45.720 --> 00:47:48.840] So we don't have a brand following, a community.
[00:47:48.840 --> 00:47:51.080] We're building this community.
[00:47:51.080 --> 00:48:04.360] And so learning how to communicate this product-based brand that we have, who it's being marketed to, how we're really focused on this mom who seeks to shop with intentionality, right?
[00:48:04.360 --> 00:48:10.200] Like how we're really serving her and her daughter has been, it's been hard.
[00:48:10.200 --> 00:48:11.400] It's been tough.
[00:48:11.400 --> 00:48:20.440] It's been challenging, but it's also been so rewarding to see little girls put on our clothes and say, Mama, it looks just like me.
[00:48:20.760 --> 00:48:22.600] Like she looks just like me.
[00:48:22.600 --> 00:48:24.360] And that's been so rewarding.
[00:48:24.600 --> 00:48:25.880] And we're just getting started.
[00:48:25.880 --> 00:48:29.800] And we've gotten a lot of lessons in the book in our first year.
[00:48:29.880 --> 00:48:31.400] We're really excited about it.
[00:48:31.400 --> 00:48:32.520] Retail is hard.
[00:48:32.520 --> 00:48:33.320] It's hard.
[00:48:33.880 --> 00:48:36.120] But it's been worth it.
[00:48:36.120 --> 00:48:37.080] I hear that refrain.
[00:48:37.080 --> 00:48:38.200] I'm glad it's been worth it.
[00:48:38.200 --> 00:48:45.960] As you said, that I realized a common thing with marketing that I always tell people about is: so the call to action, right?
[00:48:45.960 --> 00:48:56.840] What you're trying to get people to do, the call to action, like the last thing you say to people, like go here or do this, is so important because you want to make sure you're streamlining that as much as possible.
[00:48:56.840 --> 00:49:04.440] I hate in a post or an ad when they're like, go listen to this episode, and then they link out to the full catalog.
[00:49:04.440 --> 00:49:06.760] So now people got to go dig for it, right?
[00:49:06.760 --> 00:49:09.080] Instead of linking to the exact episode.
[00:49:09.080 --> 00:49:22.800] So with Ella Livia, I imagine it's hard because here you want people to drive units in store so Target can see your impact, but then that's harder to measure versus a click to a website.
[00:49:22.800 --> 00:49:26.240] So I imagine that part is kind of tricky too.
[00:49:26.240 --> 00:49:32.000] Yeah, I mean, our first order we got, I mean, 70,000 units, right?
[00:49:32.000 --> 00:49:35.360] So we had to push through 70,000 units.
[00:49:35.360 --> 00:49:44.160] That means we had to get at the minimum, if you're buying one set, 70,000 people into those doors, right?
[00:49:44.160 --> 00:49:49.600] And so we also are a very small business with very small marketing budget, right?
[00:49:49.600 --> 00:49:53.440] So like, how do we become strategic and nimble?
[00:49:53.440 --> 00:49:55.200] And we've done it before.
[00:49:55.200 --> 00:49:56.800] We know how to, right?
[00:49:56.800 --> 00:49:57.280] Yeah.
[00:49:57.680 --> 00:50:02.400] But like, how do we do it in a way that drives guest check, right?
[00:50:02.720 --> 00:50:12.080] We haven't done it from that perspective before, but we have done it from the perspective of, you know, building out community.
[00:50:12.080 --> 00:50:14.400] And that's really what we're focused on right now.
[00:50:14.400 --> 00:50:30.800] We're focused on building up community and resources for this black and brown mom who's serving her daughter and allowing our black and brown little girl to see herself in the clothes that she's wearing is our first pathway.
[00:50:30.800 --> 00:50:33.600] But there are several other pathways that we want to take.
[00:50:33.600 --> 00:50:36.960] I like to say, Nike's not an apparel brand.
[00:50:37.120 --> 00:50:40.000] They're a marketing company that sells apparel, right?
[00:50:40.640 --> 00:50:43.520] Ell Olivia is not an apparel company.
[00:50:43.520 --> 00:50:46.800] We are a lifestyle brand for black and brown little girls.
[00:50:46.800 --> 00:50:53.120] But our first way to kind of put the stamp on who we are was to launch with apparel.
[00:50:53.120 --> 00:50:58.320] But there's going to be so many different things that we do to really create our mark.
[00:50:58.320 --> 00:50:58.800] Yes.
[00:50:58.800 --> 00:51:04.120] And I imagine your experience in CPG has come in handy with all of this brand building, right?
[00:50:59.840 --> 00:51:05.320] Yes, 1000%.
[00:51:05.640 --> 00:51:08.360] Brand building, how to tell our story.
[00:51:08.680 --> 00:51:12.440] My story is the forefront of even why I started this, right?
[00:51:12.440 --> 00:51:15.560] If that experience didn't happen to me in the NICU, right?
[00:51:15.560 --> 00:51:28.120] If I didn't have that NICU experience, I probably wouldn't be sitting here talking to you about El Olivia because it wouldn't be something that it would have been, you know, something that impacted me that I would be telling a story from, right?
[00:51:28.120 --> 00:51:37.480] And so my story of how I understand how advocacy and representation is so important is why I am building this brand out.
[00:51:37.480 --> 00:51:38.840] Absolutely.
[00:51:38.840 --> 00:51:40.600] Tap into your story, you guys.
[00:51:40.600 --> 00:51:46.200] Really think about the experiences you've had that have shaped who you are today.
[00:51:46.200 --> 00:51:51.960] There's a reason for those experiences, and there is a story that you need to tell.
[00:51:51.960 --> 00:51:57.720] And if you are waiting for an aha moment, try starting to tell your story.
[00:51:57.720 --> 00:52:02.920] I promise you that the clues will start coming after that, after you start to share.
[00:52:02.920 --> 00:52:03.560] Yeah.
[00:52:09.320 --> 00:52:14.840] Before we jump into the lightning round, Marty, I need to know one, how are you doing all this?
[00:52:15.160 --> 00:52:16.680] How big is your team these days?
[00:52:17.000 --> 00:52:18.120] Who is on your team?
[00:52:18.440 --> 00:52:19.800] How are you doing this?
[00:52:19.800 --> 00:52:33.480] Yeah, so our team now, we have a social media director, copywriter, we have a creative director, we have a website, an email developer.
[00:52:33.480 --> 00:52:41.480] We also have a consultant, a marketing consultant, a PR consultant, and then an EA.
[00:52:41.960 --> 00:52:43.800] That is our fierce and mighty team.
[00:52:43.800 --> 00:52:44.640] It's about being a musician.
[00:52:44.880 --> 00:52:47.120] Wait, what happened to the balloon guy?
[00:52:44.600 --> 00:52:48.800] Oh, look, he's not here.
[00:52:49.920 --> 00:52:52.720] He is still ride or die for us.
[00:52:53.040 --> 00:52:55.440] Because you have the best balloons I have ever seen.
[00:52:55.440 --> 00:52:55.920] Yes.
[00:52:56.480 --> 00:52:57.680] And we call him.
[00:52:57.680 --> 00:53:04.640] We are doing a photo shoot next week, and he is on deck and on the team to deliver what we need.
[00:53:04.640 --> 00:53:05.360] Right.
[00:53:05.360 --> 00:53:07.600] And are they working on both businesses?
[00:53:07.600 --> 00:53:08.880] Everyone you just mentioned?
[00:53:08.880 --> 00:53:09.200] Okay.
[00:53:09.200 --> 00:53:09.440] Yeah.
[00:53:09.440 --> 00:53:10.960] So they're crossed over.
[00:53:10.960 --> 00:53:13.600] They work on both businesses.
[00:53:13.600 --> 00:53:16.160] And then are these contractors or full-time?
[00:53:16.160 --> 00:53:18.640] Like you have salary positions under you?
[00:53:18.640 --> 00:53:20.800] Because I think the stress is different, right?
[00:53:21.120 --> 00:53:22.320] Listen, yes, it is.
[00:53:22.320 --> 00:53:26.000] Everybody is a 1099 employee on our team.
[00:53:26.000 --> 00:53:26.560] Okay.
[00:53:26.880 --> 00:53:31.120] Who is on your life team, your family team?
[00:53:31.120 --> 00:53:31.680] Listen.
[00:53:31.680 --> 00:53:33.840] To help you manage two businesses.
[00:53:33.840 --> 00:53:36.240] I can't do any of this without my husband.
[00:53:36.240 --> 00:53:40.640] Like he wants, like, man, my husband wants me to win.
[00:53:40.640 --> 00:53:45.840] And that's why I'm able to dedicate so much time to all of this, right?
[00:53:45.840 --> 00:53:47.040] Like, that's helpful.
[00:53:47.040 --> 00:53:55.680] But after, so not only did I get pregnant with L in 2020, but in 2023, I got pregnant with twins.
[00:53:56.320 --> 00:54:01.600] And so I have nine-month-old twins now.
[00:54:01.600 --> 00:54:07.360] When I was delivering our target order, I was about to deliver the twins two weeks later.
[00:54:07.360 --> 00:54:10.320] So it was a lot going on for sure.
[00:54:10.640 --> 00:54:12.240] Oh, you don't say.
[00:54:13.200 --> 00:54:17.920] So, in terms of like my life team, oh, it's totally different now.
[00:54:17.920 --> 00:54:22.240] Like, don't, I'm not even trying to act like I do this by myself because I don't.
[00:54:22.240 --> 00:54:24.080] My mother-in-law is a force.
[00:54:24.080 --> 00:54:25.280] She helps us so much.
[00:54:25.280 --> 00:54:29.400] I got a night nurse for the twins when they first came.
[00:54:29.400 --> 00:54:30.680] That helped so much.
[00:54:30.680 --> 00:54:34.440] We have a part-time nanny that comes and helps.
[00:54:35.000 --> 00:54:38.040] Like, none of this happens by yourself.
[00:54:38.040 --> 00:54:42.440] And people used to say it takes a village to raise a kid.
[00:54:42.440 --> 00:54:45.480] And as a mom now, I know exactly what that means.
[00:54:45.480 --> 00:54:50.920] It takes a ton of support to raise little human beings.
[00:54:50.920 --> 00:54:57.000] And then also, I'm really, really strategic on my schedule.
[00:54:57.000 --> 00:55:02.760] So, with everything going on, I actually don't say yes to a lot of stuff anymore, right?
[00:55:02.760 --> 00:55:05.240] Like, I don't have the time or the space to.
[00:55:05.240 --> 00:55:08.520] And so, on Wednesdays, Wednesdays are carved out.
[00:55:08.520 --> 00:55:11.080] I don't necessarily take meetings on Wednesdays.
[00:55:11.080 --> 00:55:14.120] I use that as a time to take the kids to the doctor.
[00:55:14.120 --> 00:55:16.360] I spend time with the twins on that day.
[00:55:16.360 --> 00:55:17.880] I use that as my day.
[00:55:17.880 --> 00:55:26.200] And then on Fridays, I use that as a half day to like mentally take a break and pause and allow myself to reset a little bit.
[00:55:26.200 --> 00:55:32.760] And so, I've figured out the schedule and the cadence that works for me, my family, and my mental health.
[00:55:32.760 --> 00:55:39.160] Because if my family is not good, it doesn't matter what I'm doing at work, right?
[00:55:39.160 --> 00:55:39.480] Yes.
[00:55:39.480 --> 00:55:41.000] It's none of that matters.
[00:55:41.000 --> 00:55:44.440] My family is my number one priority, hands down.
[00:55:44.440 --> 00:55:45.320] Same here.
[00:55:45.560 --> 00:55:46.840] And you too, right?
[00:55:46.840 --> 00:55:52.120] If your mental health is not good, none of this works because we are the core right there.
[00:55:52.440 --> 00:55:56.440] So we have to make sure that we are good.
[00:55:56.440 --> 00:55:59.400] And so I thank you for sharing about your team.
[00:55:59.400 --> 00:56:02.280] You know, having a child, obviously, it takes a village.
[00:56:02.280 --> 00:56:03.960] It also takes money.
[00:56:03.920 --> 00:56:10.600] Um, and and but we have to keep working to keep making all the money that this required.
[00:56:11.240 --> 00:56:12.440] Yes, we do.
[00:56:12.440 --> 00:56:13.640] Oh, my gosh.
[00:56:13.640 --> 00:56:16.000] I am laughing, but it's a serious thing, guys.
[00:56:16.320 --> 00:56:18.000] But I appreciate that.
[00:56:14.840 --> 00:56:19.840] I think you know, I knew you had two kids.
[00:56:20.000 --> 00:56:26.800] I don't know why I didn't know, I didn't remember about the twins, so that is just blowing my mind right now.
[00:56:26.800 --> 00:56:29.360] That blows mine every day, too.
[00:56:29.920 --> 00:56:32.960] You wake up, you're like, Oh, what y'all doing here?
[00:56:32.960 --> 00:56:40.160] Yes, I'm like, I'm like, Man, God, like you know, you really gave us what we lost, right?
[00:56:40.160 --> 00:56:45.520] Like, we had two miscarriages, and like you gave that back to me tenfold.
[00:56:45.520 --> 00:56:58.480] Like, and so, and I'm like, Nail God, you got to give us the funds take care of these children as well, and the funds to take a break.
[00:56:58.480 --> 00:57:04.320] You know, it's funny because I'm like, Man, I feel so rejuvenated when somebody else watches my kids for a bit.
[00:57:05.280 --> 00:57:11.840] I need more funds to do this, all the back, yes.
[00:57:11.840 --> 00:57:13.760] So, okay, I have kept you too long.
[00:57:13.760 --> 00:57:15.360] We have to jump into the lightning round.
[00:57:15.360 --> 00:57:36.240] I could talk forever because I really love the fact, you guys, that she has not only a digital platform that's helping so many events and empowerment, actual tactical pitch money, and resources for your business, and then also a physical product-based business inside of Target and beyond.
[00:57:36.240 --> 00:57:40.640] I don't often talk to guests who are doing both, so I could talk to you forever, Marty.
[00:57:40.640 --> 00:57:44.320] But I'm going to go ahead and pin it here and jump into the lightning round.
[00:57:44.320 --> 00:57:48.120] So, you'll find out where you can keep hearing from Marty in this route, all right.
[00:57:48.000 --> 00:57:49.440] So, so now let's jump in.
[00:57:49.440 --> 00:57:50.480] Are you ready?
[00:57:50.480 --> 00:57:51.760] Yes, I'm ready.
[00:57:51.760 --> 00:58:02.040] Number one: What is a resource, not Google, that has helped you in your business, businesses that you can share with the side hustle pro audience?
[00:57:59.680 --> 00:58:21.960] Yeah, I would say the number one resource that I've been able to utilize in my businesses, um, I would say it's two: someone who understands financials, so a CFO, someone who can project out and can know where you are today.
[00:58:22.280 --> 00:58:27.720] We have to know more about where our money is coming and going.
[00:58:27.720 --> 00:58:31.640] We can't, if we're a business owner, we have to know the numbers, right?
[00:58:31.640 --> 00:58:33.960] And we can't avoid the numbers.
[00:58:33.960 --> 00:58:52.920] And then, number two, having a startup lawyer to be able to utilize for trademarks and copyrights and like all of those things, those are two resources that are not sexy and they're not glamorous, but those are resources that every single business needs.
[00:58:52.920 --> 00:58:57.400] And those resources have helped me immensely in my business.
[00:58:57.400 --> 00:59:06.280] Number two, who is a non-celebrity black woman entrepreneur who you would trade places with for a day and why?
[00:59:08.120 --> 00:59:17.160] I, of recent, have been really drawn into the story of Emma Greed, who's the founder of Good American.
[00:59:17.560 --> 00:59:22.440] I absolutely love what she's created and how she's making a way.
[00:59:22.440 --> 00:59:25.000] I literally could connect with her.
[00:59:25.000 --> 00:59:26.920] Like, there's so much synergy.
[00:59:26.920 --> 00:59:28.520] I love what she's doing.
[00:59:28.520 --> 00:59:30.760] I see this in my future.
[00:59:30.760 --> 00:59:33.320] And so, yeah, I would any day sign me up.
[00:59:33.320 --> 00:59:36.360] Emma, if you're listening, yes, I see that.
[00:59:37.480 --> 00:59:40.600] I could totally see you, you know, shark tank and all of that.
[00:59:40.600 --> 00:59:41.480] So, yes.
[00:59:41.480 --> 00:59:46.160] Um, number three: what is a non-negotiable part of your day these days?
[00:59:46.800 --> 00:59:51.680] A non-negotiable part of my day is every single morning.
[00:59:51.680 --> 00:59:54.240] I have this app called Powerful Thoughts.
[00:59:54.240 --> 01:00:10.080] It's by Joyce Myers, and I read every single day, whatever that daily devotional is around how to really reset my mind while I'm drinking my coffee and drinking my eight ounces of water.
[01:00:10.080 --> 01:00:26.960] Like, if I don't get water anymore throughout that day, while I'm reading this, I am drinking, I'm drinking my water and I'm reading something that really sustains me and nurtures me and gives me exactly what I need to say what I want my day to be.
[01:00:27.360 --> 01:00:32.960] Yes, I think that we have the control over what we want our day to be, and that sets the tone for me.
[01:00:32.960 --> 01:00:38.960] Number four, what is a personal habit or trait that has helped you significantly in your business?
[01:00:38.960 --> 01:00:53.840] Consistency, consistently showing up when I don't want to show up, when it's hard, when I ain't got no money, when I'm bankrupt, when I got a lot of money in my bank account, like I continue to show up.
[01:00:53.840 --> 01:00:59.040] I say it all the time: you be the most talented person in the room, but if you don't show up, nobody cares.
[01:00:59.040 --> 01:01:13.200] And like, I'm I know I'm not the most talented person in the room, there are so many more people that are way more talented than I am, but I'm consistent, and you can guarantee you that I'm always going to show up on what I say that I'm going to deliver.
[01:01:13.200 --> 01:01:16.640] And I think that that's the thing that sets me apart.
[01:01:16.800 --> 01:01:17.680] Love it.
[01:01:17.680 --> 01:01:27.920] And then finally, what is your parting advice for fellow black women entrepreneurs who want to be their own boss, but are worried about not having a steady paycheck?
[01:01:27.920 --> 01:01:34.120] Oof, listen, it depends on the stage of life that you're in, right?
[01:01:34.120 --> 01:01:39.080] Like, so, so, you have to evaluate the stage of life that you are in, right?
[01:01:39.080 --> 01:01:41.480] To know what you can sacrifice.
[01:01:42.040 --> 01:01:46.120] But I will say, there's no such thing as an overnight success.
[01:01:46.120 --> 01:01:49.800] And an overnight success is 10 years in the making.
[01:01:49.800 --> 01:01:55.320] And that if you put your head down and you grind really hard and you do it, right?
[01:01:55.320 --> 01:01:58.840] And you allow miraculous works to take place.
[01:01:58.840 --> 01:02:00.760] That's the key ingredient.
[01:02:00.760 --> 01:02:05.400] You got to allow space for miraculous works to take place.
[01:02:05.400 --> 01:02:07.080] That's the advice I would give you.
[01:02:07.080 --> 01:02:09.640] Allow space, do the hard work, right?
[01:02:09.640 --> 01:02:23.000] But don't try to control and manipulate every situation because then you're not allowing those God moments to come into place and to really take root on what God wants to do in your life as well.
[01:02:23.320 --> 01:02:29.800] God told you to whisper that to me today, and I hope that y'all had that experience as well.
[01:02:29.800 --> 01:02:33.240] So we thank you so much, Marty, for being in the guest chair.
[01:02:33.240 --> 01:02:38.040] Where can people connect with you and continue to get your gems after this episode?
[01:02:38.040 --> 01:02:40.520] Yeah, you guys can connect with me on Instagram.
[01:02:40.520 --> 01:02:42.440] My Instagram is Marty T.
[01:02:42.440 --> 01:02:43.560] McDonnell.
[01:02:43.560 --> 01:02:47.160] You can follow us at Bosswoman Media Instagram.
[01:02:47.160 --> 01:02:51.960] Or please, please, please go and support our line at Target.
[01:02:51.960 --> 01:03:05.320] Our Instagram is shop L Olivia, E-L-L-E, Olivia, or you can find us on our website, shopolivia.com, and to see how you can support us at your local Target on our Target Finder.
[01:03:05.320 --> 01:03:09.320] We have our spring collection in Target right now, and it's super, super cute.
[01:03:09.320 --> 01:03:10.120] Oh, yes.
[01:03:10.120 --> 01:03:10.520] Thank you.
[01:03:10.520 --> 01:03:12.840] Thank you for showing us all the places.
[01:03:12.840 --> 01:03:15.760] We'll be sure to link to all of them in the show notes.
[01:03:14.840 --> 01:03:19.760] Thank you again, Marty, and I will talk to you next week.
[01:03:21.360 --> 01:03:24.400] Hey guys, thanks for listening to Side Hustle Pro.
[01:03:24.400 --> 01:03:29.200] If you like the show, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
[01:03:29.200 --> 01:03:32.880] It helps other side hustlers just like you to find the show.
[01:03:32.880 --> 01:03:37.520] And if you want to hear more from me, you can follow me on Instagram at SideHustle Pro.
[01:03:37.520 --> 01:03:44.640] Plus, sign up for my six-foot Saturday newsletter at sidehustlepro.co/slash newsletter.
[01:03:44.640 --> 01:03:52.000] When you sign up, you will receive weekly nuggets from me, including what I'm up to, personal lessons, and my business tip of the week.
[01:03:52.000 --> 01:03:56.720] Again, that's sidehustlepro.co/slash newsletter to sign up.
[01:03:56.720 --> 01:03:58.320] Talk to you soon.
[01:04:02.800 --> 01:04:06.960] If you love to travel, Capital One has a rewards credit card that's perfect for you.
[01:04:06.960 --> 01:04:11.840] With the Capital One Venture X card, you earn unlimited double miles on everything you buy.
[01:04:11.840 --> 01:04:17.680] Plus, you get premium benefits at a collection of luxury hotels when you book on Capital One travel.
[01:04:17.680 --> 01:04:22.720] And with Venture X, you get access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide.
[01:04:22.720 --> 01:04:27.280] Open up a world of travel possibilities with the Capital One Venture X card.
[01:04:27.280 --> 01:04:28.480] What's in your wallet?
[01:04:28.480 --> 01:04:29.200] Terms apply.
[01:04:29.200 --> 01:04:30.640] Lounge access is subject to change.
[01:04:30.640 --> 01:04:32.400] See CapitalOne.com for details.
[01:04:32.400 --> 01:04:34.320] Ready to elevate your skincare?
[01:04:34.320 --> 01:04:41.840] Introducing Medicaid, a clinically proven dermatologist-recommended British skincare brand known for age-defying results.
[01:04:41.840 --> 01:04:53.040] You may have heard about growth factors as the must-have anti-aging ingredient, and that's why Medicaid is excited about their latest innovation, the Liquid Peptides Advanced MP Face Serum.
[01:04:53.040 --> 01:05:03.400] This serum harnesses the power of Growth Factor Mini Protein, a cutting-edge technology that mimics natural growth factors but goes deeper, delivering visible, transformative results.
[01:05:03.720 --> 01:05:12.440] Studies show immediate improvement in expression lines in just 10 minutes and a significant decrease in deep-set wrinkles after 8 weeks of use.
[01:05:12.440 --> 01:05:21.800] The Liquid Peptides Advanced MP Face Serum not only reduces wrinkles, but also gives a filler-like effect, smoothing out your skin's appearance dramatically.
[01:05:21.800 --> 01:05:23.960] Visit medicate.us.
[01:05:23.960 --> 01:05:28.440] That's M-E-D-I-K and the number 8.us.
[01:05:28.440 --> 01:05:32.520] Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your purchase today.