Your First Million

Tara Reed founded Apps Without Code to help anyone build an app, even if they don’t have any technical knowledge. And in 2019, she generated $1 million in revenue from her online course. Ever since I started this podcast, I’ve wanted to interview Tara and share her story.

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Highlights

• 4:17 Tara talks about how she built her business from her newsletter
• 6:37 She describes what her online program offers
• 9:47 She tells a story about a music teacher who developed an app in her course
• 12:04 What graduates can expect after completing the program, such as the potential to make revenue
• 17:56 The benefits of developing ideas rather than raising money
• 21:48 Tara talks about why her program is more than just developing apps

Links

https://www.appswithoutcode.com/

use the code FAST10 when you’re ready to try the program!

With hits like “Caught Out There,” & “Milkshake,” Kelis needs no introduction. We spoke candidly about entrepreneurship, artistry, and legacy during this live recording in front of an intimate online audience, May 8, 2020. Recent Your First Million interviewee @Janine joined the conversation as my special guest.

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Highlights

8:01 A sneak preview of my book It’s About Damn Time!

16:37 Janine and I reminisce about our time on tour together

20:21 Kelis talks about growing up in Harlem

23:30 She talks about the Black music community in NYC in the 90s

26:36 I ask how she stays grounded when she started at such a young age

31:38 Janine asks Kelis what it’s like to balance herself as an artist and a person who needs to live

39:45 Kelis talks about making Milkshake and her fight to produce music that she wanted to make

43:57 I ask Kelis about the process of understanding her worth

47:15 I ask her about taking a break from music and attending Cordon Bleu in 2007

51:59 I ask Kelis to talk more about the Netflix Show Cooked with Cannabis

Q&A

56:50 Do you have any other culinary plans for the future?

59:34 What is your advice when it comes to dealing with people dredging up your past

62:32 Kelis talks about stepping out of her artistry and building her wealth

66:33 She talks about the importance of owning land: “20-30% of America’s farms were owned by

Black families. We gave all that up for an apartment.”

At the beginning of May 2020, the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) released some interesting and time-sensitive pieces in light of COVID-19. I want to share this information with you because I don’t think this is just about VCs.

Entrepreneurs, innovators, and small businesses will be the ones to bring the world out of this pandemic - help them make it happen. You have an opportunity to write to your representatives about getting this stimulus package to the people who need it.

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Highlights

4:56 How the NVCA is encouraging the government to increase PPP funding

5:58 Why I see the world of VC as more than just the extremely wealthy

8:16 Statistics and numbers about how startups are affected

10:40 Why it’s important to help the VC industry stay afloat

15:00 How this affects underrepresented founders

17:48 How Backstage Capital is trying to provide opportunities for serendipitous relationships to happen between investors and entrepreneurs

20:08 Some companies that I see doing great work

29:00 VC-specific details and terms in the NVCA letter to the treasury

Links

https://backstagecapital.com/together

https://nvca.org/

https://itsaboutdamntime.com

This audio is taken from a live virtual conversation that took place on April 29, 2020 with approx 100 in attendance.

After reading Lean In, Minda Harts realized that, while some of the advice was helpful, no one was writing about the obstacles women of color face to achieve success. So in 2019, she wrote The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table. Now, she speaks at corporate events to give actionable advice on how to make the workspace better for everyone.

I followed and studied Minda Harts’ work for a while before releasing my own book, It’s About Damn Time. In this episode, we talk about leaning in as Black women, calling on allies to show up, and sharing our truths with the people who need to hear it.

What did you like about this episode? Leave me a message at: https://anchor.fm/yfm/message

Highlights

6:42 What is the book about?

10:09 She describes her experiences in predominantly white spaces, and her decision to start these conversations with allies (and non-allies)

13:24 Minda talks about why this book is for everyone

15:21 We discuss the importance of being seen and the lack of diversity in the publishing business

Q&A

20:40 You speak at a lot of corporate events. How does that go over when your book is critical of the corporate world?

22:31 What’s a good example of a takeaway from the book that someone could implement today?

24:21 Do you have a recommendation on books we can read to continue the conversation you established with The Memo?

26:37 Who are some other black women who inspire you? And what are you reading now?

29:23 If you could go back in time and give Arlan advice on writing her book, what would it be?

33:06 What is your take on the word 'feminist'?

34:16 How have you seen white women show up as allies since you put your book out?

35:57 How does this translate to our engagement with black men?

38:30 What advice do you have for anyone who wants to write a book?

41:05 Did anyone come back to you after reading this book and criticize what you said?

43:53 How has writing the book affected you?

Links

http://mindaharts.com