The Shontavia Show

Trademark lawyer extraordinaire and author Radiance Harris shares some gems about knowing when to quit your job to start a business AND when to work with a trademark lawyer to protect your growing brand. Tweet: "Every single business has trademarks, but it only has its value when it's protected." @radianceharris via @ShontaviaJEsq Visit https://shontavia.com/episode44 for more. Text PODCAST to me at 864-651-9920 to get announcements and insights about starting and growing your business. // Show Summary 5:23 How Radiance knew it was time to leave her Big Law employer to start her own law firm 8:58 The one thing that helped Radiance more than anything when starting her own business 11:00 How Radiance built her customer base from zero 14:05 The fundamental things entrepreneurs need to know about trademarks 22:00 When Radiance says you should talk to a lawyer (hint: it's probably earlier than you think!) 23:40 How much a trademark lawyer ACTUALLY costs 26:44 Why it takes 10 months on average to get a trademark approved by the USPTO 32:09 Why Radiance says staying focused is the hardest part of entrepreneurship // Show Notes Where to find Trademark Like a Boss, Radiance's new book Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rl4yTA Website: https://www.radianceiplaw.com/book Where to find Radiance Harris Website: https://www.radianceiplaw.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radianceiplaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radianceharrisesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radianceharris/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1lo5oBeQ4ajqIBMv3dSbdA? // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Get weekly tips: shontavia.email Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/

Anne T. Griffin, a product professional in tech and founder of Pivot Grow Hustle, shares her experience starting a business during the COVID-19 pandemic while working full time. Find out how she got started, what helped her the most, and the biggest mistakes she's made. Tweet: "People quit when the timeline doesn't look like the timeline they imagined. But we have to keep going." @annetgriffin via @ShontaviaJEsq Visit https://shontavia.com/episode43 for more. Text PODCAST to me at 864-651-9920 to get announcements and insights about starting and growing your business. // Show Summary 7:00 Why the COVID-19 pandemic motivated Anne to start her business 8:07 Why Anne stopped giving away her intellectual property and started her own business 9:56 How Anne's Pivot Grow Hustle business helps tech professionals find their dream job 16:54 The first steps Anne took when she decided to start her business during the pandemic 18:11 How the Brand and Business Academy helped Anne get started the right way 23:32 The two things Anne would have done differently 33:41 Why you shouldn't quit when the timeline doesn't meet your expectations // Show Notes Where to find Pivot Grow Hustle Course: https://pivotgrowhustle.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/pivotgrowhustle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotgrowhustle/ Where to find Anne T. Griffin Website: https://www.annetgriffin.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/annetgriffin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atgrif/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annetgriffin/ Tech2025: https://tech2025.com/our_team/anne-t-griffin/ Watch Anne's Brand and Business Academy testimonial: https://youtu.be/zHLQ_0GrgAA More About Anne T. Griffin: We Got Next with Anne T. Griffin : https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/we-got-next-with-anne-t-griffin/id1364451513?i=1000457345094 Anne Griffin - Time for Your Come Up: https://thedrwillshowpodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/anne-griffin-annetgriffin-time-for-your-come-up // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Get weekly tips: shontavia.email Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/

Stephanie Humphrey, also known as Tech Life Steph, visited the Shontavia Show to discuss navigating her career path, finding her God-given purpose, and knowing when it's time to stay or pivot. Tech Life Steph has LIVED, honey. Stephanie is currently a technology contributor for ABC News where she worked as part of the nationally syndicated Strahan Sara & Keke team, as well as contributing to Good Morning America. Before that, she spent two years as the technology contributor to daytime talk show The Harry Show, hosted by Harry Connick, Jr. She has also been a guest expert on the daytime morning show Home & Family on The Hallmark Channel, and Sister Circle Live on TV One. Helping students is a passion that drives Stephanie, and she has channeled this motivation into a seminar called ‘Til Death Do You Tweet. Her new book “Don’t Let Your Digital Footprint Kick You in the Butt!” expands on these concepts. Visit https://shontavia.com/episode42 for more. // Show Summary 00:03:00 How Stephanie's unfulfilling career as an engineer led to her first modeling gig 00:08:07 When Stephanie knew it was time to leave her engineering job 00:15:09 How one 2011 meeting gave Stephanie the idea for her Tech Life Steph brand 00:25:03 What Stephanie's business looks like today 00:34:13 Why Stephanie thinks everybody needs to be on LinkedIn 00:42:46 How to clean up past mistakes you've made online 00:47:20 How Stephanie went from her first event with 4 people to having her book featured in Times Square 00:55:50 How to leverage unpaid opportunities for paid ones // Show Notes Where to find Tech Life Steph and her book: Book: Don't Let Your Digital Footprint Kick You in the Butt!: A lesson in what NOT to on the internet to build your personal brand online Website: https://www.tildeathdoyoutweet.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/techlifesteph Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techlifesteph/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/techlifesteph/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sthumphrey24 More About Tech Life Steph: Former engineer Stephanie Humphrey helps people understand technology: https://rollingout.com/2020/04/01/former-engineer-stephanie-humphrey-helps-people-understand-technology/ Internet & device solutions for back to school: https://youtu.be/nDCAbvYhMx4 // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Get weekly tips: shontavia.email Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/

Well, it's been a minute. Between the anti-racism protests, COVID, the 2020 election, #ENDSARS, and everything else, life has been a roller coaster. In this episode of the Shontavia Show, Shontavia walks through her brief hiatus, what she's been up to, and what she's learned about surviving and thriving in uncertain times. Visit https://shontavia.com/episode41 for more. // Show Summary 00:01:34 Girl, where you been? 00:06:49 Join Shontavia's book club 00:09:21 The first thing you can do to survive: get educated 00:10:38 The three courses I took to make five figures in five months 00:17:13 The second thing you can do to survive: pursue economic independence/financial freedom 00:22:15 The third thing you can do to survive: do good in the world and give yourself grace // Show Notes Join Shontavia's Book Club : shontavia.com/bookclub Get The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks on Amazon.com Tonya Evans' From Cash to Crypto course Danielle Leslie's Course from Scratch Courtney Sanders' Project Management Course // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Get weekly tips: shontavia.email Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/

I visited the Dr. Will Show to talk about my story and journey with entrepreneurship, including quitting my six-figure job, moving to South Africa for several months, and taking a $100,000 pay cut to come back to the United States to teach. I also provide suggestions to educators for they can be entrepreneurial, especially during the COVID-19 era. Visit https://shontavia.com/episode39 for more. // Show Summary // Show Notes Original Episode: https://thedrwillshowpodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/shontavia-johnson-esq-shontaviajesq-the-power-of-one This Educator Made A Documentary About Teachers Turning Toward Entrepreneurship: https://www.forbes.com/sites/robynshulman/2019/04/20/this-educator-made-a-documentary-about-teachers-turning-toward-entrepreneurship/#24aebf6169e7 Where to find Will H. Deyamport, III, Ed.D.: YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrWillDeyamportIII/featured Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamDrWill Podcast: https://thedrwillshowpodcast.simplecast.com Website: https://www.tdg.education // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/

Kanika Tolver, CEO & Author of Career Rehab, comes to the Shontavia Show to drop ALL the knowledge about how to build your personal brand while working full time. As a career coach and full-time tech professional, Kanika is walking the walk and talking the talk. In this episode, she is very transparent about how she got a book deal with a major publisher while working full-time, how she shifted from an employee mindset to a branding mindset, and how becoming a "networking junkie" helped her land a job at one of the best places to work in the world. Kanika also shares her best tips for employees who want to level up in their careers and with their brands. If you have any dreams of expanding beyond the job you currently have, this episode is a must-listen! Visit https://shontavia.com/episode38 for more. // Show Summary 02:59 Why Kanika ignored the advice of family, friends and co-workers and quit her "good government job" for a job at Deloitte 08:38 How Kanika found her value and worth in her career 11:07 Why finding "virtual mentors" is important for your career 12:25 How Kanika decided on her side hustle idea while working in the corporate sector 17:03 How to build an authentic brand online 20:00 How Kanika found an agent and landed her first book deal with Entrepreneur Press 27:42 Why people are so unhappy at work right now 29:18 The two things you need to do to create a personal brand at work 32:53 How to turn your knowledge and expertise into a product or service 35:37 Why you should be dating jobs 38:43 Why Kanika highlights other people's successes in her latest book, Career Rehab 44:00 Why you should fight for the way you want your personal brand represented by others // Show Notes Where to find Kanika Tolver: Website: https://kanikatolver.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/KanikaTolver Buy Career Rehab: https://amzn.to/2EIFaTP Read Kanika's articles on Entrepreneur.com: https://www.entrepreneur.com/author/kanika-tolver // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/

This is unapologetically a black women appreciation episode. The world is on fire, but black women entrepreneurs are killing it in their respective fields and giving me inspiration at the same time. I wanted to share a few of the lessons I've learned from six amazing black women entrepreneurs: Tabitha Brown, Rachel Rodgers, Danielle Leslie, Dawn Dickson, Teri Ijeoma, and King Ashley Ann. I know you'll find some inspiration from their stories too! // Show Summary 02:19 Lesson #1 from Tabitha Brown: Continue to make your content 06:36 Lesson #2 from Rachel Rodgers: Speak your truth 13:02 Lesson #3 from Danielle Leslie: "I dream it. I work hard. I grind, I own it." 16:12 Lesson #4 from Dawn Dickson: Invest in yourself and your education 23:26 Lesson #5 from Teri Ijeoma: You can talk about God AND business IN your business 26:18 Lesson #6 from King Ashley Ann: Authenticity is your superpower // Show Notes Tabitha Brown https://www.instagram.com/iamtabithabrown/https://www.blackenterprise.com/tiktok-star-tabitha-brown-lands-web-series-on-ellen-degeneres-digital-network/Rachel Rodgers https://helloseven.cohttps://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/17/hello-seven-rachel-rodgers-hits-1-million-forms-anti-racist-pledge.htmlDanielle Leslie https://www.danielleleslie.com Dawn Dickson https://www.dawndickson.mehttps://www.blackenterprise.com/the-road-to-1-million-can-start-at-the-entrepreneurs-summit/Teri Ijeoma https://investwithteri.com King Ashley Ann https://kingashleyann.biz/https://rollingout.com/2017/10/19/king-ashley-ann-teaches-how-to-monetize-social-media-hosts-annual-wealth-expo/ // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

Jess Avolio, an Ontario-based entrepreneur and branding expert, stops by the Shontavia Show to talk about how she helps creators and entrepreneurs build their brand identity while also publicly supporting anti-racist efforts in her business. Jess drops lots of knowledge for early-stage business owners and entrepreneurs about how to start building a consistent and dynamic brand. From color palettes and social media strategy to fonts and user experience, Jess provides invaluable expertise for people starting from the ground zero. She also talks about how recent anti-racist protests around the world motivated her to take a public stance through her business and the feedback she's gotten from her followers and clients. // Show Summary 01:22 Why entrepreneur Jess Avolio tells people up front that her business is anti-oppressive and anti-racist 03:35 Why Jess decided to leave her corporate jobs for entrepreneurship 07:20 Two methods for setting your rates as a new entrepreneur 11:31 Where Jess thinks new entrepreneurs should start with their branding 13:42 Why Jess thinks user experience is a critical part of the brand process 18:39 Why Jess believes consistency is so important for brands 20:55 How creatives and entrepreneurs can be good clients to their branding professionals 22:44 Why Jess thinks establishing customer trust also includes an anti-racist stance 28:17 Why Jess thinks brands should use their platforms to support anti-oppression and anti-racism // Show Notes Where to find Jess Avolio: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.avolio/ Jess Avolio's website: https://javolio.com/ Is my biz anti-oppressive? https://javolio.com/anti-o/ // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

Professor D. Wendy Greene visits the Shontavia Show to talk about growing her global #FreeTheHair brand while also building a movement to make natural hair discrimination illegal. Through her nearly two decades of dedication, she's worked with lawmakers, lawyers, community leaders, and everyone in between to ensure that African descendants can rock their natural hair in schools and the workplace. Wendy's fascinating story begins with her parents' status as civil rights icons in South Carolina, including her mother's voter registration work during the Jim Crow era and her father's civil rights case being successfully argued before the United States Supreme Court. This background has positioned her uniquely today as one of the world's foremost legal experts on natural hair discrimination. This episode is all about how she's managed to accomplish the herculean task of literally changing the law and positively impacting the world--while also building her own personal brand. // Show Summary 02:56 How growing up the child of civil rights activists shaped Wendy's life 09:43 The moment Wendy decided that she was going to change the law to prohibit natural hair discrimination 15:08 Why Wendy had to pivot with her strategy to change American anti-discrimination law 24:42 How to build a movement for EVERYONE while also building a brand for YOURSELF 30:52 The unbreakable connections Wendy sees between #FreeTheHair and #BlackLivesMatter // Show Notes Where to find Wendy Greene: Twitter: https://twitter.com/professordwendy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professordwendy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freethehairnow/ Free the Hair website: https://freethehair.com/ Doris "Wendy" Greene Helped Fight for New York City’s Ban on Natural-Hair Discrimination: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/doris-wendy-greene-natural-hair-anti-discrimination-ban Made for the moment: Wendy Greene, daughter of anti-discrimination pioneers, to present Angela Davis with Shuttlesworth award: https://www.al.com/news/2020/06/made-for-this-moment-wendy-greene-to-present-angela-davis-with-shuttlesworth-award.html The Official Crown Act campaign: https://www.thecrownact.com/ // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

Miles Beckler visits the Shontavia Show to talk about exponentially growing your business and brand by creating consistent content. Miles used a content marketing challenge to grow his YouTube subscribers from 0 to +140k in 3 years, and he's turned his platform into an incredible resource for his subscribers and successful business for himself. In this wide-ranging conversation, Miles covers his first failed attempt at entrepreneurship, the multi-million-dollar meditation website and business he and his wife built together, and how he's created a successful business through his YouTube channel. // Show Summary 02:17 How Miles went from 0 to +140k YouTube subscribers with his 90 day video challenge 06:30 Why Miles won't rely on social media to build his business 07:56 How to start a business during a global crisis 09:06 Why having an email list and owning your content are two of the most important things for your business. 15:19 How to go from behind the scenes to the face of a brand or business 17:50 Why it's okay for your first pieces of content to suck (everyone's does!) 21:56 Why it's okay to align your purpose and passion with money 28:19 Why Miles says everyone starting out needs to create more content than they consume // Show Notes Where to find Miles Beckler: https://www.milesbeckler.com/ https://www.youtube.com/milesb https://twitter.com/milesbeckler Miles's first YouTube video: Evolving Out Loud with Kyle Cease Review-- https://youtu.be/vWJsVHiKXDg 90 Day Content Marketing Challenge: https://www.milesbeckler.com/content-marketing-challenge-ideas/ The Ask-Angels website that Miles built with his wife, Melanie Beckler: https://www.ask-angels.com/ // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

This summer, my show will focus on entrepreneurs and business owners who connect their work and/or life to social justice. I can think of none more perfect to start with than Madam C.J. Walker, the first female self-made millionaire in America. Madam Walker, who was born two years after slavery officially ended in the U.S., used her business to train women entrepreneurs, fund college scholarships, and support social justice causes. In this episode, I speak with Mrs. A'Lelia Bundles, the author of On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker, the 2001 New York Times Notable Book about her entrepreneurial great-great-grandmother that was the inspiration for Self Made, the 2020 Netflix series starring Octavia Spencer. // Show Summary 03:27 How Madam C.J. Walker connected her business success to social justice 05:10 How Madam Walker's close ties to American slavery, and other black entrepreneurs, shaped her views 06:19 How Madam Walker helped create financial independence for her employees 08:38 Current black entrepreneurs taking a public stand in favor of social justice 09:56 How Madam Walker's time in St. Louis shaped her social views 14:19 How Madam Walker helped her sales agents build generational wealth 16:36 How black people can research early family history 20:01 Why A'Lelia Walker, Madam Walker's daughter, deserves her own book 22:45 Why A'Lelia Bundles hoped for "Hidden Figures" from Netflix but got "Real Housewives of Atlanta" with Self Made 31:19 Why A'Lelia Bundles thinks it is so important for black stories to be told 31:59 Why intellectual property ownership is so important // Show Notes Websites of A'Lelia Bundles: https://aleliabundles.com/ and http://madamcjwalker.com/ Netflix’s ‘Self Made’ suffers from self-inflicted wounds: https://theundefeated.com/features/netflixs-self-made-suffers-from-self-inflicted-wounds/ On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker (Lisa Drew Books (Paperback)): https://amzn.to/2V28hab All about Madam C. J. Walker: https://amzn.to/37KO8dO // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Work with me: http://brandandbusinessacademy.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

In this episode of the Shontavia Show, I talk about my own experience during this period of social unrest after America's most recent instances of police violence. It's been hard, and I'm exhausted. This episode provides some suggestions for how businesses and entrepreneurs can balance doing business with publicly committing to social justice and allyship. No, it's not easy, but y'all need to do better, and this episode offers some tangible things you can do to take an authentic stand. One thing I'll be doing moving forward is talking to entrepreneurs who commit to social justice and anti-racism--and use their business platforms to support causes, candidates, and change. // Show Summary 01:29 How the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others have impacted me and my family 03:30 Racism is alive and well...even in my diverse neighborhood 05:53 Why we can't just continue with business as usual 08:05 How the Shontavia Show will shift in response to the current social unrest 09:59 The history of Black American entrepreneurs (like Thomas Jennings) supporting social causes 12:57 How businesses can navigate during this time 19:50 One thing black entrepreneurs should be doing right now 23:59 How Madam CJ Walker, one of America's most successful entrepreneurs, connected her business to social justice in the late 1800s and early 1900s // Show Notes Black Folks Had Patents in the 1800s: https://youtu.be/fnyTEU-pWT0?t=10 The CEO of Black influencer marketing agency Shade shares tips for how companies can be better allies — and avoid getting ridiculed on social media: https://www.businessinsider.com/shade-ceo-tips-for-how-brands-can-support-black-americans-2020-6 5 steps to navigate brand messaging in a time of civil unrest so you don't lose customer trust: https://www.businessinsider.com/5-steps-brands-take-social-media-acknowledge-race-injustice-2020-6 // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

Harold Hughes, the CEO of startup Bangwagon Fanclub Inc., speaks about going from doing everything on his own to growing the Bandwagon team to now 6 people. He provides some insightful keys on how to successfully choose the right people at the right time. Harold's interview style and questions have been highlighted in Fast Company magazine, and it is clear why! From using creative compensation strategies to hire quality employees when the business had no money, to dealing with new hires who quit before they even start, to investing heavily in employees that may one day leave, Harold lays it all on this line in this episode. // Show Summary 04:20 When Harold knew he needed to hire people, and who he started with 06:52 How Harold hired a software developer with no money using deferred compensation 09:12 How to convince other people to work with you for free 11:33 How to choose the right candidates without a formal interview process 15:36 How to choose the right candidates when there is a formal interview process 17:33 Would you rather be King or be rich? One of Harold's favorite interview questions 20:22 How to handle rejection after a candidate takes, and then declines, a job offer 27:16 How to ensure that your employees become your company's biggest evangelists 32:06 Why the transformative power of transparent storytelling is important for black founders // Show Notes Raising Startup Capital with Bandwagon Founder and CEO Harold Hughes: https://shontavia.buzzsprout.com/795392/2884930-15-raising-startup-capital-with-bandwagon-founder-and-ceo-harold-hughes The Bandwagon Fanclub Team: https://bandwagonfanclub.com/team/ 9 CEOs share their favorite interview questions: https://www.fastcompany.com/90378682/9-ceos-share-their-favorite-interview-questions Harold's Twitter thread about hiring: https://twitter.com/OneBandwagonFan/status/1201498739258646528?s=20 // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

Startup life is definitely not a straight line, but it can be a very rewarding one. Entrepreneur Craig Walker visits the Shontavia Show to talk about his experience starting, growing, and selling his startup, Vidistar. Craig founded Vidistar in 2004 out of a need to test his unborn child's growth and development, and the company was ultimately acquired in 2018 by Hitachi Healthcare Americas Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi. Craig walks through the early days of his startup, including working full-time to build it, agonizing over the decision to quit his full-time job, and building a successful company that attracted a buyer. If you've ever wondered how startup acquisitions work, this is the episode for you! // Show Highlights 04:37 How entrepreneur Craig Walker came up with the idea for his startup company 07:16 How Craig went from idea to company 09:29 How Craig used his full-time, professional career to support his entrepreneurial endeavors 10:48 When Craig decided to quit his full-time job and work full-time on his startup 12:00 How Craig grew his company exponentially year over year 13:07 How Craig found good mentors while he was building his company 16:42 How Craig sold his startup, Vidistar, to Hitachi 18:44 How Craig and his team decided which inventions to patent 23:51 Craig's advice to new founders and people who want to build startups // Show Notes Hitachi to Expand its Clinical Reporting and Analytics for Diagnostic Imaging with the Acquisition of VidiStar: https://www.hitachi.us/press/hitachi-to-expand-its-clinical-reporting-and-analytics-for-diagnostic-imaging-with-the-acquisition-of-vidistar Hitachi affiliate’s acquisition of Greenville-based Vidistar a ‘win-win’: https://upstatebusinessjournal.com/tech-design/hitachi-affiliates-acquisition-greenville-based-vidistar-win-win/ SC Launch: https://www.scra.org/how-sc-launch-works/ // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

On Thursdays, Shontavia provides thoughts on your questions and reviews interesting things she's read, listened to or watched. On this #ThursdayThoughts episode, Shontavia answers a question about how to start a business when you don't know where to start. In Shontavia's response, she outlines: and much more. Check out the full episode for all of the gems and nuggets being dropped. // Show Highlights: 01:08 The question: How do I start a business when I don't know where to start? 02:59 Why Shontavia reads Wikipedia pages to grow her business and brand 03:52 Questions to ask when you hate your job and want to start a business 06:18 One foolproof way to find out what's happening in your industry or field 07:50 How to determine what makes you unique in even the most crowded of marketplaces 11:52 Taking advantage of free resources when you want to start a business or make a career change 13:23 Finding an accountability partner 14:07 Finding inspiration in other people's successes // Show Notes +50 places you can start when you’re broke and don’t know where to start, with inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: https://shontavia.com/50-places-you-can-start-when-youre-broke-and-dont-know-where-to-start-with-inspiration-from-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/ Thursday Thoughts: 3 side hustle strategies when you can’t quit your day job: https://shontavia.com/thursday-thoughts-3-side-hustle-strategies-when-you-cant-quit-your-day-job/ // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

What are the biggest fears and frustrations of new side hustle business owners? Artie Freeman, the founder of Ferguson and Freeman Affiliated Apparel, an early stage apparel company, lays his concerns on the table in this episode of The Shontavia Show. From working full-time and building his hustle on the side with his business partner, to protecting their content and brand using intellectual property ownership, to letting go of control, this conversation is quite relatable for working professionals looking to build their business while juggling everything else. This conversation shows us that there's always a path forward for early stage side hustlers. // Show Highlights 03:32 How one experience at 5 years old led Artie Freeman to his love of fashion and apparel 07:36 Why creating a scalable business has been difficult 08:47 Why finding his ideal cutomer has positively impacted Artie's business 14:53 How to get started protecting your content's copyrights without breaking the bank 16:58 The one resource Shontavia thinks will help if you file your copyright applications on your own 17:47 How to get started protecting your brand's trademarks without breaking the bank 21:45 How to balance your time when you're working full time and building your side hustle 25:31 Why making mistakes with new business projects isn't the end of the world, as illustrated by Disney and Tesla 27:48 How to keep your family happy when you're building your side hustle 29:13 How to involve your kids in your entrepreneurial endeavors 35:31 Why Artie and Shontavia disagree about pricing products // Show Notes Ferguson and Freeman Affiliated Company: https://www.instagram.com/fandf.official/ Finding extra time to start your business: https://shontavia.com/episode20/ Copyright.gov fees: https://www.copyright.gov/about/fees.html U.S. Trademark Office fees: https://www.uspto.gov/trademark/trademark-fee-information // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

In this episode of The Shontavia Show, I speak with Arlan Hamilton, an exceptional venture capitalist and the author of It's About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated into Your Greatest Advantage. Arlan is the Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital, a fund that is dedicated to minimizing funding disparities in tech by investing in high-potential founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBT. Arlan's remarkable story includes everything from poverty and housing insecurity to billionaires and history-making University of Oxford scholarships. We talk about Arlan's background, her new book, and why she's adamant about betting on underestimated founders. // Show Highlights 03:08 How Arlan Hamilton's viral Medium article made her a household name in Silicon Valley and with entrepreneurs 13:00 How Arlan built a name for herself as a VC while broke and homeless 15:09 What Arlan believes causes the disconnect between VCs and underestimated founders 17:07 The three things Arlan says led her to getting her first investor 18:28 How "writing her own invitation," and some unexpected help from a black woman, helped Arlan land a legendary billionaire investor 22:37 How Arlan's book, It's About Damn Time, is different from most business books 24:02 About How to Raise Capital for your Company from Scratch, Arlan's new course for startup founders 26:39 How Arlan uses money to give back to others by supporting special projects, creating scholarships, and making history // Show Notes Buy the book It's About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated into Your Greatest Advantage: https://amzn.to/2xvpLD7 Dear White Venture Capitalists: If you’re reading this, it’s (almost!) too late.: https://medium.com/female-founders/dear-white-venture-capitalists-if-you-re-not-actively-searching-for-and-seeding-qualified-4f382f6fd4a7 Memo to the Silicon Valley boys’ club: Arlan Hamilton has no time for your BS: https://www.fastcompany.com/90227793/backstage-capitals-arlan-hamilton-brings-diversity-to-venture-capital How to Raise Capital for Your Company From Scratch: https://arlanwashere.teachable.com/p/raising-capital-for-your-company-from-scratch/ // Internet + Social Media Website: https://shontavia.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

On Thursdays, I provide thoughts on your questions and/or review interesting things I've read, listened to, or watched. On this #ThursdayThoughts episode, I answer a question about how to stop overthinking and second-guessing yourself. My suggestions are to: (1) Start with something low stakes. (2) Use the resources around you, like The OpEd Project, and then (3) Number three, perfect your pitch. Check out the full episode for more. // Show Highlights 01:11 - The question: How can I stop overthinking and second-guessing myself when pitching myself to editors? 04:40 - Shontavia's horrible experience with an article she wrote 06:03 - How to start with a low-stakes article in your local newspaper 09:14 - How The OpEd Project helped Shontavia go from local letters to the editor to TIME, Huffington Post, and the Washington Post 11:13 - The one thing you can do to stop wasting time writing full articles // Show Notes How to Put Yourself Out There: https://www.buzzsprout.com/795392/2444864 The OpEd Project: https://www.theopedproject.org/ How to Pitch, from The OpEd Project: https://www.theopedproject.org/pitching How to Pitch an Article to a Magazine: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-pitch-an-article-to-a-magazine 3 Mistakes That Make Editors Throw Your Pitch in the Trash: https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-mistakes-that-make-editors-throw-your-pitch-in-the-trash // Want More? Find Shontavia Johnson at www.shontavia.com Sign up for Shontavia's #MakeItHappenMonday Newsletter at http://www.makeithappennewsletter.com //Social Media Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

In this episode of The Shontavia Show, host Shontavia Johnson talks about the top excuses that hold people back from starting their business and building their brand. She also provides the ONE rule she learned from a business coach that can get rid of all of those excuses. *This episode was pre-recorded in the Fall of 2019. While things have definitely changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I still believe we are living in an incredible time for entrepreneurs. *Warning, there's a little profanity in this episode. // Show Highlights 04:10 Black billionaire Robert F. Smith's advice about creating wealth during these historic times 05:06 An important message about living as history is happening from Hamilton's Schuyler Sisters 05:22 The shocking data on black women and Latina entrepreneurs 07:07 The most popular excuses people make that keep them from starting their business 10:38 The one rule Shontavia learned from her business coach that shifted her entire life and business 13:28 Some homework for listeners and viewers: visit shontavia.com/episode25 to share // Show Notes ‘Who is this Robert Smith?’: A quiet billionaire makes some noise with $20 million gift to the African American museum: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/who-is-this-robert-smith-a-quiet-billionaire-makes-some-noise-with-20-million-gift-to-the-african-american-museum/2016/09/23/547da3a8-6fd0-11e6-8365-b19e428a975e_story.html Hamilton At The White House "The Schuyler Sisters:" https://youtu.be/_ffjFS_4I8c Report: Women-owned businesses jumped 3,000% since 1972: https://www.fastcompany.com/90224242/report-women-owned-businesses-jumped-3000-since-1972 Black Women Entrepreneurs: The Good And Not-So-Good News: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2018/09/09/black-women-entrepreneurs-the-good-and-not-so-good-news/#46ad5b5a6ffe The Amazing Power of 'I Don't' vs. 'I Can't': https://www.forbes.com/sites/heidigranthalvorson/2013/03/14/the-amazing-power-of-i-dont-vs-i-cant/#303f8c3dd037 Finding extra time to start your business: https://shontavia.com/episode20/ // Social Media Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv

On Thursdays, Shontavia provides thoughts on your questions and reviews interesting things she's read, listened to or watched. On this #ThursdayThoughts episode, Shontavia and Nichole Hayden answer a question about how to build a brand internally at work from someone who is just starting her career at a Midwestern law firm. Their advice: (1) make a good first impression by being dependable and communicating early and often; (2) make connections with your colleagues; (3) do good work; and (4) choose the career path that works for you. Check out this episode for more. // Show Highlights 01:54 Listener Rachel asks her question about creating a "brand" inside her law firm as a new employee 02:49 Why Nichole thinks first impressions are the most important thing when you're a new employee/law firm associate 05:04 Why being dependable is one of the best things a new employee/law firm associate can do 05:57 Nichole's advice on what to do when you make mistakes 07:11 How to make connections with colleagues at a new employer/law firm 08:41 How to create a reputation at work without going to any social functions 10:20 How Nichole navigated motherhood and law firm life // Show Notes Answering all of your intellectual property questions with Nichole Hayden, law firm partner: https://shontavia.com/episode23/ Where to find Nichole Hayden: https://www.nelsonmullins.com/people/nichole-hayden?#overview // Social Media Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShontaviaJEsq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontaviajesq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontaviajesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontaviajesq/ Tumblr: http://shontaviajesq.tumblr.com/ YouTube: https://www.shontavia.tv