Black To Business

Trusting yourself in business sounds simple, but in practice it can feel complicated. Especially when you are capable, prepared, and still hesitating at the moment it matters most. In this solo episode, we unpack what audacity really looks like for Black entrepreneurs. Not the loud or performative version, but the quiet conviction it takes to move without guarantees, stop self editing, and let your own judgment lead even when the outcome is uncertain. This conversation is for the entrepreneur who knows they are ready, but keeps waiting. Waiting for better timing. Waiting for more confirmation. Waiting until it feels safer. DURING THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: Why hesitation often shows up after you've done the work, not before How self editing quietly costs Black entrepreneurs opportunities before a "no" is ever given What audacity looks like in everyday business decisions, not viral moments How to tell the difference between seeking perspective and avoiding responsibility Why waiting for certainty kee

Planning comes easy to entrepreneurs. Especially when things feel uncertain, heavy, or unfinished. The notes app fills up. The goals start forming. The urge to do something different kicks in fast. Pausing rarely feels as natural. In this episode of the Black to Business podcast, we slow the conversation down on purpose. This is not about setting better goals or building a more ambitious plan. This is about understanding where you are before deciding where you are going. Because planning without reflection often leads to repetition. New goals. Same pressure. Same habits. Same exhaustion. This episode is an invitation to pause long enough to see clearly. Not to quit. Not to check out. But to gather the information your business is already giving you. If you have ever felt like you keep restarting, carrying fatigue into new plans, or setting goals that feel heavy before you even begin, this conversation is for you. DURING THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: Why planning feels safer than pausing and what that habit cos

There is a quiet frustration a lot of entrepreneurs are carrying right now. The work is happening. Effort is being put in. Progress is not obvious yet. So the instinct becomes to scrap everything and start again. New idea. New offer. New strategy. New direction. In this solo episode of the Black to Business podcast, we are slowing that impulse down and telling the truth about what is really happening when you feel the need to start over. After speaking with more than 200 Black entrepreneurs on this podcast, one pattern shows up again and again. The founders who eventually find their footing are not constantly resetting. They stay long enough to learn. They adjust with intention instead of reacting out of pressure. This conversation is about resourcefulness, self-trust, and building forward instead of burning everything down when things feel uncomfortable. Inside this episode, we talk honestly about why starting over feels productive, how outside noise and urgency can cloud decision-making, and how to tell the

Being the "best kept secret" sounds cute until you realize it is costing you money, opportunities, and peace of mind. Many Black founders are doing excellent work behind the scenes yet feel stuck, overlooked, or invisible. The grind is real, but the results are not matching the effort. This episode is a truth-telling conversation about why moving in silence is not a flex and why hiding your work hurts your business. Visibility can feel risky, especially when you care about how you show up. It can also feel necessary if you want people to actually find, trust, and choose you. This solo episode walks you through the mindset, the fear, and the practical steps to start showing your work in a way that feels honest and sustainable. DURING THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: Why hiding feels safer than being seen and how that shows up for Black founders  How staying quiet about your work can limit your growth, opportunities, and impact What it looks like to treat visibility as service instead of self-promotion Simple

December is here. This is the time of year when a lot of people are talking about what's next. Before you rush into planning mode, this episode is your opportunity to pause and get honest about what needs to be left behind. As a Black entrepreneur, you know that business comes with more than strategy and systems. Sometimes, it's the mindset that does the most damage. Maybe you told yourself you weren't ready. Maybe you hid your brilliance because you didn't want to be seen. Maybe you kept trying to do everything alone because that's what you thought it took. You do not have to carry that into another season. In this episode, Monique T. Marshall helps you identify the quiet beliefs that shaped your business this year. She walks you through how to let them go and how to choose a new mindset that actually supports where you're headed next. DURING THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: How to recognize the beliefs that kept you stuck in survival mode What shifting your mindset looks like in daily decisions How your tho

This is the time of year when reflection and gratitude are everywhere. The calendar is winding down, timelines are filled with celebrations, and many entrepreneurs start asking, "Did I do enough?" In this solo episode, Monique shares a powerful reminder that gratitude and ambition can coexist. You can honor your growth and still know there's more in you. This is not about rushing to the finish line. It is about moving with clarity, intention, and purpose in this final stretch of the year. Whether you are listening on a holiday or it is just another Thursday, this conversation is your space to pause, reflect, and recommit to what matters most. DURING THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: Why gratitude is more than a feeling. It is a strategy. How to recognize the power of what you have already built What it means to finish the year your way, not everyone else's Three guiding questions to help you close the year with purpose A challenge to help you stay grounded and intentional   Thank you so much for listenin

Many Black entrepreneurs know what it feels like to consistently show up online, grow a following, build connection, and still feel like the space you are building on does not fully belong to you. The rules change, your reach shifts, and suddenly everything you worked for feels like it is sitting in someone else's hands. This episode speaks to the founder who wants stability, ownership, and the freedom to build without worrying about algorithms or disappearing access.   D'Angelo Senat joins us to break down what it takes to create an online community that is truly yours. He is the Founder and CEO of AllPeep, an open-source platform designed to help leaders own their data, their conversations, and their digital presence. His journey as an engineer and builder who has supported thousands of founders gives him a unique perspective on how ownership shapes the future of your business. He shares what real ownership looks like, why it matters for Black entrepreneurs, and how to create a space that grows with you.  

As we head into the holiday season, the pressure to show up and sell can feel heavy. Timelines are flooded with promotions. Everyone seems to be launching something. Meanwhile, you might be feeling like sales are stalling, your energy is low, or the results just aren't matching the effort. We definitely get it. In this episode, Monique is talking about how to stay consistent and strategic when sales feel slow and motivation feels shaky. This season is noisy, but it's also full of opportunity. The key is figuring out how to show up in a way that aligns with your goals, your energy, and your audience. DURING THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: How to recognize the season you're in and adjust your expectations What to do when results aren't matching the work you're putting in How to sell without shame, even when it's quiet What "showing up" can look like based on your capacity and business model Why repurposing, reconnecting, and real conversations still matter This is not about trying to match the intern

You've probably heard the phrase "raise capital to scale your business" more times than you can count. But when it comes to venture capital, most Black founders quickly realize that the rules, access, and exposure are not the same. The reality is that getting VC funding is not about how hard you work, it is about how strategically you prepare and how well you understand the game you are walking into. In this episode, we are breaking down what that really looks like with James Norman, Managing Partner at Black Operator Ventures and a 3x founder who has seen both sides of the table. James has built and led companies for nearly three decades and now invests in extraordinary Black founders who are building tech and tech-enabled businesses that change industries. During this conversation, James gives a real-world breakdown of what venture capital actually is, how to know if it is right for you, and what to have in place before you ever pitch an investor. He also shares what it means to be a Black founder in rooms

You've been doing the work. You've been showing up consistently, building your content muscle, and laying the foundation. Now what? In this final episode of the October solo series, Monique is diving into what comes next. The holiday season brings a flood of content and sales, but it also brings opportunity. This is not just the end of the year. It is a chance to turn the trust you've built into traction for your business. DURING THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: Why this season matters more than ever for Black entrepreneurs How to repurpose your best content with intention and clarity What to do if you are feeling behind, overwhelmed, or unsure Why showing up with focus can outperform loud, over-the-top campaigns How to move your audience from awareness to action The strategy behind Monique's own seasonal approach inside Black to Business Thank you so much for listening! If you liked this episode, please subscribe to "The Black to Business Podcast" and rate and review on Apple Podcasts:   Don't m

If you've ever felt like you're doing all the things, posting, planning, showing up, and still wondering if it's working, this episode will give you real clarity. This week, Monique is pulling back the curtain on what publishing over 270 podcast episodes and sending weekly emails has taught her about showing up consistently. You'll learn why content is not just about being seen, but about building something that people can come back to again and again. Content is how you: Learn who your audience really is Build long-term trust Clarify your message Guide people back to your offer, your site, or your platform Daily posts are not the requirement. A system that fits your life and business goals is what will help you stay consistent. In this episode, you'll learn: How consistency revealed who Monique's audience actually was Why posting daily is not necessary for growth or visibility What it means to guide your audience back to something you own How to stay consistent with content as a solo

Some people post to be seen. You post to be believed.   Credibility is not about looking the part. It is about proving it. It is the alignment between what you say, what you show, and what people experience when they engage with your work. That is the focus of this episode.   In this solo conversation, Monique explains how Black founders can use content to build real credibility that earns trust, opens doors, and keeps you top of mind. This is about showing your receipts in public view, not for validation but as proof of the excellence you bring to the table.   Visibility gets you noticed. Credibility keeps you chosen. This episode will help you build it with intention.   IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: What credibility really means and why it goes deeper than branding or presentation How to align your message, your content, and your audience’s experience The Teach Show Prove method for building trust through content Common credibility mistakes that weaken your message and how to fix them The 4 C’s F

Visibility can make or break your business. You can have the best product or service, but if people don’t see it, they can’t support it. This week’s episode of the Black to Business podcast dives into why visibility is power and how consistent content builds credibility for Black founders. Because for us, being visible isn’t just about posting more. It’s about being remembered, trusted, and chosen for what we bring to the table. Many Black entrepreneurs are still building without access to big teams, media features, or industry connections. The game has changed though. Digital tools and social media have given us the power to create our own platforms and control our own narratives. If staying consistent feels overwhelming, this conversation will help you simplify it. You’ll walk away understanding how to make visibility a natural part of your business, not another task on your list.   IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: Why visibility is the new currency of credibility for Black founders How to use consistent

Creating content shouldn’t feel like another full-time job, especially when you’re already wearing every hat in your business. But for so many Black entrepreneurs, staying consistent online feels like a constant uphill battle. One week you're posting every day. The next? You're exhausted and falling off again. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. We're kicking off a new solo series for October focused on helping you finish Q4 strong and step into the new year with more clarity and consistency. And we’re starting with the number one question we get asked: “How do I stay consistent with content without burning out?”   IN THIS EPISODE, MONIQUE BREAKS DOWN: Why content consistency feels so hard (and it’s not because you’re undisciplined) How to set up a simple content rhythm you can actually keep up with The difference between “creating content” and having a content system How batching, themed days, and repurposing help you stay visible without the stress How Monique uses AI tools to sp

Selfish. That word alone probably makes you tense up. Most of us were raised to believe that being selfish is wrong, especially as Black entrepreneurs carrying the weight of family, community, and proving ourselves in business. The idea of putting yourself first feels uncomfortable, maybe even impossible. Yet constantly putting yourself last is the fastest way to burn out and stall your growth. In this episode, leadership advisor and coach Dawn Christian, founder of BeLeadership, flips the script on what it means to be selfish. After 25 years of leading billion-dollar product launches in corporate and then pivoting into entrepreneurship, Dawn knows firsthand how dangerous self-neglect can be and how transformational self-prioritization truly is. She shares her Ethos Driven Leadership framework, practical ways to set boundaries, and why choosing yourself is actually the best thing you can do for your business.   DURING THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: What it really means to be a selfish leader and why that choice

As a Black entrepreneur, you’ve probably felt the weight of trying to keep up with new technology while still running every part of your business. Maybe you’ve asked yourself if AI is just another passing trend or if it’s something you really need to pay attention to. The truth is, AI is already transforming how businesses operate and compete. For us, staying informed and prepared is not just about keeping up, it is about leveling the playing field and creating opportunities to lead. That is why we brought in Stacy Kirk, a tech entrepreneur and thought leader who has built her career helping businesses embrace innovation. In this episode, Stacy shares why AI cannot be ignored, the most important tools and trends you should know about, and how to use them in practical ways that fit your business. She makes technology feel approachable and offers strategies that allow you to save time, streamline your work, and create opportunities to grow.   DURING THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: Why AI matters for every business

You want to build something that actually changes lives, and you also need it to pay the bills. You have felt the pressure to choose one or the other, purpose or profit, when what you really want is both. This episode is for you if you are wrestling with questions like how do I fund my mission, how do I prove my impact, and how do I scale without losing the heart of why I started.   In this conversation, you will learn from Jasmine Crowe-Houston, award winning social entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Goodr. Jasmine has built a technology powered company that has redirected more than 25 million pounds of food and delivered nearly 40 million meals by connecting surplus to need, and she has opened dozens of free Goodr Grocery Stores that bring dignified, affordable access to healthy food. She breaks down the real story behind making money while making a difference, from pricing and partnerships to data and mindset, and she is refreshingly honest about what it takes for Black founders to build and sustain socia

You may have thought about writing a book but quickly shut it down with reasons like “I’m not a writer,” “I don’t have time,” or “Who would even read it?” The reality is, a book is one of the most powerful tools you can have as a business owner because it shifts how people see you. A book makes people stop, listen, and lean in. It builds credibility in rooms where you might have felt invisible and it gives you authority without you having to keep proving yourself.   In this conversation, best selling author and international speaker Geo Derice gets practical and real about becoming an author as a business strategy. Geo shares how he went from being overlooked to booked by adding the word author to his title, and why your story already lives in your conversations, it just needs packaging. He walks you through defining your ideal reader, choosing the right idea now, building an outline that saves you time and money, and publishing professionally without wasting coins. We also dig into using your book to open do

When you're running a business, it’s easy to get caught up in long hours, constant hustle, and putting your own needs last. But here’s the truth: lasting success starts with taking care of yourself. Prioritizing your mind, body, and spirit isn’t a luxury, it's essential for growth. In this episode, we sit down with Lauren LC Wells, founder and chief wellness officer of Hervival, a holistic wellness and leadership company dedicated to helping women especially those in underserved wellness spaces thrive. Lauren’s journey took her from studying nursing to working as a fitness trainer in NYC, and eventually building a thriving wellness community. What started as a movement has grown into an app and now a membership hub that helps people prevent burnout, reduce stress, and live with purpose. Lauren breaks down what holistic wellness really means for entrepreneurs, the impact of grind culture on your wellbeing, and why putting yourself first is the smartest business decision you can make. Whether you’re just star

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get caught in the cycle of hustle, stress, and pushing through exhaustion. But what if your constant state of “go” is costing you more than you realize? What if the very thing standing between you and sustainable leadership is your nervous system? In this episode we’re joined by Lauren Dike, somatic practitioner, trauma-informed coach, and founder of Harmona Inclusive Wellbeing. Lauren has worked with organizations like NASA, Lululemon, and Black Girls Code, helping leaders and teams address burnout and embed nervous system science into the way they work. She shares how your nervous system shapes your leadership, why traditional self-care often isn’t enough, and practical ways to begin healing from stress so you can build a business that doesn’t cost you your peace. If you’ve been wondering how to lead from a place of calm confidence instead of survival mode, this episode will give you the tools and insights you need.   DURING THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: The difference between