Black Founders Network: A Community for Black Founders in Canada

Episode Transcript
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(00:01):
.999it's a pretty good time to be a Black entrepreneur because of all the work that's been done. 3 00:00:06,289.999 --> 00:00:07,370 since BFN started.
.001so many amazing organizations have started I really encourage, Listeners interested in entrepreneurship to, join Nobelum, Black Entrepreneurship Alliance, Federation of Black Canadians, Black Opportunity Fund, DMZ, Black North Initiative. 5 00:00:21,545.001 --> 00:00:24,810.518181818 these organizations are known as the, BIZ, the Black Innovation Zone. 6 00:00:24,810.518181818 --> 00:00:27,165 They're doing some work around that too.

(00:27):
.354545455Exactly. 8 00:00:27,501.354545455 --> 00:00:29,855.836363636 stay posted with the Black Innovation Zone. 9 00:00:29,985.936363636 --> 00:00:30,365.936363636 Hello. 10 00:00:30,385.936363636 --> 00:00:30,955.936363636 Hello. 11 00:00:30,995.936363636 --> 00:00:33,385.936363636 Welcome to the The Okwera Podcast a.k.a 12 00:00:33,615.936363636 --> 00:00:33,925.936363636 T.O.P 13 00:00:34,105.936363636 --> 00:00:36,55.936363636 where we're elevating you to the top. 14 00:00:36,325.936363636 --> 00:00:38,35.936363636 I'm your host, Justina Kanza. 15 00:00:38,45.936363636 --> 00:00:40,265.936363636 We've got some exciting guests for you today. 16 00:00:40,275.936363636 --> 00:00:42,895.936363636 I hope you stick around to the end and catch you soon. 17 00:00:43,255.936363636 --> 00:00:47,825.936363636 Today we're focusing on entrepreneurship, specifically black entrepreneurship in Canada. 18 00:00:47,825.936363636 --> 00:00:49,315.936363636 And I have here Efosa Obano. 19 00:00:50,260.936363636 --> 00:00:55,920.936363636 The humblest guy I know, good friend, and he gave me my first job out of university, guys. 20 00:00:55,930.936363636 --> 00:00:57,400.936363636 So he's a big deal. 21 00:00:57,730.936363636 --> 00:00:58,610.936363636 He's a big deal. 22 00:00:58,860.936363636 --> 00:01:05,120.934863636 Efosa is a leader that does amazing work with the Black Founders Network, supporting Black entrepreneurs across Canada. 23 00:01:05,415.935863636 --> 00:01:13,895.935363636 And we're just really going to be talking about what it's like for you building your venture black founders network, your journey as a leader, your career journey. 24 00:01:13,895.935363636 --> 00:01:18,775.935863636 And the future of black innovation in Canada and the ecosystem that's being built. 25 00:01:19,85.935863636 --> 00:01:20,335.935363636 So thanks for coming. 26 00:01:20,335.935363636 --> 00:01:23,455.936363636 Efosa how are you? That's a deep question. 27 00:01:24,755.936363636 --> 00:01:28,295.936363636 I feel like we've been talking about how you are the whole time, but yeah, yeah. 28 00:01:28,335.936363636 --> 00:01:29,135.936363636 Yes, no, I'm doing well. 29 00:01:29,135.936363636 --> 00:01:29,485.936363636 I'm doing well. 30 00:01:29,485.936363636 --> 00:01:30,485.936363636 Thank you for having me. 31 00:01:30,515.936363636 --> 00:01:35,825.936363636 I couldn't miss this opportunity and, I'm very excited for the conversation we're going to have. 32 00:01:35,825.936363636 --> 00:01:42,335.93586364 I think the work that you're doing to elevate, those who are going to be listening to this and just like. 33 00:01:43,155.93686364 --> 00:01:45,375.93686364 I guess unpack a lot of things for people. 34 00:01:45,425.93686364 --> 00:01:46,235.93686364 it's very needed. 35 00:01:46,235.93686364 --> 00:01:47,325.93686364 So thank you. 36 00:01:47,325.93686364 --> 00:01:47,725.93686364 Thank you. 37 00:01:47,725.93686364 --> 00:01:51,605.93686364 Thank you maybe we start with a little bit of an introduction for people that don't know you. 38 00:01:51,855.93686364 --> 00:01:56,715.93686364 Who are you? What do you do? What is BFN? What do you stand for? Yes. 39 00:01:56,725.93686364 --> 00:01:59,905.93686364 so Efosa Obano I am Nigerian. 40 00:02:00,315.93786364 --> 00:02:03,475.93786364 I moved to Canada in 2013. 41 00:02:03,525.93786364 --> 00:02:06,705.93786364 11 years ago now, for my university degree. 42 00:02:07,240.93786364 --> 00:02:09,360.93786364 when I was growing up, in Nigeria. 43 00:02:10,140.93786364 --> 00:02:16,560.93786364 The desire to leave the country to study in university also came from how I grew up. 44 00:02:17,10.93786364 --> 00:02:21,40.93786364 I didn't have the most ideal conditions as a kid. 45 00:02:21,570.93686364 --> 00:02:33,565.93536364 I always asked my parents like, what's behind the other places in the world that have 24 7 electricity or? Internet, and I would always read all these books, I was a very, curious child. 46 00:02:33,995.93536364 --> 00:02:49,730.93686364 then I got to see that entrepreneurship or innovation, like, companies were behind these, things that I wanted to experience myself, the idea of entrepreneurship as a Pathway for like change or fixing things. 47 00:02:50,230.93686364 --> 00:02:56,860.93586364 That was where the seed got planted So I kind of always had this desire to do entrepreneurship. 48 00:02:56,910.93686364 --> 00:03:02,760.93686364 when I was getting to university in Nigeria at the time, there's always all these strikes and, a lot of unpredictability. 49 00:03:02,760.93686364 --> 00:03:06,450.93686364 So I wanted to complete my degree. 50 00:03:06,450.93686364 --> 00:03:09,760.93736364 that was part of the motivation to leave the country. 51 00:03:09,920.93736364 --> 00:03:13,770.93786364 by God's grace, I was able to get into U of T, I have an uncle in Canada. 52 00:03:13,770.93786364 --> 00:03:14,420.93786364 I was actually. 53 00:03:15,280.93786364 --> 00:03:16,180.93786364 Trying to go to the U. 54 00:03:16,180.93786364 --> 00:03:16,360.93786364 S., 55 00:03:16,360.93786364 --> 00:03:18,420.93786364 like I applied to more than 10, U. 56 00:03:18,420.93786364 --> 00:03:18,560.93786364 S. 57 00:03:18,560.93786364 --> 00:03:18,980.93786364 schools. 58 00:03:18,990.93786364 --> 00:03:23,780.93686364 Got into, like, pretty much most of them, got so many scholarships, full scholarships. 59 00:03:24,440.93786364 --> 00:03:37,810.93686364 But then, U of T was one, actually two, I applied to U of T and McGill, one of the two Canadian schools I ended up applying to, and this was because my parents were very concerned about guns and shooting in the U. 60 00:03:37,811.03686364 --> 00:03:40,140.83786364 S. 61 00:03:40,140.93786364 --> 00:03:42,90.93786364 So I'd finished applying to all my U. 62 00:03:42,90.93786364 --> 00:03:42,170.93786364 S. 63 00:03:42,180.93786364 --> 00:03:53,730.93836364 schools, got to my admissions, and my uncle called my parents, I think maybe they were watching CNN or something, and they saw some shooting, so, I was like, oh, Toronto is like, you know, come to Toronto, it's safer. 64 00:03:54,360.93736364 --> 00:03:58,920.93686364 I knew nothing about Canada at the time, so I wasn't even very happy about it. 65 00:03:58,920.93686364 --> 00:04:01,270.93636364 I did the application just to fulfill a righteousness. 66 00:04:01,720.93636364 --> 00:04:03,880.93636364 But thank God, For immigration reasons as well. 67 00:04:03,880.93636364 --> 00:04:07,200.93636364 it's probably been a better decision in the long term. 68 00:04:07,650.93636364 --> 00:04:35,805.93636364 so anyways, I come to U of T I studied strategic management because I'm thinking what's the thing that I can do that's closest to learning about business entrepreneurship and that was it I know today's conversation is about BFN, but my first entrepreneurial, experience, was coming from noticing the shared lived experiences that Africans at U of T and in Canada, had when we just moved. 69 00:04:36,315.93636364 --> 00:04:42,805.93586364 a lot of people had similar desires to learn here, take it back home and improve their countries. 70 00:04:42,805.93586364 --> 00:04:47,545.93686364 at the time in the Scarborough campus, I had restarted the African Students Association at Scarborough. 71 00:04:48,45.93686364 --> 00:04:50,845.93686364 and from the conversations there, I saw this like. 72 00:04:52,60.93686364 --> 00:04:56,610.93686364 for providing a platform for those of us who wanted to actually take action. 73 00:04:56,610.93686364 --> 00:05:02,150.93686364 I did that through another organization I had started before BFN called African Impact Initiative. 74 00:05:02,610.93586364 --> 00:05:05,30.93686364 that was my first entrepreneurial, foray. 75 00:05:05,500.93686364 --> 00:05:12,390.93686364 and then when it came, when I graduated cause African Impact, I started that when I was still a student in 2016. 76 00:05:12,940.93686364 --> 00:05:15,340.93686364 so when I graduated African impact is a non profit. 77 00:05:15,340.93686364 --> 00:05:16,520.93686364 I needed to pay the bills. 78 00:05:16,570.93686364 --> 00:05:19,830.93686364 at the time we didn't have a lot of funding or resources. 79 00:05:19,940.93586364 --> 00:05:26,970.93486364 I needed to stay in Canada because, after you finish, with a study permit, you need a job and a work permit to continue staying. 80 00:05:27,460.93486364 --> 00:05:36,380.93386364 I spent some time working, at Dell Technologies Canada, where I got like my first real life experience kind of work. 81 00:05:36,800.93386364 --> 00:05:38,990.93386364 nine to five, it was a grind. 82 00:05:39,40.93386364 --> 00:05:42,980.93436364 My first role was supporting startups that were using Dell's technology. 83 00:05:43,780.93436364 --> 00:05:47,510.93436364 And, helping them navigate how they digitally transform. 84 00:05:47,510.93436364 --> 00:05:52,120.93336364 And, then eventually I was managing the team that was doing that. 85 00:05:52,350.93336364 --> 00:05:55,520.93336364 towards the end, also did a lot of social impact stuff. 86 00:05:55,610.93336364 --> 00:06:01,160.93436364 I was leading a social impact work in Canada using those resources to help non profits. 87 00:06:01,560.93436364 --> 00:06:03,890.93436364 we started the Black Networking Alliance. 88 00:06:04,560.93436364 --> 00:06:09,460.93436364 an employee resource group focused on using Dell's resources to help the black community. 89 00:06:09,790.93436364 --> 00:06:20,240.93486364 So I feel like the almost four years I spent at Dell, helped a lot, like work ethic, the network that, I was able to build, but also just understanding startups really well. 90 00:06:20,850.93486364 --> 00:06:54,995.93536364 and yeah, so that kind of accumulated into BFN, At the time, I'd gotten to this inflection point where, I wanted to do more purposeful work, I'd been praying about it for almost two years and, getting that conviction from God that, there was something more that I should be doing with my time my initial intuition was like, let me get a role in the others more Purposeful, so all the things I did towards the time my tail end and they're like, you know So shall impact pillar the black networking Alliance like that was me trying to do more purposeful work. 91 00:06:55,65.93536364 --> 00:06:56,865.93536364 even when I was there, I did really well there. 92 00:06:56,865.93536364 --> 00:06:57,885.93486364 I won a lot of awards. 93 00:06:57,885.93486364 --> 00:07:02,415.93436364 I had a lot of goodwill, a lot of social capital, like leadership loved me. 94 00:07:02,415.93536364 --> 00:07:06,645.93536364 So I kind of thought Oh, you know, God's plan is for me to grow here. 95 00:07:06,795.93436364 --> 00:07:07,985.93436364 To climb up the ladder. 96 00:07:08,35.93536364 --> 00:07:09,485.93536364 but that wasn't what it was. 97 00:07:10,270.93536364 --> 00:08:24,356.03536364 George Floyd, passing away triggered a lot of, things in Canada as it relates to the black community and how we were being treated, and in every sector you know everyone was not aware of that more and because of what had done with African impact at the time at this time now towards the tail end that they all like the organization had grown we'd raised almost 6 million dollars, that's african impact african impact, yeah so it had grown with doing well so the University of Toronto was the first supporter of the organization although this was all going on, I wasn't working, like I was overseeing it, but, I made a decision or even how that started, was very clear that, From my own perspective, that wasn't something that was going to necessarily enrich me or, so I've never like earned from African impact, so that wasn't paying my bills, although it was growing, but because of the prominence it was starting to receive, the university wanted to do something, similar to that for, Black entrepreneurs, or wanted to at least understand how could they serve black entrepreneurs here because that's focused on people in Africa at least on the entrepreneurial side. 98 00:08:24,726.03436364 --> 00:08:26,886.03536364 So that was how the conversation even started. 99 00:08:27,476.03436364 --> 00:08:33,646.03536364 I got invited in September of 2020 to speak, at an event, from Jon actually. 100 00:08:33,646.13536364 --> 00:08:38,456.03536364 I had never heard of him or met him prior to that. 101 00:08:38,856.03536364 --> 00:08:43,176.13536364 he reached out to, The people on the board for African Impact Initiative. 102 00:08:43,206.13536364 --> 00:09:01,306.13586364 That's like the U of T people on the board for an introduction and I just remember that introduction when it was Bill who made the introduction and the way Bill phrased it it's one of those moments where you just feel something special is coming from this. 103 00:09:01,306.13586364 --> 00:09:05,346.13586364 I couldn't explain it at the time, but because I was at Dell I had so much going on. 104 00:09:05,416.13586364 --> 00:09:07,226.13586364 African impact was busy, so much going on. 105 00:09:07,286.13586364 --> 00:09:08,656.13536364 felt like it was an alignment. 106 00:09:08,666.13636364 --> 00:09:14,326.13636364 Like it was an aha moment from all the seed that God had planted on something bigger that you were called to. 107 00:09:14,446.13536364 --> 00:09:15,26.13536364 Exactly. 108 00:09:15,36.13636364 --> 00:09:20,386.13586364 yeah, so it was like one of those moments that you feel like something special is happening here. 109 00:09:21,186.13686364 --> 00:09:30,401.13586364 it's funny because then I was This was even to my Dell inbox and my Dell inbox was, like, I had thousands of Your inbox has always been a mess. 110 00:09:30,401.23586364 --> 00:09:34,1.23486364 Dell was, worse than this probably, like, it was customer facing. 111 00:09:34,11.23586364 --> 00:09:44,421.23536364 So, like, you had to answer stuff in the middle of all the chaos of my Dell work and my African impact work, the fact that I even caught that email, I used to miss so many emails especially when it wasn't work related. 112 00:09:45,276.23536364 --> 00:09:47,616.23536364 thank God I saw the email and I was available to speak. 113 00:09:47,646.23536364 --> 00:09:52,776.23536364 So the events was about economic recovery from COVID, something like that. 114 00:09:53,26.23536364 --> 00:09:54,256.23536364 it was with Mars. 115 00:09:55,336.23536364 --> 00:10:00,816.23486364 at the time I barely knew about Mars, Now Mars is just next door, but then it was very hard So it was during COVID. 116 00:10:01,206.23486364 --> 00:10:04,196.23486364 and so my prompts, they asked me to speak on a panel. 117 00:10:04,206.23486364 --> 00:10:06,6.23386364 That was actually what the introduction was about. 118 00:10:06,436.23486364 --> 00:10:10,676.23486364 but I remember Bill had said, you know, blah, blah, blah about the events. 119 00:10:10,866.23586364 --> 00:10:12,106.23586364 But then he said something. 120 00:10:13,166.23586364 --> 00:10:19,6.23586364 To end the email that was like, but he also has a feeling that this introduction will lead to something special. 121 00:10:19,36.23586364 --> 00:10:20,426.23586364 Like he said it in a funny way. 122 00:10:20,956.23486364 --> 00:10:23,66.23486364 but there were just so many funny things about that. 123 00:10:23,136.23586364 --> 00:10:27,516.23536364 even the way I read it and I just had a feeling but like I said, I've been praying for almost two years. 124 00:10:27,566.23536364 --> 00:10:44,676.23636364 God, what is the next step? they gave me some questions around entrepreneurship and this was the first time that, They were asking me about, oh, I'd even heard about like black entrepreneurs because, I was on panel because I'm doing work in Africa and I'm supporting entrepreneurs in Africa. 125 00:10:44,676.23636364 --> 00:10:46,926.23636364 So that was the perspective I was going to bring. 126 00:10:47,486.23636364 --> 00:10:50,931.23736364 a lot of my questions were about that, but then there was, one or two questions that were about. 127 00:10:50,981.23736364 --> 00:10:55,501.23736364 Black entrepreneurs in Canada that, I was trying to prepare for the panel. 128 00:10:56,1.23736364 --> 00:11:01,41.23736364 I had to go do research about those particular questions because they were more focused on black entrepreneurs in Canada. 129 00:11:01,731.23736364 --> 00:11:05,631.23686364 I did the research and there was not a lot of data at the time. 130 00:11:06,31.23686364 --> 00:11:08,131.23686364 from the little that I could see, it was crazy. 131 00:11:08,131.23686364 --> 00:11:10,961.23686364 Like the stats, like people had the stats, you know, less than. 132 00:11:11,416.23686364 --> 00:11:14,56.23686364 2 percent of funding at the time that was the case. 133 00:11:14,56.23686364 --> 00:11:29,261.23686364 I think that's still the case now annually that goes to black founders and all those things So that was the first time I saw those stats at the panel when I was asked about that specific question, I shared some of the stats. 134 00:11:29,271.23686364 --> 00:11:36,501.23686364 I was honestly like, Hey, I'm not by any means an expert in this space, but I did some research and this is what I found online. 135 00:11:36,951.23686364 --> 00:11:40,881.23636364 And everybody was flabbergasted and a lot of people were hearing that for the first time. 136 00:11:41,521.23736364 --> 00:11:48,781.23736364 so I remember It was so, uncomfortable because I was one of the only black person on the panel room. 137 00:11:49,591.23736364 --> 00:11:49,651.23736364 Yeah. 138 00:11:49,831.23736364 --> 00:11:51,241.23736364 Like a bunch of white men. 139 00:11:51,241.23736364 --> 00:11:54,771.23736364 the innovation ecosystem at the time was still very White. 140 00:11:54,821.23736364 --> 00:11:56,941.23736364 people didn't even know what to say in response to that. 141 00:11:56,941.23736364 --> 00:11:59,356.23736364 And was a white cube you were comfortable. 142 00:11:59,976.23736364 --> 00:12:09,81.23736364 but like there was a general like, Desired, like, oh, what can we do? How can we help? And I'm like, I mean, I'm also just learning about this too, but I think this is something we need to do something about. 143 00:12:09,491.23736364 --> 00:12:10,731.23736364 and we kind of left it there. 144 00:12:11,301.23736364 --> 00:12:14,171.23736364 So after the events, Jon and Derek, Jon's boss. 145 00:12:14,211.23636364 --> 00:12:17,481.23636364 Jon French, he's the director of University of Toronto Entrepreneurship. 146 00:12:18,101.23636364 --> 00:12:22,276.23636364 Derek is the, vice president, AVP of innovation. 147 00:12:22,456.23636364 --> 00:12:30,886.23636364 they are both important because we're BFN, how BFN ended up forming, that was the division, of the university that ended up supporting us to start. 148 00:12:30,926.23636364 --> 00:12:36,776.23686364 Jon and Derek, they were not like on the panel or they were, they were listening into the events. 149 00:12:36,786.23686364 --> 00:12:40,436.23686364 The person that actually was moderating the panel at the time was the vice president of innovation. 150 00:12:40,516.23686364 --> 00:12:41,936.23686364 Derek's boss, Ted. 151 00:12:42,996.23686364 --> 00:12:50,586.36919697 Ted asked the questions And after the event ended, Ted sent an email, I think, just like, thank you for blah, blah. 152 00:12:51,256.37019697 --> 00:12:56,406.36719697 And like, yeah, very, very, thought provoking, you know, stats. 153 00:12:57,96.36819697 --> 00:12:58,816.26819697 and they're like, they'll probably be following up. 154 00:12:59,366.26819697 --> 00:13:05,436.26819697 with me to learn more then Jon and Derek followed up To have a call I remember on this call. 155 00:13:05,466.26819697 --> 00:13:26,381.26819697 They were like, they've been thinking a lot about What I shared they feel like, U of T as a leading institution in Canada needs to do something about this, you know, like, especially because, yeah, they're having, like, all the stats around U of T entrepreneurship and one of the top, if not the top in Canada for, like, ecosystem and blah blah. 156 00:13:26,451.26819697 --> 00:13:34,870.96719697 They also realized that they weren't sure about how U of T was doing, in terms of, diversity in the entrepreneurship space, They didn't have the data. 157 00:13:34,921.06719697 --> 00:13:44,141.06819697 on the conversation, again, I was even feeling like, I don't know, like, anything about this because they were asking me for a lot of answers. 158 00:13:44,141.06819697 --> 00:13:45,21.06819697 So I couldn't come. 159 00:13:45,306.06819697 --> 00:13:51,126.06819697 to that conversation alone, because at the time I hadn't done any of the work I'm doing now with black entrepreneurs here. 160 00:13:51,696.06819697 --> 00:13:59,26.06719697 I remember I reached out to people in my network, like more senior people who were doing work in the space. 161 00:13:59,26.06819697 --> 00:14:07,186.06919697 I remember, Bimi at the time he was, the program's lead for, the black innovation program at DMZ. 162 00:14:08,266.06919697 --> 00:14:08,576.06919697 DMZ. 163 00:14:08,576.06919697 --> 00:14:10,616.06919697 He was probably one of the only. 164 00:14:11,371.06919697 --> 00:14:14,951.06919697 programs that was doing stuff to help black entrepreneurs then. 165 00:14:15,541.06919697 --> 00:14:19,611.06919697 and he was a personal mentor of mine, So I reached out to him to join the conversation. 166 00:14:20,301.06919697 --> 00:14:23,591.06819697 And then I also reached out to a lady called Chioma. 167 00:14:24,171.06919697 --> 00:14:26,881.06869697 she had started an organization called My African Corner. 168 00:14:27,511.06969697 --> 00:14:32,591.06969697 they used to do events in Toronto for African people So I'd helped her with a few events. 169 00:14:33,36.06969697 --> 00:14:37,567.54112554 I remember I came to this call with both of them because I'm like, okay, these are people that have been in this space. 170 00:14:37,567.54112554 --> 00:14:39,337.52683983 the community and can speak more to it. 171 00:14:39,337.52683983 --> 00:14:40,957.52633983 I think I also reached out to Isaac. 172 00:14:41,197.52733983 --> 00:14:48,57.52683983 I think there was also a conversation at the time with Isaac, from, Dream Legacy, and now BKR, but then BKR wasn't even a thing. 173 00:14:48,697.52683983 --> 00:15:14,857.52533983 so anyways, we had these conversations with the leadership at the university and, you know, these folks were sharing their own experiences from what they think the challenges are and what they've observed from their work I was listening for the most part, Jon and Derek were asking them questions, so they were answering, The only thing I remember contributing to that conversation was, as a startup person myself, helping startups wherever, whether it's Africa, or the non black ones in Canada that I was helping at Dell. 174 00:15:15,532.52633983 --> 00:15:19,922.52633983 the number one rule I had learned was before you build something, talk to your users. 175 00:15:20,12.52633983 --> 00:15:22,202.52633983 That's something I carry with myself all the time. 176 00:15:22,202.52633983 --> 00:15:23,503.94162554 Before you build, talk to the community. 177 00:15:23,503.94162554 --> 00:15:25,172.52733983 Talk to the people that you're trying to help. 178 00:15:25,212.52733983 --> 00:15:30,372.52833983 so I could just tell that the conversation, like when a lot of smart people are talking. 179 00:15:31,232.52833983 --> 00:15:34,52.52833983 That's also have a lot of experience with something they're talking about. 180 00:15:34,262.52833983 --> 00:15:38,902.52833983 I'm guilty of this too, like you can, you tend to, you can think, you know, the answer. 181 00:15:39,462.52833983 --> 00:15:41,112.53033983 because you're so deep in the space. 182 00:15:41,122.53033983 --> 00:15:47,882.53033983 So I noticed there were a lot of beautiful ideas, great ideas, which a lot of them we ended up still doing, as part of the solution. 183 00:15:48,472.53033983 --> 00:15:53,142.53033983 my only contribution was like, okay guys, this is all great and whatnot, but I think we should, before anything. 184 00:15:53,862.53033983 --> 00:15:54,732.53033983 Moves far. 185 00:15:54,732.53033983 --> 00:15:56,182.53033983 And before we say, let's do this. 186 00:15:56,732.53033983 --> 00:16:09,232.52933983 we should talk to the entrepreneurs that's actually going to be helping, and I mean, all of us here are kind of like people that help entrepreneurs, I guess why entrepreneurs ourselves in a way too, but like there's so many more. 187 00:16:09,927.53033983 --> 00:16:12,957.53033983 Black entrepreneurs that we have, we should be consulting. 188 00:16:13,97.53033983 --> 00:16:14,767.53033983 that was my one contribution to that meeting. 189 00:16:15,117.53033983 --> 00:16:15,377.53033983 Yeah. 190 00:16:15,377.53033983 --> 00:16:25,717.52933983 And I think that's a good one too, because you could have very easily created these beautiful solutions, solutions that you thought the entrepreneurs needed and maybe they needed them, but they're just such low priority for them. 191 00:16:25,827.52833983 --> 00:16:26,417.52833983 Exactly. 192 00:16:26,477.52933983 --> 00:16:43,887.5298398 So you want to go back and understand, is it talent? Is it capital? Is it community? And I know you'll get to some of the challenges that you learned from the community because I think a lot of entrepreneurs will want to, hear that they're not alone in these challenges because the research validates and affirms them. 193 00:16:44,237.5298398 --> 00:16:50,687.5298398 and then two, for any, decision makers, community leaders who are creating programs, dispersing capital, what have you. 194 00:16:51,122.5298398 --> 00:16:57,222.5298398 they want to understand what are the challenges that they can solve for in the community based on the research that has already been established. 195 00:16:57,372.5298398 --> 00:16:58,102.5298398 Exactly. 196 00:16:58,152.5298398 --> 00:16:58,642.5298398 Exactly. 197 00:16:58,652.5298398 --> 00:17:00,832.5298398 So it was so critical to take that approach. 198 00:17:01,192.5298398 --> 00:17:02,792.5303398 at this time, I didn't know what was going to happen. 199 00:17:02,792.5303398 --> 00:17:05,392.5298398 Like, I didn't know there was going to be a program that came out of this. 200 00:17:05,392.5308398 --> 00:17:25,432.5318398 I guess we're just having a conversation and I thought maybe the university would, Do something I just thought it was still very early days and I just thought, okay, U of T wanted to maybe give out some money to black entrepreneurs and maybe that's what they're going to try and design a program like a, not even a program, like a, like application, one off thing. 201 00:17:25,432.6318398 --> 00:17:26,77.4308398 Exactly. 202 00:17:26,567.5308398 --> 00:17:29,277.5308398 because at this time I'm working full time at Dell, I have African impact. 203 00:17:29,277.5308398 --> 00:17:31,637.5298398 So in my mind, BFN didn't really exist. 204 00:17:31,707.5308398 --> 00:17:34,957.5308398 nothing to that effect was even in my mind then. 205 00:17:34,957.5308398 --> 00:17:40,87.5288398 But it was mostly just, the first principles of entrepreneurship I was reminding everyone of. 206 00:17:40,137.5288398 --> 00:17:42,107.5298398 And so we agreed, and I'm like, yeah, that makes sense. 207 00:17:42,527.5298398 --> 00:17:44,667.5298398 And then we kind of left the conversation there. 208 00:17:45,97.5298398 --> 00:17:47,767.5288398 so then after that, they followed up with me, Adrian and Derek. 209 00:17:48,162.6298398 --> 00:17:49,982.6298398 they followed me, directly. 210 00:17:50,82.6298398 --> 00:17:55,152.6293398 I didn't know if they were following up with other people but it was like, oh yeah, they want to actually, do the research. 211 00:17:55,172.6293398 --> 00:18:01,452.6303398 that resonated with them because even when I was suggesting that, I posed the question to you of the entrepreneurship at the time, they're like, oh, maybe you can. 212 00:18:02,317.6303398 --> 00:18:10,337.6303398 Go to your data on from black entrepreneurs that you have a U of T and maybe that can be your first reference points, but that didn't exist at the time. 213 00:18:10,797.6303398 --> 00:18:17,457.6308398 So they had come back to me from that perspective of, okay, they want to actually do this research, but they actually don't have any data. 214 00:18:17,457.6308398 --> 00:18:19,77.6298398 So they need to almost start from scratch. 215 00:18:19,727.6308398 --> 00:18:25,397.6308398 just to put it frankly, they were white men and they still are white men. 216 00:18:25,937.6308398 --> 00:18:28,657.6308398 So they were not as comfortable just like talking to black entrepreneurs. 217 00:18:29,127.6308398 --> 00:18:31,287.6298398 that was how the whole journey actually started. 218 00:18:31,317.6298398 --> 00:18:52,432.6288398 It was like, okay, by the side of my desk with my Dell job and my African impact job, am I comfortable? Helping talk to black entrepreneurs and, Yes, I understand what, the challenges are, even the roadmap of the research questions, all of that was left to me to do, but just to come back with a better sense of what is needed. 219 00:18:52,892.6288398 --> 00:18:55,552.6288398 I was so busy then and people used to ask me to do so many things. 220 00:18:55,552.6298398 --> 00:19:04,222.6298398 I was involved in so many side projects, but I prayed about it and, I got that strong conviction again, even without knowing. 221 00:19:04,272.7298398 --> 00:19:13,812.7308398 I remember I was in a relationship then, and even when I was talking to my girlfriend at the time about it, she was like, yes, impacts on black entrepreneurs, but like. 222 00:19:14,692.7308398 --> 00:19:21,512.6308398 You have no time, like you know, at the time I was already so stretched I had no time for him in the relationship as much as I should have had. 223 00:19:21,512.7308398 --> 00:19:26,352.7308398 So, it made no sense from her perspective, she's like, yeah, how are you going to take this on? you gotta make time for me. 224 00:19:27,432.7298398 --> 00:19:28,512.7298398 with everything going on. 225 00:19:28,562.7298398 --> 00:19:33,478.7098398 but of course, like I've said, I prayed and she prayed, we kind of got to the same page at the time about it. 226 00:19:33,998.7098398 --> 00:19:37,388.7103398 so that was how the initial journey started. 227 00:19:37,398.7103398 --> 00:19:37,728.7093398 it was fun. 228 00:19:37,738.7103398 --> 00:19:39,408.7093398 I wanted to meet new black entrepreneurs. 229 00:19:39,408.7093398 --> 00:19:43,628.7093398 I was looking at people's DMs anybody I could find that was a black entrepreneur. 230 00:19:46,563.7093398 --> 00:19:51,113.7093398 So I ended up spending, this whole conversation, the event's happening in September. 231 00:19:51,613.7093398 --> 00:19:53,993.7093398 We had some meetings in October, November. 232 00:19:54,523.7093398 --> 00:20:00,193.7098398 Then it was December that, the final conversation about, our research, that I agreed to do it. 233 00:20:00,878.7098398 --> 00:20:01,828.7098398 It was my job again. 234 00:20:01,858.7098398 --> 00:20:04,798.7098398 I was still working my full time job with Dell and doing African impact. 235 00:20:05,98.7098398 --> 00:20:08,498.7093398 So my relationship with the university at the time was as a consultant. 236 00:20:08,978.7093398 --> 00:20:11,418.7093398 So I remember it was like special projects or something. 237 00:20:11,428.7093398 --> 00:20:13,936.6493398 It made you feel special. 238 00:20:13,936.6493398 --> 00:20:14,558.6093398 Like. 239 00:20:14,988.7093398 --> 00:20:22,8.7093398 some special project, there was some name that we gave it the thing I just negotiated was I have to do this on my own time because they have all these other things. 240 00:20:22,8.7093398 --> 00:20:23,908.7093398 So it was like evenings and weekends. 241 00:20:24,158.7093398 --> 00:20:28,808.7093398 So the next like January to like September, I spent those months every day almost. 242 00:20:29,83.7093398 --> 00:20:31,173.7093398 talking to black entrepreneurs, as many as I could. 243 00:20:31,183.7093398 --> 00:20:35,353.7093398 I talked to hundreds, one on one conversations, kind of like we're having now. 244 00:20:35,853.7093398 --> 00:20:46,113.7103398 and yeah, I use the template I use for, like, start, like the startups use for user research, if anyone that's listening, I really recommend, just, Google Y Combinator, how to talk to users. 245 00:20:46,593.7103398 --> 00:20:47,533.7817684 And you would see the templates. 246 00:20:47,533.7817684 --> 00:20:50,613.7379113 just a few questions that you can ask to really understand. 247 00:20:51,383.7389113 --> 00:21:00,93.7394113 problems people are facing, why they are facing the problems, alternatives that they've maybe tried, what they liked, what they didn't like. 248 00:21:00,93.7394113 --> 00:21:04,973.7384113 it's a template you can apply to almost anything, a startup, a program, whatever the case may be. 249 00:21:05,183.7394113 --> 00:21:13,143.7727446 you get insights and of course you apply the same template to all the conversations Categorize the answers and you begin to see themes. 250 00:21:13,143.7727446 --> 00:21:24,603.8050779 the biggest learning from that was, well, two things One, why BFN has ended up growing so quickly is because of that approach. 251 00:21:25,93.8060779 --> 00:21:42,933.9060779 because that approach allowed, even before anything existed, people to own the solution to what we're going to build for them truly for us by us, from the very beginning, they feel like they're part of building it because they gave the insight into what was needed to be built. 252 00:21:42,933.9060779 --> 00:21:46,373.9060779 And it's been a strong and loyal communities since Exactly. 253 00:21:46,453.9070779 --> 00:21:48,563.9070779 I can't even take any credit like I'm today. 254 00:21:48,603.9070779 --> 00:21:49,183.9070779 That's great. 255 00:21:49,213.9070779 --> 00:21:50,793.9070779 But then I wasn't like, Oh, yeah, I'm going to do this. 256 00:21:50,803.9070779 --> 00:21:52,543.9070779 I was just doing user research. 257 00:21:52,543.9070779 --> 00:22:00,273.9070779 But that's like looking back now has been so critical because, yeah, truly that was how it was built. 258 00:22:00,303.9070779 --> 00:22:06,663.9070779 It was built based on what they said and they feel they felt and still feel. 259 00:22:07,173.9070779 --> 00:22:08,253.9070779 Like, like they own it. 260 00:22:08,743.9070779 --> 00:22:11,133.9070779 the most surprising thing from the whole thing was community. 261 00:22:11,183.9070779 --> 00:22:20,923.9065779 the biggest takeaway from putting all the data and gathering all the insights was that the thing people were missing the most was, community. 262 00:22:20,933.9065779 --> 00:22:24,613.9065779 black founders, in Canada, were missing the most was community. 263 00:22:24,614.0065779 --> 00:22:25,213.8065779 Community. 264 00:22:25,213.9065779 --> 00:22:31,63.9065779 And, this was in the form of being either the only black entrepreneur. 265 00:22:32,78.9065779 --> 00:22:35,288.9065779 in whatever programs they were attending at the time we're going through. 266 00:22:36,58.9065779 --> 00:22:38,378.9065779 So many of them didn't even use programs to launch their startups. 267 00:22:38,378.9065779 --> 00:22:48,858.9065779 We found out that like, was a number, like out of all the people that had startups that I spoke to, then only 30 percent of them actually went through any like program incubator. 268 00:22:49,208.9075779 --> 00:22:51,8.9075779 So people were just kind of doing it on their own. 269 00:22:51,658.9075779 --> 00:23:00,938.9075779 and so many people were not really aware about so many things that they had access to, whether it's government funding, whether it's accelerators, incubators, like so many people were just building in silos. 270 00:23:01,628.9065779 --> 00:23:10,938.9065779 and they wanted to, to like build with people, not just anybody, but people that kind of understood where they were coming from and had a similar lived experience. 271 00:23:11,468.9065779 --> 00:23:16,68.9065779 and also up to down in terms of a lot of mentors or program. 272 00:23:16,393.9065779 --> 00:23:48,343.9075779 Leads or investors, whatever you call them, for those who were in programs couldn't relate to their lived experiences, so if you're deciding to build Okwera because of what you faced the person that is like leading a program that you're part of That hasn't faced any of what you face is like, oh, you don't need an Okwera because yeah So they They invalidate If you don't have the right mentorship, you just stop building So there's a lot of that too, So that was the biggest thing. 273 00:23:48,343.9075779 --> 00:23:53,503.9075779 And the decision to do a network, because even the name was crowdsourced by the community. 274 00:23:53,613.9075779 --> 00:24:04,373.9065779 After all the conversations, part of what I would have asked then was yeah, what do you think we should build? What should we call what we build? And so that was when it started becoming clear that, we might actually build something that comes out of this. 275 00:24:04,423.9065779 --> 00:24:05,873.9065779 and it would need to be a network. 276 00:24:06,333.9065779 --> 00:24:07,193.9065779 and then of course. 277 00:24:08,128.9065779 --> 00:24:08,698.9065779 Capital was big. 278 00:24:08,718.9065779 --> 00:24:10,198.9065779 I thought that was going to be the biggest thing. 279 00:24:10,358.9065779 --> 00:24:10,958.9065779 The top one, yeah. 280 00:24:11,58.9065779 --> 00:24:14,838.9065779 like if we had gone with assumptions, because we think all entrepreneurs need money. 281 00:24:15,218.9065779 --> 00:24:17,18.9065779 but black entrepreneurs are not all entrepreneurs. 282 00:24:17,388.9055779 --> 00:24:19,658.9065779 Like our lived experience is very particular. 283 00:24:19,808.9055779 --> 00:24:20,588.9055779 Exactly. 284 00:24:20,618.9065779 --> 00:24:29,68.9065779 if I had known my bias, I'd have done something that, I mean, money was always, and money is still part of BFN, but like that would have been a big focus and maybe less. 285 00:24:29,118.9065779 --> 00:24:30,138.9065779 a lot of programs do it. 286 00:24:30,138.9065779 --> 00:24:33,158.9055779 They typically run, just do something very normal. 287 00:24:33,993.9065779 --> 00:24:49,13.9050779 But, yeah, like we spend a lot, BFN I mean, on fostering community, and just we've built it in a different way, it might not even seem financially smart from a just ROI perspective, yeah. 288 00:24:49,333.9060779 --> 00:24:57,243.9060779 But like, it's intangible, like those, like fostering community, you can't quantify the way you can quantify some other. 289 00:24:58,403.9060779 --> 00:25:01,133.9060779 So the events, the huddles, the activations, all of that. 290 00:25:01,673.9060779 --> 00:25:10,833.9060779 and then you find that capital capacity building, which was the other big need that came out of the research, the guidance, all of that. 291 00:25:12,793.9060779 --> 00:25:15,403.9060779 Community is the foundation for all of that to still flow. 292 00:25:15,403.9060779 --> 00:25:22,703.9060779 money moving, people investing, all of that is still a function of relationships, right? mentorship, capacity building is still a function of relationships. 293 00:25:23,253.9060779 --> 00:25:34,393.9080779 we also found, and I didn't know this at the time, but in hindsight, community has been the, catalyst of everything that we needed to do So, yeah, like that was the journey. 294 00:25:34,463.9080779 --> 00:25:36,93.9080779 after we did the research, I brought it back. 295 00:25:36,873.9080779 --> 00:25:39,63.9080779 I was surprised by it when I was analyzing. 296 00:25:39,63.9080779 --> 00:25:42,113.9060779 that's the thing when you're doing this process without any biases. 297 00:25:42,758.9070779 --> 00:25:48,968.9070779 it's such a beautiful experience, you just learn stuff and the data doesn't lie let the data speak for itself. 298 00:25:48,988.9070779 --> 00:25:54,668.9070779 wow, this is what people are actually saying and what do we make of this? I remember being so perplexed because I was like, well, this is not what I was expecting. 299 00:25:54,668.9070779 --> 00:26:04,818.9080779 I was a bit Not unhappy, but you have a thought in your mind and I didn't know how to move forward when I saw the data, but yeah, praying about talking to people and just being true to the data. 300 00:26:05,238.9070779 --> 00:26:06,358.9075779 let's try this experiment. 301 00:26:06,378.9075779 --> 00:26:08,488.9065779 Let's see if we can do a network. 302 00:26:08,488.9065779 --> 00:26:17,868.9085779 And, so at this time, it's started becoming clear that it would need to be Something that requires more time, bandwidth, there was a lot happening at Dell. 303 00:26:17,898.9085779 --> 00:26:25,338.8095779 I was, I got a promotion in May of 2021, and I left Dell in September of 2021. 304 00:26:25,338.9095779 --> 00:26:40,418.9100779 So my leaders at Dell at the time, they had started sensing I'd been very vocal that I wanted to do something more purposeful And I'm sure you two at the time kind of felt that that's what you needed in May when you got the promotion, to be honest, I was confused. 305 00:26:40,418.9100779 --> 00:26:41,436.0093636 I didn't want to take it. 306 00:26:41,436.0093636 --> 00:26:44,405.6084113 I was like, God, what are you doing? you know that I want to leave. 307 00:26:45,785.6094113 --> 00:26:48,445.6099113 I was so confused and my heart at the time in May. 308 00:26:49,295.6099113 --> 00:26:56,685.6109113 Although BFN wasn't yet ready to go, by May, I already kind of knew that the research was going on I was seeing, so I knew that whatever this might become. 309 00:26:56,895.6109113 --> 00:26:57,595.6109113 It's gonna be big. 310 00:26:57,635.6109113 --> 00:26:58,195.6109113 Yeah. 311 00:26:58,255.6109113 --> 00:27:03,255.6119113 And I might not like, it just felt disingenuous to give Dell the impression that I was here for the long haul. 312 00:27:03,875.6109113 --> 00:27:13,85.6109113 so I mean, I didn't take it at first, when I got the promotion from my manager then, or my director, I told him, yeah, Also at Dell, if you take a promotion you can't move internally for a certain amount of time. 313 00:27:13,635.6109113 --> 00:27:21,55.6109113 So first of all, I just knew that I wanted to, even if I was going to stay at Dell, be doing something a lot more different from what I was doing then. 314 00:27:21,695.6099113 --> 00:27:23,645.6099113 Internally for the next 18 months. 315 00:27:23,645.6099113 --> 00:27:24,120.6099113 I can't move. 316 00:27:24,180.6099113 --> 00:27:24,402.6099113 You can't move. 317 00:27:24,855.6099113 --> 00:27:30,385.6099113 so that was already, even if I was going to not leave the company, I was, I was like, yeah, I can't tell you that. 318 00:27:30,385.6099113 --> 00:27:32,245.6099113 I'm going to happily take that and be happy. 319 00:27:32,245.6099113 --> 00:27:36,460.6099113 So it was almost like, if I'm taking this, this means I'm going to have to leave the company, and I was honest about that. 320 00:27:36,940.6099113 --> 00:27:46,780.6099113 I even called Jon before I told Jon too, like, Can we do anything sooner, like can I leave now so that I don't have to accept this because this kind of feels wrong. 321 00:27:47,210.6099113 --> 00:27:55,900.6094113 but yeah, I mean, at the time I was basically pitching to the university to, to invest in they didn't have the resources to do it then. 322 00:27:56,570.6094113 --> 00:27:58,90.6094113 So it was like, unfortunately. 323 00:27:58,580.6094113 --> 00:27:59,940.6094113 we can't move forward now. 324 00:28:00,370.6094113 --> 00:28:01,680.6094113 I ended up going back to Delhi. 325 00:28:02,80.6094113 --> 00:28:03,570.6094113 He got escalated to the president. 326 00:28:03,600.6094113 --> 00:28:04,520.6094113 I talked to the president. 327 00:28:04,860.6094113 --> 00:28:06,510.6084113 when I just started, she was a director. 328 00:28:06,960.6094113 --> 00:28:08,280.6084113 in my division. 329 00:28:08,280.6094113 --> 00:28:10,930.6094113 So I had a relationship with her before she got promotions. 330 00:28:11,580.6094113 --> 00:28:12,180.6094113 four years later. 331 00:28:12,210.6094113 --> 00:28:13,570.6094113 we talked and I told her the same thing. 332 00:28:13,570.6094113 --> 00:28:15,580.6094113 she was like, she gets it. 333 00:28:15,990.6094113 --> 00:28:25,210.6094113 but I should look at it as a reward for my performance because I was doing very well and part of getting the promotion was based on how I'd been doing at Dell. 334 00:28:26,260.6094113 --> 00:28:30,950.6084113 and she was also like, you know, the stuff about moving internally, like if the opportunity that I want, cause Dell didn't want to lose me. 335 00:28:30,950.6084113 --> 00:28:36,570.6099113 So they were also working on some things I'd been asking for to create a role that I wanted. 336 00:28:36,960.6099113 --> 00:28:38,790.6099113 So she was like if the role gets approved. 337 00:28:39,835.6099113 --> 00:28:48,105.6099113 in that window of 18 months or whatever, she gave me the guarantee that she would, waive any restrictions. 338 00:28:48,535.6099113 --> 00:28:49,845.6099113 and I'd been praying about it too. 339 00:28:49,885.6099113 --> 00:28:51,305.6094113 trying to get my conviction from God. 340 00:28:51,305.6094113 --> 00:28:52,415.6089113 Cause I was like, I'm confused. 341 00:28:52,415.6089113 --> 00:28:59,785.6099113 What are you doing? and insights with all the, you know, U of T wasn't ready to fund anything to start BFN. 342 00:29:00,485.6099113 --> 00:29:06,905.6099113 The president gave me the, kind of, go ahead with like, okay, if I have to end up staying here, he'll make it work. 343 00:29:07,145.6089113 --> 00:29:09,725.6099113 I feel like there's a lesson there for listeners on. 344 00:29:10,915.6099113 --> 00:29:16,265.6099113 how do you navigate that piece? Cause you're negotiating not with your manager, not with your director, with the president, right. 345 00:29:16,265.6099113 --> 00:29:17,255.6099113 With the top of the top. 346 00:29:17,255.6099113 --> 00:29:20,775.6089113 how do you navigate that? And you're so young at the time as well. 347 00:29:20,775.6099113 --> 00:29:27,25.6094113 where do you get the confidence? How do you build that? Cause I think a lot of people are navigating similar situations. 348 00:29:27,125.6104113 --> 00:29:28,435.5114113 I think honestly, just being. 349 00:29:28,785.6114113 --> 00:29:32,955.6114113 Honest and transparent is the first thing with every stakeholder involved. 350 00:29:33,515.6114113 --> 00:29:41,205.6104113 that's the first thing because like I knew what I wanted and you say what your heart wants You also have to read the room and know the leverage you have or don't have. 351 00:29:41,915.6104113 --> 00:29:46,85.6104113 with Dell, I had leverage because I was an asset to them. 352 00:29:46,105.6104113 --> 00:29:48,385.6104113 I was bringing a lot of business to the company. 353 00:29:48,385.6104113 --> 00:29:52,365.6124113 I was managing like, millions of dollars in projects. 354 00:29:54,235.6124113 --> 00:29:55,885.6124113 I had like almost 30 people reporting to me. 355 00:29:56,105.6124113 --> 00:29:59,885.6124113 So I was doing like a lot for the company and they didn't want to lose me. 356 00:29:59,885.6124113 --> 00:30:03,695.6134113 So I had leverage then, which is why it got escalated to the president. 357 00:30:03,695.6134113 --> 00:30:13,670.6134113 I think being transparent, knowing the leverage you have, and then, just like not being boxed into, because At the end of the day, my faith was probably the biggest factor. 358 00:30:13,680.6134113 --> 00:30:16,840.6134113 Once I got the conviction from God, that's okay. 359 00:30:17,450.6134113 --> 00:30:22,50.6124113 Although you don't understand what's happening right now, this is what's this. 360 00:30:22,70.6124113 --> 00:30:23,490.6134113 I want you to take this step. 361 00:30:24,10.6134113 --> 00:30:27,750.6144113 then that was the calming, assurance I needed. 362 00:30:27,750.6144113 --> 00:30:32,450.6144113 in hindsight, if that didn't happen, I wouldn't have been able to negotiate. 363 00:30:33,285.6144113 --> 00:30:42,185.6134113 My, I guess when I was talking to the university, when the time finally came to fund BFN, just how much funding BFN got. 364 00:30:42,775.6144113 --> 00:30:47,495.6144113 And obviously I'm living Dell, so my salary is going to have to start coming from BFN. 365 00:30:48,85.6134113 --> 00:31:00,635.6134113 Long story in separate to this, but it's kind of related was I was closing a house around the time that I was leaving Dell and I'd already gotten my pre approval earlier because it was a pre construction. 366 00:31:01,355.6134113 --> 00:31:04,915.6134113 So that pre approval was tied to my salary at Dell. 367 00:31:05,515.6124113 --> 00:31:11,735.6124113 But in summary, it was like, if that promotion didn't happen, I wouldn't have been able to have. 368 00:31:12,150.6124113 --> 00:31:18,840.6124113 It's like average as well for your negotiations with BFN, that's why you had to have affected my approval for my house. 369 00:31:18,890.6124113 --> 00:31:22,172.1890266 when it all made sense, I'm like, okay, yeah, God, I can see why this was happening. 370 00:31:22,172.1890266 --> 00:31:23,113.665642 is coming clear now. 371 00:31:23,113.665642 --> 00:31:25,124.5049497 But at the moment, it was very confusing. 372 00:31:25,144.5049497 --> 00:31:27,4.5049497 So anyways, that all happened. 373 00:31:27,4.5049497 --> 00:31:39,394.5044497 And then I took the promotion, but when the BFN thing actually finalized, nobody was surprised because I'd already told everybody that I was also working on this other thing outside work that might turn into something. 374 00:31:39,894.5044497 --> 00:31:49,24.5029497 so when it came to pass, funny enough, Del was like, Oh, Okay, so now all the things I've been asking for, we can actually do it in three months Can you wait for three more months? Like if I was just about to leave. 375 00:31:49,544.5029497 --> 00:31:52,884.5029497 but I knew that BFN was what I was meant to do next. 376 00:31:52,894.5029497 --> 00:31:56,314.5019497 So that didn't necessarily hold me back. 377 00:31:56,864.5019497 --> 00:31:58,24.5019497 that was 2021. 378 00:31:58,234.5019497 --> 00:32:02,584.5019497 September was when I started, full time, working on BFN. 379 00:32:02,624.5019497 --> 00:32:03,844.5019497 University gave us support. 380 00:32:04,434.5019497 --> 00:32:06,634.5019497 since then we've expanded beyond that. 381 00:32:06,884.5019497 --> 00:32:09,334.5009497 Got some support from other people, Yeah, that's beautiful. 382 00:32:09,334.5009497 --> 00:32:14,454.5009497 I feel like that's the longest I've heard you tell the story because I've heard the story in different pieces. 383 00:32:14,454.5009497 --> 00:32:17,414.5009497 Every time we're at events or in the office, like we just have bite size. 384 00:32:17,534.5009497 --> 00:32:20,524.5009497 but I'm glad to hear it in full for myself. 385 00:32:20,544.5009497 --> 00:32:29,624.5009497 for listeners because a lot of the listeners will be people that are members of the BFN community and trying to understand how is this organization Supporting us and impacting us so much. 386 00:32:29,624.5009497 --> 00:32:32,144.5009497 Like, what is the story there? BFN is built. 387 00:32:32,204.5009497 --> 00:32:35,704.5009497 There's a lot of faith that goes into building it. 388 00:32:35,704.5009497 --> 00:32:39,84.4999497 There's a lot of community research that goes into it. 389 00:32:39,374.5009497 --> 00:32:41,604.5019497 a lot of sacrifice, that goes into it. 390 00:32:41,664.5019497 --> 00:32:45,94.5019497 you're going to start this new organization that has some funding. 391 00:32:45,374.5019497 --> 00:32:46,274.5019497 It's a startup. 392 00:32:46,474.5019497 --> 00:32:48,274.5019497 You're leaving a fully paid job. 393 00:32:48,294.5019497 --> 00:32:53,704.5014497 at a time where you just bought a house, right, if you need the stability more so than anything. 394 00:32:53,704.5014497 --> 00:33:02,374.5019497 So there's a lot of faith in the vision, a lot of faith in what you were called to do for the community, but also a lot of sacrifice for stability. 395 00:33:02,724.5019497 --> 00:33:05,254.5019497 giving up stability for innovation and creativity. 396 00:33:05,304.5019497 --> 00:33:07,174.5019497 a lot of entrepreneurs will relate to that. 397 00:33:07,434.5019497 --> 00:33:08,854.5019497 But now BFN is built. 398 00:33:08,894.5019497 --> 00:33:18,354.5019497 What is BFN based on all the research? What have you built with BFN? How is it impacting the community? And how has it been since I think three years now? Yeah. 399 00:33:18,354.5019497 --> 00:33:19,444.5019497 No, that's a good question. 400 00:33:19,494.5019497 --> 00:33:21,594.5019497 and just to piggyback on what you said at the end. 401 00:33:21,594.5019497 --> 00:33:29,414.5019497 It was when I say they funded it's literally the funding was like what I would get paid as a salary for one year. 402 00:33:29,834.5019497 --> 00:33:34,424.5009497 that was all the university gave me at the time before I left Dell. 403 00:33:34,704.5009497 --> 00:33:37,674.5019497 So it was like, okay, we'll allow you to. 404 00:33:38,424.5019497 --> 00:33:49,144.5009497 experiment on this thing for a year, but the resources to do anything else, like to host an event if it wasn't during COVID, it wouldn't have worked out because then everything was virtual. 405 00:33:49,144.5019497 --> 00:33:50,814.5019497 So, I mean, everything was just on zoom. 406 00:33:51,54.5009497 --> 00:33:51,794.5009497 Yeah, exactly. 407 00:33:51,794.5009497 --> 00:33:56,554.5009497 I could still do stuff on zoom But yeah, there was no money apart from, what I was paying myself. 408 00:33:56,614.5009497 --> 00:33:59,454.5009497 And I was even still not taking this as really like a pay bump. 409 00:33:59,454.5009497 --> 00:34:07,384.5009497 It was like a pay cut, but the pay cut was reasonable enough to just get by, close the house, all of that. 410 00:34:07,804.5009497 --> 00:34:41,689.5019497 so yeah, to your point, and I feel like a lot of entrepreneurs that I work with in BFN, otherwise, there's usually that, like, You incorporate, you kind of get to this point where you want to do more impactful, purposeful work, which I think just we're all created with gifts, skills, talents to do more than just like, you know, make a living working for some company, not that you can, you can find that purpose within the company and companies, but, yeah, just to not be in a situation where you don't feel like your day to day nine to five is. 411 00:34:42,989.5019497 --> 00:34:45,759.5019497 Actually, having you live out your full potential. 412 00:34:46,159.5019497 --> 00:34:53,319.5019497 so many people are in that situation, but especially people that are born to be entrepreneurs who are kind of struggling to jump. 413 00:34:53,319.5019497 --> 00:34:55,99.5009497 So, yeah, I echo that a lot. 414 00:34:55,99.5009497 --> 00:34:58,779.5029497 And I think it almost never, is, the perfect time. 415 00:34:59,299.5029497 --> 00:35:06,139.5029497 there's always going to be an element of risk and stability, except you were just born with very wealthy parents or something. 416 00:35:06,189.5029497 --> 00:35:10,169.5029497 You have a stash of money somewhere, but half the time you have to take that leap. 417 00:35:10,639.5029497 --> 00:35:16,219.5024497 and yeah, for me it was, my faith was my big, compass and God made it very clear to me. 418 00:35:16,269.5024497 --> 00:35:22,399.5024497 but whatever that is for whoever is listening, like try to get that thing that'll allow you to leap, and kind of take that step. 419 00:35:22,399.5024497 --> 00:35:24,949.5024497 And of course, don't do it foolishly like, yeah. 420 00:35:24,954.5024497 --> 00:35:26,549.5024497 I left on very good terms at Dell. 421 00:35:26,549.5024497 --> 00:35:33,59.5024497 I could always go back and be like that because now Dell is supporting BFN and is one of the partners one of us, Exactly. 422 00:35:33,89.5024497 --> 00:35:41,709.5024497 they needed to wait and see, okay, what is this thing going to really be? but yeah, when we now became a big thing, like Dell is now one of the people that's funding the work we do as well. 423 00:35:41,809.5024497 --> 00:35:46,179.5024497 but that was also because I maintained a good relationship, with my leaders when I was leaving. 424 00:35:46,179.5024497 --> 00:35:48,259.5024497 I didn't like, oh yeah, bye, kind of thing. 425 00:35:48,309.5024497 --> 00:35:51,409.5014497 I involved them in the whole process, So yeah, the mission is. 426 00:35:51,464.6014497 --> 00:36:05,394.4994497 to create an inclusive community for black entrepreneurs at different stages of their journeys, and, to provide them with the right mix of capital, community, capacity building, to launch fund and scale impactful startups. 427 00:36:05,444.5994497 --> 00:36:12,534.5984497 the vision is a thriving community of black founders and black led companies from every industry and every stage. 428 00:36:13,14.5984497 --> 00:36:20,984.5984497 When I was growing up, thinking about role models, entrepreneurs that I looked up to, you know, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, blah, blah, blah. 429 00:36:20,984.5984497 --> 00:36:25,664.5984497 You could count like 10 fingers before you counted a black person. 430 00:36:26,364.5984497 --> 00:36:33,144.3984497 the goal is to get to a point where a kid is looking up to role models and they count black entrepreneurs. 431 00:36:33,194.4984497 --> 00:36:36,314.4974497 starting in 2021, three years in October. 432 00:36:36,424.4984497 --> 00:36:41,104.3984497 So we actually launched in October that year and yeah, we've been able to do a lot. 433 00:36:41,104.4984497 --> 00:36:45,914.4984497 in addition to U of T, U of T is no longer even the biggest funder of BFN now. 434 00:36:45,964.4984497 --> 00:36:50,154.4984497 The ministry, like the Canadian government has given us a lot of support. 435 00:36:50,154.5984497 --> 00:36:54,864.5979497 corporate partners like KPMG, Dell, NACO, Black Opportunity Fund. 436 00:36:54,864.5979497 --> 00:36:58,274.5974497 So yeah, like we've been resourced, to continue the good work. 437 00:36:58,344.5974497 --> 00:37:05,34.5964497 I think right now we've raised about 4 million, in total and, yeah, I've been blessed to work with an amazing group of people. 438 00:37:05,414.5974497 --> 00:37:12,504.5964497 you were the first, full time hire, and since then, so many amazing people have joined. 439 00:37:12,514.5964497 --> 00:37:19,864.4964497 And so the mission, we're still building into having achieved the full vision, but we're a lot closer to, yeah. 440 00:37:20,354.5964497 --> 00:37:24,224.5964497 their, community has grown to thousands of people. 441 00:37:24,914.5964497 --> 00:37:26,524.5964497 so many cool things have happened. 442 00:37:26,614.5964497 --> 00:37:40,374.5964497 talking through the story now, I didn't envision even this, like I know I'm not even gotten to the full potential picture yet, but even just how far we've come, I totally didn't envision that when everything was starting. 443 00:37:40,514.5964497 --> 00:37:43,284.5964497 I think that, approach we took has just compounded. 444 00:37:43,824.5964497 --> 00:38:08,34.5949497 because, even as we've been growing it, as we've been building it, the events, the programs, everything has been very, we've built it like a startup, yesterday, for example, we had a full day, nine to six of retrospective, where we're looking back at The programs this year, the events this year and this year we had a much bigger team including the part time experts and entrepreneurs in residence. 445 00:38:08,734.5949497 --> 00:38:19,874.5949497 So a lot of ideas, but the very fact that we're taking inputs from the founders, whatever we do next year is going to be more relevant to them and they will engage because. 446 00:38:20,229.5949497 --> 00:38:22,59.5949497 They told us to do something and we've done it. 447 00:38:22,739.5949497 --> 00:38:31,919.5944497 the biggest lesson I've learned from how we've built it is still driving our culture and values right now in terms of really having the community build it. 448 00:38:32,89.5944497 --> 00:38:37,909.5944497 and tell us when we make mistakes because we've made a lot of mistakes, you know, help us to shape or reshape things. 449 00:38:38,369.5944497 --> 00:38:46,369.5944497 it's harder to build that way, especially at the stage where it's now, because it's a lot easier just practically to have a structure and to build in a certain way you have to keep being iterative. 450 00:38:47,194.5944497 --> 00:38:49,644.5944497 to truly serve the community. 451 00:38:49,644.5944497 --> 00:39:02,164.5944497 So yeah, that's I know we talked about this a lot in the past, and we've heard this from the community because there's now a lot of organizations like BFN that are serving the black community or doing different things. 452 00:39:02,164.5944497 --> 00:39:04,874.5944497 And we'll talk about them in a second when we share resources for entrepreneurs. 453 00:39:05,744.5944497 --> 00:39:29,509.5954497 But when we asked the question on what is the BFN secret sauce like what's the one thing that they know they can come to BFN and get that they won't get from other organizations it has been the community piece, right? So to your point, it will be easy to have structure and just do things in one rigid way But the thing that has brought BFN this far and the thing that we've been bringing further is having the community involved from the very beginning. 454 00:39:29,509.5954497 --> 00:39:34,769.5954497 It might be a little bit of an inconvenience from an operational side to keep iterating those things. 455 00:39:35,319.5954497 --> 00:39:38,69.5954497 But at the end of the day, the priority is the impact. 456 00:39:38,69.5954497 --> 00:39:41,599.5944497 And you're listening to the community and building solutions that are tailored to them. 457 00:39:42,19.5954497 --> 00:39:55,459.5944497 Exactly, What does BFN offer to entrepreneurs? what can they trust to come to BFN for? What are the different programs that you have for the different stages and also different industries that people are building in? yes, great question. 458 00:39:55,489.5944497 --> 00:40:00,9.5934497 we have the structure for BFN open to any sector. 459 00:40:00,9.5934497 --> 00:40:01,469.5934497 we learned that from the research as well. 460 00:40:01,529.5934497 --> 00:40:03,709.5934497 it would have been difficult to. 461 00:40:04,49.5934497 --> 00:40:05,699.5934497 restrict it to certain industries. 462 00:40:06,59.5934497 --> 00:40:09,419.5934497 so it's open to every sector, and stage of the entrepreneurial journey. 463 00:40:09,469.5934497 --> 00:40:15,299.5944497 whether you're just, thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, you have an idea all the way to you have a business. 464 00:40:15,389.5944497 --> 00:40:35,979.4949497 The community layer, is probably the first layer of what BFN offers, where, we do events, have, love activations, and provide opportunities for, people on the entrepreneurship spectrum, in the black community to connect we also have, newsletters we've been trying to build out a digital version for, people in our programs. 465 00:40:36,9.4949497 --> 00:40:38,359.5180267 I've learned a lot from that process of trying to roll it out. 466 00:40:38,359.5180267 --> 00:40:40,749.4949497 We've been trying to roll it out since 2020. 467 00:40:40,839.4949497 --> 00:40:43,799.4949497 Is it two or 23? Literally like, yeah, for two years now. 468 00:40:44,419.4949497 --> 00:40:45,609.4949497 it's been a blessing in disguise. 469 00:40:45,629.4939497 --> 00:40:51,239.4949497 It's taking so long because we've gotten to do many community, many digital versions of BFN. 470 00:40:51,319.4949497 --> 00:40:52,679.4949497 and that's a lot of lessons. 471 00:40:52,689.4949497 --> 00:41:05,304.4939497 I don't even think, the whole way we're obsessed Rolling out one big thing, like I don't think we're actually going to do that anymore because I think it's hard to do community in a digital way at scale. 472 00:41:05,304.4939497 --> 00:41:14,874.4949497 It's kind of like trying to recreate what you can do in person, right? And it's hard to, without it losing substance and just all the people that might come and spam. 473 00:41:14,924.4949497 --> 00:41:19,114.4949497 Like it's hard to have that same thing that people feel at our events in a digital. 474 00:41:19,894.4949497 --> 00:41:21,864.3949497 Thing that's not thoughtfully done. 475 00:41:21,864.4949497 --> 00:41:22,734.4949497 So that's what we've learned. 476 00:41:22,904.4949497 --> 00:41:41,19.4954497 We have digital versions of BFN right now, it's not as inclusive as we would like in the sense of not everyone has access to that, but slowly we're building out that it's been tied to people in our different programs having digital silos that connect to each other and the parts where it's like, okay, you're not part of any BFM program. 477 00:41:41,39.4954497 --> 00:41:42,779.4954497 that's the first layer of BFM. 478 00:41:43,89.4954497 --> 00:41:53,299.4954497 if you want to join, just on social media where they're just Google Black Founders Network, on Instagram, it's BFN community. 479 00:41:53,749.4954497 --> 00:41:55,459.4954497 and like in our bio. 480 00:41:56,169.4954497 --> 00:42:11,449.4954497 there's links to subscribe and all that stuff, then the programs, which are now tied to the different stages, and the pillars we have BFN core, which is a starting point for anybody who is an aspiring black entrepreneur or has an idea. 481 00:42:11,979.4964497 --> 00:42:14,689.4964497 we do a lot of pitch competitions. 482 00:42:15,194.4964497 --> 00:42:21,944.4964497 I don't know when this is going to air, but the next one we have coming up, for example, is in January, BCC. 483 00:42:21,944.4964497 --> 00:42:29,514.4964497 all around during the year, we have opportunities for aspiring black entrepreneurs to, get funding, typically up to five K. 484 00:42:29,564.5964497 --> 00:42:33,734.5964497 to work on their MVPs, like their minimum viable products or service. 485 00:42:34,254.5964497 --> 00:42:59,574.4964497 we also have a program that runs every year under this stream called, BFN Smart Start, where we, provide, 4, 000 each to aspiring black entrepreneurs with ideas the difference between this and the pitch competitions is like, in addition to the money, you get a lot of, Mentorship, actual curated programming with milestones of launching your MVP. 486 00:42:59,624.5964497 --> 00:43:04,204.5954497 and then for this stream in general, we also help people a lot with, co founder. 487 00:43:05,349.5954497 --> 00:43:07,299.5954497 matching or finding co founders. 488 00:43:07,749.5954497 --> 00:43:18,729.5944497 recently we've launched, a pillar called, the Developers and Designers Now in Residence Program, where, you can also get free access to, technical support to build. 489 00:43:18,759.5944497 --> 00:43:23,29.5944497 Because we saw that a lot of people have ideas, but they don't have the skill set. 490 00:43:23,29.5944497 --> 00:43:32,529.5954497 Obviously getting a team is the ideal solution, but in between when you have the idea and when you're able to get people to join when you need to get work done on the product. 491 00:43:33,724.5954497 --> 00:43:39,394.5954497 we pay developers and designers all year round who are able to support to build that. 492 00:43:39,394.5954497 --> 00:43:41,224.5954497 people in BFN get access to that. 493 00:43:41,804.5954497 --> 00:43:44,304.5944497 the overall goal for this stream is, you come in with an idea. 494 00:43:44,304.5944497 --> 00:43:48,444.5974497 We help you do the research, to validate it with your target customers. 495 00:43:48,514.5974497 --> 00:43:53,54.5974497 Get your first team or get the help you need to build the thing. 496 00:43:53,574.5974497 --> 00:43:56,514.5974497 And, we help you to launch it in the market to your very first customers. 497 00:43:56,864.5974497 --> 00:43:57,384.5974497 that's core. 498 00:43:57,854.5974497 --> 00:44:00,744.5974497 Then, Accelerate is our middle stream. 499 00:44:00,744.5984497 --> 00:44:02,984.5974497 You're a bit farther down, BFN Accelerate. 500 00:44:03,424.5984497 --> 00:44:05,814.5964497 it's a cohort based program that runs every year as well. 501 00:44:06,214.5964497 --> 00:44:07,214.5964497 That, helps. 502 00:44:08,39.5974497 --> 00:44:08,549.5974497 you too. 503 00:44:08,579.5974497 --> 00:44:11,749.5974497 Like, like accelerate your, your growth, with your business. 504 00:44:11,989.5974497 --> 00:44:14,809.5974497 So you need to be a black entrepreneur. 505 00:44:14,889.5974497 --> 00:44:20,999.5974497 and the company has to have, at least one black co-founder to, be eligible to apply. 506 00:44:21,109.5974497 --> 00:44:22,129.5974497 you also need to. 507 00:44:22,849.5974497 --> 00:44:30,349.5974497 have early traction, every year that is evolving now because the bar keeps getting higher in terms of getting more and more competitive. 508 00:44:30,359.5974497 --> 00:44:31,919.5974497 It gets really competitive, yeah. 509 00:44:32,9.5974497 --> 00:44:36,29.5974497 Um, so yeah, early traction in customers or in users. 510 00:44:36,269.5974497 --> 00:44:42,499.5964497 You're not just starting, you've started and you're seeing like, okay, you're actually solving something that people want and there's evidence of that. 511 00:44:42,939.5974497 --> 00:44:47,769.5974497 so people that get into this stream, get up to 25, 000 per company. 512 00:44:48,279.5974497 --> 00:44:51,749.5974497 It's a mix of money you get during the program. 513 00:44:51,799.5974497 --> 00:44:56,279.5974497 Each company gets about 10k during the program and then demo day you're able to compete for. 514 00:44:56,614.5974497 --> 00:44:58,54.5974497 a bunch of prizes as well. 515 00:44:58,634.5974497 --> 00:45:03,34.5974497 and the program itself is four months typically in length. 516 00:45:03,44.5974497 --> 00:45:04,594.5974497 So it usually runs in the summers. 517 00:45:05,274.5974497 --> 00:45:10,674.5974497 you get to be alongside, the brightest, most talented black entrepreneurs. 518 00:45:11,194.5964497 --> 00:45:15,284.5964497 you get supported as well by the brightest and most talented black entrepreneurs. 519 00:45:15,949.5964497 --> 00:45:18,939.5964497 who have gone through the program in the past and are doing a lot better now. 520 00:45:19,419.5964497 --> 00:45:34,484.5974497 the goal of the program is to help you accelerate your customers, your, funding, and whether it's a product or a service business, whatever type of business, you know, you're It's ability to do what you're supposed to really be doing well. 521 00:45:35,14.5974497 --> 00:45:46,934.4974497 It's really intense, it's a lot, almost like a pressure cooker, surgical operation, but every time that we've done it now, we've done it three times for three years The businesses are better off when they come out of it. 522 00:45:46,934.4974497 --> 00:45:47,694.4974497 When they leave, yeah. 523 00:45:48,374.4974497 --> 00:45:51,744.4974497 I was just telling the videographer, Gram, about OneCliq Yeah. 524 00:45:51,744.4974497 --> 00:45:53,734.4974497 One of the businesses that went through the program. 525 00:45:53,804.4964497 --> 00:45:55,494.4974497 I think they've raised almost a million dollars now. 526 00:45:55,504.4974497 --> 00:45:56,794.4974497 probably over a million now, yeah. 527 00:45:56,824.4974497 --> 00:45:58,224.4974497 So many good stories from it. 528 00:45:58,264.4974497 --> 00:46:01,224.4969497 So many good stories, alumni of that program. 529 00:46:01,224.4969497 --> 00:46:02,304.4969497 I don't know what the number is now. 530 00:46:02,304.4969497 --> 00:46:06,364.4969497 It's probably over 20 million that they've raised since, they left. 531 00:46:06,964.4969497 --> 00:46:08,824.4969497 and then, the last stream, BFN Scale. 532 00:46:09,174.4969497 --> 00:46:13,534.4969497 finally doing something structured for that next year. 533 00:46:14,34.4969497 --> 00:46:20,404.4969497 It's the stage that's for companies that are, just having recurring growth in revenues and sales. 534 00:46:20,839.4959497 --> 00:46:25,259.4959497 so you're not necessarily trying to launch or accelerate like you already are doing well. 535 00:46:25,289.4959497 --> 00:46:28,499.4959497 I would argue a company like Woveo is probably in that, stage. 536 00:46:29,19.4959497 --> 00:46:37,249.4959497 and it's really just about, okay, how do you then scale what you're doing and go from being a startup, to a growth stage company that's stable. 537 00:46:37,789.4959497 --> 00:46:38,399.4959497 so. 538 00:46:39,269.4959497 --> 00:46:44,699.4959497 What we're going to be providing historically, we've done it hasn't been cohort based prior to next year. 539 00:46:45,29.4959497 --> 00:46:51,119.4969497 it's just been a lot of alumni companies from our Accelerate program and companies that were already at that stage before. 540 00:46:51,649.4969497 --> 00:46:54,969.4969497 that kind of comprised of those in this pillar. 541 00:46:55,359.4969497 --> 00:46:58,129.4969497 we typically help folks to close their rounds. 542 00:46:58,169.4969497 --> 00:47:04,909.4979497 A big goal of companies at this stage is you've done a lot to validate you have traction and you're trying to close your round. 543 00:47:05,319.4969497 --> 00:47:10,299.4979497 if it's a venture round or you're trying to get some more money from the bank if it's a non venture round. 544 00:47:10,319.5979497 --> 00:47:11,529.5979497 we provide as well. 545 00:47:11,529.5979497 --> 00:47:18,669.5979497 We're going to be providing Capital, 50k and upwards, to the companies that gets into now that we're doing a lot more structure. 546 00:47:18,709.5979497 --> 00:47:24,379.5974497 And this will be grants or actual investments? we're going to be doing grants and potentially investments. 547 00:47:24,389.5974497 --> 00:47:29,217.9784021 we're in early conversations about figuring out a lot of the partners that want to work with us on this. 548 00:47:29,708.0784021 --> 00:47:32,528.0784021 traditionally BFN has never invested capital. 549 00:47:32,528.0784021 --> 00:47:33,528.0784021 It's always been grants. 550 00:47:34,28.0784021 --> 00:47:38,568.0784021 but for scale specifically, it might be both. 551 00:47:38,678.0774021 --> 00:47:39,838.0764021 more to come soon. 552 00:47:40,228.0774021 --> 00:47:45,498.0784021 we're in early conversations to just figure out how do we, because as a, we're not, we're not like a fund. 553 00:47:45,628.0784021 --> 00:47:56,778.0779021 my personal belief, For the Canadian black entrepreneur space is that there's way too many businesses that are in need of Grants. 554 00:47:56,838.0779021 --> 00:47:57,318.0779021 Grants, yeah. 555 00:47:57,348.0779021 --> 00:47:58,758.0779021 experiment, to Learn and to fail. 556 00:47:58,758.0779021 --> 00:48:03,888.0779021 It's some flexibility because once you take capital investment as it's a different story. 557 00:48:03,893.0779021 --> 00:48:04,513.0779021 It's a different game. 558 00:48:04,668.0779021 --> 00:48:08,598.0779021 The pressure is, not always very conducive for creativity and exploration. 559 00:48:08,598.0779021 --> 00:48:09,288.0779021 Exactly. 560 00:48:09,388.0779021 --> 00:48:14,928.0779021 So that's why, we've structured BFN how we've done it and why we give the money the way we give it. 561 00:48:14,968.0779021 --> 00:48:16,528.0774021 Even with debt or loans. 562 00:48:17,138.0784021 --> 00:48:23,148.0774021 It's not as expensive as, as equity capital, but it's also like you put some strain if things don't go well. 563 00:48:23,778.0774021 --> 00:48:34,278.0784021 And people need to, in ecosystems, how they are built is, there's a lot of experimentation and it's often not your first company that does well. 564 00:48:34,328.0784021 --> 00:48:37,248.0779021 your second company usually does better than your first and your third. 565 00:48:37,248.0779021 --> 00:48:45,788.0784021 with scale, because of the amount of capital provided, especially if you've gotten to this point, it's a safer bet to take on an investment So we're exploring that. 566 00:48:45,838.0784021 --> 00:48:47,368.0784021 More money than the other two. 567 00:48:47,968.0784021 --> 00:49:01,258.0784021 but even when we did the cohort based one that we're going to be launching soon, it wouldn't be as heavy touch as an accelerates or a smart start because at that point as well, like, yeah, your time is like me. 568 00:49:01,628.0784021 --> 00:49:02,88.0784021 Yeah. 569 00:49:02,138.0784021 --> 00:49:03,788.0784021 And you're also already over mentored. 570 00:49:03,808.0784021 --> 00:49:04,648.0784021 just give me the money. 571 00:49:04,668.0784021 --> 00:49:05,358.0784021 You need the money. 572 00:49:05,528.0784021 --> 00:49:07,18.0784021 to connect with the partners. 573 00:49:07,18.0784021 --> 00:49:11,927.9784021 You need these all about outcomes the personas we'll be working closely with who would be in this. 574 00:49:12,252.9784021 --> 00:49:14,222.9784021 program would be really busy people. 575 00:49:14,542.9784021 --> 00:49:21,722.9774021 so we'll have a few things maybe three or two that we laser focus on for a period of time. 576 00:49:22,122.9784021 --> 00:49:29,92.9784021 whether it's getting into a new market, whether it's launching this new product, whether it's validating this new business model, whatever the case may be. 577 00:49:29,352.9784021 --> 00:49:34,797.9784021 But a few things that we'll focus on in addition to the money That, stopping you from scaling. 578 00:49:34,887.9784021 --> 00:49:36,227.9784021 that's what we're going to be focused on. 579 00:49:36,227.9784021 --> 00:49:37,937.9774021 those are our three main programs. 580 00:49:38,787.9784021 --> 00:49:48,717.9784021 Speaking of money though, because everyone is going to be asking, where do we get the money? I know BFN is one place, but there's only a handful of people that you can reach, at least at this moment. 581 00:49:48,727.9784021 --> 00:49:54,277.9784021 So what are some, resources that black entrepreneurs can access, whether it's diluted or undiluted capital. 582 00:49:54,527.9784021 --> 00:49:55,117.9784021 Great question. 583 00:49:55,117.9784021 --> 00:49:56,667.9784021 this is something we're launching. 584 00:49:56,667.9784021 --> 00:50:03,697.9784021 I think I've seen Okwera do a good job at this too, like, just democratizing these grants, like providing it to people. 585 00:50:03,707.9794021 --> 00:50:07,347.9794021 So we're going to also be having, a database of these grants. 586 00:50:07,347.9794021 --> 00:50:11,957.9794021 There's a lot of them, whether you're a nonprofit or a for profit, business. 587 00:50:12,697.9794021 --> 00:50:16,447.9794021 shameless plug for that, but we'll be sharing that soon, depending on when this is airing. 588 00:50:16,827.9794021 --> 00:50:24,147.9799021 sources of capital in general, right? something that I've seen that we do a lot in Canada is we only go for the black entrepreneur things. 589 00:50:24,187.9799021 --> 00:50:26,527.8799021 I'm a victim of that too. 590 00:50:26,527.9799021 --> 00:50:27,204.6799021 We're missing out on so much. 591 00:50:27,204.6799021 --> 00:50:30,37.9799021 There's so much more, like, even just the government alone. 592 00:50:30,177.9799021 --> 00:50:35,237.9799021 the economic innovation, economic and science development arm of the government. 593 00:50:36,27.9789021 --> 00:50:38,148.0789021 if you guys go to their websites, there's so much there. 594 00:50:38,488.0789021 --> 00:50:50,398.0789021 your sector, if you're in healthcare, if you're in education, There's so much there like Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED), You get money from the government that you can use to pay salaries, or to do research. 595 00:50:50,848.0779021 --> 00:50:57,608.0774021 so my general advice, if you are an entrepreneur, now that is AI and all this stuff, literally just ask Chatgpt. 596 00:50:58,448.0774021 --> 00:51:08,668.0774021 What are the resources for Canadian businesses like in healthcare and you see on the government side, Happily AI is a tool that will do So if you just Google H. 597 00:51:08,718.0774021 --> 00:51:09,78.0774021 A. 598 00:51:09,128.0774021 --> 00:51:09,468.0774021 P. 599 00:51:09,498.0774021 --> 00:51:10,8.0774021 P. 600 00:51:10,438.0774021 --> 00:51:10,768.0774021 L. 601 00:51:10,828.0774021 --> 00:51:11,268.0774021 Y. 602 00:51:11,698.0774021 --> 00:51:11,918.0774021 A. 603 00:51:11,978.0764021 --> 00:51:17,488.0774021 I, they have billions of dollars worth of funding, grants, loans, and everything in between. 604 00:51:17,488.0774021 --> 00:51:18,468.0774021 So that's a good tool. 605 00:51:18,488.0774021 --> 00:51:20,348.0774021 Amazing platform for that as well. 606 00:51:20,348.0774021 --> 00:51:21,528.0774021 So there's money out there. 607 00:51:21,528.0774021 --> 00:51:23,108.0774021 The hard part is not getting money. 608 00:51:23,108.0774021 --> 00:51:24,308.0774021 The hard part is building. 609 00:51:24,723.0774021 --> 00:51:26,523.0774021 A project, that's investible Yeah. 610 00:51:26,523.0774021 --> 00:51:30,398.0774021 Like passes all the barriers of all the applications you'd be applying for and whatnot. 611 00:51:30,998.0774021 --> 00:51:36,828.0774021 and then, yeah, we have a hiring grant too, like, especially for people who are not entrepreneurs, but want to work with entrepreneurs. 612 00:51:37,308.0774021 --> 00:51:48,828.0774021 This was a program you also played a big role in, you know, helping us create, the Black Career Advancement Program, where, we provide grants to black led companies to hire black talent. 613 00:51:49,438.0774021 --> 00:51:59,418.0764021 so we're going to be, in about a week now, updating that program with a bunch of new components, to really help, drive. 614 00:52:00,463.0764021 --> 00:52:07,23.0764021 Black talent working with black lit startups because we've done it now for two years and it's been amazing the impact has been great on a small scale. 615 00:52:07,553.0764021 --> 00:52:09,513.0759021 So now we're trying to open it up. 616 00:52:09,513.0759021 --> 00:52:12,893.0759021 And so yeah, there's that pool of capital as well. 617 00:52:12,923.0759021 --> 00:52:14,283.0759021 That's accessible. 618 00:52:14,993.0769021 --> 00:52:15,213.0769021 Yeah. 619 00:52:15,213.0769021 --> 00:52:16,883.0769021 There's so many resources, honestly. 620 00:52:16,883.0769021 --> 00:52:22,473.0769021 So yeah, use chat GPT, go to happily AI, also join organizations like BFN. 621 00:52:22,473.1769021 --> 00:52:23,743.2784021 plug for The other organizations. 622 00:52:23,923.2784021 --> 00:52:24,223.2784021 Yes. 623 00:52:24,223.2784021 --> 00:52:25,443.2774021 Nobelum is one of them. 624 00:52:25,443.2774021 --> 00:52:26,513.2784021 I'll make sure they are all tagged. 625 00:52:26,513.2784021 --> 00:52:35,433.2774021 Nobelum, BEA, Black Entrepreneurship Alliance, Federations of Black Canadians, Black Opportunity Fund, DMZ. 626 00:52:35,868.2774021 --> 00:52:42,848.2774021 There's so many organizations and these are the ones that are just black focused, but like he also mentioned, don't just be limited by the ones that are black focused. 627 00:52:43,8.2774021 --> 00:52:47,418.2774021 There's some that are general, they serve everyone and you might be a good fit for those too. 628 00:52:47,908.2774021 --> 00:52:49,158.2764021 Ah, this has been amazing. 629 00:52:49,158.2774021 --> 00:52:50,398.2774021 I, there's just so much. 630 00:52:50,398.2774021 --> 00:52:52,338.2764021 I feel like there's still so much for us to say. 631 00:52:52,368.2774021 --> 00:52:53,358.2774021 So as we wrap up. 632 00:52:53,673.2774021 --> 00:53:13,843.2769021 I just want to end with a few aspiring words for entrepreneurs, What do you have if you could give five pieces of advice? I know you've dropped a lot along the way, but five pieces that have helped you become a leader at such a young age have helped you in your career, have helped you stay true to the mission and stay down to earth. 633 00:53:13,973.2769021 --> 00:53:15,363.2769021 I think that's very important. 634 00:53:15,363.2769021 --> 00:53:16,463.2769021 Stay down to. 635 00:53:16,688.2769021 --> 00:53:33,198.2769021 What is the mission to support community and not get overwhelmed by all the noise outside of that? what's that piece of advice you would have? Some advice, I guess first, even piggybacking off the last bit of the conversation on a practical level. 636 00:53:33,248.2769021 --> 00:53:40,238.2779021 especially in Canada right now, it's a pretty good time to be a black entrepreneur because of all the work that's been done, since BFN started. 637 00:53:40,673.2779021 --> 00:53:45,733.2779021 around the same time, maybe shortly before shortly after, like so many amazing organizations have started. 638 00:53:45,733.2779021 --> 00:53:59,653.2779021 So everyone that's, you mentioned, I really encourage, listeners interested in entrepreneurship to, join Nobelum, Black Entrepreneurship Alliance, federate other Black Canadians, BOF, Black Opportunity Fund, DMZ, Black North Initiative. 639 00:53:59,673.2779021 --> 00:54:03,363.2759021 these organizations are known as the, BIZ, the Black Innovation Zone. 640 00:54:03,633.2769021 --> 00:54:08,383.2769021 They're doing some work around that too, Exactly, so yes, stay posted with the Black Innovation Zone. 641 00:54:08,773.2769021 --> 00:54:12,943.2769021 we also saw the need to Collaborate amongst ourselves because we're serving the same people. 642 00:54:13,83.2769021 --> 00:54:14,473.2769021 Quite siloed very easily. 643 00:54:14,523.2769021 --> 00:54:40,998.2779021 And you started, you were with us, like Power of Community, that first one we did with Mars has just, expanded it into so much right, so there's that and the BIZ, Black Innovation Zone, is going to also be, expanded in a sense, we want to, truly make room on the table for every black focused organization, because the demand is more than even the ones that are part of it right now can handle. 644 00:54:41,18.2779021 --> 00:54:42,228.2789021 So, more to come there. 645 00:54:43,13.2779021 --> 00:54:44,643.2779021 Publicly, but yeah, I wanted to say that. 646 00:54:44,693.2779021 --> 00:55:00,903.2779021 as a black founder in Canada, there's so much being done for you right now that you need to be in your safe space especially those that are just getting started, those that are already building businesses in the space are the ones I'm like, guys, okay, Get out of the black space alone. 647 00:55:00,903.2779021 --> 00:55:05,543.2779021 And yeah, I said just getting started, I knew what to say for landing. 648 00:55:05,543.2779021 --> 00:55:12,463.2769021 and then I'm more like, I guess on the lens of just personal advice, I'll see a bunch of things. 649 00:55:12,473.2769021 --> 00:55:14,33.2769021 One, like the way you look at. 650 00:55:15,558.2769021 --> 00:55:18,248.2769021 failure, especially in entrepreneurship or getting started. 651 00:55:18,248.2769021 --> 00:55:21,788.2769021 A lot of people are scared of starting something new. 652 00:55:21,808.2769021 --> 00:55:26,378.2764021 I remember when I was starting African impact, it was daunting to put something out there that I'm doing this. 653 00:55:26,428.2764021 --> 00:55:42,978.2754021 what if it what if nobody follows this page? those are real fears, real anxiety points, I guess you have to be very clear on why you're doing, and oftentimes like you won't last as a, as an entrepreneur if your why is superficial, if it's not authentic that has to be important. 654 00:55:42,998.2754021 --> 00:55:54,258.2754021 And once your why is legit, like once there's a problem you're really trying to solve, you know, just being opportunistic about something or superficial, like then, you know, if you do business. 655 00:55:56,8.2754021 --> 00:56:04,508.2754021 if you're like do customer research connect to people who have the problem That will keep you going the need to build a solution. 656 00:56:04,618.2754021 --> 00:56:13,238.1754021 Even if it's just one person that can use it That will keep you going from the oh, nobody is following my Instagram or things bothering you. 657 00:56:13,288.1754021 --> 00:56:20,68.1754021 it should be oh no, I'm building a solution that people actually need and That's hard. 658 00:56:20,118.1754021 --> 00:56:31,328.1734021 even just doing that, getting through the validation phase, having the resources to build the product or doing it without resources, all the ecosystem things out there right now make that easier than it's ever been. 659 00:56:31,778.1734021 --> 00:56:34,128.1734021 So if you literally find a problem. 660 00:56:34,503.1744021 --> 00:56:36,783.1744021 That is real that you validated. 661 00:56:36,783.1744021 --> 00:56:42,133.1744021 let that drive you and help you, refocus and not get distracted by the noise or the anxieties. 662 00:56:42,603.1744021 --> 00:56:46,83.1739021 I don't look at anything as a failure because if it doesn't work, you learn from it. 663 00:56:46,123.1729021 --> 00:56:49,263.1729021 the best entrepreneurs, are people that have just, have just been at it. 664 00:56:49,403.1729021 --> 00:56:54,683.1729021 Like is it muscle that you, that you build with time is a skill you sharpen with time. 665 00:56:55,153.1729021 --> 00:56:59,103.1729021 The sooner you get started, the better your odds in general, as an entrepreneur. 666 00:56:59,153.1729021 --> 00:57:05,243.1729021 when I look back, so many things that I viewed as failures at the time. 667 00:57:06,383.1729021 --> 00:57:09,803.1729021 are the things that taught me how to do it better the next time. 668 00:57:10,273.1729021 --> 00:57:10,573.1729021 Right. 669 00:57:10,573.1729021 --> 00:57:18,573.1734021 So if you reframe your mindset and start viewing failures, not as failures, but as lessons, then you want to feel like you want to feel. 670 00:57:19,803.1744021 --> 00:57:27,243.1744021 as fast, you know, and you want to keep failing because like you never like no business ever has it all figured out. 671 00:57:27,263.1744021 --> 00:57:31,823.1744021 Nobody ever has it all figured out embrace the thrill of learning, not failing. 672 00:57:31,823.1744021 --> 00:57:37,163.1744021 Like you embrace the thrill of like, I'm going to try something and be open minded to see if it works. 673 00:57:37,163.1744021 --> 00:57:41,843.1744021 And if it doesn't work, how can I do it better? If you reframe your mind in that way, then that fear of. 674 00:57:42,158.1744021 --> 00:57:45,668.1744021 Whatever, starting and whatnot will also really be low. 675 00:57:45,668.1744021 --> 00:57:49,98.1739021 today I'm working on some things that I still want to try and see if they work. 676 00:57:49,98.1739021 --> 00:57:51,488.1749021 I'm a lot less scared. 677 00:57:52,98.1739021 --> 00:57:53,108.1739021 know yourself. 678 00:57:53,198.1739021 --> 00:57:53,938.1739021 that's the other one. 679 00:57:53,938.1739021 --> 00:58:01,478.1749021 so alluding to what I said before at the beginning, where I feel like a lot of people are doing things. 680 00:58:01,933.1749021 --> 00:58:07,693.1739021 That they were not built to do, that is, you're not living your fullest life. 681 00:58:07,723.1749021 --> 00:58:12,403.1744021 Just doing something because it's trendy or because of some glory that you think it will bring to you. 682 00:58:12,423.1754021 --> 00:58:16,683.1754021 Yeah, because you just have to make a living and get paid doing a salary, which makes sense. 683 00:58:16,683.1754021 --> 00:58:20,273.1754021 You have financial needs, so you're just doing this job But I truly believe. 684 00:58:20,793.1754021 --> 00:58:27,123.1754021 that we were all created with, unique gifts, to be used for the benefits of others. 685 00:58:27,178.1754021 --> 00:58:33,538.1754021 Like, I didn't go into it in this conversation and we don't have much time I've told my story of my faith and how I almost passed away. 686 00:58:33,538.1754021 --> 00:58:35,938.1754021 And there was like, I came to full. 687 00:58:36,738.1754021 --> 00:58:39,508.1754021 knowledge, of what life is about, God, everything. 688 00:58:40,78.1754021 --> 00:58:41,578.1754021 And that was a game changer for me. 689 00:58:41,578.1754021 --> 00:58:44,78.1754021 That was what gave me this clarity of mind. 690 00:58:44,218.1754021 --> 00:59:00,438.1744021 That was when I started praying, okay God, what do you want, what is it that you have for me? once you know yourself, and once you know your purpose, then everything is a lot easier in general, Yes, failure, yes, fear, whatever, But there's a lot of clarity that doesn't faze you because you know what your purpose is. 691 00:59:00,868.1734021 --> 00:59:06,798.1724021 in a perfect world, spiritually, it's a lot easier when you get that from God directly, because he will tell you if you seek him. 692 00:59:07,158.1734021 --> 00:59:13,698.1734021 But if you don't believe in all that There's ways you can still discover that practically, even, outside a spiritual perspective. 693 00:59:13,708.1734021 --> 00:59:17,88.1734021 So think back to when you were a kid, like you've exhibited your gifts. 694 00:59:17,88.1734021 --> 00:59:25,988.1734021 what are the things that you've been good at just naturally, it doesn't have to be, boxed into a job or a field or like, so you, you find people with talents that. 695 00:59:26,203.2744021 --> 00:59:35,623.1744021 they don't think are worth anything because they can't see how this would be a job, you know, Or this is a I can't study this. 696 00:59:35,653.1744021 --> 00:59:38,173.1744021 There's nothing to study in this skill. 697 00:59:39,113.1744021 --> 00:59:43,3.1744021 Look at the work I'm doing like there was nothing I'm not an entrepreneur. 698 00:59:43,153.1734021 --> 00:59:45,173.1744021 I mean I'm an entrepreneur, but I'm helping entrepreneurs. 699 00:59:45,453.1744021 --> 00:59:50,877.1954021 What could I have studied in school to do this right Don't be constrained by the world, yeah. 700 00:59:50,877.1954021 --> 00:59:53,583.1754021 By job titles, by, you know, industries and whatever. 701 00:59:53,583.1754021 --> 00:59:54,923.1754021 Industries, all these boxes. 702 00:59:55,63.1754021 --> 00:59:57,783.1754021 Be bold enough to create a new path for yourself. 703 00:59:57,933.1754021 --> 01:00:00,73.1754021 Just look inwards first, practically. 704 01:00:00,763.1744021 --> 01:00:02,173.1744021 Think back to when you were a kid. 705 01:00:02,273.1754021 --> 01:00:04,833.1754021 Think back to when you were in high school and uni. 706 01:00:05,173.1744021 --> 01:00:12,143.1744021 What have been things that have become easiest to you to do? And then what's the intersection of that? That's one box. 707 01:00:12,213.1744021 --> 01:00:18,683.1744021 Second box is, what are the things that you don't like about the world? What are the things that bother you and it could be anything. 708 01:00:18,683.1744021 --> 01:00:19,783.1744021 There's no wrong answer to this. 709 01:00:19,803.1734021 --> 01:00:26,503.1744021 If you write down the first one, things that you've been really good at very naturally, things that you've enjoyed doing, it's come easier to you. 710 01:00:27,378.1744021 --> 01:00:30,928.1744021 Compared to other things and oftentimes people would have told you this people would have complimented you. 711 01:00:30,958.1744021 --> 01:00:32,358.1744021 Maybe that's a good place to start. 712 01:00:32,358.1744021 --> 01:00:41,828.1754021 ask a few people in your life, what are things that I'm really good at from just watching me? Cause sometimes we're at worst critiques and we won't be as honest, but hopefully the good people in your life can tell you. 713 01:00:42,28.1734021 --> 01:00:44,628.1744021 Your parents will tell you, yeah, your siblings will tell you, yeah. 714 01:00:45,993.1744021 --> 01:00:47,623.1744021 And then the things that your heart bleeds for. 715 01:00:48,213.1744021 --> 01:00:57,303.1744021 Think about that as well, reflect and like, what are the things that like if you could change this about the world, you will like, change it? Write those things down, too. 716 01:00:57,473.1744021 --> 01:01:00,243.1744021 Your purpose is the intersection of those two things. 717 01:01:00,773.1744021 --> 01:01:04,173.1744021 you were created with these skills to change this thing. 718 01:01:04,923.1744021 --> 01:01:08,823.1744021 and like, it's never like a job or to evolve. 719 01:01:08,843.1744021 --> 01:01:15,773.1744021 Like there are so many ways, what I've learned along the way, the failures I've had, all the experiences are equipping me. 720 01:01:15,783.1744021 --> 01:01:19,283.1744021 Even what I'm doing right now is still equipping me to do stuff that I don't know what it's going to be. 721 01:01:19,703.1744021 --> 01:01:22,163.1744021 But it's going to be aligned with those two. 722 01:01:22,688.1744021 --> 01:01:27,68.1744021 Because as I'm doing more work, I'm adding to the lists, I'm learning more about myself. 723 01:01:27,68.1744021 --> 01:01:30,488.1744021 There are more things I'm bothered about in the world today, I want to use my skills. 724 01:01:30,538.1744021 --> 01:01:40,578.1764021 that clarity is very critical especially as an entrepreneur, especially as an entrepreneur, you have to forge a different path and you have to be comfortable doing that, but you have to be grounded in the fact that. 725 01:01:41,333.1764021 --> 01:01:42,523.1764021 you know what you're here for. 726 01:01:43,43.1764021 --> 01:01:45,953.1769021 oftentimes taking the spiritual perspective, it's for the benefit of others. 727 01:01:45,963.1769021 --> 01:01:49,573.1769021 The best companies, the best things that make the most money are just helping people. 728 01:01:50,223.1769021 --> 01:01:51,273.1769021 you're making life easier. 729 01:01:51,273.1769021 --> 01:02:03,603.1769021 If it's ever driven by the wrong motives, I mean, it's shouldn't be driven by money, but oftentimes you end up making, yeah, no, because like the, the most critical businesses make the most money. 730 01:02:03,603.1769021 --> 01:02:06,983.1769021 So money is going to be an end product but it shouldn't be what is driving you. 731 01:02:07,513.1759021 --> 01:02:17,593.2759021 I mean, my name, means God's wealth and part of God revealing my purpose to me was, yeah, I'm going to like, capital is a tool that he's going to use to redeem. 732 01:02:17,813.2759021 --> 01:02:18,263.2759021 The world. 733 01:02:18,733.2759021 --> 01:02:19,403.2759021 it's his wealth. 734 01:02:19,403.2759021 --> 01:02:20,983.2759021 It's not my wealth or anybody's wealth. 735 01:02:21,33.2759021 --> 01:02:27,723.2769021 it's a very slippery slope because if you're chasing it, then you can't even trust you with it because you won't use it for what he wants. 736 01:02:28,373.2769021 --> 01:02:37,833.2769021 money, you have a whole Podcast about money, as an entrepreneur, you have your needs and you have your, like I have to pay my mortgage. 737 01:02:37,843.2769021 --> 01:02:39,893.2769021 I have to get things I have to do. 738 01:02:40,313.2769021 --> 01:02:47,213.2769021 So be reasonable about your finances and whatnot but that shouldn't be what's driving you Primarily. 739 01:02:47,283.2769021 --> 01:03:05,73.2764021 Yeah, I think you made a good point around understanding what it is that you are made for like the difference between the skills that you have and the solution that you are meant to impact on the world in the middle of that is your purpose, your why and the different roles that you will play to meet That purpose, they'll change over time. 740 01:03:05,73.2764021 --> 01:03:15,643.2744021 Yeah, and I've had to find that out for myself because I was thinking what is my why? I remember as a young kid, you mentioned what does your heart beat for? that thing that brings you excitement. 741 01:03:15,883.2734021 --> 01:03:17,933.2754021 It was always Like I'm going to change the world one day. 742 01:03:18,183.2754021 --> 01:03:21,53.2754021 And a lot of kids think that way, but then you grow up, you're like, that is. 743 01:03:21,523.2754021 --> 01:03:22,533.2754021 Quite grandiose. 744 01:03:22,593.2754021 --> 01:03:25,43.2754021 Like that's a lot of pressure, I just want to make my bed. 745 01:03:26,103.2754021 --> 01:03:27,563.2749021 But then I got back a little bit. 746 01:03:27,563.2749021 --> 01:03:36,673.2754021 I'm like, okay, what does change the world mean for me specifically? It's like change the world is make people's lives better, make people's lives elevated. 747 01:03:36,923.2754021 --> 01:03:38,653.2754021 It's like, okay, so I don't need to change the world. 748 01:03:38,653.2754021 --> 01:03:40,723.2754021 I need to change the next person's world. 749 01:03:40,968.2754021 --> 01:03:54,278.2754021 But that is also still grandiose because it's not my responsibility, right? But what I can do is give them resources and support and community to change their world as they see fit, because it's not my role to do that for them. 750 01:03:54,608.2744021 --> 01:03:56,618.2744021 And once I was able to identify that. 751 01:03:57,208.2754021 --> 01:04:04,28.2754021 I now know that I'm never really tied to even as an entrepreneur, like one venture or one job, it would look like different things. 752 01:04:04,28.2754021 --> 01:04:09,328.2744021 At some point it looked like BFN and I was able to make so much impact through that, but right now it looks like Woveo. 753 01:04:09,348.2754021 --> 01:04:10,648.2744021 It also looks like Okwera. 754 01:04:10,668.2749021 --> 01:04:18,288.2754021 So having that will really help you stay grounded and will help you feel content at the end of the day. 755 01:04:18,378.2754021 --> 01:04:18,803.0754021 you're not just. 756 01:04:18,893.1754021 --> 01:04:19,983.1754021 going around aimlessly. 757 01:04:20,33.1754021 --> 01:04:22,463.1754021 Like, you know your why, you know, you're just, yeah. 758 01:04:22,493.1754021 --> 01:04:23,723.1754021 It's so, so critical. 759 01:04:23,773.1754021 --> 01:04:30,43.1774021 the last piece of advice, that I would share relates to, networking or mentorship and connecting with others. 760 01:04:30,783.1774021 --> 01:04:32,133.1779021 I've said this a lot at events. 761 01:04:32,193.1769021 --> 01:04:38,353.1764021 I always try to emphasize this when asked to give advice to people that are early on, in our careers. 762 01:04:39,273.1764021 --> 01:04:47,148.2774021 there's a lot of obsession with connecting with mentors who are successful, like accomplished, and by all means we should keep doing that. 763 01:04:47,238.2774021 --> 01:04:54,108.2774021 it's important to have a group of those people that are doing things or have done things that you want to do. 764 01:04:54,458.2774021 --> 01:05:03,238.2764021 so being intentional about that, by no means saying we shouldn't, that's been a very important part of my story, but, it's been more impactful and important. 765 01:05:04,133.2764021 --> 01:05:09,793.2764021 in my story to connect with people who are, where I am at the time. 766 01:05:10,723.2764021 --> 01:05:17,953.2764021 That have similar interests and passions, and are showing it by their actions, in a, an excellent way. 767 01:05:17,983.2764021 --> 01:05:31,433.2764021 They're not like, nobody knows them yet or whatever, like what, I'll give an example, like a lot of people that I'm working with today, we built very strong relationships with each other eight years ago, seven years ago, whatever the case may be. 768 01:05:32,93.2764021 --> 01:05:52,823.2764021 you know, when we're going out volunteering at things, trying to like, with entrepreneurship, startup, black community things, today, seven years of compounding of In similar stories to mine, they're doing amazing things now, right? So they're like starting companies, they're investing in companies, they have directors in places, whatever the case may be. 769 01:05:53,663.2764021 --> 01:05:57,713.2769021 and these guys have co invested, with me now. 770 01:05:57,713.2769021 --> 01:06:00,953.2764021 They've been how I got money in some cases for sponsors. 771 01:06:00,993.2774021 --> 01:06:04,553.2774021 But at the time, nobody knew who I was. 772 01:06:05,143.2774021 --> 01:06:06,933.2774021 We were just you know, students, running around. 773 01:06:06,983.2774021 --> 01:06:14,753.2774021 The compound effect of everyone grinding in, a similar space has paid crazy dividends. 774 01:06:14,763.2764021 --> 01:06:25,553.2764021 So, I'm still like that today, like I'm still very, Just like, yes, there's people that everybody is lining up to talk to at an event or everybody wants to talk to the panelists, all of that's cool. 775 01:06:25,983.2764021 --> 01:06:27,393.2749021 But talk to the person beside you. 776 01:06:27,863.2759021 --> 01:06:28,383.2764021 do that a lot. 777 01:06:28,383.2764021 --> 01:06:46,103.2779021 So I guess talk to as many of the people and when you sense like someone's, interest is aligned with yours, which is often the case if you're maybe at an event that's tied to some thing that both of you care about, like, then get to know them, be intentional about forming relationships with, them I'm not saying be manipulative in your friendships. 778 01:06:46,763.2779021 --> 01:06:55,728.2779021 like, Yeah, you would align more depending on your own goals and motives, authentically you connect more with people who are like you. 779 01:06:56,178.2779021 --> 01:07:00,248.2764021 in my case, it was like, okay, I want to have impacts with my life. 780 01:07:00,248.2764021 --> 01:07:02,188.2754021 I want to help entrepreneurs, help startups. 781 01:07:02,708.2764021 --> 01:07:04,58.2764021 my why was very clear. 782 01:07:04,58.2764021 --> 01:07:08,78.2764021 people that were like that then, that I became friends with, are doing amazing things now. 783 01:07:08,208.2764021 --> 01:07:14,238.2754021 So it wasn't manipulative in that sense, but be intentional about the relationships you form, especially with your peers. 784 01:07:14,758.2764021 --> 01:07:22,208.2754021 In your space, optimize for that even more than trying to connect with very important people because it's easier everyone is more accessible. 785 01:07:22,778.2764021 --> 01:07:25,628.2774021 and yeah, so just easier to, and you learn so much. 786 01:07:25,828.2774021 --> 01:07:28,388.2774021 You also, they learn so much from you, but then. 787 01:07:29,428.2774021 --> 01:07:33,78.2774021 You would thank yourself for that relationship in years. 788 01:07:33,538.2774021 --> 01:07:35,278.2774021 we're young, so there's so much time. 789 01:07:35,378.2774021 --> 01:07:37,468.2774021 I get excited when I meet someone I didn't know. 790 01:07:37,938.2774021 --> 01:07:41,158.2764021 They're like, I'm like, wow, I'm impressed by this person. 791 01:07:41,248.2774021 --> 01:07:42,178.2774021 What they are doing. 792 01:07:42,178.3774021 --> 01:07:46,514.1060492 I'm trying to connect with this very famous person that can help me. 793 01:07:46,564.1060492 --> 01:07:55,959.1070492 the cool thing about this is the younger you are or the earlier you are in your career, the higher the upside, so much more growth, like it gets harder, the older you get. 794 01:07:56,579.1070492 --> 01:07:57,109.1060492 If that makes sense. 795 01:07:57,939.1070492 --> 01:07:59,19.1060492 there's more at risk. 796 01:08:00,249.1070492 --> 01:08:01,219.1055492 Everybody's more guarded. 797 01:08:02,229.1055492 --> 01:08:02,599.1055492 busier. 798 01:08:02,599.2055492 --> 01:08:02,979.2055492 riskier. 799 01:08:03,29.2055492 --> 01:08:03,639.2055492 riskier. 800 01:08:03,739.2055492 --> 01:08:09,699.2055492 like even with forming friendships, you would notice Today, compared to when we were in university, I'm just busy. 801 01:08:09,869.2055492 --> 01:08:21,109.2055492 It's not like people don't want to make friends anymore, but there's so many layers of things going on in people's lives that you just meet a random stranger that you become very good friends with the way it used to be when you were a student. 802 01:08:21,119.2055492 --> 01:08:26,29.2065492 We're like, well, yeah, like, you know, yeah, I just, you just exams and quizzes. 803 01:08:26,89.2065492 --> 01:08:30,109.2065492 You can just be talking to random people and maintaining those conversations. 804 01:08:30,109.2065492 --> 01:08:34,89.2055492 Now the bar is higher to build a friendship with a stranger. 805 01:08:34,279.2055492 --> 01:08:34,809.2055492 Right. 806 01:08:34,809.2065492 --> 01:08:37,159.2055492 that was the last piece of advice, just being intentional about that. 807 01:08:37,629.2045492 --> 01:08:51,819.1045492 I tend to find a lot of people, Always trying to get like the magic answer from someone that knows it's all type of thing, like that's important to a degree, but it's less about the advice you get from people and more about the relationships you build with people. 808 01:08:51,819.1045492 --> 01:08:52,629.1045492 You build with them. 809 01:08:52,689.1045492 --> 01:08:53,129.1045492 Yeah. 810 01:08:53,169.1045492 --> 01:08:53,279.1045492 Yeah. 811 01:08:53,279.1045492 --> 01:08:55,729.1045492 Cause that advice would be valuable, but you can also. 812 01:08:56,229.1045492 --> 01:08:59,809.1045492 Find it on Google, the relationships, you can't find that easily. 813 01:09:00,169.1045492 --> 01:09:02,379.1045492 that's very important this has been so lovely. 814 01:09:02,419.1045492 --> 01:09:07,599.1045492 I have a feeling we're going to have you back because there's still so much to talk about we have to talk about money for entrepreneurs. 815 01:09:07,899.1045492 --> 01:09:09,769.1035492 There's still so much, but thank you for coming. 816 01:09:09,769.1035492 --> 01:09:11,99.1035492 Thank you for sharing your story. 817 01:09:11,189.1035492 --> 01:09:16,689.2040492 Like I work closely with you, since 2023 January to earlier this year. 818 01:09:16,954.2040492 --> 01:09:20,594.2040492 but even me, there's like some things that you shared today that I've never heard. 819 01:09:20,594.2040492 --> 01:09:23,874.2040492 And I imagine anyone that's listening will find this very, very valuable. 820 01:09:23,874.2040492 --> 01:09:25,404.2040492 So thank you for making the time. 821 01:09:25,404.2040492 --> 01:09:26,784.0334777 I'm so pleased to be here. 822 01:09:26,784.0334777 --> 01:09:30,704.1035492 And for folks that want to find you, I know we talked about where to find BFN. 823 01:09:30,734.1045492 --> 01:09:33,734.1045492 So on Instagram, it's at BFN community. 824 01:09:33,734.1045492 --> 01:09:36,84.1045492 And then on LinkedIn, it's Black Founders Network. 825 01:09:36,244.1045492 --> 01:09:41,209.1045492 But for you personally, where can people find you if they want to reach out to you? Yeah, good question. 826 01:09:41,209.1045492 --> 01:09:46,159.1045492 So Efosa Obano, E- F-O-S-A-O-B-A-N-O. 827 01:09:46,559.1045492 --> 01:09:49,819.1045492 on Instagram and Twitter, I guess. 828 01:09:49,819.1045492 --> 01:09:52,749.1045492 X, it's at efosaobano. 829 01:09:52,769.1045492 --> 01:09:57,189.1045492 And then on LinkedIn it is just, Efosa KC Obano on LinkedIn. 830 01:09:57,269.1045492 --> 01:10:02,379.1045492 Apologies, my response, if you message me, there's so many messages and all these things. 831 01:10:02,379.1045492 --> 01:10:03,779.1045492 I imagine, I imagine. 832 01:10:03,779.1045492 --> 01:10:08,79.1045492 But like, I do respond, I do get back to people and because I'm still trying to be true to those. 833 01:10:08,129.1045492 --> 01:10:13,429.1045492 And you also have to be persistent because sometimes everyone is messaging you, the messages go at the bottom. 834 01:10:13,479.1045492 --> 01:10:18,259.1045492 So you have to keep following up, which is such a good tool anyway for networking is follow up. 835 01:10:18,269.1045492 --> 01:10:19,589.1045492 Cause don't take it personally. 836 01:10:19,749.1045492 --> 01:10:21,239.1045492 You think people are just ignoring you. 837 01:10:21,639.1045492 --> 01:10:23,259.1045492 People get very, very busy. 838 01:10:23,569.1045492 --> 01:10:29,99.1045492 But if you know Justina and if anyone Justina introduces me to her. 839 01:10:29,109.1045492 --> 01:10:29,589.1045492 Yes. 840 01:10:29,609.1045492 --> 01:10:30,199.1045492 Yes, sir. 841 01:10:30,249.1045492 --> 01:10:31,519.1045492 So that's, I guess, a tactic. 842 01:10:31,519.1045492 --> 01:10:34,569.1035492 If you always stick to this and you want to reach out, just reach out to Justina. 843 01:10:34,639.1045492 --> 01:10:37,39.1045492 And if you reach out to me, I'll ask you if you're following the Podcast. 844 01:10:37,39.1045492 --> 01:10:38,384.1545492 If you're not following the Podcast. 845 01:10:38,384.1545492 --> 01:10:41,391.6045492 I'm not introducing you to Efosa. 846 01:10:41,774.1045492 --> 01:10:43,514.1045492 Yeah, but this has been lovely. 847 01:10:43,514.1045492 --> 01:10:45,744.1045492 I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I've enjoyed it. 848 01:10:45,754.1045492 --> 01:10:52,824.1045492 It has been so good that it's probably well over an hour, which is what we usually allocate for the episodes, but it's all valuable. 849 01:10:52,824.1045492 --> 01:10:56,134.1035492 It's all insightful, and it's all practical, most importantly. 850 01:10:56,409.1045492 --> 01:11:07,959.1045492 So I hope you come back with comments, insights, share your ideas on what you thought on this Podcast and come back for more because we have more people doing exciting work in the community that will be on the Podcast. 851 01:11:08,259.1045492 --> 01:11:10,119.1035492 And with that said, have a good one. 852 01:11:10,184.2045492 --> 01:11:14,474.1045492 I hope you enjoyed this episode. 853 01:11:14,534.1045492 --> 01:11:16,354.1045492 I'm very curious to hear from you. 854 01:11:16,364.1045492 --> 01:11:37,524.1045492 So let me know, what did you like about the episode? What resonated for you? What was food for thought for you and beyond anything, make sure you like you subscribe, you share this with your friend, because the more people we can get this information and these resources and these stories to the more we can reach, the more we can impact let us know what other topics do you want to see on the channel, what other. 855 01:11:37,829.1045492 --> 01:11:40,349.1045492 Guests you want to interact with through the channel. 856 01:11:40,569.1045492 --> 01:11:42,869.1045492 we hope to hear from you and until next time. 857 01:11:42,959.1045492 --> 01:11:43,259.1045492 Bye.

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