Gain invaluable tools and actionable tips to supercharge your sales and marketing efforts! Colaeb's inaugural Conference! Our goal with this conference is to simplify activities and problem-solving that lead to growth and equip aspiring entrepreneurs, small businesses, scaling startups, and thriving enterprises with the tools to make the most of 2024 and beyond! Marketing (definition): the activity or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising. Sales (definition): the exchange of a commodity for money; problem-solving. PS: Connect with attendees, speakers, and Colaeb members December 6-10 in Miami, Florida. Check out the events on techbaselweek.com 10 Questions That Business Owners Will Be Able to Answer After this Conference:
Join us at the inaugural Sales and Marketing Conference presented by Colaeb, where you'll gain invaluable tools and actionable tips to supercharge your sales and marketing efforts. With over a 25 Expert speakers who have collectively generated millions in sales, this conference is a goldmine of knowledge and expertise! |
 | After a setback with her first niche social network startup, Kim embarked on a new venture in 2015, giving rise to CurlMix – a novel concept centered around Do-It-Yourself boxes for curly hair. Following two years of experimentation and research, Kim orchestrated a pivotal shift for CurlMix in January 2018 to focus on ready-made Flaxseed Gel as CurlMix's hero product. She ingeniously transformed their best-selling boxes into a comprehensive hair-care line, creating the first 4-step Wash and Go System to help you master your curls in 21 days. |
In a noteworthy episode on Shark Tank in 2019, Kim and Tim turned down a substantial $400,000 deal, demonstrating their conviction in their vision.
The Lewises secured coveted spots on Forbes' prestigious "30 under 30" list, while Crain's Chicago Business duly acknowledged Kim as one of the remarkable "20 in their 20s." Notably, after gaining endorsement from Oprah's esteemed "Favorite Things" list, CurlMix proudly claimed the 93rd position on the illustrious Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing, privately-owned companies in the United States.
Continuing to captivate headlines, CurlMix made a groundbreaking move by extending investment opportunities to its customers through equity crowdfunding. Launching their crowdfunding campaign in April 2021, CurlMix garnered an impressive $4.5 million from nearly 7,000 investors.
The subsequent year, they witnessed an astounding surge in CurlMix's sales, soaring to a remarkable $10 million annual revenue and an impressive cumulative lifetime sales figure of over $30 million – all exclusively conducted online.
2023 is a pivotal milestone in CurlMix's extraordinary journey with its expansion into retail. CurlMix is just one brand of the Listener Brands portfolio, and Kim remains resolute in her determination to make stellar brands that listen.
The Lewises secured coveted spots on Forbes' prestigious "30 under 30" list, while Crain's Chicago Business duly acknowledged Kim as one of the remarkable "20 in their 20s." Notably, after gaining endorsement from Oprah's esteemed "Favorite Things" list, CurlMix proudly claimed the 93rd position on the illustrious Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing, privately-owned companies in the United States.
Continuing to captivate headlines, CurlMix made a groundbreaking move by extending investment opportunities to its customers through equity crowdfunding. Launching their crowdfunding campaign in April 2021, CurlMix garnered an impressive $4.5 million from nearly 7,000 investors.
The subsequent year, they witnessed an astounding surge in CurlMix's sales, soaring to a remarkable $10 million annual revenue and an impressive cumulative lifetime sales figure of over $30 million – all exclusively conducted online.
2023 is a pivotal milestone in CurlMix's extraordinary journey with its expansion into retail. CurlMix is just one brand of the Listener Brands portfolio, and Kim remains resolute in her determination to make stellar brands that listen.
Eva Chan
 | Eva is the co-founder of Launch Pop - A venture studio working with founders to build eCommerce brands that dominate their category. Some notable companies built from our research, design and growth include: 1) More Labs/Morning Recovery (morelabs.com) $8M Series A 2) Rael (getrael.com) $17.5M Series A led by Soft Bank, BAM and Toni Ko (NYX Cosmetics) 3) GEM (dailygem.co) $750K, presently $10M+ seed 4) Topicals (mytopicals.com) $2.6M, presently $12M+ series A |
Teneshia Carr
 | Teneshia Carr started her career in 2005, working as a photographer, creative director and then consultant across various brands based in London, New York, and Tokyo. These services also included leading internal discussions on (EDI) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion helping companies have the tough conversations. |
Carr started Blanc Media and Blanc Magazine in a small London studio in 2011 with an eclectic group of creatives and influencers looking for a new way of working within the fashion industry. Blanc began as a ray of hope for those creative influencers feeling underserved, underrepresented, unheard, and in need of authentic inspiration and a media platform that celebrated otherness. From the time she was 15 years old, she knew that she wanted to tell the stories of people who looked like her and those around her, although she didn't see them represented in the visual world of fashion that she loved. With Blanc Magazine, she hoped to change that. Blanc Media now engages in innovative projects with global brands such as Gucci, Tiffany and Co, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. Blanc Magazine is Internationally distributed four times per year.
Aside from her work with Blanc, Carr is a part of several programs and initiatives to champion creatives of color, including a partnership with Camera Nazionale Della Moda Italiana and the Fashion Minority Alliance. She is also currently a Contributing Editor Inc. Magazine writing about Diversity and Inclusivity with a focus on exploring the experiences of black business owners. The culmination of this work is a channel found on Inc.com called All the Hats, where she curates the trials, triumphs, tips, tricks, thoughts, and, of course, the jam-packed days of Black women entrepreneurs.
Aside from her work with Blanc, Carr is a part of several programs and initiatives to champion creatives of color, including a partnership with Camera Nazionale Della Moda Italiana and the Fashion Minority Alliance. She is also currently a Contributing Editor Inc. Magazine writing about Diversity and Inclusivity with a focus on exploring the experiences of black business owners. The culmination of this work is a channel found on Inc.com called All the Hats, where she curates the trials, triumphs, tips, tricks, thoughts, and, of course, the jam-packed days of Black women entrepreneurs.
Dujon C. Smith
 | Dujon is a visionary leader with a profound commitment to empowering marginalized communities and championing innovation. Dujon is the Global Co-Lead for Accenture's Black Founder's Development Program, aiming to amplify wealth creation in Black communities and usher in the next wave of entrepreneurs. His expertise in linking corporations and startups was refined as the Midwest Lead for Accenture Open Innovation, where he fostered collaborations between major companies and dynamic startups. Outside this role, he is the Founder & CEO of My Block Skin, where he's transforming sun care for melanin-rich individuals, ensuring access to quality SPF protection. |
Rooted in his passion for uplifting BIPOC entrepreneurs, creatives, and academics, Dujon also serves on the Global Inclusivity Board for Soho House and the University of Birmingham's Business School Advisory Board, promoting global diversity and inclusion.
Having traveled and worked in 55 countries, Dujon possesses a rich understanding of the synergy between technology, culture, and education. This global outlook drives him to advocate for equity and growth for BIPOC communities. Dujon's leadership is a beacon of positive transformation, fueling global innovation and community empowerment.
Having traveled and worked in 55 countries, Dujon possesses a rich understanding of the synergy between technology, culture, and education. This global outlook drives him to advocate for equity and growth for BIPOC communities. Dujon's leadership is a beacon of positive transformation, fueling global innovation and community empowerment.
Dianna Moore
 | As a seasoned Business, Career & Life Coach with over 20 years of business leadership experience, Dianna Moore leverages her diverse aerospace, startup and wellness background in supporting her clients. She has held pivotal roles in Financial Planning, Corporate Audit, Program Management, Risk Management, Operations, and Investor Relations. Following her aerospace career, Dianna served as the founding consultant and later as COO for a venture-backed startup. Additionally, she has been coaching clients for more than a decade in leadership, life and wellness, making an impact on over 500 individuals across 14 countries. Dianna's multifaceted background uniquely positions her to assist clients in accelerating their growth and achieving remarkable results. |
Derrick L. Maultsby Jr.
 | Derrick L. Maultsby Jr. is a Senior Associate Attorney at Frost Brown Todd LLP where he is a member of the Data Digital Assets and Privacy, Corporate and Intellectual Property practice groups. His practice includes corporate transactional and business advisory services in the tech, privacy, private equity, venture capital, startup/small business, and sports & entertainment industries. Derrick has been invited to speak on various topics at the intersection of the law and technology at the University of Dayton School of Law, Minority Innovation Weekend, FounderX Global Summit, University of New Hampshire School of Law, and Black Tech Week 2022. |
Aside from his practice, Derrick is also committed to creating a more equitable and inclusive environment within his law firm through serving on the firm's Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee. In addition to serving on the Regional Advisory Board of Venture for America, Derrick also serves on several community boards including his role as Vice President of the Duquesne Black Alumni Network Board. In 2021, Derrick was named a Trailblazer in the Law by the American Lawyer Magazine and during the Summer of 2022 he was named a Lawyer on the Fast Track by the Legal Intelligencer. Most recently, Derrick was named a 2023 Rising Star by Super Lawyers and a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.
A Pittsburgh native, Derrick’s college career began at Jackson State University where he was a member of the football team. Eventually, Derrick would receive his Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University School of Law. In the Fall of 2022, Derrick was selected to receive the Young Alumni Award from Indiana University of Pennsylvania as well as accept an invitation to become a fellow in the National Bar Association’s Associate Academy for Excellence. More recently, Derrick was named a 2023 Duke of the Last Decade honoree by Duquesne University. Derrick is also a graduate of the Advanced Leadership Institute’s Emerging Leaders Program at Carnegie Mellon where he was the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity and Inclusion Coalition Leadership Scholar. In the Fall of 2023, the Maultsby Diversity in the Law Scholarship, established by Derrick, will launch at his alma mater of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The scholarship will provide financial assistance as well as networking opportunities and mentorship to black pre-law students at the university.
A Pittsburgh native, Derrick’s college career began at Jackson State University where he was a member of the football team. Eventually, Derrick would receive his Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University School of Law. In the Fall of 2022, Derrick was selected to receive the Young Alumni Award from Indiana University of Pennsylvania as well as accept an invitation to become a fellow in the National Bar Association’s Associate Academy for Excellence. More recently, Derrick was named a 2023 Duke of the Last Decade honoree by Duquesne University. Derrick is also a graduate of the Advanced Leadership Institute’s Emerging Leaders Program at Carnegie Mellon where he was the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity and Inclusion Coalition Leadership Scholar. In the Fall of 2023, the Maultsby Diversity in the Law Scholarship, established by Derrick, will launch at his alma mater of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The scholarship will provide financial assistance as well as networking opportunities and mentorship to black pre-law students at the university.
Destin George Bell
 | Destin George Bell is the founder & CEO of Card.io, a gamified app turning outdoor cardio into a team game of turf war. He has also started businesses in content & real estate. He was recently honored with Forbes 30U30, AustinInno 25U25, and Austin Black 40U40. |
Jamie McKee
 | Jamie McKee currently holds the position of CEO at StormImpact Inc. and serves on its board of directors. Before assuming the role of CEO in July 2022, Jamie served as the director of operations at Crimson Cup Coffee. In this capacity, he oversaw all aspects of the company's I.T. administration, customer service, production, and warehouse operations. Jamie demonstrated end-to-end management of Crimson Cup's supply chain and played a pivotal role in shaping strategic objectives and supplier relationships, ensuring adaptability to a rapidly evolving marketplace. |
Prior to joining Crimson Cup, Jamie served as the chief operating officer at EngageHealth, a healthcare I.T. startup. In this role, he handled corporate governance matters, business development, and negotiations with both government and private entities. Before EngageHealth, Jamie held the position of chief operating officer at Apportis, another healthcare I.T. startup.
With a decade-long tenure at Aviagen Turkeys Inc., Jamie served as the sales and export compliance manager in his final role. Here, he led production planning, corporate import/export compliance, and logistics management for the global operation. His responsibilities extended to collaborating with sister companies in Europe, Asia, and South America.
Drawing from his experience of living in six countries, Jamie brings an international perspective to his leadership role, emphasizing the importance of diversity. Committed to fostering an inclusive workforce, he has also been actively involved in volunteerism, dedicating his time to school, sports, and faith-based organizations. Jamie further showcased his dedication to community service through a five-year presidency role at Mitsy's Wings Nonprofit, a cancer therapy support organization.
Jamie holds an MBA from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales, UK.
With a decade-long tenure at Aviagen Turkeys Inc., Jamie served as the sales and export compliance manager in his final role. Here, he led production planning, corporate import/export compliance, and logistics management for the global operation. His responsibilities extended to collaborating with sister companies in Europe, Asia, and South America.
Drawing from his experience of living in six countries, Jamie brings an international perspective to his leadership role, emphasizing the importance of diversity. Committed to fostering an inclusive workforce, he has also been actively involved in volunteerism, dedicating his time to school, sports, and faith-based organizations. Jamie further showcased his dedication to community service through a five-year presidency role at Mitsy's Wings Nonprofit, a cancer therapy support organization.
Jamie holds an MBA from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales, UK.
Amjed Osman
 | Amjed Osman is a Founding General Partner at GreenLight Venture Partners and Strategic Business Partner to global Fortune 500 companies. He is also the Co-Founder and Executive Producer of the podcast and TV show, Inside the Green Room with Danny Green. Amjed is a graduate of the Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business and serves on the Alumni Board at the College. Amjed has previously worked for LinkedIn, Ernst & Young LLP, Lingo Live Language Services, and Abbott Laboratories. |
Charron Leeper
 | Charron Leeper is a versatile creative and entrepreneur. She serves as the Founder and CEO of Agency Thirty-Three, a startup creative agency, and the creator of Perfect Pineapple®, a head wrap and hair accessory brand established in 2018. Charron is dedicated to building equity for underrepresented and marginalized communities. Her fervor for fashion and modeling has led to styling features in New York Magazine's "Women in Power issue" (October 2018), Essence Online, and New York Fashion Week Street Style. |
As a signed model at Docherty Agency, Charron has graced campaigns for JoAnn Fabrics, Big Lots Purell, Mustard Seed Market, Sysco, Jbolin Collection, and more. Beyond modeling, she is a passionate creative, artist, and community advocate, drawing inspiration from her various creative disciplines to bring a fresh, artistic approach to all her endeavors.
Evan Leaphart
 | Evan Leaphart is the founder and CEO of Kredit Academy! He creates online curriculums for schools, organizations, and families to teach children about the fundamentals of finance. 43North, a nonprofit accelerator and incubator, recently awarded Kredit Academy $1 million at a 5% stake. Read more from Biz Journals. |
About Kredit Academy
- Founded in: 2023 (The company was founded in 2018 but its app launched in 2023)
- What it does: The comprehensive financial literacy platform gives customers, particularly young adults and teens, white-label, credit-based solutions to provide information and tools to build sound credit, as well as giving financial institutions a way to grow and engage.
- What need is the company serving? "The biggest problem with credit? We don’t discuss it until it’s too late," said Leaphart.
Chase Crawford
 | Chase A. Crawford, the 27-year-old founder of Four by Three, launched his career by creating viral fake Taco Bell commercials in his hometown of Monroe, OH. He rose to prominence writing and directing commercials for the real Taco Bell while still in high school. After high school, he began producing feature films under the Four by Three moniker, working with stars such as Adam Conover, Joe Chrest and Cody Kearsley, to bring nearly 20 independent films to life between 2017-2020. |
In response to the pandemic, he expanded Four by Three beyond production and into distribution, securing deals with Tubi, AppleTV, Prime Video among others. It was also at this time Crawford decided to launch Four by Three Comedy. He has since produced over 70 comedy specials, hundreds of millions of views on social media, and worked with comedy legends such as Mark Normand and Wayne Brady. His next film, Steven Soderbergh Presents The Quiet Maid, premieres 11/10 at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia. Crawford is a Forbes Next 1000 alumni and serves on the advisory board of BLINK. He lives with his wife and 3 daughters in a mysterious cave with a butler and two guys who wear costumes all day. His favorite movie is School of Rock
James Chapman
 | James Chapman is the Founder and CEO of Plain Sight - they help event sponsors, hosts, and attendees reach their desired outcomes through our data-driven technology. James has dedicated his entire career to providing access to capital and professional networks. Before starting Plain Sight, he co-founded Detroit Demo Day - which has now provided over $5 million in funding to businesses throughout the city of Detroit. |
Prior to both ventures, he started an evening hours workspace for side-hustlers to collaborate and build community. He's raised over $1M in capital for Plain Sight from notable investors like Dan Gilbert, Majority Owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
F. Allen Boseman Jr.
 | F. Allen Boseman Jr. is an experienced litigator and negotiator who has represented a broad range of clients from individuals to Fortune 500 Companies with a singular focus on delivering excellence regardless of the circumstances. Allen has practiced at some of the largest and most powerful firms in the country specializing in a variety of practice areas ranging from Labor & Employment to Complex Commercial Litigation and this invaluable experience has helped shape him into one of the sharpest legal minds in the profession. |
While Allen is acutely aware that his “big firm” experience has played a significant role in his success, he understands that it is his personal touch and pragmatic approach to legal issues separates him from the pack. Allen provides best practices and policies to significantly reduce litigation exposure and timely and smart advice to protect legal rights. In providing sophisticated and comprehensive legal guidance, Allen specifically tailors his approach to meet the particularized needs of each client to bring about the desired result whether an aggressive stance in litigation or negotiations, speed for emergency situations or a calm, cool hand when necessary. There is no problem too big or too small for Allen to tackle. He is truly dedicated to always choosing the path paved with the best results for each client.
In addition, Allen has built and maintained strategic relationships critical to how he delivers superior service to clients. Indeed, Allen understands that providing clients with the most sophisticated legal advice requires the use of specialist and professionals in various capacities to maximize the efficiency and quality of legal advice. Allen is also in rhythm with the business, political and social community around him. He is actively involved in important civic duties, he owns small businesses, he sits on the board of various non-profits, he provides guidance to leaders, he builds networking platforms for professionals and entrepreneurs, and he is actively involved in building relationships between the public and private sector in meaningful ways. Allen genuinely values being a well-rounded lawyer and consultant who believes his approach to analyzing and solving problems is a game-changer for clients because of his unique and proven perspective.
Through relentless dedication to his clients, expert negotiations and the instillation of smart and sensible strategies, Allen provides his clients with a one-of-a-kind legal experience focused on delivering excellence and tangible results.
In addition, Allen has built and maintained strategic relationships critical to how he delivers superior service to clients. Indeed, Allen understands that providing clients with the most sophisticated legal advice requires the use of specialist and professionals in various capacities to maximize the efficiency and quality of legal advice. Allen is also in rhythm with the business, political and social community around him. He is actively involved in important civic duties, he owns small businesses, he sits on the board of various non-profits, he provides guidance to leaders, he builds networking platforms for professionals and entrepreneurs, and he is actively involved in building relationships between the public and private sector in meaningful ways. Allen genuinely values being a well-rounded lawyer and consultant who believes his approach to analyzing and solving problems is a game-changer for clients because of his unique and proven perspective.
Through relentless dedication to his clients, expert negotiations and the instillation of smart and sensible strategies, Allen provides his clients with a one-of-a-kind legal experience focused on delivering excellence and tangible results.
Carrie Aguilar
 | A proud midwesterner, Carrie Aguilar has spent the last 13 years building a successful Sales Enablement career- starting as a top salesperson at Yelp and evolving into leadership positions at various high- growth tech startups. She most recently spent the last 5 years as head of Sales Training and Enablement at DoorDash where she built and oversaw the scaling of their sales team from less than 100 to over 1000 through series C to post IPO. She currently helps startups do the same through her business Innov8 Growth Partners that specializes in connecting founders and startups from where they are, to where they want to go. |
Thomas McClure
 | Thomas McClure believes in bringing heart, authenticity, and diversity to the fashion world, helping to lead the way into the future of fashion regionally, nationally, and globally. Thomas McClure is the founder of the non-profit Columbus Fashion Council and its flagship program Fashion Week Columbus. Since 2010, Thomas has produced over 170 fashion shows & events, working with over 230 fashion designers, 2000 models, and 1000 fashion industry professionals, while also raising almost $60,000 in scholarship funds for fashion design students. Thomas helped put Columbus, Ohio on the map within the fashion industry, as Columbus is ranked #3 in the nation for the number of resident fashion designers. Thomas McClure has been featured in the bestseller “Our Towns” as well as The Atlantic, Columbus Dispatch, Columbus Monthly, Columbus ALIVE, City Pulse, 614 Magazine, Who’s Who GLBT Columbus, Good Day Columbus, WBNS 10TV, ABC6/Fox28, NBC4, Power 107.5, The CW Columbus, and the podcast “Conquering Columbus”. |
John Delia Jr.
 | John Delia Jr. is a prolific real estate investor, entrepreneur and author. He specializes in redeveloping 100 year old properties and now new construction across the American Midwest. An expert deal maker and strategist, he owns residential, apartments and industrial. He is the author of “Life, Liberty n’ Property: A Guide to Successful Real Estate Investing” and “Metropolis: A Novella”. John Delia, Jr resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife Richelle, their son Baron and miniature Goldendoodle. |
Megan Fitzpatrick, MBA
 | Megan always knew she wanted to be a teacher. This passion solidified when her high school Math teacher changed her life. When Megan was 16 she tragically lost her mom and it was her 10th Grade Math teacher, Ms. Carmenate simply asked: "How are you doing?" Megan then realized how important teachers could be for their students. After 8 years in the classroom she founded The Fitz Solution and took the leap of full time business ownership. In 2019 she curated, The Ultimate Selfie. This signature program is designed to empower teens to confidently answer the question: "What's Next?" She works with teens to define their strengths, values, and passions to create a guide for after high school. In addition to running The Fitz Solution, Megan is the CEO of Studlytics, a EdTech platform designed to help students create positive study skills while learning online. This software helps students to see how and where to best support their learning through positive psychology and gamification. |
Megan is also a community leader with many different organizations throughout South Florida. She is an Educational Ambassador for Web3Equity, working to on board more women into WEB3. A mentor for Women of Tomorrow, empowering young high school girls both personally and professionally to achieve their goals. She has traveled all over the world with some of her favorite destinations being Haiti, Amazon Rainforest and Bali. Immersing herself in different cultures and societies is a key component to how she runs her businesses. Being an advocate and an educational champion for those that need it most. Her 2023 mantra is “Align and Achieve”
Ibrahim Mohmed
 | Ibrahim Mohmed is the founder of CourtSide Media, a digital media agency for influencers between 1 million to 75 million followers across all platforms. Some of his clients include Kevin Garnett and Lauren Fitzmaurice. Ibrahim works with his clients to organically boost their views. Ibrahim recently co-founded Taja AI, a tool that helps creators optimize their titles, descriptions, hashtags, and thumbnails in order to save time and maximize discoverability. Ibrahim also just raised a pre-seed, Six Figure investment ~ click here to watch the video! |
Kailah Ware
 | Kailah Ware is a mixed media artist and entrepreneur who focuses on community activism, women's issues, and social justice. She creates people-centered art and values the process as much as the final product. She graduated from Wright State University with her degree in Motion Pictures Production with a minor in Studio Art. Ware has produced and managed a plethora of multi media campaigns throughout the Midwest for nonprofits that focus on race-based community advocacy work and has won two Public Relation Society of America (PRSA) Black Smith awards for her work with her creative agency SunnyBlu. |
Oscar Di Pasquale
 | Oscar is a Business Automation Expert who helps teams save time and focus on high-level activities. His passion for marketing flourished in 2018 when he was selected for an exclusive program connecting young talents with Silicon Valley's tech giants. That year, he started to offer several services to international companies such as a Gartner-recognized SaaS company and an e-learning startup backed by a prominent Italian impact investment fund. Since 2020 he specializes in streamlining business processes and has helped several teams save up to 30% of their time and drive substantial revenue gains. |
Jabez El Israel
 | Jabez el Israel is a trailblazing figure in the realm of natural weight loss. As the best-selling author of “Life Matters So Let’s Eat Like It,” his innovative approach has transformed countless lives. Successfully shedding 100 pounds himself while relishing the foods he loves, Jabez’s methods are both effective and sustainable. His mission is not just personal transformation; he aspires to help over a million people step into their natural body sizes and sustain it for life. Beyond his achievements in health and wellness, Jabez is also recognized by the name Jabez Mango Seeds. He harbors a profound passion for the environment and agriculture. With an audacious goal of bringing over a million fruit trees to America, Jabez aims to inspire many to delve into agriculture, emphasizing self-sufficiency and the production of natural food options. |
At the heart of it all, Jabez is a dedicated family man, having been a devoted husband in a relationship with his amazing wife Nicole for 15 years!
They are raising their five healthy, talented kids together. His brand and business are built upon foundational principles that resonate deeply with him: morality, healthiness, happiness, unity, financial literacy and all of these things in abundance!
They are raising their five healthy, talented kids together. His brand and business are built upon foundational principles that resonate deeply with him: morality, healthiness, happiness, unity, financial literacy and all of these things in abundance!
Patrice Chappelle
 | Patrice Chappelle is a serial entrepreneur and mother of one. She is the co-founder of MelanBrand Skin, LLC, a Black-owned children’s skin care line, providing natural and safe products for melanated skin. A published author and freelance writer, her work has appeared in Black Enterprise, Huffington Post, Upscale, Essence, Sheen, Curly Nikki, and MadameNoire. She is an alumna of Fisk University and Trevecca Nazarene University, and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for the past twenty years and counting. She resides in the DMV area with her son Bron. |
John B. Johnson
 | Principal, Identity Architect at a small studio John leads an identity-driven design company that deploys the diversity of perspective and brilliance of gifted creatives from all over the world. While building communities to empower emerging designers, he works with local businesses, Startups and Unicorns to discover “Who they really are”- their identity, and translates it into compelling narratives, design systems, digital touch-points assets that set them apart from the clutter, for impact. |
Manny Larcher
 | Manny is a first-generation St. Lucian American born in Columbus, Ohio, who enjoys digging deep into new technologies and nourishing ideas, and understands the ups and downs of building a successful business. In 2017, he co-founded Stopwatch Creative, assisting startups, artists, professional athletes, and brands with various marketing services. When the pandemic created unforeseen complications for entrepreneurs, Manny created Colaeb aka Collaborate and Elevate, a SaaS platform now helping 500+ businesses around the world connect to resources and opportunities. |
Kent Depwe
 | Kent was born and raised in Dallas Texas, before Graduating from Texas Tech university and shortly after settling down in Austin Texas. In 2019 Kent joined TwentyAI, a full service search firm based in Austin, Texas. In 2021 Kent became the #1 ranked recruiter globally at TwentyAI, bringing in $1.05M in revenue across 70 successful placements at his clients across the US. Kent continued his success into 2022 bringing in over $1.1M in revenue with 82 placements and shattering multiple company records along the way. |
In 2023 Kent ventured out on his own joining an intrapreneurship platform called TEEMA where he runs his own company with back office support from the TEEMA platform.
Kent specializes in recruitment for executive search, sales, engineering and product positions across a variety of industries for his clients that range from hyper growth VC backed startups to fortune 500 companies.
In his free time Kent is an avid golfer and gym goer, he also enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Kent specializes in recruitment for executive search, sales, engineering and product positions across a variety of industries for his clients that range from hyper growth VC backed startups to fortune 500 companies.
In his free time Kent is an avid golfer and gym goer, he also enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Shaun Crawford
 | Varsity House Founder and CEO, Shaun Crawford, former Notre Dame football Captain and current media talent. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and a proud alumni of St. Edward High School. His athletic career included many highlights but also setbacks, including 3 season-ending injuries Battling back from each injury, he was able to earn all All ACC and Mayo Clinic Comeback Player Of The Year honorable mention along with the honor of being names team captain for the program and a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from the University. After my college career, he fulfilled his deam of making it to the NFL, spending time with Las Vegas Raiders. The obstacles he faces as a football player gave me a unique perspective on the complexity of an athlete's life that I intend to share through Varsity House. |
Aleksandra Brankov
 | Aleksandra Brankov, Founder and CEO of Cafilia, is an innovative entrepreneur known for spearheading a groundbreaking in-shop subscription service that connects coffee enthusiasts with local coffee shops, while championing sustainability in reducing disposable cup waste. Her visionary leadership not only propels business success but transforms coffee consumption into a sustainable and community-driven experience. With a blend of top-tier education from IE Business School and experience in strategy implementation consulting and startups, Aleksandra is a compelling panelist on innovation, sustainability, and effective leadership in shaping the future of consumer tech and B2B2C platforms. |
Terry Green
 | Terry Green is the CEO and Lead Consultant of Breaking Statistics LLC, a social justice consulting firm. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Think Make Live Youth non-profit organization as well as the Founder of the Social Justice Awards, an award ceremony dedicated to honoring outstanding social justice leadership. Terry has over 10 years of experience in professional public speaking and has provided over 150 presentations in more than 11 cities throughout the United States. He provides effective solutions and strategies to support diversity, equity and inclusion, youth empowerment, community enrichment for companies, organizations, schools, and community groups. He is a national social justice consultant providing a hallmark experience in developing innovative equity strategies. |
Terry is a graduate of Franklin County YouthBuild and received the national YouthBuild Outstanding Commitment to Leadership and Social Justice Award. He is an active alumnus of the United Way of Central Ohio Neighborhood Leadership Academy. As a young community activist, Terry also served as a Community Organizer for America Forward Today’s Student Campaign.
He serves on the Supreme Court of Ohio Subcommittee on Responding to Child Abuse, Neglect and Dependency. Recently he has been appointed to serve as a Board Member for Franklin County’s Rise Together Innovation Center which is an organization aiming to decrease poverty within Central Ohio.
Currently, Terry is leading a local youth Community Action Team in Central Ohio in partnership with Opportunity Youth United, a national movement of young people and allies working to increase opportunities and decrease poverty in America.
Terry is a young man who has experienced poverty, overcame the justice system, youth homelessness as well as loss of family members and friends. Terry has pushed through many challenges in his life and now he is dedicated every day to provide more innovative strategies and opportunities for youth and returning citizens to thrive in today's society.
He serves on the Supreme Court of Ohio Subcommittee on Responding to Child Abuse, Neglect and Dependency. Recently he has been appointed to serve as a Board Member for Franklin County’s Rise Together Innovation Center which is an organization aiming to decrease poverty within Central Ohio.
Currently, Terry is leading a local youth Community Action Team in Central Ohio in partnership with Opportunity Youth United, a national movement of young people and allies working to increase opportunities and decrease poverty in America.
Terry is a young man who has experienced poverty, overcame the justice system, youth homelessness as well as loss of family members and friends. Terry has pushed through many challenges in his life and now he is dedicated every day to provide more innovative strategies and opportunities for youth and returning citizens to thrive in today's society.
Chad Porter
 | Founder and CEO of CHVD JUSTIN and innovative brand. Degree in Economics, Graduate of The Ohio State University. Has developed, trademarks and patented and launched 6 figure product lines. |
Bijan Machen
 | Bijan Machen is an interdisciplinary fine artist and educator. He earned his MFA at ArtCenter College of Design and maintains a thriving art & design practice in Los Angeles, California. Machen has exhibited at museums and galleries around the country and his work is collected internationally. He is also the founder of the We Uplift The World Foundation, a 501C3 Art & Technology Education organization focused on empowering creative entrepreneurs with expert training, internships and job placement opportunities. Bijan's mission is to uplift everyone in life through positive artistic expression and evangelizing the abundance mentality. |
Bo Sijuade
 | Bo Sijuade is the Founder and CEO of On Touch Go. On Touch Go is an self-serve advertising platform that enables advertisers to target and reach location-based audiences street-level via in-car media. The platform offers millions of impressions a day across 45 U.S. cities. |
Chef Stephen Miller
 | Executive Chef & Owner of “To Go For Your Soul” LLC. Curated custom Dining experiences for our clients for any occasion. Buffet set up or Private Chef Multi-course Dining is more than feasible to bring to your reality for your special occasion as me and my Chefs raise the standard of Culinary through several Cuisine options. Established in 2020, the goal is to always give every client their own experience to create intimacy and a unique memory for them and their guests. Chef Stephen Miller aka “Chef Mills” has trained under numerous Chefs since 2016 to pimp his own style of culinary art to express to the world. The Purpose is to serve and leave a lasting impression on those that appreciate the craft of a Private Chef and leave an imprint of black excellence and inspiration. A memory lasts for a lifetime and we’re here to touch your soul through your tastebuds and your heart for any event you desire to host. |
Andrew Tasker
 | Green Entrepreneur with a track record of successful strategic and tactical leadership driving sustainable growth. As the Chief Strategist of Global Business at goProdigii, LLC, Andy has over 20 + years of experience in designing and developing platform innovation ecosystems that enable corporations, impact investors and purpose-driven entrepreneurs to efficiently orchestrate new high-performance solutions to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) problems. Prodigii was formed in 2022 as a joint venture with global data science consulting powerhouse, Soothsayer Analytics, to empower Fortune 1000 & Global 2000 companies to achieve success in sustainability. |
The firm is currently working on leading edge sustainability solutions involving applications of technologies such as Graph Data Science, Generative A.I., Natural Language Processing (NLP), Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics using A.I. Optimization, Geospatial Data, IoT and Big Data, among other data science technologies and methods. More information can be found at goprodigii.com
Johnnie Turnage
 | Johnnie Turnage is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of EvenScore. Johnie is also the CO-Founder of Black Tech Saturdays. With nearly 15 years of experience, Johnnie is an award-winning grassroots activist, campaign manager, and tech entrepreneur. Born in Detroit and raised in the metropolitan area until his stepfather joined the army, where he would spend most of his high school years in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Johnnie began his career in social justice and grassroots organizing early on going from volunteer to GOTV leader during the 2008 Presidential campaign when he was 14. |
He led local youth in neighborhood canvasses and voter registration efforts. He later joined MOSES (Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength) as a GOTV intern leading their entire campaign and contacting more than 25,000 Michigan voters. During his tenure, Johnnie led organizing efforts for Detroit’s first council by Districts election and was also responsible for leading civic engagements, organizing clergy coalitions to strengthen ties with African-American leadership, and staff development. In 2012, he founded their youth organizing project, Crossing Boundaries, Building Bridges, with other young leaders from the metropolitan area. In 2014 he was awarded a Campaign for Black Male Achievement award, which funded leadership development for Johnnie and a dozen youth leaders in CB3. He also was a member of the executive steering committee to raise the minimum wage when he was just 20 years old.
After winning the Mario Savio Youth Activist Award in 2015, Johnnie accepted a position with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW Local 876). At UFCW, he worked his way from Organizer to Organizing Director, Political Director, and ultimately Contract Director and right hand the Union President, where Johnnie managed multiple departments and led staff training and development. As a labor organizer, Johnnie led numerous unionization campaigns and unionized the first two marijuana dispensaries in Michigan. One of Johnnie's favorite parts of his work in labor was the opportunity to develop leaders, training and developing members from rank and file to staff roles.
During his time at UFCW, Johnnie brought his passion for community organizing to the world of technology, developing the concept for EvenScore - a new impact-focused technology platform that will provide a safe and trusted space for small-dollar donors to support the causes and candidate's most important to them and the communities they call home.
Johnnie is the youngest person to ever graduate from Michigan State University’s Great Lakes Leadership Academy. Over the course of his career, Johnnie has worked through four Presidential and three Gubernatorial cycles. He serves on the Detroit Action Advisory board, the Transforming Power Fund Community table, and their 2023 Giving Project He is a proud advisory board member of the Michigan Founders Fund, an avid public speaker, and technology competition host and judge. Johnnie is also a mentor for the University of Michigan's School of Journalism Knight Challenge team project.
In October of 2022, Johnnie represented EvenScore and helped win Michigan’s first-ever Tech Week Venture competition leaning into collaboration as the model for long-term success. EvenScore won the 2022 Campaign and Elections Newsletter Reed Award for Pioneering use of Digital.
After winning the Mario Savio Youth Activist Award in 2015, Johnnie accepted a position with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW Local 876). At UFCW, he worked his way from Organizer to Organizing Director, Political Director, and ultimately Contract Director and right hand the Union President, where Johnnie managed multiple departments and led staff training and development. As a labor organizer, Johnnie led numerous unionization campaigns and unionized the first two marijuana dispensaries in Michigan. One of Johnnie's favorite parts of his work in labor was the opportunity to develop leaders, training and developing members from rank and file to staff roles.
During his time at UFCW, Johnnie brought his passion for community organizing to the world of technology, developing the concept for EvenScore - a new impact-focused technology platform that will provide a safe and trusted space for small-dollar donors to support the causes and candidate's most important to them and the communities they call home.
Johnnie is the youngest person to ever graduate from Michigan State University’s Great Lakes Leadership Academy. Over the course of his career, Johnnie has worked through four Presidential and three Gubernatorial cycles. He serves on the Detroit Action Advisory board, the Transforming Power Fund Community table, and their 2023 Giving Project He is a proud advisory board member of the Michigan Founders Fund, an avid public speaker, and technology competition host and judge. Johnnie is also a mentor for the University of Michigan's School of Journalism Knight Challenge team project.
In October of 2022, Johnnie represented EvenScore and helped win Michigan’s first-ever Tech Week Venture competition leaning into collaboration as the model for long-term success. EvenScore won the 2022 Campaign and Elections Newsletter Reed Award for Pioneering use of Digital.
Tushar Kulkarni
 | As the CEO and Co-Founder of BKLabs, Tushar Kulkarni is a seasoned visionary with over 25 years of experience at the helm of diverse projects and teams. With a dynamic background spanning from small startups to large-scale enterprises, Tushar's journey is a testament to his commitment to harnessing the power of technology for innovative solutions. Under his leadership, Big Kitty Labs (BKL) has emerged as a trailblazing force in the tech landscape, marking its presence across industries and domains. Tushar's profound expertise is grounded in his master's degree in eBusiness, a cornerstone that empowers him to offer profound insights and deep comprehension of project conception, definition, and execution. |
His relentless pursuit of transformative tech solutions has culminated in a remarkable portfolio, with over 14 years of dedication in shaping ideas into reality.
The inception of BKL in 2009 ushered in a new era of tech innovation. Tushar, in partnership with Dan Rockwell, embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between startups and the ever- evolving enterprise tech landscape. Their collective experience and entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for BKL's emergence as a tech incubator, catalyzing growth and recognition. Within a year, BKL's products were making waves in tech journals, a testament to their impactful contributions.
Steering BKL's evolution, Tushar and his team pioneered a tech consulting arm in 2010. This pivotal step propelled them into designing and implementing groundbreaking solutions for a spectrum of clients, ranging from startups to Fortune 100 giants. Their diverse client roster spans sectors like healthcare, education, automotive, government, aviation, and beyond. Notably, BKL's reach extends to the agtech industry, where they own and operate a large-scale product used by prestigious institutions including Harvard, Yale, and Colorado University, alongside numerous for-profit and nonprofit entities.
At the core of Tushar's leadership is a dedication to collaboration. Working hand in hand with a team of innovation enthusiasts, software developers, designers, and strategists, Tushar fosters an environment where ideas take shape, are tested, refined, and ultimately launched. His passion lies in empowering both first-time entrepreneurs and established companies with fresh ideas, providing transformative solutions and outsider perspectives to propel businesses forward.
The inception of BKL in 2009 ushered in a new era of tech innovation. Tushar, in partnership with Dan Rockwell, embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between startups and the ever- evolving enterprise tech landscape. Their collective experience and entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for BKL's emergence as a tech incubator, catalyzing growth and recognition. Within a year, BKL's products were making waves in tech journals, a testament to their impactful contributions.
Steering BKL's evolution, Tushar and his team pioneered a tech consulting arm in 2010. This pivotal step propelled them into designing and implementing groundbreaking solutions for a spectrum of clients, ranging from startups to Fortune 100 giants. Their diverse client roster spans sectors like healthcare, education, automotive, government, aviation, and beyond. Notably, BKL's reach extends to the agtech industry, where they own and operate a large-scale product used by prestigious institutions including Harvard, Yale, and Colorado University, alongside numerous for-profit and nonprofit entities.
At the core of Tushar's leadership is a dedication to collaboration. Working hand in hand with a team of innovation enthusiasts, software developers, designers, and strategists, Tushar fosters an environment where ideas take shape, are tested, refined, and ultimately launched. His passion lies in empowering both first-time entrepreneurs and established companies with fresh ideas, providing transformative solutions and outsider perspectives to propel businesses forward.
Darrell Spencer
 | CEO/Founder King’s Crowning & Digital Marketing Expert Darrell Spencer is a successful entrepreneur who has made an indelible impact in the corporate world and the hair and beauty industry. With a humble beginning and an unwavering drive, his journey is an inspiring testament to what you can accomplish through determination and passion. Raised in Chicago, Darrell's formative years exposed him to diverse urban and suburban influences, shaping his unique perspective on life. His father instilled the enduring values of perseverance and hard work, which proved invaluable in his journey to success. After earning a bachelor's degree in economics from Connecticut College, Darrell entered the digital advertising industry, significantly contributing to the growth of numerous businesses. He worked at prominent tech giants such as Meta, Google, and LinkedIn, where he helped smaller companies scale through digital advertising strategies. However, Darrell's drive derives from a grander vision. |
With a deep understanding of the unique qualities of black hair and beauty, he founded Kings Crowning, recognizing a void in the market. Kings Crowning has garnered recognition for its innovative products, including the flagship "The Crown," designed to provide an alternative to traditional bonnets for hair protection. Darrell's story is about more than just entrepreneurship. He is passionate about empowering and educating black men and emphasizes the importance of a robust support system for personal and professional growth.
Darrell Spencer's remarkable journey reflects his unwavering vision, dedication, and passion. He has emerged as a trailblazer, inspiring a more inclusive and equitable future in the world of hair and beauty. As a young entrepreneur, he continues to achieve new heights and make a profound difference. Darrell Spencer is one to watch as he continues to lead and innovate in various facets of life and business. Stay tuned for more of his remarkable successes.
Darrell Spencer's remarkable journey reflects his unwavering vision, dedication, and passion. He has emerged as a trailblazer, inspiring a more inclusive and equitable future in the world of hair and beauty. As a young entrepreneur, he continues to achieve new heights and make a profound difference. Darrell Spencer is one to watch as he continues to lead and innovate in various facets of life and business. Stay tuned for more of his remarkable successes.
Rob Richardson
 | Rob Richardson is co-founder and CEO of Disrupt Art, a Global Market Place, studio, and technology company created to revolutionize the impact of Art, Music, Fashion, and Film. Richardson is also the founder of Disruption Now Media, a platform that connects entrepreneurs, artists, and leaders through interactive events, educational content, and podcasts. The Disruption Now Podcast hosts conversational podcasts with disruptors focused on impact. Past guests have included: NY Times bestselling author Robert Greene, Monique Woodward, Jewel Burks Soloman of Google Startups and Collab Capital, Arlan Hamilton of Backstage Capital, and many others. In 2016, Richardson was appointed chairman of the University of Cincinnati’s Board of Trustees, becoming the youngest person to serve in this role in the University’s history. In his tenure, he established the 1819 Innovation Hub where industry and talent collaborate to spark groundbreaking ideas. |
His education includes a Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He established the first student chapter of the NAACP at the university and was elected student body president. He received the University of Cincinnati Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence, Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award, Nicholas Longworth Alumni Award from the College of Law, and an honorary degree Doctor of Laws.
Richardson has appeared on MSNBC, America this Week, and is a regular contributor to Roland Martin Unfiltered.
Richardson has appeared on MSNBC, America this Week, and is a regular contributor to Roland Martin Unfiltered.
John Yuskel
 | John Yuksel is a distinguished professional with a dual background in business and law, boasting degrees from the University of Arizona and Tsinghua University, where he excelled as valedictorian. In 2020, he co-founded a Silicon Valley-based company with his brother, dedicated to realizing their father's pioneering mobility invention of over four decades. As the CEO of Beltways, a venture-backed startup recently relocated to Northern Kentucky, John spearheads the development of the world's first high-speed pedestrian walkway for CVG Airport, slated to debut next year. |
Before his leadership role at Beltways, John held pivotal positions, notably as the inaugural American staff member at a local Chinese Bureau of Commerce. He led transformative soft infrastructure projects across Asia for LehmanBush, the PE firm associated with the Bush family, and also honed his expertise in cross-border M&A law in California.
Recognized as a foremost authority in accelerating moving walkway technology, John serves as a respected committee member on the national regulatory board for the industry, ASME A.17.
Recognized as a foremost authority in accelerating moving walkway technology, John serves as a respected committee member on the national regulatory board for the industry, ASME A.17.
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Colaeb, a groundbreaking B2B SaaS platform, is revolutionizing the way businesses grow and succeed in today's competitive landscape. With its innovative approach and seamless integration of technology, Colaeb has become a driving force in facilitating collaboration, promoting connections to new customers, and providing invaluable resources to enterprises across over 25 states in the US and four countries.
At the heart of Colaeb's mission lies the power of collaboration. By bringing together businesses from diverse industries and geographies, the platform fosters an ecosystem of shared knowledge, expertise, and opportunities. Through its intuitive interface, entrepreneurs can connect with like-minded professionals, collaborate on projects, and forge strategic partnerships that drive growth and innovation.
One of Colaeb's standout features is its ability to empower businesses in reaching new customers. Leveraging its extensive network and advanced targeting capabilities, the platform facilitates targeted promotional campaigns that maximize visibility and engagement. Whether it's through personalized marketing initiatives or access to a vast user base, Colaeb equips businesses with the tools they need to expand their reach and attract customers in a highly effective manner.
Furthermore, Colaeb offers a wealth of resources to its users. From comprehensive industry insights and market research to invaluable educational content and expert advice, the platform ensures that businesses have access to the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the curve. With Colaeb, entrepreneurs can tap into a treasure trove of information, enabling them to navigate challenges, capitalize on emerging trends, and optimize their operations.
The impact of Colaeb's services extends far beyond its domestic borders. With a global mindset, the platform has expanded its reach to four countries, connecting businesses and entrepreneurs on an international scale. This cross-border collaboration opens up new avenues for growth, enables the exchange of ideas and best practices, and fosters a truly global business community.
In conclusion, Colaeb, pronounced like "collab," is a game-changer for businesses seeking growth, connections, and resources. By harnessing the power of collaboration, unlocking access to new customers, and providing a wealth of invaluable resources, Colaeb is helping businesses thrive in over 25 states in the US and four countries. In an increasingly interconnected world, Colaeb stands at the forefront of empowering enterprises to reach their full potential and succeed in the dynamic landscape of the modern business environment.
At the heart of Colaeb's mission lies the power of collaboration. By bringing together businesses from diverse industries and geographies, the platform fosters an ecosystem of shared knowledge, expertise, and opportunities. Through its intuitive interface, entrepreneurs can connect with like-minded professionals, collaborate on projects, and forge strategic partnerships that drive growth and innovation.
One of Colaeb's standout features is its ability to empower businesses in reaching new customers. Leveraging its extensive network and advanced targeting capabilities, the platform facilitates targeted promotional campaigns that maximize visibility and engagement. Whether it's through personalized marketing initiatives or access to a vast user base, Colaeb equips businesses with the tools they need to expand their reach and attract customers in a highly effective manner.
Furthermore, Colaeb offers a wealth of resources to its users. From comprehensive industry insights and market research to invaluable educational content and expert advice, the platform ensures that businesses have access to the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the curve. With Colaeb, entrepreneurs can tap into a treasure trove of information, enabling them to navigate challenges, capitalize on emerging trends, and optimize their operations.
The impact of Colaeb's services extends far beyond its domestic borders. With a global mindset, the platform has expanded its reach to four countries, connecting businesses and entrepreneurs on an international scale. This cross-border collaboration opens up new avenues for growth, enables the exchange of ideas and best practices, and fosters a truly global business community.
In conclusion, Colaeb, pronounced like "collab," is a game-changer for businesses seeking growth, connections, and resources. By harnessing the power of collaboration, unlocking access to new customers, and providing a wealth of invaluable resources, Colaeb is helping businesses thrive in over 25 states in the US and four countries. In an increasingly interconnected world, Colaeb stands at the forefront of empowering enterprises to reach their full potential and succeed in the dynamic landscape of the modern business environment.
In today's competitive business landscape, establishing a strong brand presence and effectively reaching target audiences is crucial for success. That's where Stopwatch Creative comes in. As a full-service marketing agency, Stopwatch Creative has garnered a stellar reputation for its exceptional expertise in branding, website design and development, digital and experiential marketing, fundraising, growth hacking, and its extensive experience working with professional athletes, series-backed startups, and Fortune companies. In this article, we will explore the remarkable services offered by Stopwatch Creative and why they come highly recommended.
Branding Powerhouse:
Stopwatch Creative understands that a compelling brand image is the foundation of any successful business. With their strategic approach, they transform brands into powerhouses, capturing the essence of each client's unique identity and translating it into a cohesive brand story. Their team of skilled professionals meticulously crafts branding initiatives that resonate with target audiences, ensuring that their clients stand out in the crowded marketplace.
Branding Powerhouse:
Stopwatch Creative understands that a compelling brand image is the foundation of any successful business. With their strategic approach, they transform brands into powerhouses, capturing the essence of each client's unique identity and translating it into a cohesive brand story. Their team of skilled professionals meticulously crafts branding initiatives that resonate with target audiences, ensuring that their clients stand out in the crowded marketplace.
Web Wizards:
In today's digital age, an engaging and user-friendly website is essential for businesses to thrive. Stopwatch Creative's web wizards possess a knack for creating visually stunning designs that not only capture attention but also provide seamless user experiences. From concept to development, Stopwatch Creative ensures that every website they create aligns with the client's brand vision and effectively communicates their message to visitors.
In today's digital age, an engaging and user-friendly website is essential for businesses to thrive. Stopwatch Creative's web wizards possess a knack for creating visually stunning designs that not only capture attention but also provide seamless user experiences. From concept to development, Stopwatch Creative ensures that every website they create aligns with the client's brand vision and effectively communicates their message to visitors.
Digital and Experiential Marketing:
Stopwatch Creative takes marketing to the next level by combining digital strategies with experiential marketing techniques. Through innovative campaigns, they immerse audiences in memorable brand experiences that leave a lasting impact. Their comprehensive digital marketing solutions encompass social media management, search engine optimization (SEO), content creation, and more, enabling businesses to reach their target customers across various channels.
Fundraising and Growth Hacking:
For businesses seeking to secure funding or accelerate growth, Stopwatch Creative provides invaluable support. Their expertise in fundraising helps clients navigate the complex landscape of securing investments, grants, and sponsorships. In addition, their growth hacking strategies are designed to optimize business growth through rapid experimentation and data-driven decision-making. Stopwatch Creative equips businesses with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve maximum growth potential.
Stopwatch Creative takes marketing to the next level by combining digital strategies with experiential marketing techniques. Through innovative campaigns, they immerse audiences in memorable brand experiences that leave a lasting impact. Their comprehensive digital marketing solutions encompass social media management, search engine optimization (SEO), content creation, and more, enabling businesses to reach their target customers across various channels.
Fundraising and Growth Hacking:
For businesses seeking to secure funding or accelerate growth, Stopwatch Creative provides invaluable support. Their expertise in fundraising helps clients navigate the complex landscape of securing investments, grants, and sponsorships. In addition, their growth hacking strategies are designed to optimize business growth through rapid experimentation and data-driven decision-making. Stopwatch Creative equips businesses with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve maximum growth potential.
Impressive Client Portfolio:
One of the reasons Stopwatch Creative stands out is its extensive experience working with professional athletes, series-backed startups, and Fortune companies. Whether it's helping athletes build their personal brands, assisting startups in gaining traction and investor interest, or partnering with Fortune companies to enhance their market presence, Stopwatch Creative has proven its ability to deliver exceptional results across a diverse range of industries.
Stopwatch Creative is more than just a marketing agency; it is a strategic partner dedicated to the success of its clients. With their expertise in branding, website design and development, digital and experiential marketing, fundraising, growth hacking, and their impressive track record, Stopwatch Creative offers a comprehensive suite of services that can elevate any business to new heights. If you're seeking a one-stop solution for all your marketing needs, Stopwatch Creative should be at the top of your list.
One of the reasons Stopwatch Creative stands out is its extensive experience working with professional athletes, series-backed startups, and Fortune companies. Whether it's helping athletes build their personal brands, assisting startups in gaining traction and investor interest, or partnering with Fortune companies to enhance their market presence, Stopwatch Creative has proven its ability to deliver exceptional results across a diverse range of industries.
Stopwatch Creative is more than just a marketing agency; it is a strategic partner dedicated to the success of its clients. With their expertise in branding, website design and development, digital and experiential marketing, fundraising, growth hacking, and their impressive track record, Stopwatch Creative offers a comprehensive suite of services that can elevate any business to new heights. If you're seeking a one-stop solution for all your marketing needs, Stopwatch Creative should be at the top of your list.
 | by Colaeb Bill Gurley is a well-known venture capitalist and former Wall Street equity research analyst. He is a general partner at the venture capital firm Benchmark, which has invested in numerous successful technology companies such as Uber, Twitter, Snapchat, and eBay. Gurley has been active in the technology industry for many years and has gained a reputation for his investment insights and expertise. |
He focuses on early-stage and growth-stage investments in companies that have the potential for significant disruption and market impact. Gurley is known for his emphasis on sustainable business models, strong management teams, and disruptive innovation.
Before joining Benchmark, Gurley worked as a research analyst covering the technology sector at firms like CS First Boston and Deutsche Bank. He is also recognized for his writings on technology and venture capital, including his influential blog "Above the Crowd."
Gurley's contributions to the technology and venture capital industries have made him a highly respected figure, and he continues to be an active investor and advisor in the startup ecosystem.
Watch the talk below:
Before joining Benchmark, Gurley worked as a research analyst covering the technology sector at firms like CS First Boston and Deutsche Bank. He is also recognized for his writings on technology and venture capital, including his influential blog "Above the Crowd."
Gurley's contributions to the technology and venture capital industries have made him a highly respected figure, and he continues to be an active investor and advisor in the startup ecosystem.
Watch the talk below:
[Washington, DC] September 19, 2023 – The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. is proud to announce the highly anticipated USBC Power 50 Under 40 2023 Class presented by Walmart, recognizing the exceptional achievements of young Black professionals, innovators, leaders, disruptors, and business visionaries who are making a profound impact on their respective fields.
The "Power 50 Under 40" is an annual initiative designed to shine a spotlight on the emerging cadre of Black leaders who are not only excelling in their specific domains but are also actively shaping their industries. The recognition provides inspiration for others to follow in their footsteps, fostering a sense of empowerment and excellence within the Black community and beyond.
Ron Busby Sr., President & CEO of USBC, expressed his excitement about this year's honorees, saying, "The Power 50 Under 40 represents the very best of our future. These remarkable individuals embody innovation, leadership, and resilience, and they are driving positive change in their communities and industries. We are proud to honor their achievements and look forward to witnessing their continued success."
USBC Power 50 Under 40 honorees for 2023 include:
This event is made possible with the generous support of Walmart, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and Sysco, who share a commitment to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of young Black leaders. To learn more and register for the award reception visit https://www.usbcpower50under40.com/.
For more information about the event, partnership opportunities, or to request media credentials, please contact Tiffany Murphy at [email protected].
The "Power 50 Under 40" is an annual initiative designed to shine a spotlight on the emerging cadre of Black leaders who are not only excelling in their specific domains but are also actively shaping their industries. The recognition provides inspiration for others to follow in their footsteps, fostering a sense of empowerment and excellence within the Black community and beyond.
Ron Busby Sr., President & CEO of USBC, expressed his excitement about this year's honorees, saying, "The Power 50 Under 40 represents the very best of our future. These remarkable individuals embody innovation, leadership, and resilience, and they are driving positive change in their communities and industries. We are proud to honor their achievements and look forward to witnessing their continued success."
USBC Power 50 Under 40 honorees for 2023 include:
- TJ Adeshola, Operating Partner, Arctos Partners
- Lorenzo "Zo" Amani, Vice President, Chief Compliance and CRA Officer, Industrial Bank
- Curnelius Arnick, COO & Co-Founder, Tequila With Friends
- Jolie Bernard, Principal Owner and Chief Strategist, The Bernard Group
- Dr. LaDonna Boyd, President & CEO, Boyd Publishing Corp
- Jaylen Brown, Professional Athlete, Entrepreneur & Activist, Boston Celtics / 7uice
- Brittney Carter, CEO, B. Carter Solutions
- David Castro, Founder & CEO, Dungeon Forward
- Kai Cenat, Content Creator, Streamer
- Dewayne"Kountry Wayne" Colley, Entrepreneur & Comedian
- Terence "Bud" Crawford, Entrepreneur & Undisputed Boxing Champion
- Nathan Duhon, CEO & Founder, Duey Juice Cocktails
- Imani Ellis, Founder & CEO, CultureCon + The Creative Collective NYC
- Falayn Ferrell, Managing Partner, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Feed the Soul Foundation, Black Restaurant Week
- Asia Gholston, VP of Marketing, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Gabby Goodwin, Inventor & Founder, GaBBY Bows
- JaQuelynn Griffin, Senior Manager, Multicultural Marketing, Global Advertising & Brand Management; American Express
- Braxton Gunter, Head of Engineering, ByBlack
- Lewis Hamilton, Entrepreneur & Professional Driver, Formula One
- Jasmine Hudson, Chief Merchant, Black Paper Party
- Marques Hunter, Sr. Director II, Regional Health & Wellness Operations, Walmart
- Sarah Jakes Roberts, Pastor, Author & Entrepreneur, Potter’s House, Women Evolve
- Howard Jean, Founder & CEO, Black Meta Agency
- Daniela Jean, City Commissioner, City of North Miami Beach
- Alencia Johnson, Chief Impact Officer and Founder, 1063 West Broad
- Courtney "CoCo" Jones, Recording Artist & Actress
- Kateri Jones, Analyst, Syncom Venture Partners
- Shannon Jones, Co-Founder, Verb
- Kevin Larkai, Founder & CEO, Blackleaf Organic LLC
- Zakiya Larry, Chief Communications Officer, Quest Media Training
- Michael Leach, Special Assistant to the President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at The White House, The White House
- Erica P. Loewe, Special Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff for the White House Office of Public Engagement, The White House
- Nicole Lynn, Sports Agent & President of Football, Klutch Sports
- Ciara Imanai, May CEO & Founder, Rebundle
- Brittany McCallum, Vice President of Basketball, Klutch Sports
- Tylik McMillan, National Director of Youth and College, National Action Network
- Sean Mickens, Associate Vice President of External Affairs, Comcast
- Regine Moore, Director of Constituent Relations, Walmart
- Damola Ogundipe, Founder & CEO, Plural
- Kwame Onwuachi, James Beard Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur & Author; Tatiana NYC
- J.K. Phenix, Chief of Staff, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.
- Jordan Pierre, Social Entrepreneur & Journalist
- Calvin Quallis, CEO, Scotch Porter
- Steve Roberts Jr., Founder / Managing Partner, Roberts Law LLC
- Derek Robinson, Managing Partner, Black Restaurant Week
- Symone Sanders, Political Strategist & MSNBC Host, MSNBC
- Yara Shahidi, Actress & Producer
- AB Sow, Chief Operating Officer, Earn Your Leisure
- Christian Taylor, Senior Supplier Diversity Sourcing Manager, AT&T
- Amber Thomas, VP of Operations, Effectiveness and Improvements, NAACP
- Brandon Thompson, VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; NASCAR
- Emile Thompson Chairman, Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia
- Shawn Townsend, President & CEO, Restaurant Association
- Gloria Walker, Policy Advisor and Associate, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
- Lauren Wesley Wilson, Founder, ColorComm
- Samantha Williams, Associate Managing, Director Gauge
- Dominic Williams, Director of Corporate Partnerships, MGM Resorts International
- Jabari Young, Senior Editor, Forbes / ForbesBLK
This event is made possible with the generous support of Walmart, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and Sysco, who share a commitment to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of young Black leaders. To learn more and register for the award reception visit https://www.usbcpower50under40.com/.
For more information about the event, partnership opportunities, or to request media credentials, please contact Tiffany Murphy at [email protected].
To 'colaeb' means to collaborate and elevate. The word is pronounced just like 'collab' but the 'ae' spelling signifies the difference. The term "Collaborate and elevate" is a phrase that encourages individuals or entities to work together and strive for improvement, growth, or advancement. It combines the concepts of collaboration and elevation, popularized by the website collaborateandelevate.com
- Collaborate: Collaboration refers to the act of working together with others towards a common goal or objective. When individuals collaborate, they bring together their skills, knowledge, and resources to achieve something collectively. Collaboration emphasizes cooperation, communication, and synergy, with the aim of accomplishing more through combined efforts than what could be achieved individually.
- Elevate: To elevate means to raise or lift something to a higher level. In the context of "collaborate and elevate," it signifies the intention to improve, enhance, or uplift the quality, impact, or significance of the collaborative effort. It involves striving for excellence, pushing boundaries, and seeking opportunities for growth and advancement.
by Lenny Burkett
We've learned a lot of lessons from building Stopwatch Creative, working with numerous agencies and other creatives around the world on a plethora of campaigns. In building, Collaborate and Elevate, a SaaS company helping businesses grow approaching over 1000 active paying customers, we've been able to partner with numerous companies to understand their customer's pain points.
It's safe to say that finding a reliable marketing company that aligns with your brand's values can be a game-changer. Here are a few steps to help you on your journey:
1️⃣ Define Your Brand: Start by clearly defining your brand's mission, values, and goals. Understand what sets you apart and what you stand for.
2️⃣ Research and Referrals: Conduct thorough research to identify marketing companies that specialize in your industry. Seek referrals from trusted sources, such as fellow entrepreneurs or industry professionals.
3️⃣ Portfolio and Track Record: Review the portfolios and case studies of potential marketing companies. Look for evidence of successful campaigns, results-driven strategies, and a track record of delivering value to clients. View some of the Case Studies under the 'See How We've Helped' section on Stopwatch Creative.
4️⃣ Cultural Fit: Assess the cultural fit between your brand and the marketing company. Do they understand and appreciate your brand's values? Are they aligned with your target audience?
5️⃣ Communication and Collaboration: Engage in open and transparent communication with prospective marketing agencies. Discuss your brand's vision, expectations, and desired outcomes. Evaluate their ability to listen, understand, and collaborate effectively. This is one important feature contributing to Collaborate and Elevate's growth the past year!
6️⃣ Client Testimonials: Reach out to current or past clients of the marketing companies you're considering. Inquire about their experiences, level of satisfaction, and whether the agency truly lived up to their promises.
7️⃣ Contract and Terms: Carefully review the contract, terms, and pricing structure offered by the marketing company. Ensure they align with your budget and long-term goals.
Remember, finding the right marketing company is a crucial investment in your brand's success. Take your time, ask the right questions, and trust google as well as your instincts to find a partner that not only understands your vision but also shares your values.
Good luck! 🚀
We've learned a lot of lessons from building Stopwatch Creative, working with numerous agencies and other creatives around the world on a plethora of campaigns. In building, Collaborate and Elevate, a SaaS company helping businesses grow approaching over 1000 active paying customers, we've been able to partner with numerous companies to understand their customer's pain points.
It's safe to say that finding a reliable marketing company that aligns with your brand's values can be a game-changer. Here are a few steps to help you on your journey:
1️⃣ Define Your Brand: Start by clearly defining your brand's mission, values, and goals. Understand what sets you apart and what you stand for.
2️⃣ Research and Referrals: Conduct thorough research to identify marketing companies that specialize in your industry. Seek referrals from trusted sources, such as fellow entrepreneurs or industry professionals.
3️⃣ Portfolio and Track Record: Review the portfolios and case studies of potential marketing companies. Look for evidence of successful campaigns, results-driven strategies, and a track record of delivering value to clients. View some of the Case Studies under the 'See How We've Helped' section on Stopwatch Creative.
4️⃣ Cultural Fit: Assess the cultural fit between your brand and the marketing company. Do they understand and appreciate your brand's values? Are they aligned with your target audience?
5️⃣ Communication and Collaboration: Engage in open and transparent communication with prospective marketing agencies. Discuss your brand's vision, expectations, and desired outcomes. Evaluate their ability to listen, understand, and collaborate effectively. This is one important feature contributing to Collaborate and Elevate's growth the past year!
6️⃣ Client Testimonials: Reach out to current or past clients of the marketing companies you're considering. Inquire about their experiences, level of satisfaction, and whether the agency truly lived up to their promises.
7️⃣ Contract and Terms: Carefully review the contract, terms, and pricing structure offered by the marketing company. Ensure they align with your budget and long-term goals.
Remember, finding the right marketing company is a crucial investment in your brand's success. Take your time, ask the right questions, and trust google as well as your instincts to find a partner that not only understands your vision but also shares your values.
Good luck! 🚀
Charles D. King Talks Macro Film Studios, Ownership Vs Capitol, Relationship With Tyler Perry + More
8/3/2023
by Lenny Burkett
This is a great interview about how Charles runs MACRO, the vision, and the formation of some of these amazing ideas that he is working on!
Charles D. King is Founder & CEO of MACRO, a multi-platform media company representing the voice and perspectives of people of color. Mr. King casts the overall vision, mission and strategic goals for the company’s multiple business verticals, which include a film and television studio, talent and influencer management divisions, a branding and creative agency and an affiliated venture firm.
Launched in 2015, the Company has produced and/or financed thirteen feature films to date, including Judas And The Black Messiah, starring Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield; Just Mercy, starring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson; Sorry to Bother You, starring LaKeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson; Mudbound and Fences, the film adaptation of the Tony-Award winning play by August Wilson which starred Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. MACRO’s projects have earned fifteen Academy Award nominations and three wins for Davis in Fences, Kaluuya in Judas and H. E.R. for Judas as well as numerous other nominations. He secured a co-financing, first look deal with Warner Bros. pictures in 2019. Through its Television Studio, MACRO produced the global hit “Raising Dion,” which debuted on Netflix in 2019 and went on to become the streamer’s #1 Kids and Family show worldwide; as well as 2020’s Latinx dramedy “Gentefied.”
Before launching MACRO, Charles formerly was Partner/Agent in the motion picture department at William Morris Endeavor (WME.) He is the first African American to rise from the training program in the BH office film and TV group to Partner in that company’s 100+ year history, and the first African American partner of any major talent agency. An active angel investor and dedicated philanthropist, he is a member of AMPAS and sits on several non-profit boards, including Paley Media, the Sundance Institute, and College Track.
Watch The Breakfast Club interview below:
This is a great interview about how Charles runs MACRO, the vision, and the formation of some of these amazing ideas that he is working on!
Charles D. King is Founder & CEO of MACRO, a multi-platform media company representing the voice and perspectives of people of color. Mr. King casts the overall vision, mission and strategic goals for the company’s multiple business verticals, which include a film and television studio, talent and influencer management divisions, a branding and creative agency and an affiliated venture firm.
Launched in 2015, the Company has produced and/or financed thirteen feature films to date, including Judas And The Black Messiah, starring Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield; Just Mercy, starring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson; Sorry to Bother You, starring LaKeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson; Mudbound and Fences, the film adaptation of the Tony-Award winning play by August Wilson which starred Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. MACRO’s projects have earned fifteen Academy Award nominations and three wins for Davis in Fences, Kaluuya in Judas and H. E.R. for Judas as well as numerous other nominations. He secured a co-financing, first look deal with Warner Bros. pictures in 2019. Through its Television Studio, MACRO produced the global hit “Raising Dion,” which debuted on Netflix in 2019 and went on to become the streamer’s #1 Kids and Family show worldwide; as well as 2020’s Latinx dramedy “Gentefied.”
Before launching MACRO, Charles formerly was Partner/Agent in the motion picture department at William Morris Endeavor (WME.) He is the first African American to rise from the training program in the BH office film and TV group to Partner in that company’s 100+ year history, and the first African American partner of any major talent agency. An active angel investor and dedicated philanthropist, he is a member of AMPAS and sits on several non-profit boards, including Paley Media, the Sundance Institute, and College Track.
Watch The Breakfast Club interview below:
by Team Stopwatch Creative
Introducing Stopwatch Creative: Your Partner in Elevating Brand Awareness and Driving Profitability!
At Stopwatch Creative, we specialize in helping businesses like yours reach new heights by maximizing brand awareness and driving profitability. As a forward-thinking marketing agency, we are dedicated to providing customized solutions that empower your brand to stand out in today's competitive landscape.
Our team of skilled professionals understands the critical role that brand awareness plays in attracting and retaining customers. We employ a strategic and comprehensive approach to craft tailored campaigns that captivate your target audience. Through a combination of cutting-edge digital strategies, creative content development, and impactful traditional advertising methods, we ensure that your brand is seen and remembered by the right people.
But we don't stop at just raising awareness. At Stopwatch Creative, we believe that true success lies in delivering measurable results. We analyze data, track conversions, and optimize your marketing funnels to ensure that your increased visibility translates into increased profitability. By identifying the most effective channels and refining your customer journey, we help you attract qualified leads and drive sustainable growth for your business.
When you partner with Stopwatch Creative, you gain a dedicated ally invested in your success. We take the time to understand your unique brand, industry, and target market, allowing us to develop strategies that resonate with your audience. Our collaborative and transparent approach keeps you informed every step of the way, with regular reports and updates on campaign performance.
Ready to take your brand to new heights? Contact Stopwatch Creative today and let us help you elevate brand awareness, drive profitability, and unlock the full potential of your business. Together, we'll make your brand shine brighter than ever before.
Introducing Stopwatch Creative: Your Partner in Elevating Brand Awareness and Driving Profitability!
At Stopwatch Creative, we specialize in helping businesses like yours reach new heights by maximizing brand awareness and driving profitability. As a forward-thinking marketing agency, we are dedicated to providing customized solutions that empower your brand to stand out in today's competitive landscape.
Our team of skilled professionals understands the critical role that brand awareness plays in attracting and retaining customers. We employ a strategic and comprehensive approach to craft tailored campaigns that captivate your target audience. Through a combination of cutting-edge digital strategies, creative content development, and impactful traditional advertising methods, we ensure that your brand is seen and remembered by the right people.
But we don't stop at just raising awareness. At Stopwatch Creative, we believe that true success lies in delivering measurable results. We analyze data, track conversions, and optimize your marketing funnels to ensure that your increased visibility translates into increased profitability. By identifying the most effective channels and refining your customer journey, we help you attract qualified leads and drive sustainable growth for your business.
When you partner with Stopwatch Creative, you gain a dedicated ally invested in your success. We take the time to understand your unique brand, industry, and target market, allowing us to develop strategies that resonate with your audience. Our collaborative and transparent approach keeps you informed every step of the way, with regular reports and updates on campaign performance.
Ready to take your brand to new heights? Contact Stopwatch Creative today and let us help you elevate brand awareness, drive profitability, and unlock the full potential of your business. Together, we'll make your brand shine brighter than ever before.
by Lenny Burkett
With his family’s counsel, modern, business-savvy Omar Durrani embarked on a journey to find his soulmate through the arranged marriage process. Omar Durrani ‘13, MBA ‘16 works as a financial analyst Monday through Friday.
On weekends, he runs his own business, Mister Omar’s Chess Academy in Pembroke Pines. With his family’s counsel, the modern, business-savvy Durrani embarked on a journey to find his soulmate through the arranged marriage process. His story will open your heart and mind to a traditional way of finding love in modern day society.
With his family’s counsel, modern, business-savvy Omar Durrani embarked on a journey to find his soulmate through the arranged marriage process. Omar Durrani ‘13, MBA ‘16 works as a financial analyst Monday through Friday.
On weekends, he runs his own business, Mister Omar’s Chess Academy in Pembroke Pines. With his family’s counsel, the modern, business-savvy Durrani embarked on a journey to find his soulmate through the arranged marriage process. His story will open your heart and mind to a traditional way of finding love in modern day society.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx
From Tech for Profit to Tech for People: Why Public Interest Technology (PIT) is the Future We Need
7/26/2023
by Lenny Burkett
Public interest technology (PIT) is a term used to describe the use of technology to promote the public good and advance social justice. It involves applying technological expertise and resources to address social and civic challenges, such as improving access to healthcare or education, promoting government transparency and accountability, or mitigating the impact of climate change.
PIT is a multidisciplinary field that draws on a range of expertise, including computer science, design, law, policy, and social sciences. It involves collaboration between technologists, policymakers, and community stakeholders to identify and address societal challenges, and to ensure that technology is developed and used in a way that benefits the public.
Examples of PIT initiatives include Collaborate and Elevate, developing tools and platforms to promote civic engagement, advocating for policies that protect privacy and civil liberties, and using data analytics to identify and address systemic inequalities. The goal of PIT is to ensure that technology is used in a way that advances the public interest and helps to create a more just and equitable society.
Public interest technology (PIT) is a term used to describe the use of technology to promote the public good and advance social justice. It involves applying technological expertise and resources to address social and civic challenges, such as improving access to healthcare or education, promoting government transparency and accountability, or mitigating the impact of climate change.
PIT is a multidisciplinary field that draws on a range of expertise, including computer science, design, law, policy, and social sciences. It involves collaboration between technologists, policymakers, and community stakeholders to identify and address societal challenges, and to ensure that technology is developed and used in a way that benefits the public.
Examples of PIT initiatives include Collaborate and Elevate, developing tools and platforms to promote civic engagement, advocating for policies that protect privacy and civil liberties, and using data analytics to identify and address systemic inequalities. The goal of PIT is to ensure that technology is used in a way that advances the public interest and helps to create a more just and equitable society.
This pic was taken in the Stanford Article "Public Interest Technology: Bridge to the Future"
"The public interest technology discipline calls on tech companies to embed public interest values not just in isolated initiatives, but at every level of an organization’s operations. In doing so, companies can generate meaningful value both in terms of profits, but more importantly, for communities and customers to rebuild their trust.
By fostering a new vanguard of cross-disciplinary experts to work across sectors and empowering them with the resources they need to succeed, we can bridge the gaps between the public interest and technology to power a more just and inclusive future for all."
"The public interest technology discipline calls on tech companies to embed public interest values not just in isolated initiatives, but at every level of an organization’s operations. In doing so, companies can generate meaningful value both in terms of profits, but more importantly, for communities and customers to rebuild their trust.
By fostering a new vanguard of cross-disciplinary experts to work across sectors and empowering them with the resources they need to succeed, we can bridge the gaps between the public interest and technology to power a more just and inclusive future for all."
How can I get involved?
There are a number of ways to get involved in public interest technology (PIT), depending on your interests and skills. Here are some suggestions:
There are a number of ways to get involved in public interest technology (PIT), depending on your interests and skills. Here are some suggestions:
- Join a PIT organization: There are a growing number of organizations that focus on PIT, such as Code for America, DataKind, and the TechCongress. These organizations provide opportunities to volunteer, network with like-minded individuals, and gain valuable experience in the field.
- Attend PIT events and conferences: Many organizations and universities host events and conferences focused on PIT. Attending these events can help you learn more about the field, meet other professionals and advocates, and gain insights into emerging trends and best practices.
- Get educated: Many universities now offer courses and degree programs focused on PIT. Pursuing education in this field can provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to make a difference in the world of technology and social justice.
- Volunteer your skills: If you have expertise in a particular area of technology, consider volunteering your skills to organizations that could benefit from your knowledge. For example, you might offer to help a local non-profit with their website, or assist a community group with data analysis.
- Advocate for PIT policies: You can also get involved in advocating for policies that support PIT. This might involve working with advocacy organizations to promote policies that protect privacy and civil liberties, or lobbying elected officials to fund PIT initiatives.
Louisville-based comedian Lucious Williams talks about his day job at a meat packing plant and the dangers of edibles. Watch his stand up courtesy of Four By Three Productions below:
by Lenny Burkett
Jason Salmon’s comedy has been described as "Like getting the best advice you’ve ever gotten from the dumbest guy you know." So enjoy his charming take on Life, Love, Generation X, getting pedicures, and why Texas & New York City are actually a lot alike. And stay for the twist ending that makes this standup special just a little bit different.
Watch his standup below, shot by Four by Three:
Jason Salmon’s comedy has been described as "Like getting the best advice you’ve ever gotten from the dumbest guy you know." So enjoy his charming take on Life, Love, Generation X, getting pedicures, and why Texas & New York City are actually a lot alike. And stay for the twist ending that makes this standup special just a little bit different.
Watch his standup below, shot by Four by Three:
 | by Lenny Burkett While there can be various factors that contribute to business failure, here are ten common reasons why businesses may struggle or ultimately fail: |
10 Reasons Why Businesses Fail
1)
Insufficient Market Demand:
One of the primary reasons businesses fail is a lack of market demand for their products or services. If there isn't enough customer interest or a viable market for what the business offers, it becomes challenging to generate consistent revenue
Solution:
Conduct thorough market research and feasibility studies before launching a business. Identify and validate a target market with genuine demand for the product or service. Continuously monitor market trends and adapt offerings to align with customer needs.
Insufficient Market Demand:
One of the primary reasons businesses fail is a lack of market demand for their products or services. If there isn't enough customer interest or a viable market for what the business offers, it becomes challenging to generate consistent revenue
Solution:
Conduct thorough market research and feasibility studies before launching a business. Identify and validate a target market with genuine demand for the product or service. Continuously monitor market trends and adapt offerings to align with customer needs.
2)
Poor Financial Management:
Inadequate financial planning, poor cash flow management, excessive debt, or failure to control costs can quickly lead to financial distress. Businesses need sound financial management to sustain operations and weather economic challenges.
Solution:
Develop a comprehensive financial plan and regularly track and analyze key financial metrics. Implement robust cash flow management practices and seek professional advice when necessary. Maintain a healthy balance between revenue generation and cost control.
Poor Financial Management:
Inadequate financial planning, poor cash flow management, excessive debt, or failure to control costs can quickly lead to financial distress. Businesses need sound financial management to sustain operations and weather economic challenges.
Solution:
Develop a comprehensive financial plan and regularly track and analyze key financial metrics. Implement robust cash flow management practices and seek professional advice when necessary. Maintain a healthy balance between revenue generation and cost control.
3)
Ineffective Leadership:
Weak leadership can hinder decision-making, strategic planning, and effective execution. Lack of vision, poor communication, and an inability to adapt to changing market conditions can undermine a business's chances of success.
Solution:
Invest in leadership development and training programs. Foster a culture of open communication, collaboration, and empowerment. Surround yourself with a strong management team and seek mentorship or coaching to enhance leadership skills.
Ineffective Leadership:
Weak leadership can hinder decision-making, strategic planning, and effective execution. Lack of vision, poor communication, and an inability to adapt to changing market conditions can undermine a business's chances of success.
Solution:
Invest in leadership development and training programs. Foster a culture of open communication, collaboration, and empowerment. Surround yourself with a strong management team and seek mentorship or coaching to enhance leadership skills.
4)
Inadequate Planning and Strategy:
Businesses that lack a clear plan and strategic direction often struggle to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. A well-defined business plan, market analysis, and strategic vision are crucial for long-term success.
Solution:
Create a well-defined business plan that includes a clear vision, mission, and goals. Conduct regular strategic planning sessions to assess market dynamics, identify opportunities, and formulate actionable strategies. Continuously review and adapt the plan as needed.
Inadequate Planning and Strategy:
Businesses that lack a clear plan and strategic direction often struggle to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. A well-defined business plan, market analysis, and strategic vision are crucial for long-term success.
Solution:
Create a well-defined business plan that includes a clear vision, mission, and goals. Conduct regular strategic planning sessions to assess market dynamics, identify opportunities, and formulate actionable strategies. Continuously review and adapt the plan as needed.
5)
Failure to Adapt to Market Changes:
Markets are dynamic, and businesses that fail to adapt to evolving customer needs, emerging technologies, or industry trends can quickly become obsolete. Flexibility and agility are essential to survive and thrive in a competitive landscape.
Solution:
Stay vigilant and monitor market trends, emerging technologies, and customer preferences. Foster a culture of innovation and agility within the organization. Encourage experimentation and embrace change to proactively adapt and stay ahead of the competition.
Failure to Adapt to Market Changes:
Markets are dynamic, and businesses that fail to adapt to evolving customer needs, emerging technologies, or industry trends can quickly become obsolete. Flexibility and agility are essential to survive and thrive in a competitive landscape.
Solution:
Stay vigilant and monitor market trends, emerging technologies, and customer preferences. Foster a culture of innovation and agility within the organization. Encourage experimentation and embrace change to proactively adapt and stay ahead of the competition.
6)
Strong Competition:
Intense competition can make it difficult for businesses to gain market share, differentiate themselves, or maintain profitability. Failure to effectively position and differentiate the business from competitors can lead to struggles or failure.
Solution:
Conduct a competitive analysis to identify unique value propositions and differentiation points. Develop a strong brand identity and communicate it effectively to target customers. Continuously innovate and improve products or services to maintain a competitive edge.
Strong Competition:
Intense competition can make it difficult for businesses to gain market share, differentiate themselves, or maintain profitability. Failure to effectively position and differentiate the business from competitors can lead to struggles or failure.
Solution:
Conduct a competitive analysis to identify unique value propositions and differentiation points. Develop a strong brand identity and communicate it effectively to target customers. Continuously innovate and improve products or services to maintain a competitive edge.
7)
Operational Inefficiencies:
Inefficient processes, poor supply chain management, or operational bottlenecks can erode profitability and customer satisfaction. Businesses need streamlined operations to deliver products or services efficiently and maintain a competitive edge.
Solution:
Streamline processes and identify areas for optimization. Invest in automation tools and technology to improve efficiency. Regularly review supply chain management practices and seek ways to reduce costs and enhance productivity.
Operational Inefficiencies:
Inefficient processes, poor supply chain management, or operational bottlenecks can erode profitability and customer satisfaction. Businesses need streamlined operations to deliver products or services efficiently and maintain a competitive edge.
Solution:
Streamline processes and identify areas for optimization. Invest in automation tools and technology to improve efficiency. Regularly review supply chain management practices and seek ways to reduce costs and enhance productivity.
8)
Inadequate Marketing and Sales:
Businesses that struggle to effectively market their offerings, reach their target audience, or convert leads into customers may face challenges in generating revenue. A lack of marketing strategy or ineffective sales tactics can hinder growth.
Solution:
Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that includes targeted campaigns, digital marketing initiatives, and effective sales tactics. Invest in market research to understand customer needs and preferences. Continuously analyze and optimize marketing efforts based on data-driven insights.
Inadequate Marketing and Sales:
Businesses that struggle to effectively market their offerings, reach their target audience, or convert leads into customers may face challenges in generating revenue. A lack of marketing strategy or ineffective sales tactics can hinder growth.
Solution:
Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that includes targeted campaigns, digital marketing initiatives, and effective sales tactics. Invest in market research to understand customer needs and preferences. Continuously analyze and optimize marketing efforts based on data-driven insights.
9)
Ignoring Customer Feedback:
Failing to listen to customer feedback, ignoring complaints, or not addressing customer needs can harm a business's reputation and customer loyalty. Businesses must prioritize customer satisfaction and continuously improve their products or services based on customer insights.
Solution:
Prioritize customer satisfaction and actively seek feedback through surveys, reviews, and customer support channels. Implement a robust customer feedback management system and use insights to improve products, services, and overall customer experience.
Ignoring Customer Feedback:
Failing to listen to customer feedback, ignoring complaints, or not addressing customer needs can harm a business's reputation and customer loyalty. Businesses must prioritize customer satisfaction and continuously improve their products or services based on customer insights.
Solution:
Prioritize customer satisfaction and actively seek feedback through surveys, reviews, and customer support channels. Implement a robust customer feedback management system and use insights to improve products, services, and overall customer experience.
10)
Lack of Adaptability and Resilience:
Businesses that are unable to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, economic downturns, or disruptive events may struggle to survive. Resilience, flexibility, and the ability to pivot in response to challenges are crucial for long-term sustainability.
Solution:
Develop contingency plans and risk management strategies to mitigate potential disruptions. Foster a culture of adaptability, encourage innovation, and empower employees to embrace change. Stay informed about industry trends and be proactive in anticipating and responding to challenges.
Lack of Adaptability and Resilience:
Businesses that are unable to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, economic downturns, or disruptive events may struggle to survive. Resilience, flexibility, and the ability to pivot in response to challenges are crucial for long-term sustainability.
Solution:
Develop contingency plans and risk management strategies to mitigate potential disruptions. Foster a culture of adaptability, encourage innovation, and empower employees to embrace change. Stay informed about industry trends and be proactive in anticipating and responding to challenges.
Stopwatch Creative shares examples of how A/B testing has helped improve marketing strategies
7/23/2023
by Lenny with Stopwatch Creative
A/B testing is a valuable technique that allows marketers to compare different variations of marketing elements and identify which ones perform better in terms of achieving desired outcomes. Here are a few examples of how A/B testing has helped improve marketing strategies that we've learned approaching a decade running Stopwatch Creative:
These examples highlight how A/B testing provides valuable insights into consumer preferences and behavior, enabling marketers to make data-driven decisions. By continually testing and optimizing marketing elements, businesses can refine their strategies, improve customer experiences, and achieve better results. Learn more about Stopwatch Creative on stopwatchcreative.com
Good luck!
A/B testing is a valuable technique that allows marketers to compare different variations of marketing elements and identify which ones perform better in terms of achieving desired outcomes. Here are a few examples of how A/B testing has helped improve marketing strategies that we've learned approaching a decade running Stopwatch Creative:
- Email Marketing: A company decides to A/B test two different subject lines for their email campaign. Version A features a straightforward and descriptive subject line, while Version B incorporates a more creative and attention-grabbing subject line. By sending both versions to segments of their email list, they can track open rates and click-through rates. If Version B generates significantly higher open and click-through rates, it indicates that the creative subject line is more effective at capturing the audience's attention and driving engagement. This insight allows the company to refine their email marketing strategy by using more compelling subject lines in future campaigns.
- Landing Page Optimization: An e-commerce business wants to improve the conversion rate on their product landing page. They create two variations of the page: Version A has a long-form layout with detailed product descriptions, while Version B has a shorter layout with bullet points highlighting key features. By splitting incoming traffic and measuring conversion rates, they can determine which version leads to more purchases. If Version B outperforms Version A with a higher conversion rate, it suggests that a concise and visually appealing layout resonates better with their audience. The company can then optimize their landing pages accordingly to improve conversions.
- Call-to-Action (CTA) Testing: A software company wants to enhance the effectiveness of their CTAs on their website. They A/B test two different button colors: Version A has a green CTA button, while Version B has an orange CTA button. By monitoring click-through rates and conversion rates, they can determine which button color prompts more user engagement. If Version B yields higher click-through and conversion rates, it indicates that the orange button stands out more effectively and motivates users to take action. The company can then incorporate the winning button color across their website to boost overall conversion rates.
These examples highlight how A/B testing provides valuable insights into consumer preferences and behavior, enabling marketers to make data-driven decisions. By continually testing and optimizing marketing elements, businesses can refine their strategies, improve customer experiences, and achieve better results. Learn more about Stopwatch Creative on stopwatchcreative.com
Good luck!
by Team Stopwatch Creative
At Stopwatch Creative, we employ various methods to track conversions and measure the effectiveness of our marketing strategies. Here are some key approaches we utilize:
Overall, our approach to tracking conversions and measuring marketing effectiveness combines the use of technology, data analysis, and ongoing optimization. By continuously monitoring and evaluating campaign performance, we ensure that our strategies align with your business objectives and drive tangible results. Learn more about Stopwatch Creative on stopwatchcreative.com
At Stopwatch Creative, we employ various methods to track conversions and measure the effectiveness of our marketing strategies. Here are some key approaches we utilize:
- Conversion Tracking: We set up conversion tracking mechanisms to monitor specific actions that align with your business goals. This could include tracking website conversions such as purchases, form submissions, newsletter sign-ups, or other desired actions. By implementing tracking codes or pixels on your website or landing pages, we can identify and measure the number of conversions generated through our marketing efforts.
- Analytics Tools: We leverage powerful analytics tools such as Google Analytics or other third-party platforms to gain insights into website traffic, user behavior, and conversion data. These tools provide valuable information about the performance of your marketing campaigns, including traffic sources, click-through rates, bounce rates, and conversion rates. With this data, we can assess the effectiveness of different marketing channels, campaigns, and messaging.
- A/B Testing: We conduct A/B tests to compare different variations of marketing elements, such as headlines, call-to-action buttons, landing page layouts, or ad creatives. By splitting your audience and presenting them with different versions, we can measure which variations generate higher conversion rates. This data-driven approach allows us to refine and optimize our strategies based on real-time results.
- CRM Integration: If you have a customer relationship management (CRM) system in place, we can integrate it with our marketing efforts. This integration enables us to track and attribute conversions to specific marketing campaigns or channels, providing a holistic view of customer interactions and their journey from initial touchpoints to conversion. It helps us assess the ROI (Return on Investment) of different marketing initiatives and make data-informed decisions.
- Performance Reporting: We provide regular performance reports that highlight key metrics and insights related to your marketing campaigns. These reports outline the progress made towards your goals, including conversion metrics, campaign reach, engagement levels, and other relevant KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). By analyzing these reports, we can identify areas of success, areas for improvement, and adjust our strategies accordingly.
Overall, our approach to tracking conversions and measuring marketing effectiveness combines the use of technology, data analysis, and ongoing optimization. By continuously monitoring and evaluating campaign performance, we ensure that our strategies align with your business objectives and drive tangible results. Learn more about Stopwatch Creative on stopwatchcreative.com
Watch Dwight Simmons: Who's The Master? Full Comedy Special shot by Four By Three Productions
7/20/2023
Filmed at the iconic Comedy Attic in Bloomington, Indiana, Dwight Simmons takes us through being newly married, growing up in two different environments, and learning what you can't say on HGTV. Watch the special shot by Four By Three Productions below:
Image courtesy of AppHarvest
By Mia Carvalho
Alternative farming practices are needed now, more than ever, to address food insecurity. By 2050, the United Nations expects the world population to surge to nearly 10 billion. However, traditional farming practices won’t be enough to support our growing population, where 70% of current freshwater is dedicated to agriculture. AppHarvest, a Kentucky-native sustainable food company, serves as a solution. “Farms out West, especially in California and Mexico, are being destroyed by droughts and flooding,” says Rohan Munnolimath, a Communications Strategist at AppHarvest. “With catastrophic events making it harder for open-field farmers to predict their growing seasons, we have to find alternative ways to grow more food with fewer resources. This is where AppHarvest comes in.” Founded by Jonathan Webb in 2017, AppHarvest uses innovative technology to sustainably produce fresh crops for not just Kentucky, but the entirety of the U.S.
AppHarvest uses high-tech indoor farms throughout rural Appalachia for sustainable crop production. “With these farms, we’re able to control the environment, enabling us to grow more food,” Rohan describes. “Any water that comes into our facility only leaves as a fruit or vegetable.” These indoor farms use a closed-loop irrigation system, resulting in up to 90% less water use compared to traditional farming. “All of the water we use is rainwater that was captured on our roofs, and sent straight into a retention pond,” says Rohan. With these techniques, AppHarvest is able to produce up to 30 times more produce than traditional farming, allowing healthy crops to reach areas that otherwise may not have access to them.*
AppHarvest also uses technology to ensure that every crop is fresh, using over 300 sensors and AI to collect data from hundreds of thousands of plants to guarantee crops receive the correct amount of nutrients.** This technology allows AppHarvest to produce fresh crops year-round and prevent food waste, combatting the food insecurity U.S. residents face today.
AppHarvest’s first 60-acre farm in the rural town of Morehead, Kentucky opened in 2020, and is the largest greenhouse in the U.S.** Nevertheless, determination to live out AppHarvest’s mission continued. Today, AppHarvest has a four-farm network in Kentucky, covering a total of 165 acres under glass. Besides the Morehead, Kentucky tomato farm, AppHarvest is operating a salad greens farm in Berea, KY, a strawberry and cucumber farm in Somerset, KY, and an additional tomato farm in Richmond, KY. “This was the biggest milestone I’ve witnessed at the company – I don’t think there’s been this kind of expansion in controlled environment agriculture in the U.S. before,” says Rohan. “But we were able to do it, and that’s a testament to how committed we are to improving food security by farming in a more sustainable way.”
Kentucky’s convenient location also helps AppHarvest deliver its crops fast enough to preserve their nutritional value, as 70% of the U.S. population is within a day’s drive for AppHarvest facilities. “With production from out West, produce can be sitting in a delivery truck for up to two weeks before it arrives at a grocery store, let alone your plate,” Rohan explains. “Where we’re located, at times we can harvest a fruit, package it, and send it to grocery stores within 24 hours.” These fast deliveries are important for delivering a healthier product to a wider range of consumers. Not only does Kentucky’s central location allow for swift deliveries, but reduced transportation fuel by up to 80% compared to U.S. Southwest delivered-produce as well.*** While AppHarvest’s location provides fresh produce to all Americans, it also contributes to sustainability through a lower carbon footprint.
The collapse in the coal mining industry brought about great economic distress in rural Kentucky, which played a large factor in the establishment of AppHarvest. “One of the main reasons Jonathan came back to Kentucky was to create good jobs here,” Rohan says. “It was important for Jonathan to tap into Appalachian faith and grit to bring jobs back to this area.” With the new job opportunities brought on by AppHarvest, significant progress has already happened in these rural economies of Kentucky. In fact, the success of AppHarvest has encouraged new companies to come in and follow their lead, further revitalizing these communities. “It’s almost like a ripple effect,” Rohan explains. “In the couple years we’ve been established, other companies have been encouraged to establish themselves in these areas as well and bring more opportunity.”
With AppHarvest being a startup, the communications team takes on many opportunities to further the company. Rohan, for example, manages the company’s social media channels, and photographs AppHarvest’s indoor farms and team members. The communications team is heavily involved with media, working with outlets such as The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Business Insider in the past. “We’re a small team of three, so we get to wear a lot of different hats,” Rohan explains. “It’s been interesting working with Jonathan as well, going to events with him and supporting him with AppHarvest in general – it’s helpful to have that mentorship.”
As with any startup, one of the biggest challenges is the scrutiny the company faces. In the U.S., the controlled-environmental agriculture industry is an incredibly new space, with lots of trial and error involved. However, this can be even harder to navigate when AppHarvest is constantly under the public eye, through its successes and mistakes. However, Rohan emphasizes the importance of the company’s end goal despite these challenges – “At the end of the day, we have to focus on what’s most important, which is our mission. That’s what we’re committed to doing.”
Currently, the communications team at AppHarvest is focused on storytelling – showing why controlled environment agriculture is needed, now more than ever. “When you look at our social media, for example, what’s intertwined within is our story,” Rohan says. “It’s important for people to understand the need to feed more people as the population continues to increase.” While the company has helped countless individuals within Kentucky, it undoubtedly serves importance for sustainability and feeding people as a whole.
AppHarvest is a trailblazing company that recognizes the need for change in traditional agriculture. Through their state-of-the-art greenhouses that utilize progressive resource use, AI, and Appalachian values, AppHarvest sets new standards for sustainable agriculture. AppHarvest improves food security by using technology to provide fresh produce across the U.S., while reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting these goods. All the while, the company strives to combat resource depletion through its efficient resource use within its indoor farming facilities. By combating today’s challenges with food security, AppHarvest sets the stage for sustainable food production and a greener future.
Alternative farming practices are needed now, more than ever, to address food insecurity. By 2050, the United Nations expects the world population to surge to nearly 10 billion. However, traditional farming practices won’t be enough to support our growing population, where 70% of current freshwater is dedicated to agriculture. AppHarvest, a Kentucky-native sustainable food company, serves as a solution. “Farms out West, especially in California and Mexico, are being destroyed by droughts and flooding,” says Rohan Munnolimath, a Communications Strategist at AppHarvest. “With catastrophic events making it harder for open-field farmers to predict their growing seasons, we have to find alternative ways to grow more food with fewer resources. This is where AppHarvest comes in.” Founded by Jonathan Webb in 2017, AppHarvest uses innovative technology to sustainably produce fresh crops for not just Kentucky, but the entirety of the U.S.
AppHarvest uses high-tech indoor farms throughout rural Appalachia for sustainable crop production. “With these farms, we’re able to control the environment, enabling us to grow more food,” Rohan describes. “Any water that comes into our facility only leaves as a fruit or vegetable.” These indoor farms use a closed-loop irrigation system, resulting in up to 90% less water use compared to traditional farming. “All of the water we use is rainwater that was captured on our roofs, and sent straight into a retention pond,” says Rohan. With these techniques, AppHarvest is able to produce up to 30 times more produce than traditional farming, allowing healthy crops to reach areas that otherwise may not have access to them.*
AppHarvest also uses technology to ensure that every crop is fresh, using over 300 sensors and AI to collect data from hundreds of thousands of plants to guarantee crops receive the correct amount of nutrients.** This technology allows AppHarvest to produce fresh crops year-round and prevent food waste, combatting the food insecurity U.S. residents face today.
AppHarvest’s first 60-acre farm in the rural town of Morehead, Kentucky opened in 2020, and is the largest greenhouse in the U.S.** Nevertheless, determination to live out AppHarvest’s mission continued. Today, AppHarvest has a four-farm network in Kentucky, covering a total of 165 acres under glass. Besides the Morehead, Kentucky tomato farm, AppHarvest is operating a salad greens farm in Berea, KY, a strawberry and cucumber farm in Somerset, KY, and an additional tomato farm in Richmond, KY. “This was the biggest milestone I’ve witnessed at the company – I don’t think there’s been this kind of expansion in controlled environment agriculture in the U.S. before,” says Rohan. “But we were able to do it, and that’s a testament to how committed we are to improving food security by farming in a more sustainable way.”
Kentucky’s convenient location also helps AppHarvest deliver its crops fast enough to preserve their nutritional value, as 70% of the U.S. population is within a day’s drive for AppHarvest facilities. “With production from out West, produce can be sitting in a delivery truck for up to two weeks before it arrives at a grocery store, let alone your plate,” Rohan explains. “Where we’re located, at times we can harvest a fruit, package it, and send it to grocery stores within 24 hours.” These fast deliveries are important for delivering a healthier product to a wider range of consumers. Not only does Kentucky’s central location allow for swift deliveries, but reduced transportation fuel by up to 80% compared to U.S. Southwest delivered-produce as well.*** While AppHarvest’s location provides fresh produce to all Americans, it also contributes to sustainability through a lower carbon footprint.
The collapse in the coal mining industry brought about great economic distress in rural Kentucky, which played a large factor in the establishment of AppHarvest. “One of the main reasons Jonathan came back to Kentucky was to create good jobs here,” Rohan says. “It was important for Jonathan to tap into Appalachian faith and grit to bring jobs back to this area.” With the new job opportunities brought on by AppHarvest, significant progress has already happened in these rural economies of Kentucky. In fact, the success of AppHarvest has encouraged new companies to come in and follow their lead, further revitalizing these communities. “It’s almost like a ripple effect,” Rohan explains. “In the couple years we’ve been established, other companies have been encouraged to establish themselves in these areas as well and bring more opportunity.”
With AppHarvest being a startup, the communications team takes on many opportunities to further the company. Rohan, for example, manages the company’s social media channels, and photographs AppHarvest’s indoor farms and team members. The communications team is heavily involved with media, working with outlets such as The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Business Insider in the past. “We’re a small team of three, so we get to wear a lot of different hats,” Rohan explains. “It’s been interesting working with Jonathan as well, going to events with him and supporting him with AppHarvest in general – it’s helpful to have that mentorship.”
As with any startup, one of the biggest challenges is the scrutiny the company faces. In the U.S., the controlled-environmental agriculture industry is an incredibly new space, with lots of trial and error involved. However, this can be even harder to navigate when AppHarvest is constantly under the public eye, through its successes and mistakes. However, Rohan emphasizes the importance of the company’s end goal despite these challenges – “At the end of the day, we have to focus on what’s most important, which is our mission. That’s what we’re committed to doing.”
Currently, the communications team at AppHarvest is focused on storytelling – showing why controlled environment agriculture is needed, now more than ever. “When you look at our social media, for example, what’s intertwined within is our story,” Rohan says. “It’s important for people to understand the need to feed more people as the population continues to increase.” While the company has helped countless individuals within Kentucky, it undoubtedly serves importance for sustainability and feeding people as a whole.
AppHarvest is a trailblazing company that recognizes the need for change in traditional agriculture. Through their state-of-the-art greenhouses that utilize progressive resource use, AI, and Appalachian values, AppHarvest sets new standards for sustainable agriculture. AppHarvest improves food security by using technology to provide fresh produce across the U.S., while reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting these goods. All the while, the company strives to combat resource depletion through its efficient resource use within its indoor farming facilities. By combating today’s challenges with food security, AppHarvest sets the stage for sustainable food production and a greener future.
*
AppHarvest. “The CEA Difference — AppHarvest,” May 25, 2022. https://www.appharvest.com/process/
**
Kang, Liz. “Is the Biggest Greenhouse in the US the Future of Farming?” CNN, October 6, 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/06/world/appharvest-kentucky-greenhouse-robot-farming-spc-intl-hnk/index.html
***
AppHarvest. “About Us — AppHarvest,” June 1, 2022. https://www.appharvest.com/about-us/
AppHarvest. “The CEA Difference — AppHarvest,” May 25, 2022. https://www.appharvest.com/process/
**
Kang, Liz. “Is the Biggest Greenhouse in the US the Future of Farming?” CNN, October 6, 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/06/world/appharvest-kentucky-greenhouse-robot-farming-spc-intl-hnk/index.html
***
AppHarvest. “About Us — AppHarvest,” June 1, 2022. https://www.appharvest.com/about-us/
by Shriya Nevatia
I built this Angel Investment Value Calculator to help you understand the answer:
- If there are between 0-5 additional rounds of dilution after your investment
- If the company exits for $100M-$10B
I showed the different scenarios of dilution with an estimated 20% dilution per follow-on round
And showed you the final expected value of your initial investment.
I even compared it to investing in the S&P 500 for 10 years at a 7% average annual return, as this was one of my big questions when I started out.
=====
Get your view-only copy here and feel free to make a copy to edit with any investments you make: https://lnkd.in/eRuWh8Qq
=====
Be sure to update the "Post-Money valuation" & "Amount you invest today" to match each investment you're considering or have made.
Recently updated to include scenarios for investing via a Syndicate & investing a Venture Fund's capital (instead of your own) as a Scout.
Next up will be a portfolio calculator where you can track a portfolio of investments in a template to figure out portfolio construction.
=====
If you liked this or found it valuable, please comment/share and consider joining The Council Angels community:
https://lnkd.in/emjZUMiD
=====
P.S. Because it needs to be said -- the most likely outcome is a $0 exit, and $0 return. The purpose of this spreadsheet is to show than *even very small checks* can be high-ROI in the best possible case!! Capped downside, uncapped upside.
#venturecapital #angelinvesting #startups #founders #fundraising
I built this Angel Investment Value Calculator to help you understand the answer:
- If there are between 0-5 additional rounds of dilution after your investment
- If the company exits for $100M-$10B
I showed the different scenarios of dilution with an estimated 20% dilution per follow-on round
And showed you the final expected value of your initial investment.
I even compared it to investing in the S&P 500 for 10 years at a 7% average annual return, as this was one of my big questions when I started out.
=====
Get your view-only copy here and feel free to make a copy to edit with any investments you make: https://lnkd.in/eRuWh8Qq
=====
Be sure to update the "Post-Money valuation" & "Amount you invest today" to match each investment you're considering or have made.
Recently updated to include scenarios for investing via a Syndicate & investing a Venture Fund's capital (instead of your own) as a Scout.
Next up will be a portfolio calculator where you can track a portfolio of investments in a template to figure out portfolio construction.
=====
If you liked this or found it valuable, please comment/share and consider joining The Council Angels community:
https://lnkd.in/emjZUMiD
=====
P.S. Because it needs to be said -- the most likely outcome is a $0 exit, and $0 return. The purpose of this spreadsheet is to show than *even very small checks* can be high-ROI in the best possible case!! Capped downside, uncapped upside.
#venturecapital #angelinvesting #startups #founders #fundraising
Dirty Coin is an independently produced documentary currently in production. (2023)
Follow them on Twitter and connect with Alana on Linkedin for more frequent updates.
Follow them on Twitter and connect with Alana on Linkedin for more frequent updates.
🌟 Calling all knowledge seekers! 🌟
✨ Join Innovate New Albany for an extraordinary opportunity to tap into the collective wisdom of 16 brilliant minds! ✨
🗓️ Date: Friday, June 2
⏰ Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
📍 Location: Virtual
📣 Innovate New Albany is thrilled to announce FREE office hours featuring 16 industry experts in their respective fields ~ Tristan Ruml, Shwetha T. Pai, Tushar Kulkarni, Sandy Murphy, Kaylee Willis, Megan Neff, Roberta Winch, Ryan Steele, Scott Longnecker, Kevin Hammond, Lora Brown - Bookkeeping Simplified By Lora, Johna Charles, Satish Albert, Susan Fortner, APR, and Ed Porter!
Whether one is an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, or simply curious about the latest trends, this event is tailor-made for them!
🌱 This event is a vibrant garden of knowledge where participants can plant their questions, ideas, and aspirations and watch them flourish. The panel of experts brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a genuine passion for sharing their insights.
🔍 Here's a sneak peek of the diverse fields the experts specialize in:
1️⃣ Marketing and Branding
2️⃣ Finance and Investment
3️⃣ Technology and Innovation
4️⃣ Legal and Intellectual Property
5️⃣ Human Resources and Leadership
6️⃣ Sales and Business Development
...and many more!
🙌 This unique opportunity allows individuals to connect one-on-one with these experts during dedicated office hours. They can expect personalized guidance, industry tips, and the chance to gain invaluable perspectives from those who have already walked the path they're embarking on.
💡 Whether attendees have burning questions, seek mentorship, or seek a fresh perspective, this event caters to their needs. The experts are here to help them navigate the challenges, seize opportunities, and unlock their full potential.
🌟 Remember, knowledge grows exponentially when shared, and Innovate New Albany believes in fostering a supportive community of lifelong learners. Attendees shouldn't miss out on this chance to connect with like-minded individuals, expand their network, and cultivate meaningful relationships with professionals in their field.
🚀 Participants should mark their calendars, spread the word, and join Innovate New Albany for an unforgettable day of learning, growth, and inspiration. Together, let's ignite innovation and positively impact our respective industries!
🌐 Visit the website https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/expert-office-hours-friday-june-2/ for more information and to reserve a spot. Seats are limited, so don't wait too long!
🤝 Let's learn, connect, and empower each other. See everyone at Innovate New Albany's Free Office Hours! 🎉
#InnovateNewAlbany #OfficeHours #KnowledgeExchange #Empowerment #founders #tech #community
✨ Join Innovate New Albany for an extraordinary opportunity to tap into the collective wisdom of 16 brilliant minds! ✨
🗓️ Date: Friday, June 2
⏰ Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
📍 Location: Virtual
📣 Innovate New Albany is thrilled to announce FREE office hours featuring 16 industry experts in their respective fields ~ Tristan Ruml, Shwetha T. Pai, Tushar Kulkarni, Sandy Murphy, Kaylee Willis, Megan Neff, Roberta Winch, Ryan Steele, Scott Longnecker, Kevin Hammond, Lora Brown - Bookkeeping Simplified By Lora, Johna Charles, Satish Albert, Susan Fortner, APR, and Ed Porter!
Whether one is an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, or simply curious about the latest trends, this event is tailor-made for them!
🌱 This event is a vibrant garden of knowledge where participants can plant their questions, ideas, and aspirations and watch them flourish. The panel of experts brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a genuine passion for sharing their insights.
🔍 Here's a sneak peek of the diverse fields the experts specialize in:
1️⃣ Marketing and Branding
2️⃣ Finance and Investment
3️⃣ Technology and Innovation
4️⃣ Legal and Intellectual Property
5️⃣ Human Resources and Leadership
6️⃣ Sales and Business Development
...and many more!
🙌 This unique opportunity allows individuals to connect one-on-one with these experts during dedicated office hours. They can expect personalized guidance, industry tips, and the chance to gain invaluable perspectives from those who have already walked the path they're embarking on.
💡 Whether attendees have burning questions, seek mentorship, or seek a fresh perspective, this event caters to their needs. The experts are here to help them navigate the challenges, seize opportunities, and unlock their full potential.
🌟 Remember, knowledge grows exponentially when shared, and Innovate New Albany believes in fostering a supportive community of lifelong learners. Attendees shouldn't miss out on this chance to connect with like-minded individuals, expand their network, and cultivate meaningful relationships with professionals in their field.
🚀 Participants should mark their calendars, spread the word, and join Innovate New Albany for an unforgettable day of learning, growth, and inspiration. Together, let's ignite innovation and positively impact our respective industries!
🌐 Visit the website https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/expert-office-hours-friday-june-2/ for more information and to reserve a spot. Seats are limited, so don't wait too long!
🤝 Let's learn, connect, and empower each other. See everyone at Innovate New Albany's Free Office Hours! 🎉
#InnovateNewAlbany #OfficeHours #KnowledgeExchange #Empowerment #founders #tech #community
About Manny Larcher
 Manny Larcher speaking at Ohio Tech Happy Hour event in Cleveland, Ohio | Manny Larcher joined JumpStart Ventures in 2022 as a Deal Flow Associate, where he connects early-stage technology companies with Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A funding, as well as nourishing relationships with entrepreneurial resources around Ohio. Prior to joining JumpStart Ventures, Manny had several years of experience working in business development roles at for-profit and nonprofit companies. In 2017, he co-founded Stopwatch Creative, assisting startups, artists, professional athletes, and brands with various marketing services. When the pandemic created unforeseen complications for entrepreneurs, Manny created Collaborate and Elevate, a SaaS platform helping others around the country connect to resources and opportunities. He is a lifelong learner who enjoys digging deep into new technologies and nourishing ideas, Manny understands the ups and downs of building a successful business. |
He is a first-generation St. Lucian American born in Columbus, Ohio, who studied Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at Bowling Green State University. Manny serves on the Board of Black Men Talk Tech as well as the Impact & Inclusion Advisory Board of the Columbus Young Professionals.
by Lenny Burkett
In Richmond, Virginia, Comfort Keepers, a leading senior caregiving company, stands ready to provide compassionate and dedicated care for families in need. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by seniors and their loved ones, Comfort Keepers' team is committed to delivering the support required during this important journey.
With a deep sense of empathy, Comfort Keepers' caregivers prioritize the physical, emotional, and social well-being of their clients. Through careful selection and comprehensive training, these dedicated professionals possess the necessary skills, experience, and nurturing qualities to offer exceptional care.
From assistance with daily activities to providing companionship and specialized care, the Comfort Keepers team ensures that each service is tailored to meet the unique needs of every family. Whether it involves personal care, medication management, or simply engaging in meaningful conversations and activities, Comfort Keepers' caregivers are there every step of the way.
Open communication is highly valued at Comfort Keepers, and families are actively involved in the development of personalized care plans for their loved ones. Regular updates on their progress are provided, ensuring that families remain informed and involved throughout the caregiving journey.
At the heart of Comfort Keepers is the belief that family well-being is paramount. They strive to create a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment that promotes independence, dignity, and overall happiness. By fostering genuine connections and building trust, Comfort Keepers' caregivers become an extended family for their clients.
Families can experience peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are in the caring hands of highly trained professionals from Comfort Keepers. The company is dedicated to providing dependable, reliable, and compassionate senior care in Richmond, Virginia.
For those seeking support and comfort for their family members, reaching out to Comfort Keepers can be a transformative step. By working together, families can enhance their loved ones' quality of life, enabling them to age gracefully and cherish meaningful moments every day. Contact Comfort Keepers today to learn more about the compassionate care they provide and how they can support your family during this important time.
In Richmond, Virginia, Comfort Keepers, a leading senior caregiving company, stands ready to provide compassionate and dedicated care for families in need. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by seniors and their loved ones, Comfort Keepers' team is committed to delivering the support required during this important journey.
With a deep sense of empathy, Comfort Keepers' caregivers prioritize the physical, emotional, and social well-being of their clients. Through careful selection and comprehensive training, these dedicated professionals possess the necessary skills, experience, and nurturing qualities to offer exceptional care.
From assistance with daily activities to providing companionship and specialized care, the Comfort Keepers team ensures that each service is tailored to meet the unique needs of every family. Whether it involves personal care, medication management, or simply engaging in meaningful conversations and activities, Comfort Keepers' caregivers are there every step of the way.
Open communication is highly valued at Comfort Keepers, and families are actively involved in the development of personalized care plans for their loved ones. Regular updates on their progress are provided, ensuring that families remain informed and involved throughout the caregiving journey.
At the heart of Comfort Keepers is the belief that family well-being is paramount. They strive to create a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment that promotes independence, dignity, and overall happiness. By fostering genuine connections and building trust, Comfort Keepers' caregivers become an extended family for their clients.
Families can experience peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are in the caring hands of highly trained professionals from Comfort Keepers. The company is dedicated to providing dependable, reliable, and compassionate senior care in Richmond, Virginia.
For those seeking support and comfort for their family members, reaching out to Comfort Keepers can be a transformative step. By working together, families can enhance their loved ones' quality of life, enabling them to age gracefully and cherish meaningful moments every day. Contact Comfort Keepers today to learn more about the compassionate care they provide and how they can support your family during this important time.
Listen and watch Abundance Universe Ep #6 + Enjoying the Journey with Kyle Kyle Kemper and Bijan
5/19/2023
On this episode, Bijan Machen connects with Kyle ✨ Kemper! Kyle is a technologist, cryptocurrency expert, and author and serves as Chief Solutions Officer @ Raze, a SaaS private fundraising platform. Kyle and Bijan discuss life, entrepreneurship, spirituality, an abundance mindset, and more!
By Saundra Latham, Editor at LinkedIn News
It’s official: Twitter has a new CEO. Linda Yaccarino, head of global advertising and partnerships at NBCUniversal, will take over the top job from Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter in October for $44 billion. Musk confirmed Yaccarino’s hiring Friday, saying she will “focus primarily on business operations, while I focus on product design and new technology.” Musk said Thursday that he will transition to new roles as executive chair and chief technology officer.
"I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Chief Executive Officer at Twitter. I’ve long been inspired by Elon Musk's vision to create a brighter future. Now, I’m excited to help bring that vision to Twitter and transform the business together. Everyone's feedback is VITAL to Twitter's future. And I’m here for all of it. Let’s please keep the conversation going and build Twitter 2.0 together!" Linda mentioned on Linkedin.
It’s official: Twitter has a new CEO. Linda Yaccarino, head of global advertising and partnerships at NBCUniversal, will take over the top job from Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter in October for $44 billion. Musk confirmed Yaccarino’s hiring Friday, saying she will “focus primarily on business operations, while I focus on product design and new technology.” Musk said Thursday that he will transition to new roles as executive chair and chief technology officer.
"I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Chief Executive Officer at Twitter. I’ve long been inspired by Elon Musk's vision to create a brighter future. Now, I’m excited to help bring that vision to Twitter and transform the business together. Everyone's feedback is VITAL to Twitter's future. And I’m here for all of it. Let’s please keep the conversation going and build Twitter 2.0 together!" Linda mentioned on Linkedin.
by Lenny Burkett
Marketing is essential for small businesses and startups because it helps them reach their target audience, build brand awareness, and establish a strong online presence. Small businesses often operate on tight budgets and limited resources, making it crucial to make every marketing effort count. Effective marketing helps these businesses connect with potential customers and generate leads, which can lead to increased sales and revenue. In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is also critical for small businesses and startups to remain competitive and relevant. By investing in marketing efforts, small businesses can establish themselves as a credible and trustworthy brand, which can help attract and retain customers over the long term.
Are you looking to take your business to the next level? Learn more about Stopwatch Creative, a full service marketing agency and business growth software platform Collaborate and Elevate.
Marketing is essential for small businesses and startups because it helps them reach their target audience, build brand awareness, and establish a strong online presence. Small businesses often operate on tight budgets and limited resources, making it crucial to make every marketing effort count. Effective marketing helps these businesses connect with potential customers and generate leads, which can lead to increased sales and revenue. In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is also critical for small businesses and startups to remain competitive and relevant. By investing in marketing efforts, small businesses can establish themselves as a credible and trustworthy brand, which can help attract and retain customers over the long term.
- Social media marketing - Use platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to reach your target audience and build brand awareness.
- Email marketing - Build a subscriber list and use email campaigns to keep your customers engaged and informed about your products or services.
- Google My Business - Optimize your business profile on Google to increase your visibility in search results and attract more local customers.
- Content marketing - Create valuable content, such as blog posts or videos, that educates and informs your audience and establishes your business as an authority in your industry.
- Pay-per-click advertising - Use platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Ads to target specific keywords or demographics and drive traffic to your website.
- Influencer marketing - Partner with influencers or micro-influencers in your industry to promote your products or services to their audience.
- Referral marketing - Encourage your satisfied customers to refer their friends and family to your business and offer incentives for referrals.
- Community involvement - Participate in local events or sponsor local charities to build relationships with your community and increase brand awareness.
- Direct mail - Send physical mailers, such as postcards or flyers, to your target audience to promote your business and drive conversions.
- Customer reviews - Encourage your customers to leave reviews on platforms such as Google, Yelp, or social media to build trust and attract new customers.
Are you looking to take your business to the next level? Learn more about Stopwatch Creative, a full service marketing agency and business growth software platform Collaborate and Elevate.
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