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Month: April 2023

MOVING LEGAL AWAY FROM THE LEGAL PAD

Posted on by foundersunfound

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Listen in from your favorite podcast spots or read the full transcript here.

OUR SPONSORS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Founders Live
The global venue for entrepreneurs to experience events, content, and community.
Check out founderslive.com to join and to find a live event near you.

BRINGING 21ST CENTURY DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE SECOND OLDEST PROFESSION…MEDIATION

 

Melissa Brogdon is Co-Founder and CEO of FourthParty, a justice technology company that increases access to mediation services so that people can resolve legal conflicts outside of court.

Proud to hail from Oakland, Melissa was raised by an incredible role model – her great grandmother. Despite opportunities to stay local for college at Berkeley, she followed the urging of a mentor and went to Spelman, a premier HBCU in Atlanta. Emerging from undergrad with confidence and curiosity, Melissa was initially a teacher, but ultimately pursued a successful career in the nonprofit sector. But then came the opportunity to work with her partner and husband to build his law practice. It was there that Melissa saw firsthand the impact of mediation, AND the clear needs mediators had. And so FourthParty was born.

Melissa has a great story. You’ll want to listen in.

 

“…we really needed to figure out how to bring technology to make this career accessible, to make the service available to the everyday person. And that was where the spark happened…”
~ Melissa Brogdon

In this episode Melissa and Dan discussed:

  • Growing up in Oakland
  • Her journey from teaching to philanthropy to entrepreneurship
  • How the pandemic drove an explosion in the need for mediation
  • When she found out she was part of the first Google for Startups class
  • Why “first” isn’t always best

 

 

“The right investor gets it…we’re looking for those people.”
~ Melissa Brogdon

 

“ Our courts Continue to be in crisis… ”
~ Melissa Brogdon

REMOVING THE BURDEN OF ORPHANED SAAS

Posted on by foundersunfound

Listen in from your favorite podcast spots or read the full transcript here.

OUR SPONSORS FOR THIS EPISODE:

AfriBlocks

The global pan-African freelance marketplace and collaboration platform.
Tell them “Dan sent you” for 10% off your first order. More at afriblocks.com

PROVIDiNG A SIMPLE WAY TO MANAGE WHO, WHEN, AND HOW MUCH FOR SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTIONS

 

Chiko Chingaya, Co-Founder and CEO of Talisman, a company building the next generation of software management, offering companies a centralized overview of all their software and SaaS.

Born in post-colonial Zimbabwe, Chiko moved to the US when he was 7, growing up in and around Dallas. With parents always working, Chiko developed a sense of independence, pursuing early passions for writing and the arts. He entered college under the premise that he would pursue law potentially, But, a trip to his homeland midway through undergrad left him humbled and determined. What followed was a masterclass of career stints – product, marketing, sales, and client success. Then one evening, watching Shark tank with a glass on wine in hand, he had the epiphany that would become Talisman. Keep listening to hear how it happened.

Chiko and Talisman have a great story.

 

“I wanna build an aspirational black-led tech company.”
~ Chiko Chingaya

In this episode Chiko and Dan discussed:

  • What changed when he moved from Zimbabwe to the US
  • How a $500 trip to Costco landed Talisman its first investors
  • Is it me or is it my business? The black founder inner question
  • The power of relationships and your network
  • Why everyone should learn to code

 

 

“we grill up, have everybody in, and walked out with $25,000…”
~ Chiko Chingaya

 

“ I wanted to go in with my eyes wide open and make a choice as opposed to stumbling in and then being surprised at the result. ”
~ Chiko Chingaya