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Author: foundersunfound

THE “NEST”-IFICATION OF THE WORKPLACE

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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

USING TECH TO MAKE OFFICE LIFE
AS CONVENIENT AS HOME

We are trying something a little different with this episode. Kofi along with his cofounder Clinton, has actually built and sold Lane, so not really still unfound. But he was so interesting and the journey so compelling, I couldn’t resist sitting down with him as a guest.

Kofi Gyekye is a serial entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Lane, the world’s largest and most innovative workplace experience platform, connecting 300+ properties across 22 cities and 8 countries.

Kofi grew up in Europe with African parents. He was good at school and realized that he loved the dual pursuit of creativity and analysis – the perfect foundations for his journey as product visionary. A serendipitous meeting at university party, resulted in Kofi’s partnership with his co-founder Clinton across 3 separate ventures. It was when Kofi was considering an RFP for a marketing campaign, for office buildings, that he decided to do something he had never done before in his career – see what’s like to work in a office. So, he spent a day exploring and observing at big skyscraper office. The epiphany hit him: why can’t the office environment be as convenient and seamless as home. And so Lane was born.

In the whirlwind that followed, the company did Techstars, grew from 10 to 200 people, landed clients all over the world, and then in late 2021, sold for $200M to unicorn Proptech company VTS.

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

 

“Team was quite important; how to structure it, how to allow yourself to take criticism, to listen, to collaborate…”
~ Kofi Gyekye

In this episode Kofi and Dan discussed:

  • Growing up as an African in Italy
  • How the combination of analytical and creative make him great at product
  • The evolution of fulfillment and its connection to impact
  • The journey of selling your company
  • The future of work, and oh the way, real estate

 

 

“I’m meant to be in the room.”
~ Kofi Gykye

 

“I actually fell into entrepreneurship to be quite honest…”
~ Kofi Gyekye

MOVING LEGAL AWAY FROM THE LEGAL PAD

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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

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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

GEAR RENTAL…THE NIMBLE WAY

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

OUR SPONSORS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Entrepreneur Struggle podcast

A compelling podcast with host Chris Colbert from DCP Entertainment.
Listen anywhere you get podcasts or go to dcpofficial.com/entrepreneurstruggle

CREATING THE AIRBNB for Equipment rental

 

Donald T Boone, Founder and CEO of BoxedUp, a B2B equipment rental marketplace, similar to the Airbnb for camera gear.

Growing up in Maryland, Donald came from humble beginnings and followed his older brother in pursuit of an engineering degree at the HBCU North Carolina A&T. Donald had distinguished roles at companies like Exxon and Amazon. But as a 3-time founder, the call of entrepreneurship has always been loud in his ear. And talk about conviction. He has borrowed against his 401k for a previous startup and taught himself how to code from scratch. And get this, in the middle of the pandemic, with an incredible compensation in Amazon in hand, he decided to take BoxedUp’s early insights and traction, quit his job and set out to make his company the success he knew it could be.

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

 

“Start networking far before you ever need the money.”
~ Donald Boone

In this episode Donald and Dan discussed:

  • Growing up in Maryland
  • How following his brother led to an HBCU education
  • The stark reality of giving up Amazon-level comp to be a founder
  • How COVID 19 changed his business almost instantly

 

 

“the fundraising process… was just the starkest reminder that we’re in the same arena, but we’re playing different games…”
~ Donald Boone

 

“ She couldn’t read it for months without it inducing some trauma ”
~ Donald Boone

ENABLING THOSE WHO SERVE TO BE WELL SERVED

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

OUR SPONSORS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Entrepreneur Struggle podcast

A compelling podcast with host Chris Colbert from DCP Entertainment.
Listen anywhere you get podcasts or go to dcpofficial.com/entrepreneurstruggle

CREATING MORE CHOICES FOR
GOVERNMENT WORKERS WHEN THEY TRAVEL

 

Anthony Gantt Jr is Founder and CEO of atease, a company that qualifies and lists temporary lodging rental inventory which enables per diem government travelers to stay in accommodation types beyond hotels.

Anthony grew up in Miami, in a large family with modest means. He had gifts for math, STEM, and athletics. When he got to Florida A&M University, he was quickly hit with the sticker shock of college expenses, even at public HBCU like A&M. Urgency for solutions led him to take up the suggestion of the military as a way to subsidize his college experience.

What followed is a 22+ year distinguished career in the United States Marine Corp. Thank you so much for your service Anthony!  

It was during his military tenure that he discovered that a number of the lodging options you and I now take for granted, weren’t allowed for those working in the various areas of the US government. As a father of six, he realized that small hotel rooms don’t meet the need when called to move across the country for a new assignment. And so, atease was born.

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

 

“We have a saying: slow is smooth. smooth is fast.”
~ Anthony Gantt Jr

In this episode Anthony and Dan discussed:

  • Growing up in Miami and attending an HBCU
  • How he tried to enlist in two other branches before landing in the Marines
  • Why he thinks it’s hard for civilian companies to appreciate veterans’ experience
  • How his military experience and training prepared him for entrepreneurship
  • What he has in common with Jeff Bezos

 

 

“…then I started talking to other founders who were successful…”Let me hear how you raised with your pitch“”
~ Anthony Gantt Jr

 

“It’s very difficult for the other 99% to understand the thought process and the ethos that military folks have. ”
~ Anthony Gantt Jr

PACKAGING JUST GOT SMARTER AND MORE CLIMATE-FRIENDLY

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

OUR SPONSORS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Entrepreneur Struggle podcast

A compelling podcast with host Chris Colbert from DCP Entertainment.
Listen anywhere you get podcasts or go to dcpofficial.com/entrepreneurstruggle

packaging goes from
single use…to 2oo+

 

Chantal Emmanuel is Co-Founder and CTO of LimeLoop, a company that is delivering a world without waste with their reusable smart packaging.

Chantal grew up in Queens, in a neighborhood without many people of color, but with a strong sense of her Caribbean heritage, surrounded by a large extended family. She brought a calling to serve with her after college, leading to work in AmeriCorps, but it was her analytical and logic-driven intellect that soon brought her to data, and software. 

With a pivot through coding bootcamp and relocation to the Bay Area, Chantall found herself working for Red Clay Design, a company developing software to bring together industrial designers and retail companies. It was at Red Clay that Chantal would come across both the core idea for Lime Loop, and her co-founder Ashley. This would lead to the start of her founder journey years later.

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

 

“every five minutes, [the industrty] ships 20,000 packages worldwide...”
~ Chantal Emmanuel

In this episode Chantal and Dan discussed:

  • Growing up with a supportive, big family
  • Going from AmeriCorps to software development
  • How she joined the small club of black women who’ve raised $1M
  • The inefficiencies and cautions of how we ship today
  • What wakes her up at 2am

 

 

“you really realize that you just show up 110%. Every single meeting, every single time. And you have to do that while continuing to build your business…”
~ Chantal Emmanuel

 

“ …our cap table…there’s not a single name on it that doesn’t bring a smile to my face… ”
~ Chantal Emmanuel

 

AFRICA’S NEW FULL STACK HEALTH CARE

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

OUR SPONSORS FOR THIS EPISODE:
The Plug

Delivering clear analysis and powerful insights on what’s shaping the Black innovation economy.
Get your annual subscription to The Plug at tpinsights.com

TRANSFORMING HEALTH CARE IN NIGERIA, FROM WELLNESS TO DIAGNOSTICS

 

Oluwasoga Oni is Co-Founder and CEO of MDaaS Global, a company that is building Africa’s largest network of physical and virtual diagnostic and primary care facilities, ultimately to provide quality and affordable healthcare for the continent’s next billion.

Soga, as he’s known, grew up in a rural town in Nigeria, surrounded by a family of doctors and medical professionals. And while he didn’t have the calling himself, he saw firsthand the gaps and challenges faced by providers. His love of tinkering and problem solving led him to software development and work in the US. But it was his time at MIT where he was challenged by one of his professors: come up with a business that will impact a billion people. And so MDaaS was born. 

Since inception the company has pivoted from a medical equipment supplier to a full stack of diagnostic and testing centers, where MDaaS focuses on patient experience on site, and prevention and wellness when patients are at home and on the go. The company is backed by the likes of Techstars, Google for Startups, and the Jack Ma foundation.

Soga has a great story. You will want to listen in.

 

“I think that we can impact a billion lives…”
~ Soga Oni

In this episode Soga and Dan discussed:

  • Seeing medical care’s challenges from his dad’s doctor office
  • Adjusting to life and college in the US from Nigeria
  • Why African healthcare has nowhere to go but up
  • Life as husband-wife co-founder team
  • Reading signals – from investors and customers

 

 

“When you are in Nigeria as a Nigerian, you’re not black, you’re a Nigerian. But when you get into the US, you become black…”
~ Soga Oni

 

“ …my dad also has his own equipment graveyard, where he just shows all of the old medical equipment that he could not fix. ”
~ Soga Oni

 

A COFFEE BRAND THAT BOLDLY GIVES BACK

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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

Matching purpose with profit

 

Rod Johson is Co-Founder of BLK & Bold, the preeminent black-owned coffee company in America. Black & Bold was founded with the desire to unite coffee and tea lovers worldwide through a common interest of investing in community.

Rod grew up in the working-class city of Gary Indiana and eventually went on to Indiana University and a career in development and giving. But he soon developed a restlessness that only business ownership could fix. Along with lifelong friend Pernell, Rod set out to find their entrepreneurial calling, one that could match purpose with profit. 

And so BLK & Bold was born in 2018. Since then, Rod and Pernell have grown BLK & Bold into a national brand carried by the likes of Target and Whole Foods. They have a rare licensing deal with the NBA and have been celebrated by Dwanye Wade on the Ellen show. All this, completely bootstrapped from their headquarters in Des Moines Iowa.

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

 

“If we’re gonna do this, we can’t play it safe. We gotta take some risks.”
~ Rod Johnson

In this episode Rod and Dan discussed:

  • Growing up in Gary and the Midwest
  • How a basketball hoop brought Rod and his Co-Founder together
  • Why starting a business built on giving back is so important
  • How the fire department was a part their early product development
  • Tradeoffs when doing a start up with a ‘day job’

 

 

“take self inventory…all right, what is it that I really want?”
~Rod Johnson

 

“We have that history and therefore it gives us the understanding of knowing this comes from a good place ”
~Rod Johnson

 

CELEBRATING FOUNDERS UNFOUND’S THIRD ANNIVERSARY

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

 

PROGRESS MADE,
BUT STILL A LONG WAY TO GO

 

What an amazing three years!

Since we started in 2019, we’ve had 50 episodes interviewing 50 founders from 48 companies. As of mid-2022, our guests employ close to 500, and have collectively raised over $213M in outside funding. Incredible when you think about the challenges in fundraising that have faced all entrepreneurs, especially founders of color.

They would make a pretty great portfolio!

To celebrate our anniversary, we decided to go back to the beginning, 2019, and catch up with the 5 founders we had on the show that first year:

  • Stella Ashaolu of Wesolv
  • Kwame Boler of Neu (Spritz)
  • Ikechi Nwabusi of TRiBL
  • Bara Cola of Carbice
  • Coack AK Ikwuakor from E-LETE Styles

I wanted to find out what the world of 2022 looked like compared to 2019, from their eyes. Thanks to Stella, Kwame, Bara, Ikechi and Coach AK for catching us up and reflecting on their journeys.

Make sure to listen in.

 

“When a challenge arises, we’re always the ones arise to the occasion.”
~ Kwame Boler

In this episode:

  • We review the last three year and where our past guests are collectively
  • Updates from the 5 guest founders who first came on the show in 2019
  • Insights from our 2019 guests on being a black founder in 2022 vs 2019

 

 

“Follow love, not fear, meaning don’t let fear drive your decisions instead.
Let it be love..”
~Coach AK

 

“After the murder, I’m sorry of George Floyd, there was a lot of attention given towards the inequities and the disparities between black folks and others”
~Stella Ashaolu

 

USING AI TO TAKE SPORTS TRAINING TO THE TEAM LEVEL

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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.

HELPING Teams and coaches reach potential with feedback and tracking

 

Francisco Baptista is Founder and CEO of TeamSportz, a company building an AI sports platform to help team athletes enhance their performance. 

Francisco was born in Angola, growing during a period of civil war in that country. He used basketball as an escape from this harsh environment, first by watching his mother play, and then finding sanctuary on the courts himself. Francisco moved to Brazil for his teenage years, then to Portugal, and finally now in the UK. All the while pursuing his dual passions for hoops and software development. It’s the meeting of these two loves where TeamSportz, with a zed as they say, was born. The company now boasts notable investors including Mark Gainey, co-founder of Strava and Rand Fishkin of Moz fame.

Francisco has a great story. You will want to listen in.

 

“I’ve been acutely aware that I’m black since I started TeamSportz.”
~ Francisco Baptista

In this episode Francisco and Dan discussed:

  • growing up in war and in different countries
  • how his upbringing matured him past his contemporaries while in school
  • how Portuguese differs from Angola, to Brazil, to Portugal
  • how asking for advice, led to an investor, and another, and another…
  • playing university-level basketball as a teen, by “being Francisco Sr”

 

 

“moving to Brazil – particularly moving from Angola…Brazil was a bit of a shock.”
~Francisco Baptista

 

“…as a team there’s  and ever-increasing appetite for performance data ”
~Francisco Baptista