- 2 weeks ago
Category
🛠️
LifestyleTranscript
00:00Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Pine Salt in Essence, Build Your Legacy contest finale.
00:12Now, my name is Nicole Walters. I'm the CEO and founder of Inherit Learning Company,
00:17and I am so excited to be joined by two incredible Black female bosses.
00:23Now, we're going to talk all about their businesses, how they're working to build
00:28a legacy, and raise the bar with their business ventures. But aside from this conversation being
00:34full of absolute gems, we're in for a big treat tonight because we're also going to take some
00:40time at the end of this chat to crown one Black female entrepreneur, the 2021 Grand Prize winner
00:48of the Pine Salt in Essence, Build Your Legacy contest. Now, they're waiting backstage, so trust me,
00:56you don't want to miss this. Let's welcome our esteemed panelists. First up, we've got Brittany
01:02Oliver. She is the resident contributor under Work and Money for Essence Magazine. She's been there
01:08since 2014, and while she's doing that, she also runs her business, From Lemons to Lemonade,
01:15where she helps women every single day not only be empowered in their life, but be empowered in
01:20their work, money, and career. We also have Mary Blackford, who is the founder of Market 7 and the
01:282020 Build Your Legacy contest winner. Now, Mary is a DC resident who has had a desire to create better
01:36access to fresh, healthy food within her community. So she founded Market 7 to help revitalize and restore
01:43the economic stability, holistic health, and the social needs of the residents in the Ward 7 community.
01:49You're going to learn more about the amazing work she's doing in just a few minutes. So ladies,
01:55welcome, and how are you? Doing well. Thank you, Nicole. Oh, I'm so glad you're here. We've got so
02:03much to cover, so let's jump right in. So Mary, first and foremost, let's just set the stage. You were
02:08last year's winner, because Pine Salt's been doing this for some time now, supporting Black women
02:13in their businesses and in their legacies. So tell us about your business, your mission, because
02:18we want to know, what does it take to actually win this thing? Yeah, so Market 7 is a community
02:24marketplace that features Black-owned businesses for the purpose of alleviating food and retail
02:28deserts in Washington, D.C., particularly in Ward 7, where we see some of the biggest food disparities
02:34in our nation's capital. We are working diligently to help make sure that we are getting fresh food
02:40access and actually access to a greater retail in our community, because we find that there is a
02:45correlation between health and the retail that you have available to you to actually live a
02:50sustainable life. And so we are seeing in the nation's capital that people who live in Ward 7 and
02:55Ward 8 who don't have access to many grocery stores are dying up to 16 years earlier than places in
03:01other parts of the city due to elements like diabetes that can be solved in part or altogether
03:06through a change of diet. And so it is very essential that we have these food centers and
03:10communities where people can come and not only just get food, but also learn about food. And so
03:15we're starting this 7,000 square foot food hall that is going to change all of that and fueled by
03:20Black entrepreneurs in the food space. And so we are so grateful for this opportunity. And Pine Salt has
03:26really proven to be ahead of the curve when it comes to funding Black women and making sure that we
03:30have resources and funding where it otherwise didn't exist. And so I am so excited that we have
03:37year two, so excited for the people and the ladies who are now a part of the competition and getting
03:43these resources because it is so needed in community. And I'm just so impressed by what I've seen this
03:49year, so impressed by the work of these ladies. And I just am very excited for the next stage of
03:54entrepreneurs that are coming to the Build Your Legacy grant competition.
03:59And Mary, we are so happy to have you here because you know exactly what these women feel
04:04like. I mean, our finalists are backstage and I know they're nervous and I know they can't wait
04:07to hear who wins, but we know no matter what, it's going to be someone who's doing impactful work,
04:12just like you're doing with Market 7 and just like our finalists today. So speaking of impactful
04:17work, Brittany, tell us more about Lemons to Lemonade because the work that you're doing,
04:22you've been doing for quite some time and rolling a little bit of that over into your work with
04:26Essence. So tell us a little bit more about your business and how you help support others.
04:31Nicole, thank you. So Lemons to Lemonade started from my own lemons. So after I graduated from college,
04:40little did I know that I would go on an eight-month period of over 100 interviews. So 100 times I was
04:48rejected. 100 times someone said no and made me feel like I wasn't enough. And now that I'm older
04:55and wiser, 100 times that they missed out on this greatness. Okay. Yes. Preach, sis. Preach. Tell them
05:02you only need one yes and you're helping people get to that yes every single day. So what are people
05:07finding on Lemons to Lemonade from your experience and the tools that you provide?
05:11Yes. So through that, I realized so many people were having difficult job searches. And so one
05:17thing that we needed was community because it's easy to feel like you're alone and isolated in
05:22that experience. We have a newsletter with really great tips on navigating some of life's lemons with
05:29your career or entrepreneurship, as well as we do panels. So right now with COVID, we're virtual,
05:36but we have masterclasses where you can have access to senior leaders in different industries to really
05:43get some tips on how to navigate the workplace, ask for more money, scale and fundraise.
05:50I mean, this is incredible. And frankly, this is really what the Build Your Legacy contest is all
05:56about. It's not just about building businesses that are going to infuse money into our own households.
06:01It's about building businesses that infuses money into our community and helps establish a legacy.
06:05And both of you guys are doing that with Lemons to Lemonade and Market 7. So I want to know,
06:11what does building a legacy actually mean to you, Mary? And how are you working to actively do this
06:16in your business? Because we know that Pinesol champions Black women who are building legacies
06:21at home and in the world. So what is that looking like for you?
06:24People that are living in my ward are dying up to 16 years earlier because we don't have access to
06:29things like grocery stores. And that is not good enough for me. And so we are working
06:35in two different ways. I always say that our work sits at the intersection of sustainable health
06:40and sustainable economics. So part of that is, of course, healthy food access. But how do we
06:44actually help businesses that are in the food space be sustainable so that they can have further
06:49opportunities to scale and stay in community? So part of that is education. So working with
06:54partners like Google or the Greater Washington Urban Link to get training for entrepreneurs who want
06:59to enhance their business via tech, writing their business plans, getting information on financing.
07:04So we're helping to build businesses as well as placing them in communities that really need access
07:09to greater food access. So we have been working very much with these entrepreneurs, 60 Black businesses
07:16over the course of our four-year history to get them in community and make sure they're healthy
07:20and thriving. So that's what a legacy looks like.
07:23Oh, that's so incredible. Brittany, I mean, we already know that you're building a legacy
07:28because if you're getting people employed, you are helping support not just their own dreams,
07:32but the dreams of their families. So I want to know, what tips are you giving to other Black
07:37female entrepreneurs and those getting into the career workforce who are trying to raise the bar
07:42in their businesses? What can they do to help themselves really stand out?
07:46The first thing I would say is all about authenticity, right? You have to be true to yourself.
07:53And so show up for yourself and be your authentic self because people get to know you a little bit
07:59better and they start to relate. And that's how you find those champions. That's how you find and
08:04build community.
08:06Oh, that's so good. The power of your story. And I think that a lot of people fell in love with the
08:12story of our finalists here because it's their story that has helped fuel their businesses. And what's
08:18great is Pine Sol is taking the combination of their stories and really supplying the funding
08:23to make sure that these businesses really become fruitful and grow. And I think that we all know
08:30here, particularly me as the CEO of Inherit Learning Company, how underfunded many Black women are,
08:36even though we're one of the fastest growing groups of entrepreneurs. So I would love to know,
08:41just a quick tip. What do you have for anyone who's listening and saying to themselves,
08:45I miss this year's competition, but how can I get some funding in my business? Mary?
08:50I think sometimes we can play small and say, oh, I don't think I'm good enough or big enough or fast
08:57enough or whatever for this particular opportunity. And that's not true. You will be surprised what
09:02happened when you cast your net, which you will actually catch. And so dream really big and go
09:07really far. And you will be surprised at what comes back. Shoot for the moon, over the moon,
09:13to the stars to see what you can actually get. And you will be surprised at the gems that come back
09:19to you. And that's what led me here to the Build Your Legacy competition, just dreaming really big and
09:23saying, you know what? I can do it. And it is possible for me. And this is my legacy.
09:28Oh, so good. So exciting. And so in line with what Pine Saw is all about. They like to champion Black
09:36women who are setting the standard and dreaming big and making it happen. And so I don't know about
09:42you, Brittany, but I'm ready to tell people who this winner is. I think this conversation has been
09:47jam packed, but we're ready, right? Oh yeah.
09:49All right, let's do it. So in a time where Black female entrepreneurship is on the rise,
09:55Pine Sol and Essence are committed to making a difference. And the Build Your Legacy contest was
10:02created to invest in Black female entrepreneurs who are contributing to the positive economic
10:07impact right where they live. So this contest kicked off on March 1st, and eventually it had over 400
10:16applicants sharing their stories. Brittany, you talked about how important that is. So that's where they
10:21started and here's where they are now. We narrowed the entries down to three finalists and then we
10:28opened up voting to the public. Voting ended on July 30th. And today we announced the grand prize winner
10:37who will receive $100,000 for her business and six months of coaching with yours truly, Nicole Walters and
10:46the team at Inherit Learning Company. So Mary, I know that last year you were in these finalist shoes.
10:53How are you feeling at this moment? How do you think that they're feeling backstage right now?
10:57They're probably very nervous, but very exciting times. I know this is just the beginning for these
11:06ladies and it is so exciting to see a new cohort of Build Your Legacy grant applicants. They have done an
11:14amazing job. I am so proud of them. And I hope that they are so proud of themselves because they've
11:20come so far and done such great work. I hope they feel that they are doing so great for the community
11:26and I'm just so proud. Well, it's going to get sweet, Brittany. We're going to make some lemonade
11:30right now, right? All right. So here we go. I know that everyone is anxious to find out, so I won't keep
11:36you waiting any longer. The 2021 winner of the Pine Sol and Essence Build Your Legacy contest is
11:48Niani Tolbert of Hire Black Now. Please welcome Niani Tolbert.
11:54Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. I just thank you so much for
12:04the opportunity. Thank you for amplifying Black women and amplifying Black families. I appreciate
12:11you guys for believing in us and supporting us, empowering us. Niani, congratulations. So how would
12:18you describe this feeling? What are you thinking right now? I feel so backed. I feel so supported to
12:24know that people are pouring into this community and people believe in us. Like you guys believe in us.
12:29You guys see the progress that we're making and the progress that we can make. So I appreciate it.
12:34I feel so grateful, so supported, and I just feel backed up. I feel like we rolling in deep.
12:40So I know we're going to work together to make sure this money goes to the right place,
12:43but what are you thinking? How are you going to invest this 100K into Hire Black Now?
12:48We're going to reinvest back into Black women, back into the community, back into Black families,
12:56to offer them free and affordable resources. Because when you invest into Black women,
13:01you are investing into the hearts of community.
13:04Oh, legacy focused as always. Niani, you're incredible. Congratulations. You are so deserving
13:11of this, and this is going to be big. Thank you so, so, so much.
13:14So Niani, there are a lot of other Black women entrepreneurs who are watching this moment right now.
13:19They're working hard every day to build that legacy. What advice would you give them as the winner?
13:24Don't get in your own way. You know, I know that as Black women, we oftentimes find ourselves being
13:34there for other people. And so oftentimes we may be in our own way because we feel as though we don't
13:41have time for ourselves. I want to just say, make that time. Once you start giving, you know, actually
13:48executing on the advice that you give and having that energy of support for your own self, you don't
13:54know what can happen. Wonderful. Congratulations, Niani. You are so deserving. And I cannot wait to
14:00work with you over these next six months. This is going to be incredible. Nicole, I don't know if
14:05you knew this, but at the start of the pandemic, you did a Teachable Summit and it was free. I was
14:11being scrappy and resourceful. And that's where I fell in love with you and your content.
14:16So to see that just a year later, you know, just a year later that I can learn under your tutelage
14:23after being so inspired by you means so much to me. Niani, that's so...
14:31It's why I do what I do. So I'm grateful that I get to take this journey with you and that you're
14:36trusting me to help build this legacy with you because we do it better when we do it together.
14:42And above all else, I hope you still like me after I get all up in your business, you know,
14:46over these next six months. But in the meantime, enjoy your big win. Congratulations on this full
14:52circle moment. You earned it. Now, ladies and gentlemen, please know that we were all so inspired
15:00by all three of our finalist businesses that we honestly couldn't let anyone go home empty handed.
15:06So we are excited to announce that both of our runners up, Pamela Shattuck and Kia Hope Shine will
15:15also be receiving coaching with me, Nicole Walters and funding for their businesses. Congratulations,
15:22Pamela and Kia. Thank you. Thank you.
15:26Now, ladies, I have to know, how do you feel?
15:30Incredible. It all seems so surreal from the application process to this moment. It's just
15:40been incredible. Oh, you are both so deserving. You are doing such worthy work and you are absolutely
15:47raising the bar for women everywhere and truly helping us see and visualize what it looks like
15:52to build a legacy. So thank you for stepping out and believing in yourself and for entering this
15:57competition. You are so deserving. Thank you for this opportunity. It's truly amazing.
16:03So Pamela, from the second that you got the call that you were finalist up until this very moment,
16:10what has this experience even been like for you? Oh my gosh. It's been a powerful experience. It's been an
16:19empowering experience. It really helped us to strengthen our why, just take that why to another
16:28level. We were able to really sort of connect the dots in terms of our legacy, the legacy that we want
16:36to leave, the legacy that we're building, not just for our family, but for community, not just financially,
16:43but the social impact that we're making, just the whole process of working with Essence and Pine
16:49Soil has just really deepened that for us. So it's just from the very beginning, the application process,
16:56the voting period until this moment right here, it's just been a powerful one.
17:01Well, you can finally breathe easy because you've made it and you are so deserving. So Kia,
17:08I got to know what is next for your way cleaning service? I mean, I want a little sneak peek. We're going
17:13to be working together, but what are your goals for the business in the next year or so?
17:18Currently, one of the major goals is definitely to be more involved in the community
17:23and to have, through the cleaning service, to provide services to those who definitely need it
17:29and bridge that gap with the employment, to provide jobs to those who are within our community
17:35so that we can be of service and clean some of these institutions and provide sanitary conditions for
17:42others. I absolutely love this about both of your businesses and so many of the businesses that
17:47entered the competition is that they're all focused on legacy work. How can we give back? How can we
17:52continue to empower? That was what made Mary stand out in such a big way last year and definitely what
17:58got both of you so many votes. Now, Pamela, I got to know, just to kind of wrap up some of our questions,
18:03you actually work with a co-founder, Diane, your sister. So tell me, I know you guys have plans to scale and
18:11grow and we'll talk about them more in our consult, but give me a sneak peek. What do you guys have
18:16going on in the next year or so? So we're launching the e-commerce site. We want to add augmented reality
18:22to that site to make it easier for women to be able to try on wigs because when you're going through
18:27cancer, you may not even want to leave your house. So, um, you know, getting some key hires in there,
18:33just, um, so, so many wonderful things that, um, are yet to be revealed, um, that you'll hear about
18:40for sure. Well, I'll hear about them first because we're going to be working together. So I'm super
18:46excited about this. Ladies, congratulations again. I so, so, so can't wait to work with you.
18:53You are so deserving. Thank you so much. Congrats again. Yes.
18:57Brittany, how awesome was this? Let's close this thing out. I know everyone wants to learn more
19:05about everyone else. So go, go, go. Yes. Congratulations to all of you. Once again,
19:12thank you all for joining us today. Head over to essence.com slash your legacy to learn more about
19:20each of their businesses. Thank you, everyone. Bye guys.
Comments