00:00I think the bottom line is growth does not mean you have to lose your authenticity.
00:04It doesn't.
00:04It doesn't.
00:05And a part of growing is taking on resources, taking on investments, taking on capital.
00:11And as the black community, we already have a lack of access, capital, and expertise.
00:17And we complain about it.
00:19We cannot complain and then tear down black businesses for scaling up and being acquired
00:24and having successful exits.
00:26We can't have it both ways.
00:28And when you scale up and you have a successful exit, it really allows us to do more for the community.
00:34So when you mentioned and you talk about Richie Lou Dennis and how he was able to purchase Essence,
00:39he purchased Essence because he was able to sell Shea Moisture to Unilever.
00:43And then he created a fund.
00:45I am a recipient of his fund.
00:47And so now we are also using our proceeds to invest back into the black community.
00:52We have our Miel Cares nonprofit organization that focuses on mental health in black and brown communities.
00:59And we're also investing in other black and brown entrepreneurs as well.
01:02And we're also investing in our community.
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