From a high school talent show that landed him in the presence of music industry vet Teddy Riley to becoming one of the most influential and successful music producers and businessmen of the 21st century. We close out our first season of the So Ambitious Podcast with an intimate conversation between Black Ambition’s CEO Felecia Hatcher and musician, producer, and serial entrepreneur, Pharrell Williams.  https://pharrellwilliams.com/ Sponsored by Heineken USA.

From selling beautifully crafted yarn bracelets as a pre-teen to becoming our 2022 winner of the $1 million Black Ambition Grand Prize Camille Bell, found herself with adult responsibilties at a very young age. “We’re creating award-winning formulas that are personalized to different skin and lip tones so everyone can achieve the color they want,” says Camille. The founder of cosmetics company Pound Cake, in this episode she sits with Felecia to breakdown crowdfunding and turning lessons into launchpads. https://poundcakecosmetics.com/  Sponsored by Heineken USA.

From pushing papers at a local Maryland radio station to apprenticing under Whoopi Goldberg’s cannabis line, Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey is on a path to nurture a more inclusive cannabis industry with regenerative product. In this episode, Mennlay talks with Felecia about the benefits and science behind her product Xula Herbs, and her quest to promote hemp products that support comfort and relief during hormonal cycles. “I was immersed in this cannabis culture from, from seed to sale,” says Mennlay. “And that influenced how I saw myself, being close to this plant that I had been using for a very long time.” With 16+ years of inter-disciplinary cannabis experience, the two talk viable products, creative marketing efforts, and finding innovation in ancestral pathways. https://www.xula.us/Sponsored by Heineken USA.

From a shout-out by Beyonce to securing partnerships with Facebook and Louis Vuitton, Jeffrey LaBeija and Marcus LaBeija of the Royal House of LaBeija know the power of visibility in building a brand. In this episode, they talk with Felecia about the multimillion dollar business of ballroom. “Who we are as Black queer people isn’t necessarily always celebrated,” says Marcus. “It’s always associated with shame or guilt or remorse. In ballroom, it’s associated with a grand prize and cash.” These leaders from drag’s first house talk to Felecia about trademarks, mutually beneficial partnerships, and how entrepreneurship is inherent to being Black in America. https://www.royalhouseoflabeija.com Sponsored by Heineken USA.

From folding T-shirts at Abercrombie & Fitch to running Issa Rae’s record label, Benoni Tagoe has learned the value of both pursuing work that you love and uplifting others. “It feels great to see other people succeed based off of a dream and a vision that you had,” the head of business development for Hoorae Media and president of Raedio tells Felecia in episode 5. “And to see that your dream and vision help other people, that’s the ultimate feeling. That’s what it’s really all about.” He talks to Felecia about Insecure’s impact on the music industry, the importance of reading contracts, and always putting artists first. https://hoorae.co Sponsored by Heineken USA.

From developing a social media app that generates true connection to founding a community space where people can come and just be, Naj Austin creates products that combat isolation. “That was part of my pitch,” says the founder and CEO of Somewhere Good. “I led with, ‘I’m going to solve loneliness.” She talks to Felecia about finding the one perfect investor and the power entrepenurs have in that relationship: “They may have the check, but you have the vision, and only one thing is going to make everybody rich at the end of the day: the vision.” https://www.somewheregood.com/ Sponsored by Heineken USA.

From braiding hair in her dorm room to securing placements with one of the highest earning e-commerce retailers in the country — in our series premiere Felecia Hatcher sits down with Kadidja Dosso of Dosso Beauty, an organic and gender-inclusive beauty and hair product line. Sponsored by Heineken USA.