Founders Unfound

Naza Shelley is Founder and CEO of CarpeDM, an exclusive member-only dating community, created for singles seeking meaningful relationships with professional Black women.Naza is the daughter of military parents, so she lived in many places growing up. She eventually settled down in Virginia for high school, and then the University of Virginia for college. From a young age, she had aspirations to become an attorney. She pursued this journey, with a law degree from Howard University. Naza says it was a year post law school teaching in China that reinforced her desire to practice. And so she did when she returned to the US. As a successful black professional woman in DC, she still found something missing.As she explored the various online dating experiences, she became more and more frustrated: why wasn’t there anything for her specifically? And so, the idea for CarpeDM was born. Fast forward through milestones, like landing a co-founder, going through Techstars, and launching a truly unique hybrid service that is part online dating and part matchmaker service. Naza has closed an oversubscribed pre-seed round, gaining her membership into the group of black women founders who’ve raised over $1M in venture capital.Naza has a great story. You’ll want to listen in.In this episode Naza and Dan discussed:Growing up in a military familyThe impact of spending a year in China after law schoolHow dozens of dates in a year left her exhausted, with no real connectionsThe power of 'friends and family' signalsWhy $86,000 was the right amount for her first fundraiseOUR SPONSORS FOR THIS EPISODE:BLCK VCA focused community built for and by black investors.If you ever thought about getting into Venture, you definitely want to connect up at blackvc.com orfollow @BLCKVC for more about their exceptional programs and events.MORE on NAZA and CARPEDMNaza:linkedin.com/in/naza-shelleytwitter.com/Naza_ShelleyCarpeDM:carpedmdating.comlinkedin.com/company/carpedmdatinginstagram.com/carpedmdatingtwitter.com/CarpeDMdatingFollow Founders Unfound: Like and share - help us grow!PODCAST TRANSCRIPT#blackfounders #founderstories #foundersafricandescent #onlinedating

JUNETEENTH 2023 - Part IIIn honor of Juneteenth and the 3rd anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, we thought we’d do something a little different this month. Back in June 2020, we did two episodes with black men and black women founders, capturing their raw thoughts, emotions, and insights at the time. These were two of our most popular episodes of all time. And the sentiments shared, and vulnerability shared are as powerful today as they were then.This is part two, where we were honored to have Dr. Ivor Horn step in as guest host, moderating a panel of black women founders:Helen Adeosun, Stella Ashaolu, Cherae Robinson, and Ashlee WisdomIn some ways, that time in 2020 was a catalyst for progress. Unfortunately, though - with an extended pandemic, a tough economy, and frankly the passage of time – we have not seen enough continued focus, and a loss of priority. One thing that history teaches us…its that where society’s gaze lands, progress and achievement follow. The founders from these episodes certainly show a representative slice of the founder journey. Some have startups that are prospering with investment capital. Some have pivoted. And some have sunset. But all of these founders are still wise and fierce leaders today.Take time to ponder on what you hear...In this throwback episode from June 2020, we discussed:How it feels to be a black woman in AmericaMoving between exhausted and determinedHonoring the moment: with voice, intention, and self-careThe desire to reach back and lift upHow office hours are a poor substitute for a checkAudience References:Stella's panel discussionAshlee's TEDx TalkCherae's PodcastMore about IvorFollow Founders Unfound : Like and share - help us grow.PODCAST TRANSCRIPT

JUNETEENTH 2023 - Part IIn honor of Juneteenth and the 3rd anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, we thought we’d do something a little different this month. Back in June 2020, we did two episodes with black men and black women founders, capturing their raw thoughts, emotions, and insights at the time. These were two of our most popular episodes of all time. And the sentiments shared, and vulnerability shared are as powerful today as they were then.This is part I, with me moderating a panel of black men founders: Kahlil Ashanti, Bara Cola, AK Ikwuakor, and Claudius Mbemba. In some ways, that time in 2020 was a catalyst for progress. Unfortunately though - with an extended pandemic, a tough economy, and frankly the passage of time – we have not seen enough continued focus, and a loss of priority. One thing that history teaches us…its that where society’s gaze lands, progress and achievement follow. The founders from these episodes certainly show a representative slice of the founder journey. Some have startups that are prospering with investment capital. Some have pivoted. And some have sunset. But all of these founders remain wise and fierce.Take time to ponder on what you hear...In this throwback episode from June 2020, we discussed:How it feels to be a black man in America (June 2020)What it's like to be a black entrepreneur in the midst of two American crisesWhat steps are they taking, in light of the protests, George Floyd, and their own mental healthRecommendations for others, including alliesAudience References:AK's PostBara's PostClaudius' PostDan's PostFollow Founders Unfound : Like and share - help us grow.PODCAST TRANSCRIPT

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.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 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.In this episode Kofi and Dan discussed:Growing up as an African in ItalyHow the combination of analytical and creative make him great at productThe evolution of fulfillment and its connection to impactThe journey of selling your companyThe future of work, and oh the way, real estateOUR SPONSORS FOR THIS EPISODE: AfriBlocksThe global pan-African freelance marketplace and collaboration platform.More at afriblocks.comMORE on KOFI and LANEKofi:linkedin.com/in/kofi-gyekye-3812044ainstagram.com/kof.gtwitter.com/Kofi_gyekyeLane:joinlane.comlinkedin.com/company/joinlanetwitter.com/joinlaneinstagram.com/join_laneFollow Founders Unfound: Like and share - help us grow!PODCAST TRANSCRIPT#blackfounders #founderstories #foundersafricandescent #b2b #proptech

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.In this episode Melissa and Dan discussed:Growing up in OaklandHer journey from teaching to philanthropy to entrepreneurshipHow the pandemic drove an explosion in the need for mediationWhen she found out she was part of the first Google for Startups classWhy "first" isn't always bestOUR SPONSORS FOR THIS EPISODE:Founders Livethe global venue for entrepreneurs to experience events, content, and community.Check out founderslive.com to join and to find a live event near you.MORE on MELISSA and FOURTHPARTYMelissa:linkedin.com/in/melissarebeccacampbellinstagram.com/itsmelissabrogdonFourthParty:fourthparty.applinkedin.com/company/fourthpartytwitter.com/4thPartyAppinstagram.com/4thpartyappFollow Founders Unfound: Like and share - help us grow!PODCAST TRANSCRIPT#blackfounders #founderstories #foundersafricandescent #legaltech

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.In this episode Chiko and Dan discussed:What changed when he moved from Zimbabwe to the USHow a $500 trip to Costco landed Talisman its first investorsIs it me or is it my business? The black founder inner questionThe power of relationships and your networkWhy everyone should learn to codeOUR SPONSORS FOR THIS EPISODE: AfriBlocksThe global pan-African freelance marketplace and collaboration platform.More at afriblocks.comMORE on CHIKO and TALISMANChiko:linkedin.com/in/chikochingayatwitter.com/chikochingayaTalisman:gettalisman.comlinkedin.com/company/talismanapptwitter.com/gettalismanFollow Founders Unfound: Like and share - help us grow!PODCAST TRANSCRIPT#blackfounders #founderstories #foundersafricandescent #b2b #saas