The Art of Leaving w/ Darlene Gillard Jones
Build The Damn Thing
Whether navigating the complexities of divorce, stepping away from a business venture, or exiting any significant chapter of your life, leaving can be a difficult art. In this episode, Kathryn and Darlene Gillard Jones discuss the nuances of knowing when to leave and the importance of doing it in a way that doesn't destroy what you’ve built. “Figuring out how to leave is a delicate dance, and you definitely need a strategy.” One thing you should keep in mind is that leaving is a change, and many people are not very good with change. So you have to recognize that when you leave a...
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Global Impact w/ Gizelle George-Joseph
Build The Damn Thing
After George Floyd's death, Gizelle George-Joseph, Partner and Global Chief Operating Officer of the Global Investment Research Division at Goldman Sachs realized that she could leverage her platform to bring a voice to the issues in the Black community. In this episode, she and Kathryn discuss how businesses can be a force for positive change, the importance of diversity in leadership, and the role of inclusive research in shaping a more equitable future. “Black women, for all of the progress that we've made over the last few decades…experience just massive inequalities across such a...
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What It Takes to Support a Black Woman Leader? w/ Kimberly Bryant
Build The Damn Thing
One of the hardest people to be in the world is a brilliant Black woman because Black women leaders are rarely given the mentorship, guidance, and grace needed to be truly successful. In this episode, Kathryn and Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, discuss the power of supporting Black women leaders. This episode explores the strategies, practices, and nuances that go into fostering a thriving leadership ecosystem for Black women. “We as Black women and Black-women-run entities are undervalued, underfunded, and undersupported.” Despite doing the work and often doing it even...
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The Power of Resilience w/Torian Richardson
Build The Damn Thing
How do we access our full potential? In this episode, Kathryn and her guest, expert life hacker Torian Richardson, explore how to hack your way to reaching your full potential- addressing setbacks, failures, and doubts head-on. Learn how to deal with the fear of permitting yourself to live the life you want to live and how to cultivate resilience in your own life. “I can't give what I don't have, right? So, I can't give time if I don't have it. I can't give resources or money or love if I don't have those things for myself.” You can’t serve your family or community if...
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Adapting to Change w/Denise Hamilton
Build The Damn Thing
We say we want change but often don’t budget for its cost. In this episode, Kathryn and her guest, Denise Hamilton, founder of WatchHer and author of Indivisible, examine the complexities of adapting to change and uncover effective strategies for navigating these shifts seamlessly. “We often say that we want change, but we don't budget for the cost of change, right?” Change means more than just making minor adjustments. There is a cost to real change. For example, change can mean calling out toxic practices or people, even if the people are powerful and the practices are just how...
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Dating as an Entrepreneur w/AJ Johnson
Build The Damn Thing
Entrepreneurship demands dedication, innovation, and unwavering focus… and so does dating. In this episode, Kathryn speaks with celebrity hairstylist and designer AJ Johnson, who has navigated the intricacies of dating while pursuing business ambitions. “One thing that I definitely think [that high-powered women] could do is instill in themselves self-love… because you're not gonna be able to share or receive love from nobody else if you don't feel it about yourself.” To find a life partner successfully, you have to put as much effort into dating as you do into building your...
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Motherhood and Entrepreneurship w/Laurence Basse
Build The Damn Thing
Balancing the beautiful chaos of motherhood with the demands of entrepreneurship can be a real challenge. In this episode, Kathryn is joined by fashion designer and Project Runway alumnus Laurence Basse to discuss the joys of motherhood and entrepreneurship. “ I'm a rockstar mom.” Having your child be part of your work life can give them more insight into who you are and what you do when you’re not being Mom. For Kathryn and Laurence, having their kids around when they work means that the kids better understand what they do and why. “I never felt very connected to...
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Balancing Act: Work, Life, and Entrepreneurship w/Darlene Gillard Jones
Build The Damn Thing
Are you struggling to balance work, life, and family? In this episode, Kathryn and her guest, Darlene Gillard Jones, provide real advice and heartwarming stories to help entrepreneurs maintain a healthy work-life balance. Darlene was a fashion editor who was doing it all at magazines like ELLE and Essence. But the late nights and constant travel weren’t easily compatible with raising her young children and helping care for her mother with cancer. So, she decided to leave that life behind for a creative life which she controls. “Figure out how to simplify things that don't need to be...
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Defying Convention w/Roger Carter
Build The Damn Thing
Many have walked unconventional paths, made bold decisions, and exhibited incredible resilience. They've not only broken barriers but also redefined what's possible. In this episode, Kathryn is joined by Roger Carter, an award-winning visual artist who captures the context of modern culture and the persona of the African-American journey to the representation of iconic images in everyday citizens. “Good art, whatever that may mean, elicits discussion. Maybe it gets people to think differently. Maybe it gets them to ask questions and explore.” We tend to see our public heroes as flat,...
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Centering Joy w/ Bevy Smith
Build The Damn Thing
Do you center joy in your life? In this episode, Kathryn and author Bevy Smith share tips on how to center joy in all areas of your life, from work to your personal life. You’ll learn what centering joy in your life looks like, how to find your own blissful brand, and how living in joy can help you be successful. “You cannot be in your joy, in your bliss, if you are being something you're not. And part of that is showing up a hundred percent who you are.” It can be hard to center joy in a world where happiness is determined by the amount of “things” you possess. The key to being...
info_outlineOn this episode of the Build The Damn Thing, find out how a robust support system–aka your personal advisory board–can help you create the business and life you've always wanted. A personal advisory board differs from a “corporate” advisory board in one fundamental way. The traditional corporate advisory board advises about your company; your personal advisory board advises you about YOU.
“As you consider building your personal advisory board, consider areas where you need help and weaknesses.”
Your personal advisory board should ideally have people who give you advice and direction, and sometimes the slap upside the head that you need to get through this process of building. You want members of your advisory board not to see the world the same way you do so they can help you rethink your approach when needed.
“My community is vital to me because they allow me to do what I need to do.”
Because they are in your business, your personal advisory board should go beyond just your business. It can be the people who watch your child so that you can take that late-night meeting. Or the people who bring over homemade cooking when you’re super exhausted. All the people around you who support you and allow you to do what you need to do to be the best you can be are crucial to your success as an entrepreneur.
“Think of your personal advisory board as the people who are in the business of you and the people who wanna see you win and succeed.”
To build your own personal advisory board, start by asking yourself a few questions: Who are the people around you who offer support? Who do you trust when it's hard? Who do you turn to when you have to make a decision? Your personal advisory board can be a mix of family members, friends, business colleagues, and mentors. It is an imperative piece of support on your journey to build your own damn thing.
Guests
Brian Laung Aoaeh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/industrialtransformationandsupplychaintechnology/
Dr. Lisa DeRochė: https://www.hrdrderoche.com/about/
Felecia Hatcher: https://www.feleciahatcher.com/
Darlene Gillard-Jones: https://www.darlenegillardjones.com/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrynfinney.substack.com