#0043 Let's grow and be audacious

Hey Loved One,

Happy Monday! How are you? Today is the inauguration of Trump which hasn’t filled me with as much dread as the last time. Maybe it’s because I’m no longer immersed in a daily diet of CNN courtesy of my mother or because we’ve survived four years before - what’s the worst that can happen… Either way, it’s going to be whatever it needs to be.

It’s so interesting to see how my peers in business are galvanising in response to the seismic shifts inspired by Trump’s latest presidential turn. On Saturday afternoon, a WhatsApp group I’m in with Black marketing professionals worldwide caught fire with ideas on how to work with organisations who actively choose to back the community.

I’ve also spoken to peers who are looking at either adapting their language away from DEI buzz terms or how to change the language whilst still holding on to the essence of the work. It’s a tough one because the landscape hasn’t changed - there are still systemic barriers for the Black communities - but we are doing what we do best: adapting and growing.

As part of my continued commitment to growth, I’m a week into my studies at SOAS as an MBA 30 student. Developed by the Black British Initiative, the course focuses on getting Black entrepreneurs access to industry professionals and MBA-level education. I am always learning something - through short courses or listening to podcasts or free courses - I’m always on the hunt for something that is going to help give me a competitive edge or just improve wherever I am at that given point. MBA 30 hadn’t immediately been on my dance card but as I plan to start a new division of my business, discovering it felt auspicious and I had to join the course.

It’s proving to be a sacred time going through the fundamentals of business again. Sometimes when you’re so into the doing, the teacher needs to revert to being the student for their own growth. Here are some of the key takeaways I’ve had from this week (and they apply to everyone in every stage of life):

• Keep an eye on macroeconomics: I think we naturally consider how the wider environment impacts everything around us - the cost of energy, food etc - but to have a specialist from JP Morgan talk through what their perspectives are was a gold dust opportunity. Key points: The UK is gonna be tough financially for a while still, Europe is faring better and the US is even better though Trump’s return makes it hard to comfortably predict the coming months.

• Keep learning no matter what stage you’re at: MBA 30 is filled with new faces and my peers who I’ve known for decades, worked with, or followed online for years. No one in the group thinks they know everything and are grabbing opportunities to elevate and grow.

• Remember the world is your oyster and it’s closer than you think: I always tell my clients that once you hit the web, you’re global. Speaking with the various macroeconomics specialists reinforced that and means you should always think beyond your immediate surroundings. There’s a big world out there. That’s the mindset driving my new division.

• Academics are great but so is lived experience - We had a couple of sessions on marketing theory which was great and, as the class started to discuss how to apply that to their businesses, I took the opportunity to share my advice. Between the lecturer and I, we were able to offer the class a perspective on how they can build their strategy: her from an academic point of view and me from 20 years experience.

• Go back to basics - I’d seen tools like the Business Canvas Model before - it helps you map out the key components of your business - but really early on in my entrepreneurial career. I ultimately developed my own style when building out my business plans. However, I love this approach and am now using it to give me a high-level view of my plans. Even if you’re not a business owner the bare principles of the model can be applied. There’s even a version for not-for-profits.

• Speak up and ask questions - one of my classmates is new to business and was a bit nervous about asking a question she wanted. With a little encouragement (“We never know when we’ll get these opportunities again and we deserve them” I told her) she got the response she wanted. Another student took every opportunity he could to ask questions and another asked for the opportunity to get their product into a prestigious store and got a public yes. We need to lean into audacity because we deserve it. Honestly, as I write that I write it more for me than you.

• Growth is the only way: Remember there are always opportunity available to you - it’s how you choose to utilise it. Currently listening to a Mindset masterclass with Carol Dweck and David Yeager and it is filling me up. If you’re not a Masterclass subscriber but subscribe to Spotify don’t forget to use it to listen to audiobooks too.

Whatever you’re working on this week, trust that it can and will be done. I believe in you.

Until next week, loved one

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