Summary

In this episode of Sisters with Ventures, Carol Tarr from the Phenix Capital group shares her journey and experiences in the venture capital ecosystem. She discusses her upbringing in Chicago, her academic pursuits in East Asian studies and religion, and her work in sales and real estate. Carol also talks about her involvement in impact investing and her focus on faith-based investing. She emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change and taking responsibility for our actions. The episode concludes with a call to support and uplift each other.

Takeaways

• Carol Tarr has a diverse background, including sales, real estate, and academic studies in East Asian studies and religion.

• She is involved in impact investing and specializes in faith-based investing, mobilizing capital from religious institutions and individuals to create positive social and environmental impact.

• Carol highlights the importance of addressing climate change and taking responsibility for our actions, especially for vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected.

• She encourages individuals to support and uplift each other, and to use their knowledge and skills to make a difference in the world.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Background

01:22

Growing Up in Chicago

03:17

Education and Academic Journey

04:47

Working at Tiffany's and in Real Estate

08:08

Venture Capital and Impact Investing

16:32

Faith-Based Investing

23:26

Climate Change and Responsibility

26:02

Advice to Younger Self

27:11

Conclusion and Support

Learn more about Carol

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-tarr/

Learn more about Lisha

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Lisha's new merch shop: https://www.lishabell.com/category/all-products

Supporting Black women founders is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity. Black women bring a unique perspective, resilience, and innovation to the entrepreneurial landscape. Their success is a testament to the power of diversity and the potential it unlocks for our global economy. As an investor, investing in Black women founders is a pivotal step in fostering a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem. This approach not only fuels economic growth but also propels innovations that benefit us all. It is a call to action to recognize the vast untapped potential within this community and empower Black women to break down barriers, shatter ceilings, and redefine the future of entrepreneurship.

Join the conversation with Kendra Bracken-Ferguson as she shares her career journey, how she became a venture capitalist, and how she is transforming black women-owned businesses in the beauty space. Kendra is the founder, CEO, and General Partner at BrainTrust Founders Studio, BrainTrust Fund, 3X Founder, Host of Business of the Beat, beauty/wellness podcast, and Author of The Beauty of Success. As an innovative leader and transformative brand builder, Kendra Bracken-Ferguson leads with the mindset of an entrepreneur and intrapreneur, having built a business experience portfolio that expands brand development, strategic planning, operations, acquisition, investment, board membership, and C-suite leadership. Kendra has helped create, build, and monetize over 200 influencer-driven brands from idea inception to acquisition through data-led strategies that have successfully generated over $100M in revenue through e-commerce and retail.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guests, Kendra Bracken-Ferguson

[03:22] Where Kendra comes from and her backstory

[05:54] Kendras professional career before and after venture capital

[15:22] How Stacey discovered and learned venture capital in her first company

[16:06] The most critical aspect for investors to understand when looking at investment

[18:00] BrainTrust Fund, their investment strategy, and the areas they focus on

[20:31] What Kendra is seeing in the market trends within the beauty industry

[23:34] Kendra's resilience in raising and closing a fund

[26:29] Lisha's new merch shop

[26:53] Kendras message to her younger self

[28:34] Wrap-up and end of the show

• Dont underestimate time and diligence because what is on paper is just as important as what is not on paper, and understanding the business acumen of the founders is critical for success.

• Dont give anyone the opportunity to say that what you are doing is not equal to or better than others.

• As a visionary, you have to win, lose, and learn along your journey.

Website: https://www.thebraintrust.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendrabracken/

Check out Kendra's new book, The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow, and Accelerate Your Brand, now available for pre-order at Target, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble!: https://kendrabracken-ferguson.com/preorder-the-beauty-of-success.

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

Lisha's new merch shop: https://www.lishabell.com/category/all-products

Angel Investing Course: https://www.lishabell.com/challenges

Becoming a Venture capitalist (VC) can be one of the most rewarding experiences. Investing with the aim of making a positive impact and witnessing the growth of the product or company you've supported is truly gratifying. In particular, directing investments towards Black women founders is a potent means of instigating transformative change and harnessing untapped potential. Countless opportunities lie in wait, but they necessitate a proactive approach to uncover. As a venture capitalist, investing in the stance of diversity and actively championing Black women founders transcends mere morality and financial gains. It is a strategic approach with the potential to catalyze groundbreaking innovations and pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.

Stacey Woods is the Founder and chief executive officer of Uturn Consulting, where she shares her expertise and skills with companies that need an official turnaround expert. Prior to launching Uturn Consulting, Stacey served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources Operations at XPO, Vice President of HR Technology for Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable), and Vice President of Human Resources Systems at Wells Fargo.

Stacey has been recognized as a Top 50 HR Professional and selected as a Power 50 member by the National Diversity Council, has been named as a Black Woman to Watch in Corporate America by Fairygodboss, and most recently as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in the greater Charlotte region by The Mecklenburg Times. She believes deeply in fostering community, mentorship, and sharing knowledge, and she does her part by serving as an Angel Investor with Pipeline Angels and BLXVC.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guests, Stacey Woods

[05:16] Where Stacey comes from and her backstory

[06:19] Staceys driving force and what keeps her going

[07:55] How Stacey discovered and became an Angel Investing

[09:16] Angel investing strategy awareness and impact

[10:51] The level of connection in the Angel investing space and the difference it makes

[12:32] The investment that Stacey is most proud of

[14:01] How Stacey envisions her investment experience moving forward

[15:09] Stacey's perspective on Black-led funds and representation

[16:56] Staceys message to her younger self

[19:30] Staceys final words of inspiration for investors and founders

[20:39] Wrap-up and end of the show

• When you know you are making a difference, it doesnt tire; it will keep you going.

• Nothing is predictable; there are trends in every market; what matters most is the impact youre making.

• The ongoing connectivity with the founders in the Angel investing space makes all the difference.

• Seeing a product you have invested in progressing is the best feeling and a beautiful journey.

• If you can be a blessing to another person, regardless of the size, do it.

• If you know youve done everything within your sphere of influence to make an impact, but things dont necessarily work out the way you desire, its not because of you.

• If your intentions are good, you dont have to shy away from them; be you unapologetically.

• If you are an investor, broaden your horizon and perspective and educate yourself; there are opportunities to be unveiled, but you have to seek them out.

Stacey Woods

Website: https://uturnconsultingllc.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceymwoods/

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

MERCH: https://www.lishabell.com/category/all-products

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

Are you passionate about helping marginalized founders? Have you considered becoming an angel investor? Where and how do you start? Becoming an angel investor begins with a passion and continuous learning. As you grow your investment portfolio, it is important to stay updated on industry trends, refine your investment strategy based on your experiences, and adapt to the ever-evolving startup landscape. Join this conversation with Amanda Schwartz Ramirez as she shares her early background in a business environment and how that shaped her entrepreneurial ambitions. She also talks of her journey in corporate and how she got introduced to venture capital investing. Her experiences and insights as an angel investor will shed some light for you, whether you are an experienced investor or just starting.

Amanda is a skilled leader with 15+ years of experience driving startup growth in complex areas like fintech and crypto. At Dapper Labs, she led business operations and strategy. She empowered PayPal's expansion into new realms, including crypto and China. Now, Amanda advises startup founders and executives, helping them navigate operations, growth, and team challenges. She also offers personal coaching for founders becoming execs and managers. Based in Southern California, Amanda and her husband take on the joyful challenge of raising three young children when she is not immersed in her work.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest: Amanda Schwartz Ramirez

[03:17] Amanda's backstory and how she got to where she is today

[04:40] How Amanda got introduced into venture capital

[06:36] Amandas experiences with angel investing

[08:34] How she got validated into the various angel investing groups

[10:58] Amandas story of networking that became a hallmark in her investing

[13:22] Why Impact Investing is important in supporting marginalized founders

[15:08] Amandas crypto investing after leaving PayPal

[16:48] Crypto and AI opportunities for investors

[21:25] Amanda's message to her younger self

[22:18] How to reach out and connect with Amanda Schwartz Ramirez

[22:47] Wrap-up and end of the show

• To many children who grow up in a business environment, entrepreneurship becomes their second nature.

• Various angel investor groups have different operating mechanisms, such as investor validation frameworks.

• Any successful entrepreneurial journey needs a strong network of support

1. Angel: How to Invest in Technology StartupsTimeless Advice from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000 by Jason Calacanis: https://amzn.to/47MMeYM

Amanda Schwartz Ramirez

Website: https://www.gardenlabs.xyz/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandamschwartz/

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcali/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

Bridging the gap in generational wealth building for people of color is a critical issue that extends beyond its direct impact on the Black community; it affects all of us. True progress and prosperity can only be achieved when everyone is given an equal opportunity to participate in spaces where innovative leadership can thrive and access to generational wealth is within reach. Entrepreneurship can be a powerful pathway for economic development, with the ability to create economic agency and the control necessary to shape ones own destiny. It also creates work environments that better utilize skills and tools endemic to different cultures and can be spaces where assimilation to white culture is not necessary for success. By dismantling barriers and fostering an inclusive environment for wealth creation, we can forge a stronger, more just society that benefits everyone, regardless of their background or race.

In this episode, we are joined by Himalaya Rao-Potlapally who shares more about investing in diversity, closing the gap in generational wealth building for people of color, and empowering black women founders. Himalaya is the Managing Director and GP of The BFM Fund, a seed-stage fund focused on highly scalable Black-led deal flow within the United States. Prior to becoming a GP, Himalaya got an MBA and specialized training in Venture Finance and worked in seven different firms as an Associate, Deal Lead, and Fund Manager. Through her work in creating equity within venture capital, she has been recognized as one of the Rising Stars in Venture Capital by the NVCA/Venture Forward, a Forty under 40 recipient by the Portland Business Journal, and a VCI Fellow. Himalaya has a passion for expanding the accessibility of entrepreneurship to BIPOC and rural communities as a pathway for economic development and generational wealth building.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guests; Himalaya Rao

[03:36] Himalaya origin story and experience as a first-generation immigrant in the US

[04:47] How working as a social worker transformed Himalayas impact story

[06:39] How Himalaya was exposed to VC and how she made a career out of it

[11:30] About Himalayas fund and her experience building a fund as a woman of color

[14:06] Why supporting and investing in black founders is so important to Himalaya

[21:59] How being a woman of color has influenced Himalayas perspective

[24:34] Companies Himalaya is excited about that she recently invested in

[26:58] Himalayas message to her younger self

[29:19] Wrap-up and end of the show

• If someone gives you a reason why you cant do it, they are painting the road for you on what you need to do.

• Diversity is a strength, and investing in diversity is investing in strength.

• Black wealth creation is something that should be a concern to all of us.

• Closing the gap in the generational wealth building for people of color is an issue that affects not only Black people but all of us.

• As women of color, across cultures- were indoctrinated with the idea that we should always be lifting someone else up and making sure all our actions are helping someone else succeed.

• Do not be afraid, and do not be defined by how others see you.

Himalaya Rao

Website: https://www.bfm.fund/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/himalayarao

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcali/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

You can't be a black woman making the investment world better and equitable without being an advocate. Whether you are speaking up and taking action to support marginalized voices, fair investment opportunities, and promoting equity, your role as an advocate becomes even more significant as a black woman. To build your muscle of advocacy, you must be willing to step to the forefront to challenge the status quo and amplify underrepresented voices. This can be particularly demanding when navigating the venture capital landscape as a solo GP, as you have to wear many hats. However, by embracing your learning and growth journey, you can contribute to building a more inclusive and equitable venture capital ecosystem.

In this episode, we are joined by Sydney Thomas to share her profound knowledge of venture capital funds, operating as a solo GP, and cultivating your advocacy muscle to foster more equitable investing practices. Sydney is a Venture Capitalist and the driving force behind Symphonic Capital Fund. Her unwavering commitment lies in empowering others, recognizing that her own power is intertwined with their capabilities. With a wealth of experience, Sydney takes her role seriously, collaborating closely with Pre-Seed founders to ensure they can successfully realize their ambitions. She has honed this skill by working alongside founders for almost a decade and operating in diverse roles across industries for almost 15 years.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guests; Sydney Thomas

[01:31] Sydney's origin story and how she got to where she is today

[03:35] How Sydney became a VC and was first exposed to the ecosystem

[06:10] Sydney's first career and what inspired her to go out on her own

[09:04] Symphonic Capital investment and what they are building

[11:21] Sydneys Symphonic Capital fund's main focus

[13:48] Sydneys fund size as a solo black woman GP

[16:06] The correlation between being a fund manager and a good steward of finances

[18:08] The difference between Sydney's old fund and her new fund as a solo GP

[20:50] Wearing many hats as a GP and embracing your learning journey

[21:52] Sydney's message to her younger self

[22:51] How to reach out and connect with Sydney

[23:10] Wrap-up and end of the show

• You can't be a black woman VC without being an advocate.

• When you have the best parts together, you make the best company.

• As a GP, you have to wear many hats and get on an aggressive learning journey with a tight timeline, but its a beautiful opportunity to see what you are made of.

Sydney Thomas

Website: https://www.symphonic.vc/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydneypthomas/

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcali/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

We are celebrating LA tech week, and we had a remarkable event showcasing the unwavering confidence of women of color. The event was hosted by our esteemed dual guests, who recognized the lack of representation for women of color in their fields. Determined to address this disparity, they embarked on launching an initiative during LA Tech Week, which was a success. In this episode, Monica Dean and La Keisha share their inspiration to establish a coalition movement and dedicated space for women of color. They also emphasize the significance of understanding the needs of the ecosystem, which enabled them to organize a highly impactful event for fundraising, deal-making, and fostering meaningful connections.

Monica is the managing director at Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business and brings over 25 years of experience in this field. As a half-Latina woman, her greatest fulfillment stems from creating spaces and supporting people of color in wealth creation. On the other hand, La Keisha is the general partner and co-founder of Emmeline Ventures, an early-stage VC fund dedicated to investing in game-changing female founders, femtech, and sustainability.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guests; Monica and La Keisha

[03:25] What Monica and La Keisha have been doing and the initiative they launched

[07:11] Monica and La Keisha's experience in the event with black women doing the work

[14:01] What to expect next from the women of color coalition

[15:46] Creating additive and materially beneficial events for our fundraising and deals

[17:19] Understanding what the ecosystem needs to create an impact

[16:00] Monica and La Keisha parting words about their collective movement

[21:01] How to reach out and connect with Monica and La Keisha

[21:45] Wrap-up and end of the show

• Knowing what women of color value, what they give, and what they get is vital to creating a space that supports them.

• Understanding what the ecosystem needs will enable us to create truly beneficial events for fundraising, deal-making, and structuring deals.

Monica & La Keisha

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-dean-b3ab963/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lnlpierre/

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcali/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

Sneak preview of Qiana Patterson