Social Business Day is June 28th every year. I wasn't too optimistic about Social Business Day this year. My crowdfund campaign bombed. Again. I raised just $355 of the $25,000 I needed to expand my social business to start delivering fresh, safe water. But I have been in surreality since.
It's Essence Festival weekend in New Orleans and an email made the rounds here locally to audition for Shark Tank. I went ahead and completed the online application to audition. Not long after I registered for a sales seminar with my local business center. As I sat in class Tuesday, I received an email that my application had been selected to pitch to casting directors on the Diversity Tour. Time has eclipsed since then.
Being a mother and founder has been an incredible challenge but they both have been made the better. Why doesn't the business world understand that being a mother is very much like running a company? Many of the same skills exist. And trust me- having birthed 3 babies, building a business is a birthing and raising process. Unfortunately it is often held against mothers. Even though we navigate the balance of parenting and entrepreneurship. The places where many deals are made are often made during times that are most convenient for the single unattached entrepreneur, And according to data, white and male.
This is certainly a reason someone like the founder of Dinner Lab was able to raise $10 million dollars for his company. In the same city, and honestly in the same network, we had different priorities. There were several years that a local incubator offered these great workshops to develop entrepreneurs. During the prime hours that kids get out school. Prime time from 3p-5p. Those hours were probably their lowest priority hours and my highest. Networking events during dinner time and on and on.
One thing I don't regret is making my children the priority. But without the support of my friends, customers and especially family- it wouldn't have been possible. I've had to take a different route to scaling then founders like the founder of Dinner Lab. If wasn't for the realization that venture capital and angel investors are missing out on some great companies, I wouldn't be getting ready for this opportunity. Tomorrow is my big day. After years of watching Shark Tank with my children, I will be auditioning to stand in the Tank. And I will bring my village with me.
It's Essence Festival weekend in New Orleans and an email made the rounds here locally to audition for Shark Tank. I went ahead and completed the online application to audition. Not long after I registered for a sales seminar with my local business center. As I sat in class Tuesday, I received an email that my application had been selected to pitch to casting directors on the Diversity Tour. Time has eclipsed since then.
Being a mother and founder has been an incredible challenge but they both have been made the better. Why doesn't the business world understand that being a mother is very much like running a company? Many of the same skills exist. And trust me- having birthed 3 babies, building a business is a birthing and raising process. Unfortunately it is often held against mothers. Even though we navigate the balance of parenting and entrepreneurship. The places where many deals are made are often made during times that are most convenient for the single unattached entrepreneur, And according to data, white and male.
This is certainly a reason someone like the founder of Dinner Lab was able to raise $10 million dollars for his company. In the same city, and honestly in the same network, we had different priorities. There were several years that a local incubator offered these great workshops to develop entrepreneurs. During the prime hours that kids get out school. Prime time from 3p-5p. Those hours were probably their lowest priority hours and my highest. Networking events during dinner time and on and on.
One thing I don't regret is making my children the priority. But without the support of my friends, customers and especially family- it wouldn't have been possible. I've had to take a different route to scaling then founders like the founder of Dinner Lab. If wasn't for the realization that venture capital and angel investors are missing out on some great companies, I wouldn't be getting ready for this opportunity. Tomorrow is my big day. After years of watching Shark Tank with my children, I will be auditioning to stand in the Tank. And I will bring my village with me.
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