Your First Million

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**Your First Million**

A podcast by Arlan Hamilton that goes behind-the-scenes and teaches you how to make your first million dollars, get your first million downloads, or find your first million customers. Arlan is the Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital, has raised more than $10M, and has invested in over 100 companies led by people of color, women, and/or LGBTQ.

Latest Episodes:

‘What do you look for in a founder & company when considering investment’ and more FAQs May 19, 2020

Show notes

Quick bite! itsaboutdamntime.com

40. Chris Guillebeau: From idea to income in 27 days May 16, 2020

Show notes

Chris Guillebeau is an entrepreneur, explorer, and New York Times-bestselling author. During a lifetime of self-employment, Guillebeau visited every country in the world (193 in total) before his 35th birthday. He is the author of seven books, including The Art of Non-Conformity, The $100 Startup, The Happiness of Pursuit, Side Hustle and The Money Tree.

Credits

Music by Jeff Kaale (1, 2, 3, 4)

39. The one and only: KELIS! (w/special guest @Janine) May 09, 2020

Show notes

With hits like “Caught Out There,” & “Milkshake,” Kelis needs no introduction. We spoke candidly about entrepreneurship, artistry, and legacy during this live recording in front of an intimate online audience, May 8, 2020. Recent Your First Million interviewee @Janine joined the conversation as my special guest.

Did you enjoy this episode? What are your thoughts? Leave me a voice message:

https://anchor.fm/yfm/message

Highlights

8:01 A sneak preview of my book It’s About Damn Time!

16:37 Janine and I reminisce about our time on tour together

20:21 Kelis talks about growing up in Harlem

23:30 She talks about the Black music community in NYC in the 90s

26:36 I ask how she stays grounded when she started at such a young age

31:38 Janine asks Kelis what it’s like to balance herself as an artist and a person who needs to live

39:45 Kelis talks about making Milkshake and her fight to produce music that she wanted to make

43:57 I ask Kelis about the process of understanding her worth

47:15 I ask her about taking a break from music and attending Cordon Bleu in 2007

51:59 I ask Kelis to talk more about the Netflix Show Cooked with Cannabis

Q&A

56:50 Do you have any other culinary plans for the future?

59:34 What is your advice when it comes to dealing with people dredging up your past

62:32 Kelis talks about stepping out of her artistry and building her wealth

66:33 She talks about the importance of owning land: “20-30% of America’s farms were owned by

Black families. We gave all that up for an apartment.”

It’s. About. Damn. TIME!! May 05, 2020

Show notes

itsaboutdamntime.com

Timely insights for entrepreneurs and investors from the NVCA (National Venture Capital Association) May 04, 2020

Show notes

At the beginning of May 2020, the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) released some interesting and time-sensitive pieces in light of COVID-19. I want to share this information with you because I don’t think this is just about VCs.

Entrepreneurs, innovators, and small businesses will be the ones to bring the world out of this pandemic - help them make it happen. You have an opportunity to write to your representatives about getting this stimulus package to the people who need it.

How are you doing? Did you find this helpful? Leave me a voice message:

https://anchor.fm/yfm/message

Highlights

4:56 How the NVCA is encouraging the government to increase PPP funding

5:58 Why I see the world of VC as more than just the extremely wealthy

8:16 Statistics and numbers about how startups are affected

10:40 Why it’s important to help the VC industry stay afloat

15:00 How this affects underrepresented founders

17:48 How Backstage Capital is trying to provide opportunities for serendipitous relationships to happen between investors and entrepreneurs

20:08 Some companies that I see doing great work

29:00 VC-specific details and terms in the NVCA letter to the treasury

Links

https://backstagecapital.com/together

https://nvca.org/

https://itsaboutdamntime.com

38. Leanne Pittsford - Lesbians Who Tech May 02, 2020

Show notes

In 2012, Leanne Pittsford created a Facebook event for lesbians working in the San Francisco tech industry. Now, Lesbians Who Tech has hosted six summits in addition to dozens of other events around the world. And in 2020, they will host the first virtual Pride Summit.

It’s the largest LGBTQ community of technologists in the world. But it’s not just for lesbians – everyone is invited to support and attend the events! Leanne and I chat about why our community needs this, how she provides value to businesses, and the importance of reclaiming the word lesbian.

Did you enjoy the episode? Leave me a message at: https://anchor.fm/yfm/message

Highlights

7:17 Leanne talks about how working with the No on Prop 8 campaign inspired the concept for Lesbians Who Tech

10:38 She describes what the first meetups were like at bars

16:11 I ask about her branding choice, how intentional it was, and how it’s helped (or hurt) her mission

20:30 I ask Leanne about taking the leap from small gatherings to a large summit

26:04 Leanne tells me about reaching $1 million and how Lesbians Who Tech reinvests in the community

28:41 She talks about how the business still serves the community in light of the pandemic

33:00 Leanne reflects on what gives her optimism about the near future

35:02 I ask her why she brings politicians to speak at events, and whether she sees herself running for office

Music by Jeff Kaale (1, 2, 3, 4)

Arlan x Minda Harts live chat! Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

This audio is taken from a live virtual conversation that took place on April 29, 2020 with approx 100 in attendance.

After reading Lean In, Minda Harts realized that, while some of the advice was helpful, no one was writing about the obstacles women of color face to achieve success. So in 2019, she wrote The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table. Now, she speaks at corporate events to give actionable advice on how to make the workspace better for everyone.

I followed and studied Minda Harts’ work for a while before releasing my own book, It’s About Damn Time. In this episode, we talk about leaning in as Black women, calling on allies to show up, and sharing our truths with the people who need to hear it.

What did you like about this episode? Leave me a message at: https://anchor.fm/yfm/message

Highlights

6:42 What is the book about?

10:09 She describes her experiences in predominantly white spaces, and her decision to start these conversations with allies (and non-allies)

13:24 Minda talks about why this book is for everyone

15:21 We discuss the importance of being seen and the lack of diversity in the publishing business

Q&A

20:40 You speak at a lot of corporate events. How does that go over when your book is critical of the corporate world?

22:31 What’s a good example of a takeaway from the book that someone could implement today?

24:21 Do you have a recommendation on books we can read to continue the conversation you established with The Memo?

26:37 Who are some other black women who inspire you? And what are you reading now?

29:23 If you could go back in time and give Arlan advice on writing her book, what would it be?

33:06 What is your take on the word 'feminist'?

34:16 How have you seen white women show up as allies since you put your book out?

35:57 How does this translate to our engagement with black men?

38:30 What advice do you have for anyone who wants to write a book?

41:05 Did anyone come back to you after reading this book and criticize what you said?

43:53 How has writing the book affected you?

Links

http://mindaharts.com

37. Tara Reed: Creating Apps Without Code Apr 24, 2020

Show notes

Tara Reed founded Apps Without Code to help anyone build an app, even if they don’t have any technical knowledge. And in 2019, she generated $1 million in revenue from her online course. Ever since I started this podcast, I’ve wanted to interview Tara and share her story.

Like what you hear? Leave me a message at: https://anchor.fm/yfm/message

Highlights

4:17 Tara talks about how she built her business from her newsletter
6:37 She describes what her online program offers
9:47 She tells a story about a music teacher who developed an app in her course
12:04 What graduates can expect after completing the program, such as the potential to make revenue
17:56 The benefits of developing ideas rather than raising money
21:48 Tara talks about why her program is more than just developing apps

Links

https://www.appswithoutcode.com/

use the code FAST10 when you’re ready to try the program!

Rerun! - Techish (UK) hot takes on Arlan’s new book Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

(Originally aired April 22, 2020) A special episode commissioned from the enquiring minds of Abadesi and Michael of the wildly popular UK podcast, Techish. “Arlan was extremely honest about what was going on in her personal and real life, and how all of those things impacted the decisions she made.” I commissioned this podcast episode to give a preview of my new book It’s About Damn Time. Abadesi and Michael discuss all things tech, pop culture, and life every week on Techish. In this episode, they talk about how they saw their own experiences in my stories, and how the book inspires them to leverage their underrepresented identities. What are your thoughts about the book? Let me know in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/yfm/message Highlights 9:22 The solid, actionable advice they took from the book 10:38 Abadesi and Michael reflect on my story of how I met Chris Sacca 13:14 How the book inspires them to overcome reservations about “throwing yourself in the ring” 15:13 How they appreciate reading advice about entrepreneurship from someone who has had their experiences 19:34 They talk about how they learned VC firms operate 20:44 They discuss why and how your network is your greatest asset

36. Sophia Bush: Using her voice for equity & equality Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

“It’s one thing to be an employee and make your salary…It’s another thing to be invested.”

After years of running in similar circles but never crossing paths, Sophia Bush and I finally take a moment to get to know each other. We have mutual friends in the entertainment industry, and when I started Backstage Capital, I found out that Sophia is also an investor in her own right.

You may know her from One Tree Hill, John Tucker Must Die, and Chicago Fire. But what you may not know is that she wanted to be a cardiovascular surgeon, she’s successfully invested in multiple startups, and she encourages women to demand equity from the spaces they contribute to.

Episode highlights

10:08 Sophia talks about growing up with the privilege of exposure
16:03 Why did she go to school to be an actress instead of a cardiovascular surgeon?
23:38 Sophia recalls the audition process for her role on One Tree Hill
29:33 Did she make her first million on One Tree Hill?
31:06 How attending conferences (for fun) and making friends led to investing in startups
33:55 We discuss our experiences of being underrepresented people who want skin in the game
40:34 Why it’s important to know your value in any industry
43:12 What Sophia is working on now, and how she’s finally achieving her dream to be a cardiovascular surgeon
45:21 What the film and TV industry might look like after COVID-19

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