Your First Million

Latest Episodes:

How to raise capital for your company from scratch Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

I’ve got a new online course that answers the number one question I’ve been asked by thousands of founders over the years. Visit itsaboutdamntime.com and click on ‘Arlan’s Academy’ to preview. And of course YFM listeners get a special discount at checkout by using code: yourfirstmillion

It’s About Damn Time: Special ad from Espree Devora Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

Hear Arlan’s new interview with Espree at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sxsw-special-edition-arlan-hamilton-founder-managing/id1171499482?i=1000470944061

Live webinar: SBA funding for companies and individuals Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

Arlan held an info session with Revel CPA. Visit itsaboutdamntime.com/resources to access the PDF from the discussion as you listen to the session here.

“When in doubt, apply.”

Revel CPA is an accounting firm focused on clients working in the entertainment and creative industries. They are also our accountants for Arlan's companies, and they graciously took the time to talk to us about the Small Business Administration (SBA) funding opportunities for companies and individuals during the COVID-19 crisis.

Please keep in mind that the information is changing rapidly.

Did this episode bring you any comfort? Let me know in a voice message:

https://anchor.fm/yfm/message

Highlights

8:03 Gina tells us that the federal government has made COVID-19 testing free for everyone

14:29 Martin reviews minor but noteworthy provisions in the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic

Security (CARES) Act, including student loans, employer social security tax, FHA mortgages, and

HSA/FSA deductions

20:32 Martin reviews “medium-sized” provisions, including retirement account withdrawals, loan

conditions for existing SBA 7(a) loan holders, expanded unemployment coverage, and rebate checks

28:58 How to qualify for the payroll tax credit

30:44 Information about the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program

33:54 Information about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Q&A

41:35 Does the PPP benefit apply to payroll that includes employees based outside the United

States?

43:11 If you are a startup that is pre-revenue, what resources are available?

44:36 Are the paid sick leave requirements additional or minimum?

45:50 How do you apply for the EIDL program?

47:34 If I applied [to the EIDL program] and I didn’t get a notice to re-apply, do I need to re-apply?

Mark Cuban live chat with Arlan Apr 04, 2020

Show notes

If you’re an entrepreneur looking for inspiration during the COVID-19 crisis, my conversation with Mark Cuban may bring you some hope. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be an entrepreneur, he still has some great stories to put a smile on your face.

And in case no one has told you yet: please don’t be ashamed to accept assistance from social welfare programs. You’ve earned the relief you need right now.

What did you think of this episode? Let me know in a voice message:

https://anchor.fm/yfm/message

Highlights

3:20 I ask Mark how he’s experiencing the crisis as a billionaire

7:17 Mark tells us why now is a good time to start a business (hint: it’s not for the money)

12:17 I ask Mark what advice he offers to people who were just laid off

17:54 When Mark thinks VCs may start investing regularly again

19:25 We talk about the network effect of raising people up

22:59 Why Mark recommends entrepreneurs look to their own community needs first: “You don’t

have to be the leader to be a leader.”

28:37 We discuss why it’s important to continuously learn (especially now)

31:17 Mark talks about working from home while being a parent of three kids

34:08 Mark answers your questions

Visit itsaboutdamntime.com for video.

Coronavirus: Dealing with anxiety in self-isolation Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

I interviewed my good friend and co-writer Rachel from her home office in Nottingham, England for another profile in courage during an unprecedented time. Relatable and real.

Let me know if it helps you: https://anchor.fm/yfm/message

Episode highlights

7:32 How the situation in Europe escalated over the course of Rachel's vacation in Budapest

12:50 Rachel tells me about what the lockdown looks like in the UK

16:00 She talks about going grocery shopping and trying to be socially responsible with anxiety

19:40 We reflect on how the anxiety she currently experiences in public and around the police is

something that people of minority groups are very familiar with

23:34 She tells me how she gets through her day by chatting with friends (a lot) and avoiding the

news

27:10 What we think the world will be like when we come out of this

30:04 We talk about the book release!

Links

Twitter: @rachellous

Coronavirus: Caring for a newborn, being pregnant, losing a loved one, and being over the age of 70 Mar 29, 2020

Show notes

I interviewed my business partner Christie, coworker Brittany, apprentice Chacho, and mother Mrs. Sims to see how they’ve each been handling major life moments during social distancing.

Episode highlights

2:27 Brittany talks about being pregnant for the first time, and how she’s preparing for motherhood

18:06 Chacho explains the circumstances around planning his tio's funeral

28:48 Christie tells me about having a newborn with a husband whose job is considered essential

38:22 Christie talks about the struggles of being a new parent in self-isolation, and the communities

she’s turning to for support

44:14 My mother tells me about her experience self-isolating alone for over two weeks

54:15 My mother recalls her experience with a co-worker who had AIDS at the height of the epidemic, and

how it relates to our crisis today

Can you relate? Let me know if these stories help you:

https://anchor.fm/yfm/message

Arlan’s thoughts on a new inflection point Mar 29, 2020

Show notes

Impromptu recording of my thoughts on coronavirus, Trump, and connection. Text #yourfirstmillion to me at 832-210-1276 if you listen to this podcast 👍🏾

35. Chloe Lanier: General Hospital, Gaga and more! Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

Born and raised outside of Dallas, Chloe Lanier moved to L.A. with just $200 to her name and no formal education in acting. Now she’s a Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress on General Hospital. But she still has a few things to check off her bucket list, like meeting Lady Gaga. Chloe and I talk about how she got started in television, the supportive community she’s found, and what she has planned for her future. And, of course, we talk about General Hospital.

Episode highlights:

11:05 Chloe tells us about growing up outside of Dallas and falling in love with acting

15:37 She explains how she pursued her passion for acting, even though her college loan for drama school was declined

17:05 Chloe talks about working at the YMCA while filming the show Army Wives

18:39 Why it’s important to find a strong, supportive community in the film industry

20:32 How does she feel about where she is in her career?

21:54 Chloe talks about how Lady Gaga has influenced her growth and well-being

26:29 What Chloe is working on for the future

28:34 I ask whether Nelle is going to stick around on General Hospital

29:33 We talk about the challenges of working on daytime television, including character development and growth

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

Breaking: What founders should know about the new $300 billion stimulus bill for small businesses Mar 25, 2020

Show notes

On today’s episode, Arlan reads BusinessInsider.com article by Jennifer Ortakales and Bartie Scott. We learn: “The Senate and White House came to a bipartisan agreement on a $2 trillion stimulus package in an effort to recover and stabilize the American economy during the coronavirus crisis. More than $300 billion of the deal is earmarked for small businesses struggling to stay afloat and to keep workers amid nationwide closures and social distancing. Eligible businesses would be able to defer their payroll taxes until 2021 and receive small business loans to continue payroll.”

How are startup investors and WFH parents dealing with coronavirus? Mar 22, 2020

Show notes

On today’s episode, I interview Ed Zimmerman, who leads my companies’ legal team at Lowenstein & Sandler in NYC, and Amy Nelson, Founder & CEO of national co-working and online community The Riveter based in Seattle.

Episode highlights:

6:58 Ed tells us the what actions investors need to take now

13:00 Why this is different from the 2008 recession

19:40 What should founders expect at this time?

24:37 Should businesses apply for loans right now?

32:18 Amy talks about how her kids are managing through this crisis

36:51 Amy shares her reflections on her work-life balance

40:53 How should business leaders like us respond to a crisis like this?

45:45 We talk about perseverance: “It’s one day at a time, but it’s harder than that.”

Ed Zimmerman:

- @edgrapenutzim on Twitter

- Ed’s law firm: lowenstein.com