Welcome to the DO GOOD X podcast, your go-to resource for insights and inspiration on building impactful businesses! This episode, hosted by Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis, explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in business. From the immense opportunities AI presents to the challenges it poses, Kimberly and Stephen unpack practical tips to help you integrate AI into your operations. Whether you want to enhance efficiency, improve customer experiences, or navigate ethical concerns, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Stay tuned as we discuss leveraging AI to support your business, starting small with practical tools and tapping into resources available in the DO GOOD X community.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:31] Leveraging AI to support your business
• [3:31] AI offers efficiency and scalability, enhances decision-making making and improves customer experience
• [6:04] Other avenues where AI is effective and discussion of various concerns about AI
• [11:56] AI lacks human connectedness and the personal touch
• [14:51] Choosing areas of AI to support your business and starting small
• [17:55 Find tools to assist in starting a business in the DO GOOD X Community

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• AI and automation offers immense potential for businesses, especially small teams and underrepresented founders, by providing efficiency, enhancing decision-making through data analysis, and improving customer experiences through personalization.
• Concerns such as biases in AI models, environmental impacts, accessibility gaps, and data privacy must be addressed. When black and brown users employ the tool, AI learns from it. Using AI ethically and inclusively is critical for ensuring it serves communities equitably.
• Start by identifying one or two areas where AI tools can reduce repetitive tasks—marketing, financial management, or customer relationship management. Focus on affordable tools within your budget to experiment and assess their impact.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

Ep. 2 - Relieving the Financial Burden on Families at the End of Life Through Tech

Kimberly R. Daniel catalyzes entrepreneurs and organizations to do good. She is co-founder and project director of DO GOOD X, a community that provides programs and support for faith-driven social entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on positive change. With over 15 years of experience developing and leading communications efforts, she is committed to producing effective processes and creating authentic, “sticky” brands that are community-centered. She co-authored A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation (2021).

Stephen Lewis is the president of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) and the creator and co-founder of DO GOOD X. This community provides programs and support for faith-driven social entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on positive change. Stephen co-authored Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose (2020) and A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation (2021).

In this episode, we are joined by Carla and Jeremy Vincent, co-founders of GlobeKin, an innovative e-learning platform. In their conversation, Carla and Jeremy discuss the challenges and rewards of being life and business partners, highlighting the importance of self-care, communication, and play to maintain a healthy balance. They share practical advice on navigating the early stages of a business, including tools like Google Suite and Adobe Creative Suite to streamline operations and creative work. They also talk about the struggles of accessing funding for underrepresented entrepreneurs, emphasizing the value of starting where you are, leveraging existing resources, and building incrementally. Finally, they offer insights on building a supportive network, encouraging entrepreneurs to step out of their comfort zones and seek mentorship from others who have faced similar challenges.

IN THE EPISODE:

• [4:44] The inspiration behind e-learning and the guests share their backgrounds
• [7:54] Trusting the process, validation, challenges and uncertainties
• [16:38] Jeremy comments on their motivation and wearing many hats
• [22:04] Tips on married couples working together
• [25:44] Tools, software, obtaining funding and finding mentors

TAKEAWAYS:

• Out-of-school e-learning in shaping children's lives, particularly in addressing gaps in traditional education, is critical and should be made accessible to all children and families.
• Building an e-learning platform, particularly in team-building and managing uncertainties will be challenging. You must stay committed and be resilient, adapt to setbacks, and prioritize self-care, to fuel ongoing motivation for yourself and your team.
• Underrepresented entrepreneurs should start where they are, tapping into existing resources, networks, and communities. Focusing on solving a problem can eventually lead to access to funding and support.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

Square One Startup School - Podcast

GlobeKin - Website

Jeremy Vincent - LinkedIn

Carla Johnson-Vincent - LinkedIn

Jeremy Vincent, co-founder and CEO of an e-learning platform, is passionate about using technology and AI to transform out-of-school learning for children of all backgrounds. Growing up in Grenada, his curiosity was sparked by nature, inspiring his mission to foster holistic development in young learners.

Carla, co-founder and CDO of an e-learning platform, is passionate about transforming out-of-school learning to impact children of all backgrounds. Inspired by her parents' support and her own learning differences, she advocates for tailored education that embraces diverse learning styles.

Welcome to the DO GOOD X podcast, your go-to resource for insights and inspiration on building impactful businesses! Hosted by Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis, this episode dives into one of the most asked questions by aspiring entrepreneurs: How do you start a business? If you’re ready to step into the entrepreneurial world, starting on solid ground is crucial. Kimberly and Stephen walk you through three essential steps that can set you up for success, especially because nine out of ten businesses typically fail. Before you build a website, develop a product or service, or register your business as a legal entity, note these foundational steps to ensure your venture begins with purpose and clarity. Building a business takes time, effort, and strategy, but it can be a rewarding journey with the right tools and community. Tune in to learn more and find support within the DO GOOD X community as you take your first steps toward creating a stronger, more sustainable business.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [2:01] How can an aspiring entrepreneur start a business
• [3:46] Step One: Identify the problem, not your idea
• [9:26] Step Two: Identify your paying customer
• [14:31] Step Three: Test drive your prototype
• [19:06] Building a business takes time
• [20:03] Find tools to assist in starting a business in the DO GOOD X Community

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Start by identifying and researching the problem before diving into building a business. Focus on understanding the problem you aim to solve. This involves creating a clear problem statement, conducting research to validate the problem’s significance, and understanding how the problem is currently being addressed. Ensuring the problem is both substantial and solvable increases the likelihood of creating a viable business.
• Define your ideal paying customer because it’s essential to know not just your target customer but your paying customer—the individuals or entities who will benefit from your solution and are willing to pay for it. Engaging in customer discovery, which involves direct conversations and feedback from potential customers, helps refine your business idea and confirms market demand.
• Build and test a prototype to transform your idea into a tangible form, like a prototype or small-scale experiment, to test its viability with potential customers. A prototype helps gather real-world feedback on what works, what needs improvement, and whether customers are willing to pay for your solution. Keep it simple and cost-effective to allow for iterations based on feedback.

ABOUT DO GOOD X:
Hosted by advocates for impactful entrepreneurship, Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis, this podcast creates a space for Black entrepreneurs, with a special focus on Black women entrepreneurs, navigating the intricate path of purposeful business.

The hosts dive into the unique business challenges faced by entrepreneurs while sharing tools, tips, and strategies to drive business growth and create meaningful social impact. With their mission to help listeners foster the growth of their dreams, this podcast empowers a community of changemakers to embrace impactful entrepreneurship.

In this episode, hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis are joined by Alisha L. Gordon—an awarded teacher, nonprofit founder, social strategist, and entrepreneur. As the Founder and Executive Director of The Current Project, Alisha is working to close the social and economic gaps for black single mothers. Through her work, she has navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship, tackled systemic stereotypes, and shared powerful stories that inspire change. Alisha discusses her work with black single mothers, overcoming obstacles, the importance of intentional breaks, and the tools entrepreneurs need to build sustainable and impactful businesses.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [4:48] As a black single mother, Alisha Gordon's journey inspired her to launch the nonprofit, The Current Project
• [8:57] Alisha reveals the biggest obstacle she has had to overcome
• [18:43] How to know when it’s time to take a break from your business as an entrepreneur
• [26:31] Tools entrepreneurs will find instructive for their impactful businesses
• [31:30] Raising funds for the nonprofit by sharing stories and collecting surveys from black single mothers
• [43:50] Alisha answers questions “off the cuff”

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Alisha Gordon’s nonprofit, founded in 2020 during the pandemic, has thrived by reshaping stereotypes about black single mothers and sharing their stories. Despite the success, the organization has faced challenges in confronting public narratives and navigating personal grief, highlighting the dual burden black women leaders often bear while driving change.
• Many successful black and brown women entrepreneurs choose to close their impactful businesses and nonprofits, not because they lack success, but because they prioritize personal capacity. Factors like grief, health challenges, and shifting family dynamics highlight their evolving priorities and the need for self-preservation in leadership.
• A well-curated board of advisors is essential for entrepreneurs, helping to fill expertise gaps and stay focused on their mission. While early-stage leaders may rely on familiar networks, intentionally selecting advisors aligned with strategic needs can drive leadership development and long-term success.

RESOURCES:

The Current Project - Instagram

Essence Feature - Black Single Moms

The Dip - Book

GUEST BIOGRAPHY:
Alisha L. Gordon is an awardee teacher, faith leader, social strategist, and the founder and executive director of The Current Project. This nonprofit closes social and economic gaps for Black single mothers through strategic programming and policy. Under her leadership, the organization has raised over $700,000 and gained support from major partners like The Wayfarer Foundation and The New York Liberty.

The DO GOOD X podcast, your go-to resource for insights and inspiration on building impactful businesses!

Tags: black entrepreneurs, tools and tips for business, purpose-driven entrepreneurship, social impact, impactful businesses, Do Good X, Community Support, non-profit, women in business

Welcome to the first episode of the DO GOOD X podcast in 2025, hosted by Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis. In this episode, we're kicking off the New Year by diving into three key topics to set you up for a successful year: setting business intentions, finding that work-life rhythm, and leveraging technology to support your goals. We’ll discuss how to start the year with gratitude, make time for yourself, and stay accountable to your dreams while using tools to help maintain balance and focus. So together, let’s continue to do good and be better. Until next time, be well, do good, and have a happy new year!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [2:39] Embracing Gratitude Over Resolutions for 2025
• [4:59] Deepak Chopra’s Wisdom on Intentions and Accountability
• [7:02] Prioritizing Yourself: Finding Time and Defining What Matters
• [11:34] Focusing on Your Intentions and Harnessing the Power of AI
• [17:20] The Power of Working Smarter, Not Harder
• [19:17] Finding Strength and Encouragement in the DO GOOD X Community

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Start the new year with gratitude by reflecting on what you're grateful for from the past year, celebrating wins and setbacks alike. This creates a solid foundation for envisioning your goals and setting clear intentions for the year ahead. To ensure progress, share your dreams and intentions with an accountability partner who can help track your growth and hold you accountable, keeping you on track as you work towards your goals over the coming months and quarters.
• As Deepak Chopra says, intention is the starting point of a dream, fueling our desires in both business and personal life. Clear intentions are key to achieving goals, and accountability ensures progress. Whether through self-created systems or an accountability partner, staying committed is crucial. Additionally, balancing the demands of business, family, and self-care is essential for nurturing personal and professional growth.
• In a world full of distractions, prioritize where you give your attention. AI assistants like Google, Siri, and Alexa can help manage tasks and self-care. Setting digital boundaries with "Do Not Disturb," focus modes or apps like Flipd can cut through the noise. Taking time away from the digital grid allows you to reset and refocus on your intentions, bringing clarity and purpose for the year ahead.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

Kimberly R. Daniel - LinkedIn

Stephen Lewis - LinkedIn

Hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis want to close out 2024 by highlighting their interview with Shruti Shah, Partner at Symphonic Capital. In this insightful conversation, Shruti discusses her entrepreneurial journey from educator to entrepreneur and the lessons she's learned along the way. Shruti opens up about the challenges and triumphs of scaling a business, building confidence as a founder, and the importance of empathy in the investor-founder relationship. From her experiences navigating a failed exit strategy to the essential resources she recommends for startup entrepreneurs, Shruti shares invaluable insights that will inspire and empower any founder. This episode offers reflection and key takeaways to help you start strong in your 2025 entrepreneurial journey.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [4:13] Shruti transitions from teacher to entrepreneur, sharing insights on her entrepreneurial journey
• [6:24] How Shruti built her confidence to be successful on her entrepreneurial journey
• [9:18] A failed exit strategy: what Shruti learned and how it shaped her entrepreneurial journey
• [21:07] Identifying with an entrepreneur from the investor's side, and understanding the nuances of the entrepreneurial journey
• [26:18] Resources that Shruti would recommend to startup entrepreneurs, drawing from her own entrepreneurial journey
• [37:42] Shruti answers questions in the “Off the Cuff” segment
• [43:13] The hosts bring it all together, reflecting on key takeaways from Shruti's entrepreneurial journey

TAKEAWAYS:

• Building confidence as an entrepreneur comes from navigating challenges and reflecting on how you overcome them. When you're starting, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by how much you don't know. But through that process, you develop self-awareness and learn to lean on others' expertise, recognizing that your role is to hold the vision and learn from your team.
• In the early stages of building a business, founders should prioritize generalists—flexible, adaptable team members who can jump in and help figure things out. As the startup scales, however, bringing on specialists with deep industry expertise who can provide insights and solutions quickly is crucial to success.
• The best type of investor for an entrepreneur is one who brings deep empathy and understands the challenges of building a company. Entrepreneurs face constant uncertainty, making decisions with limited information and juggling many responsibilities. A supportive investor doesn't just provide capital—they help founders navigate challenges and offer guidance.

RESOURCES:

Symphonic Capital - Website

Shruti Shah - LinkedIn

GUEST BIO:

Shruti Shah is a partner at Symphonic Capital, a pre-seed investment fund, and has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, advisor, and investor. She was previously an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Nike and Silicon Valley Bank. She co-founded Move Loot, a Y Combinator-backed marketplace for buying and selling used furniture that raised $22 million. Forbes has recognized Shruti as a 2016 30 Under 30 honoree in Retail and E-Commerce and by the Aspen Institute as an Aspen Ideas Festival Scholar. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina and an MS in Education from Johns Hopkins University.

Shruti Shah, diverse perspectives, entrepreneur, entrepreneurial journey, diverse perspectives, community-centered business

Welcome back to the DO GOOD X podcast. As we celebrate the holiday season, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes with Devin Baptiste, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder/CEO of GroupRaise. GroupRaise is a marketplace that facilitates large group charitable bookings at restaurants, with over 10,000 restaurant clients in 500+ cities. In this episode, Devin opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, the growth of GroupRaise, and the importance of validating ideas quickly. He shares valuable lessons learned from both his successes and unresolved challenges as an entrepreneur. The conversation dives into the unique hurdles underrepresented founders face in securing funding, effective mentorship, and how mentees can grow from their mistakes. Tune in for insights on technology, wellness, faith, and legacy to reflect upon as we wrap up 2024.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:46] Meet Devin, who discusses his upbringing and why he started GroupRaise, and he is transparent about his entrepreneurship.
• [12:27] The steps Devin took to position his business for growth and the overnight growth he experienced as an entrepreneur.
• [18:48] Effective tactics to assist underrepresented founders in securing funding and principles he has learned and what qualities represent good candidates for entrepreneurial ventures.
• [29:37] Discussion of mentees learning from their mistakes and the mentor/mentee relationship in the context of entrepreneurship.
• [34:48] Devin discusses technology, wellness, faith, and legacy, emphasizing how each relates to the life of an entrepreneur.
• [41:53] Stephen shares the technology he has found effective in his work, and Kimberly shares her favorite financial tracking system, which is crucial for any entrepreneur.

Key TAKEAWAYS:

• Being an entrepreneur takes work. You need to have done your homework. Know that there is a reward, but there is also hard work involved
• Expansion and growth can be good things, but they also require a lot of revenue up front, and the yield takes time. Fast growth can be exciting but strenuous.
• There are some principles that are tried and true for a startup, but they may not translate to underrepresented communities because they face hurdles that others don’t

RESOURCES:
Devin Baptiste - LinkedIn
GroupRaise - Website

GUEST BIO:

Devin Baptiste is a serial entrepreneur and investor who is the co-founder/CEO of GroupRaise, a marketplace for large group charitable bookings at restaurants, active in over 500 cities with 10,000+ restaurant clients. He has raised venture capital and investment from investors such as Techstars Ventures, Magma Partners, Kapor Capital and various top-tier angels. As an advisor, Devin has translated the lessons he’s learned to help founders raise just over $50 million for their companies. The vast majority of these have been underrepresented, and emerging market founders are getting their first and second checks. Devin speaks from his experience attempting to raise money three times unsuccessfully and then the lessons he learned raising money six times successfully. Devin is passionate about supporting the startup ecosystem and helping underrepresented and emerging market founders get unfair advantages in bringing their impact and visions to life. He lives in San Juan with his wife and four children. #entrepreneur

Elaine Robinson Beattie, CEO of the Women of Vision Leadership Institute, is an executive coach, strategist, and transformational leadership speaker, and today, she shares her journey from corporate career to entrepreneurship. She delves into the qualities of strong leaders and entrepreneurs, offering valuable insights into team-building and leadership. We also discuss the importance of time management for entrepreneurs, the difference between coaching and mentorship, and how maintaining accountability and balance is key to success. Plus, Kimberly and Stephen reflect on their first year of hosting podcasts. This episode contains insights for anyone looking to grow in their career or business.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [3:43] What motivated the shift from a corporate career to coaching and entrepreneurship
• [9:00] Traits of strong leaders and their approach to building effective teams
• [13:05] The importance of effective time management
• [18:47] The distinction between coaching and mentorship
• [28:48] Host's discuss their experiences during the first year of hosting the podcast

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Outstanding leadership is rooted in vision, tenacity, and the ability to inspire others. Great leaders value diversity, emotional intelligence, collaboration, and strategic partnerships. They delegate effectively, balancing efficiency with effectiveness. Beyond time management, they focus on energy management, prioritizing tasks and relationships that align with their goals for sustainable success.
• Entrepreneurship: For entrepreneurs, effective time management and self-care are key to preventing burnout. It begins with careful planning—incorporating self-care routines, meal prepping, and organizing tasks in advance. Having accountability partners or coaches provides additional support, ensuring entrepreneurs stay focused and on track while managing their busy schedules.
• Coaching is goal-oriented, focusing on specific outcomes like starting a business or earning a promotion, often with a paid relationship. Conversely, mentoring is a long-term, unpaid partnership where an experienced individual provides guidance and support for personal or career growth.

RESOURCES:

Elaine Robinson Beattie - Website

Elaine Robinson Beattie - Email

Elaine Robinson Beattie - 404-981-1155

Women of Leadership Institute - Website

GUEST BIO:

Elaine Robinson Beattie is the CEO of Women of Vision Leadership Institute. This company supports executive women of color aiming for C-suite positions while disrupting systems of injustice in ministry and the marketplace. With over 30 years of experience, Elaine is an international speaker, leadership coach, and strategist focused on management training and leadership development. She co-hosts Lead(H)er Talks, a podcast for women in leadership, and is the author of Sis, You Earned It: A Guide to Leading a Maverick with Grace.

About Do Good X Podcast:

Advocates for impactful entrepreneurship, this business leadership podcast creates a space for entrepreneurs navigating the path of purpose-driven business and the entrepreneur community. This podcast covers strategies to drive business growth, build confidence, and create meaningful social impact.

Tags: Outstanding leadership, social impact companies, entrepreneur community, mentorship group, black entrepreneur podcast, successful black entrepreneurs, business podcast, business finance podcast, business women podcast, business leader podcast, coaching, purposeful businesses