Podcast Summary: "Selling The Vision" w/ Arian Simone
Keep it Positive, Sweetie – March 23, 2025
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Arian Simone
Episode Overview
In this uplifting episode, host Crystal Renee Hayslett sits down with powerhouse entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist Arian Simone — co-founder of the Fearless Fund and recently crowned queen in Côte d'Ivoire. Their engaging conversation traces Arian’s extraordinary journey from homelessness to building a trailblazing venture capital firm devoted to women of color. The discussion dives into perseverance, faith, the hurdles of venture funding, and advocacy amidst legal and cultural challenges, all tied together by laughter, candor, and genuine sisterhood.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Arian’s Origin Story: From Homelessness to Business Success
- Early Entrepreneurial Spirit: While attending Florida A&M, Arian launched a women’s apparel store at her local mall, an experience that shaped her future ambitions.
- Transitions & Failures: After closing her store and a brief stint at Apple Bottoms (where she excelled in product placement), Arian found herself unemployed and, due to family hardships, homeless. Her optimism and faith, however, never wavered.
- “Some days you have $50,000, some days your account is negative. I wasn’t failing; I just wasn’t patient, and I just needed patience.” (02:21)
- Turning Point: A chance call led to PR/marketing work, eventually snowballing into her own agency with high-profile clients such as Sony Pictures and Disney. Her notable first break: promoting the film Stomp the Yard.
2. Building and “Selling” the Vision of the Fearless Fund
- Venture Capital Genesis: A pivotal (but failed) pitch at Gary Vaynerchuk’s VaynerMedia ignited her desire to actually sit on the investor side of the table.
- “You want to be on the other side of the table? …I do. This is how I get to make good on the promise I made to myself.” (09:13)
- Manifesting the Fund: The Fearless Fund began as “just words”—Arian shared her vision everywhere, even opening a bank account with only $100 as a symbolic commitment.
- “A year later, the millions came in. She said, this girl really did what she said she was gonna do.” (10:06)
- Obstacles: Legal setup costs, skepticism, and years of “grinding” and going unpaid.
- Breakthrough: The summer of 2020, in the wake of renewed focus on racial equity, saw key institutional partners and increased funding.
3. Mission & Impact of the Fearless Fund
- Purpose: The first VC fund built by women of color for women of color, addressing the vast disparity in funding.
- “Women of color are the fastest growing entrepreneur demographic but… the least funded. Only 0.39% of VC funds are going to women of color in the US.” (12:19)
- Successes: Helped scale countless Black and brown-owned businesses, including Slutty Vegan, The Lip Bar, and Partake.
4. The Lawsuit that Rocked the Industry
- Initial Shock: In August 2023, Arian learned via the media the Fearless Fund was being sued for alleged discrimination—specifically, investing in women of color to the exclusion of others.
- “This is literally a trillion dollar financial disparity… You’re worried about a couple hundred million?” (16:02)
- Legal Battle: The case, led by legal opponents of affirmative action, threatened to shut down fund operations. The case was ultimately dismissed in September 2024, but not before an incredibly trying year for Arian.
- “That season made living out the car like a piece of cake.” (18:27)
- Resilience & Faith: Arian credits her faith and her upbringing among civil rights legends like Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King for her resolve.
- “God, your hand is on this… I knew my steps had been ordered.” (18:58)
5. Mentorship, Advocacy, and the Next Chapter
- Continued Support: Fearless Fund provides not just investment but education (“Get Venture Ready” program) and grants/loans for diverse entrepreneurs.
- “We need not just the Fearless Fund — we need Fearless Funds.” (22:45)
- Funding Criteria: Story, team, product, and traction—emphasized that even “just” ideas get funded sometimes, but tangible evidence helps.
- Redefining Success: Arian and Crystal reflect on success as evolving from financial benchmarks to impact, progress, and gratitude.
- “If you’ve changed one person’s life… that’s impactful.” (26:53)
6. Arian as Advocate and Global Leader
- Leadership as a Queen in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast): Recently crowned the Queen of Dahua, Arian shares the honor and responsibility of this role, its cultural protocols, and its deep personal resonance given her family’s West African heritage.
- “It’s not just a title; it’s a responsibility. These people are looking to you for leadership.” (44:16)
- Encouragement for the Diaspora: She urges Black Americans to travel to or invest in Africa, highlighting opportunities, lifestyle benefits, and the importance of connecting with one's roots.
7. Practical Advice for Entrepreneurs & Givers
- Business Tips: Be able to “sell” your vision, assemble a strong team, show traction, and choose the right funding (e.g., VC vs. loans).
- On Boundaries & Giving:
- “I don’t think people who are givers should ever stop giving…The boundary is: is where I’m giving going to bear fruit?” (55:44)
- Work/Life Balance: Candid about wellness routines, the importance of rest, and pouring into oneself as much as others.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Arian on Faith and Trials:
- “Lord, no weapon formed against me shall prosper. Any tongue that rises up against me, I shall condemn… My faith got me through.” (20:27)
- On Manifesting from Little:
- “I went to open a multi-million dollar fund bank account with $100… and look at us now.” (09:53–10:06)
- The Lawsuit’s Absurdity:
- “They said we were violating civil rights laws… Civil rights were put in place for Black people for this reason! What you talkin’ about?” (17:09)
- On Supporting Black Entrepreneurs:
- “Prior to Fearless Fund, the average fundraise for a Black woman was $30,000. We came on the scene cutting seven-figure checks.” (16:22)
- On Success:
- “Maybe because I just operate from a pure place of gratitude… I think every level was successful.” (27:50)
- On African Heritage:
- “I think any Black person should have the experience of being on your own land. There’s nothing like it… It’s part of who we are.” (49:05)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Arian’s entrepreneurial journey & homelessness: 01:14 – 05:51
- PR/marketing rise & first big break (Stomp the Yard): 06:05 – 08:14
- Venture capital beginnings & manifesting the Fearless Fund: 08:22 – 10:12
- Raising capital & advice for founders: 10:45 – 11:56; 24:42 – 25:50
- Mission and impact statistics (Fearless Fund): 12:17 – 12:51
- The 2023–24 lawsuit & aftermath: 12:52 – 18:27
- On faith, heritage, and civil rights icons: 18:58 – 21:16
- Current work, mentorship, and advocacy: 22:45 – 24:40
- Defining and evolving success: 26:38 – 28:02
- Success story (The Lip Bar, Slutty Vegan): 29:03 – 30:56
- On leadership, wellness, and giving: 34:44 – 40:28; 55:23 – 55:57
- Becoming Queen in Côte d’Ivoire, Africa opportunities: 40:44 – 52:22
Tone & Atmosphere
Warm, candid, faith-filled, and inspiring, with lots of laughter and “sistergirl” energy. Both host and guest are unapologetically dedicated to truth-telling and empowering their community.
Summary Takeaways
- Perseverance, community, and faith are crucial to entrepreneurial success.
- Tangible, system-changing impact is possible, even when facing seemingly insurmountable legal and financial barriers.
- Representation matters: The presence of Black women at every level, from startup founder to global queen, transforms possibilities for all.
- Self-care, gratitude, and boundaries: Essential for longevity—pour as much into yourself as you do into others.
- Africa is home and opportunity: Arian encourages connection, business investment, and personal exploration.
- Giving Back: Mindful, strategic giving nurtures both community and self.
For listeners seeking inspiration, business wisdom, or encouragement to “sell their vision” and walk in purpose—even when the world seems against them—this episode delivers affirming, actionable gems straight from the heart.