Selling The Vision w/ Arian Simone

Summary

Podcast Summary: Keep It Positive, Sweetie – Episode: Selling The Vision w/ Arian Simone

Release Date: March 23, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, host Crystal Renee Hayslett welcomes the dynamic entrepreneur, investor, author, and co-founder of the Fearless Fund, Arian Simone. The conversation delves deep into Arian's transformative journey from homelessness to building a successful venture capital fund dedicated to empowering women of color.

Arian's Journey: From Homelessness to Entrepreneurship

Arian shares her inspiring story of resilience and determination. As a college student at Florida A&M University, she owned a women’s apparel store in a mall, promising herself that one day she would become the business investor she longed for. Reflecting on her early struggles, she admits, “Some days you'd have $50,000. Some days your account is negative. And I'm like, am I good at this or what is happening here? And I stopped” (01:55).

Despite facing homelessness, Arian's unwavering optimism and faith kept her going. She recounts living out of her car for seven months, relying on welfare and food stamps, yet remaining steadfast in her belief that her purpose would guide her back to stability.

Building a PR Marketing Empire

A turning point in Arian's career came when she received a call for PR marketing work, leading her to establish a successful PR company servicing giants like Sony Pictures and Walt Disney. A notable moment was her interaction with Will Packer, founder of Greenlight Studios. Arian enthusiastically shared, “This is what I do... They had the gospel before, but that was the first big one” (06:26)—referring to her role in marketing for Stomp the Yard, which achieved significant success.

Transition to Venture Capital: Founding the Fearless Fund

Motivated by a desire to support women of color in entrepreneurship, Arian transitioned to venture capital. She recounts a pivotal meeting at Gary Vaynerchuk’s VaynerMedia, where, despite not securing the desired investment, Gary encouraged her to "be on the other side of the table." This pivotal advice propelled her to establish the Fearless Fund, the first venture capital fund created by women of color for women of color. Arian highlights the stark funding disparities, noting, “Only 0.39% of venture capital funds are going to women of color in the US while [they represent] over 20% of the US population” (12:19).

Facing Adversity: The Lawsuit Against the Fearless Fund

Arian candidly discusses the significant challenge the Fearless Fund faced in August 2023 when it was erroneously implicated in a discrimination lawsuit claiming the fund was favoring women of color over white businesses. She explains the initial confusion, stating, “We were the inaugural defendants in one of the most defining lawsuits of our time” (12:56). The lawsuit, which sought to shut down the fund, was ultimately permanently dismissed in September 2024. Throughout the ordeal, Arian emphasized the importance of faith and community support, reinforcing her commitment to the fund’s mission.

Advocacy and Mentorship: Expanding the Impact

Transitioning from fundraising to advocacy, Arian discusses initiatives like Get Venture Ready, a program designed to equip entrepreneurs seeking venture capital with the necessary tools and knowledge. She outlines the key indicators the Fearless Fund looks for in potential investments:

1. Strong Brand Story: Ability to sell the vision.
2. Robust Team: Capacity to execute the business plan.
3. Good Product: Quality and uniqueness of the offering.
4. Traction: Evidence of market interest, such as a substantial email list or social media following (24:58).

Defining Success and Evolving Perspectives

Arian shares her evolving definition of success, emphasizing impact over financial metrics. She states, “I define it as, you know, just impact. If you've changed one person's life, you know, just by your presence and by what it is that you're doing, that's impactful” (26:38). This perspective encourages entrepreneurs to recognize success at every stage of their journey, fostering a mindset of gratitude and continuous growth.

Fearless Fund's Success Stories

Highlighting the fund's achievements, Arian mentions investments in iconic brands like The Lip Bar and Slutty Vegan. She recounts personal connections and the emotional fulfillment of seeing entrepreneurs she believed in from day one succeed. For instance, her investment in The Lip Bar was a heartfelt decision rooted in her long-standing support for the brand's founder from Detroit (29:03).

Embracing Heritage: Arian's Role as a Queen in Cote d'Ivoire

A unique aspect of Arian's journey is her recent coronation as a queen in Cote d’Ivoire. She narrates the unexpected honor and the responsibilities that come with it, reflecting on her African heritage and the historical significance of her role. Arian shares, “As queen, you work with the government to help improve the welfare of the people” (44:16). This role has deepened her connection to Africa, where she actively participates in investment opportunities and community development.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Towards the end of the episode, Arian offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs:

• Be Genuine in Networking: Focus on building authentic connections instead of forced networking.
• Leverage Your Story: A compelling brand story can significantly attract investors.
• Embrace Growth and Learning: Continuously evolve your understanding and approach to business challenges.

Positive Outcomes: Listener Advice

The episode concludes with Arian addressing listener questions. For example, Carol Lee asks about balancing being a giver while setting healthy boundaries. Arian responds thoughtfully, emphasizing the importance of discerning who to support and ensuring that giving leads to meaningful outcomes (55:38).

Conclusion

Crystal Renee Hayslett wraps up the episode by highlighting the key takeaways from Arian Simone's conversation. Arian's journey underscores the power of perseverance, the importance of faith, and the impact of supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs. Her work with the Fearless Fund not only bridges funding gaps but also fosters a community of empowered women of color ready to make significant strides in the business world.

Notable Quotes

• Arian Simone: “I was just more so out of alignment with my assignment and what I'm supposed to do in the earth.” (01:18)
• Arian Simone: “One day you're gonna be the biz investor you were looking for.” (01:55)
• Arian Simone: “We need more people having the opportunity to do what it is that I do.” (12:17)
• Arian Simone: “Any tongue that rises up against me, I shall condemn.” (21:02)
• Arian Simone: “You exercise. You advocate with your dollars.” (34:04)

Final Thoughts

This episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie not only narrates Arian Simone's remarkable story but also serves as a beacon of hope and motivation for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women of color. Her dedication to fostering financial literacy, overcoming adversity, and embracing heritage offers invaluable lessons on building a purposeful and impactful career.

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For more insightful episodes, subscribe to Keep It Positive, Sweetie, leave a review, and share with someone who could use a dose of positive energy. Connect with Crystal Renee Hayslett on all social media platforms and stay updated with the latest episodes.

Transcript

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Calling all my sweeties to the forefront, I'm your host, Chris Renee Hazlett, and this is the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. Hello, and welcome to this episode of the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. I'm your host, Krista Renee Hayslett. And today we have a powerhouse joining us. She's an entrepreneur, investor, author, and co founder of the Fearless Fund. KISS family. Let's give a warm welcome to Arie and Simone. Arian, thank you so much for coming by. Literally coming by. Because you're right there.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, my goodness. I didn't know you were so close.

[Arian Simone]

Yes, down the hall.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You have to come by more often.

[Arian Simone]

Yes. I'd love to, but thank you for having me. I'm honored.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I've been wanting to talk to you. I've been so fascinated with everything you had going on. So to get the opportunity.

[Arian Simone]

Yes, girl, you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

So to get this opportunity, I'm just super grateful. So thank you so much.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, thank you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes, absolutely. So there's been so many things that people know about you, from your story to what you've done lately with the Fearless Fund. Very dynamic woman. But I want to get to the root of who you are. From the beginning, you've been very open about going from homelessness to being an entrepreneur. Tell me about that journey.

[Arian Simone]

Whew. She didn't took me back. Okay, Crystal, we're going to take it.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Back, and then we gonna come.

[Arian Simone]

Yes. It was truly a moment where. How should I put it? I was just more so out of. Out of alignment with my assignment and what I'm supposed to do in the earth. I was a college student at Florida A and M University, and I owned a store while I was there in the mall. And I made a promise to myself while I had the store that one day I was going to be the business investor I had been looking for. The promise, of course, looks like the Fearless Fund today. But the journey there, of course, took a lot of adventure.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

And there was a time when I gave up on the store. Some days you'd have $50,000. Some days your account is negative. And I'm like, am I good at this or what is happening here? And I stopped, and I keep that on my computer, the financials from the store, because the business was actually profitable. I look back now and laugh. Cause I wasn't failing. I just wasn't patient, and I just needed patience.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

What were you selling?

[Arian Simone]

Clothes. Women's apparel.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Amazing.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

In college.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

That's huge.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I was working at a clothing store. I didn't Own one? Yes. Wow.

[Arian Simone]

It was a lot. Being a collegepreneur. It was definitely a lot. And me giving up on that. I moved to Los Angeles, actually, with a job. The only job I've had in my adult life, because everything else I've done, I've worked for myself. And it was Nellie's apple bottoms. And I worked for 30 days. Yes. Those apple bottom jeans, Boots with the fur. Yes. What? And I worked for that company for 30 days doing product placement, placed product on Jessica Simpson and Tyra Banks, and I even found Oprah and put the jeans on her, and she had them on the show. So when the president said, harriet, I'd like to meet with you, I'm thinking, like, of course I've turned the company around. You want to meet with me?

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Of course you do.

[Arian Simone]

And she said, unfortunately, we have to let you go. And I was like, let me go? She said, if it was based on performance, you'd be the first to stay. I said, what is this based on? She said, I was 23 at the time.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

She said, well, the company's being sold. Everybody has to go. They're having a new team come in. You just happen to be the last hired. You're the first fired. So. Yes. And at that time, my parents were in an unfortunate divorce case called back, and I never knew I would never be able to not call back home. I grew up middle class, so I was like, what do you mean? They were like, hey, finances are not good here right now. And I said, you know, don't worry about me. I'll figure out life. Y'all worry about my sister. I'm gonna keep going. And ran out of cash. And then they put on the notice on the door that says, pay rent or quit. I said, well, shoot, I guess I gotta quit, right? All that, nothing else can give you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow.

[Arian Simone]

And I moved from my apartment to my car. My mom's best friend paid for my storage. I was like, I'll just figure it out. Don't look sad. I'm here.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You are here. I'm here.

[Arian Simone]

And I was without a place to stay for seven months. Welfare, food stamps, selling my clothes so I could eat, put gas in the car, et cetera. But my optimism, for the most part, in my faith, kept me.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

I never knew it was going to take seven months. I get up every day telling about, oh, this is the last day, this is the last day, this is the last day. And I have a whole bunch of funny stories I tell about what happened during that time. There was a Moment where I did do. I did crash. Like, I was like, this cannot be happening to me.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah, this is.

[Arian Simone]

Now I'm probably months in, and I'm like, wait a minute.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I'm still doing this.

[Arian Simone]

I went to school, I got good grades. What did I do wrong? And I was like, okay, am I being punished? What is this? So luckily, somebody called me. They sought me out to do some PR marketing work. They saw my work at Apple Bottom. So I'm like, could you have called months ago?

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Right.

[Arian Simone]

And it was to do some PR marketing work for their spouse. And they referred me to somebody who referred me to somebody who referred me to somebody. I looked up, I was like, okay, I got a business. And I found that so interesting because the moment that got started, it happened with such flow and ease. And I said, erin, you were created to do business in this earth. And the moment you stepped out of that, you caused yourself more chaos and more headache than when you had the store. Like, the ups and downs at the store were nothing like me having to try to figure out how I'm gonna eat the next day.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Right.

[Arian Simone]

You know, I was like, you have to stay in alignment with your purpose and your calling in this earth. Cause even if it has ups and downs, it's nothing like being outside of that.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes, exactly. So what happened after you got that call?

[Arian Simone]

Oh, I ended up building a PR marketing company from the ground up, servicing clients like from the Sony Pictures to the Walt Disney's of the world. And what, Universal and everything else? Yeah, we worked on Blockbuster movies. So Will Packer at the time was not the Will Packer. I called him when I was living out of my office space. So I went from the car to the office.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Come on now.

[Arian Simone]

And I said, well, I've started this company. This is what I do. I found out that studios actually outsourced PR and marketing companies. He said, aaron, your timing couldn't have been more better. And I said, what's going on? He said, we are getting ready to release our first big theatrical movie, and we're gonna produce it in Atlanta. And I said, what is it? And he said, stepan. That was the working title. It's known as Stop the Yard, which was my first. And that was their first big theatrical release. Wow. Exactly. That's crazy, because they had the gospel before, but that was the first big one. And the movie was number one two weekends in a row. So my phone starts ringing with all the studios.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I bet they're like, she did this.

[Arian Simone]

We need her. They're like, what's going on. So, yeah. Yeah.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

That is incredible.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, thank you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

So at that point, did you move from Los Angeles to Atlanta or did you stay at Orlando?

[Arian Simone]

No, I had to come out to Atlanta to. For when it was being filmed. But I didn't just move to Atlanta from there. No.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes. Oh, my goodness. It's funny because Will packers married to my cousin now, and Heather's my cousin. Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, Tennessee.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, my God.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Heather Hayslett. Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

I'm like, yes. Oh, my gosh.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

Small world. I love Heather.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

She's everything.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, my gosh. She is.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

That is my girl. She's everything.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, my gosh. Wait a minute.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

Small world.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Very small world. But stomp the Yard 2, the sequel, was my very first film that I worked in as an extra.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, my God.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

So, yeah, I got my start. That was before Heather, and it was years later when we found out that they were together. But, yeah, small. Small world.

[Arian Simone]

Small world. I worked many films with Packer, but she has.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

He's incredible. Yeah, I love that. So what was the pivot to what you're doing now? How did you even get into venture capital?

[Arian Simone]

Okay. So I started meeting people who were in the space. I took a meeting at gary Vaynerchuk's office, VaynerMedia, with Gary V. Himself. He's a social entrepreneur person known on even, you know, on the Internet. And in the meeting, me and my friends were pitching to him a $10 million, basically pitch.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow, girl.

[Arian Simone]

We didn't get it, but it's okay. She said, wow. And we did not know at the time he only had a $25 million fund and the fund had been deployed. So we found this out after the pitch, which was so funny. But afterwards, I remember standing on the streets of New York, just froze. And my friend, he looked at me, he said, arian, he said, you want to be on the other side of the table? I said, I do. I said, this is how I get to make good on the promise I made to myself in college.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Come on.

[Arian Simone]

And from there, having that awareness, I just started meeting other people in venture capital at different events. I started, let me tell you, this fearless fund. What people know today, it was words. I was like, I'm building a fund. I'm building this fund. It's for women of color. I was going around telling everybody, girl, there wasn't a cent in the bank. Right. I opened a bank account at Citizens Trust. This is a true story. I went there, met with the manager, and I said, I'm building this multimillion Dollar fund. And I told her all about. I said, I'm gonna open it up with this $100.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I said, listen, I know.

[Arian Simone]

I said, I know.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I'm not mad at it.

[Arian Simone]

This person may have thought I was crazy. They're one of my biggest advocates now. But I'm like. I said, I wonder what Tonya was thinking. Like, she was probably like, this girl's nuts. But I got $100.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I'll take it. Right?

[Arian Simone]

We gonna set this account up. I mean, she saw a year later, the millions coming in. She said, this girl really did what she said she was gonna do.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow, that is incredible. So how did you go about it? Like you said, it just started with words. What were you telling people to make? Because all the entrepreneurs were.

[Arian Simone]

I was telling people my. Where's mine?

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Right here, baby.

[Arian Simone]

I was telling people my vision, and they were buying into the vision. And I told. I ran into somebody named Rodney Sampson, known in Atlanta in like the tech space. Tracy Gray. These people ended up being on our advisory board. But I just started telling people my vision, and they were like, okay, it's a little far fetched, but if you believe and you sound like you believe, we'll rock with you. Wow.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Now, what were some of the hurdles as you're building this?

[Arian Simone]

Oh, God.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I want to get into that because people see where you are now and.

[Arian Simone]

It'S like, well, it's capital intensive. That's first and foremost. You need securities attorneys to even set it up. And you're talking about a setup fee. That's probably six figures. Yeah, a setup fee you could find. I figured out how to cut every corner. Trust me. I was like, okay, can we figure out how to set this thing up for like 15? I'm like, let me step this thing. But as I was selling the vision, I started to raise money and started to raise it from individuals at first, and then from there, I was at a FAMU homecoming and ran into somebody and I sold the vision again. And they were like, hey, we'll have our company come down and meet with you. And they were our first institutional investor. So it was lisc. And then after Lisk was like fifth, third, and I think Costco, but the names were there. And when the wake of George Floyd hit and a lot of the commitments to the black community took place, we were literally the right people in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. So now inbound is happening. But mind you, I spent three years of grinding, two years plus of no salary, just trying to figure it out to get there. So, yeah, it was a lot of years of still selling the vision.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes. And can you explain for people who don't know exactly the mission of the Fearless Fund?

[Arian Simone]

Yes, thank you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Absolutely.

[Arian Simone]

The Fearless Fund is the nation's first or even the world's first venture capital fund that's built by women of color for women of color. We invest in women of color, co founded companies, and the reason why is because women of color are the fastest growing entrepreneur demographic, but unfortunately, the least funded. You're talking. Only 0.39% of venture capital funds are going to women of color in the US while Maine, it's over 20% of the US population. So the stats are ridiculous.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

That's why we do what we do.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes. And then you guys hit a roadblock, a huge roadblock with the lawsuit.

[Arian Simone]

That's an understatement.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Huge roadblock. It's like, what is happening in that moment when it's all happening? What is Erin Simone thinking?

[Arian Simone]

Well, when everything hit. If we have time, I'm gonna walk you through the day. So on August 2, 2023, the staff starts reaching out, saying, the reporters are calling us about a lawsuit. We have support. I have no lawsuit. Like, I was just calm. I said, you know what? Just don't answer the phones. Keep going on with your day. And they kept calling. I said, y'all, this is ChatGPT. They have us mixed up with somebody.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Clearly.

[Arian Simone]

Like, I'm up here blaming her on chatgpt. Literally.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow.

[Arian Simone]

And I was like, they've got. I said, it'll fix itself. Cause we don't have a lawsuit. Then they were like, ariane, we are beginning calls by the Wall Street Journal and Reuters and very credible media outlets who are all over the news right now. And I was just like, if there's a filing, can you find it? Cause lawsuits are public.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Absolutely.

[Arian Simone]

Cause they gotta file it.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Mm.

[Arian Simone]

And 45 minutes, I got a call. They had found the filing.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Now, is that something your lawyer should have caught, like, when it happened, or you just didn't technically know? No.

[Arian Simone]

So since COVID you don't have to serve people in person. You can serve them through email.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow.

[Arian Simone]

Which I had not opened the email where they were sending emails at at all. And even then, I still didn't open it. I found out much later. I was just like, oh, I was being served through the Internet. I was like, who does this? Okay. But then I knew, because I hadn't accepted being served, that they were aggressively, of course, also looking for me. Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

That's scary.

[Arian Simone]

It vary very. But I use my rights.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I use my rights.

[Arian Simone]

Yes. I'm well equipped. I use my rights.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow.

[Arian Simone]

So that day, they found the filing. And I saw the top of the filing and it said United States District. And that's when I said, oh, my gosh, we have a federal case. So I text Ben Crump, emergency. I'm hitting up everybody. I'm hitting up Derek Johnson, the head of the naacp. I'm like, y'all gotta help. Something's going on.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

I was like, I don't even know what happened. And I said, who is this? And they're like, ed Bloom. And I was like, I know that name. They were like, the guy who stopped affirmative action. I said, at the Supreme Court. And I was like, oh, my gosh. So I was thrust into this just overnight, like, what is going on? So it was very abrupt. They filed three things against our company. A temporary restraining order. I thought those were for like crazy ex boyfriends or ex girlfriends. Mm. No. You can file a TRO on somebody's business and put them out of business. Yes. They wanted us shutting down operations by August 17th. And I said, what? They were like, do y'all have an event coming up? The attorneys asked. I said, yeah. I said, it's the 18th. They said. I said, oh, my gosh. I said, why am I disturbing these people?

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Right.

[Arian Simone]

This is literally. That's when you know it's the spirit of fear.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

This is literally a trillion dollar financial disparity as far as funding to people of color.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

You're worried about in the big scheme of things. I am so proud of what we've done, but you're worried about a couple hundred million.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

Like, you've got to be kidding me. This is a trillion dollar issue. We're not even making a dent in this statistic. Like, you've got to be kidding me. I'm that much of a threat that you wanna shut this down. But prior to the Fearless Fund, the average fundraise for a black woman was only $30,000. Oh, yeah. We came on the scene cutting seven figure checks. So it was very disruptive but very needed.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes. Yes. So this is mind blowing. All this is happening and then. So you had to cut off everything, the women? Yes.

[Arian Simone]

If anybody doesn't know the court case was for alleged discrimination. They said we were being discriminated. Discriminatory cause. We're investing in black and brown women and not white businesses.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You are kidding me. Mm.

[Arian Simone]

And they said we were violating. They claimed we were violating A civil rights law. I thought that was still part of the hoax.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Hello.

[Arian Simone]

I said. I did. I said, civil rights. I was like, civil rights were put in place for black people, for this black person. What you talking about? I said, oh, this is going to get dismissed. They have this wrong.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah. Oh, my goodness. And now with DEI being cut everywhere.

[Arian Simone]

We tried to warn everybody.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Did you?

[Arian Simone]

Yes. I kept doing posts like, yes. Cause we were the first DEI case. I said, sound the alarm. I said, we are inaugural defendants in one of the most defining lawsuits of our time. Please let people know this is real and this is happening.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, my goodness. So what happened with all the black women that you were helping with their businesses?

[Arian Simone]

Oh, they still got their money. Oh, I know.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

That's right. She's like.

[Arian Simone]

And during the court case, I was still deploying. I was still cutting checks left and right. I said, hey, we gonna keep this thing?

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

I was still cutting checks.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow. So where is the Fearless Fund? Where are you?

[Arian Simone]

We're still cutting checks now, too. Or the lawsuit is permanently dismissed. Praise God.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, good. Okay.

[Arian Simone]

Yes. Permanently dismissed. What was that? September 2024. So it was 13 months. Yes. Of a federal court case. So just mind you, people hear and they see what went on in the media.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

I said, people have no clue.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

That fall was one of the hardest seasons of my life.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

That makes living out the car like a piece of cake.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Listen, I can. I can't imagine, but I can imagine.

[Arian Simone]

One of the hardest seasons of my life.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh.

[Arian Simone]

I had people come for me, honey, that looked just like me and you. It was a mess.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, my God.

[Arian Simone]

It was a mess.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I can't imagine what. In those moments, I know you speak very openly about your faith. How did you lean in on those? Cause I know a lot of times you're like, lord, okay, now, I know I'm strong, but.

[Arian Simone]

Well, I knew the moment it hit when I realized we had something real. I was like, God, your hand is on this. I was like, I grew up around Rosa Parks. I grew up around Coretta Scott King. I grew up around Betty Shabazz. I said, your hand is on this.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You grew up around all those.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

What?

[Arian Simone]

Mm. Civil rights icons and just women in the movement. I said, this is not biased, too. That's crazy. I think it's crazy, too. Cause now I sit back, I'm like, I would have asked y'all so many more questions.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Right? Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

When you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes. Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

And I was a kid. I will go back. Well, give me two seconds.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah. Do you think. Yes. No, I'm in.

[Arian Simone]

So there was one moment when I remember being about 14, and my mom was like, I always travel with my parents, but they were like, you know what? We're going down ahead. You and Ashley had come down after us. And I was like, okay. They were like, you're coming to Alabama. And I freaked out. I said, I don't go to Alabama now. At this point, I'm well traveled. I've traveled countries, state, all of it.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Not going there.

[Arian Simone]

I said, Mrs. Parks has told me about the Klan and all these crazy people. I said, I don't wanna see myself. Mom, do you have a gun down there? Like, what is going on? Like, I don't like this. Like, I didn't wanna go for anything. She said. She said, arian, Coretta Scott King, Juanita Abernathy and Rosa Parks are waiting on you. And I told her I could see those old women anytime. Lord, forgive me. But I was young, and I had no appreciation of it at the time because this was just my life. She was like a grandmother to me. I'm checking on her after school, bringing groceries, stuff like that. So this is not even like, oh, my gosh, it's my norm.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

Wow. And she was like, arian Simone Reed, you will get your behind on that plane. So I got my behind on that plane.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

How old were you then?

[Arian Simone]

I think I was, like, 14. Yeah. Yeah, I was 14.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, my goodness.

[Arian Simone]

So it was an anniversary for one of the Montgomery bus boycotts. But, yeah, I pulled on that. So, yeah, my faith is strong. When it happened, I knew God's hand was on it. And I was just like. I knew my steps had been ordered. I knew I was covered. I said, okay. Lord, no weapon formed against me shall prosper. I said, any tongue that rises up against me, I shall condemn. I said, okay, I'm going to stand on your word. I said, I believe you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

You watch over it to make sure it is performed. I said, I'm with you. So, yes, my faith got me through. Cause I had no clue that through something like that that even other people would try to attack you because they think you're vulnerable.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

I was like, oh, my gosh.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

That's. Oh, my gosh.

[Arian Simone]

But we had a lot of support, so we gonna keep it positive, sweetie.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Always. Always.

[Arian Simone]

We had a lot of support through the process, and I'm so grateful now.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Have you seen those people that came after you since then? And they see that it didn't work? And no weapon formed against you shall prosper.

[Arian Simone]

He lays the Table in the presence of my enemies. Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes. And they watch in Feast.

[Arian Simone]

Come on.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I know that's right. Oh, my God. So let's go back to Rosa Parks.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Coretta Scott King. What?

[Arian Simone]

Yeah.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

This is crazy. Like, it's funny. I was on the phone yesterday with a friend, and he was like, you asked about looking like Rosa Parks, And I looked in the camera, and I was like, oh, my God, I can see it. Cause I didn't know your favorite part. I had my glasses on, and my hair was, like. It wasn't like, slick back. It was kind of like, out. No.

[Arian Simone]

Y'all favorite.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I was like, come on, Biopic.

[Arian Simone]

Rosa, come on.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

It's funny you said that. And then the moments as you're a child, not realizing the preparation that you're, like, around and the preparation to do what you're doing now. God makes no mistakes. It was already written. Oh, my gosh. So where you are now, you're still writing checks? The Fearless Fund is still thriving?

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

What are the initiatives that you're going after now that you're over that hurdle?

[Arian Simone]

Before we got sued, my staff even has me on video talking about this. I didn't even notice was coming around the corner. I told them at our retreat, I said, you all. When we finished raising Fund two, I said, I'm going to actually take a step back and get into more advocacy work. I said, I have to stand up for this kind of work that we're doing. I said, because we don't need the Fearless Fund. We need Fearless Funds. I said, we need more people having the opportunity to do what it is that I do. I said, so I'm going to get into some more advocacy work. I said, and we're going to have to make sure that people are aware of what this racial disparity is and how do we actually fix it. So I had no clue that this would turn into the way it has and given me a platform to have a voice to speak about it more. So that's incredible.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Do you do, like, mentorship programs for young entrepreneurs that are trying to start their own business?

[Arian Simone]

Not necessarily try to start their own business, but the second they have, we have a program called Get Venture Ready.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Okay.

[Arian Simone]

So people who have started their business and they're looking to get venture dollars, we have programs for them so they can learn about their options. And venture capital is not for everybody. Yeah, it's very aggressive, and it's very fast. Venture capital, to those of you all who are listening, looks like Shark Tank. So people say, hey, can you give me $500,000? I'll give you 10% ownership of my business. And that's exactly what it looks like. Just like Shark Tank. Now that's some semi aggressive. Because we're looking for you to exit in five to seven years. Whereas we also have a loan program. We have a $200 million loan program and people can apply for $5,000 up to $250,000. If you just have 50,000 DOL in revenue, credit score 600. So that's the criteria for that program. And then at our foundation we have grants, so we have multiple financing options depending on where you're at and what is you desire to get done.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

So say I was an entrepreneur.

[Arian Simone]

You are. Here we go.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

And I was coming to you to present my business, looking for funding. What are you looking for that's good because I know people are like, well, what do I need to be prepared for when I go ask for this money and this capital?

[Arian Simone]

Well, there's four indicators, especially on the venture side. We do look for a good brand story because you gotta be able to sell it. Like I sold the vision and now we're here with the fund. You gotta be able to sell it. You need to have a strong team because that's nice. Once you sell that story, it's like, okay, are you all equipped to actually go execute on what you're selling to us? You want to have a good product and you want to have traction. So Traction can look like anything. So we invest in cpg, which is a consumer packaged good, any type of product.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Okay.

[Arian Simone]

We also invest in technology. But with that being said, technology is very capital intensive. So people may not have the revenue to say it's traction. They may have. Oh, my email list has 50,000 people on this wait list. That's Traction.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Got it.

[Arian Simone]

I've had this many downloads. That's Traction. I've got this many social media followers. That's Traction. We know you have people who are interested in what you're talking about.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah. Oh, wow. Okay, so let's backtrack to the person who's just got an idea before they even can even get to you. What are some things that they can do to build that social media presence, to build the traction, to get the emails and all that stuff?

[Arian Simone]

You'd be surprised. Ideas get funded every day.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow.

[Arian Simone]

Mm. Those are our four indicators we look at. But ideas do get funded every day.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow. Okay. It's good to know you guys. Listen, we need to hit Aryan up or hit the Fearless roundup. So how would you define success when it comes to being an entrepreneur? Because so many people feel like, well, I'm not where Arian is, or I'm not where Crystal is, or I'm not here. But where would you define success so people can understand there's different levels and you don't have to be.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, completely. But it's whatever your field of. I would say, like field of influences. I define it as, you know, just impact. If you've changed one person's life, you know, just by your presence and by what it is that you're doing, that's impactful.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

No, for sure.

[Arian Simone]

Yeah, that is impactful.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Has your idea of success evolved over the years?

[Arian Simone]

Has it evolved? It probably has.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I know for me, like, I remember where I was, say 10 years ago.

[Arian Simone]

In your 20s and success was like a dollar amount.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah, that was success. And then where I am now, I'm like, that was nowhere near what I thought success was. And then still today I'm like, I still have so much further to go.

[Arian Simone]

You know, that is true. I've always looked at it like, of course, I'm always growing, always evolving, always achieving, always.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

But I still think every level was successful.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah, no, for sure.

[Arian Simone]

So I get what you're mean, what you're saying, like, oh, no, I feel like I haven't made it. I'm doing this, doing that. But you're successful.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

You've been successful.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

Maybe because I just operate from like a pure place of gratitude.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

So, yeah, I think so. That was where I would say where has evolved.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Okay. I love that.

[Arian Simone]

Yeah. I wouldn't have said I was successful all those times, but now I look back and say all of that was success.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah, I love that. What actually inspired you to even create the Fearless Fund was it just seeing.

[Arian Simone]

That promise I made to myself in college. I had the experience of going to pitch as a college student.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

What was your major?

[Arian Simone]

I was a business major, but I majored in business in high school. Like we had. I went to high school that had majors too. Okay. So going through that process and seeing investors do not look like you going through that process. And I'm talking about I'm suited and booted even as a college kid. And I'm giving them my best at that time. Business plan. This is before decks, quote unquote, were around. And I was like, this is not working. I was like, there's gotta be somebody who can understand my story. There's gotta be somebody who's going to believe in me. And I sat There on that floor amongst the inventory. And I said, don't you worry about it. Because one day you're gonna be the biz investor you were looking for.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I love that. Can you share a success story of a business or entrepreneur that you guys have sewn into and invested in?

[Arian Simone]

Oh, honey, plenty.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Please share it. Cause I'm excited to hear about.

[Arian Simone]

You said plenty. Yeah, I mean, we're investors. You know, these companies partake. The Lip Bar, slutty vegan. I mean, what? Oh, yeah.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

With no idea.

[Arian Simone]

We got the hit list. Okay. We got the hot roster.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I didn't know that.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, yeah. We got all the success stories. Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, that is amazing. So how did Pinky come in?

[Arian Simone]

I don't think she came in. I was probably slutified, whatever they call it. You had taken a bite of the burger? Yes. Oh, yes. And then I heard through her manager at the time that they were having a round of funding. And I was like, oh, you gonna cut me in?

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I know that's right.

[Arian Simone]

And he was like, I got you. I was like, cool. So that's how that happened.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Okay. And then Marissa at the Lip Bar, I just saw her.

[Arian Simone]

She actually came to us. But I was there probably. Maybe. I don't know if it's week one, two, or three. I pledge Melissa, I. We have the same. Yep. We are Deltas. We have the same high school in common. Uh huh. We are both from the same side of town in Detroit. And then we both went to famu.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh. So y'all.

[Arian Simone]

I was not in her diligence process. Cause I said, y'all have to keep me honest.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Arian Simone]

Cause I was like. I was there week one when she was in her studio apartment in New York making vegan lipstick from the stove. So I was like, I gotta step aside on this one.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You're like, I've been there.

[Arian Simone]

No, there was times we didn't think the deal was happening. She was like, spatch, I don't think it's happening. I said, I don't know. They ain't giving me a good report right now. So it went on for like a couple months, back and forth. Legal diligence, papers. And then she called, she said, it's gonna happen. And I cried. I had never cried when we had invested. But I said, this is somebody I saw day one. Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

That's beautiful.

[Arian Simone]

Built this business. I said, I am honored to cut this check.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, see, I love hearing stories like this. And that was another thing that. God, he designed that. It was written since y'all were kids.

[Arian Simone]

Like what?

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You know what I'm saying? Like, that's crazy. That is crazy. How can people, if they want to get involved, if they have the money and they want to just even donate to the fund, how can they do that?

[Arian Simone]

Donations to the foundation are at the Fearless Foundation. Any information for the fund is Fearless Fund F U n D. Okay, perfect.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah. Because I'm sure people listening are going to want to get behind this.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, thank you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah. Especially with everything that's going on with DEI and our funds being cut everywhere you turn. How do you feel about the boycotts on different companies?

[Arian Simone]

Woo, girl, don't get me started. I'm not on social as much lately.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

But when I have had to say a few things here and there, I have a lot of feelings. I have told even the black and brown brands at Target. I said, if you can walk off the shelf, the same way they can cancel you, you can cancel them.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow.

[Arian Simone]

I said. And you all probably need to walk in your power. I said, if I were you, I'd send a collective letter expressing your concerns that when I entered into an agreement with your company that these were your value systems.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

This is where things lined up. This is why I chose to be in partnership with you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Right.

[Arian Simone]

I said not have everybody sign it. And I said, because you have now changed your values and I've entered into this business agreement with you, my products are now being part of a boycott that I wouldn't have wanted. So I may have to sue you for financial damages. Unless you want to change your values.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow. I need you to look, I'm calling Erin when we got. How do I need to write this email?

[Arian Simone]

Oh, wow. Their board of directors would have heard from me had I been in that position. Their board of directors. And they're C suite.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You are sharp.

[Arian Simone]

And I would have had a meeting.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah, I know. That's.

[Arian Simone]

And I would have had a check too.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah. Because I'm good friends with Tabitha Brown, Love her. And even Monique Rodriguez. Their brands are both on target ships.

[Arian Simone]

These are all my girlfriends, everybody.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

And I've seen them get on Instagram and say, hey, guys, if you do, if you're boycotting, you're boycotting us. So if you're gonna go, only shop black brands. But when I think about it, I feel like if you just bring in and make your own website and sell it yourself and get a drop shipping.

[Arian Simone]

Thing like I said, y'all can all walk out the door and go start Target, baby. Listen, all walk out the door, all.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Of Them and make way more money collectively.

[Arian Simone]

I said, you all make them millions. Millions of money. I said, stand in your voice.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

Stand in your voice.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Exactly.

[Arian Simone]

So, yeah. Oh, Tarka would have had a new announcement by the time I had got done with them, we would have saw a whole new press conference.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I already know. Oh, my goodness. Yeah. I was. I see a lot of people doing the boycotts and pastors. Everyone's getting behind it. And I think it's very important to let our voices be heard and show the power of our dollar as a black community.

[Arian Simone]

Because even speaking of Rosa Parks, the Montgomery bus boycott did not just end due to morality, it ended due to economics. They bled them out. So they were like, oh, we're gonna have to start this and fix some things.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

So, yeah, you exercise. You advocate with your dollars. And I tell that to people all the time. So if somebody does donate from watching this, thank you all so much. Because you advocate with your dollars.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Exactly. They do. How do you balance being a leader, a businesswoman, and an entrepreneur? Like, you do a lot of things, and now you're in your advocacy bag and you're all over. I can't imagine how you even keep up with the day with everything you have going on. How do you balance it all?

[Arian Simone]

Well, I'm grateful for a great team.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

I'm like, you, too. Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

I'm like, we may be small, but we're mighty and lean. Okay. Yes. We are mighty. So I've been blessed with great people, great advisors, great team members. I have to really give it to them. They keep my life in order so I can move and flow in ease.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah. Cause I always see you around. I'm like you, always supporting everyone.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, thank you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Every time I see you. We saw each other at Sarah Jakes Roberts book signing last year.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

And I saw you at Will's book signing the other day.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

So you're always supporting, supporting everybody else.

[Arian Simone]

It's my joy.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I love that.

[Arian Simone]

I love seeing people succeed, and I love seeing dreams fulfilled. I love seeing people walk in their purpose.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

Yeah. Earth is fun.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I love that. What roles has networking played in building everything you've built today? Because I'm not the best networker. I tell Sean all the time, like, I need you to come with me because I will sit in the corner and not talk to people. But it seems like you have somehow.

[Arian Simone]

You have figured it out, though.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You know, even last night, I went somewhere and somebody else had to, like, take me to meet the people because I'm not Gonna be like, hi, I'm Crystal. How are you doing?

[Arian Simone]

I think people know who you are, though. I said, somehow it has still worked out. But I get what you're saying. You're like, okay, if you're not, like, aggressively extrovert. If you're not that. I think you may have answered your own question, because you're like, okay, I'm gonna bring an advocate with me.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

There's somebody that can say, this is her soul. Right. Yeah, that's true. Cause I do have an issue with that. A friend of mine said, you network. I'm like, no, I'm not the best networker. I'm really big on energy.

[Arian Simone]

Yes. The word itself doesn't sound organic.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I think that's my problem. I don't want to.

[Arian Simone]

Yes. You don't want forced relationships.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I don't.

[Arian Simone]

So I wouldn't even approach it from a networking standpoint, because I'm big on energy too. If I rock with you, I rock with you. And if I don't, I don't. And I'm really okay with it.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah, exactly.

[Arian Simone]

So I would just say I'm coming to make whatever genuine connections.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah. I love that.

[Arian Simone]

Are in the space that are there for me.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I love that. What is next for you? Oh, gosh. Because I know it's something. I know you got something up your sleeve.

[Arian Simone]

I mean, if we're talking business, I would say I could sense a book.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I did. Literally, when you. I was like, when you're writing a book. And you were like, so we need a book, Arian. We need a book. Especially talking about Rosa Parks. And that was like your grandma.

[Arian Simone]

Well, the book is. It's in the book. Because the book is about picking up the mantle from where our civil rights icons left off and preparing a prosperous future for this generation.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I love that. I absolutely love that. Do you have a title yet?

[Arian Simone]

Mm.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Can the kids family get a little sneak peek? She's like, not yet.

[Arian Simone]

It's semi. Well, I don't mind sharing it. Cause it. I know even my agency is making an announcement, but it's called Freedom to be Fearless.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Amazing. Well, I have a. Like, it's not really announced as a book club, but I do one book a month, so I'll make sure I share that. Thank you. Yes, absolutely. And we'll read it.

[Arian Simone]

Thank you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Absolutely. A goal of mine this year was to read more. Because I just remember as a kid, I would read all the time. I would stay in my room and just, like, just going through the pages, and I'm like, I do not sit down and read anymore. So this year I started that, and every month I do a book.

[Arian Simone]

Did that help you just dream big?

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

It did. It did. Especially being from a small town.

[Arian Simone]

Small town. Like, my small town success stories are the magazines and the books I hear.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I just. I literally was. When we were in LA for ESSENCE last week, I just said that I was like. I was talking to one of the marketing execs at Essence, and I said essence magazine was on my coffee table. And it was also at our bathroom, because back in the day, we would have these little baskets with magazines in it when you go to the bathroom. And it was ESSENCE and Jet and Ebony. Those are the magazines in there. So that was where I found my style inspiration. That's where I knew what was going on in black culture. Because where I'm from, it's predominantly white. So I didn't have that exposure. Like, all my friends were white. I was the black kid sitting at the table with all the white kids. So I didn't have that exposure to our culture, except for through bet, mtv, and the magazines. You're absolutely right. And it just. It showed me a whole new world. And it got my mind. I said, as soon as I can get out of here, I'm getting out of here. And I did.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, my God.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

That's beautiful.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Thank you. Thank you. You pour into everyone. How do you pour into yourself?

[Arian Simone]

Oh, I do.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

She said, oh, I do.

[Arian Simone]

How I do often. I'm even about to take off on a whole wellness good wellness resorts. I'm talking resorts that make you sign a contract that you can't get on the phone.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, I need to do that. Oh, yes, we should do that, Ashana. I think we.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Literally. I love that.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, I do. And Ashanna knows that. She has done with one of her events. I sent her a gift card. Four season spa. I was like, girl, go enjoy yourself. I said, go enjoy yourself. I'm very big on being restorative.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

Because I know if I'm going to do all that, I have to pour into me. So I'm very big on loving myself. I get up in the morning, I pray, I have a scripture, I meditate, I have affirmations. I say religiously. You know, I am intentional about loving on me.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I love that.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

And I'm proud of you for that, because I feel as black women, we pour, pour, pour, pour, pour.

[Arian Simone]

And then we're left with, oh, no, you run dry.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Literally run dry.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

So that's amazing that. That you're intentional in that space. And before we get out, I wanted to ask you one last thing.

[Arian Simone]

Okay.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You're a queen.

[Arian Simone]

I am the queen of Dawah and Cote d'ivoire.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You are the queen of Dahua?

[Arian Simone]

Yes. And Cote d'ivoire.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Where is that?

[Arian Simone]

The Ivory Coast? It's right next door to Ghana.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Really? Mm.

[Arian Simone]

So you can fly direct to Accra, and then you can just hop on over to Abidjan. Wow.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

So how did that happen?

[Arian Simone]

That's why I said I knew I was gonna need some time if we was gonna discuss this, but I'm gonna give it to you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Give it to me.

[Arian Simone]

So. I have always had an affinity for the continent. And when you're talking about just ordered steps and divinity, I never saw this coming. I would always go over there in big ball gowns and big head wraps and just enjoy the fact that we come from kings and queens. And I would just savor in it. And I remember one day I got this call from one of our team members, and they said, arianne. Cause I was building a school in Cote d'ivoire, and they said, when you land, a stylist is gonna meet you. And I was like, nah. I said, I'm wearing my hair naturally curly. I just wanna feel like, you know, I'm the Earth Mother Earth. I'm just wearing my hair naturally curly. And she was like, well, no, it's for your outfit. And I was like, oh, no, I'm. When I get to the school, I'm putting on jeans and, you know, the polo top for the school.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

And she was like, oh, my gosh. She said, you don't know. I said, what? She said, ariane, they're crowning you queen. And I kind of laughed and got off the phone. I was like, oh, how cute. I didn't take it as for real.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Mmm.

[Arian Simone]

I took it as like, this is an honor or an award or something like that.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, my God.

[Arian Simone]

It wasn't until I got this long email that came through about the queen's ceremony and her coronation. And then the queen addresses her people. I'm reading this email. I said to Queen, her people. Addresses her people. I was like, wait a minute. This is me.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Addresses her people.

[Arian Simone]

I was like. And then it said in there that the chief had prayed to God, I have Christian territory. The chief had prayed to God and said, this is her. And I was just like, what now? This even spooked you out. Much later, I get ready to board this flight, and, you know, on the iPhone, they have, like, These news stories that pop up for the day. The news story said five royal tribes that were captured in the slave trade. I was so freaked out. I didn't even read that article at the time. I went back and read it much later.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

Then a year about later at one of our family reunions. Now, mind you, I've done my DNA. I just. I always. I never focused on the west as much as I did the East. I was always so surprised how heavy East I was, considering most people in. Yes. African Americans are very heavy west due to the transatlantic slave trade. So the fact that I was, like, 35% East African, Ethiopian, Eritrean, and all this stuff over there, I was like, this is interesting.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

I never even looked at the other side. So I'm at a family reunion, and my family's like, lineage. We go back eight generations, and we're very heavy into our family history. And they're doing a DNA test and all that. Arian know, we got Ivorian blood. And I look. And I said, oh, my gosh. Like, even if you see we have a family genealogist, and you can see it going up and up and up and up. And I was like, oh, this is freaking me out.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah. I was like, oh, my goodness.

[Arian Simone]

What is this? I know, exactly. But it was definitely. It's truly an honor. But it's not just a title. It's actually a responsibility. These people are looking to you for leadership.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

They are looking to you for vision.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

As queen, you work with the government to help improve the welfare of the people. So this is. It's real.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow.

[Arian Simone]

And especially in African traditions, we have so many thrones. Like, there's only, I think, 12 monarchs that are still in power in the whole world now. But for Africans, prior to colonialism, you know, these were tribal lands.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

This is being land that's governed by kings and queens, you know, and still is respected today over there. So I land, and paparazzi's everywhere.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, my goodness.

[Arian Simone]

I got on, like, a poncho, some sweats. I'm like, okay, get to the hotel. They're like, what are you doing tomorrow? And I told somebody I was gonna have a spa day. Told you I'll pour into me.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Mm. I need my moment.

[Arian Simone]

They said, no. They said, the head wrap lady will be to you at 6:30, and makeup is coming at 6. I said, huh? They said, you'd be on national news at 8:00am oh, my.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You're like, wait, what?

[Arian Simone]

Exactly. I was like, well, I said, you know what? You're gonna Surrender. I said, just go with it.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

I said, just go with it. I get out there. Luckily, on that trip, actually, my first lady was with me, Pastor Danielle Murphy. And she actually gave the sermon in my ceremony.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, wow.

[Arian Simone]

And somebody translated it in French for the audience. And before I gave my address, and there were so many blooper moments, like, oh, Christina Murray was there at that trip.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, was she?

[Arian Simone]

Oh, gosh. She was standing up at times. And the governor was like, tell her to sit down. She was at the ds. I said, christina, we're supposed to be seated right now.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, Lord.

[Arian Simone]

So it's all these different bloopers. The girl greets me with these flowers. I curtsy right with her. They said, anybody tell the queen to stand up?

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You don't cur.

[Arian Simone]

Oh.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You do not bow.

[Arian Simone]

So it was so funny. But I love the people.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Did you have to, like, take, like, a crash course or how to do it?

[Arian Simone]

Oh, no. Yeah. The moment I realized that letter was real, they were like, you have government protocol tomorrow morning because you need to know, of course, how to address people. I'm even still learning on the job to this day. I was just went to go visit one of my girlfriends over there for her brunch, and she's like, well, Ariane, of course, do your title. You're at the head table. And I was just like, okay. I'm thinking, like, I was just sitting at the head table. I don't know that every time somebody speaks, I have to stand up and I have to greet them.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow.

[Arian Simone]

So I'm always still, like, learning on the job because French culture is very big on protocol. Francophone countries and Anglophone countries are a little bit different. Like, when I go to Ghana, I'm, like, all relaxed, just chilling. I'm over in Cote d'ivoire. It's like, okay, I already know I have to be on, but, yes, it's my honor to serve those people, though.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes. That is incredible.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, thank you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, my gosh. We are in the presence of a queen. That's so crazy.

[Arian Simone]

I was wondering.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I was like, how did that happen? So how often do you have to go?

[Arian Simone]

I go. Technically, I go. Seems like I'm in Africa so often, but I am there in Diwa at least once a year. I am on the continent sometimes every other month. Wow. We actually even at the fund and the foundation, so 80% of our funds are domestic, 20% are international. So I allocate grants through there. We have investments on the continent. So, yes, it's wonderful.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I love that I do have a question. There is a big misconception that Africa is not a place that you want to move to. But I hear so many Americans going back to Africa, Ghana, specifically.

[Arian Simone]

Ghana has done a good job.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah. How do you feel about that? And is that something that you feel people should look into?

[Arian Simone]

Oh, yeah. I even have Ghanaian citizenship.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow.

[Arian Simone]

So Ghana has done a great job with just marketing the year of the return. And I would say this because they're like, erin, what did you think when you got here? And I was honest with them. I said, you all oversold this place. Now, I've been back and forth to Ghana so many times since then. I said, only because I'm somebody who's traveled the continent. I said, I've been north, south, east, west. I said, so I know what Africa has to offer. I said, you all get enough so much tourism here. I said, I did expect your infrastructure to be a little bit better. I said, you go next door to Cote d'ivoire. And they said, we already know it's gorgeous. So, like, Abidjan is called Paris of the West. Like, I mean, it's Abidjan. I mean, the beaches. Ivory coast is known for their white sand beaches. All of it. It's gorgeous.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

So I will say this. I think that any black person should have that experience of being on your own land. There's nothing like it. I think that they should know the culture, the history. It's part of who we are. So I do encourage that. I encourage, even if you want two places, you know, it may be inexpensive to have a summer home out on the continent and then come back, you know, So I definitely encourage it. And like I said, Ghana has done a good job of making it easy for people.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Right. What about safety? Because I went to Johannesburg with Tyler for the Global Citizens Festival, and they were telling us, don't have earpods in your ears. Don't be on your phone in the.

[Arian Simone]

Car, don't stop at the red lights when it gets dark.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

I've been to Johannesburg a few times.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah. Is it like that? And I didn't know if all Africa was like that. And you have other parts where it's war and slaughter.

[Arian Simone]

1. I will say this. It's 50, 54 countries. So no, it's definitely not all like that. Africa has everything that you will find in the world. You're going to find paradise, you're going to find third world, and you're going to find city sky, skyscrapers, all of it like you saw in Joburg. So you're going to see everything.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You did see everything. Because I'm going to drive like 30 minutes to Soweto, where.

[Arian Simone]

Yep. Nelson Mandela lives.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

And then it's like you're passing huts in like.

[Arian Simone]

Correct. You're going to see all of it.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow.

[Arian Simone]

But the level of beauty is unmatched, you know, so you're going to see all of it. And those of us who can, and we can come and do things to help make it better. The investment opportunity is huge. I sit on the board of Steve Madden. Our number one store right now is our South African store.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Are you serious?

[Arian Simone]

Yes. We've expanded to the continent and Steve.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Madden has some cute clothes now. I didn't know that. Yeah. We just started making clothes. We did. There's stuff. It's on revolve. I see it all the time.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I'm like, Steve Madden. Yeah. Y'all have some really. Keep it up. Y'all have some really cute pieces.

[Arian Simone]

I love serving on the board.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah, that's amazing.

[Arian Simone]

I do. But Africa has so much to offer. Investments, opportunities. I even know people in your field.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I have a friend, she's been very open. Gail Bean has a house in Accra. Accra.

[Arian Simone]

Yes, Accra. But let me tell you, there are people who couldn't get through the door here, but got through the door there. I'm talking folks, you wouldn't know who they were. Now they got millions of followers and I'm just like, oh, my gosh. Because of the opportunities on the continent.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

And I love the TV and film industry there. Like, some of my favorite shows are in Africa.

[Arian Simone]

You a blood and water watcher?

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, my goodness.

[Arian Simone]

Poulain. Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I met Poulain, this other sister. I sat next to her.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, I love it.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Last year. Yes.

[Arian Simone]

I love it.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I was like, you the.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Blood and Water. I just watched it.

[Arian Simone]

She's like, yes, that's one of my favorites.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

So good. Yeah. The production quality is fantastic.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, it's second to none.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

The acting is incredible.

[Arian Simone]

Now South Africa is 18 to 1. I have a girlfriend there. Yes. She runs, actually an agency, a talent agency. Used to work at Interscope. Now that she's there, her and her husband and her kids, she said, arian, had I known I could get stuff at this level for this price. She said I'd had three more kids. She said, I'm just past childbearing age. She said, but I would have had three more kids. Cause she's like, my house staff, you know, is very inexpensive. They have so much help. Oh, yeah. I Walked in the door, they pulled out champagne, everything. I'm at this gorgeous house of hers, and I said, girl, what does this cost? Yeah. She said, about 500,000. She said, but, you know, this over there.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, my goodness.

[Arian Simone]

In America would have been millions.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Millions. Yes. Wow.

[Arian Simone]

So 18. All right, y'all, we going to Africa. Now. That's not your favorite place where I am queen. I will say this. It's not a steal. It's a smidget.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Smidget.

[Arian Simone]

Less. No, a smidget less. But it's. You don't see it, so it's not. You're gonna get that feeling of, oh, no, 500,000 is 500,000. Right, right.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Got it, Got it.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Wow. I love that. Erin. I really enjoyed this conversation.

[Arian Simone]

I have, too. I feel like we just sitting in your house.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

Just having us a good time in our pajamas. Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

We'll have to do that again in our pajamas and really have a good time.

[Arian Simone]

Yes.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Before we go, I want to play a game of this or that.

[Arian Simone]

Okay.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Are you ready? All right, let's see. We got angel versus seed investment. You said angel, angel investment, or seed investment.

[Arian Simone]

And I pick one.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

One or the other. Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

Okay. What's the outcome?

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

She is such a businesswoman.

[Arian Simone]

She's like, no, just say. Just pick one. You just pick one. Seed investment.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Okay. Success versus failure.

[Arian Simone]

Success versus failure.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

This could be a. Have a caveat to it.

[Arian Simone]

Yeah, I know. Because people will pick failure because they actually get to learn from it.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

That's what I was thinking.

[Arian Simone]

She's like, I don't wanna fail. It's not a bad thing, though. So it's like, yikes. I'm gonna go for success. Keep going.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Okay, let's do it. Cash versus crypto.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, cash. I'm old school. I'm like, cash.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Me too.

[Arian Simone]

I'm real old school.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I have not gotten into. I don't trust it. No.

[Arian Simone]

I did do crypto, and I made a lot of cash.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Okay. Really tough.

[Arian Simone]

I took most out. I was in it very early on.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Early on, Yes.

[Arian Simone]

I don't know.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

It was something about. I just really couldn't get into it. And I guess because I'm very old, I want my.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, yeah, but it's cash if I got you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

I know that's right. Okay. Investing versus saving.

[Arian Simone]

I already know. I'm investing, period. I don't have the discipline to save. I have the discipline to invest. Don't get me wrong. I have a savings.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

But I am so disciplined. When I see that money going up, I Just want to add, I have a discipline for that.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Right. I love that last one. Sneakers versus heels. I think I know this one.

[Arian Simone]

I'm a heels girl.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yeah, I would say I know this one.

[Arian Simone]

Yes, I am.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

So to end the show, we have what is called positive outcomes, where our listeners write into us and we give them advice. You ready?

[Arian Simone]

Mm.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

All right. So Carol Lee writes, how can I balance my role as a giver and continue supporting others while setting healthy boundaries to protect my own well being and foster a more positive dynamic within my family? So you are a giver and you're supporting, but you want to set boundaries. I've dealt with this where I'm constantly giving, giving, giving. And you realize that your giving isn't helping people learn the lesson.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, it could be enablement very much.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

And then turn to entitlement.

[Arian Simone]

I don't think that people who are givers should ever stop giving. Because I'm a giver. I think you have to be mindful of who you're giving to.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

That's it. Yes.

[Arian Simone]

Because by default, we're gonna give.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Absolutely. Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

Because that's just who we are and how we're wired to be.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes.

[Arian Simone]

But you have to be mindful of who you're giving to. So I think the boundary more so is. Is where I'm giving going to bear fruit, right?

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes. Yeah.

[Arian Simone]

And if it is not, then that's not. I'm not giving.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Right, Right. Got it. Thank you so much.

[Arian Simone]

Oh, no, thank you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Oh, my gosh.

[Arian Simone]

Thank you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

This is fascinating. Yes. Thank you for sharing everything with us. I appreciate it.

[Arian Simone]

Thank you for having me. Of course. I could be here all day.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

No, same. I'm glad we did this because we have not gotten to talk. We've seen each other in passing so many times and never got to really sit down. This is amazing.

[Arian Simone]

Divine timing.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

Yes. Yes. And we cannot wait for that book. Oh, thank you. Super excited about it. Thank you.

[Arian Simone]

Absolutely.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

You're welcome.

[Arian Simone]

Thank you.

[Krista Renee Hayslett]

My goodness. I absolutely enjoyed my conversation with Aaron Simone. There were so many gems. I mean, she touched on financial literacy, she touched on entrepreneurship. She touched on adversity in her journey and how she kept pushing. And I think my biggest takeaway from Arian would be to honestly look more into my heritage and my lineage to see where I'm from. Her talking about Africa and her being a queen in Africa was so inspiring, and it inspired me to really look deeper into my ancestry. For all they say, you don't know where you're going until you know where you come from. Thank you so much for tuning in to today's episode of Keep It Positive Sweetie. Don't forget to subscribe. Subscribe, leave a review and share this with someone who could use some positive energy. Also, don't forget to write into our Positive Outcomes Listener Letter. You can write [e-mail] you can follow me on all social media platforms. Ovechrystalrenae. And you can follow our show and keep up with everything at keepitpositivesweetie. And remember, guys, no matter what life throws at you, stay focused, stay confident, and as always, keep It Positive Sweeties. I'll see you guys next time.