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:
- Strong Brand Story: Ability to sell the vision.
- Robust Team: Capacity to execute the business plan.
- Good Product: Quality and uniqueness of the offering.
- 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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