Morgan DeBaun's 2024 Reflections: Motherhood, Milestones, and What's Next
In the episode titled "Morgan DeBaun's 2024 Reflections: Motherhood, Milestones, and What's Next," Morgan DeBaun, the Founder & CEO of Blavity Inc. and host of The Journey Podcast, takes listeners through a comprehensive reflection of her year. Covering personal achievements, professional milestones, and future aspirations, Morgan offers an intimate glimpse into balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and personal growth.
1. Personal Milestones
a. Embracing Motherhood
Kicking off the reflection, Morgan delves into her first year of parenthood, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she faced. She emphasizes the dedication required to prioritize her son's needs, even in less-than-ideal circumstances.
"I feel really proud of myself for being able to center my son and a lot of the decisions that I made... even if that meant pumping in an airport bathroom" ([00:04]).
Morgan praises her commitment to breastfeeding, acknowledging the societal barriers mothers often encounter.
b. Maintaining Friendships
Navigating parenthood often strains personal relationships, but Morgan takes pride in preserving her friendships. She successfully integrated her friends into her new life as a mother, ensuring that her social connections remained strong.
"I feel like I was able to see them, hang out with them, integrate them into my world..." ([00:12]).
This ability to balance motherhood with maintaining friendships earned her a self-assessed "10 out of 10" for the year.
c. Fitness Journey: Conquering Pilates
Morgan shares her initial apprehensions about Pilates and how overcoming them contributed to her physical well-being.
"I was so intimidated by Pilates, but now I could do everything... my abs have never been stronger" ([00:18]).
This fitness milestone not only improved her health but also boosted her confidence in reclaiming her physical strength post-pregnancy.
2. Looking Ahead: Goals for 2025
a. Returning to Weightlifting and Enhancing Wellness
Determined to regain her pre-motherhood muscle mass, Morgan plans to reintroduce weight training into her routine. She underscores the importance of discipline in her health regimen, focusing on weight training, hydration, and adequate protein intake.
"I just want to make sure that I am continuing to prioritize... which is weight training, drinking water and just getting enough protein in." ([00:23]).
b. Expanding Speaking Engagements and Book Launch
2025 promises a surge in professional activities for Morgan. She anticipates over a dozen speaking engagements, including prestigious invitations like Harvard and Cannes.
"I'm basically going on tour... especially if you're open to doing a book buy." ([00:27]).
Moreover, Morgan is eagerly awaiting the launch of her book in April, aspiring to become a New York Times bestselling author.
"I just want to make sure that this book can get as many hands as possible, and I want to help people." ([00:30]).
3. Investing and Financial Vision
a. Supporting Black Artists and Angel Investing
Morgan reveals her passion for investing in black artists and startups, aiming to use her resources and platform to foster creativity and innovation within the community.
"Next year, I want to spend more time continuing to invest in black artists and helping support their dreams." ([00:42]).
She discusses revitalizing her angel investing activities, focusing on fintech companies and ventures led by women and underrepresented individuals.
"I really enjoy angel investing, particularly in fintech companies or companies that are founded by women or underestimated people." ([00:45]).
4. Freedom and Personal Life
a. Rediscovering Travel with Her Partner
Morgan expresses a desire to rekindle the joy of traveling with her partner, Josh. She values these excursions as a means to strengthen their relationship and enjoy shared experiences outside their professional lives.
"Traveling as a couple... it's like going for, like, one thing. Like, oh, let's go to art gallery opening in Chicago." ([00:55]).
This balance between personal and professional life is crucial for her overall well-being and relationship.
5. AfroTech and Blavity Fest
a. Scaling AfroTech for Greater Impact
As AfroTech returns to Houston, Morgan focuses on accommodating its expanding influence. She discusses initiatives like the Afro Medtech Summit and the Robotics and Hardware Day to address the diverse interests of attendees.
"We're trying to figure out how to manage this space so that everybody can get what they're coming to AfroTech for." ([01:10]).
b. Integrating Blavity's Brand Franchises
Morgan outlines plans to unify Blavity's various brands under Blavity Fest, aiming to create a comprehensive cultural event that blends elements from AfroTech, Blavity House Party, and more.
"We're basically blending the best of both worlds from Afro Tech plus Blavity House Party and then creating Blavity Fest." ([01:20]).
This expansion is intended to foster dialogue among black intellectuals, creatives, and business professionals, cementing Blavity Fest as a pivotal cultural moment.
6. Team Building and Company Growth
Morgan commends her team's dedication and autonomy, which has allowed her to focus on strategic growth rather than day-to-day operational issues.
"Our team is in an awesome flow... I feel like a lot of people... they feel like they own their domain." ([01:35]).
She acknowledges minor challenges but remains optimistic about achieving financial stability and providing returns to her company's stakeholders.
7. Future Planning and Revenue Goals
Looking forward, Morgan sets ambitious targets for Blavity Inc., aiming to scale the company's revenue from $40 million to $100 million. She emphasizes the need for larger-scale projects and strategic investments to reach this milestone.
"Like, what kind of value do you need to be creating to demand that kind of revenue every week? That's a different business." ([01:50]).
Morgan also addresses the evolving landscape of media consumption, noting the decline of traditional websites and the rise of alternative digital engagement methods.
"If you're in the media business, you have to be thinking differently about how you're reaching people." ([01:58]).
Her forward-thinking approach includes diversifying content delivery and monetization strategies to stay ahead in the dynamic media industry.
Conclusion
Morgan DeBaun's reflection on 2024 offers a multifaceted view of her journey through motherhood, professional achievements, and personal growth. As she sets her sights on 2025, her plans reveal a blend of maintaining personal well-being, expanding professional horizons, and fostering community through strategic investments and event planning. Her candid insights and strategic vision provide inspiration for purpose-driven achievers striving to balance ambition with personal fulfillment.
Notable Quotes:
- "This is a reflection podcast you do not want to miss." – Morgan DeBaun ([00:00]).
- "Success isn't about the destination. It's about the journey." – Morgan DeBaun ([00:02]).
- "If you want to get to the next level,... you have to think bigger." – Morgan DeBaun ([02:30]).
For those seeking an in-depth understanding of balancing personal milestones with professional growth, Morgan DeBaun's reflections serve as a valuable guide. Her journey encapsulates the essence of living purposefully while striving for continuous improvement and community impact.