Podcast Summary: The Journey with Morgan DeBaun

Episode: Real Talk With Morgan DeBaun: Book Launch, Pregnancy, and Startup Advice
Release Date: May 20, 2025
Host: Morgan DeBaun, Founder & CEO of Blavity Inc.

1. Introduction and May Update (00:00 - 03:00)

Morgan DeBaun opens the episode with a personal update, reflecting on the month of May and the midpoint of Q2. She addresses the common questions she receives about the impact of executive orders on business operations.

"Success isn't about the destination, it's about the journey." – Morgan DeBaun [00:00]

2. Business Insights and AfroTech Growth (03:01 - 12:30)

Morgan discusses the resilience of the media side of her business, noting that clients and partners continue to advertise despite economic challenges. She highlights how fluctuating policies keep businesses adaptable.

She provides an update on AfroTech's expansion, mentioning the increase in client numbers and the vibrant community events across various cities such as Charlotte, New York, Miami, Chicago, and more. Morgan emphasizes the importance of loyalty and diversity in tech companies.

"If you're feeling like, do y'all want me to be here or not? The answer is most likely yes." – Morgan DeBaun [07:45]

3. Book Launch: "Rewrite Your Rules" (12:31 - 20:45)

Morgan shares the excitement surrounding her book, "Rewrite Your Rules," released on April 1. She expresses gratitude for the overwhelming positive reception and the tangible changes readers are making in their lives, such as hiring personal chefs or taking sabbaticals.

She clarifies that the book focuses on personal growth and self-improvement rather than providing a behind-the-scenes look at Blavity.

"If you enjoy any of my content, you should buy the book because it's in there a workbook." – Morgan DeBaun [15:30]

Morgan urges listeners to leave reviews on platforms like Audible, Goodreads, and Amazon to help maintain the book's visibility, especially during the summer when non-fiction launches face stiff competition.

4. Upcoming Book Tour and Personal Announcement (20:46 - 26:15)

Discussing her book tour, Morgan reveals plans to slow it down, focusing on a few more speaking engagements, including an event in Boston in collaboration with UPenn.

In a heartfelt personal update, Morgan announces her pregnancy with her second child. She narrates the moment she discovered she was pregnant, sharing the emotions and logistical concerns about balancing her expanding family with her professional responsibilities.

"We are very excited about it. Two kids was always part of the potential plan." – Morgan DeBaun [22:50]

5. Q&A Session: Fundraising for Startups (26:16 - 38:30)

Question: What are the do's and don'ts of fundraising for startups?

Morgan provides comprehensive advice on raising capital in the current economy:

• Clear Purpose: Understand why you need to raise money beyond personal gain. Funds should aim to grow the business, not just pay salaries.

  "You need to raise money so that you can grow the business." – Morgan DeBaun [28:10]

• Venture Backable: Ensure your business model promises significant returns (3-7x) within a 5-7 year timeframe to meet investor expectations.

• Product Readiness: Your product should be sufficiently developed to scale, leveraging AI and other tools to advance efficiently.

• Profitability Path: Investors now expect startups to have a clear path to profitability or break-even, reflecting reduced risk in current markets.

Morgan emphasizes differentiating between various types of financing, suggesting alternatives like angel investors when appropriate.

"It's important for you to just decide you need financing or do you need venture funding." – Morgan DeBaun [34:50]

6. Q&A Session: Finding Co-Founders and Building a Team (38:31 - 51:00)

Question: How can you find team members and co-founders?

Morgan advises that co-founders should be individuals you already have a strong relationship with, as the partnership requires deep trust and mutual understanding.

• Equity and Vesting: Offer equity that vests over time to ensure commitment and protect the business from sudden departures.

  "If you're going to give someone equity, it needs to vest over time." – Morgan DeBaun [42:15]

• Technical Talent Acquisition: Utilize platforms like AfroTech and NSBE to connect with technical talent. Make your opportunities compelling to attract skilled individuals who often juggle multiple projects.

She highlights the importance of hiring roles that align with the company's growth stage, starting with assistants and moving into specialized areas like marketing and sales as the business scales.

"The key is that when you have that time back, you're not going in chaos gardening, you're using that time to make more money." – Morgan DeBaun [50:05]

7. Q&A Session: Transition to a 'Soft Life' (51:01 - 58:25)

Question: Can you discuss the transition to a soft life?

Morgan expresses skepticism about the concept of maintaining a 'soft life' indefinitely, advocating instead for a balanced approach that adapts to different life seasons.

• Self-Care and Partnership: Emphasizes personal well-being and the importance of true partnerships where responsibilities are shared.

  "True partnership looks like there's things that I care that he doesn't have to think about." – Morgan DeBaun [54:40]

• Work-Life Integration: She believes in integrating self-care into a busy lifestyle rather than adopting a perpetual soft life mentality.

Morgan acknowledges the validity of the soft life for those who resonate with it but maintains that it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.

8. Q&A Session: Advice for Those Laid Off or Unhappy at Work (58:26 - End)

Question: What should individuals who are laid off or unhappy in their current work situation do?

Morgan provides actionable advice for navigating layoffs and workplace dissatisfaction:

• Assess Market Changes: Understand if your role is being disrupted by technology or market shifts and identify new skills to acquire.

  "What are the things that I can do that are in my power to make myself more interesting, more compelling, more of a leader." – Morgan DeBaun [01:00:45]

• Entrepreneurial Transition: Encourages exploring solopreneurship and leveraging AI to remain relevant and efficient.

• Seek Understanding: For those laid off, Morgan advises seeking clarity on the reasons behind the layoff to inform future decisions.

• Embrace Continuous Learning: Highlights the importance of using downtime to enhance skills rather than solely job-hunting.

She shares her company's recent small layoff in ad operations due to technological advancements, underscoring that such decisions are reflective of broader industry trends rather than individual performance.

"It was a reflection of the reality. And I probably held onto that function longer than I should have." – Morgan DeBaun [01:04:20]

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts (End)

Morgan wraps up the episode by reiterating the podcast’s mission to provide real and unfiltered information. She encourages listeners to engage further by subscribing on YouTube, leaving reviews, and joining monthly advisory calls through her website.

"The Journey podcast is here to give you the real information and not sugarcoat the things." – Morgan DeBaun [01:05:50]

Key Takeaways

• Adaptability in Business: Stay responsive to changing policies and market conditions to maintain business stability.
• Strategic Fundraising: Clearly define the purpose of raising capital and ensure your startup meets venture capital expectations.
• Building Strong Teams: Choose co-founders and team members based on existing trust and offer equity with vesting to secure long-term commitment.
• Balanced Lifestyle: Integrate self-care into a busy life instead of striving for an unattainable soft life.
• Navigating Layoffs: Use career setbacks as opportunities to upskill and pivot towards entrepreneurial ventures leveraging modern technologies.

Notable Quotes

• "Success isn't about the destination, it's about the journey." – Morgan DeBaun [00:00]
• "If you're feeling like, do y'all want me to be here or not? The answer is most likely yes." – Morgan DeBaun [07:45]
• "If you enjoy any of my content, you should buy the book because it's in there a workbook." – Morgan DeBaun [15:30]
• "You need to raise money so that you can grow the business." – Morgan DeBaun [28:10]
• "True partnership looks like there's things that I care that he doesn't have to think about." – Morgan DeBaun [54:40]
• "The Journey podcast is here to give you the real information and not sugarcoat the things." – Morgan DeBaun [01:05:50]

Connect with Morgan DeBaun:

• Website: morgandevon.com
• Monthly Advisory Calls: worksmartprogram.com
• Social Media: Instagram and YouTube channels linked to The Journey podcast

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of Morgan DeBaun's episode, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the discussions on business growth, personal milestones, and practical advice for entrepreneurs navigating the current economic landscape.