The Truth Behind Building an 8-figure Business as a Black Woman ft Ama Amo-Agyei (Plantmade)

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Truth Behind Building an 8-figure Business as a Black Woman ft Ama Amo-Agyei (Plantmade)"

Podcast Title: To My Sisters
Hosts: Courtney Daniella Boateng & Renée Kapuku
Episode Title: The Truth Behind Building an 8-figure Business as a Black Woman ft Ama Amo-Agyei (Plantmade)
Release Date: October 27, 2024

In this compelling episode of To My Sisters, hosts Courtney Daniella Boateng and Renée Kapuku engage in an in-depth conversation with Ama Amo-Agyei, the founder and CEO of Plantmade. Ama shares her remarkable journey of building an 8-figure business from the ground up, navigating the unique challenges faced by Black women in the entrepreneurial landscape, and advocating for transparent entrepreneurship. This summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key topics, insightful quotes, and the profound lessons Ama imparts.

1. Ama's Entrepreneurial Journey

Ama begins by recounting her transition from a psychology degree to the world of business. She emphasizes how her early struggles and personal development were intrinsically linked to her venture into entrepreneurship.

[07:03] Ama: "How on earth are you going to birth something from scratch and build and build on your own merit? Because no one's forcing you to do this."

Ama discusses her initial foray into freelancing and the pivotal moments that led her to establish Plantmade. She underscores the importance of personal growth in tandem with business development.

2. Challenges as a Black Woman Entrepreneur

Ama delves into the systemic barriers and subconscious challenges Black women face in the UK business scene. She highlights the disparity in bootstrapping funds and the added scrutiny Black women often encounter.

[00:44] Ama: "Not everyone's bootstrap is bootstrap £100. Some people's bootstrap is £250,000."

Ama also touches on the "Black Woman Leader Complex," expressing how differing treatment compared to their white counterparts can impact their entrepreneurial journey.

[00:55] Ama: "All wealth creation from business. It's not in starting it, it's in selling it."

3. Bootstrapping and Wealth Creation

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the concept of bootstrapping. Ama explains that starting capital varies greatly among entrepreneurs, and this variance influences their paths to wealth creation.

[22:21] Ama: "Let me just focus on my own story and write my own."

Ama emphasizes that wealth isn't just about starting a business but strategically selling it to create lasting financial impact.

4. Leadership and Team Dynamics

Ama shares her experiences leading Plantmade, especially managing a team comprised of family and friends. She discusses the delicate balance between professionalism and personal relationships.

[54:16] Ama: "Your team is your business. Your team are your results."

Ama highlights the importance of respect, clear boundaries, and maintaining professionalism to ensure team cohesion and business success.

5. Transparent Entrepreneurship

Ama introduces the concept of transparent entrepreneurship, advocating for openness and honesty in business practices. She believes that transparency fosters trust and resilience within the business community.

[24:22] Ama: "Transparent entrepreneurship."

This approach not only builds authentic relationships but also sets a precedent for future Black women entrepreneurs to follow.

6. Investment Barriers and Systemic Issues

A critical discussion point is the difficulty Black women face in securing investments. Ama articulates how perceptions and biases often hinder access to necessary funding, despite having viable and profitable business models.

[23:35] Ama: "Number one, I need black women to know that they can build something in this country."

Ama advocates for a shift in investor mindset, urging them to recognize the value and potential of Black-led businesses without preconceived notions.

7. Lessons Learned and Advice

Ama imparts several lessons from her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing resilience, self-belief, and the importance of a supportive network.

[35:00] Ama: "Resilience is going to be a massive thing in this game. But still keep on it."

She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on their unique stories, avoid unhealthy comparisons, and prioritize personal and professional growth.

8. The Importance of Selling for Wealth Creation

Ama passionately discusses the notion that true wealth from a business comes not just from its operation but its eventual sale. This perspective is crucial for long-term financial sustainability and generational wealth.

[27:31] Ama: "Plantmade. I'm like, no, it's not. This is just like, I'm actually comfortable saying, like, I will sell this business one day."

9. Building and Maintaining Authentic Relationships

The conversation also explores the dynamics of working closely with loved ones. Ama shares strategies for maintaining healthy professional relationships with family and friends, ensuring that personal conflicts do not spill into the business realm.

[47:05] Ama: "I'll save that for when we leave. And my brother. I will. Number one, that's not. That's not my ministry to disrespect my siblings."

10. Empowering Future Generations

Ama's closing remarks are a heartfelt message of empowerment to her listeners, especially Black women aspiring to build their own businesses. She encourages them to overcome barriers and believe in their potential.

[59:31] Ama: "To my sisters, you can do anything you set your mind to, despite all the barriers, despite what it looks like. You can do anything you set your mind to, as long as you say you want it, you can have it."

11. Conclusion

The episode concludes with a prayer and final words of encouragement from the hosts and Ama. Ama's journey serves as a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating that with resilience, authenticity, and strategic action, Black women can overcome systemic barriers and achieve substantial entrepreneurial success.

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience and Personal Growth: Building a business is as much about personal development as it is about financial success.
• Systemic Barriers: Recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by Black women in entrepreneurship is crucial for creating equitable business environments.
• Transparent Entrepreneurship: Openness and honesty in business practices foster trust and sustainable growth.
• Strategic Wealth Creation: Viewing the sale of a business as a primary avenue for wealth creation can lead to lasting financial impact.
• Empowerment and Support: Building a supportive network and maintaining authentic relationships are essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving business goals.

Ama Amo-Agyei's candid discussion provides invaluable insights into the realities of building a successful business as a Black woman in the UK. Her experiences and lessons offer both inspiration and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the business world.

Transcript

[Renee]

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[Courtney]

But are there parts of the journey that people don't ask you about that you wish you were given room to speak on?

[Amma]

The T is loading.

And not everyone's bootstrap is bootstrap £100. Some people's bootstrap is £250,000.

[Courtney]

I am so the boots were big.

[Amma]

Guess what? All wealth creation from business. It's not in starting it, it's in selling it. And now you're getting into the black woman leader complex. There's always times when I feel like I would never be treated this way if I was a white man.

[Courtney]

Have you always been this real with yourself and with other people?

[Amma]

It has to work because this literally has changed hundreds of thousands of people's lives. And I needed to change more.

Hello and welcome to the 2 My Sisters podcast. I'm Renee.

[Courtney]

I'm Courtney.

[Amma]

And I'm Amma.

And we are your online sisters and hosts of the 2 My Sisters podcast.

[Courtney]

We are all about promoting the wellness, growth and development of a community of sisters around the world.

[Amma]

And in today's episode, sisters, you are in for a treat of all treats. I'm talking like Chef Kiss Donut. We are joined today by the incredible AMA founder CEO Boss babe. We were literally just gist in before this episode. This is the boss babe of all boss babes. Like genuinely the final boss at the, you know, when you're about to finish the game, the final boss of boss Babes.

I'm not scared.

But, hey, that's exactly what we're going to be getting into in this conversation, right? There's so many perceptions of the business, babe. You see what I did there, guys?

You.

I was. I was going somewhere.

I was going somewhere. Going somewhere.

But we are joined by the incredible, phenomenal CEO and founder, but very much multifaceted women in her own right. And in today's conversation, we're going to be going there. We're going to be talking about you as a founder. You, you know, navigating the business world, but also you as an individual. Who is the amma behind Plant Maid? Who is the girl? The boss babe. But also who is the individual with incredible relationships and incredible story and More Wow.

Pressure. It's no pressure whatsoever.

[Courtney]

You just be yourself.

[Amma]

Sweet.

You just be yourself.

[Courtney]

Honestly, you are phenomenal. Like, you have inspired us for such a long time.

[Amma]

Likewise.

[Courtney]

We are.

[Amma]

I've been watching y'all been here.

[Courtney]

You know what I was literally going to say. We both started. We started two my sisters. You started Plant Made in the pandemic. We are both pandemic parents. Crazy pandemic parents giving birth to something in the pandemic. And Plant Made, if you do not know and you've been living under a rock is why should you tell us what is plant?

[Amma]

From the horse's mouth, the horse says.

But so what people think Plant Made is just the hair care brand. Right. You have more than that anyway. But really, it's a love letter to everyone who is looking to do better and be better. It's a better few business for your ingredients, transparency and ingredients. And also just a lifestyle, really. Just being Plant powered. What a lovely thing to be. And that's what Plant Made is wonderful.

[Courtney]

And literally, we watched this business birth and unfold on Twitter.

[Amma]

Yes.

[Courtney]

Right through flashback to 2020, following the one and the only amma. And one thing that you know what is really the best, it was actually one of the best because came across you and just reading your tweets, this is a woman who knows she's going somewhere. At the time, you hadn't started plot.

[Amma]

Oh, you made the trigger fingers.

[Courtney]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Trigger fingers. Amma. Like, you were the realest, coldest person on Twitter when it came to Twitter, talking about business, personal development and the things that people don't actually confront when it comes to this journey. And I remember coming across your tweets, and I think I even screenshotted many because they were coming at me.

[Amma]

I was coming for myself as well.

[Courtney]

And you were very like, to the jugular. These are the things that you don't want to confront but you need to face if you're actually going to be a better person and a better CEO. And I wanted us to start with that. Have you always been this real with yourself and with other people?

[Amma]

Absolutely not. So, I mean, real, real. Being a Ghanaian growing up with immigrant parents, youngest of four, you would think I was spoiled. You would think that I was maybe babied. And to a certain degree, there was a very small degree, but to a certain degree, yes, I had privileges that my siblings didn't. But things were hard, fam. Like, it was hard. Just the expectations were there. I was not an academic in the slightest. Like, I was fighting for my life to get by. So that was a lot. So effort and outcome was not even aligning. So from young, like, these things were like, in my head, okay, what, what, what in life, what, what in life does effort and the execution come together? And I was starting to realize once I was in my degree, psychology degree, that, well, first and foremost, how am I going to let my parents know that I'm not going to pursue this psychology degree nor am I going to pursue the root of clinical psychology. It's just never going to happen. I'm an empath. I can't listen to that much bad news every single day. When I discovered business, yeah. I was like, oh, this is where it is. This might be the place where what you put in can actually come out. But then I also realized, number one, that as much as business is a journey in itself, it's also a personal development journey. Like you pursuing this is almost a mirror into who you are and how successful you are, mirrors how you treat yourself. Your personal pursuits, ultimately discipline and things like that, they all are transferable. So if you're you, if you don't even have these foundations in your own life.

Yeah.

How on earth are you going to birth something from scratch and for it to build and build on your own merit? Because no one's forcing you to do this.

Facts.

A business is something that one of the only things in the world where no one is going to tell you to do anything. You're going to have to get up, you're going to have to put in the work, you're going to have to make those calls, emails, posts, marketing. Make the product that's for you. Yeah. So I think from early, even though I didn't know I was going to make a product business, I knew that the pursuit of the best version of yourself was something I was staring at. So really and truly, those trigger fingers that I was back in the day was really just a love letter to myself. Like this was just a string of information for myself to feedback on when things were going a bit left. But also I was drawing inspiration from the Americans. Man, them lot are too much in the best way.

Yeah.

They're so inspiring how they have just a level of confidence that just isn't built into this country, the uk, the bad vibes. The bad vibes, like generally the pursuit of greatness is really hard in this country. So for anyone to be doing anything here already, you've won. Because if we all, if we picked ourselves up and put ourselves in the US with this amount of effort we'd be probably 10x running.

[Courtney]

You know the reason why I'm laughing? The UK gets so much bad press on this podcast. The Ministry of Tourism must be thinking, can you guys stop? Can you guys.

[Amma]

I need them to come into our inboxes.

[Courtney]

If you want us to change our.

[Amma]

Tune to us directly.

It's important, but no, man.

[Courtney]

Wow.

[Amma]

Real rap. I love that. And I. I love what you were saying. And just about being real with yourself and having a love letter to yourself. Right. And pursuing business is almost a love letter to yourself, a love language to yourself. Thinking about the journey of Plant Made, let's go back to the beginning in the middle in the Benin. Right. In terms of your journey. Yeah. Obviously you were working. I was, we're working. You're working, girly. And then you weren't that part. You were. I was going to use the word ejected, but you know, ejected, let go.

Soft, launch the soft.

Yeah. It's funny because even being able to look back in retrospect and say, hey, this was actually a launchpad for something greater. But take us back to that journey of, you know, being fired. Because a lot of people can romanticize this idea of launching into business.

Right.

It's that I quit my job and I was ready to launch into the thing that God has called me to do. But for you, it was very much, I was ejected and I had to figure out this path for myself. And at the time, you might have had the vision of the seven figure, the eight figure business, but what was staring at you in the present was really, ah, I got bills in. I ain't got the job for it. So talk us through that journey. Talk us through that mindset and what you were going through when you were founding Plant Maid and you had just been fired from your job.

So the job itself probably shouldn't have never happened.

Okay, interesting. Talk to us about it.

Freelancing for about two years after uni graduated, 2018. And I was like, I'm gonna pursue business. I'm gonna be freelance marketer. I'm gonna help people build up their businesses. Yes, to a certain degree, it was all right. Got a few clients. The success wasn't there, though. The consistency wasn't there. And I was really struggling. I didn't really know what to do. My mom was in my ear, like.

[Courtney]

African moms, Ghanaian moms in particular.

[Amma]

I was like, that is crazy. But I hear it actually, like, she accurate, hopeless. Like, you're just trying to get these clients. I don't want you. You know, like, it was so real. So Russ doesn't get a job. Shout out in my ear, just get a job. Get. Fine. At least let me get a job in a field that can actually do something for my great pursuit. So started to apply for sales roles and in came the recruitment role that I came into. Sales recruitment. They were very much painting themselves as like a startup vibe. No. I was the only black girl on the floor. There was a mixed race guy in the back. Still friends with her to this day. In the back, black hr. These are really important points. The really, really important points. Because I came there and I just was like, day one. Yeah, we're going to give you a hard market to recruit for. We're going to give you a really hard one, but we know you can do it. Turns out they weren't even going to hire me anyway because I thought I was too nice. Oh, this is why you need people on the inside. Yeah, the tea is hot. And I was like, okay, that's weird.

Cool.

So then I was working hard. Like, I was actually working hard. I was putting so much energy. We had to make a hundred. A hundred phone calls or be three or four hours on the phone every single day. Wow. That was. There was never a day that I didn't hit those targets yet. I wasn't getting anywhere. Everyone else was. Well, remember, I was put in a hard market. If people didn't have jobs, if people didn't have jobs, what was I supposed to do? Like, you're recruiting for roles if they don't have them available, what are you supposed to do? You can't force someone's hand. So, yeah, there was a point where I was getting so much that again, the effort, the outcome just was not aligning and I just couldn't. I couldn't do this anymore. I couldn't live a life where I just wasn't getting anything for, you know, the work that was putting in. So I was just having mental breakdowns to a point where I actually had my first ever panic attack.

Wow.

And it was really bad. It was so bad that I got signed off for a week. And then the day I came back, not 20 minutes after, I was fine.

[Courtney]

You're lying.

[Amma]

After your.

Yeah.

Your mental health.

Yeah.

[Courtney]

Is that not a court case?

[Amma]

Yeah. Genuinely, he's definitely giving. He's giving some kind of legal action.

Sorry, can I.

[Courtney]

No, go ahead.

[Amma]

Do you know what it is? Yeah. To this day I'm like, that is probably the craziest thing I have ever witnessed. Like, if it wasn't me, I'd Be like, what? Like, I saw a lot of people come and go. Yeah. That's what a lot of people come and go. There's a lot of. It's a high turnover in recruitment. Many different things. But I was like, surely this can't be it. Because I was bamboozled because even I was thinking about quitting.

Yeah.

So the other part of it was like, I couldn't even quit something I knew wasn't good for me.

[Courtney]

Yeah.

[Amma]

Wow. Like, I knew, like, the days before in that week, I was like, I was, I was just upset. I was like, you know, you hate it here. You know, you hate this pursuit. You know, it's not going to get you anywhere.

Yeah.

You're just trying to, like, prove to who. Yeah, prove to who?

Watch.

So I could. So literally, days before I'm thinking about quitting. I'm like, nah, I'm gonna stick it out. Stick out. I'm gonna stick it out. Get there. 20 minutes. I said, oh, God. Knew I was too stubborn to go myself. He kicked me out, I hear. I remember getting on the bus on the way back, I called Travis, my fiance, and I was like, they fired me, you know? He was like, what?

[Courtney]

That's crazy.

[Amma]

I said, all right.

[Courtney]

Wow.

[Amma]

That's it. Not even three minutes. They even, they let me in the team.

You came back.

This is the thing. You even came back.

[Courtney]

You just.

[Amma]

You know what's funny? I, I, I skipped a bit in that middle of that week that I, I wasn't there. I came back for meetings that I'd booked. So in the middle of the week, I came back and I did all my meetings, like, across the southeast of England to make sure that they still knew that even though, like, things were. You're still my manager. Oh, I'm having anxiety. They were like, oh, I have anxiety as well. Don't worry. It' fine. Snakes. Also snakes. But you getting fired, you snake. Like, I was like, wow, crazy. That's the thing I heard the most.

[Courtney]

That's crazy.

[Amma]

So I linked up my girl, and there was another black guy that was there. I linked them both, and I said, what's the tea? What do they say? Because what, what happens is when someone leaves, they do some tea. Yeah. At the end, I'm like, okay, cool. So this person, xyz, I said, what they say about me? Oh, it felt like she was trying to do her own thing. All I was doing was asking for help.

[Courtney]

Interesting.

[Amma]

I said, maybe they sniffed it on me. Success was I like, this one.

She gonna do something great.

Yeah. They were like, sounds like. You know what? That's fine. I already knew that. Success, the best revenge, right?

[Courtney]

Oh, and I'm sure they're choking because you are currently the CEO and founder of one of the fastest growing companies in the United Kingdom.

[Amma]

I know that they are quaking because if that court case comes back around, I know they know they don't have.

[Courtney]

The resources to match Olivia Pope's. Olivia Pope's two time jacket.

[Amma]

Do I get a tail?

[Courtney]

No, this is. This is. This is amazing because. No, legit. You are the CEO and founder of one of the fastest growing companies. And I'm sure their company is not on there.

[Amma]

Yeah, I don't think they ever made it too.

I can't do anything about that. Sorry.

[Courtney]

Sorry to whoever.

[Amma]

I wish you all the best.

[Courtney]

And it goes to show, the best talent often is in organizations already, but because they don't know how to treat people, they lose it. They lose the best talent that there is. And I really love this part of the conversation and using this to open up this podcast episode because obviously going on to found part made and grow, it has been an impeccable journey. It's literally an eight figure business and you bootstrapped it, right? And so I'm sure if you want to know more about AMA's business journey and stuff, definitely go and listen to the amazing podcast that exists. But there are so many conversations about how you grew it. How do you make all that money? Pandemic, baby. But we want to be different. Okay.

[Amma]

So I'm glad my question to you.

[Courtney]

Is not necessarily that we're jumping a bit, but in that journey, the journey where people often focus on the extreme highs and the successes and that front end that we all saw where, you know, you were dropping drops, literally email drops, you have access to the pop made website right now, the whole world is on that site. And then sold out products, repeat, sell out, sell out, sell out sales. Everyone sees that part. They see the numbers driving up. You know, Black Fridays, you were doing 100k in one night. Like, people see that. But are there parts of the journey that people don't ask you about that you wish you were given room to speak on?

[Amma]

The T is loading. Well, being a black female founder.

Come on now.

Hello, period, period, period. The subliminals that come with that is crazy. Especially when you start to expand the network. Because that's what I'm doing right now. This definitely been about. Okay, cool. Who really is out here in the UK building great businesses? Who can I align myself with? I very much, in the beginnings, I've been very much champion the black space. You know, Mads from Translate Culture has been doing just amazing stuff with some of the black founders here, and the community has been amazing. But we already know, okay, let's not stick ourselves in a box. There's more people to meet, there's new ideas to transfer, and it doesn't matter. Like, we don't have to be a monolith and kind of stick together. Like, everyone knows that. Let's expand and grow. So that's literally what I've been doing. And the more things open up, like, number one, there's people making some serious money in this country. I met some. Someone was like, yeah, en route to make 40 million this year. I said, wow, there's jewelry, Jewelry. What are we doing with this podcast.

So I can learn a craft. I'm a crafter.

Their problems, they were like, oh, yeah, we went through that at your stage. And I'm like, I love it. Because for a long time, like, I was like one of the biggest in the room. Now I'm like one of the smallest. And that's the number one lesson right there. Don't be the smartest in the room. Always, always try and find rooms that you're not the best in or you're not the biggest person. Like, be one of the lowest, be one of the beginners. Oh, you're just getting started four years in. Ah, we're 12 years in. And this is what we're dealing with. Like, you need that. But right now, going through sourcing investment and the odds already are not stacked in my favor. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it doesn't matter the numbers that we've done, the odds aren't stacked. So going through this journey, speaking to all these white men, them scrutinizing this business, you know, when the businesses that they've invested in have never been profitable. But I have to be profitable every single day of my life. No, made no mistakes. People can make mistakes, but we can't make mistakes. But then I think, but I'm thinking, like when I'm talking to them, like, oh, you've probably never spoken to anyone who looks like me. So I can only imagine how you feel right now. You, you have no context, you have no data. So of course, like, it's a, it's a bit of a double edged sword here because again, like, I want investment, I want to be invested in, I want partners, I want to expand the business and grow.

Yeah.

But for me, even in the beginning, I was used to Hear. Oh, hire great talent or always attract great people. I never, I never used to think I was worth attracting great people. Oh, like even mentors, let alone people staff. Like, I didn't think I could get the best because who was I? I didn't have certain networks, certain people in my corner, mate, people are doing gymnastics and them emails, you know, oh, I fred just call him Real Kick because he has X number and oh, he has experience in Y or he actually invested in this. This last three months of my life have been insane. I'm like, oh, this is the game. And then comparison. I'm looking at people and I've been inspired by them and I'm looking at a fine print. Oh, you raised 12 million. And not everyone's bootstrap is bootstrap. Okay, 100 pounds. Some people's bootstrap is 250, 000 pounds. I am so the boots were big.

Boots are different in different arenas.

You know what I'm saying? Some people have got like the boots that you get from Poundland. Some people have got the boots that.

You'Re getting from, you know, Chelsea and.

Witt and that part, not everyone's bootstrap is when you start looking to the Finland, you're like, you know what? That was my biggest savior. I was like, oh, I can stop comparing myself to everyone now. Everyone's doing their own thing. Everyone's doing their own thing. Everyone's building their own leverage. You know, me, me, my story and their story, it's not the same. Let me just focus on my own story and write a mine.

That's insane.

[Courtney]

But that, that really does kind of epitomize the whole work twice as hard or half as much.

[Amma]

Yeah.

[Courtney]

Because your story around bootstrapping is literally from 100 pounds to 10 million plus.

[Amma]

Yep.

[Courtney]

But someone's bootstrapping story is 250k to 8 figures. And it's like we're using the same.

[Amma]

Words but we ain't talking the same language.

[Courtney]

We are not speaking the same language. And now you end up in those same rooms and people are asking you twice as many questions because they're like, yeah, what?

[Amma]

How the hell did you do with no investment? What? And I'm like, well, yeah, like I don't have a choice.

And the thing is, you would think that they would be able to see the value in that. Right. Somebody that has not in founders rooms.

I am in other founders rooms, I am. The investors is a different story.

[Courtney]

Why?

[Amma]

I think they think it's a fluke. They don't Think it can go that far?

But you know what's so interesting about that? Literally, investment is hedging bets.

Yeah.

And you're hedging bets based on performance.

Right.

And based on trends. On paper, something like plant made, I would be first to invest.

Let me take.

[Courtney]

My money is right there.

[Amma]

So even if it was a fluke.

[Courtney]

This is the best fluke.

[Amma]

This is the best fluke you have presented to me thus far. Do you know what I'm saying?

[Courtney]

That's crazy.

[Amma]

When we talk about systemic barriers facing women, women in particular, this is what we mean. This is what.

Why do you think Grace Beverly is doing what she's doing?

Hello.

Why do you think she's champion? And the funniest thing. I love her so much. I already loved her anyway.

Yeah.

I love the fact that she knows her privilege as well.

Yeah.

And she's using that and wielding that to open space for black and brown women. Yeah.

[Courtney]

Oh, my God.

[Amma]

Oh, no.

[Courtney]

I can't believe that.

[Amma]

That's insane.

[Courtney]

That of all people, you get into a room and they're still. Excuse me. What are you doing here?

[Amma]

Why are you raising then? If you.

[Courtney]

If you need.

[Amma]

Why. Why does anyone raise? Because why do I have to sweat from my brow every day? Because the money that we have, we have to section it, and we have to, like, we don't have the plans. The plans that we have and the money that we have in the bank, like, we have to pick and choose because everything's tight. Versus. Oh, raised 2 million, 3 million. Oh, of course. Things are, you know.

[Courtney]

Yeah.

[Amma]

A little bit easier. You have to worry about cash in the bank every single day. Do you know that kind of worry?

No, it's. And the thing is, it's so important that you're sharing this story, Amma, first of all. God bless you.

What you're doing, what I am, is transparent entrepreneurship. No, no, no. Never get realer than that.

That's what we need, though. That's what we need. Because I think sometimes we romanticize this struggle. We romanticize this idea of, I hustled to get to where I need to go. I'm doing this. I'm doing that. But there's a certain level of Runway and freedom that is required to scale anything great. And I think we need to get to that place quicker. As women, we need to get to that place of accepting support, accepting help, accepting investment, because we will never be as big as we would love to be without that support. We need it.

And you know what's funny is that this is A this year lesson. Jeez, 20, 24 people have been telling me I should get. I should be raising from two years ago. From two years ago. Why didn't I listen?

[Courtney]

Why didn't you listen?

[Amma]

Oh, well, plant made. Like, this is my. This is my bread and butter. This is it. Like, why does my first real business have to be my only business? I didn't even think I was gonna sell this business at one point.

Wow.

That's the other tea.

Is giving.

Girl, give me an elder flower.

That's because you entering those rooms now.

You. You got cordial, baby. Give me that.

[Courtney]

Nah, that is really.

[Amma]

You see, you. You seen. You've seen the behind the scene. You've seen the conversation, right? Yeah. Oh, you've sold out because you've sold your business. Guess what? All wealth creation from business. It's not in starting it, it's in selling it. Geez, if we're gonna be anywhere. If we're gonna be anywhere, why do you think we don't have any. We don't have many black investors. Yeah. Black VCs, black private equity. Because no one is selling, has exited.

That's so good.

It's big enough to then go back and help the ones coming after.

[Courtney]

Right.

[Amma]

And while you are spitting.

This is new lessons or right? I've been like, it's. It's a whirlwind. And it's funny because people look at me and like, oh, yeah, like, this is it.

Right?

Plant made. I'm like, no, it's not. This is just like, I'm actually comfortable saying, like, I will sell this business one day. Yeah. Because that's. That's generational wealth right there.

And also to be a black woman, to actually say, you know what, I'm building this thing to sell it, to actually leave. And I love what you were saying about starting because is. Have you really proofed a vision? Have you really executed a vision if you can't exit it? We often so much talk about starting. I want to start this. God has laid this on my heart to start this.

Starting is the easiest part.

Finishing is always the hardest. Oh, am I your spitting today?

But people don't even start, which is the hilarious thing. People think the starting is the hardest part. Starting is great because no one has any expectations of you. Even if you had an audience, you've never been here before. So what expectations do people have? Yeah, yeah, it's. It's the. It's the middle and the end. That's where it counts. Wow. That's where it counts. That's where the effort counts to keep on going. You get a call, you get bad news. Oh, this person, you have to pay this bill, this random bill. This person's coming out your door. Oh, someone sent a letter in and you didn't see it. So your door.

[Courtney]

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. But you doing business in the UK is literally keeping an eye on your letter boards. Because if you miss one letter, 30 days. Oh, H, Marcy, you owe us £20,000. Just to let you know, because you haven't looked at our letter, they will look for you. Oh my gosh. But true, it's true. The bigger you get, the more costly your mistakes are, the more costly.

[Amma]

Can't just be doing anything, can't be moving anyhow again.

And the funniest thing is that that's the battle I've been fighting this time. This is probably since maybe 2023. Yeah, since last year. Because in the beginning I was so delusional. Back off of getting fired from my job, starting the business. I was like, you know what, it can't get worse than this. Like I generally don't have an income. Like there's nothing really stopping me from just doing whatever. And so I was just feeding off of this delusion. Like I was just feeding a positive delusion, of course. But yeah, I was just feeding off of the delusion. And like, yeah, this is just going to be the time where I just, everything's going to go right and everything. And there was just quick growth. Like I was just doing whatever, just posting my little videos and tweets and whatever. I'm just sharing and business was growing and then, you know, once he's and desist happens and knock down, then other things happen. Okay, knock down again, knock down again, knock down again. And then you're getting bigger. And then yes, the now the things that are happening, they just feel a little bit more heavy and that delusion starts to go. And now you're more realistic. But then that delusion was getting you somewhere. That positive energy. Like now I have to fight to be positive every day.

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Because you have nothing to lose. Boost Mobile is offering a 30 day money back guarantee.

No, I asked.

[Renee]

Why wouldn't you switch from Verizon or T Mobile?

[Amma]

Oh, wouldn't.

Because you love wasting money as a way to punish yourself because your mother never showed you enough Love as a child.

Whoa, easy there.

Yeah.

[Courtney]

Applies to online activations. Requires port in and autopay. Customers activating in stores may be charged.

[Renee]

Non refundable activation fees. Ryan Reynolds here for I guess my hundredth Mint commercial. No, no, no, no, no, no, don't. No, no, no. I mean, honestly, when I started this, I thought I'd only have to do like four of these. I mean, it's unlimited to Premium W for $15 a month. How are there still people paying two or three times that much? I'm sorry, I shouldn't be victim blaming. Here, give it a [e-mail] switch whenever you're ready. $45 upfront payment equivalent to $15 per month. New customers on first three month plan only. Taxes and fees, extra speed slower above 40 gigabytes. CD tails.

[Courtney]

And that's a real mental battle.

[Amma]

Yeah. Beginning is great. I wish I was back there.

Wow.

I always, I'm like, how do I get back to the Ama Jesus? Because I have 18 people to feed, including myself, and there's times where I sacrifice myself to feed those people. Yeah. Or to service, rent or to serve X. Because that is your role as a founder. Yeah. You have to sacrifice a lot.

[Courtney]

That is so deep. And it really does confront a lot of the cultural ideas we have around business. And I'm not just talking from a diaspora point of view or even just from a woman point of view, but even from like a black or from a working class point of view. When it comes to starting a business, it's very much about, like, me. I own this business and like, this is my point of pride. But there's so much that you learn and have to get your mind around very quickly once you grow past a certain point. And that sounds like it's been a roller coaster of a journey.

[Amma]

Yeah, I mean, it's, it's a lead. Leadership is crazy because how you're, you're fighting for your life. Like, literally you're fighting for your life and then your team's still looking at you like, I'm. What we doing? There's times where I was, I was like, I was doing a presentation on the Q3 or Q1, and you know, things were a little bit down. They're looking at me like, is everything going to be okay? I'm like, I don't know, but I have to say something to them. So what do I say, guys? We're gonna figure it out, but we're gonna work on this together. Yeah. I'm gonna need your help and we're gonna, you know, you have to come with the plans. You have to also help people through your, you know, they're part of the plan because you made the plan. And yeah. Damn. Like, nah, bro, it was crazy. You know, I said it was like, I'm not living around.

She said back then like two days ago was crazy.

Like, yeah. Like I think those are the hardest parts, like leadership. It's crazy because even when you don't know where things are going, you still have to. It's really about continuously telling your team to believe in the plan that you've made.

Yeah.

You made this plan. Everyone believed it in the beginning. That's why they're on this journey with you. You have to continuously re. Inspire them to continue their part in the plan in this story. Whilst you also have to remind yourself, I still have to show up even though I'm not okay today. Bad day is not a bad month. Bad month is not, is not a bad year. Yeah. Like you still have to continuously reconvince yourself that like, even though some things dip, we're gonna stick out. It's gonna get better. It's gonna get better.

Yeah.

With no guarantees, but bookie going.

Yeah.

[Courtney]

What keeps you going?

[Amma]

What keeps me going? The belief that this is a one of a kind business and it has to work because this literally has changed hundreds of thousands of people's lives and I need it to change more. So it's the customers that are driving me more than anything. Yes. I have a business because someone asked me this the other day. Another founder asked me that like, why do you have such. Why do you want it to be 100 million? Why?

Yeah.

Number one, I need black women to know that they can build something in this country.

Yeah.

The reason why I even actually put my foot on the gas was because I saw 18 year old girl make a million in eight minutes. And she documented that. And I re watched that video probably 50 times to be like, this girl can do it. I can do it too. That's the only reason why I'm even documenting any of my business.

Yeah.

Because when I saw that, I said, oh, okay, cool. Ah, I can do it.

Yeah.

Yeah. I didn't even have to say I could do it. Seeing that I could be like, oh, that's harder. So I hope with me being transparent and, and digging a little bit deeper into. Okay, well, you'd have to be a little bit like resilience is going to be a massive thing in this game.

Yeah.

But still keep on it. If you're that passionate about your. Your mission. It's worth. It's worth fighting for. And then, yeah, the customers, man, I love that.

Genuinely, Amar, you're just speaking. And the words are really resonating with myself. So much, so much. And I just really want to commend you on your humility and selflessness, genuinely. Because being at your level is not easy. And having to contend with the devils that you have to face at that particular. You know the phrase new levels, new devils. Having to contend with so many new challenges in different forms at this particular level is not easy. And then also having to deal with the various institutional but also interpersonal challenges that you face as a black woman. Navigating these spaces is also not easy. So I actually just want to commend you on the work that you're doing internally, because that bit is hard. As an entrepreneur, as a person, as a woman, it's hard. It's hard to show up every day, and it's even harder to show up for other people. Like, I think we romanticize that part of entrepreneurship and being your own.

They want me in a boss babe suit every day.

This.

But this is the thing. I'm in a hoodie. This is the.

You know what I'm saying? Bringing that authenticity.

No, but that's. I can't do it because of plant.

Sometimes that's the best thing for your hair. Sometimes the best thing for you is not going to appeal to the masses and being that authentic in these spaces. So, so beautiful.

So I have to fix up. It's got too much.

[Courtney]

And you've been looking real good.

[Amma]

Ever since the times, you know, she said.

I gotta move with the time. But in the spirit of transparency, this idea of transparent entrepreneurship, and like, really.

Literally trying to coin that term, man, you need to. Yeah, hello.

You need to hurry up. Even the people that are listening don't be doing that thing of, oh, I'm gonna. Yeah, yeah. I don't want to see any communities or IG handles pop up that kind of. Have some respect, please.

Transparent entrepreneurship.

[Courtney]

She said it first.

[Amma]

She said it. You heard it here first. You heard it here first. But in the spirit of transparent entrepreneurship, building businesses, building incredible products, you also have an incredible team. You are working with really, really cool people, but you are also transgressing and changing boundaries in business. Right? One thing that we often get asked about at CMS all the time is how do you work with somebody that's so close to you? How do you work with your bestie? You are currently working with your fiance. You are working with family members. You are working with friends. How, girl? What is the blueprint? How are you navigating all of these difficulties, all of these challenges, working with people that are so personally close to you?

Yeah. Well, let me take it back to the Sunday Times. Yeah. That list of 100. So obviously, I know that I'm working with my brother and my boyfriend and again, family and friends. I looked up that list, and There was another 15 married couples on that list.

Wow. Hello.

And I said, there was some brothers. There's a few brothers. Brother and sister. I said, it's a lot for 100 to name about 20.

[Courtney]

Statistically, that's very.

[Amma]

Generally, you need to fix. Everyone needs to fix their perception. Jeff Bezos, who was his first employee, his wife.

[Courtney]

Oh. Oh, my God.

[Amma]

The game was rigged from the beginning. Oh, from the beginning. There's been a lot of families that make it.

And it's the families that you hear about.

You forgot one of the most famous ones of all. The Kardashians. The Gates.

[Courtney]

Melinda and Bill.

[Amma]

Bill. The Rothschild.

The Rothschilds. Hold on a moment.

[Courtney]

Hold on a mo.

[Amma]

The lights are on.

Hold it off. The lights are on.

[Courtney]

Hold it. Pause it. Because you've actually identified something, and it's what you're saying, we actually need to rethink these things because we often get asked that question, and it's in this frame of. Because the majority of them don't work. But what you've just identified is actually. It's the secret ingredient to a hundred of the most successful companies in the uk. Like, and it goes back to what the Bible says about, one will chase a thousand, but two will chase ten thousand. I think there's something so powerful that we don't recognize about the power of agreement with someone, Someone close to you, to actually go on a journey to build.

[Amma]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I remember talking. So I. I went to the Times networking, summer drinks thing. Really cool. And I met one of the husband and wife duos, and they were like. I asked them, why. Why are you working together? Like, who else is going to get it? You know, I felt that because generally, who you going to be the most vulnerable with? Like. Like, this is a cathartic moment where I can turn to someone I know and be like, hey, I ain't feeling it today. You know what? If you need time, school. I can't do that with stranger. I'm keeping up appearances. How else am I going to get back? Yeah, faster. If I can't just have that little moment, like, okay, cool. Now I'm gonna Take a walk because it's too much. Okay, I get it. Don't worry. Do you like there's a level of space to be yourself that I just don't think if I picked up a random co founder off the street, I would be able to do so. Even one of our greats here in the uk, Tim started with his two friends. Yeah Their business, two years ago. It's not, it's not actually that uncommon. It's, it's a weird rhetoric. I just, it, I just think who is that person? Yes. It doesn't have to be your husband or your wife. It doesn't have to be your girlfriend or your brother. Who is it? Just what qualities in the them make you realize that this is a great partner for me to go into a venture with. That's all it is. I can't say for definite because everyone's story is different. Everyone's family and friend dynamics are different. So let's not just jump into it because if it's not going to work, don't force it. But really like my brother happened to have 12 years in finance. Moving, moving and shifting books for some of the biggest corporations in the uk. Yeah, my fiance, he was manufacturing consultant. He used to go into big boy businesses and be like, ah, this is what you're doing wrong. This is what you're doing right. And he was in between jobs. He was about to potentially go to hellofresh and I said, come here. It was just, I didn't just pick them off the street because like, like, yeah, they, they had, you know, they also had the skill sets I needed. I know damn thing about finances. Lord have mercy. I know damn thing. That's not mass.

Not a single thing.

Finances is not my story. It's not my ministry. What is marketing. Yeah. I said, brother, please let, let me go. I don't want to look at this anymore. Yeah, he took over, transformed things in a month from there we've been out here.

I don't think you're understanding the weight of this conversation we're having.

You know what's funny? Yeah. My, my main thing I, I like, I love business. Like I love it because I see it as a game. But when you start to see all the increases in intricacies of it, you start to see, okay, if we think about a game, the level ups, you know, the power ups and the armor and this and that, everyone's got their little something. Some people, they started in the corporate versions of their businesses, saw the gaps came in now, okay, cool. I've Actually had experience here. Let me just do this on my own.

Yeah.

Another brother and sister duo. Fable of Maine Indian brothers and sisters. I can go on.

You know, she's got.

You can go on. That's. There's so much success. Yeah. In working with family and friends, but also just in general being a solo founder. I am still a solo founder at the end of the day as well. So there's a lot of nuances to the story. But, yeah. I've just been watching how everyone's building and I'm like, this is the biggest businesses in this uk, gymshark.

Yeah.

Represent their two brothers.

[Courtney]

You've said something quite groundbreaking because. No, no, no, for real, it's giving. Look at the statistics. There's actually a recipe to success here that a lot of people don't acknowledge, which is there's something about doing this journey with someone who you know well.

[Amma]

Yeah.

[Courtney]

Well enough to be transparent with. Well enough to get to the awkward things fast.

[Amma]

Yeah.

[Courtney]

Like, don't just let things build up because like you said, we're keeping up appearances. Now let's get to the awkward bit quickly because I'm already really comfortable with you and I love that you've highlighted this as a recipe for success. But I think the reason why there is such a rhetoric around it being a recipe for disaster is because a lot of people have experienced. I went into business with this person, they stole from me. They did.

[Amma]

They have my money. They did it.

[Courtney]

What are some of the boundaries you've had to put in place or some of the cultures you've had to put in place with your brother, who's your cfo, your fiance, who's your coo, but just your team of friends and family in general that have made this a recipe for success.

[Amma]

Okay. So even the team wise, like, I don't necessarily do too much in the office. I'm not, we're not now going to be gisting about, oh, what's happening. And you know what I'm going to do. Like, there's some days where, okay, it goes a bit left, but majority of the time, like, I'm, I'm. I give everyone space. Like, I'm not trying to be too buddy buddy here because, like, there came a point where I cared too much about people liking me. And it's not to say that Amma in the office and Ama me are two different people. It's not that. But everyone knows cultural context. Yeah. If I go into church, I'm still me, but I, I present myself in a different way, because I'm in the eyes of the Lord. I go to the bank. Not gonna rock up in booty shorts, am I? Don't think so. You know, it's. It's just like, okay, cool. Like, I'm in an environment and it's just a cultural context. Yeah. I'm just not going to do too much.

[Courtney]

Yeah.

[Amma]

Me and my fiance, we're not gonna argue in front of people.

Right.

I can't lie. We did in the beginning. I was young. I was like, what, 23 when we first started? I was a dumbass. You know, how am I shouting? And. Oh, I was.

[Courtney]

I.

[Amma]

That was so crazy, I can't even believe it. But, yeah. No, if we have any sort of disagreement outside of this place, no one will know as soon as we get into it, but they'll probably think, oh.

[Courtney]

You know, what you got?

[Amma]

You guys seem all right, you know. No, we just had an argument. No, you'll never know. I'll save that for when we leave.

[Courtney]

Professionalism.

[Amma]

I'll save that for when we leave. And my brother. I will. Number one, that's not. That's not my ministry to disrespect my siblings. Like, I don't do that, you know? So I will never even remotely get there. That's not even something I've had to navigate because I would never do that. We just know. We just know.

[Courtney]

And I love that you highlighted respect. It's a key part to keeping these things going, man. Respect yourself, respect other people.

[Amma]

Heavy. No.

Because not everyone knows it. No, but everyone knows it. It's not like I've had all team members that have known respect. Please. No, that's not true.

But then since you. Since you touched on that, since you.

[Courtney]

Brought it to the table.

[Amma]

To the table. And one thing about us is we like to grab. It's easy to paint a picture of everything going and, you know, when you think of all business thriving, you know, everything. My team loves me or like, you know, we've. We've got a team of X amount of people. Some of them are friends and family. It's all going hunky dory.

Yeah.

Talk to us about the times when it wasn't great. Have there been any times when it's actually been not so great? Have there been some times where you've had to deal with people that may not have a similar understanding or a similar dark way that they comport themselves? And how have you navigated the challenges of those relationships in your business?

How do I say this? Okay, so. Yeah, okay, so there's some team members that have now left that. It just didn't make any sense. Like, there was this guy, he was just like, this is boring. That's just like him. Leave that. Sorry, I did. This was not the spiel that you was doing in the interview. Respectfully, like, that was a lot like, you were like, yeah, I really need it. I need consistent income and like, I'm a hard worker and you're coming in here and I'm just watching you and you're just like, yeah, I'm bored. Smoking breaks taking long. I said leave. Get out of here. Oh, get out of here.

No home training at all.

Get out of here. Like, what, what are we doing here? There was another guy.

Oh, the guys need to step up. What's all this? Those, all these guys.

It's just, you know what, there's a level of comfortability now and now you're getting into the black woman leader complex. There's always times where I feel like I would never be treated this way if I was a white man.

[Courtney]

And isn't that the golden thread?

[Amma]

Oh, I've said that to them in the face.

As well as you should.

Because I'm like, I know you're taking a piss. Like you're actually taking like, you know, you're taking like. I don't know if you know what corporate feels like, but you wouldn't survive a day if you're moving. Like, you wouldn't survive a day. I remember when I had my job, there's certain cultural cues that were there. Right, so 8:30 start. Did you hear what I just said? 8:30, not even 9:00 for some. Thanks. Everyone's there. Eight getting prepped. Team meeting at 8:30.

If you are 8: O.

8:31. 8:31. You are embarrassment. You are an embarrassment because everyone's just going to look at you walking in if you miss, if you miss the meeting.

[Courtney]

Walk or shame.

[Amma]

Everyone's ready, ready to go on the phone. You're now jacket on the floor. And then, hella training mess. I remember there was one guy. Sorry, I'm going back to old Australian, a few things. There was a guy. So after lunch. After lunch, yeah. He'd go make a coffee whilst everyone's like taken five minutes prior to lunch. We'd sacrifice five minutes of our lunch to get prepped because we'd. After lunch we think we'll power hour. So we go on the phones and we'd stand up. Yeah, because like you're lethargic. It was, it was actually. I Hate recruitment. Like, I don't. I don't even understand. I'm sure it was the vibe of the company. I'm sure it's better elsewhere, but that was some crazy. Anyway, it's a power hour, so we have to stand up on the phone and yeah, this guy was getting his coffees whilst everyone was starting. Like, I could see his days. I could count his days for him. I said, you have three and a half days left. I also saw him get fired, which was. Yeah. I was like, yeah, you deserve that, man. Like you. You was. You wanted it.

You wanted it.

Wow. That's why I even heard him say the F word on the phone to. Yeah, that guy. I hope he's doing well in life. But yeah, like, just. Just a level of militants that I had instilled in me because, number one, I have respect. Anyway, being African, I just have a certain level of respect inbuilt in me. And then just knowing, like, yeah, okay, if I'm not going to be here on time, I'm just gonna call. Just say, oh, like, you know, not asking for much. And I'm like, you're late. But I didn't know you were late. Just certain things I'm just like. It's just. I don't really think this is fair because I'm really not being. I'm not really doing too much. You should just let me know. Especially with the late stuff or like, people working from home and stuff. It's a tricky thing because we got robbed. So I need to know who's in and out this building. There's a certain, like, things that I'm just asking for. And yeah, I've just been trying to drill in to the team, but just little things could just really. It's just. It might seem flippant to them, but I just think it's just a level of respect that.

Yeah, I deserve.

[Courtney]

Yeah, I just.

[Amma]

Just constantly goes out the window, oh, my gosh.

[Courtney]

And that you wouldn't do this if I was a white man. Yeah, exclamation point.

[Amma]

Yeah. Heavy.

[Courtney]

That is crazy.

[Amma]

Yeah. So then now you think, okay, well, am I still comfortable with, like, people working from home? But then, like, that's where the world is going and do you want to retract? And having one in the office and so many different things that we've changed, like, just to try and suit the workforce. But then also, like, in the back of my head, I'm like. And then there's another conversation that's been interesting is that a lot of founders now feel like they just feel like their remote team members are learning half, like, half as quick as the people in house. Yeah. In office. Because there's certain questions you can just do. Oh, quick one. Hearing over conversations, being a part of meetings. Oh, actually, since you're here, just have a look at this. There's certain things you just don't have working from home. And you could just start to see the progress between the people who are here and people who aren't or people are having more contact with me and some of the higher team members. And you just start to see. And you're like, damn, what does this look like? With the world moving more online and, you know, trying to maybe leverage, like, international talent? Like, what do you do?

Yeah.

There's just so many things, like. And team is everything.

[Courtney]

Yeah.

[Amma]

Your team is your business. Your team are your results. So if your team isn't great, then you're. It's a matter of time. So there's a lot of things. A lot of things to juggle is giving.

[Courtney]

This is only part one.

[Amma]

No, no conversation. I would like to put it out there. That is giving even series at this point.

Oh, I'm down the road. Thank you very much. I'm down anytime.

[Courtney]

Yeah. This was so good. And you know what? Like, even in this conversation, my respect for you has only grown increased because we. Like we said, we've been watching you for a long time. We've known each other for a really long time, like, since the pandemic. Online has connected so many people. And it. One of the gift it's given us is being able to connect with you. But even from this conversation, just hearing how these four years has taught you so much, but they're. There's only proof that you're only becoming a better and better businesswoman as these experiences are coming. And I think through even your tweets, but even this conversation, it's very clear that you take no season for granted. That I remember some of your tweets being like, you know, I don't regret studying psychology because behavioral behavior is the key to understanding sales. And I don't regret my time in sales because it's helped me with marketing. I don't regret my time in coffee copywriting because it helps me tell a story. And it's just like that appreciation for even saying, like, I've never been in the habit of disrespecting my siblings because of my home training, so it makes working with my brother as a CFO so much easier. It's like, you don't despise those seasons. Those seasons where maybe it didn't make sense, like, why am I here? You've appreciated everything you could gain from every single season, whether it was high or low, and you've used it to become who you are now. And yet you're still getting started.

[Amma]

I'm building. Trying to build to 100 million and trying to plan a wedding at the same time. Cheers. Oh, I'm exciting.

[Courtney]

Can't lie to you. Giving someone needs a reality TV show.

[Amma]

Hey, I can't lie. I didn't say. I think for me, maybe the other day my. My siblings and I were talking about purpose and I. Maybe in this conversation I've realized, actually I'm. I might be the light black women. Women and people, working class backgrounds, black and brown people needed to see.

Absolutely.

And I'm. And I'm happy that I started with £100. No one can tell me that I had a leg up. What was the leg? That was £100 of £300 in my account. I was on a 20k salary in that recruitment role and remember, I was not good. So the commission was not what we were. No commission. In addition to 20k salary by 8:30am, start at the power hour.

[Courtney]

With 20.

[Amma]

Kids come in earlier and stay later.

[Courtney]

Like you guys that they fired you after your break. Someone needs Panorama.

[Amma]

Investigation. BBC. Yeah. When I was fired. Is that my hr, my black woman hr, Nicole, shout out to you, Nicole. She walked me out and she said, you'll be fine. And she was one of my first customers. A plant. Plant made. Yeah. To this day, if you need anything from me, I've got you. Same with the. Same with Charlotte. Same with the girl in the back. She was doing finance. To this day, they're still rocking with me. They even ordered to the office and was like, oh, do you remember? Good.

[Courtney]

Yeah.

[Amma]

This is her products. Yeah, she's all right.

They need to put in somebody's Christmas gift.

That's just the boss workplace and it.

Needs to have a letter from the founder to you inside the hamper.

Like what I heard the guy that fired me left. So Panorama. I'm telling you, there's a very open storyline.

[Courtney]

If you need producers, bring us on. But honestly, I think that's a great place to even end this part of the conversation. Emma is all right. You are amazing. Geez.

[Amma]

Well, well. Wow. Golly wins. I can't wait to go and tell my family and friends. We spoke to AM today. That's great. Wow.

[Courtney]

Well, in TMS fashion, we get all of our guests, to leave the sisters with one tidbit of wisdom and knowledge. Starting with two. My sisters. The floor is yours, miss.

[Amma]

To my sisters, you can do anything you set your mind to, despite all the barriers, despite what it looks like. You can do anything you set mine to, as long as you say you want it, you can have it. I'm only a testament of that with very little to start with. So I can only imagine some of you were in a better position than I was in. So go and get it.

[Courtney]

Well, you heard it here. From £100 to 100 mil, you could do anything you put your mind to. You.

[Amma]

This is so inspiring.

So I'm going to go at general.

[Courtney]

You put your mind.

[Amma]

I think you don't understand the affirmation. I'm going to write my journal right after this. What? Even that clip, I'm just gonna like.

Clip.

Just take it and put it inside my phone. You know, you're talking about the babe that inspired you, Ahmad. That is you. For us and a community of sisters.

Thank you.

But also, in true TMS fashion, we always love to leave our game with a parting prayer.

Okay.

And we want to pray for you.

Okay. Oh, thank you.

So if you would love to indulge us by bowing your heads.

Yes, definitely.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the life of Amma. Father, we thank you that she walks as a testament to your goodness and your glory. And Father, we thank you that you have even given her a builder's anointing to be able to create and start things, but also see them through to fruition. And, Lord, we just pray that you would even continue to do a work in servanthood on the inside of her. We thank you that she has been a faithful servant with the small. But, Father, we just pray that you would take her to a place where she would be a faithful servant and steward of the big. And Lord, we even thank you for the bigness of the vision that you have laid upon her heart. We really pray that you would continue to bless her with the resources to be able to take that which she wrote down to be that which she executed upon. And, Lord, we even just. Just pray over her team members. We pray over her relationships. Oh, God, we pray over the people that she has been connected to. Father, we pray that she would be like a light in those interpersonal relationships. O God, Father, that you would even continue to stitch up the sinews that bond them together. O God. And Father, even as it says in your word, it's a scripture that we often Stand on where two or three are gathered, there you are in the midst of them. Lord, we just pray that even as she stands in agreement with her friends and her family over this business, but also over this legacy that she is building. O God, Father, we pray that your spirit would be in the midst there and that you would be the power behind the continuation of that legacy that she is building alongside the many others. And Lord, we even just pray that this plant made would be the beginning. Lord, we thank you that you have birthed this on the inside of her. But Lord, we just pray that you would continue to even nurture the seeds that haven't even been birthed or realized yet, that this would be one to go on to sprout many, many, many seeds and many, many plants in different fields. Oh God. And Father, we just pray that even as she is using these different seasons to be able to grow and nurture this individual seed that you have given her, Lord, that this would be a work of progression where she would be able to use these lessons and use these skills to be able to grow and nurture all of the other seeds in the correct season as it pertains to the vision that you have given to her. And Lord, we even pray that you would. We even pray that you would open her vision, O God, Father, we thank you for the bigness of the vision, but Lord, we pray that you would even do above and abundantly more than she could even conceive of herself, O God. So, Father, we just pray that you would bless her, that you would bless the work of her hands, O God, Father, that you would cover her and cover those that she works with. Oh God, Father, that she would be able to walk through the doors that you have have opened. Oh God, Father, that you would make room for her in spaces and places that even she couldn't have dreamed of or felt comfortable stepping into. Oh God and Father, we just pray that not only would she go into those places, Lord, but Father, we pray that she would have dominion in those areas and in those arenas. So Father, we thank you for her life. O God, we pray that you would continue to keep her. We pray that you would continue to be with her and be by her side and that she would be steadfast and abiding in you in this, this time, O God. And Father, we just pray that this is merely the beginning. Father, we know that the latter days will be greater. So Father, we just speak that blessing over Amma. In Jesus name we pray.

Amen.

[Courtney]

Oh, thank you. Thank you for being the anytime it's free.

[Amma]

We could give back.

[Courtney]

But honestly, thank you for being the gift that keeps on giving. We are so inspired by you and we are behind you all the way. We know that this journey of raising investment, though challenging, it will end well. It will end well. And yeah, we can't wait to follow the journey man.

[Amma]

Thank you. Document it as well.

[Courtney]

Follow AMA on socials. Follow plant made on socials. You guys are so good at telling the plant made story and telling your story as well. Like Renee said, this is just the beginning. So if you want to be locked in, come on, follow her on socials literally everywhere. Like we said, trigger figures. She's refined a bit but you know, still there. It's still there. You're gonna get the real so she's worth following. And of course you can follow us as well at to my sisterhood literally everywhere on the Internet. And you can follow us individually, my lovely bestie in the pink at Renee Kapuku and my myself at cd.

[Amma]

And of course stay plugged into everything TMS Sisterhood related by joining our weekly glowing and growing newsletter. It is literally a love letter powering your week every single week, every single Monday. Who would not want that? So girls, if you want to be inspired, encouraged and motivated, make sure you sign up over at ww2mysisters.com Sisters, we.

[Courtney]

Are serving that we have to love you and leave you. We also have money moves to make.

[Amma]

As you can see, we have things to do.

[Courtney]

Amma has her power suit or she gotta go somewhere.

[Amma]

We have things to do. I'm so sorry.

[Courtney]

So we'll talk to you next time. And as always, keep glowing and growing.

[Renee]

When you use SAP Concur Solutions to automate your business finances, you'll be ready for anything. Except the new office dog running off with your lunch. With SAP Concur you can be right ready for almost anything. Take control of your business finances [e-mail].