Maya Penn, founder and CEO of Maya's Ideas

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<p>“I was a really nerdy kid,” says Maya Penn, the entrepreneur who started her first company 15 years ago at the age of 8. “I’ve been obsessed with both environmental science and art for as long as I can remember.”</p>



<p>That company is Maya’s Ideas—a sustainable fashion brand Penn started by upcycling old clothing and recycled materials to make tops, hats, scarves and neck warmers. Today, Penn serves as founder and CEO. Maya’s Ideas uses organic, recycled and vintage materials to create clothing and accessories.</p>



<p>The interest in fashion design came from Penn’s artistic talents, but it was her love for nature that spurred her research into the fashion industry’s <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-020-0039-9.epdf?sharing_token=YW2tRwZahHeQujgReYIZ0dRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0NrTOAvTiqFxn1nfvyRGyHkE4yF_jq14qyqvZZR_f1nYcp0dHRa9mDfKB4m8mVn197Sd5hcOjiIJ0eAk6yitgphX3nBz9HOBIqRzPDHxnzRpUcWYg-CTaD-9u22qnukr93lCn638PDNSU0QuTOSRyyVORieRn_Y6oRaQXNP4hFt_Hbsx0139RODHpEYlTBeD08QMNInCyQ4IP3mlj510a5xYBK0gzNaOdoCfDsf3dQ-QEg0xcx8IkonR5aJFjb6QvRGVRxP1LSz0eaId9T9AUVSjX607FQCUWSWUSQ-Vgptuw%3D%3D&amp;tracking_referrer=www.theguardian.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immense environmental impact</a>. “In 2008, eco-fashion was nowhere near a mainstream topic, so I wanted to create a better alternative,” she remembers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-beginning-of-maya-penn-s-entrepreneurship">The beginning of Maya Penn’s entrepreneurship</h2>



<p>Maya’s Ideas took off, and Penn was no longer selling to just friends and family. She leveraged the power of the internet to take the business global, selling her handmade wares on Etsy and later <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-launch-and-maintain-a-successful-e-commerce-business/">in her online store</a>, which she designed and built herself.</p>



<p>As Maya’s Ideas began to gain more traction, Penn found her life transforming. At age 11, she appeared in a 2011 <em>Forbes</em> article about grade-school entrepreneurs—the first of many interviews she’d give.</p>



<p>In 2011 she also launched a nonprofit, Maya’s Ideas 4 The Planet, through which she began donating 10–20% of her Maya’s Ideas profits to charities and environmental organizations. (Today, her foundation supports “environmental justice, mental health in regard to climate anxiety and diversity in STEM and tech in creative careers,” according to her website, and gives back through The Pad Project to girls in Haiti, Somalia, Senegal and other countries.)</p>



<p>By age 13, she’d given three TED Talks; her third, at <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/maya_penn_meet_a_young_entrepreneur_cartoonist_designer_activist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TEDWomen 2013</a>, went viral. The same year, <em>Black Enterprise</em> named her Teenpreneur of the Year and she made her first TV appearance on <em>The Steve Harvey Show</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combining-passion-and-purpose">Combining passion and purpose</h2>



<p>Despite running organizations and racking up numerous commendations, it wasn’t all work and no play—or at least, it wasn’t all about Maya’s Ideas. Coding on the side was one of Penn’s passion projects, but not the only one. Also a talented illustrator and animator, she began creating short animated movies by age 12, before—surprise—starting her own production company, Upenndo! Productions.</p>



<p>At 16, Penn was “commissioned to produce and animate the opening of the first ever digital report presented to Congress,” according to her website, which advocated for the construction of an American museum of women’s history in Washington, D.C. That same year, she won the Coretta Scott King A.N.G.E.L. Award. Penn has also “received a commendation from President Barack Obama for outstanding achievement in environmental stewardship,” according to her website. Additionally, she has published her first book, <a href="https://amzn.to/3WOqqGU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>You Got This!</em></a>, with Simon &amp; Schuster. The book inspires kids to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/18-out-of-the-box-ideas-to-spark-creative-inspiration/">tap into their creativity</a> by teaching them about social entrepreneurship, sustainability and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-give-back-purposefully/">giving back</a>.</p>



<p>Penn says that, unlike Maya’s Ideas, which was <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/avoiding-the-price-trap-3-tips-to-succeed-as-a-mission-based-business/">founded on a sustainable mission</a>, a lot of brands find difficulty creating fashion in a way that is more environmentally friendly. This is because most of these companies are only recently <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/sustainable-business-practices/">incorporating sustainable practices</a> into their business.</p>



<p>“These are usually large corporations who have traditionally only had one thing as the cornerstone of their business: profit above everything, instead of focusing more on people and the planet alongside profit,” says Penn, who currently consults for businesses on sustainability best practices and teaches biomimetic design.</p>



<p>Brands that have sustainability at their core, like Maya’s Ideas, may enjoy exploring new advancements or even traditional production methods that can be incorporated into a process to increase the product’s ecofriendliness.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maya-penn-s-focus-on-environmental-justice">Maya Penn’s focus on environmental justice</h2>



<p>Penn attributes her passion for environmental sustainability to her parents, who raised her in an environmentally conscious home in Atlanta and have long been cheerleaders for her passions and big ideas.</p>



<p>As Penn looks to blend her creativity and commitment with social justice to leave a positive impact, her hope is to see fast fashion replaced with eco-friendly fashion and environmental education become more accessible.</p>



<p>“Environmental racism is a systemic issue. While environmental issues impact us all in some way, neighborhoods and communities of color are often impacted harder,” Penn says. “Many Black, brown and Indigenous communities are more at risk of experiencing air pollution, water pollution, climate-related deaths and illnesses, and inability to recover and rebuild from extreme weather due to lack of resources. I think it’s really crucial for anyone in the environmental space to understand the importance of this topic.”</p>



<p>Through Upenndo! Productions, she plans to build character-driven projects centered around topics close to her mission, including climate anxiety and environmental justice. Her animation work can be seen in projects for LUNA Bars, Adobe, GoDaddy and more, and she’ll make her directorial debut on the upcoming animated short <em>Asali: Power of The Pollinators</em>, executive produced by Viola Davis and Julius Tennon.</p>



<p>What’s next for Penn? Although she (and her designs) recently appeared in <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/billie-eilish-climate-activism-january-cover-2022-video" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the January 2023 issue</a> of <em>Vogue</em> alongside Billie Eilish and other climate activists, she’s focused on other plans.</p>



<p>“I am excited to soon visit Ghana, as I am on the board of the incredible community-led sustainable fashion nonprofit THE REVIVAL, which is tackling secondhand clothing pollution impacting the country,” she says.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>This article originally appeared in the May/June 2023 </em><a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-may-june-2023-jairek-robbins.html"><em>issue of </em>SUCCESS<em> magazine</em></a><em>. Photo courtesy of Maya Penn.</em></p>

Maya Penn is one of the most socially conscious entrepreneurs of Gen Z. Here's how she got started with Maya's Ideas and what's next for her.

Maya Penn is one of the most socially conscious entrepreneurs of Gen Z. Here's how she got started with Maya's Ideas and what's next for her. | SUCCESS

How Maya Penn Became One of the Most Socially Conscious Entrepreneurs of Gen Z

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Maya Penn on the Importance of Sustainable Fashion | SUCCESS

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Nahla Davies is a software developer and tech writer. Before devoting her work full time to technical writing, she managed—among other intriguing things—to serve as a lead programmer at an Inc. 5,000 experiential branding organization whose clients include Samsung, Time Warner, Netflix, and Sony.

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Nahla Davies

Workplace Roles: How to Know When to Manage vs. When to Lead

<p>Startup and small-business owners often have to juggle many roles and wear multiple hats. Among those hats are manager and leader, especially in the earliest days of a company’s history.</p>



<p>But these workplace roles, though seemingly similar, have several important differences. It can be tough to know when to manage vs. when to lead, especially if you’re new at running a company or team.</p>



<p>Let’s break down management and leadership roles in the workplace in detail. By the end, you should know when each role is appropriate and when you should use one over the other.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-is-management">What is management?</h2>



<p>Management means overseeing subordinates as opposed to followers. More concretely, the managing role involves directing and controlling groups of people to reach clear, specific goals.</p>



<p>In comparison to leadership, management involves accomplishing the broad goals set by leaders. Managers then handle the day-to-day details of reaching those aspirations.</p>



<p>Management is generally strategic and focused on operational efficiency. Depending on the person or task, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/a-managers-guide-to-dismantling-a-fear-based-company-culture-from-the-inside-out/">managers may refine different processes</a> or systems to boost efficiency and minimize risk (a chief concern of managers regardless of industry).</p>



<h2 id="h-what-is-leadership">What is leadership?</h2>



<p>Leadership, in contrast, means overseeing followers rather than subordinates. As opposed to management, leadership means coming up with high-level goals and a vision for a team or organization to follow. They’re more charisma-focused—in some sense, anyone can be a manager, but not everyone can be a leader.</p>



<p>Leadership means <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/leadership.asp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inspiring people to do their best</a> and accomplish goals that seem out of reach. Because of this, leadership is less focused on the small details of day-to-day activities or objective completion. Leaders set a goal and have managers figure out how to get there. They also often cultivate strong relationships with their followers.</p>



<h2 id="h-management-vs-leadership">Management vs. leadership</h2>



<p>As you can see, management and leadership are two different types of work roles. Let’s break down some of their differences side-by-side so you can get a better grasp of their focuses:</p>



<h3 id="h-managers-lead-people">Managers lead people.&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Their subordinates don’t necessarily need to like them, though it is always preferable. Leaders lead followers who prefer or choose to follow them. Successful leaders have followers who are glad to be trailing them, either due to their charisma or <a href="https://www.getweave.com/reputation-management/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">irrepressible reputation</a> and vision.</p>



<h3 id="h-managers-are-task-oriented">Managers are task-oriented.&nbsp;</h3>



<p>They’re concerned with accomplishing specific goals and objectives, usually those handed down by leaders. Leaders are vision-oriented. They come up with a broad goal for a company or team, then delegate it to managers or other team members to realize.</p>



<h3 id="h-managers-are-focused-on-risk-management-and-the-efficiency-of-operations">Managers are focused on risk management and the efficiency of operations.&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The more successfully they can accomplish their tasks, the better managers they are. Leaders are focused on changing things up and staying flexible. They’re always looking for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/lead-by-example-4-elements-of-true-inspiration/">new ways to inspire</a> and trailblaze rather than prioritizing stability.</p>



<h3 id="h-managers-primarily-ask-questions-like-how-and-when">Managers primarily ask questions like “how” and “when.”&nbsp;</h3>



<p>They’re concerned with the details of whatever their tasks are. Leaders primarily ask questions like “what” and “why” since they come up with the overarching goals or ideas for a company.</p>



<p>Despite there being clear <a href="https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/leadership-vs-management" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">differences between managers and leaders</a>, they share several qualities as well. These include:</p>



<h3 id="h-they-have-a-strong-attention-to-detail">They have a strong attention to detail.&nbsp;</h3>



<p>All leaders have to pay attention to details to come up with <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/10-things-effective-leaders-do-to-encourage-innovation/">new solutions and innovative ideas</a>. Similarly, managers must have great attention to detail to accomplish their tasks efficiently.</p>



<h3 id="h-they-have-strong-communication-skills-though-leaders-need-this-even-more">They have strong communication skills, though leaders need this even more.&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Both professionals use communication skills to get their subordinates or followers to listen to them and do what is necessary.</p>



<h3 id="h-they-have-good-interpersonal-skills">They have good interpersonal skills.&nbsp;</h3>



<p>To manage or lead a team, the person at the head of that team needs to know how to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-phases-of-building-a-team-that-embraces-personality-and-individual-differences/">navigate different personalities</a> and get people to work together.</p>



<h3 id="h-they-have-strong-problem-solving-skills">They have strong problem-solving skills.&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Managers need <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/16-ways-to-hone-your-problem-solving-skills/">problem-solving skills</a> to accomplish their directives or objectives and save time on projects. Leaders need this skill so they can come up with the ideas or innovations they use to inspire their followers.</p>



<h3 id="h-they-have-goal-setting-skills-though-this-is-more-important-for-leaders">They have goal-setting skills, though this is more important for leaders.&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Managers still need to know how to set goals to break up their tasks into smaller, more achievable chunks.</p>



<h2 id="h-when-to-manage-subordinates">When to manage subordinates</h2>



<p>There are certain times when it’s more appropriate to be a manager than a leader. These times include:</p>



<ul><li>When you need to boost productivity among your team, especially when deadlines loom. Managers can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/12-productivity-tools-and-strategies-to-help-you-seize-the-day/">increase productivity</a> by focusing on the details of systems or processes and improve efficiency by hiring new people or changing those processes.</li><li>When you need to train new team members. New employees need to know how to do their jobs well, which is firmly in the wheelhouse of management.</li><li>When important tasks need to be delegated. Managers are often better at delegation since they focus more on who is best for each task rather than the overall goal.</li><li>When there are issues with processes or systems. If a company can’t complete its tasks on time or efficiently, a manager needs to step in and fix the issues ASAP.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-when-to-lead-followers">When to lead followers</h2>



<p>There are also times when you should <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2022/01/10/do-you-manage-to-lead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lead your followers</a> rather than manage them. These times include:</p>



<ul><li>When the company is <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-lead-in-a-crisis/">in the middle of a crisis</a>. In such times, your followers may need inspirational leadership to stick with your organization and get through the rough patch.&nbsp;</li><li>When you are first forming a company and bringing the first team members on board. At this stage, you’ll create the company’s core values and help to set the workplace culture that will dictate its performance in the future.</li><li>When you need to make difficult decisions like cutting back on benefits such as <a href="https://www.policyme.com/blog/universal-life-insurance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life insurance</a> or 401(k) matching for employees.</li><li>When you need to come up with new company objectives or goals. After completing one marketing campaign, for example, you may develop another strategy by starting with a broad idea.</li><li>When adjusting or <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-maintain-your-company-culture-past-the-startup-stage/">setting the company culture</a>. Many company cultures are dictated by the charisma and quality of their leaders. The better a company culture you can cultivate, the more people will want to work for your organization.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-">***</h2>



<p>Ultimately, both management and leadership are important workplace roles. As a startup entrepreneur or team member, you may be required to perform both of these roles from time to time. Just remember to use them when it’s appropriate so you don’t lose <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-effective-exercises-to-build-stronger-teams/">your team’s trust</a> at a critical time.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Photo by @yingtk45/Twenty20</em></p>

Let’s break down management and leadership roles in the workplace in detail. By the end, you should know when each role is appropriate and when you should use one over the other.

Let’s break down management and leadership roles in the workplace in detail. By the end, you should know when each role is appropriate and when you should use one over the other. | SUCCESS

Workplace Roles: Knowing When to Manage vs. When to Lead

Workplace Roles: Knowing When to Manage vs. When to Lead | SUCCESS

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<p>Side hustles have become an increasingly common strategy for people to supplement income from their full-time job or create multiple sources of income by pairing <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/7-tips-for-balancing-your-side-hustles/">multiple side hustles</a>. Outside of the financial benefits, side hustles can help workers learn new skills, make extra money or pursue a dream outside working hours.</p>



<p>No longer a fringe activity but a permanent part of the modern workplace, side hustling brings troubling questions to leaders about their role in allowing or even encouraging their team to pursue side hustles—a term known as intrapreneurship. If you’re a leader at your company, consider the following.</p>



<h2 id="h-the-rise-of-the-side-hustle"><strong>The rise of the side hustle</strong></h2>



<p>Side hustles continue to grow in popularity because they permit additional financial and professional opportunities that a traditional working schedule simply can’t. Side hustles give people the chance to earn more money, start their own businesses or learn new skills, potentially leading to a salary increase in the future.</p>



<p>The economy, and its stagnating wages for workers, has contributed significantly to this development. Take the financial situation of most Americans, for example: <a href="https://www.creditdonkey.com/savings-account-promotions.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">37% have no emergency savings</a> to fall back on. This has only made side hustles more attractive in recent years.</p>



<p>About <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-companies-can-encourage-employees-side-hustles-2021-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">34% of people</a> in the U.S. started a side hustle in 2021. Popular side hustle ideas include starting an online store, blogging and podcasting because each of these outlets are popular with everyday people (consider how nearly <a href="https://www.siegemedia.com/strategy/content-marketing-statistics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">120 million people</a> listen to podcasts each month) and require minimal funds to launch.</p>



<p>As an executive, you need to recognize this trend for what it is: permanent and something you can potentially take advantage of.</p>



<h2><strong>Benefits of intrapreneurship</strong></h2>



<p>Although it might seem logical to avoid permitting—let alone encouraging—side hustles for your team, there are actually several benefits your organization might reap if you lean into this recent trend.</p>



<h3><strong>1. Improved employee skills</strong></h3>



<p>Side hustles allow your team to stretch their creative and organizational muscles. This, in turn, gives them extra skills that could benefit your organization.</p>



<p>For example, imagine a middle manager in your company who wants to start a side business selling their own products. That middle manager has to learn a whole new set of skills to:</p>



<ul><li>Successfully <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-that-breaks-through-the-digital-noise/">market their company</a></li><li>Make the products</li><li>Sell the products to customers</li><li>Adjust to customer feedback</li><li>Handle customer service needs</li></ul>



<p>Even soft skills are inevitably learned on a side hustle. New business owners, for instance, need to know how to manage and prioritize their never-ending to-do lists. They need to know how to deal with late- or non-paying customers—after all, <a href="https://www.waveapps.com/blog/payments/small-business-guide-getting-paid-faster-2022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">22% of digital invoices</a> were overdue in 2021, according to invoicing software company Wave.</p>



<p>When the manager shows up for work at your organization, they bring those skills to the objectives in their daily tasks. In some ways, side hustles can work as training crucibles you don’t have to pay for. In this way, encouraging side hustles is a lot like encouraging employee development without having to foot the bill for expensive seminars or training materials, or forcing mandatory training on resistant team members.</p>



<h3><strong>2. Increased employee happiness</strong></h3>



<p>Let’s face it: No matter how wonderful your organization, many of the people working there likely wouldn’t be if they had the financial means to follow their dreams. Encouraging side hustles allows your employees to pursue their dreams, at least in a part-time context.</p>



<p>Without intrepreneurial freedom, a negative pressure could eventually build up and result in several top-tier employees leaving to explore other paths.</p>



<p>But if you encourage—and actively support—your employees to start and run side hustles while working at your organization, you could nip this negative pressure in the proverbial bud. In fact, you may actually increase employee happiness because your employees will:</p>



<ul><li>Have the opportunity to pursue their dreams while being financially supported by a regular salary</li><li>Not have to quit their current job or worry about concealing their side hustle from their supervisor</li><li>Feel like they have increased <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-steps-to-take-control-of-your-time-in-2022/">control over their time</a> and future</li></ul>



<p>Your employees may also feel grateful to you or the company they currently work for. In the long run, this may lead to increased employee retention, trust and camaraderie.</p>



<h3><strong>3. Higher attraction for high-skill workers</strong></h3>



<p><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/22/these-companies-actually-encourage-staff-to-have-side-hustles.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Encouraging side hustles</a> may have a long-term advantage by attracting highly skilled, motivated workers. Every company only wants the best of the best to work for them, and the easiest way to achieve this is to make your company an attractive place to work. Some of that has to do with culture and pay, sure, but there’s a lot more to it than adding a ping-pong table to the break room or organizing monthly happy hours.</p>



<p>What’s more attractive than a flexible work-life balance plus the opportunity to pursue side hustles or alternative means of income? Many go-getters may feel inspired to work for your company when they learn that they can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/you-can-afford-to-chase-your-dreams/">pursue their dreams</a> and bring home a healthy paycheck at the same time.</p>



<h2><strong>Potential issues</strong></h2>



<p>Although it’s true that side hustles can bring benefits to your organization and are <a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/1-in-3-americans-have-a-side-hustle.-here-are-the-benefits-to-having-one-2021-07-24" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more common than ever</a>, there are also potential downsides. First, if an employee’s side hustle does well enough, they might be inspired to leave your company for good. Second, some side hustles may <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-to-do-when-your-side-hustle-overtakes-your-day-job/">steal employee attention and energy</a> from your organization.</p>



<p>Although these scenarios are always possible, they are far from guaranteed. What’s more, company executives can work to mitigate the risk of these disadvantages.</p>



<p>For example, keep an eye on what’s considered competitive wage in your industry and combine that with annual cost-of-living raises. This shouldn’t be a problem if you follow good financial planning, but it can also insulate you from employees fleeing in favor of a growing side hustle.</p>



<p>Alternatively, implement company policies requiring employees to disclose any major side hustles. This helps ensure open communication and clearly defined boundaries between their side hustle and their primary job duties.</p>



<p>* * *</p>



<p>It’s likely a good idea to encourage your employees to have side hustles, even if it seems risky. Side hustles can improve the skills and value of your workforce and improve your company culture, including a growing need for flexibility.</p>



<p>If your employees approach you with side hustle ideas, encourage them by offering insight and clearly defining job-hustle boundaries. It’s far better than dismissing them and inspiring your employees to look at your competitors instead.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>This article originally appeared in the May/June 2022 Issue of </em>SUCCESS<em> magazine. Photo by </em></p>

Should You Encourage Your Team to Pursue Side Hustles?

Should You Encourage Your Team to Pursue Side Hustles? | SUCCESS

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How to Use Video Marketing on LinkedIn to Help Land Your Next Clients

<p>Video is central to how we connect and learn in the world of virtual work. It can also be a powerful way to promote yourself and your business to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-ways-to-identify-your-ideal-client-and-prime-your-business-for-growth/">attract a consistent stream of ideal clients</a>. Videos provide us with a more personal peek into the qualities of those on the other side of the screen, even when we’ve never met them irl.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For these reasons and more, service-based business owners have begun to increasingly <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/10-best-tools-to-help-you-land-your-dream-job/">utilize digital tools</a> such as video marketing to engage potential clients and bring their stories to life. And because so many people use LinkedIn to create business partnerships, using video on LinkedIn can help you stand out from your peers and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-improve-your-client-relationships/">connect with clients</a> that value your services.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-video-marketing">Why video marketing?</h2>



<p>Marketing yourself and your business is all about <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-tips-for-connecting-with-your-audience-from-the-woman-whos-worked-with-the-biggest-names-in-entertainment/">capturing the attention of your target audience</a>. It's really no different when you’re looking for clients on LinkedIn.&nbsp;</p>



<p>What makes you unique? What’s different about the services you provide that sets you apart from the competition? Not only can video help you communicate this to your prospective clients, but it’s also <a href="https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/05/06/digital-video-is-a-new-frontier-for-tech-freelancers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a sought-after skill among marketing professionals</a> today.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Everyone has a resume with a list of their skills and expertise, but it can be hard to showcase soft skills and other aspects of your personality through text. In fact, <a href="https://news.linkedin.com/2021/march/linkedin-and-microsoft-skills-commitment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">75% of professionals</a> say that they find it difficult to assess whether a person embodies the skills and traits they are looking for in a business partner from a standard resume.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Video has become widely recognized as a tool for collaboration as more organizations make the permanent shift towards hybrid work. Digital networking fits into this dynamic very well, because it's almost like getting to know your peers and colleagues face to face. Leveraging digital networking tactics including video marketing removes the need for people to be in physical proximity in order to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/13-key-traits-of-strong-professional-relationships/">build professional relationships</a> with people all around the world.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In addition to a video marketing strategy, it’s important to utilize other tools to facilitate your virtual networking. For example, you should consider client management software that comes with critical features such as project collaboration, file sharing, and more. Going digital with networking and project management makes things more efficient, but it can be easy to let relationships slip without that face-to-face contact. That’s where video comes in.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-to-use-video-marketing-on-linkedin">Where to use video marketing on LinkedIn</h2>



<p>LinkedIn has several places where professionals can share video to promote themselves and connect with their audiences:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cover-story">Cover Story</h3>



<p>Your cover story is a 30-second video that appears on your page to serve as the <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-research-backed-ways-to-make-a-killer-first-impression/">first impression</a> your connections will experience. This is where you can introduce yourself, what you do, what you’re working on and what matters to you.</p>



<p>When making videos, it can be helpful to outline your key talking points ahead of time so you come across as professional and confident. Identify what message you want to convey to your connections and be sure to include information about your background, expertise and goals. You can also include a call to action for viewers to send you a message or visit your website.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-experience-section">Experience section</h3>



<p>Professionals on LinkedIn can also demonstrate their skills with videos in the experience section. It can be hard to capture the extent of your knowledge in a few short words, so video can help overcome obstacles when it comes to describing the nature of their skills and experience. Although you can’t post videos directly, you can link to outside videos, such as:</p>



<ul>
<li>Recordings of you speaking at events or conferences</li>



<li>Clips of you in action at work</li>



<li>Webinar snippets</li>



<li>Interviews for media outlets</li>
</ul>



<p>You can also share LinkedIn newsfeed videos to the experience section by tapping the three dots at the top right of your published post. Select “Copy Link” and add it to your Experience section.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-featured-section">Featured section</h3>



<p>This section is for showcasing your professional experience and knowledge with outside links to articles, media, and LinkedIn posts. This is another great place to share a short video where you talk directly into the camera or a short animated explainer to catch your audience’s attention. LinkedIn is just one of the many platforms that allow users to <a href="https://blog.wishpond.com/post/115675438288/convert-leads-using-instagram-stories" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">share a story</a> via video and other rich media, so you can include outside posts here if you choose.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If you already have professional videos <a href="https://hostingdata.co.uk/youtube-alternatives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">posted across multiple platforms</a> like Vimeo, Youtube, Twitch or Dtube, consider linking those here. Not only do you already have video evidence of your industry expertise, but you are also showing your connections where else they can find you for more info on your work.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-newsfeed">Newsfeed</h3>



<p>The newsfeed is a great place to share short videos to break up the monotony and attract your connections to your posts. Add background music, text, and interesting transitions to give your videos a professional feel.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Consider posting professional videos, such as:</p>



<ul>
<li>Product and service demos</li>



<li>Answers to commonly asked questions</li>



<li>Insider views into your work day and team members</li>



<li><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/referrals-over-customers-and-other-key-insights-all-bootstrapping-entrepreneurs-should-know/">Customer testimonials</a></li>



<li>Business announcements</li>
</ul>



<p>Regularly posting videos to your newsfeed can help <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-that-breaks-through-the-digital-noise/">build trust in your brand</a> and legitimize your work.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-messages-and-connections">Messages and connections</h3>



<p>A less conventional way of utilizing video on LinkedIn is to improve person-to-person communication with video messages. After all, a video message is almost equivalent to having a short conversation in person.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Building lasting relationships with connections and prospects hinges on conversations and friendly interactions. Sending a short, informal video message can be a great way to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-best-business-strategy-books-to-pull-ahead-of-the-competition/">separate yourself from your peers</a> and make a lasting impression.&nbsp;</p>



<p>You have worked hard for what you’ve achieved, and sharing those achievements can help take your business to the next level. Video is a wonderful way to engage with your network on LinkedIn, spotlighting you and your business so you can show how you can help your clients. In this way, putting yourself on the map with video marketing can help you <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-signs-youre-on-the-right-path-to-your-dream-career/">grow as a professional</a> and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-ways-to-pursue-the-job-you-want/">reach your career goals</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p style="font-size:12px"><em>Photo by @Stoyanovska/Twenty20</em></p>

Using video on LinkedIn can help you stand out from your peers and connect with clients that value your services. 

Using video on LinkedIn can help you stand out from your peers and connect with clients that value your services.  | SUCCESS

LinkedIn Video Marketing: Unlocking Client Opportunities

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/How-to-Use-Video-Marketing-on-LinkedIn-to-Help-Land-Your-Next-Clients.jpg

How 3 Female ‘Black Angels’ Are Working to Close the Racial Funding Gap

<p>For startup businesses that are strapped for cash and not yet strong enough to gain the attention of traditional investors such as limited partners and venture capital firms, angel investors often serve as their only opportunity to gain access to capital. Female angel investors of color, in particular.&nbsp;</p>



<p>But in this case, the term angel investor doesn’t just refer to providing capital to cash-strapped startups. As we’ll soon explore, these black female investors serve as angels to help lift many <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-its-like-to-be-a-black-leader/">black entrepreneurs</a> off their feet—specifically entrepreneurs who have found their businesses starving for investment and cut off from traditional funding sources.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In this article, we’ll dive into the issues making it so hard for black entrepreneurs to secure funding, how black angel investors are providing these entrepreneurs with access to capital and new opportunities, and three examples of noteworthy female black angel investors who are working to close the racial funding gap.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-is-it-so-hard-for-black-entrepreneurs-to-secure-funding">Why is it so hard for black entrepreneurs to secure funding?</h2>



<p>Black entrepreneurs facing income inequality in the Western world is nothing new. Although recent events in the news relating to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/8-podcast-episodes-to-keep-us-learning-and-progressing-toward-racial-equality/">minority inequalities</a> and systematic racism have (at long last) brought global attention to the issue, numerous seemingly insurmountable challenges still remain.</p>



<p>In the U.S., <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90531094/for-black-entrepreneurs-the-racial-wealth-gap-makes-finding-funding-nearly-impossible" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">less than 10% of entrepreneurs</a> pitching to investors are black, and of those, less than 20% manage to get their pitch translated into an actual investment. There are many areas that need to be changed when it comes to institutional biases against people of color in the U.S., but perhaps the most overlooked one is in the investment that provides fuel to entrepreneurship and up-and-coming businesses.</p>



<p>There is a massive barrier that exists in between novice black entrepreneurs and established VC investors looking for success patterns in potential prospects. To put it simply, most new black entrepreneurs just getting their startups off the ground lack access to networks, proximity to accredited investors and easy funding to other sources of capital such as banks (as a lack of available collateral makes many banks hesitant to invest in any startup).</p>



<p>It’s not that <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-founder-of-black-girl-ventures-gets-things-done/">black entrepreneurs</a> aren’t trying. But the aforementioned statistic shows that there is a clear problem that needs to be addressed. Part of the solution may lie in the black angel investors working hard to help catalyze investments into minority entrepreneurs and reduce the inequality gap as a whole. Doing so isn’t just good for the entrepreneurs themselves, it’s also good for consumers and for the American economy as a whole.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-rise-of-black-angel-investors-for-building-wealth">The Rise of Black Angel Investors for Building Wealth</h2>



<p>Did you know that <a href="https://news.crunchbase.com/news/highlighting-notable-funding-to-black-founders-in-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">under 1% of total venture capital</a> in the U.S. goes to black entrepreneurs? To help close the gap and give black entrepreneurs a shot, several black angel investors (also known as ‘black angels’) are stepping up to the plate.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As with any angel investor, these black angels do share the common goal of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-complete-guide-to-money-how-to-create-wealth/">making more money</a>. But in doing so, they want to help give overlooked entrepreneurs in the black community. For these entrepreneurs cut off from other funding sources, the black angels truly do seem like angels.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In a bit, we’ll dive into the stories of three female black angel investors who are paving the way forward. They do more than just provide badly needed investments into startups. They also offer inspiration to future generations of minority women seeking to build generational wealth, and can provide badly needed advice and education to many African American business owners who simply do not have investors in their network.</p>



<p>So who are some of these black angels?&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-female-black-angel-investors-working-to-close-the-funding-gap">3 Female Black Angel Investors Working to Close the Funding Gap</h2>



<p>Three female black angels whose stories stand out are:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arlan-hamilton-of-backstage-capital">Arlan Hamilton of Backstage Capital&nbsp;</h3>



<p><a href="https://backstagecapital.com/crew/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Backstage Capital</a> is a venture capital fund that has invested in more than 130 startups led by either POC or LGBT founders. But the real inspiration is that of its founder, Arlan Hamilton, who built the fund from the ground up while she was still homeless and dependent on food stamps.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Featured on the cover of <em>Fast Company</em> in late 2018, Hamilton gained attention when she announced that Backstage Capital would raise a $36 million fund exclusively for startups founded by African-American women.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Her story is shared in her autobiography <a href="https://amzn.to/3BtDJB7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>It’s About Damn Time</em></a>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sarah-knust-of-cleo-capital">Sarah Knust of Cleo Capital&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Having invested in more than 40 different startups and with big names like Apple and Red Bull in her resume of companies she’s worked for, Sarah Knust has established herself as a major force in the investment world. Knust is regularly cited by major publications like <em>Vanity Fair</em> and Business Insider as an investor who can teach success before the age of 35 and who will continue to be a force into the future.&nbsp;</p>



<p>She is currently the managing director of <a href="https://www.cleocap.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cleo Capital</a>, and is also the founder of subscription workout app <a href="https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/proday" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ProDay</a> and a contributing editor at <em>Marie Claire</em>.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiffany-aliche-of-the-budgetnista">Tiffany Aliche of the Budgetnista</h3>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/finding-financial-wholeness-a-qa-with-tiffany-the-budgetnista/">Tiffany Aliche</a> founded and runs Budgetnista, a financial education company that has helped more than 1 million women across the globe save hundreds of millions of dollars, and pay down an equivalent amount in debt.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Aliche says she was motivated to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-start-a-business-in-a-day/">start the company</a> after conducting intense research into how black women are paid less than their peers and also suffer from other massive struggles such as devalued housing. Budgetnista is the result of Aliche’s desire to help those women get back on their feet with a firm financial foundation and debt-free lifestyle.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Aliche’s story and her advice is told in the book <a href="https://amzn.to/3FxVtxN" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Get Good with Money</em></a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts">Final Thoughts</h2>



<p>At the end of the day, Aliche, Van Court, and Kimberlin aren’t just making a difference when it comes to representation and equality. They’re making a difference in people's lives by creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs of color.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For all of the challenges they’ve faced, black-founded startups are on the rise, and they’re on the rise because of investors like the three women whose stories we’ve shared today.&nbsp;</p>



<p style="font-size:12px"><em>Photo b</em><em>y mimagephotography</em><strong><em>/</em></strong><em>Shutterstock</em></p>

In the U.S., less than 10% of entrepreneurs pitching to investors are black, and of those, less than 20% manage to get their pitch translated into an actual investment.

In the U.S., less than 10% of entrepreneurs pitching to investors are black, and of those, less than 20% manage to get their pitch translated into an actual investment. | SUCCESS

Closing the Racial Funding Gap: 3 Female 'Black Angels