Category Archives: Personal Finance

Feature 2021

33. LatinX Representation in Tech and Venture Capital with Cheryl Campos

Personal Finance, , , , , , , , , , ,

Less than 1% of all professionals working in venture capital today identify as LatinX, and only 1.2% of LatinX founders had access to or received VC funding in the last year. However, there are several leaders in the finance and tech communities actively working to change that.

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge sits down with Cheryl Campos, Head of Venture Growth and Partnerships at Republic and co-founder of VCFamilia, to discuss how her organizations and ones like them are working to level the playing field in tech and increase the levels of LatinX representation in venture capital.

Cheryl Campos discusses: 

  • Why opening up venture capital to other communities will not only diversify the startup funding landscape, but also lead to more diverse products being launched and brought to market
  • How Republic has supported over 600 underestimated founders by helping them find access to funding
  • The work that her organization, VC Familia is doing to create a community and a sense of belonging for Latinx professionals in venture capital
  • How other venture capital firms can get involved to help make sure that more diverse professionals are finding career opportunities in technology and finance 
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Cheryl Campos:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

About Our Guest:

Cheryl is passionate about the intersection of finance, technology, and social impact. She is the Head of Venture Growth and Partnerships at Republic, a one-stop-shop for founders to raise capital from both accredited and non-accredited investors. She is focused on introducing underrepresented founders to both traditional and alternative funding sources in order to help their startups thrive. In other direct investing roles, she is a scout for Lightspeed and an investment partner at The Community Fund. Cheryl is also one of the founders of VCFamilia, a community of Latinx VCs supporting current & emerging investors through collaboration.

Previously she worked as an analyst in a Connecticut-based private debt & equity firm with an emphasis on minority and women entrepreneurs. She started her career in Investment Banking at Barclays, working in the Financial Institutions Group and Structured Finance. She holds a BA in Economics with honors from Harvard University.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Feature 2021

32. Talking to Your Family About Money with Amy Castoro

Personal Finance, , , , , , , , ,

We’ve all heard the statistics and read the articles about the pro athlete or entertainer who lived a life of luxury for years, spent money freely, gave it away, didn’t respect it, and then one day, they were no longer at the height of their fame and success, the dollars stopped coming in, and they were flat broke. However, what doesn’t get reported on nearly as much is the phenomenon of wealthy families who lose their fortune across just one or two generations.

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge sits down with Amy Castoro, president and CEO of The Williams Group, as they discuss the process and preparation for a smooth transfer of wealth among multiple generations. Amy illustrates the critical need for open communication about more than just money in order to maintain healthy family dynamics during and after a wealth transfer..

Amy discusses:

  • Maintaining healthy family dynamics during the transfer of wealth between generations
  • What to consider as you begin to think about the role you want your wealth to play in the lives of the people you care about
  • Communication strategies to help families build trust when talking about money
  • How much financial support is too much support to offer your adult children
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Amy A. Castoro:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

About Our Guest:

Amy Castoro is the president and Chief Executive Officer of The Williams Group, which prepares families for the smooth transfer of wealth among generations.

For ten years, Amy has specialized in preparing high-net-worth families to successfully transition their wealth while keeping their families united and in control of their assets. She is an accomplished author, keynote speaker, and senior family coach. Amy leads family members; high-net-worth advisors; business leaders; executive managers; and teams from Fortune 500 companies, startups, and nonprofits to innovate, lead, and work better together. Amy’s experience with The Walt Disney Company, Adecco Corporation, and Grant Thornton Management Consulting provide her with a strong foundation of leadership in organizations.

Amy is the author of Bridging Generations—Transitioning Family Wealth and Value for a Sustainable Legacy. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in organizational psychology from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, and is a Master in Somatic Coaching through the Strozzi Institute. Also, Amy completed a three-year business course with Hecht and Associates that emphasized the design of new offers and optimizing threats and opportunities in business.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Feature 2021

31. Are NFTs a Fad or the Future? with Jesse Krieger

Personal Finance, , , , , , , , ,

Not that long ago, we were all trying to wrap our collective heads around this thing called Bitcoin and how it was promising to revolutionize the way we all pay for goods and services. And now, before we’ve really even come to a consensus on whether cryptocurrencies are a digital currency, a store of value, an investment asset class, or something else entirely, the conversation has shifted to a different form of digital gold called an NFT.

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge is joined by Jesse Krieger, Chief Content Officer at PowerFan.io, an NFT minting platform for authors and other content creators, allowing them to create and sell exclusive works directly to their audience. Jesse discusses the ways in which cryptocurrency and NFTs differ, how NFTs are changing the narrative of the creative marketplace, and the potential impact NFTs have on ownership and artist royalties.

Jesse Krieger discusses:

  • The key differences between many of the more popular blockchains, cryptocurrencies, and their individual purposes in the marketplace
  • The higher income potential for artists and creators that distribute their content direct to consumers via NFTs
  • PowerFan’s ability to help create and distribute content as an NFT and their accessibility to credit cardholders
  • The multiple use cases for NFTs and the ways in which the space might evolve
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Jesse Krieger:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

About Our Guest:

Jesse is the co-founder and Chief Content Officer of PowerFan.io where he helps authors, artists & creators leverage NFTs and blockchain asset strategies. Jesse is also the Founder and Publisher of Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Press, a publishing company that has helped over 500 authors through the entire author journey, from writing and creating a great book, to providing expert publishing support with editing, design, layout and marketing strategy. He has authored and published two best-selling books on two different continents and been featured on over 100 media outlets for his bestselling book Lifestyle Entrepreneur and entrepreneurial endeavors. Jesse also holds degrees from University of California, Berkeley, as well as National Taiwan University and Beijing Normal University.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Feature 2021

30. Passive Investing in Farmland and Agriculture with Peter Badger

Personal Finance, , , , , , , , , ,

Whenever we think of investing in real estate, we tend to think of either single family homes, apartment buildings, office buildings, or maybe shopping malls. But rarely do we think of buying raw or developed land as a means to invest in real estate and enjoy all of the financial benefits that tend to come along with it.

But in fact, farmland is actually considered to be one of the least volatile investment vehicles available, when compared to other asset classes. 

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge speaks with Peter Badger, Chief Strategy Officer at Farmfolio, to discuss how owning farmland is a way to diversify your investment portfolio in a way that is not directly correlated to the stock market. Peter discusses turn-key investing in farmland and how Farmfolio’s model can be an effective option for investors of all sizes.

Peter discusses: 

  • What advantages he saw in investing in farmland that has changed his career and overall investment strategy
  • The importance of climate, land quality, and labor for the crop success
  • Why large grocers are turning to their operation to supply their stores
  • How FinTech is challenging the status quo of market regulations and requiring innovation for the future
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Peter Badger:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

About Our Guest:

Peter is a full-time investor in real estate and agriculture for nearly a decade and recently joined the team at Farmfolio as their chief strategy officer. Prior to that, Peter spent 18 years working on Wall Street and a decade working in Silicon Valley where he co-founded Framehawk, an enterprise software company, which he sold to Citrix systems. He has helped lead some of the world’s premier companies including Barclays, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and Credit Suisse. Peter is also a world traveler and has lived in Denver, Medellin, Puerto Rico, San Francisco, Hong Kong, New York, Valencia, and London.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Feature 2021

29. Cultivating the Next Generation of Black Tech Leaders with Clinton Browning

Personal Finance, , , , , , , ,

Traditionally, companies source their executive teams and boards of directors solely through their existing networks of employees, investors, friends or family. This tends to lead to companies being led by groups who are not very reflective of their workforce or customer base.

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge sits down with Clinton Browning, partner and Head of Dreamscape at Daversa, an executive search firm for tech professionals. Clinton discusses the importance that hiring a diverse board and executive team has on the success of Tech companies and how starting from the top will change the hiring ecosystem in the future.

Clinton discusses: 

  • The importance of being inclusive and intentional when building your company’s board and executive team
  • How George Floyd’s death led Daversa to create Dreamscape
  • How Dreamscape is helping companies in the Tech space put into practice their goals to diversify executive roles
  • How his team has built an impressive network of 3000 black executives
  • What younger tech professionals can do to make themselves more attractive to executive search firms   
  • And more

Connect With Clinton Browning:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

About Our Guest:

Clinton is responsible for leading Davera’s Business unit, Dreamscape, which is dedicated to ensuring there is Black representation on the boards and executive teams of the most important companies and investing firms in technology. He has an over 25+ year career, starting at Korn Ferry where he helped develop and scale Diversity practice on a global scale. Clint is an alumni of The University of California, Berkeley, an entrepreneur, a builder, an advocate, and a true family man. He credits his success to his family foundation. 

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Feature 2021

28. Malcolm’s 10 Financial Commandments

Personal Finance, , , , , , , ,

There is no shortage of thoughts and opinions out there when it comes to managing your personal finances and making smart money moves. However, not all financial advice is created equal. Some is meant to entertain, some is meant to inspire, and some is meant to educate.

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge rips a few pages out of his highly anticipated book to give you a preview. In The 10 Financial Commandments, Malcolm focuses on educating the reader, by sharing some of his favorite practical rules about money, both learned and earned.

Malcolm discusses: 

  • How some pieces of conventional wisdom can lead you astray
  • How to make sure that you are being intentional when thinking about your money
  • How to build equity in a more efficient and valuable way
  • The importance of finding your tribe and having someone to help keep you on track
  • And more

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Feature 2021

27. Non-Traditional Ways to Fund Your Startup with Doll Lank

Personal Finance, , , , , , , , ,

Are you considering launching a start-up but unsure how you’ll come up with the funding? Are you currently looking at options to bring to life the next stage of your business and grow?

A ROBS transaction might be the answer you’ve been looking for.

In this episode Malcolm Ethridge sits down with Doll Lank, partner at KLB Benefits Law Group, to discuss different types of plans ERISA offers and the unique ROBS funding technique for C corporations. Doll shares the risks and benefits of ROBS plans and how they allow you to use your retirement savings to fund your start-up.

Doll Lank discusses: 

  • The different types of retirement plans eligible for a ROBS transaction and what role ERISA plays in the transaction
  • What types of businesses are eligible to use a ROBS and which ones are not
  • The risks and benefits you must take into account when considering a ROBS transaction to fund your business
  • The importance of seeking good guidance and working with a professional to help you avoid ERISA violations
  • And more

Connect With Doll Lank:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

About Our Guest:

Dorothy “Doll” Lank, a co-founder of KLB Benefits Law Group, is experienced in advising employers on their benefits plans, with a focus on qualified retirement plans, particularly so-called “ROBS” plans. Before focusing on ERISA, she worked in prohibited transaction law, and employee benefits, Doll practiced general business law including entity formation, mergers & acquisitions, nonprofit law, real estate, land use, local government law, and even water law. Doll’s main interest is in helping clients progress toward their financial goals in a range of circumstances involving tax qualified benefits, from the correction of an employer plan failure, to avoiding a prohibited transaction, to the impact of an acquisition on a company’s benefits.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Feature 2021

26. Teaching Financial Literacy Through Technology with Evan Leaphart

Personal Finance, , , , ,

Your credit is important, and it is something that is going to either propel you toward or hold you back from financial independence.

So why is that so many people know next to nothing about how credit scores work?

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge sits down with Evan Leaphart, founder of Kiddie Kredit, to discuss his journey as a founder and to talk about the importance of teaching financial literacy. Evan shares his own credit story and explains how he is using technology to teach kids about personal finance as early as possible. 

Evan discusses: 

  • His role in creating Black Men Talk Tech and how it came to fruition
  • Why he feels passionate about financial literacy 
  • How he moved himself from an idea to creating Kiddie Kredit
  • How Kiddie Kredit works to educate the entire family about credit 
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Evan Leaphart:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

About Our Guest:

Evan Leaphart is the founder and CEO of Kiddie Kredit and the co-founder of Black Men Talk Tech. He creates online curriculums for schools, organizations, and families to teach children about the fundamentals of finance.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

[Bonus Episode] Office Hours: Is it Possible to Qualify for a New Mortgage as a Retiree?

Personal Finance

When a person retires, conventional wisdom tells us that since they no longer have an income, there’s no way they can pay back a loan – and thus, no bank would be willing to offer them a mortgage. But is that always the case when it comes to purchasing a home?

On this episode of Office Hours, Malcolm and Desiree sit down to discuss the process of applying for a new mortgage as a retiree and which types of income lenders prefer to see from this group.

Contact Desiree: desiree@fortismortgage.com

Follow us on social: @fortismortgage

PlayPlay

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

[Bonus Episode] Office Hours: The Advantages (and Disadvantages) of Refinancing Your Home’s Mortgage

Personal Finance

These days, not only are we experiencing record low interest rates, we are also seeing home prices that are constantly on the rise. And this has created a perfect storm for people wanting to refinance their mortgage – for a number of reasons.

Although it is obvious to mortgage professionals the reasons why you might want to reconfigure the terms of your home’s mortgage, it is not necessarily as obvious to those outside of the mortgage business. So, on this episode of Office Hours, Malcolm & Desiree sit down to explain the basics of how a home refinance works, as well as some scenarios in which a refinance might make sense for you.

Contact Desiree: desiree@fortismortgage.com

Follow us on social: @fortismortgage

PlayPlay

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More