The Marigold Effect

Ever thought to yourself, "I'm not creative"? Or been unsure of how to bring your creative side into your daily work? If so, Rick Rubin’s book,?The Creative Act: A Way of Being, might offer you a fresh outlook. Rubin challenges the idea that creativity is a magical trait possessed by a select few or limited to artists, musicians, and writers. Instead, he contends that creativity is a universal quality we all possess and can be integrated into any environment, including the workplace. Rubin offers a simple and compelling four-part framework -collect, experiment, craft, and complete- to unlock your creative potential, even when you believe it’s out of reach. “To create is to bring something into existence that wasn’t there before.” The Four-Step Creative Process Step 1. Collect.?The creative journey starts here. It’s about gathering seeds of inspiration without judgment—observing the world with curiosity and drawing ideas from everywhere: nature, art, books, even other industries. The goal isn’t to find the “best” idea right away, but to broaden your perspective and let inspiration flow. Read more @ https://lnkd.in/evV5BHYi

We’re excited about our?ongoing partnership?with Bridging Virginia. This collaboration is about more than just funding—it's about providing the Care, Collaboration, and Capital needed to support entrepreneurs who have been overlooked for too long. Bridging Virginia is making a real difference by helping small business owners from marginalized backgrounds access the resources they need to succeed. Their commitment to?transparency, monitoring, and sharing their impact demonstrates how our joint efforts make a difference and can inspire others to invest in this critical work. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eGz2Mjb4 We are always exploring how finance can empower entrepreneurs and strengthen communities. If you have ideas about creating a more inclusive economy, we’d love to?hear from you.

?? I am thrilled to announce that the Tanna Fund at ìpàdé is now accepting applications for its microgrants program! If you're an early-stage Black woman or gender-expansive innovator in the Washington, DC region with a transformative business idea, this is your chance to receive the capital and support you need to make it a reality. Application Deadline: Saturday, August 31 at 5 PM We encourage you to carefully review the eligibility and application requirements before submitting your application. The application should take less than 1 hour to complete. Apply today! https://lnkd.in/e3McArGP

I've never been comfortable with the term "investor." But when I see?attacks on initiatives like the Fearless Fund, which provided $20K grants to Black female entrepreneurs, I'm reminded why embracing this label matters. https://lnkd.in/dBv5fgMY Context is key.?In 2023, US-based startups received $140.4 billion in venture funding, yet less than 0.5% went to Black-founded startups. To shift these entrenched power dynamics and support underrepresented groups, we must redefine what it means to be an investor. https://lnkd.in/dsw4TqMm. To me, being an investor means using money to better our communities by: - Funding underrepresented founders and leaders - Counteracting biases in capital markets that favor certain groups Continue reading here: https://lnkd.in/dqBeBYHZ

This Small Business Week, I’m reflecting on how my father's journey embodies both the promises and pitfalls of late-stage capitalism. He experienced a version of the American Dream that is increasingly unattainable. Arriving in Minnesota from India in 1975, my dad’s first gig was selling imports as a traveling salesman. In 1980, he started as an assistant manager at a Burger King. Through a mix of hard work and good fortune, he climbed the corporate ladder, eventually managing multiple restaurants. In the early 1990s, opportunities for small franchise ownership at Burger King opened up. For a modest purchase price and with a bank loan backed by the franchisor, my father acquired two restaurants. Read more...https://lnkd.in/e6T5ef6E

It’s Year 2 of the ìpàdé Tanna Fund. We are so proud of the work being done to lift up early-stage Black women entrepreneurs in the DC region. Reach out if you would like to join us in expanding your power through collective giving. https://lnkd.in/emeACGiJ

In our pursuit of closing opportunity gaps, we must address areas lacking representation. This article sheds light on the gender disparity among podcast guests. The statistics are startling. Overlooking highly qualified female voices in the podcasting world reduces women’s visibility and access to opportunities for networking, forming partnerships, and exploring investment avenues. https://lnkd.in/efr2rp6E

Successful leaders often hear, “What’s next?” How do we know it’s a good idea to open another location, hire more people, or sell new things? Let’s start by asking: How will growth impact company culture? Will you enjoy being the leader of a larger organization? If you make more money, will you make more profit? Can you grow by getting better at what you already do? Sometimes, thinking big means deciding to stay small. #SustainableGrowth #Leadership #BusinessDecisions

“A vast majority of statistics that compare wealth and income among races prove that the racial wealth gap is both dramatic and unequal. Even minorities who have received high-level education and come from stable home environments only possess a fraction of what white people in their same position do… The benefits of wealth extend far beyond the possession of material goods. Wealth allows people to purchase houses in safe neighborhoods, receive necessary healthcare, get a strong education, save for retirement, and ultimately pass money down from generation to generation. When a family possesses a large sum of generational wealth, their descendants automatically have a safety net that enables them to start businesses, attend costly universities, and make investments.” https://lnkd.in/ewDzGdqs #racialwealthgap #economicjustice