Build The Damn Thing with Kathryn Finney

Kathryn Finney
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No more excuses. No more procrastination. If you’re ready to take your business, side hustle or idea to the next level, then this is the podcast for you! The podcast is hosted by Kathryn Finney, one of the most influential women in tech (INC Magazine), one of the first Black women to sell her startup, and Managing General Partner at the Chicago-based venture firm, Genius Guild. Based on Kathryn’s bestselling book “Build the Damn Thing: How to Build a Successful Business if You’re NOT a Rich White Guy”, Build the Damn Thing is part storytelling, part mix tape and designed to teach you how to bring your business to the next level. The podcast features lessons and tips from leaders and entrepreneurs who have “Built the Damn Thing” themselves. From serial entrepreneurs to those who take risks to solve problems both abroad and locally — it's all here on the show! kathrynfinney.substack.com

  1. HACE 5 DÍAS

    How to Own Your Power Part 2: Say No, Stand Tall, and Build on Your Terms

    Owning your power isn’t a personality trait—it’s a strategy. In this special Build the Damn Thing compilation, Kathryn Finney brings together bold voices who know what it takes to lead, negotiate, and build with intention. From navigating bias to setting unapologetic boundaries, this episode is a crash course in standing tall and taking up space as an entrepreneur. You’ll hear from founders and leaders who refused to play small—even when the systems around them demanded it. They chose themselves. They bet on their voice. And they built something better. Listen in for real talk on: Saying no without guilt Navigating likeability and respect The emotional cost of shrinking in the room Why underestimated entrepreneurs are rewriting the rules of power This isn’t just about building a business. It’s about building yourself in the process. 🎧 Hit play—and don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share with a fellow builder. #BuildTheDamnThing #Entrepreneurship #OwnYourPower #Negotiation #UnderestimatedFounders

    22 min

  2. 19 AGO

    How to Own Your Power: The Mindset Every Entrepreneur Needs to Build Boldly

    What does it really take to build the business—and life—you want? In this special compilation episode of Build the Damn Thing, host Kathryn Finney brings together powerful insights from founders and leaders who are redefining what it means to be an entrepreneur. From negotiating your worth to building through bias, this episode unpacks the real inner work required to lead with power and purpose. You’ll hear from voices who’ve been told to shrink—and chose to expand instead. Discover why owning your power isn’t just about saying yes to opportunity, but also about knowing when to say no. Learn what it looks like to create spaces where underestimated founders can thrive. And walk away with the mindset tools every entrepreneur needs to navigate the highs, the lows, and everything in between. If you’re building the damn thing—this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more episodes that speak to the heart of what it means to be a builder. #BuildTheDamnThing #Entrepreneurship #PowerMoves #Negotiation #UnderestimatedFounders

    16 min

  3. 12 AGO

    How to Make Joy Part of Your Business Strategy

    What if leadership didn’t have to be lonely? What if building your business could feel like a joyful act of service—not just a climb to the top? In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with her longtime collaborator and friend, Darlene Gillard Jones, to unpack the emotional reality of entrepreneurship. From surviving literal blizzards in North Carolina to producing a runway show that changed lives, Kathryn and Darlene reflect on the power of building with people who believe in you—and how joy, levity, and legacy show up in the startup trenches. This is more than a behind-the-scenes conversation. It’s a blueprint for how to build with purpose, how to honor the people who helped you get there, and how to know when it’s time to move on. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the people you build with matter more than any pitch deck How levity and laughter can be leadership superpowers What it looks like to transition out of something with grace How to spot the difference between someone who’s with you and someone who wants to be you Why small acts of generosity can create big ripple effects (hello, Doonie Fund) If you’re navigating your own leadership journey—or learning how to build the damn thing while staying rooted in who you are—this conversation is your reminder to lead with joy, love, and unapologetic clarity. ✨ Hit subscribe, leave a review, and send this episode to someone who rides with you in the storm and the spotlight. Because leadership is a team sport—and your joy is part of the strategy.

    39 min

  4. 5 AGO

    How to Use AI to Grow Your Business

    It's time to use AI to save you time and grow your business In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with Cheryl Contee—tech futurist, serial entrepreneur, and author of AI for Nonprofits—to break down how underestimated founders can use AI right now to grow their businesses, save time, cut costs, and stay competitive. Whether you’re running a small team, a solo hustle, or a community-based organization, this episode is packed with real-world examples, free tools, and no-BS advice on how to integrate AI into your workflow without selling your soul (or breaking the bank). 🎧 You’ll learn: The 3 types of AI you need to know (and which one matters most) How to use AI for content, customer service, bookkeeping, research, and more What “prompt engineering” actually means—and how to do it How to overcome fear, avoid burnout, and stay human in an AI-powered world The one mindset shift that separates businesses that grow from those that get left behind 💡 AI Tools Mentioned in This Episode: ChatGPT – content creation, research, and analysis Claude – AI chatbot by Anthropic for writing and productivity Gemini – Google’s AI assistant PopAI – instant slide deck generator Fathom – AI-powered meeting transcription and summaries Fireflies – automatic meeting notes and follow-ups Read.ai – meeting summaries and analytics There’s An AI For That – searchable AI tool directory Synesthesia (now Synthesia) – AI-generated human avatars for video Lovable.dev– AI voiceovers and media generation Perplexity – AI-powered search and research assistant ChangeAgent – AI for social impact content and storytelling This isn’t about chasing the latest trend. It’s about building smarter, not harder—and making AI work for you. 🚀 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if you’re ready to grow your business and stay ahead of the curve. Let’s build the damn thing—together.

    41 min

  5. 29 JUL

    What is Venture Capital?

    You’ve heard the buzz about venture capital, but do you really know how it works? Or if it’s even right for your business? In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with Brian Laung Aoaeh, co-founder of Refashioned Ventures, to break down the truth about venture capital—without the jargon. From understanding how VCs actually make money to knowing what “high growth” really means, Kathryn and Brian reveal what most entrepreneurs get wrong about raising money and why VC funding is not for everybody. They also get real about: Why most businesses will never be a fit for venture capital The financial realities of venture funds (aka how VCs get paid) The #1 question every founder must answer before pitching investors Why press and popularity don’t translate into profit The tough but necessary truth about legacy-building vs. scaling If you’ve ever wondered when (or if) you should raise VC money, or you’re tired of the hype and want the real deal on funding, this episode is your roadmap. 💡 Learn more about Kathryn Finney: kathrynfinney.com 👥 Join the Build the Damn Thing community: buildthedamnthing.com 🔗 Connect with Brian Aoaeh: Refashioned Ventures

    47 min

  6. 22 JUL

    How to Turn Your Creativity Into Cash Without Selling Out

    In this episode of "Build a Damn Thing," host Kathryn Finney delves into the intersection of art and entrepreneurship with Natalie Osborne, founder of Natalie O. Decor. Born in the historic Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Natalie carries the legacy of Black Wall Street into her vibrant art. Discover how she transitioned from teaching to full-time artistry, leveraging platforms like Etsy and Shopify to sell her work. Natalie shares insights on pricing, market strategies, and breaking free from traditional art world constraints. Whether you're an artist or an entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable lessons on betting on yourself and thriving in a rapidly changing world.

    38 min

  7. 15 JUL

    How to Leverage Relationships to Power Your Next Move

    Your network is more than who you know — it’s about who knows what you know. In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with networking powerhouse ⁠Kelly Hoey⁠, author of ⁠Build Your Dream Network⁠, to unpack how building the right relationships can be the ultimate power move for entrepreneurs, career changers, and women in business. From career pivots to personal branding, Kathryn and Kelly dive into the strategies that turn connections into catalysts. Learn how to engage your community authentically, how to identify your value in a crowded space, and why curiosity is the underrated superpower of successful networking. Whether you’re launching a business or planning your next professional chapter, this episode will show you how to build and use your network with intention. Listen in to discover: How to make your network work for you Why relationships unlock entrepreneurial opportunity What it means to build with community, not in isolation How to show up with value and bring others on the journey This episode is for anyone serious about: Networking, entrepreneurship, building connections, career transitions, women in business, personal branding, and leading with purpose. Subscribe, share, and start building your damn thing with the people who want to see you win.

    37 min

  8. 8 JUL

    How to Be a Likeable Badass in Business

    What does it really mean to own your power in business—and still be likeable? In this powerful episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with Dr. Alison Fragale, negotiation expert, professor at the University of North Carolina, and author of "Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Desrve", to unpack how underestimated entrepreneurs can navigate power, presence, and persuasion without losing themselves. They explore what it means to be a “likeable badass,” why curiosity is one of the most underrated business tools, and how storytelling can be your secret weapon in negotiations. Alison shares practical strategies that you can use to confidently advocate for yourself, build authentic connections, and push back on the myth that assertiveness and likability are mutually exclusive. Whether you’re walking into a pitch meeting, asking for what you’re worth, or trying to build strategic business relationships, this episode is packed with the tools you need to stand tall and get what you came for. What You’ll Learn: How to self-promote without the cringe Why presence matters more than polish The truth about power (and how to use it effectively) Negotiation tips that actually work for women How to build influence through connection and storytelling More from this episode: Learn more about Alison Fragale’s work and speaking at alisonfragale.com Check out her book Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve, here Discover more about Kathryn at kathrynfinney.com Join the movement at the Build the Damn Thing community 🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Tune in now and start showing up like the badass you already are. 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. #BuildTheDamnThing #NegotiationTips #WomenInBusiness #PowerMoves #KathrynFinney #LikeableBadass #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessStrategies #AuthenticConnections #PodcastDrop

    41 min
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No more excuses. No more procrastination. If you’re ready to take your business, side hustle or idea to the next level, then this is the podcast for you! The podcast is hosted by Kathryn Finney, one of the most influential women in tech (INC Magazine), one of the first Black women to sell her startup, and Managing General Partner at the Chicago-based venture firm, Genius Guild. Based on Kathryn’s bestselling book “Build the Damn Thing: How to Build a Successful Business if You’re NOT a Rich White Guy”, Build the Damn Thing is part storytelling, part mix tape and designed to teach you how to bring your business to the next level. The podcast features lessons and tips from leaders and entrepreneurs who have “Built the Damn Thing” themselves. From serial entrepreneurs to those who take risks to solve problems both abroad and locally — it's all here on the show! kathrynfinney.substack.com

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