The Value with Kevin Valley Kevin Valley

In this episode, Kevin Valley engages with Bill Huston, a leading expert in the field of investment crowdfunding and recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the top 19 global crowdfunding professionals. Together, they explore the various forms of crowdfunding—donation, rewards, and investment—and discuss their unique advantages, particularly for underserved communities.
Bill sheds light on his journey from Cincinnati to becoming a prominent figure in the crowdfunding industry, emphasizing the significance of community, mentorship, and access to capital.
The discussion also highlights the need for increased awareness and education about crowdfunding among government bodies and financiers.
Bill outlines strategies to use crowdfunding as a demonstration of due diligence and the role of robust business plans. He acknowledges regional advancements, particularly in the Caribbean, and predicts a future with more opportunities for non-accredited investors through community-driven models.
Throughout the episode, Bill underscores that while not everyone may become an entrepreneur, everyone has the potential to be an investor.
 
Segments:
Introduction to Investment Crowdfunding
Bill: Talks extensively about the fundamentals of crowdfunding, distinguishing between investment crowdfunding and rewards crowdfunding. He gives examples like the Oculus Rift to highlight the differences.
Bill Huston's Journey
Bill: Shares his personal and professional journey from starting local food businesses to becoming a recognized expert in crowdfunding. His experiences emphasize the importance of community-focused investments.
Impact of Crowdfunding on Community Wealth
Bill: Discusses how crowdfunding can serve as a tool for building wealth in low-wealth communities, especially focusing on black and Latino business owners. He shares success stories such as Black Coffee and Roots & Vines.
Crowdfunding Strategies
Bill: Introduces the 'crowdfit' strategy, focusing on the importance of engaging one's closest networks first to hit minimum funding targets. He explains how this strategy works and why it's effective for underserved communities.
International Crowdfunding and Regulation
Bill and Kevin: Discuss the potential for crowdfunding in international markets, particularly the Caribbean. They touch on regulatory challenges and provide insights into making crowdfunding work in these areas.
Future of Crowdfunding
Bill: Shares his vision on the future of crowdfunding. Talks about its growing importance and potential impact on small businesses, real estate, and community projects.
 
Key Takeaways:
Investment crowdfunding goes beyond financial returns by contributing to community wealth-building.
The 'crowdfit' strategy is effective in helping small businesses hit their initial funding targets by engaging closely with their primary and secondary networks.
There is a big opportunity for crowdfunding in international markets, although regulatory challenges need to be addressed.
Crowdfunding has the potential to democratize access to investment opportunities, making it crucial for economic growth and community development.
 
Resources Mentioned:
Fund Black Founders
Kickstarter
Indiegogo
WeFunder
Raiseway
Crowdfund Better
10K Project
 
Highlights:
02:41 Bill Huston's Early Life and Career07:50 Entrepreneurial Journey Begins14:14 Crowdfunding Ventures and Challenges21:15 The Power of Community Capital31:07 Rewards vs. Investment Crowdfunding39:22 The Power of Crowdfunding40:54 Understanding SAFE Agreements43:12 Challenges in Crowdfunding43:19 The Role of Raiseway44:31 Crowdfunding Statistics45:15 The Importance of Community Support46:03 Crowdfunding Education and Engagement51:19 Crowdfit Investment Strategy55:35 Ideal Products for Crowdfunding01:01:25 Crowdfunding in the Caribbean01:11:06 Future of Crowdfunding01:15:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
 
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In this episode, we converse with Will Greenblatt, an acclaimed author and public speaking coach who has aided founders in raising over $350 million.
 
The discussion tackles the ever-present issue of stage fright and offers strategies to manage it effectively. Greenblatt shares his upbringing rooted in acting, his experiences as a child star, and overcoming various life challenges that shaped his approach to public speaking and entrepreneurship.
 
Emphasizing the importance of founder market fit and personal connection to business problems, Greenblatt provides insights into what investors look for, such as credibility and effective communication. He underscores the emotional aspects of pitching and stresses authenticity and passion in delivering compelling pitches.
 
The episode is filled with actionable advice on improving public speaking skills, building strong investor relationships, and mastering the art of compelling business pitches.
 
00:00 Overcoming Stage Fright
00:37 Introduction to the Podcast
01:00 Meet Will Greenblatt
02:06 Will's Acting Journey
02:57 Family Legacy and Early Acting Career
06:40 Challenges of Child Acting
14:58 Coping with Grief and Mental Health
30:30 Therapy and Personal Growth
37:17 The Fear of Public Speaking
38:19 Understanding Anxiety and Its Lies
39:58 Personal Experiences with Stage Fright
43:37 Overcoming Stage Fright: Practical Tips
55:18 The Five Acts Framework for Public Speaking
01:02:52 The Importance of Emotional Connection in Pitching
01:10:20 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
 
References
Watch this interview on YouTube
Transform Your Speaking Skills: Gain Confidence, Captivate Audiences and Advance Your Career by Will Greenblatt
For more of Will
LinkedIn: Will Greenblatt
YouTube: Your Public Speaking Coach

This episode features educator and high-performance coach Dr. Shelly-Ann Gajadhar. Dr. Shelly is the founder and Mentor of a women’s mentorship online community of 200+ women called the Go Bravely Mentorship Community and the Author of a daily inspirational book for women entitled Go Bravely: Building Confidence Daily. Having shifted careers from law to business and academia, she blends academic principles with effective management and mindful leadership, delivering rapid results.
In this episode, Dr. Shelly talks about her PhD journey and challenges as a black woman pursuing a PhD. in the UK. She imparts her insights on performance management, a crucial skill for entrepreneurs seeking to excel in their endeavours. Moreover, she also dropped a lot of tips on various topics spanning brand identity, task management, and product launches.
Get ready to delve into a wealth of knowledge in this episode as we kickstart our journey toward high performance together.
Highlights:
00:00 Unlocking Self-Leadership and High Performance
00:57 Podcast Introduction: High-Performing Entrepreneurs
02:32 Journey of Transformation: From Law to Leadership
04:48 Navigating Challenges as a Caribbean Academic in the UK
07:05 Activism and Advocacy: Championing Diversity in Academia
19:25 The Genesis of 'Go Bravely': Turning Mantra into Movement
23:20 Mentorship and Building a Community of Empowered Women
33:02 High Performance Coaching: Legacy, Vision, and Systems
39:04 The Power of Staying in Your Lane
39:45 The Impact of Focusing on Your Audience
40:22 Leveraging Influence Over Imitation
40:51 Redefining Success Through Discipline and Inspiration
41:26 Task Management vs. Time Management: A New Approach
45:16 Planning Your Week for Maximum Productivity
51:48 The Magic of Writing Things Down
56:02 Strategies for Successful Product Launches
01:04:39 From Message to Movement: Upcoming Leadership Bootcamp
01:04:51 Vision and Growth: The Future of Alphastute
01:09:38 Innovative Ideas and Personal Projects
01:12:17 Final Thoughts: The Dream Chose You
 
References:
Episode Video
Go Bravely - Londrelle, Shelly-Ann Gajadhar | Spotify
Energy Focussed Weekly Planner
Go Bravely Mentorship Community
Go Bravely: Building Confidence Daily by Dr Shelly-Ann Gajadhar
 
For More of Dr. Shelly:
Website: www.alphastute.com
YouTube: Dr. Shelly-Ann Gajadhar

In this episode, we are with the Managing Director of The Bahamas Development Bank (BDB), Nicholas Higgs. Nicholas was also the Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Center (SBDC), where he led the business development department. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with deep expertise in development finance, research, and capital raising. 
Here we delve into investing and raising funds in the Bahamas. Nicholas discusses his journey as a managing director, sharing insights gained along the way. He also emphasizes the importance of networking, tenacity, and expanding one’s horizons. Join us as we look deeper into the Bahamian economy and explore its investment opportunities.
Highlights:
[02:08] Taking on the role of Managing Director at the age of 31
[05:27] The value of networking and controlling your narrative
[12:36] Overcoming fears and getting out of the box
[19:00] The power of tenacity
[24:43] The art of valuation
[29:23]  Nicholas’ insights on raising funds and securing deals
[36:07]  The Bahamian economy during the COVID-19 Pandemic
[40:43]  The Bahamas Development Bank and its rebranding
[43:05]  The Sleeping Giant: Bahamas’ Potential and Opportunities
[48:11]  Investing and raising capital in the Bahamas
[51:38] Crowdfunding in the Caribbean
[53:45] The BDB’s vision and goals
[59:22] BDB’s fund allocation
[01:00:39] How do you present your business for financing
[01:05:19] Common misconceptions about investing in the Caribbean
[01:10:57] Nicholas’ upcoming podcast: Mastering Finance
 
Resources
Episode Video
Mastering Finance: The Podcast

In this technologically advanced world, everything is getting digitalized. For any business to keep up, it has to learn how to efficiently incorporate technology into its processes. 
 
In this episode, digital marketing and e-commerce specialist Keron Rose sits with us as we delve into the world of digital marketing and e-commerce. Keron is also a writer and a podcast host, and his platforms aim to educate Caribbean entrepreneurs about the technology they need to start a business.
 
Here, Keron discusses the different digital payment platforms available in the Caribbean and the value proposition they offer. He emphasizes the importance of considering the pros and cons of the various digital payment facilitators and choosing the most suitable for your business.
 
Highlights:
Keron’s journey to digital marketing and e-commerce
Exploring the different payment platforms and knowing what suits you
Digital tools and strategies to enhance your online presence
Utilizing digital tools to build your brand: success stories
Challenges in adopting digital payment solutions
Understanding how various digital payments work
Looking into the value proposition of different payment facilitators
Republic Bank’s Endcash digital wallet
Weighing payment solutions and consumer behaviour
Digital payments: A look into the future
The importance of legal conversations on fintech
 
Resources:
Episode Video
Digipreneur FM
Keron Rose Website

In this episode, we are with Cherie Williams, a Jamaican entrepreneur living in the United States, who has identified a billion-dollar market opportunity in the Caribbean car rental industry through her startup, Veekle.
Williams shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the US while balancing being a mother of four.
She discusses the challenges and milestones of launching Veekle, a peer-to-peer car rental platform aimed at revolutionizing car rentals in the Caribbean and potentially other developing regions. Williams emphasizes the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and a supportive community in entrepreneurship.
The discussion also covers the significance of MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), the power of pitch competitions, and strategies for overcoming setbacks. Williams' story is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of passion, perseverance, and adaptability in turning innovative ideas into successful businesses.
 
Highlights:
01:59 Guest Spotlight: From Jamaica to a Billion-Dollar Vision
03:48 Cherie Williams' Journey: Education, Entrepreneurship, and Empowerment
08:03 The Birth of Veekle: Revolutionizing Car Rentals in the Caribbean
12:25 Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities Amidst the Pandemic
32:41 Pitching Veekle: Strategy, Storytelling, and Scaling Up
37:01 Future Plans and Expansion: Building a Caribbean-wide Network
39:19 Diving Deep into Financial Modeling and Target Markets
40:05 Tourism Trends and Business Viability
40:53 The Art of Pitching and Seeking Investment
44:54 Expanding Horizons: Beyond the Caribbean
47:03 Navigating the Challenges of a Startup
01:03:13 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Resilience and Learning
01:11:39 Closing Thoughts: Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
 
Contact Cherie Williams:
LinkedIn: Cherie Williams, CPA, MBA
Instagram: @iamcheriewilliams
 
Find out more about Veekle:
LInkedIn: Veekle™
Facebook: facebook.com/justveekle
Instagram: @justveekle
Twitter: @justveekle