So Ambitious

Black Ambition

Hosted by Black Ambition CEO Felecia Hatcher, So Ambitious is a series about what's possible when Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs can build uninterrupted. From the tech founder to the creative entrepreneur, So Ambitious tells the stories of the people building, creating, and organizing - against all odds, with authenticity, and in community. Their stories propel the conversation about ambition beyond money, titles, or vanity metrics and dive into details of what it takes to do impactful, transformative work with longevity.

Episodes

Mentioned books

Oct 29, 2025 • 44min

301: The $15 Trillion Opportunity: Protecting Black Culture & Ownership | Lanny Smith, Tommy Johnson

Lanny Smith, founder of Actively Black, creates a Black-owned athleisure brand that reinvests profits into the community, driven by a passion for cultural excellence. Tommy Johnson, founder of Made with Black Culture, utilizes blockchain to ensure creators receive fair recognition and compensation for their work. They share their personal journeys, discuss the need for ethical trade standards, and highlight the importance of moving from mere representation to true ownership. Together, they envision a future where Black culture is valued and protected in commerce.

Oct 27, 2025 • 2min

We've Been The Culture. Now It's Time to Own It | So Ambitious Season 3

This season, it’s about ownership. Because ambition doesn’t need permission. Welcome to Season 3 of So Ambitious - the award-winning podcast from Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize, hosted by Felecia Hatcher. This season, we’re amplifying the stories of founders who are building uninterrupted - from tech innovators to creative entrepreneurs - all defying the odds and reimagining what’s possible for the next generation. Each conversation dives deep into the real journey behind ambition: the resilience, the risk, the purpose, and the community that makes it all possible. Because when Black and Hispanic founders thrive, the future does too. 🎧 Subscribe to the So Ambitious Podcast and join us in celebrating what it means to build boldly, create with intention, and lead with legacy. 🔗 Learn more: https://blackambitionprize.com 📱 Follow @blackambitionprize on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn #SoAmbitious #BlackAmbitionPrize #PharrellWilliams #FeleciaHatcher #BlackEntrepreneurs #HispanicEntrepreneurs #LegacyBuilders #Founders #Startups #Innovation #PurposeDrivenBusiness RESOURCES Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media

Oct 22, 2025 • 1min

Because Ambition Doesn't Need Permission | Official Trailer | So Ambitious Season 3

Jun 13, 2024 • 19min

Best of Overcoming Doubts & Naysayers: The Power of Bold Belief in Black Ambition

Celebrate the indomitable spirit of Black ambition with this special “Best Of” episode, showcasing our founders’ unwavering power of bold belief in the face of doubts and naysayers! Tune in to discover riveting tales of resilience and triumph, as our guests share inspiring narratives of overcoming adversity on the path to success. Don't miss out on this uplifting journey of determination and achievement!KEY POINTS - Ep 203: Beats to Eats: Derrick Turton a.k.a. Chef Teach’s Journey from Music Mogul to Mac & Cheese Maestro- Ep 205: Grown From Ground Up: Shannon Allen’s Culinary Venture with a Purpose- Ep 209: Money, Privilege, and Advocacy: Ana Pompa Alarcón’s Guide to Entrepreneurship and Social Justice in Tech - Ep 211: Empowering Black Voices in the Fragrance World with Exalté Parfum Founder Funmi MonetRESOURCES Felecia HatcherIG | @feleciahatcherBlack AmbitionIG | @blackambitionprizeSo Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media

May 9, 2024 • 43min

212. From College Parties to Empowering HBCUs: Corey Arvinger's Journey in Supporting Black Colleges

In this episode of the So Ambitious Podcast, host Felecia Hatcher sits down with Corey Arvinger, CEO of Support Black Colleges, to dive into his remarkable journey from college party promoter to the helm of a thriving e-commerce brand. Corey shares insights into the evolution of Support Black Colleges and how it blossomed into a full-blown brand with a powerful message of support for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The conversation dives deep into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, with Corey offering candid reflections on navigating adversity, including overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and rebounding from significant financial setbacks.Tune in to gain valuable insights into Corey's unique approach to marketing and brand building, including his strategies for forging connections with major influencers and A-list celebrities. Corey also opens up about the importance of legacy and honoring the sacrifices of his ancestors, highlighting his unwavering commitment to leaving a lasting impact on his family and community. With engaging anecdotes and actionable advice, this episode offers a compelling glimpse into the mind of a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to making a difference in the world.KEY POINTS[1:28] - Corey’s entrepreneurial evolution from throwing parties in college to Support Black Colleges [4:03] - How Support Black Colleges Became A Full-Blown Brand [7:27] - Navigating and sharing the real highs & lows of entrepreneurship [11:34] - Thriving amidst adversity: How Support Black Colleges beat the pandemic odds[16:47] - Losing over $40k in one day: How to find the strength to persist in entrepreneurship[20:41] - How Corey finds balance and enjoyment in his work [22:05] - Corey's approach to marketing and building a brand[24:01] - Corey's secret sauce to networking and relationship-building with celebrities [30:56] - Starting from scratch: Why Corey had to shut his website down [32:45] - How to strike a balance between friendships and management [34:14] - The biggest lesson learned from working with Tyler Perry[35:47] - 3 songs that define Corey’s perspective on life and business [38:51] - Corey’s key lessons on failure: Trying things publicly with confidence & consistency[40:17] - Honoring ancestors' sacrifices and building a legacyQUOTABLES “A lot of current entrepreneurs on social media make it seem easy and fun 100% of the time, and I think it is honestly really unfair to those who are interested in going into entrepreneurship because they're going with the false preset.” - Corey Arvinger “It's about legacy; What can I leave to my family and my next generation behind me? How can I change the trajectory of where my family is going?? - Corey Arvinger “Having the right team is so important. You could have a great product with the wrong team and things will not get accomplished at a high level.” - Corevy Arvinger GUEST RESOURCESCorey Arvinger IG | @coreyarvinger X | @mrarvinger LinkedIn | @coreyarvingerTikTok | @coreyarvinger Support Black CollegesIG | @supportblackcollegeRESOURCES [APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now Felecia HatcherIG | @feleciahatcherBlack AmbitionIG | @blackambitionprizeSo Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media

May 2, 2024 • 39min

211. Empowering Black Voices in the Fragrance World with Exalté Parfum Founder Funmi Monet

Today, we are joined by Funmi Monet, the brilliant mind behind Exalté Parfum, a groundbreaking perfume brand that has been making waves in the luxury perfume space. In this episode, Funmi shares her insights on navigating the fragrance industry, from the inception of her brand to its meteoric rise in the social media sphere. With a keen focus on community building and content creation, Funmi shares the essence of confidently crafting content that resonates with authenticity and ultimately builds a loyal community. She also dives into the intricate science of fragrances, highlighting their profound psychological impacts and the art of curating a personalized fragrance wardrobe for various occasions.Funmi emphasizes the importance of breaking barriers, particularly as a Black woman in the luxury fragrance space. She shares invaluable insights into pricing products based on their worth, not succumbing to external criticism, and staying steadfast in pursuing one's ambitious vision. Funmi Monet's story is an inspiring testament to the power of having the audacity to dream big for yourself and risking your reputation in the name of staying true to your vision. KEY POINTS [1:25] - Funmi Monet’s content creation and community building journey [3:14] - Finding your content comfort zone: How to create content confidently [5:14] - The science of fragrance and its psychological impacts [7:05] - Building your fragrance wardrobe: How to craft essential scents for every occasion [10:41] - How to master the subtle art of fragrance in business relationships[16:37] - Breaking barriers as a Black women in the luxury fragrance space [20:10] - Value over voices: How to price yourself based on worth, not critics[24:50] - What success looks like for Funmi Monet and her brand [27:09] - Finding your North Star and trusting your vision despite the doubters [30:24] - Funmi on risking your reputation in pursuit of your ambitious visionQUOTABLES “No one else has to see your vision but yourself.” - Funmi Monet“You don't have to shrink yourself because of what people think you should do to fit an audience they think that you deserve.’ - Funmi MonetGUEST RESOURCESFunmi Monet | Shop Exalté IG | @funmimonetTikTok |/@funmimonet YouTube | @funmimonetRESOURCES [APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now Felecia HatcherIG | @feleciahatcherBlack AmbitionIG | @blackambitionprizeSo Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media

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