Casey Ariel Thobias’ Post

We hope you’re still buzzing from last week's incredible webinar with Casey Ariel Thobias on “Business Funding Done Smart.” If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry - we’ve got the highlights right here for you! Key Takeaways from Casey's Game-Changing Session: Get and read the book “Believe in You Money” by Jessica Norwood This book centers on the entrepreneur and responds to the systemic failures surrounding Black wealth-building Understand that we don’t have to build our businesses using models that have never served us and have in many ways harmed our communities. We can build equitable businesses. But, it is a discipline. In these uncertain financial times: A. Take inventory of what’s truly working and increasing revenue in your business vs what you just do because you like it or it’s visible. Double down on the revenue generators and drop the rest. B. Pay attention to interest rates - they just dropped yesterday! Seek and take advantage of opportunities to lower yours. C. Plan for your worst case. Develop a business survival plan. What can you cut to stay afloat during trying times? Know it before you need it! Casey’s insights on reparative capital, non-extractive design, and well-being indicators in business funding were truly eye-opening. Her work with Blaze Group is revolutionizing how we think about financial freedom and closing those pesky racial and gender wealth gaps in entrepreneurship. But Wait, There's More! If you’re hungry for more knowledge (and we know you are!), we’ve got another treat coming your way. Mark your calendars for October 26, 2024 for PowerPlays. Grab Your Ticket! Remember, knowledge is power, and we’re here to make sure you’ve got both in spades. P.S. Speaking of power moves, have you registered for our next webinar in the series? It’s September 25th at 1:00 PM with Aja Evans “Mastering Money: First Generation Wealth Builders”. Register for the FREE webinar here, https://lnkd.in/eXWRkJFr We'll see you on September 25th at 1:00 PM!

What does it mean to be a boss? Answer: A LOT. In an age where highlight reels have replaced the hard knocks of life, we’re taking an opportunity this #WomensHistoryMonth to give you the real on what it means to be a Black woman bossing up. Black Woman Owned and CNK Daily are teaming up with Blaze Group to tap into the real data and give you a glimpse at what Black women entrepreneurs are facing as they build big businesses. From a data set collected from 110 Black women-identifying entrepreneurs, the 2023 State of Black Women-Owned Business Report® compiled by Blaze Group, is a real look at what it takes to be a Black woman building from the ground up. Every day this month, we’ll be spitting facts and sharing stories from our own entrepreneurial journeys.  The goal here is simple: share resources, links, data, and insights so that we can create equitable solutions in this lifetime. Download the full research report at blazegroup.io/research.

Ok Ladies, a key reason investors aren't feeling some of your pitches is because your math ain't mathin. Don't let your numbers trip you up! Our latest blog post breaks down the key numbers every Black woman entrepreneur needs to master before stepping out at pitch competitions or investor meetings. Click to read my full post on our blog! https://shorturl.at/P36NJ

Offering a revolution in Black business financing, this book centers the entrepreneur and responds to the systemic failures surrounding Black wealth building. There is a huge racial wealth gap in America today. Owning a business is one of the best ways to build wealth—but entrepreneurs need capital. And investing in Black companies is obstructed by systemic racism and implicit biases that continue to create barriers to success. Merging historical information and data, along with tactical examples and explanations, this practical guide shows us what needs to be done in order to change the way we support Black companies and how we think about wealth. Norwood calls for investors to move away from extractive, individualistic, exploitative approaches to capital and entrepreneurship. She asks us to move toward transformational, restorative, regenerative, and interdependent relationships to repair the impacts of systemic racism. Investors, large and small, need to say to Black business owners, “we believe in you.” With an entrepreneur-centric approach, Believe-In-You Money challenges the system failure surrounding Black companies. It’s a guide on how Black entrepreneurs can be supported in sustainable ways and offers a shift in the way we think about who can be an investor, while aiming to change our personal relationships with money. #YesWeInvest #WeAreSustainable https://lnkd.in/gHsKyBbP

What does it mean to be a boss? Answer: A LOT. In an age where highlight reels have replaced the hard knocks of life, we’re taking an opportunity this #WomensHistoryMonth to give you the real on what it means to be a Black woman bossing up. Black Woman Owned and CNK Daily are teaming up with Blaze Group to tap into the real data and give you a glimpse at what Black women entrepreneurs are facing as they build big business. From a data set collected from 110 Black women-identifying entrepreneurs, the 2023 ‘State of Black Women-Owned Business Report ®’ compiled by Blaze, is a real look at what it takes to be a Black woman building from the ground up. Every day this month, we’ll be spitting facts and sharing stories from our own entrepreneurial journeys.  The goal here is simple: share resources, links, data, and insights so that we can create equitable solutions in this lifetime. Clink the link to download the report here: https://lnkd.in/e5VqGGbw

The fight for equity is far from over. As the Co-founder of Chezie, I know firsthand how difficult it is for Black entrepreneurs, especially Black women, to navigate the systemic barriers that exist in securing funding. The recent federal court decision to halt the Fearless Fund’s grant program for Black women entrepreneurs is deeply disheartening. This program was essential in addressing the inequities that so many of us confront daily. It's not just a blow to the Fearless Fund but to all initiatives striving to support marginalized groups in the entrepreneurial space. Black women are among the most entrepreneurial demographics in the U.S., yet we receive less than 1% of venture capital funding. This decision demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of what true equity entails. Equity requires us to acknowledge and address the unique challenges different groups face, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. Halting these targeted programs under the pretense of fairness undermines efforts to create a truly equitable economy. Despite our significant contributions and potential, Black women are still being shut out from opportunities that others can more easily access. We must continue to advocate for equity and support programs that aim to correct historical and systemic injustices. Investing in Black women is not only the right thing to do but also a smart economic move that benefits everyone. Let's keep pushing for a fair and inclusive economy. The journey is long, but the work is vital.

▪ In Recognition of Black Business Month at Access Mode! Did you know as of 2019, Black business owners own 3.5 million businesses and employ more than 1.2 million people? Growth in the Black owned business sector represents an annual increase of over 7% in people employed by Black entrepreneurs (U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, 2024). ➕ With ongoing support, Black entrepreneurs have the potential to significantly increase their contribution to the U.S. economy. These businesses, currently employing more than 1.2 million people, drive innovation, create jobs, and foster community development. Their growth will further strengthen the economic fabric of our nation. 🫱🏾🫲🏼 Let's all continue to create pathways for success and support Black-owned businesses in every way we can! ❓How can we, as a community, further support the growth and success of Black-owned businesses? #BlackBusinessMonth #BlackEntrepreneurs #DiversityInBusiness #AccessMode #SupportBlackBusinesses

Did you know that Black female entrepreneurs are the fastest growing group of business owners? ⁠ ⁠ 🚀 However, they face immense challenges in securing investment. Despite their innovation and resilience, only 0.02% of venture capital in the UK goes to Black female founders. This funding gap highlights significant systemic barriers, including limited access to networks, implicit biases in the investment community, and a lack of representation among venture capital decision-makers.⁠ ⁠ Black female entrepreneurs often have to self-fund their ventures or rely on support from friends and family, which limits their ability to scale and sustain their businesses. Overcoming these hurdles requires a collective effort to create a more inclusive and equitable investment landscape.⁠ ⁠ Let's spark a conversation: Why do you think Black female entrepreneurs receive so little investment, and what steps can we take to change this? ⁠ Share your thoughts in the comments below! 👇🏽🗣️⁠ ⁠ Together, we can support these trailblazing women and work towards a fairer entrepreneurial ecosystem. 💪🏾✨

Please join The State of Black Arizona for this important virtual conversation about Trends We're Watching on Empowering Black Businesses on Wednesday, October 2 at 5:30pm-7:15pm. This year, our objective is having a discussion that focuses on building supportive ecosystems that enable Black entrepreneurs to ideate and thrive, emphasizing key areas such as: • Financial Literacy • Intergenerational Transmission of Wealth • Role of Credit and Lending Practices • Training Opportunities for Youth alongside Small Businesses • Role of Local Government Through collaborative efforts like this conversation – and targeted support – we can develop a robust framework that addresses current needs and paves the way for a prosperous future for Black businesses in Arizona. REGISTER here: here:  https://lnkd.in/g4Qin2UT #BlackBusinesses #StateofBlackArizona #SBAZ

A vote for Donald Trump may not necessarily advance the interests of minority business owners. Let’s not forget the Trump administration rolled back the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, which was designed to combat racial discrimination in housing—a sector closely linked to economic opportunity for entrepreneurs. Under Trump, median household income increased, yet the gains were unevenly spread, with his policies largely ignoring systemic racial inequities. His economic strategy centered on deregulation and tax cuts that mainly benefited large corporations and the wealthy. In contrast, the Biden administration has implemented policies that directly aim to reduce racial disparities and support minority-owned businesses. Initiatives like the American Rescue Plan and specific funding measures have been instrumental in providing the necessary economic relief and opportunities for Black-owned businesses, which have seen significant growth under his administration. Moreover, Biden's policies towards affordable housing and anti-discrimination in housing and lending practices stand to provide a more stable economic environment for minority entrepreneurs. While it's essential to evaluate each candidate's policies critically, there is data to suggest that Biden's approach might offer more comprehensive support for addressing the systemic barriers that minority entrepreneurs face.