Summary

In this episode of Sisters with Ventures, Carol Tarr from the Phenix Capital group shares her journey and experiences in the venture capital ecosystem. She discusses her upbringing in Chicago, her academic pursuits in East Asian studies and religion, and her work in sales and real estate. Carol also talks about her involvement in impact investing and her focus on faith-based investing. She emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change and taking responsibility for our actions. The episode concludes with a call to support and uplift each other.

Takeaways

• Carol Tarr has a diverse background, including sales, real estate, and academic studies in East Asian studies and religion.

• She is involved in impact investing and specializes in faith-based investing, mobilizing capital from religious institutions and individuals to create positive social and environmental impact.

• Carol highlights the importance of addressing climate change and taking responsibility for our actions, especially for vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected.

• She encourages individuals to support and uplift each other, and to use their knowledge and skills to make a difference in the world.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Background

01:22

Growing Up in Chicago

03:17

Education and Academic Journey

04:47

Working at Tiffany's and in Real Estate

08:08

Venture Capital and Impact Investing

16:32

Faith-Based Investing

23:26

Climate Change and Responsibility

26:02

Advice to Younger Self

27:11

Conclusion and Support

Learn more about Carol

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-tarr/

Learn more about Lisha

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Lisha's new merch shop: https://www.lishabell.com/category/all-products

Supporting Black women founders is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity. Black women bring a unique perspective, resilience, and innovation to the entrepreneurial landscape. Their success is a testament to the power of diversity and the potential it unlocks for our global economy. As an investor, investing in Black women founders is a pivotal step in fostering a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem. This approach not only fuels economic growth but also propels innovations that benefit us all. It is a call to action to recognize the vast untapped potential within this community and empower Black women to break down barriers, shatter ceilings, and redefine the future of entrepreneurship.

Join the conversation with Kendra Bracken-Ferguson as she shares her career journey, how she became a venture capitalist, and how she is transforming black women-owned businesses in the beauty space. Kendra is the founder, CEO, and General Partner at BrainTrust Founders Studio, BrainTrust Fund, 3X Founder, Host of Business of the Beat, beauty/wellness podcast, and Author of The Beauty of Success. As an innovative leader and transformative brand builder, Kendra Bracken-Ferguson leads with the mindset of an entrepreneur and intrapreneur, having built a business experience portfolio that expands brand development, strategic planning, operations, acquisition, investment, board membership, and C-suite leadership. Kendra has helped create, build, and monetize over 200 influencer-driven brands from idea inception to acquisition through data-led strategies that have successfully generated over $100M in revenue through e-commerce and retail.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guests, Kendra Bracken-Ferguson

[03:22] Where Kendra comes from and her backstory

[05:54] Kendras professional career before and after venture capital

[15:22] How Stacey discovered and learned venture capital in her first company

[16:06] The most critical aspect for investors to understand when looking at investment

[18:00] BrainTrust Fund, their investment strategy, and the areas they focus on

[20:31] What Kendra is seeing in the market trends within the beauty industry

[23:34] Kendra's resilience in raising and closing a fund

[26:29] Lisha's new merch shop

[26:53] Kendras message to her younger self

[28:34] Wrap-up and end of the show

• Dont underestimate time and diligence because what is on paper is just as important as what is not on paper, and understanding the business acumen of the founders is critical for success.

• Dont give anyone the opportunity to say that what you are doing is not equal to or better than others.

• As a visionary, you have to win, lose, and learn along your journey.

Website: https://www.thebraintrust.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendrabracken/

Check out Kendra's new book, The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow, and Accelerate Your Brand, now available for pre-order at Target, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble!: https://kendrabracken-ferguson.com/preorder-the-beauty-of-success.

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

Lisha's new merch shop: https://www.lishabell.com/category/all-products

Angel Investing Course: https://www.lishabell.com/challenges

Becoming a Venture capitalist (VC) can be one of the most rewarding experiences. Investing with the aim of making a positive impact and witnessing the growth of the product or company you've supported is truly gratifying. In particular, directing investments towards Black women founders is a potent means of instigating transformative change and harnessing untapped potential. Countless opportunities lie in wait, but they necessitate a proactive approach to uncover. As a venture capitalist, investing in the stance of diversity and actively championing Black women founders transcends mere morality and financial gains. It is a strategic approach with the potential to catalyze groundbreaking innovations and pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.

Stacey Woods is the Founder and chief executive officer of Uturn Consulting, where she shares her expertise and skills with companies that need an official turnaround expert. Prior to launching Uturn Consulting, Stacey served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources Operations at XPO, Vice President of HR Technology for Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable), and Vice President of Human Resources Systems at Wells Fargo.

Stacey has been recognized as a Top 50 HR Professional and selected as a Power 50 member by the National Diversity Council, has been named as a Black Woman to Watch in Corporate America by Fairygodboss, and most recently as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in the greater Charlotte region by The Mecklenburg Times. She believes deeply in fostering community, mentorship, and sharing knowledge, and she does her part by serving as an Angel Investor with Pipeline Angels and BLXVC.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guests, Stacey Woods

[05:16] Where Stacey comes from and her backstory

[06:19] Staceys driving force and what keeps her going

[07:55] How Stacey discovered and became an Angel Investing

[09:16] Angel investing strategy awareness and impact

[10:51] The level of connection in the Angel investing space and the difference it makes

[12:32] The investment that Stacey is most proud of

[14:01] How Stacey envisions her investment experience moving forward

[15:09] Stacey's perspective on Black-led funds and representation

[16:56] Staceys message to her younger self

[19:30] Staceys final words of inspiration for investors and founders

[20:39] Wrap-up and end of the show

• When you know you are making a difference, it doesnt tire; it will keep you going.

• Nothing is predictable; there are trends in every market; what matters most is the impact youre making.

• The ongoing connectivity with the founders in the Angel investing space makes all the difference.

• Seeing a product you have invested in progressing is the best feeling and a beautiful journey.

• If you can be a blessing to another person, regardless of the size, do it.

• If you know youve done everything within your sphere of influence to make an impact, but things dont necessarily work out the way you desire, its not because of you.

• If your intentions are good, you dont have to shy away from them; be you unapologetically.

• If you are an investor, broaden your horizon and perspective and educate yourself; there are opportunities to be unveiled, but you have to seek them out.

Stacey Woods

Website: https://uturnconsultingllc.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceymwoods/

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

MERCH: https://www.lishabell.com/category/all-products

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism