Empowering  Women Founders: The Path to Inclusive Innovation with Kendra Bracken-Ferguson

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] Kendra’s 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] Kendra’s message to her younger self 

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

Notable Quotes 

• Don’t 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.

• Don’t 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.

Let’s Connect

Kendra Bracken-Ferguson

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.

Lisha Bell

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

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