Rich Lessons

This episode is all about validating your idea and the real reason why sophisticated investors won't sign your NDA. Want to go deeper? September 30th Sevetri and Sheena launch their first cohort with live coaching and support. For more information follow @startupstayupscaleup on instagram or visit joingrits.com When you have a new idea, your first instinct may be to protect it. But the truth i...

What does it really take to get a brand into Target—and survive the shelf space? OR what happens when you decide to leave the shelves because it's hurting your business? Episode 32: Sevetri Wilson Taylor ( Instagram.com/sevetriwilson ) and Sheena Allen ( Instagram.com/whoisSheena ) are joined by entrepreneur Marty McDonald to discuss building Boss Women Media and children’s brand Elle Olivia (...

What does it take to turn a local food idea into a million-dollar festival? Cleveland Spears III, founder of Spears Group and producer of New Orleans’ iconic Fried Chicken Festival, takes us behind the curtain of scaling cultural events into major businesses. And though he maybe best known for events that have attracted hundreds of thousands, it might surprise you that events isn't actually hi...

Chef Edgar “Dook” Chase IV—grandson of legendary Leah Chase (whose Disney based Princess Tiana off of) and co-host of Food Network’s Family Recipes Showdown —joins the Rich Lessons Podcast to share how he’s carrying forward one of New Orleans’ most iconic Black-owned restaurants, Dooky Chase’s. From the role his family played in civil rights history to opening new restaurants like Chapter 4, expan...

In this powerful episode of Rich Lessons , we sit down with Alencia Johnson , activist, author, political strategist, and founder of 1063 West Broad. From advising presidential campaigns (Obama, Biden, Harris, Warren) to launching the iconic Stand With Black Women movement at Planned Parenthood, Alencia has made a career out of disrupting systems with purpose. We dive into her origin story , roote...

Rich Lessons Podcast is Back!! This week, the  Rich Lessons  podcast is back with an interview featuring Jasmine Monroe, who you may recognize from CBS’ Big Brother 24, as she dives into the creator economy and shares what it really takes to turn influencing into a full-time career. The new episode drops this Tuesday, so make sure you’re  subscribed , and tell a friend to tell a friend!

Rich Takes In this episode of Rich Takes , we break down two major headlines shaking up the economy and the tech world. First, President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on imports from 68 countries—including Canada, India, Taiwan, and South Africa—could mean higher prices on everyday goods like groceries, electronics, and clothes. For entrepreneurs, this may lead to rising product costs and supply ch...

Welcome to Rich Takes , a new Thursday -ish segment from Rich Lessons, our unfiltered spin on hot takes, delivered in 15 minutes or less. Each week or every other week we're undecided, we break down the headlines shaping our world and our wallets. In this episode, we’re digging into the staggering exit of 300,000 Black women from the workforce over the last 90 days, the recent BET layoffs and what...

✨ New Episode Alert! ✨ In this episode of Rich Lessons , Sevetri and Sheena are dishing out some hot takes from Essence Fest — was it really a debacle, or just social media spin? They’re also sharing behind-the-scenes insights from their very first GRITS Dinner, exclusively for our newsletter subscribers and amazing women business owners and entrepreneurs. Plus, they’re diving into the future of...

We're on a 2 week hiatus, so check out this episode from season 1! In this episode of Rich Lessons, Sheena and Sevetri share the top 10 mistakes they've made as entrepreneurs—and the powerful lessons learned from them. From the importance of execution over ideas to why cash flow is king, they break down what every founder needs to know. Tune in for honest insights on delegation, building t...

In this episode, we sit down with Roy A Glapion, who sold his testing and engineering company which helped him build generational wealth for his family. Roy is here to discuss wealth in Black communities, how we build it, how we keep it, and why we're still miles apart from white communities due to everything from redlining to mindset. This is an episode sure to ruffle some feathers, but it al...

In this episode, Sevetri and Sheena dive into the many layers of entrepreneurship that no one talks about. The pressure to perform, the loneliness at the top, the pivot moments and the real cost of chasing your dreams. This one's for anyone building something from the ground up or thinking about taking the leap into entrepreneurship.

She's worked with RIckey Smiley and wrote for Cedric the Entertainer for the Emmy's, so how does a girl from Mississippi go from the military to the mic? Comedian @ritabrentcomedy joins Sevetri and Sheena on this episode of Rich Lessons to share how she found her funny, took a leap of faith, and turned her talent into a full-time career. You don’t want to miss this one 👀 #RichLessons #GRITS #Wome...

In this episode of Rich Lessons , Sevetri and Sheena break down 10 business ideas they believe have the potential to generate six, seven, or even eight figures. From untapped markets to rising trends, they explore what each idea is, why it matters, and how they’d bring it to life. Whether you’re searching for your next big venture or just want to hear how two founders think through business opport...

On this episode of Rich Lessons, Sevetri and Sheena travel to the DMV to interview Ashley Young, the co-founder, CEO, and lead stylist of Bridal Babes, a size-inclusive bridesmaid gown line. She launched the company with her husband, Charles, after struggling to find appropriate bridesmaid gowns for her wedding. Bridal Babes was featured on season 14 of ABC's Shark Tank and they received an in...

In this deeply personal episode of Rich Lessons , Sevetri and Sheena sit down with Ronaldo Hardy, a former finance executive turned national CEO, lead pastor, artist, and unapologetic “people builder.” Ronaldo opens up about what it means to lead with both vision and vulnerability while living with ADHD. He reflects on how the loss of his mother during the COVID-19 pandemic shook his world and res...

🎓 It’s graduation season across the country, and in this special LIVE taping of Rich Lessons at Dillard University, Sheena and Sevetri sit down with two of Dillard University’s honorary doctorate recipients during commencement week. This episode is RICH in legacy, purpose, and power — featuring the untold stories of two phenomenal women who are breaking barriers and building futures. ⁣Christal M....

In this powerful episode of Rich Lessons, Sevetri and Sheena sit down with financial educator, entrepreneur, and former Wall Street analyst Ashley Fox, founder of Amplify, to discuss her journey from managing millions for the wealthy to democratizing financial education for everyday people. Ashley opens up about her personal struggles, rebuilding after setbacks, and how she's bridging the gap...

In this episode of Rich Lessons , we sit down with Timothy and Melodie Simmons, the powerhouse duo behind JourneyWell. From launching the brand in 2016 to opening a brand-new studio and office space, they share how grit, God, and vision fueled their path. Tim shares how his roots in Baton Rouge and passion for empowering creators led to the birth of JourneyWell. Melodie brings her brilliance in br...

In this episode, we dig into the hidden costs of global trade and who really pays the price. We break down how tariffs and shifting trade policies between the U.S. and China are reshaping the future for small businesses, from rising costs to supply chain hurdles. But we don't stop there: we also dive into the growing online debate around fake designer bags, exposing how classism and capitalism are...

Today marks Sevetri’s 2nd wedding anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than by pulling back the curtain on the big day? We’re joined by Anissa Coleman, CEO of Elegance by Ace and the mastermind behind Sevetri’s wedding, to talk all things luxury wedding planning. From budgets to vendor wrangling, tune in as we break down the true cost, time, and talent it takes to bring a high-end wedding...

In this inspiring episode of Rich Lessons, we sit down with entrepreneur and boutique owner Tia Whittington, the powerhouse behind H Kyle Boutique. From the classroom to the fashion world, Tia shares how she went from teaching preschool to building a thriving e-commerce business while being a mom, wife, and one-woman show. She opens up about her journey from substitute teaching to launching on Ets...

On this episode, Sevetri and Sheena dive into the “cost of success”—or better yet, what no one tells you about having more : more money, more knowledge, more to give, and more for others to take. They share personal reflections on how success can bring unexpected challenges, from emotional burnout to shifting relationships, and why boundaries become more essential than ever.

Sevetri and Sheena are back and leveling ALL the way up with new guests, in-studio vibes, and the realest convos yet. This season, they are diving into everything from generational wealth and the good (and bad) of money, to protecting yourself and your business — and yes, even marriage and relationships. Hit follow on your favorite podcast platform + subscribe on YouTube. Lock in. Subscribe. Tell...

Welcome to GRITS! If you’re new here, allow us to introduce ourselves. We’re Sevetri and Sheena — two entrepreneurs who’ve spent years navigating the ups, downs, and wild in-betweens of building companies. Together, we’ve raised tens of millions in funding, participated in the world’s top accelerators, solved tough problems, and learned plenty of hard-won lessons along the way. And now, we’re exci...