Build The Damn Thing with Kathryn Finney

Whether navigating the complexities of divorce, stepping away from a business venture, or exiting any significant chapter of your life, leaving can be a difficult art. In this episode, Kathryn and Darlene Gillard Jones discuss the nuances of knowing when to leave and the importance of doing it in a way that doesn't destroy what you’ve built. “Figuring out how to leave is a delicate dance, and you...

After George Floyd's death, Gizelle George-Joseph, Partner and Global Chief Operating Officer of the Global Investment Research Division at Goldman Sachs realized that she could leverage her platform to bring a voice to the issues in the Black community. In this episode, she and Kathryn discuss how businesses can be a force for positive change, the importance of diversity in leadership, and the ro...

One of the hardest people to be in the world is a brilliant Black woman because Black women leaders are rarely given the mentorship, guidance, and grace needed to be truly successful. In this episode, Kathryn and Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, discuss the power of supporting Black women leaders. This episode explores the strategies, practices, and nuances that go into fostering a th...

How do we access our full potential? In this episode, Kathryn and her guest, expert life hacker  Torian Richardson,  explore how to hack your way to reaching your full potential- addressing setbacks, failures, and doubts head-on. Learn how to deal with the fear of permitting yourself to live the life you want to live and how to cultivate resilience in your own life. “I can't give what I don't have...

We say we want change but often don’t budget for its cost. In this episode, Kathryn and her guest, Denise Hamilton, founder of WatchHer and author of Indivisible, examine the complexities of adapting to change and uncover effective strategies for navigating these shifts seamlessly.  “We often say that we want change, but we don't budget for the cost of change, right?” Change means more than just m...

Entrepreneurship demands dedication, innovation, and unwavering focus… and so does dating. In this episode, Kathryn speaks with celebrity hairstylist and designer AJ Johnson, who has navigated the intricacies of dating while pursuing business ambitions.  “One thing that I definitely think [that high-powered women] could do is instill in themselves self-love… because you're not gonna be able to sha...

Balancing the beautiful chaos of motherhood with the demands of entrepreneurship can be a real challenge. In this episode, Kathryn is joined by fashion designer and Project Runway alumnus Laurence Basse to discuss the joys of motherhood and entrepreneurship.  “ I'm a rockstar mom.”  Having your child be part of your work life can give them more insight into who you are and what you do when you’re...

Are you struggling to balance work, life, and family? In this episode, Kathryn and her guest, Darlene Gillard Jones, provide real advice and heartwarming stories to help entrepreneurs maintain a healthy work-life balance. Darlene was a fashion editor who was doing it all at magazines like ELLE and Essence. But the late nights and constant travel weren’t easily compatible with raising her young chi...

Many have walked unconventional paths, made bold decisions, and exhibited incredible resilience. They've not only broken barriers but also redefined what's possible. In this episode, Kathryn is joined by Roger Carter, an award-winning visual artist who captures the context of modern culture and the persona of the African-American journey to the representation of iconic images in everyday citizens....

Do you center joy in your life? In this episode, Kathryn and author Bevy Smith share tips on how to center joy in all areas of your life, from work to your personal life. You’ll learn what centering joy in your life looks like, how to find your own blissful brand, and how living in joy can help you be successful. “You cannot be in your joy, in your bliss, if you are being something you're not. And...

When the time comes to transition away from your business, know that there is more out there for you. It may be a new business or a new opportunity, but whatever the case, change is good. In this episode, you’ll learn the ins and outs of selling your company, what to consider when exiting, and how to make a game plan to leave. “When you're exiting, I think having a game plan is important.”  You ne...

From bootstrapping to venture capital to just plain profits, there are many ways to fund your business's growth. The next step is essential and requires thoughtful consideration. In this episode of Build The Thing, you’ll determine the best route for you and your company as you continue to build it.  “As a general rule of thumb, if a startup founder can't see how what they're doing gets to the poi...

The right team is crucial to any business and depends on its success. Knowing who to hire and when to let them go can make or break your company. One way to ensure you’re building a successful team is to identify your core needs so that you can provide all of your hires are moving your business forward. You also want to make a team with complementary skills.  “I’ve learned that businesses are not...

Is your big idea something people will pay for? In this episode, Kathryn and other Builders discuss turning an idea into a successful business. You’ll learn the importance of setting your pricing structure, finding product-market fit, and scaling up your business. “What often happens with entrepreneurs is that they forget that a business is truly about creating something for people will pay a prem...

The difference between a great idea and a thriving business is that a business solves a problem that people will pay for, aka its value proposition. In this episode, learn how to create a value proposition for your company, including using methods like Build-Measure-Learn and the Ugly Baby Test to help you define the value your company provides your customers. “Be a constant virtuous cycle of buil...

On this episode of the Build The Damn Thing, find out how a robust support system–aka your personal advisory board–can help you create the business and life you've always wanted. A personal advisory board differs from a “corporate” advisory board in one fundamental way. The traditional corporate advisory board advises about your company; your personal advisory board advises you about YOU.  “As you...

Succeeding in entrepreneurship is a mental game.  In this episode, learn how to manage the cognitive load of building a company, including tips for managing your personal life.  “At the end of the day, as a founder, it ultimately falls on your shoulders, and you ultimately have to be confident in what you're doing, even when it's scary and even when it's fearful.” As an entrepreneur, you will face...

On this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney and four other builders talk about how their backgrounds have influenced their sense of purpose when creating their startups. They discuss how they have taken the lessons from the historic, systemic obstacles their ancestors have overcome to build their own companies.  “If you're a startup founder and you are Black, no matter what you're doin...

Venture capital may be Kathryn’s occupation, but entrepreneurship is her vocation. She looks at the world through the lens of possibilities and what can be built. In creating her venture capital firm, Genius Guild, she uses venture capital to build a new Black future. In this episode, you’ll learn about the founding of Genius Guild, the power of investing in Black entrepreneurs, and the importance...

They may be called “micro-investments,” but they’re anything but small. In this episode, you’ll learn about The Doonie Fund, a social investment fund started by Kathryn in honor of her grandmother Kathryn “Doonie” Hale. The Doonie Fund provides micro-investments to Black women entrepreneurs and has provided grants to over 2,000 women.  “During the pandemic, I felt helpless.”  The Doonie Fund began...

Choosing yourself isn’t always easy. But after eight years leading the groundbreaking digitalundivided—D)—an organization that she founded to help Black and Latinx women tech entrepreneurs get the mentorship and support they desperately needed, Kathryn had to do just that. She chose herself and her sanity and decided to leave the business. “You have to pivot, change, and evolve, and it's hard.” Af...

One of the hardest things for an entrepreneur is to sell your big idea to others. That’s precisely what Kathryn did when she started digitalundivided. Kathryn shares how her “co-conspirators” — such as the founders of BlogHer and early employee Darlene Gillard Jones — helped her build a powerful company based on her mission of empowering Black and Latina women in technology. You’ll also learn how...

Diverse entrepreneurs often feel they have to stick to what they’ve built. But what happens if you want to do something different? How does one even begin? How do you sell a company? In this episode, you’ll learn how to successfully exit a company–something many entrepreneurs can’t imagine–and how to start something new. “I think what many people don't realize–particularly in the Black community–i...

The Budget Fashionista (TBF) was one of the first superstar blogs and became a sensation in the early 2000s, making Kathryn one of the first internet influencers. For many women, TBF was one of the first blogs they read, becoming a gateway into internet content. In this episode, Kathryn shares how she built and grew the company from a blog to a media empire.  “Kathryn was such a pioneer and really...

Entrepreneurs are often built from a very early stage. In this episode, Kathryn talks to the people who were present at the beginning of her journey as a young builder and explains what led her to become one of the most influential women in tech.  “When you go against Entitleds, there is sometimes a price to pay.”  Sometimes, going against the grain has a price. The key is understanding the price...