Capital, Connections, and Creativity: Lessons Learned at Invest Fest 2023

At Invest Fest this year, my time in Atlanta, Georgia felt like a journey into the Mecca of Black Excellence and the heart of Southern hospitality. Amidst this vibrant backdrop, I had the incredible privilege of participating in an event that united 20,000 black investors and entrepreneurs. Our purpose? To share knowledge, forge meaningful connections, gain enlightening insights, and offer praise where it was due.

As I reflect on this experience, I am excited to share a glimpse of it with you. Throughout the event, I was an eager note-taker, capturing the essence of the panels I attended. While I won’t be able to cover every single panel, the lessons and takeaways from the ones I do highlight are undeniably valuable.

Throughout the upcoming sections, we’ll delve into a diverse range of topics, each offering its own unique perspective. From discussions about the right mindset and strategies for business growth to the transformative power of social media, the dynamic world of investments, and the thought-provoking fireside chat about capitalism, these insights are drawn from both seasoned and emerging black entrepreneurs. One notable voice that resonated throughout the event was that of Robert F. Smith, renowned for his commitment to paying off the student loans of Morehouse College’s graduating class during his 2019 commencement speech.

Join me as we embark on a journey through the corridors of Invest Fest 2023, where capital, connections, and creativity converged to provide invaluable lessons for us all!

Building A Business Empire

About The Panel

Bringing together a remarkable group of visionaries, the Building A Business Empire panel at Invest Fest 2023 was a true powerhouse of expertise and experience:

Humble Lukanga: Founder & CEO of LifeLine Financial Group
Maverick Carter: CEO of The SpringHill Company
Lonzo Ball: NBA Athlete and Entrepreneur
Ash Cash: Author & CEO of Book Rich

Keys To Building A Business Empire

The insights shared during this panel were nothing short of enlightening, offering a wealth of wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs:

Being Thoughtful Everyday: The importance of approaching every task with thoughtfulness and intention was emphasized. Small actions compound over time, leading to the establishment of an empire.

Delivering Quality and Service: Rather than focusing solely on building an empire, the emphasis was on delivering quality and serving the community to the best of one’s abilities each day.

Empowerment and Love: Acting out of love and empowering others were highlighted as vital elements as an organization and community grow together.

Synthesizing Money vs. Mindset: The distinction between the pursuit of money and the cultivation of the right mindset was explored. Forming positive habits and recognizing which habits don’t serve you were emphasized.

The “Stop Doing List”: A powerful concept was introduced – the idea of creating a “Stop Doing List” to identify habits that hinder growth and would benefit from being abandoned.

Life as a Business: The analogy of life as a business, whether “on the court” or “off the court,” was discussed. The importance of defining the type of business you want – utility or aspirational – was underscored.

Life is a People Business: The notion that everything ultimately relates to people was a key theme. The “C.R.A.P.” concept (Crap, Rejection, Assholes, People) prepared attendees to navigate challenges.

Role of a CEO: The role of a CEO involves execution and foresight. This entails not only getting things done but also envisioning 1, 2, 3, and 5-year plans at all times.

Money Advice

Panelists shared invaluable financial wisdom:

Invest in Yourself: Prioritize self-investment for the highest returns. Nobody will work harder and smarter for your growth than you.

Chase Fulfillment, Not Just Success: The pursuit of fulfillment, unique to each individual, was advocated over a one-size-fits-all idea of success.

Serve Others: Building businesses with the core intention of serving others emerged as a powerful guiding principle.

The Building A Business Empire panel showcased insights that resonate beyond business – they’re a roadmap for success, growth, and meaningful impact.

Mastering Social Media

About The Panel

The Mastering Social Media panel at Invest Fest 2023 brought together a group of social media experts:

Nicky Saunders: CEO of Deeper than The Brand
Christopher Simmons: The Content King & CEO of Trend on Media
Dontae Catlett: Filmographer, Digital Strategist & Entrepreneur
David Shands: Host, Social Proof Podcast

Intro Conversation

The panel underscored the power of social media as a global tool and media as the ultimate business leverage, especially when you control your narrative. The importance of building an organic community was highlighted.

Starting The Social Media Journey

The panelists provided insights for those looking to start their social media journey:

Build a Content Catalog: Creating a library of content helps maintain consistency.
Frequent Posting: Define what posting “enough” means for you and your audience.
80/20 Rule: Strike a balance between business-related content and current events in your niche.

Niching Down

Focusing on passion and expertise was a cornerstone of the discussion:

Passion and Expertise: Concentrate on what you’re passionate about and excel in.
Keyword Research: Utilize tools like Google Trends to discover popular search terms.
Defining Your Brand: Consider Austin Kleon’s book Steal Like an Artist for inspiration.

Comparing Platforms

Different social media platforms offer distinct advantages:

YouTube: Highly discoverable and monetizable with a strong community.
Instagram: Versatile content and a large user base.
TikTok: Not just for dancing – great for short-form videos.

Posting Routines

A successful posting routine involves strategic content creation:

Content Ratio: Maintain an 80/20 ratio for business content and current events.
Clips and Headlines: Create engaging clips and headline snippets.
Smart Segmentation: Tools like Vidyo.ai can intelligently divide podcast or show content.

Tools and Consistency

Utilize AI tools for efficiency and focus on being consistent:

AI Tools: Tools like Opusclip, Getmunch, and Notion can aid content creation.
Consistency Strategy: Commit to consistent frequency and subjects.
Quality Improvement: Consistent posting leads to improved content quality over time.

Achieving Quality

Quality comes with practice and data analysis:

Data-Driven Growth: Post frequently and adapt based on performance data.
Audience Engagement: Experiment with hooks, speed bumps, and formatting.
Distribution Strategy: Plan where and how to distribute your content.

Bio Notes and Engagement

Enhance your social media presence with thoughtful bio and engagement strategies:

Bio Clarity: Your bio should communicate who you serve, the value you add, and posting frequency.
Video Captions: Captions impact SEO; utilize headlines to capture attention.
Hashtags and Platforms: Use hashtags with moderate reach and explore LinkedIn for business potential.

The Mastering Social Media panel revealed the art of organic growth, the science of captivating content, and the strategy behind digital success. These insights are the keys to thriving in the dynamic world of social media influence.

The Future of Investment Panel

About The Panel

The Future of Investment panel at Invest Fest 2023 gathered influential voices from the investment world:

Ian Dunlap: Founder & CEO of Red Panda
Michael Novogratz: Founder & CEO of Galaxy Digital
Cathie Wood: Founder, CEO & CIO of Ark Invest
Caroline Hyde: Anchor, Bloomberg TV

Intro Conversation

The panelists offered thought-provoking insights into the evolving landscape of investment:

Innovation and Deflation: Innovation plays a role in deflating the economy.
Interest Rates and Bonds: Purchasing bonds by the Federal Reserve leads to an increase in bond prices, subsequently driving down interest rates. Through open market purchases, the money supply is increased, diminishing the value of money and thus lowering interest rates within the monetary market.
Economic Indicators: Watch for indicators like the Inverted Yield Curve and Debt to GDP ratio.
Debt and Government: The US Government’s current Debt: GDP ratio at 130% suggests challenges in repaying debt.
Gold and Bitcoin: Consider holding assets like gold and Bitcoin as hedges against government fiscal decisions.

Investment Strategies and Opportunities

The panel delved into strategic investment considerations:

Beyond 200% GDP: As Debt: GDP ratios increase, invest in areas not strongly influenced by political policy.
Recommended Funds: Galaxy, Ark, and Black Rock were suggested as noteworthy funds to track.

AI – Artificial Intelligence

Insights about the AI landscape were shared:

AI Leaders: Companies like Nvidia (NVDA) set the standard for AI.
Tesla’s Autonomous Plans: Tesla’s development of an autonomous taxi service was discussed.
AI Domains: AI opportunities exist in various domains, leveraging domain expertise.

Companies to Watch

The panelists highlighted potential investment-worthy companies:

Exact Sciences: A player in the health care sector.
Twilio: A company used by Uber and others.
Databricks: A notable presence in AI and data analytics.

Bubbles and Sectors

The concept of bubbles and promising sectors were explored:

Characteristics of Bubbles: Bubbles form around groundbreaking ideas.
AI Bubble: A suggestion that we might be entering an AI bubble.
AI Scaling and Data: AI companies often need substantial data to scale.
Promising Sectors: Health care, blockchain, e-sciences, and robotics were highlighted.

Seeking Insights

For those eager to explore further, the panel encouraged investigating concepts like “Big Ideas 2023” for valuable insights.

The Future of Investment panel provided a captivating glimpse into the ever-evolving investment landscape. From innovative technologies to strategic considerations, these insights offer a roadmap for those venturing into the realm of future-focused investments.

Fireside Chat: The Use of Capital

About The Panel

The Fireside Chat: The Use of Capital panel at Invest Fest 2023 featured two influential figures:

Steve Harvey: Business Mogul, Comedian, Entertainer & Philanthropist
Robert F. Smith: Founder, Chairman, & CEO of Vista Equity Partners

Intro Conversation

The fireside chat explored essential aspects of using capital effectively:

Learning from Experts: The importance of learning from those who have achieved greatness while contributing positively to the world.

Capital Efficiency: The chat highlighted the value of using capital more efficiently than labor, a strategic approach in capitalism.

Mastering Transactions: Being on the right side of significant transactions, focusing on fair benefits and advantageous deals, was emphasized.

Borrowing Money and Leveraged Returns

Key insights were shared about borrowing money and leveraging returns:

Understanding Capitalism: Before borrowing money, it’s essential to grasp the fundamentals of capitalism.

Capital and Borrowing: Borrowing money and repaying it is an integral aspect of the capitalist framework.

Leveraged Returns: The concept of levered returns, where the return considers financing, leads to higher returns in percentage terms compared to all-cash deals.

Capillary Banking System and Financial Access

Robert Smith’s innovative idea, the Capillary Banking System, was a highlight of the discussion:

Empowering Underserved Communities: The system involves providing financial access to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs). These entities support job creation and economic growth in underserved communities.

Principal Providers of Capital: CDFIs and MDIs play a crucial role in supplying capital to areas that often lack access.

Effective Capital Deployment

Insights into making the most of capital were shared:

Determining Priorities: When uncertain about spending money, understanding the best next use of capital becomes a guiding principle.

Tax Deductibility: Interest paid on borrowed money for real estate investments can be deducted, offering a tax advantage.

The Fireside Chat: The Use of Capital highlighted the art of utilizing capital strategically, leveraging financial systems, and making informed decisions that align with individual and community growth. These insights illuminate the pathway to harnessing capital for meaningful progress.

Final Thoughts

Invest Fest 2023 was more than an event; it was an intersection of innovation, wisdom, and community. As I reflect on the panels and discussions that unfolded, I am struck by the wealth of insights shared by the visionary speakers and thought leaders who graced the stage. From exploring the intricacies of building business empires to mastering the dynamic realm of social media influence, from gaining a glimpse into the future of investment to understanding the art of capital utilization, the lessons learned are both invaluable and transformative.

The journey through Invest Fest 2023 showcased the power of connections – the connections formed between 20,000 black investors and entrepreneurs, each contributing their unique perspective and ambition to the collective spirit of growth. The backdrop of Atlanta, the Mecca of Black Excellence, only magnified the significance of this gathering.

In the span of these panels and discussions, we were encouraged to think beyond the ordinary, to challenge conventional wisdom, and to harness our creativity as a driving force for change. The visionary voices of business moguls, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and influencers echoed the importance of mindset, authenticity, and community empowerment. From leveraging the tools of social media to making strategic investment choices, the advice shared was both practical and forward-thinking.

Invest Fest 2023 was a reminder that we are living in a world of boundless possibilities, where capital, connections, and creativity converge to shape a future that is as promising as it is transformative. As we carry forward the lessons learned and the connections made, let us embark on our own journeys with the knowledge that growth, success, and impact are not only within reach but also within our grasp.

Thank you for joining me in this journey through the corridors of Invest Fest 2023. May the insights gained guide us as we step boldly into the realm of entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation, inspired by the collective wisdom of those who shared their expertise at this remarkable event.