In this insightful episode of Market Mondays, we sit down with the dynamic and inspiring Pinky Cole, the mastermind behind Slutty Vegan, a rapidly growing vegan food empire. Pinky opens up about the pivotal moment when she raised $25 million, a milestone that brought her company’s valuation to a staggering $100 million. Rashad Bilal, our inquisitive host, dives deep into the details, peeling back the layers to reveal the challenges and triumphs that accompanied such a significant capital raise. Pinky shares her emotional journey upon receiving the funds, describing the immense pressure of transitioning from "me" to "we" as she now had the weight of her investors’ expectations on her shoulders. What does it take for a black female entrepreneur to succeed at this level? For Pinky, raising $25 million was more than just a personal victory. It represented a win for every black woman, black entrepreneur, and minority striving to make their mark. She candidly discusses the stakes, emphasizing the collective weight she felt, knowing that her success—or failure—would resonate far beyond her individual story. She didn't just step into the room alone; she represented a community of 10,000. Pinky also gets real about the practical side of managing such a sizeable investment. She points out an insightful lesson learned—the importance of putting the money into interest-bearing accounts to ensure that the business could grow sustainably without depleting cash reserves too quickly. Pinky stresses the need for strategic and financial advisors, a crucial step she believes every large-scale entrepreneur should take. When asked if she would do anything differently, Pinky offers a reflective yet forward-looking perspective. Yes, there might be things to tweak, but the experience itself is invaluable. For her, the process was about learning and evolving, which she continues to apply as she diversifies her ventures. Rashad delves into Pinky’s diversification efforts, exploring how she balances her primary endeavor, Slutty Vegan, with newer initiatives like Bar Vegan. Pinky talks candidly about the allure of branching out into different projects but also recognizes the necessity of maintaining focus. Her strategic decision to ensure the solid foundation of Slutty Vegan before expanding into other ventures like Bar Vegan underlines her business acumen. This episode is a goldmine for aspiring entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts keen on understanding the complexities of capital raising, responsible scaling, and strategic diversification. Pinky’s journey is not just a story of financial success but one of personal growth, community representation, and relentless ambition. Don't miss this compelling conversation that combines emotional highs with practical business wisdom. Learn from Pinky Cole’s incredible journey and get inspired to strive for greatness, no matter the obstacles. *Subscribe to Market Mondays for more insightful interviews and business tips!* #MarketMondays #PinkyCole #SluttyVegan #RaisingCapital #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #BlackEntrepreneurs #MillionDollarBusiness #Investment #FinancialAdvice #VeganBusiness #ScalingUp #BusinessStrategy #DiverseInvestors Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this insightful clip of EYL, our hosts Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings sit down with the dynamic Felecia Hatcher. Known for her enlightening perspectives and innovative marketing approaches, Felecia takes us on a deep dive into the mechanics behind the scarcity model and how it influences consumer behavior. As the Chief Popcorn Officer of Popcorn Heaven, Felecia has mastered the art of creating demand. In this conversation, she reflects on her experience working with Nintendo and how they skillfully created unparalleled hype around their products. Discover the fascinating strategies used to generate immense demand and drive consumer purchasing decisions, even when products were scarcely available on store shelves. *Key Points Covered:* - *The Scarcity Model Explained:* Rashad begins by asking Felecia to break down the scarcity model, highlighting that it’s more complex than simply reducing supply. Felecia shares her firsthand experiences with Nintendo’s experiential marketing strategies that left consumers eagerly awaiting the next product restock. - *Experiential Marketing:* Felecia discusses her role in bringing video games to life through immersive experiences. These activations not only heightened consumer interest but also made the eventual purchase feel more urgent and valuable. - *Strategic Product Availability:* Learn how the calculated scarcity of products like the Wii Fit board and Tickle Me Elmo led to a phenomenon where consumers were willing to pay above the retail price, creating a cycle of anticipation and demand that drove sales. - *Psychology of Influence:* After reading the book *"The Psychology of Influence,"* Felecia connected the dots on how strategic shortage influenced consumer behavior. Understand how industries, from toys to sneakers, leverage this model to ensure consumers buy multiple products. - *Black Business Insights:* Felecia shares keen observations on how scarcity is managed and perceived in Black-owned businesses. Using examples from the restaurant industry, she illustrates how effective communication can turn limited availability from a pain point into a coveted aspect of the customer experience. - *Business Lessons:* Through engaging anecdotes and practical tips, this episode provides invaluable lessons on customer expectation management, marketing strategy, and how to utilize the scarcity model ethically and effectively in entrepreneurship. If you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or simply curious about the intricacies of consumer psychology, this episode is packed with information that will change how you perceive demand and supply. Felecia Hatcher’s expertise offers a fresh perspective on how scarcity can be used not just to drive sales but to build lasting relationships with customers. *Join the Conversation:* Listen to Felecia’s compelling storytelling and sharp insights as she shares how you too can create meaningful experiences and demand for your products or services. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes that bring industry secrets and entrepreneurial success stories right to your screen. *Hashtags:* #EYL #FeleciaHatcher #ScarcityModel #ExperientialMarketing #Nintendo #ConsumerPsychology #Entrepreneurship #SupplyAndDemand #BlackOwnedBusinesses #MarketingStrategy #BusinessLessons #CustomerExperience #TickleMeElmo #SneakerCulture #InfluenceStrategy #Innovation Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy