In this episode of EYL, hosts Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal sit down with April Showers, a successful entrepreneur and the creative force behind Afro Unicorn. They explore the intricate world of licensing deals, trademark challenges, and the relentless drive required to build a global brand. April Showers shares her experiences related to Kanye West’s licensing deal with Adidas and provides insights into what can go wrong when creative control is sacrificed. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining ownership over variations of your product and the pitfalls of not reading contracts thoroughly. Her own journey with Afro Unicorn underscores the significance of strategizing about intellectual property and market positioning from the very beginning. April delves into the emotional challenges she faced while building Afro Unicorn, which include personal losses and the hurdles of the global pandemic. Despite these struggles, her vision remained clear. She stresses the value of manifesting your goals and not worrying about the intricate “how” of achieving them. With a determined attitude of “all gas, no breaks,” April’s story is a testament to resilience and belief in one's vision. Trademark infringement is another critical topic of discussion. April recounts her painful experience when another brand attempted to replicate Afro Unicorn, leading to market confusion. She explains the lengthy legal process required to safeguard her brand and the necessity of outworking competitors to maintain her market position. The hosts and April also discuss the multi-faceted approach to licensing, breaking down how she collaborates with over 45 different licensees across various product categories. She utilizes her ace card—Walmart's interest in her brand—to negotiate leverage in discussions with potential partners. This strategic partnership with Walmart has significantly boosted Afro Unicorn’s market presence. Moreover, April shares practical advice, such as how she scouts potential licensees by examining product packaging in stores and then conducting focused outreach through LinkedIn. This proactive approach has been instrumental in expanding Afro Unicorn's footprint domestically and paves the way for international expansion. For aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode is a treasure trove of actionable insights and motivational wisdom. April Showers not only discusses the technical aspects of licensing and trademarking but also offers heartfelt advice on navigating the entrepreneurial journey with unwavering confidence and strategic thinking. Join us for an enlightening conversation that dives deep into the importance of maintaining creative control, the power of manifesting dreams, and the relentless pursuit of success. Discover how Afro Unicorn is becoming a household name and learn valuable strategies that can help you on your path to entrepreneurial greatness. *Hashtags:* #EYL #AfroUnicorn #AprilShowers #LicensingDeals #TrademarkChallenges #Entrepreneurship #ManifestingDreams #Walmart #KanyeWest #Adidas #CreativeControl #BusinessStrategies #GlobalBrand #Resilience #AllGasNoBrakes #MarketExpansion #LegalBattles #IntellectualProperty #StayFocussed Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome back to another insightful clip of Market Mondays, where hosts Rashad Bilal and Ian Dunlap are joined by special guests Matt Garland and Mosi Gatling. In this clip, we delve deep into the world of real estate, focusing on crucial topics like home buying, refinancing, and HELOCs (Home Equity Line of Credit). At the beginning of the video, Ian Dunlap questions Matt Garland about the advice he would give to potential homebuyers who are feeling apprehensive about entering the market. Matt emphasizes that the more you learn, the more you earn. He encourages viewers to invest time in their education about home buying, credit, and other related areas to mitigate fears. Understanding the importance of taking emotions out of the investment process, Matt shares that looking at a home purchase as an investor would can make the process more manageable and rational. Next, Rashad Bilal steers the conversation towards home refinancing. Mosi Gatling gives an overview of refinancing and explains how homeowners can analyze whether refinancing is the best option for them. She brings up critical points such as analyzing the benefits and financial sense of refinancing, especially when considering current interest rates and the potential long-term impacts. Mosi also touches on comparing refinancing with a HELOC and stresses the importance of making decisions based on thorough financial analysis rather than just the appeal of low rates. Rashad then explains the concept of HELOC for those unfamiliar. He presents a clear explanation using a hypothetical scenario to illustrate how homeowners can tap into their home's equity either through refinancing or a HELOC. Mosi provides further insights, detailing both the benefits and potential downsides of HELOCs compared to refinancing. She highlights the importance of assessing personal financial situations and long-term goals before making any moves. Matt Garland joins back to add more to the HELOC conversation, emphasizing the necessity of having a concrete plan before tapping into home equity. He advises viewers to be cautious and ensures they understand the inherent risks that come with using HELOCs for investments. Matt also shares how the current market conditions present a unique opportunity for homeowners with substantial equity to explore HELOCs, but urges them to proceed with caution and strategic planning. In the final part of the video, our hosts and guests answer more detailed questions about the technicalities and strategic considerations involved in these financial decisions. The episode is packed with expert advice and real-world examples, making it particularly valuable for anyone looking to navigate the current real estate market wisely. Join us for this engaging and educational discussion, and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Market Mondays for more episodes covering investment strategies, market trends, and financial planning! *Hashtags:* #MarketMondays #RealEstate #HomeBuying #Refinancing #HELOC #Investing #FinanceEducation #HomeEquity #RealEstateInvesting #RealEstateMarket #FinancialStrategy #InvestmentTips #MortgageAdvice #FinancialPlanning #Equity #RealEstateAdvice #HomeLoans #MoneyManagement Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy