So Ambitious 208. Vision to Victory: Evan Leaphart’s Road to Entrepreneurial Success & Million-Dollar Grant Win
In this episode, we sit down with Evan Leaphart, founder of Kiddie Kredit, co-founder of Black Men Talk Tech, and recent million-dollar grant recipient of the 43North accelerator program. With such a robust portfolio, what does it entail to lead not just one but two major initiatives that make such a significant impact on the world?
Discover how Kiddie Kredit is reshaping credit education by addressing the needs of over 90 million credit-challenged Americans burdened by $1 trillion in credit card debt. Evan stresses the significance of proactive credit education, positioning Kiddie Kredit as a preventive measure rather than a reactive solution in the credit industry. You will also learn how Evan cultivates personal connections to forge partnerships with industry giants like Equifax and Discover, and follow him along his transformative fundraising journey, where a small but powerful shift in mindset towards mission alignment empowered him to navigate the fundraising landscape with confidence and purpose.
Tune in as Evan discusses the challenges he faced throughout his many entrepreneurial journeys, how he navigates the complexities of the fundraising world, and the invaluable lessons he learned along his path to success. Get ready to be inspired by the trailblazing entrepreneur shaping the future of the tech industry!
KEY POINTS
[1:08] - Evan’s entrepreneurial journey to founding Kiddie Kredit
[2:51] - How Kiddie Kredit addresses credit card issues that 90 million Americans face
[5:55] - Evan Leaphart’s role as co-founder of Black Men Talk Tech and the inspiration behind it
[7:55] - What drives Evan’s pursuit of impact through Kiddie Kredit and Black Men Talk Tech
[9:22] - Evan’s secret to building is deep resources and support system
[11:45] - How Evan cultivated his relationships in funding and investments
[13:28] - Evan on navigating shifts in power dynamics in the venture capital space
[16:45] - Keeping up with the pace and pressures of being an entrepreneur
[18:34] - Challenges faced by Black founders in the venture space and the need for true equality
[20:32] - Winning 43North: Evan's process & journey leading up to winning the million-dollar investment
[23:34] - Evan’s insights & advice on building partnerships with major corporations like Discover and Equifax
QUOTABLES
“4 out of every 10 Adults don't know what goes into their own credit score, and for the first time in US history, credit card debt surpassed $1 trillion.” - Evan Leaphart
“10 seconds you spend thinking on how great you are is 10 seconds lost on how much better you could be.” - Evan Leaphart
GUEST RESOURCES
LinkedIn | @evanleaphart
IG | @evanleaphart
X | @evanleaphart
RESOURCES
[APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now
IG | @feleciahatcher
IG | @blackambitionprize
So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media