Episode 24: Disrupt the System & Build a Billion Dollar Network

Either disrupt or get disrupted. Become a disrupter and change the game. This is the mindset of influencer, investor, author and speaker Omi Shelly Bell. Omi is the CEO of Black Girl Ventures, an organization dedicated to creating access to capital for Black and Brown women entrepreneurs. Through BGV, they have already helped to fund over 450 women, added 3,000 jobs and generated over $10M in revenue.

So many great gems from this conversation include:

Embrace the power of entrepreneurship.

Access to social capital, access to financial capital, access to capacity and access to community.

Black Girl Ventures’ 3 Core Programs of Next Gen (Accelerator), Emerging Leaders Fellowship and BGV Pitch.

Focus on “bridging” and not just on building bridges. 

Invest by putting “your dollars where you want your impact to be”.

We also touch on her recently released book entitled, Originate, Motivate, Innovate: 7 Steps for Building a Billion Dollar Network. Never underestimate the value of networking and the power of just asking. Get a copy now on Amazon. 

To learn more about Omi and to support the vision and work of Black Girls Ventures, visit blackgirlventures.org. You can also give your pitch by joining them at one of their next stops, including the cities of Houston, Charlotte, DC, Miami and Atlanta.