So Ambitious

Tiffany Aliche, better known as The Budgetnista, built a multimillion-dollar empire rooted in transparency, discipline, and service. From being scammed out of $35,000 and sleeping on her sister’s couch to leading a global financial education movement, Tiffany’s story is a masterclass in rebuilding, resilience, and radical integrity. In this episode of So Ambitious, Tiffany joins host Felecia Hatcher to unpack her journey from preschool teacher to eight-figure entrepreneur. She breaks down what it really means to build a profitable, values-based business without outside funding, how to heal a toxic relationship with money, and why slow and steady growth beats overnight success every time. Tiffany also opens up about her late husband’s influence, her unique leadership style, and how she’s creating generational impact through community, honesty, and heart-centered entrepreneurship. This episode is a blueprint for founders, dreamers, and builders who want to grow sustainably – without losing their soul in the process. KEY POINTS  - Tiffany’s traumatic financial wake-up call: losing $35,000 to a scam before the recession - Rebuilding from $300,000 in debt and moving back home with her parents - The power of community and vulnerability in overcoming financial shame - Turning pain into purpose: from teaching preschool to teaching personal finance - How The Budgetnista became an eight-figure, self-funded business - Why venture capital wasn’t her path and how she built wealth through ownership - Creating a healthy company culture rooted in trust, rest, and autonomy - Financial wellness as emotional wellness: healing toxic money beliefs - How Tiffany runs a debt-free business that prioritizes team wellbeing and sustainability - Legacy redefined: kindness, obedience, and being a vessel for impact QUOTES  “The worst thing for someone who’s not ready for success is to become successful.” – Tiffany Aliche “You don’t have to be perfect before you start; you just have to be willing to grow.” – Tiffany Aliche “Revenue is freedom—it’s what allows you to serve with integrity.”  – Felecia Hatcher “Money is an amplifier. If you have poor business habits, funding will only make it worse.” – Tiffany Aliche “Entrepreneurship will rock you, but it will also reveal you. It pulls you to your highest self if you let it.” – Tiffany Aliche RESOURCES  Tiffany Aliche Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Michael Barclay is the Chief Events Officer of Sundial Media Group, the company behind the Essence Festival of Culture – one of the largest and longest-running cultural events in the world. From managing a $10 billion finance portfolio to orchestrating global experiences that celebrate Black joy, Michael’s career proves what happens when passion meets precision. In this episode of So Ambitious, Michael sits down with Felecia Hatcher to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build and sustain an iconic brand like Essence Fest. He shares lessons on leadership, longevity, and logistics, especially why the festival is more than an event, it’s a living ecosystem, and the mindset required to grow with courage in an era of change. From his first entrepreneurial “failure” that taught him everything about contracts, time, and worth, to launching his new tech platform Crowded House, Michael unpacks how he’s redefining cultural value, authenticity, and ownership in the events and tech worlds. This conversation is a masterclass in ambition, resilience, and building legacy through community, creativity, and conviction. KEY POINTS  - Essence Festival as a living, breathing ecosystem  - The real story behind Essence Fest 2024: challenges, resilience, and evolution - How to balance consumer emotion, business logistics, and cultural impact - Lessons from failure: the business, financial, and emotional tuition of entrepreneurship - Turning a setback into strategy – learning contracts, pricing, and the value of time - Balancing art and science of decision-making - Building Crowded House: bringing human energy back to virtual events - Why culture is a premium asset and how to prove its business value - The importance of honesty, transparency, and long-term relationship building in business - How to protect legacy while evolving for the next generation of creators QUOTES  “When you’re building something for community, you’re not just managing logistics…you’re protecting legacy.” – Felecia Hatcher “There are humans behind everything—behind every brand, every experience.” –  Michael Barclay “All business ain’t good business. Know your numbers and know your worth.” –  Michael Barclay “You can’t build for longevity if you’re afraid to evolve.” – Michael Barclay “The cost of neglecting your genius is higher than any check.” – Felecia Hatcher RESOURCES  Michael Barclay LinkedIn | @iambarclay  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Candace Washington is a licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, production therapist, and author whose journey embodies resilience, transformation, and purpose. From surviving suicide attempts and battling alcoholism to walking away from a federal career and choosing her own healing, Candace has built a thriving practice where she now serves high performers, creatives, and entrepreneurs at the intersection of mental health and ambition. Today, Candace shares her story of wandering, healing, and stepping into her calling. She unpacks what burnout really is (and what it isn’t), the hidden cost of wearing the “cape,” and the importance of redefining success around rest, joy, and liberation. She also dives into imposter syndrome, loneliness in entrepreneurship, and why therapy should be proactive - not just for crisis moments. This conversation serves as a reminder that ambition without wellness is unsustainable—and that prioritizing yourself can unlock both healing and a lasting legacy.  KEY POINTS  - From Air Force veteran to licensed psychotherapist: Candace’s personal journey of survival and healing - Why wearing the “mask” and “cape” leads to burnout, and how to take them off - Redefining success: rest, joy, and liberation as entrepreneurial pillars - Burnout vs. exhaustion: how to recognize the difference (and act before crisis) - The mental health toll on entrepreneurs: loneliness, fear of failure, imposter syndrome - Why therapy is a proactive tool, not just a last resort - Understanding the “cup and saucer” strategy for self-care and sustainability - The role of vulnerability, intimacy, and surrender in leadership and entrepreneurship - Building trusted community and safe spaces beyond social media “highlights” - Candace: Anchoring ambition in purpose, authenticity, and uninterrupted joy QUOTABLES  “If we invest in entrepreneurs but don’t prioritize their mental health, we’re being irresponsible.” – Felecia Hatcher “Rest is radical. Rest is liberation. Rest is success.” – Candace Washington “Imposter syndrome tells you you’re not deserving. Put your thoughts on trial and check the evidence.” – Candace Washington “My pillars are joy, peace, and liberation. Happiness is fleeting, but joy is something no one can take from me.” – Candace Washington “People will adjust to your boundaries. The only way to serve everything else is to listen to your body.” – Felecia Hatcher RESOURCES  Candace Washington IG | @candacewrites Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

What happens when two visionary creators collide at the intersection of comedy, technology, and music?  In this episode of So Ambitious, host Felicia Hatcher sits down with Zayd Portillo (creatrgd) and King Willonius, creator of “BBL Drizzy”, to unpack their journeys in tech, AI, and cultural innovation. From viral comedy hits to groundbreaking AI music, Zayd and King are pushing boundaries on how Black creators can own their narratives, monetize their IP, and turn moments into movements. They reflect on early experiments with Clubhouse, YouTube, and Twitch, the birth of viral songs like BBL Drizzy, and how AI tools are reshaping artistry, ownership, and community.  This conversation is equal parts hilarious and profound, revealing the tension between incubation and deadlines, internal validation and external recognition, and what it really takes to stay consistent (even when the world doesn’t quite understand your vision yet). If you’ve ever wrestled with impostor syndrome, felt pressure to deliver under deadlines, or wondered how AI is transforming creativity, this episode is for you. KEY POINTS - How early experimentation on YouTube, Twitch, and Clubhouse sharpened creative skills - The viral phenomenon of BBL Drizzy and what it revealed about culture and community - Navigating impostor syndrome and redefining what it means to be “creative” - The role of deadlines, hackathons, and incubation periods in producing great work - Why Black creators must embrace AI tools to own the next wave of innovation - Balancing business deadlines with the creative process - Building future-ready platforms: virtual artists, dome experiences, and AI-driven IP - How faith, timing, and consistency shape long-term creative success QUOTABLES  “Comedy is the easiest way to introduce people to scary new tech.” - Zayd Portillo “Sometimes you’re just the vessel — the idea is bigger than you.” -  King Willonius “If you fight for your limitations, you get to keep them.” - Felicia Hatcher “Great art is polarizing. If people love it and hate it, you’re onto something.” - Zayd Portillo “We need to stop saying we’ll get left behind in AI and start saying we’re mastering it.” -  King Willonius RESOURCES Zayd Portillo  IG | @creatrgod King Willonius  IG | @kingwillonius Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Alphonzo "Phonz" Terrell, co-founder and CEO of Spill, discusses the urgent need for digital spaces that prioritize trust and cultural fluency. He shares insights from his journey through music, media, and tech, highlighting how Black culture shapes online communities. Alphonzo emphasizes the significance of dismantling gatekeeping for future Black entrepreneurs and how Buddhism influences his leadership approach. He also analyzes the evolution of social platforms, the impact of online harassment, and the importance of community-driven values in entrepreneurship.

Welcome back!  In this inspiring episode of So Ambitious, we sit down with Ingrid Best, founder of IBest Wines, to unpack her bold journey from corporate spirits executive to visionary wine entrepreneur. Ingrid reveals how her time in South Africa unlocked her creative superpower, why she walked away at the height of her career to launch her own brand, and how she’s rewriting the rules of storytelling, brand-building, and legacy creation. From the messy middle of entrepreneurship to navigating naysayers, fundraising challenges, and staying true to her love for wine, Ingrid shares the lessons that keep her grounded, ambitious, and committed to lifting others along the way. Whether you’re a creative, a founder, or someone daring to take a big leap, this conversation will fuel your courage to bet on yourself. KEY POINTS - South Africa unlocked Ingrid’s creative superpower and fueled her vision for IBest Wines - Lessons from working with global giants like Diageo, Bacardi, and Moët Hennessy shaped her brand approach - How storytelling and showing the “messy middle” are essential for building authentic brands - Walking away from a top corporate role was the bold step toward her true passion - How naysayers pushed her to focus, stay quiet, and trust her vision - Focus is a discipline; mentorship, walking, and long flights became part of her process - Mentorship revealed confidence as the key barrier holding young women back - Building IBest Wines with personal capital, then raised support from trusted Black women investors - Transparency with investors and the community builds resilience during challenges - Ingrid: Legacy is about self-belief, equity for women, and creating generational wealth QUOTABLES  “I’m a 20-year overnight success. Everything I know came from working with the biggest brands in the world.” – Ingrid Best “People don’t just want to see the perfect ad. They want to see the messy middle.” – Ingrid Best “I walked away from the height of my career because I finally had the faith, courage, and ambition to bet on myself.” – Ingrid Best “Legacy for me is equity, global storytelling, and proving that big acquisitions can close the wealth gap.” – Ingrid Best RESOURCES Ingrid Best  IG | @Ms_Ibest Ibest Wines  IG | @ibestwines/  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Lanny Smith, founder of Actively Black, creates a Black-owned athleisure brand that reinvests profits into the community, driven by a passion for cultural excellence. Tommy Johnson, founder of Made with Black Culture, utilizes blockchain to ensure creators receive fair recognition and compensation for their work. They share their personal journeys, discuss the need for ethical trade standards, and highlight the importance of moving from mere representation to true ownership. Together, they envision a future where Black culture is valued and protected in commerce.

This season, it’s about ownership. Because ambition doesn’t need permission. Welcome to Season 3 of So Ambitious - the award-winning podcast from Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize, hosted by Felecia Hatcher. This season, we’re amplifying the stories of founders who are building uninterrupted - from tech innovators to creative entrepreneurs - all defying the odds and reimagining what’s possible for the next generation. Each conversation dives deep into the real journey behind ambition: the resilience, the risk, the purpose, and the community that makes it all possible. Because when Black and Hispanic founders thrive, the future does too. 🎧 Subscribe to the So Ambitious Podcast and join us in celebrating what it means to build boldly, create with intention, and lead with legacy. 🔗 Learn more: https://blackambitionprize.com 📱 Follow @blackambitionprize on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn #SoAmbitious #BlackAmbitionPrize #PharrellWilliams #FeleciaHatcher #BlackEntrepreneurs #HispanicEntrepreneurs #LegacyBuilders #Founders #Startups #Innovation #PurposeDrivenBusiness RESOURCES  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

This season, it’s about ownership. Because ambition doesn’t need permission. Welcome to Season 3 of So Ambitious - the award-winning podcast from Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize, hosted by Felecia Hatcher. This season, we’re amplifying the stories of founders who are building uninterrupted - from tech innovators to creative entrepreneurs - all defying the odds and reimagining what’s possible for the next generation. Each conversation dives deep into the real journey behind ambition: the resilience, the risk, the purpose, and the community that makes it all possible. Because when Black and Hispanic founders thrive, the future does too. 🎧 Subscribe to the So Ambitious Podcast and join us in celebrating what it means to build boldly, create with intention, and lead with legacy. 🔗 Learn more: https://blackambitionprize.com 📱 Follow @blackambitionprize on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn #SoAmbitious #BlackAmbitionPrize #PharrellWilliams #FeleciaHatcher #BlackEntrepreneurs #HispanicEntrepreneurs #LegacyBuilders #Founders #Startups #Innovation #PurposeDrivenBusiness RESOURCES  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

Dive into some of the top entrepreneurial advice from our lineup of innovative founders in this special Best Of episode. Discover the secrets to their success as we feature their invaluable insights and strategies that have propelled their ventures forward. From navigating the complexities of startup life to pioneering new industries, these inspiring founders offer a wealth of knowledge for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned innovators alike. Be sure to catch these essential lessons that can ignite your entrepreneurial journey and propel you to new heights!KEY POINTS - Ep 204: Beyond the Spicy Tweets: Brian Brackeen's Tech Odyssey from Philly to Lightship Capital- Ep 207: Shifting the Narrative on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion with Amber Cabral - Ep 208: Vision to Victory: Evan Leaphart’s Road to Entrepreneurial Success & Million-Dollar Grant Win- Ep 211: Empowering Black Voices in the Fragrance World with Exalté Parfum Founder Funmi Monet- Ep 212: From College Parties to Empowering HBCUs: Corey Arvinger's Journey in Supporting Black CollegesRESOURCES [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 Felecia HatcherIG | @feleciahatcherBlack AmbitionIG | @blackambitionprizeSo Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media