Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melinda Jackson, Founder of The Rooted Firm, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Rooted Firm is a one-of-a-kind (soon to be world-renowned) philanthropy advising firm softly based in Los Angeles with a bold vision to influence global generational change by re-inventing the experience of philanthropy and helping to propel the social impact work of BIPOC changemakers through greater access to unrestricted capital and building aligned relationships. We help individual philanthropists in entertainment, sports, and business, as well as small and mid-sized companies, create social change solutions and maximize the impact of every dollar they give in a way that centers the work of changemakers of color who are often overlooked and underfunded.
Tell us about yourself
The Rooted Firm was birthed from a vision of philanthropy as a tool to heal, reconcile, uplift, and empower, and an understanding of all the ways that it wasn't and isn't living up to that potential. As someone who spent years as an executive director in the nonprofit sector, I experienced firsthand the difficulties of securing capital for work that prioritizes marginalized communities, and I wanted to change that. I also saw through my work as a social impact strategist working primarily with visionaries of color that access to capital was one of the main barriers standing in the way of them being able to execute their vision and make a game-changing impact in their communities. This is a systemic issue that is being addressed far too slowly and, in many cases, not at all, which is why the work of The Rooted firm is so important and urgent. The people I connect with every day who are dedicating their lives to doing work that matters and that uplifts people who our society minimizes or ignores continue to be the fuel I need to get up and make this happen every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is not giving up. It's being able to continuously improve and take my perceived failures not as evidence that creating an impactful, profitable, and successful business wasn't possible for me but as opportunities to learn, pivot, and challenge myself.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I think one of the biggest challenges with being a business owner is balancing all the moving parts and occupying all the roles it takes to have a successful business. We're often the CEO, the influencer, the content creator, and the email answerer, and it takes a lot to keep all of that going. I have been really focusing on delegating, even if I feel that I can do it myself, as a way of preserving my energy so I can show up big and bold in my zone of genius.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be nimble, agile, and open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
- Delegate from the outset; it's much more sustainable to build a team of support as you grow than to do everything yourself and burn out.
- Do the inner work; it makes a huge difference
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Be sure to follow The Rooted Firm on Instagram and LinkedIn to keep up to date with all of the exciting events & initiatives we have coming up.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://linktr.ee/rootedfirmla
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RootedFirmLA
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3bgRrQ2
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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