In this episode of Earn Your Leisure, we sit down with the founders of Curl Girl Collective to unpack the journey behind one of the most iconic cultural celebrations in beauty—Curl Fest. From humble beginnings to national recognition, they share the origin story of their collective and how they built a movement that resonates deeply with the natural hair community.

We discuss the business behind hosting large-scale live events, the hidden costs they faced, and the reality of still working full-time jobs while building Curl Fest. The founders open up about how DEI cutbacks and sponsorship losses forced them to pivot, cancel events, and rebuild stronger than ever.

They also break down how Curl Fest sets itself apart from other beauty festivals, what it takes to compete in the event space, and the importance of community. We dive into the challenge of access to capital, offers to buy the company, and the need to be intentional with partnerships.

This is an essential conversation for entrepreneurs, event organizers, and anyone invested in culture, community, and ownership.

Invest Fest Ticket Link: https://investfest.com

#EYL #EarnYourLeisure #CurlGirlCollective #CurlFest #BlackEntrepreneurs #BusinessBehindTheBrand #BeautyIndustry #DEI #EventPlanning #NaturalHairMovement #AccessToCapital #BlackOwnedBusiness #CommunityOverEverything #Entrepreneurship #CulturalEvents

In this clip of Market Mondays, host Ian Dunlap sits down with financial literacy powerhouse John Hope Bryant to break down the crucial steps needed to build strong institutional relationships—especially if you’re starting from scratch.

John Hope Bryant wastes no time laying out the real foundation: get your credit score up to at least 700! He explains why having good credit isn’t just a personal milestone, but a fundamental requirement for anyone looking to play in the big leagues of business and finance. Drawing from the Hope Financial Wellness Index, Bryant shares how the average credit score for Black Americans hovers around 620—and how improving that number is the key to opening new doors.

Ian and John dive deep into practical advice: Instead of wandering into your neighborhood bank branch, seek out the regional or chief credit officer at a community or mid-sized bank, where decision-makers are more accessible. They dish out insider tips on approaching these professionals—don’t go in with just a transaction in mind. Instead, focus on genuine relationship-building. Personal rapport trumps bravado every time.

This conversation uncovers the power of relationship capital: why Harvard, country clubs, and elite initiatives function as lifelong “clubs” that drive opportunity. If you’re wondering why boardrooms often seem exclusive, Ian unpacks the concept of discrimination versus racism and challenges viewers to “break up the comfort” and get in the room where decisions are made.

Finally, John and Ian discuss their own business journeys, with John opening up about building and selling a $150 million real estate portfolio and the lessons learned from joint ventures and relinquishing control.

If you’re serious about transforming your financial future—especially within Black America—this clip is a must-watch. Learn how financial literacy, AI knowledge, and networking “up the ladder” can reshape your path in just five years.

*Key topics in this clip:*

• Building your credit score to access big deals
• How to approach mid-tier banking executives for real connections
• The importance of storytelling and genuine rapport in business
• Relationship capital: Harvard, country clubs, and the “club” mentality
• Discrimination vs. racism in hiring and networking
• Real-life real estate and business lessons from John Hope Bryant
• The urgency of financial and AI literacy as modern civil rights issues

Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, aspiring investor, or simply want practical steps to connect with powerful institutions, this Market Mondays clip gives you the blueprint.

*Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more sharp financial insights every Monday!*

#MarketMondays #FinancialLiteracy #JohnHopeBryant #IanDunlap #RelationshipCapital #BusinessNetworking #CreditScore #BlackWealth #FinancialWellness #RealEstate #AIGeneration #WealthBuilding #Entrepreneurship #NetworkingTips #CommunityBanking

In this Market Mondays clip, the hosts dive deep into Netflix’s blockbuster performance this year and debate whether its explosive growth can keep going—or if a stock pullback is on the horizon. Rashad Bilal, Ian Dunlap, and Troy Millings breakdown recent Netflix news: the company’s ad-supported tier is expected to double revenue in 2025, fresh moves into live sports, premium content strategy, and why they remain the clear leader in the streaming space.

Ian praises Netflix as the “HBO of our era,” highlighting their dominance and innovative approach, including recent sports deals and content quality that outpaces competitors like Disney, Prime, and Max. Troy explains the recent 5% stock pullback—even after outstanding earnings—and addresses concerns about the stock running up “too high, too fast.” The team discusses the possibility of a stock split as Netflix’s price hovers at all-time highs, and whether now is the right time to buy, hold, or wait for a dip.

Key points covered in the clip:

• *Netflix’s Ad-Supported Growth:* Doubling revenue in the ad tier is a big move—can they triple it over the next few years?
• *Sports Content Expansion:* Netflix lands big deals, including a new partnership with boxing expert Max Kellerman and major sporting events.
• *Stock Performance:* Up almost $300 in just a couple of years, with a 52-week high over $1300.
• *Valuation and Future Prospects:* Should Netflix split its stock? The hosts weigh in on how a split could make shares more accessible and drive investor interest.
• *Alternatives for Investors:* If Netflix’s price is too high, the hosts suggest looking at ETFs like FDN, which has the largest allocation to Netflix.
• *Institutional Moves:* Big players like Fidelity and State Street are quietly buying more Netflix.

Whether you’re a longtime investor, considering a buy, or just fascinated by how Netflix keeps reinventing itself, this discussion gives you behind-the-scenes insight and actionable takeaways on one of the hottest stocks in the market.

Let us know in the comments: Do you think Netflix is due for a split? What’s your strategy for investing in streaming stocks?

Don’t forget to subscribe for more Market Mondays insights and hit the notification bell so you never miss a financial deep dive.

#MarketMondays #NetflixStock #Investing #StockMarket #StreamingWars #NetflixSplit #FDN #FinanceClip #StocksToWatch #BusinessNews #IanDunlap #RashadBilal #TroyMillings