Arlan Hamilton Rates Entrepreneurship and Success

Arlan Hamilton believes that entrepreneurship is a calling, not a career choice. She says, "I don't think that everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur, and that's okay."

Hamilton's own journey into entrepreneurship was marked by self-doubt and uncertainty. She had to overcome multiple rejections before securing funding for her company, Backstage Capital. Despite the challenges, she persevered and has since become a successful venture capitalist and entrepreneur.

Hamilton's definition of success is not just about financial gain, but also about creating a positive impact on society. She has invested in over 100 companies and has a portfolio that includes diverse founders and businesses.

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Arlan Hamilton's philosophy is centered around the idea of a calling versus a dream. She believes a calling is something that pulls at you, rather than something you actively chase.

A calling is not something that can be planned or forced, but rather it's a sense of purpose that develops over time. Hamilton felt her calling in her mid-thirties, when she realized she wanted to help underestimated founders achieve their goals.

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According to Hamilton, a dream is more of a catalyst for momentum, but it's not the same as a calling. She didn't wake up one day and say she wanted to be a venture capitalist, but rather she wanted to get resources into the hands of deserving founders who could make a greater impact than she could alone.

Arlan Hamilton's podcast, "Your First Million", features a wide range of guests, including entrepreneurs and investors.

Each episode typically lasts around 45 minutes to an hour, providing a concise and informative listen.

Arlan Hamilton's background in entrepreneurship and investing is evident in the thoughtful questions she asks her guests, often delving into the challenges they've faced and the lessons they've learned.

Finding a way around obstacles is a skill that can be learned with practice and patience. Hamilton's experience with Backstage Capital is a great example of this.

A $5 million pledge to invest in Hamilton's company fell through, but she didn't give up. She worked to push through ground-breaking Regulation Crowdfunding.

This allowed 6,500 people to invest approximately $5 million over an eight-day period in Q1 of 2021. They became partial owners of Backstage Management Co.

The upside of this innovative solution is that investors share in any profits the company makes. As long as they hold their stock, they'll benefit from the company's future investments.

Arlan Hamilton is a trailblazing investor who founded Backstage Capital in 2015.

She founded Backstage Capital to invest in founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBTQ.

The organization has raised nearly $30 million since its inception.

Arlan has also invested in 200 startups through Backstage Capital.

She has published two books: It’s About Damn Time and Your First Million: Why You Don’t Have To Be Born Into A Legacy of Wealth To Leave One Behind.

Arlan hosts the podcast Your First Million.

Being underestimated has fueled Arlan's success, and she shares her journey from homelessness to venture capitalist in this episode.