Honey & Hustle Returns Next Week!

*This post is sponsored by NC IDEA.

Hey honeys and hustlers,

As you may have guessed from the title, I have a highly-anticipated announcement today: the first episode of Honey & Hustle season 4 premieres next week on Tuesday! I’ve been filming interviews for season 4 since September and working in post-production with my video editors, Taylor and Evan, since December to make this season come to life. We’re sharing stories from all across North Carolina this season, branching outside of our hub here in the Triangle to reach entrepreneurs in Asheville, Charlotte, Rocky Mount, and more! If you’re not based here in North Carolina, no problem – these stories apply to creative entrepreneurs everywhere!

Don’t just take my word for it. Here’s a sneak peek from our first four guests of the season, a curated series of interviews for Black History Month.

As recipients of the NC IDEA Engage Grant, we were able to invest more in our editing, writing, and production team to step things up a notch and give this season the creative effort it deserves. Our team has grown, and as we think about the social and creative entrepreneurial ecosystem we’re building in North Carolina and beyond, it’s important to have partners who share that vision. NC IDEA has proven impact and investments in founders at all stages of their entrepreneurial journeys. In fact, their flagship funding opportunities have open applications right now! If you’re in North Carolina and would like to be considered for the $10K Micro Grant or $50K Seed Grant, check out their website for information on qualifications and how to apply. You can even set up a time to meet with the NC IDEA team members if you have questions while working on your application. As someone who’s applied for the Micro Grant in the past, I will say that this is a lengthy application, so give yourself plenty of time to apply. Applications open today and close on February 26th.

January is International Creativity Month

What better way to honor creativity than by highlighting another creator? I became familiar with Dane Cardiel through the podcast community on Twitter, and it was great to meet him in person at the Resonate Podcast Festival in November of last year. He’s the VP of Creative Partnerships at Gumball and the co-founder of Good Tape, a print publication about podcasting (say that 3 times fast). I bought a copy of the first issue of Good Tape and it didn’t disappoint. I loved the attention to detail and preservation of print media in the digital age. His experience in podcasting and creative brand partnerships gives him a unique perspective on the future of influencer marketing, and I can’t wait for you to hear all about it.

This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts.

January is also National Mentor Month

I’ve benefitted greatly from having mentors (yes, plural) in my creative career. Filmmakers and directors who have allowed me to be on set with them opened the door for me to reach out to them on multiple occasions for the quirkiest questions I have about filmmaking and creative entrepreneurship. Coaches, founders, and consultants who have been guests on the Honey & Hustle podcast are still in my orbit today and pour into me as I try to pour into them. Community can be the difference between success and hopelessness, and I want to help you build a network of people you can lean on, laugh with, and celebrate with. Respond to this email telling me the biggest problem you’re facing and I’ll do my best to connect everyone who responds with someone who can help them. I’ll also start a chat so that you guys can jump in and introduce yourselves!

If this newsletter isn’t a space for people to find solutions in their creative and entrepreneurial journeys, like funding and community networking, then we’re not doing our jobs.

Please Hustle Responsibly,

🤙🏾✨

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