Rapid Response: Don’t wait for the system, build it!, w/Genius Guild’s Kathryn Finney

Build the Damn Thing

Kathryn Finney's book, "Build the Damn Thing," is a guide for entrepreneurs who don't fit the traditional mold. She emphasizes the importance of leveraging family support, which is often overlooked in mainstream business literature. Finney shares her personal experiences, highlighting how her mother's support was invaluable during her entrepreneurial journey, providing peace of mind and resources beyond financial aid 1.

It was all these assumptions in these business books and being a person of color and just thinking about the things that my family has done for me, that wasn't a check, it wasn't an exchange of money, but it was definitely worth a lot.

--- Kathryn Finney

Her book challenges the conventional advice given to entrepreneurs, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, and encourages a broader understanding of what resources truly mean 2.

   

Money and Mindset

Financial success brings unique challenges, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Kathryn Finney discusses the psychological shifts that occur when entrepreneurs suddenly acquire significant wealth, emphasizing the need for clarity about the expectations tied to financial support 3. She highlights the importance of asking hard questions about the implications of accepting money, which can often come with hidden strings attached.

Imagine if the max money you've ever had in your bank account was $1,000 or even $10,000. And within a month or so, you all of a sudden have a million dollars plus in your bank account. It is a mental shift that happens that I don't think venture or others really quite understand.

--- Kathryn Finney

Finney also addresses the systemic challenges faced by black entrepreneurs, noting the limited venture capital support and the pervasive racial biases that persist in the industry 4.