• Jennifer Justice is paving the way for gender equality in business
    Jan 16 2024

    Jennifer Justice is a successful entrepreneur, entertainment executive, and lawyer. After 17 years as Jay-Z's personal entertainment attorney, in which she was instrumental in some of the rapper's high-profile projects, Jennifer left and eventually started her own venture, The Justice Department. Her new company champions gender equality and focuses on helping women maximize their value in business. In this episode, Jennifer shares valuable advice for those aspiring to follow her career path, underscores the importance of adopting a passion-and-purpose-driven approach to work, and more.

    Follow Jennifer on Instagram @thejustice.dept or visit her online at thejusticedept.com.

    About Umindi

    Umindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.

    Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.


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    46 mins
  • Redefining the beauty industry with Desiree Rogers
    Jan 9 2024

    Desiree Rogers, the CEO and co-owner of Fashion Fair Cosmetics and Black Opal Beauty, shares her journey in the beauty industry. From her time at the White House to her leadership at Johnson Publishing Company, and now her groundbreaking acquisition of iconic Black beauty brands, Rogers keeps making a mark. We get into her challenges, the state of the beauty industry, and the vital importance of supporting Black businesses.


    Follow Desiree on Instagram @iamthatdesiree and find her online at iamthatdesiree.com.

    About Umindi


    Umindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.


    Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.


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    59 mins
  • Madison Utendahl on entrepreneurship and burnout
    Dec 19 2023

    In this episode, Madison Utendahl, founder of Utendahl Creative, shares her insights about creatives and the struggle with self-worth and burnout prevalent in many industries. Madison talks about the difference between success and true fulfillment, and warns of the pervading “burnout epidemic.”

    Follow Madison on Instagram @madison.utendahl.

    About Umindi

    Umindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.

    Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Reality TV behind the scenes: Jessel Taank reflects on her Real Housewives of New York experience
    Dec 12 2023

    Jessel Taank shares her experiences as a new cast member on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York", her struggles and triumphs from being on the show, and the impacts it had on her personal relationships. She also discusses her pride in representing her Indian culture, her reaction to early negative reactions towards her, and her upcoming e-commerce platform focused on Indian fashion.

    Follow Jessel on Instagram @jesseltaank. She is the founder of Ōushq. Follow her company on Instagram @oushq.

    About Umindi

    Umindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.

    Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.


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    47 mins
  • Juliette Jones on rising through the ranks and the state of the music industry
    Sep 6 2023

    Juliette Jones is the chief operating officer at Alamo Records, with more than 25 years of experience in the music industry. She shares her journey and the key lessons she has learned along the way, including how she got her start in the business, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and the advice she offers to artists.

    Juliette also gives her take on the current state of the music industry and the impact of social media and streaming platforms on artists and their careers.

    Follow Juliette on Instagram @msjuliettejones.

    About Umindi

    Umindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.

    Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here. Follow the podcast on Instagram @whatsnextwithumindi.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Abyah Wynn on closing the funding gap for people of color
    Aug 29 2023

    Abyah Wynn is the fund manager for TRUE Capital Management’s TRUE Culture Fund, which focuses on funding underrepresented founders with venture capital.

    She talks with Umindi about her journey into venture capital, the legal challenge threatening the Fearless Fund’s approach to investing in Black women, and her advice for founders looking to position themselves for funding opportunities.

    Follow Abyah on Instagram @abyah or on LinkedIn at Abyah Wynn.

    About Umindi

    Umindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.

    Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here. Follow the podcast on Instagram @whatsnextwithumindi.


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    44 mins
  • Marielle Bobo on climbing the media ladder and reimagining Ebony for the future
    Aug 23 2023

    Marielle Bobo, Editor-in-Chief and Senior Vice President of Programming at Ebony Media, shares her journey in the publishing industry and her experience leading Ebony's digital transformation.


    From her early love of fashion magazines to her role as a fashion director at various publications, Marielle has always been drawn to the creative side of media. She discusses the challenges she faced as a Black woman in the industry and the importance of staying true to herself. Marielle also offers insights into the power of partnerships and the need to create content that resonates with diverse audiences.


    Follow Marielle on Instagram @MarielleBobo.


    About Umindi


    Umindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.


    Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here. Follow the podcast on Instagram @whatsnextwithumindi.


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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Rebecca Minkoff on building a fashion empire and empowering female founders
    Aug 15 2023

    Rebecca Minkoff is a fashion industry leader in accessible luxury handbags, accessories, and apparel. She shares her journey of falling in love with fashion at a young age to starting her own namesake brand and growing it into a global enterprise. She discusses the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way and shares insights on fundraising and financing your business. Rebecca also talks about the importance of building a strong brand and how to connect with consumers. She shares insights Rebecca Minkoff’s approach to technology and innovation, as well as the brand’s foray into various technology verticals including web3. She also discusses the founding of the Female Founder Collective and the importance of supporting and empowering women in business.

    For fashion, style, and design, follow Rebecca Minkoff the brand on Instagram @rebeccaminkoff. And, for a peak into Rebecca’s personal life, follow Rebecca Minkoff the woman @beckyminkoff. Listen to her podcast, Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff, on Apple Podcasts.

    About Umindi

    Umindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.

    Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 and on Linkedin here. Follow the podcast on Instagram @whatsnextwithumindi.


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    46 mins