In this episode of the So Ambitious Podcast, host Felecia Hatcher sits down with Corey Arvinger, CEO of Support Black Colleges, to dive into his remarkable journey from college party promoter to the helm of a thriving e-commerce brand.

Corey shares insights into the evolution of Support Black Colleges and how it blossomed into a full-blown brand with a powerful message of support for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The conversation dives deep into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, with Corey offering candid reflections on navigating adversity, including overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and rebounding from significant financial setbacks.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into Corey's unique approach to marketing and brand building, including his strategies for forging connections with major influencers and A-list celebrities. Corey also opens up about the importance of legacy and honoring the sacrifices of his ancestors, highlighting his unwavering commitment to leaving a lasting impact on his family and community. With engaging anecdotes and actionable advice, this episode offers a compelling glimpse into the mind of a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to making a difference in the world.

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KEY POINTS

• [1:28] - Corey’s entrepreneurial evolution from throwing parties in college to Support Black Colleges
• [4:03] - How Support Black Colleges Became A Full-Blown Brand
• [7:27] - Navigating and sharing the real highs & lows of entrepreneurship
• [11:34] - Thriving amidst adversity: How Support Black Colleges beat the pandemic odds
• [16:47] - Losing over $40k in one day: How to find the strength to persist in entrepreneurship
• [20:41] - How Corey finds balance and enjoyment in his work
• [22:05] - Corey's approach to marketing and building a brand
• [24:01] - Corey's secret sauce to networking and relationship-building with celebrities
• [30:56] - Starting from scratch: Why Corey had to shut his website down
• [32:45] - How to strike a balance between friendships and management
• [34:14] - The biggest lesson learned from working with Tyler Perry
• [35:47] - 3 songs that define Corey’s perspective on life and business
• [38:51] - Corey’s key lessons on failure: Trying things publicly with confidence & consistency
• [40:17] - Honoring ancestors' sacrifices and building a legacy

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QUOTABLES

“A lot of current entrepreneurs on social media make it seem easy and fun 100% of the time, and I think it is honestly really unfair to those who are interested in going into entrepreneurship because they're going with the false preset.” - Corey Arvinger

“It's about legacy; What can I leave to my family and my next generation behind me? How can I change the trajectory of where my family is going?? - Corey Arvinger

“Having the right team is so important. You could have a great product with the wrong team and things will not get accomplished at a high level.” - Corevy Arvinger

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GUEST RESOURCES

Corey Arvinger

IG | @coreyarvinger

X | @mrarvinger

LinkedIn | @coreyarvinger

TikTok | @coreyarvinger

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Support Black Colleges

IG | @supportblackcollege

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RESOURCES

[APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now

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Felecia Hatcher

IG | @feleciahatcher

Black Ambition

IG | @blackambitionprize

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So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media