Build The Damn Thing with Kathryn Finney

Hosted by Kathryn Finney

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Feb 2026

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About the show

No more excuses. No more procrastination. If you’re ready to take your business, side hustle or idea to the next level, then this is the podcast for you! The podcast is hosted by Kathryn Finney, one of the most influential women in tech (INC Magazine), one of the first Black women to sell her startup, and Managing General Partner at the Chicago-based venture firm, Genius Guild. Based on Kathryn’s bestselling book “Build the Damn Thing: How to Build a Successful Business if You’re NOT a Rich White Guy”, Build the Damn Thing is part storytelling, part mix tape and designed to teach you how to bring your business to the next level. The podcast features lessons and tips from leaders and entrepreneurs who have “Built the Damn Thing” themselves. From serial entrepreneurs to those who take risks to solve problems both abroad and locally — it's all here on the show! kathrynfinney.substack.com

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51 recent

February 16, 202644 min

From Corporate Burnout to Finding Your Purpose: How to Build a Life You Actually Love

In this episode of Build a Damn Thing, host Kathryn Finney speaks with Francesca Hogi , a lawyer turned entrepreneur and author, about her journey from corporate law to matchmaking. They discuss the importance of navigating life changes, finding one's passion, and the financial preparations necessary for career transitions. Francesca shares insights on creating multiple income streams, overcoming fear in entrepreneurship, and the significance of aligning business with personal values. The conversation emphasizes that entrepreneurship is nzot just about profit but also about purpose and helping others. Takeaways Francesca experienced a pivotal moment that led her to leave law. It's important to confront the shame associated with career changes. Having multiple income streams can provide financial security. Starting a side hustle can help test entrepreneurial waters. Fear is a natural part of entrepreneurship; facing it is crucial. Networking and telling people about your new venture is essential. Pricing your services appropriately is key to sustainability. Transitioning careers can take time and requires strategic planning. Aligning your business with your personal values enhances fulfillment. Entrepreneurship offers the chance to create a life you love.

November 2, 202225 min

How To Mentally Prepare For Entrepreneurship

Succeeding in entrepreneurship is a mental game. In this episode, learn how to manage the cognitive load of building a company, including tips for managing your personal life. “At the end of the day, as a founder, it ultimately falls on your shoulders, and you ultimately have to be confident in what you're doing, even when it's scary and even when it's fearful.” As an entrepreneur, you will face many obstacles. A crucial part of overcoming these obstacles is understanding what you need mentally to thrive and ensuring you have a support system to help you carry your vision forward. “Think of your company as a wheel, and you as the CEO as the center. If you are broken, the wheel can't turn.” Your health and well-being are intimately tied to the health and well-being of your company. Builders, particularly those of color, are often used to doing whatever needs to be done, even at the cost of their sanity, health, and self-esteem. Take the time to practice self-care, and be sure you’re taking breaks. For your company to be the best it can be, you must be your best self. Guests Kendra Bracken-Ferguson: http://kendrabracken-ferguson.com/ Geri Stengel: https://ventureneer.com/founder-bio/ Danielle Robinson Bell: https://www.medill.northwestern.edu/directory/faculty/danielle-bell.html Mary Pryor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marypryor/ Farah Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farahallen/ Kellee James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelleejames/ Cheryl Contee: https://dobigthings.today/team-members/cheryl-contee/ To hear more, visit kathrynfinney.substack.com

October 27, 202216 min

Build The Damn Thing: Leaning Into Your Purpose

On this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney and four other builders talk about how their backgrounds have influenced their sense of purpose when creating their startups. They discuss how they have taken the lessons from the historic, systemic obstacles their ancestors have overcome to build their own companies. “If you're a startup founder and you are Black, no matter what you're doing, you're probably playing some sort of pioneering role.” Brian Laung Aoaeh, co-founder of Refashioned Ventures, uses his own experiences as a founder to give some pivotal and straightforward advice to Builders: Just do it. Don’t think about data and statistics at first. Start with a problem that grabs you and just won't let go. Then, think about how you can solve that problem. “You do a disservice to the world when you live small…the world needs you to be the best you can be.” Kathryn’s mantra is that the universe is conspiring for your greatness. There’s no reason to limit yourself despite your fear and uncertainty that things may not work out. All you have to do is listen and pay attention. Guests Brian Laung Aoaeh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/industrialtransformationandsupplychaintechnology/ Dr. Lisa DeRochė: https://www.hrdrderoche.com/about/ Patrice Grell Yursik: https://about.me/afrobella Felecia Hatcher: https://www.feleciahatcher.com/ To hear more, visit kathrynfinney.substack.com

December 10, 202225 min

How To Turn Your Solution Into a Money Making Business

Is your big idea something people will pay for? In this episode, Kathryn and other Builders discuss turning an idea into a successful business. You’ll learn the importance of setting your pricing structure, finding product-market fit, and scaling up your business. “What often happens with entrepreneurs is that they forget that a business is truly about creating something for people will pay a premium.” A business is only an actual business when it builds a product for which people want to pay a premium. If people don’t buy your product at the price you need to charge to be sustainable, it will be tough for your business to succeed. “Finding product market fit is the golden rail to building a successful business, whether a startup or a small business.” To turn your business into a money-making solution, you must find product-market fit. That means you're building a product that the market wants, actively wants, and purchases. “Make sure you always pivot and know when it's time to pivot and when it's time to add new products and services.” If you’re trying to decide whether to add new products or services, you should use the Business Model Canvas tool. It’s a great way to operationalize whether or not a product or service is something you can do. It helps you save time and energy because it gives you a simple snapshot of your business so that you can determine whether a new idea can fit into it. Guests Hafeezah Muhammad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafeezahmuhammad/ Cheryl Contee: https://dobigthings.today/team-members/cheryl-contee/ Citi Medina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/medinaciti/ To hear more, visit kathrynfinney.substack.com

August 19, 202515 min

How to Own Your Power: The Mindset Every Entrepreneur Needs to Build Boldly

What does it really take to build the business—and life—you want? In this special compilation episode of Build the Damn Thing , host Kathryn Finney brings together powerful insights from founders and leaders who are redefining what it means to be an entrepreneur. From negotiating your worth to building through bias, this episode unpacks the real inner work required to lead with power and purpose. You’ll hear from voices who’ve been told to shrink—and chose to expand instead. Discover why owning your power isn’t just about saying yes to opportunity, but also about knowing when to say no. Learn what it looks like to create spaces where underestimated founders can thrive. And walk away with the mindset tools every entrepreneur needs to navigate the highs, the lows, and everything in between. If you’re building the damn thing—this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more episodes that speak to the heart of what it means to be a builder. #BuildTheDamnThing #Entrepreneurship #PowerMoves #Negotiation #UnderestimatedFounders

March 13, 202439 min

Global Impact w/ Gizelle George-Joseph

After George Floyd's death, Gizelle George-Joseph, Partner and Global Chief Operating Officer of the Global Investment Research Division at Goldman Sachs realized that she could leverage her platform to bring a voice to the issues in the Black community. In this episode, she and Kathryn discuss how businesses can be a force for positive change, the importance of diversity in leadership, and the role of inclusive research in shaping a more equitable future. “Black women, for all of the progress that we've made over the last few decades…experience just massive inequalities across such a broad range of economic measures.” Gizelle’s research uncovered the massive inequalities still experienced by Black women, which led to Goldman Sachs’ 1 Million Black Women , an investment initiative that committed $10 billion in direct investment capital and $100 million in philanthropic support to address the dual disproportionate gender and racial biases that Black women have faced for generations. “If we as a society can effectively address gender and racial economic disparities, it is not just the right thing to do…it's actually really good for business and good for the economy.” Addressing structural problems like racism actually helps the economy. Doing well in business isn't just about profits. It's about building something that resonates globally, empowers communities, addresses global challenges, and leaves a positive mark on our planet. “As an investor, I have no interest in just making individuals rich. I am in it because I wanna see communities be right.” Scarcity-based capitalism creates a winner-take-all mentality. But stakeholder capitalism says that we are all in this together and that we all can win. It’s really about building wealth in the community, both for those who excel in the capitalist ecosystem and those who are unable to participate actively in it. Guest Gizelle George Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gizelle-george-joseph-9a127319/ To hear more, visit kathrynfinney.substack.com

January 31, 202429 min

Defying Convention w/Roger Carter

Many have walked unconventional paths, made bold decisions, and exhibited incredible resilience. They've not only broken barriers but also redefined what's possible. In this episode, Kathryn is joined by Roger Carter, an award-winning visual artist who captures the context of modern culture and the persona of the African-American journey to the representation of iconic images in everyday citizens. “Good art, whatever that may mean, elicits discussion. Maybe it gets people to think differently. Maybe it gets them to ask questions and explore.” We tend to see our public heroes as flat, ignoring all of the dimensions that make them more than their public personas. Roger’s art challenges the viewer to see other dimensions in these icons and to think about them differently. “In art classes…the teacher [said], you have to do something this way and do it that way. And I didn't think that was art.” Some people believe that art is coloring inside the lines, that it’s rigid, rule-bound, and fixed. But for Roger, art meant something more authentic, where he could do his own thing. When you are your most authentic self, it permits other people also to be authentically themselves. In embracing your own authenticity, you’re also giving others a space to find their own sense of self. “I'm still this type of artist: If I don't have something in front of me, I'll just make it.” When Roger grew up in Chicago, he and his friends couldn’t afford Air Jordans or Nikes. Instead, they would get sneakers from the thrift shop and he would paint a Nike logo on them. He was determined to find a way to stand out while working with what he had, and his art today continues that trend by using whatever materials he can find in the recycling and letting the art come from what’s on hand. Guest Roger Carter: https://www.rogerjcarter.art To hear more, visit kathrynfinney.substack.com

August 5, 202541 min

How to Use AI to Grow Your Business

It's time to use AI to save you time and grow your business In this episode of Build the Damn Thing , Kathryn Finney sits down with Cheryl Contee—tech futurist, serial entrepreneur, and author of AI for Nonprofits —to break down how underestimated founders can use AI right now to grow their businesses , save time, cut costs, and stay competitive. Whether you’re running a small team, a solo hustle, or a community-based organization, this episode is packed with real-world examples, free tools, and no-BS advice on how to integrate AI into your workflow without selling your soul (or breaking the bank). 🎧 You’ll learn: The 3 types of AI you need to know (and which one matters most) How to use AI for content, customer service, bookkeeping, research, and more What “prompt engineering” actually means—and how to do it How to overcome fear, avoid burnout, and stay human in an AI-powered world The one mindset shift that separates businesses that grow from those that get left behind 💡 AI Tools Mentioned in This Episode: ChatGPT – content creation, research, and analysis Claude – AI chatbot by Anthropic for writing and productivity Gemini – Google’s AI assistant PopAI – instant slide deck generator Fathom – AI-powered meeting transcription and summaries Fireflies – automatic meeting notes and follow-ups Read.ai – meeting summaries and analytics There’s An AI For That – searchable AI tool directory Synesthesia (now Synthesia) – AI-generated human avatars for video Lovable.dev – AI voiceovers and media generation Perplexity – AI-powered search and research assistant ChangeAgent – AI for social impact content and storytelling This isn’t about chasing the latest trend. It’s about building smarter, not harder —and making AI work for you . 🚀 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if you’re ready to grow your business and stay ahead of the curve. Let’s build the damn thing—together.

May 6, 2025Episode 144 min

How to Stop Running (Business) Races that Don’t Matter

What if building your business (and your life) wasn’t about “doing more”, but about “doing smarter”? In this powerful season-opening episode of Build the Damn Thing , Kathryn Finney sits down with Christina Wallace —Harvard Business School senior lecturer, serial entrepreneur, and author of The Portfolio Life —to unpack how entrepreneurs can future-proof their careers and personal lives with intentional design. Christina introduces the concept of living a “portfolio life,” where success isn’t defined by hustle or traditional job titles but by how well you allocate time, energy, and resources across work, creativity, health, and relationships. Drawing from her now-viral Harvard Business Review article Everyone Deserves a Season to Step Back , Christina explains how to avoid burnout, de-risk your entrepreneurial journey, and redefine success on your own terms. This episode is a must-listen for anyone building a business, pivoting careers, or navigating uncertain times in the age of AI and economic disruption. 🔗 Get Christina’s free personal balance scorecard, Gantt chart templates, and more at christinawallace.com 📘 Check out her book The Portfolio Life 📲 Follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram 🎧 Subscribe, share, and let us know: what’s in your life portfolio?

January 11, 202325 min

Sell The Damn Thing

When the time comes to transition away from your business, know that there is more out there for you. It may be a new business or a new opportunity, but whatever the case, change is good. In this episode, you’ll learn the ins and outs of selling your company, what to consider when exiting, and how to make a game plan to leave. “When you're exiting, I think having a game plan is important.” You need to understand your exit goal. Maybe you just want to pay back your investors with the money from the sale. Perhaps you want to be acquired by another company, so your team has an excellent place to land. It’s essential to think about how you're going to exit and what the conditions are. “Ideally, you have done your research on the market, and you have a sense of how your product would fit within the types of corporations that have enough resources to purchase you.” Know what your company is worth. When you get an offer to buy, it’s a good idea to reach out to people in your industry who have done it so that you can get advice on whether the number they’re offering is solid. You must make a case for why your company has value to get that offer. What relationships and products are you offering them that are worth more than what they could build? “You can build a damn thing…There is a way to do it, and there's a way to do it while still maintaining who you are that still maintains your morals and what you believe in.” Leaving doesn’t have to mean completely abandoning what you’ve built. That’s why you need to have a structured plan for how you’re going to leave and how you think you can do so while maintaining your core values. This episode will teach you the basics of walking away with dignity and how to determine when it’s the right time to leave. Guests Heather Hiles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-hiles/ Cheryl Contee: https://dobigthings.today/team-members/cheryl-contee/ Lisa Price: https://www.ibsnewyork.com/ibsnewyorkcom/lisa-price Hafeezah Muhammad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafeezahmuhammad/ Laura Weidman Powers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurawp/ To hear more, visit kathrynfinney.substack.com