Shows
Takin' Care of Lady Business®S3Ep109: Your Value Isn’t Up for Debate—Charge What You’re Worth with Umindi Francis, Founder & CEO of UFCGWhat’s stopping you from owning your worth? If this conversation with Umindi Francis, Founder & CEO of UFCG, proved anything, it’s that success comes from standing firm—no discounts, no second-guessing, no playing small. She reinforced a truth I live by: if they push back on your price, they’ll push back on everything. Boundaries aren’t just helpful; they’re necessary. Contracts should work for you, not against you. And let’s get one thing straight—networking isn’t optional. It’s the lifeblood of opportunity. But the biggest lesson? You are not limited by titles or expectations. You define your own...2025-02-2739 min
Takin' Care of Lady Business®Pop Up Executive Consulting: How Umindi Francis Fills Critical Business RolesIn the latest episode of "Takin’ Care Of Lady Business®," Jennifer Justice speaks with Umindi Francis, Founder & CEO of UFCG. From fashion and beauty to tech and AI, Umindi has redefined what it means to be a successful consultant on a global scale. Despite the challenges and skepticism often faced by women in leadership, Umindi has built a consulting empire that operates across six continents. Umindi shares insights on setting boundaries, hiring talent, and navigating challenges in business. She emphasizes the importance of valuing services correctly, hiring based on skills and cultural fit, and learning from past mistakes.2024-05-2938 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisJennifer Justice is paving the way for gender equality in businessJennifer 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.2024-01-1645 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisRedefining the beauty industry with Desiree RogersDesiree 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 UmindiUmindi Francis is the C...2024-01-0959 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisMadison Utendahl on entrepreneurship and burnoutIn 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 UmindiUmindi 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 cele...2023-12-191h 03
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisReality TV behind the scenes: Jessel Taank reflects on her Real Housewives of New York experienceJessel 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 UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global b...2023-12-1247 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisJuliette Jones on rising through the ranks and the state of the music industryJuliette 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....2023-09-061h 03
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisAbyah Wynn on closing the funding gap for people of colorAbyah 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 UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led strategy and...2023-08-2944 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisMarielle Bobo on climbing the media ladder and reimagining Ebony for the futureMarielle 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...2023-08-231h 02
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisRebecca Minkoff on building a fashion empire and empowering female foundersRebecca 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 vert...2023-08-1546 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisChrissy Rutherford on pivoting your career, navigating the fashion industry, and advocating for mental healthChrissy Rutherford, a former editor at Harper's Bazaar, is a fashion and social media expert and influencer.In this episode, Chrissy discusses her career in the fashion industry and her transition to becoming a full-time creator and entrepreneur. She talks about the importance of curating content that resonates with your audience and her experience as Special Projects Director at Harper's Bazaar, where she spearheaded the brand’s Instagram account, growing a community of over 4 million followers. She also shares her passion for mental health advocacy, starting her own diversity consulting practice, a podcast, and her work as an...2023-08-0848 minWhat's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisSharmadean Reid empowers a community of businesswomen with The Stack WorldSharmadean Reid is the founder and CEO of The Stack World, a technology platform and community for women that works to move the needle on gender equality by increasing the global GDP of the women’s economy.Sharmadean shares her journey from studying at Central Saint Martins to founding and then launching The Stack World. She discusses her love for media and magazines, her experience working with renowned fashion designers and later launching a wildly successful beauty company. She also discusses her frustration with the lack of technological solutions in the beauty industry, and how that inspired he...2023-08-0152 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisBen Demiri’s PlatformE helps reduce overproduction and waste in fashionBen Demiri is a seasoned executive and entrepreneur with more than 16 years of experience in the corporate world. He has held various roles in the fashion industry, including CEO and Director at Six London, co-founder and CEO at PlatformE, and Chief Brand and Partnerships Officer at Twig. He is also a partner at SKINVADERS and an advisor at several other companies.In this episode, Ben talks about the importance of reducing overproduction and waste in fashion and using technology to optimize supply chains and meet customer needs.Find more information about PlatformE at https://www...2023-07-2551 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisAreej Noor built STATEMENT Films, and now she's expanding to highlight African creatorsAreej Noor is a writer, producer, political analyst, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of STATEMENT, which began as a film production and content company but is currently expanding to include a trade publication focused on the African entertainment industry and a creative studio for African creators.In this episode, Areej talks about expanding STATEMENT's vision, including its focus on bridging the gap between the market and African women creators.She also shares her journey of working in U.S. foreign policy, becoming an entrepreneur in the film industry, her challenges as a woman of...2023-07-1850 minWhat's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisDavid Rabin on New York City’s nightlife comeback and threats to the hospitality industryRestaurateur and Nightlife Partner David Rabin shares his journey of building a portfolio of nightlife and restaurant venues in New York City and the challenges that come with it. David’s company manages American Bar, Temple Bar, Veranda, Sona, Jimmy, The Skylark, The Lambs Club, and now 23 Grand, many of which cater to New York’s fashion, business, and media companies.In this episode, David discusses the difficulties of staffing and maintaining successful businesses in a competitive market, the importance of understanding your target audience to create a buzzworthy business, and the need for strong partnerships. He also...2023-07-111h 17
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisMaria Brito has conquered art, now she’s trying to inspire creativityMaria Brito is an award-winning contemporary art advisor, entrepreneur, author, and curator. Her bestselling book, “How Creativity Rules The World,” was a winner of the International Book Awards in the Business and Entrepreneurship Categories, as well as chosen by Next Big Idea Club as one of the best business and creativity books of the year in 2022.She's worked with some of the world's most renowned artists and institutions and has been an art advisor for many notable celebrities. In 2020, Brito was named by Art News as one of the visionaries who have shaped the art world, and Comp...2023-07-041h 10What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisCelebrity stylist Ade Samuel on her professional journey and aspirationsAde Samuel is a native New Yorker and world-renowned fashion stylist. Ade has worked with some of the most famous names in Hollywood, such as Michael B. Jordan, Christina Aguilera, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Miley Cyrus, Cynthia Erivo, Big Sean, Nicole Richie, Yara Shahidi, Khaled, and the City Girls to name a few. Her mission is to bridge the gap between American and Nigerian fashion, using her creative approach to cutting-edge style.We talk about her journey to becoming a fashion stylist, her collection at Macy’s, how she’s conquered social media, and what she has in st...2023-05-1637 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisDesigner Carly Cushnie embodies excellence in business and fashionCarly Cushnie is a New York-based creative director and fashion designer. Carly is best known for her luxury women’s Ready-to-Wear collection CUSHNIE and the many influential women who have worn her designs, including Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Zendaya, Ava Duvernay, Rihanna, and Ashley Graham.Carly talks about starting and winding down her business, venturing into interior design, and taking a break from the relentless design cycle.Follow Carly on Instagram @carlycushnie and find her online at https://www.carlycushnie.com.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the...2023-05-0945 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisMarjorie Hernandez honors Karl Lagerfeld, looks ahead at the future of Web3Marjorie Hernandez is a futurist and entrepreneur focused on blockchain design and technology. She is a co-founder of the first Web3 digital fashion marketplace, The Dematerialised, and LUKSO, an Ethereum-based blockchain for the new creative economy.Marjorie’s companies have shared Karl Lagerfeld's first NFT and have now partnered with the Karl Lagerfeld brand on a new initiative she’ll share at the Met Gala.We talk about Marjorie’s relationship with the Karl Lagerfeld brand, the use cases for blockchain technology in the creative and fashion industries, and how brands need to be prepared for th...2023-05-0149 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisChris Chambers does more than PR for the starsChris Chambers’ clients include Erykah Badu, Usher, Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell, Big Sean, Teyana Taylor, Lil’ Wayne, Drake, Future, and so many more. He’s distinguished himself as the CEO and founder of The Chamber Group, a boutique public relations firm that he founded in 2006, by branching out beyond his music roots to fashion and entertainment.Chris talks about how he started with dreams of becoming a journalist but found himself in love with PR, and then how he built connections in the industry before launching his own company focused on lifestyle marketing.For mor...2023-04-2549 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisAnabel Maldonado is bringing AI to fashionAnabel Maldonado is the founder and CEO of PSYKHE AI, a next-generation recommendation tool for e-commerce brands powered by machine learning and psychology.Anabel, who started her career as a journalist, talks about her rise in the fashion industry, her journalism career, and her transition to leading an emerging tech company.For more information on PSYKHE AI, go to https://psykhe.com or follow the company on Instagram @psykhe_ai.Follow Anabel on Instagram @anabelmaldonado or on LinkedIn here and the podcast @whatsnextwithumindi.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the...2023-04-1835 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisBloomingdale’s Kevin Harter reminds us why experiences matterKevin Harter is the Vice President for Integrated Marketing at Bloomingdale’s, where he oversees partnerships, philanthropy, special events, brand communication and the fashion office.Kevin talks about his three-decades-long career at Bloomingdale’s, how the fashion and retail industries have changed, the importance of experiences in retail, and where the industry is headed.Follow Kevin on Instagram @klharter or LinkedIn here.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led business strategy and marketing for some of the world's lead...2023-04-1139 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisGoogle’s Stephanie Horton, one of the world’s leading marketers, is also passionate about recruiting the next generation of women in fashion and techStephanie Horton is Google’s Senior Director for Global Consumer Marketing and Commerce, where she focuses on shopping and travel. She’s also the co-founder of Fashion Tech Connects, which is focused on increasing the number of women of color in the tech and fashion industries. Stephanie talks about her rise in the fashion and tech industries and how she’s concentrated on supporting women-owned businesses and recruiting the next generation of talent.Follow Stephanie on LinkedIn or on Instagram @shorton007.About UmindiUmindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the aw...2023-04-0446 min
What's Next Podcast with Umindi FrancisTrailerI want to share some of the insights I've learned over the years, and I wanna do it with some of my close friends and colleagues in the fashion, entertainment, and tech industries who shape these industries as we know it. And trust me, there are so many people behind the scenes that you ought to know.The What's Next Podcast with Umindi Francis is an opportunity to hear from executives, creatives, and thought leaders that are leading the way. Yes, this is about business. Yes, this is about entrepreneurship, but it's also about people and their...2023-04-0401 min
Forever FAB Podcast“Branding You: Why Self-Love is Key for Self-Promotion:” Interview with Umindi Francis Part 2The F.A.B. Five:
God/prayers, meditation: find and keep your center;
Practice self-love and self-care;
Eat well;
Keep great relationships;
Live within your means.
Credits:
Fashion: top by Ralph Lauren; pants by Ralph Lauren; booties by Prada
Makeup: Ilana Aulov for Blushington
For more information on Dr. Shirley visit:
www.elementsandgraces.com
Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @foreverfabmd
Produced by www.oneofoneproductions.com
Recorded, mixed, edited and original music by www.23dbproductions.com
Po...2020-02-0429 minForever FAB Podcast“Branding You: Why Self-Love is Key for Self-Promotion:” Interview with Umindi Francis Part 1The F.A.B. Five:
God/prayers, meditation: find and keep your center;
Practice self-love and self-care;
Eat well;
Keep great relationships;
Live within your means.
Credits:
Fashion: top by Ralph Lauren; pants by Ralph Lauren; booties by Prada
Makeup: Ilana Aulov for Blushington
For more information on Dr. Shirley visit:
www.elementsandgraces.com
Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @foreverfabmd
Produced by www.oneofoneproductions.com
Recorded, mixed, edited and original music by www.23dbproductions.com
2020-01-2827 min
UnBossedMulti-Passionate? Your Path Doesn’t Have To Be Linear To Be SuccessfulFacebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg, once said that career paths are beginning to resemble a jungle gym rather than the ladders of our parents’ generations. We’re searching for more and are more inclined than ever to sculpt holistically fulfilling lives - careers included. Many of us are becoming comfortable blazing career paths that tap into our gifts. But there are still so many who are afraid to step into the unknown and take a chance on their passions. Umindi Francis Denis (@umindi360), founder and CEO of UFCG (@ufcgpr) - the international strategic brand consulting firm, knows all about following her...2019-09-0900 min