Khadijah Robinson’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t begin in a startup accelerator — it began in her childhood home, where her parents were intentional about shaping how she saw beauty, possibility, and Black excellence. That foundation led her to build the Nile List as a “therapeutic exercise” during her full-time legal career, eventually growing it into a platform supporting thousands of Black-owned businesses around the world. In this episode, she traces the purposeful thread from her mom’s early entrepreneurial success, to launching the Nile List during a pandemic from Nigeria, to navigating an unexpected acquisition. Today, that same thread shows up in her roles as GP at Fictive Ventures, leader of the LIFT Incubator, and community architect behind The Pit in Atlanta. For founders across industries and backgrounds, Khadijah offers something rare: a blueprint for building rooted in identity, community, and clarity — not hype. Show Notes: In this episode: The childhood lessons that shaped how she sees community, beauty, and entrepreneurship Why her mom’s early business success quietly set the stage for her own founder journey How the Nile List began as a spreadsheet for stress relief during a painful clerkship Launching March 1, 2020 — and why that timing unexpectedly accelerated growth Bootstrapping, burning personal savings, and learning she had a real business Subscription boxes, early customers, and community pulling the product forward Navigating valuation, negotiation, and leadership through her legal lens The realities of being a Black woman founder leading inside a larger org What she brought forward into investing — and what she refuses to repeat How she now supports founders through Fictive, LIFT, and The Pit Links & resources mentioned: Khadijah Robinson on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/khadijahrobinson/ Fictive Ventures – fictiveventures.com The Pit Atlanta – thepitatlanta.com Center for Black Entrepreneurship + LIFT Incubator – cbecenter.org

What does it look like to build a social app from an Instagram project into a VC-backed global community — and then let it go? In this episode Kt McBratney talks with Kel Rakowski, artist, strategist, writer, and founder of Lex, the beloved queer social app acquired by 9Count in 2024. Kel opens up about the origins of Lex in vintage lesbian personal ads, the early explosive growth, and the challenges of scaling a community-centered product inside a venture-backed structure. Kel also shares the deeply personal side of stepping back as CEO, navigating burnout, building with love, and finding the courage — and clarity — to start a new chapter after the acquisition.

What really happens after your startup gets acquired? Host Kt McBratney talks with Amelia Lin, cofounder and former CEO of Honeycomb, the AI-powered family photo platform acquired in 2024, and cofounder of VC Backed Moms, the global community for venture-backed founders navigating motherhood. Amelia shares the real story behind Honeycomb’s journey — from building safe AI image generation for kids before it was mainstream, to going viral on TikTok, to scaling through millions of family photos across the world. She opens up about the parts of M&A founders rarely talk about: preparing (or not preparing) for an exit, culture fit with an acquiring team, and the identity shift that happens when you go from founder to employee again.

Kesha Stickland's mission is clear: to make healthy food accessible and delicious. After a life-changing health crisis, she turned to mushrooms as a powerful tool for healing—and now she's revolutionizing the meat alternative industry. Discover how her journey from software engineer to food innovator is transforming consumer behavior and building healthier communities.

Jilea Hemmings isn’t just ahead of the curve — she’s defining it. From pioneering meatless meals before the plant-based boom to transforming food access with AI-driven retail, Jilea is proving that innovation and impact go hand in hand. In this episode, she shares how she navigates resistance to change, the importance of asking the right questions, and why laughter is her secret to sustainable entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path. Walter Ley breaks down how he forged his own, built his own playbook, and learned to trust his instincts as he celebrates his company, Branch, hitting the 1 million user milestone.

What does it take to fully integrate impact into entrepreneurship? Laurie Lane Zucker has spent decades shaping a new paradigm where business drives measurable social and environmental good.

What does it take for women entrepreneurs — especially women of color — to break through and thrive? Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne, CEO and founder of Wocstar, shares how she backs bold entrepreneurs and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Ever wondered how to turn life’s challenges into a springboard for innovation? Merav Goldman’s story will inspire you to rethink setbacks and redefine creativity.

Can we change the world by changing how we consume media? Ashwath Narayanan, co-founder and CEO of Social Currant, thinks so. In this episode, he discusses how purpose-led organizations can further their impact by embracing and investing in the rapidly evolving creator and media landscape.

What happens when purpose meets community? In this special live episode of Founded on Purpose, recorded at the vibrant Holiday UnCorporate Party, Paul Armstrong (General Partner at Renew VC) and Madilynn Beck (Founder & CEO of The Better Spot) join host Kt McBratney to explore how helping others shapes careers, communities, and even the future of entrepreneurship.

What does it take to build a supportive community for women and nonbinary people in male-dominant fields? In this episode, Old Girls Club founder Mallory Contois and host Kt McBratney delve into the unexpected parallels between relationships and business success.

How can we drive systemic change in the apparel industry while building a sustainable, community-driven brand? Marianna Sachse, founder of Jackalo, shares her journey of designing clothes that stand the test of time.

What if peak performance isn’t about doing more but being more? Jason Cavnar unpacks how founders can harness mental health practices to drive innovation, foster resilience, and redefine what it means to lead sustainably in high-pressure environments.

How can we find genuine connection in the noise of the digital age? Kay Rodriguez, CEO of Outerly, shares how she's using outdoor experiences and a beginner's mindset to foster belonging at scale and counter the loneliness epidemic.

How can media be a vehicle for change in our noisy, fragmented world? Julian Walker, CEO of PushBlack, joins host Kt McBratney to discuss building a platform that reaches millions in the Black community with powerful stories, history, and a call to action. Hear about his journey, challenges, and insights into impact entrepreneurship as he shares what it takes to build and grow a purpose-driven media platform and the pivotal role of community engagement.

How can agency reshape creativity and entrepreneurship? Emily Best discusses how taking control of your story and vision is essential for thriving as a creator, building a company, and sparking lasting change in your community.

How do you mix centuries-old garments with modern business strategies? Fashion Conservatory’s Melinda Villareal takes us inside the vintage fashion world as she discusses her journey from passionate vintage clothing seller to building a growing retail platform that marries history with the future of fashion.

How do we build a better world by building software that adapts to us instead of the other way around? Founder and CEO of BetterCEO Mina Raver shares how her journey from a 10-year-old entrepreneur selling origami to a tech founder is rooted in challenging conventions and embracing innovation. Tune in to learn how cognitive differences and tinkering drive her work and leadership to break down societal hierarchies and outdated systems.

What does it take to be driven by purpose while tackling some of society’s most complex challenges? In this episode, Devin Thorpe, impact investor, author, and host of Superpowers for Good, shares how persistence, optimism, and a strong belief in collective action have shaped his career and mindset. Devin’s reflections will inspire you to embrace hard challenges and see your own potential to create meaningful change.

There are 950,000 hair salons in the U.S., bringing in $68B annually, yet the average salon owner is leaving $150,000 a year on the table. Enter Chrystal L. Graves, the founder and CEO of Liquid, the decision engine helping salon owners increase profits and thrive.

Sometimes pushing the limits means climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and sometimes it means making the fertility journey more proactive and inclusive. Today's guest can attest to both. Kt sits down with Jessica Bell van der Wal, co-founder and CEO of Frame Fertility, to talk about her purpose-driven path to help people navigate family planning with confidence and care. She shares her insights on as proactive care, embracing mistakes as a founder, and how taking care of others is one successful path to raise millions, represent women in leadership to the next generation, and live a life full of purpose and adventure.

Ever feel like your career doesn’t fit neatly into a traditional box? Same. In this episode, we chat with Milly Tamati, founder of Generalist World, who’s made it her mission to support people like us—those who zigzag through careers, passions, and projects. Milly gets real about the ups and downs of building a path that doesn’t follow the rulebook and shares how she’s helping fellow generalists find their place in a world that doesn’t always get us. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not “just one thing,” you’ll want to tune in.

How do you sift through the noise of advice, embrace the messiness of life, and find success on your terms? Startup and venture capital veteran Anastasia Simon shares her framework for evaluating advice, how she’s redefining success in her life and, perhaps most importantly, her stance on Drake vs. Kendrick.

In this episode, co-founder Stacy Bernstein of the innovative first aid and skin care company All Better Co. discusses her unique approach to building a brand that goes beyond just logos and packaging. Stacy shares insights into the importance of consumer experience, product design, and brand storytelling in creating a successful business. She delves into the complexities of running a startup, the challenges of staying true to a brand’s mission, and the hard choices founders face. Stacy also emphasizes the significance of collaboration, both within a company and among fellow entrepreneurs, especially for women in business.

In this episode, Kt connects with Navroze Mehta, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Mela Artisans. With over 14 years at the helm of Mela and a rich history of building successful businesses, Navroze shares his insights on leadership, integrity, and the importance of empathy in the workplace.

Welcome to Founded On Purpose, the podcast where business meets impact. Hosted by Kt McBratney of Renew VC, each episode features founders, investors, and ecosystem builders answering the same set of questions. While the questions stay the same, the insights and conversations are always unique and thought-provoking. Join us to explore how these innovators are aligning profit with purpose.