It's About Damn Time

1. Resilience and Self-Belief: From Homelessness to Venture Capitalism

"You are a venture capitalist. You are a venture capitalist."

Unwavering self-belief. Arlan Hamilton's journey from homelessness to founding Backstage Capital, a multimillion-dollar venture fund, is a testament to the power of resilience and self-belief. Despite facing numerous rejections and sleeping on the floor of San Francisco airport, Hamilton persevered by constantly affirming her identity as a venture capitalist.

Education and determination. She educated herself about the venture capital industry through books, podcasts, and relentless research. Hamilton's determination led her to create opportunities where none existed, such as attending a venture capital education program at Stanford University through crowdfunding.

Creating opportunities. Recognizing the disparity in funding for underrepresented founders, Hamilton founded Backstage Capital to invest in startups led by women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ founders. Her journey demonstrates that with resilience, self-education, and unwavering belief in one's mission, it's possible to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and create lasting change in an industry.

2. Authenticity and Representation Matter in Business

"Be yourself so that the people looking for you can find you."

Embracing authenticity. Hamilton emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself, even in professional settings. She recounts an instance where she was advised to change her appearance but chose to remain authentic, which ultimately led to securing an investment from Marc Andreessen.

Breaking stereotypes. As the first Black woman who is not an entertainer or athlete to grace the cover of Fast Company magazine, Hamilton highlights the power of representation in changing perceptions and inspiring others. She stresses the need for diverse faces in business media to challenge stereotypes and encourage underrepresented groups to pursue entrepreneurship.

Creating visibility. Hamilton's commitment to authenticity extends to her mission of making underrepresented founders visible in the venture capital world. By showcasing these founders' successes, she aims to change the narrative about who can be successful in business and technology.

3. Hack Your Way to Success: Innovation and Ingenuity

"Black women are some of the best hackers this country has. We know how to figure things out."

Resourcefulness is key. Hamilton emphasizes the importance of finding creative solutions when faced with limited resources. She shares personal examples, such as selling candy to classmates and painting house numbers on curbs, to illustrate how ingenuity can lead to success.

Embracing constraints. The book highlights how underestimated individuals often develop unique problem-solving skills due to facing more challenges. Hamilton argues that this "hacking" mentality is a valuable asset in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Redefining success. By recognizing and valuing different forms of experience and problem-solving, Hamilton challenges traditional notions of what makes a successful entrepreneur. She encourages readers to leverage their unique backgrounds and skills to create innovative solutions and businesses.

4. Relationships and Networks Are Your Most Valuable Currency

"When you don't have many resources, networks and relationships can be valuable currency."

Building connections. Hamilton emphasizes the importance of cultivating genuine relationships and networks in business. She shares how her experiences in the music industry taught her the value of creating and nurturing connections over time.

Leveraging networks. The book illustrates how Hamilton used her growing network to gain access to opportunities, such as securing meetings with influential investors. She stresses the importance of being authentic in these interactions and providing value to others.

Creating your own opportunities. Hamilton encourages readers to "write their own invitation" when necessary, sharing stories of how she gained access to exclusive events and meetings through persistence and creativity. This approach helped her build relationships that were crucial to her success in venture capital.

5. Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Know Your Worth

"You can't compare your chapter 2 to someone's chapter 10."

Recognizing shared struggles. Hamilton addresses the prevalence of imposter syndrome, especially among underestimated groups. She shares personal experiences and strategies for overcoming self-doubt, emphasizing that even successful individuals struggle with these feelings.

Valuing your unique perspective. The book encourages readers to recognize the value of their unique experiences and perspectives. Hamilton stresses that being different can be an asset, particularly in identifying overlooked opportunities and solving problems in innovative ways.

Setting your own standards. Hamilton advises against comparing oneself to others, especially those at different stages in their careers. Instead, she encourages focusing on personal growth and setting individual goals and standards for success.

6. Self-Care and Personal Growth Fuel Professional Success

"Don't sleep when you're dead! Sleep while you're alive and can enjoy it!"

Prioritizing well-being. Hamilton challenges the "hustle culture" prevalent in Silicon Valley, advocating for a balanced approach that includes adequate rest, self-care, and personal time. She shares her own experiences with burnout and the importance of maintaining physical and mental health.

Pursuing personal interests. The book emphasizes the value of hobbies and personal pursuits outside of work. Hamilton discusses how her passion for photography has contributed to her overall well-being and professional success by providing a creative outlet and fresh perspective.

Investing in yourself. Hamilton encourages readers to view personal development as an investment, suggesting that allocating resources to education, experiences, and self-care can yield significant returns in both personal and professional life.

7. Create Opportunities for Underestimated Founders

"What if the next Mark Zuckerberg is a little Black girl from the South?"

Recognizing untapped potential. Hamilton founded Backstage Capital to address the funding gap for underrepresented founders. She challenges the traditional pattern-matching approach in venture capital, arguing that overlooking diverse founders means missing out on significant innovation and returns.

Changing the narrative. The book emphasizes the importance of showcasing success stories of underestimated founders to change perceptions and inspire others. Hamilton shares examples of portfolio companies that have achieved significant growth and success.

Building a supportive ecosystem. Hamilton discusses the importance of creating a supportive network for underestimated founders, including mentorship, resources, and connections to help them succeed in the startup ecosystem.

8. Use Your Privilege to Lift Others Up

"Using your privilege to help others doesn't take anything away from you."

Recognizing privilege. Hamilton encourages readers to acknowledge their privileges, whether based on race, gender, education, or other factors. She emphasizes that having privilege is not inherently negative, but it comes with a responsibility to help others.

Sharing opportunities. The book provides examples of how Hamilton has used her growing influence and network to create opportunities for others, particularly underrepresented individuals in the tech and business world.

Creating lasting change. Hamilton's ultimate goal is to create generational wealth and opportunities for underrepresented groups, leading to lasting changes in economic and power dynamics across industries and society.

9. Pursue Your Mission with Unwavering Determination

"I'm driven by impact, legacy, and dignity."

Defining your mission. Hamilton emphasizes the importance of having a clear mission and understanding why you're pursuing your goals. For her, the mission of Backstage Capital goes beyond personal success to creating lasting change in the venture capital industry and beyond.

Persistence in adversity. The book recounts numerous challenges Hamilton faced, including repeated rejections and setbacks. Her unwavering commitment to her mission helped her persevere through these difficulties.

Measuring success differently. Hamilton encourages readers to define success on their own terms, focusing on impact and legacy rather than solely on financial metrics. She shares her vision of success as creating opportunities for others and changing the landscape of entrepreneurship and venture capital.

Last updated: August 12, 2024