Podcasts | Nick Nanton

Now to Next with Nick Nanton

Fifteen-time Emmy Award Winning Director/Producer, Nick Nanton, has become known for telling stories that connect. Why? Because he focuses on the most fascinating subject in the world: PEOPLE. As co-founder of the largest personal branding agency in the world, DNA: The Dicks + Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, representing more than 3000 clients in 60 countries around the world, Nick learned the art of storytelling through helping his clients tell their stories in order to share their unique gifts with the world. On Now to Next, Nick sits down with specialists from all walks of life to discuss what’s happening right now in their prospective field, and where the future lies for a positive tomorrow.

Arlan Hamilton is a venture capitalist, author, managing partner of Backstage Capital and the first Black woman to appear on the cover of Fast Company — that isn’t an athlete or entertainer. Backstage Capital has raised more than $30 million and invested in more than 130 companies led by underestimated founders. Host Nick Nanton and Arlan discuss the types of educational companies she loves currently being created, how sitting front row at a Janet Jackson concert inspired her ideals and future career path, and what drove Arlan to start a fund to invest in the companies that were being overlooked. Nick and Arlan also talk about building Backstage Capital for three years before receiving any funding, her book, “It’s About Damn Time” which shares the principles of entrepreneurship, and the benefits of backing syndicate members via Backstage Crowd.

Timestamps:

3:06: Growing up in Texas
5:28: Why Arlan wore six watches as a kid
8:55: “Cool” happenings in disruptive education
12:24: What got Arlan into the music business
15:30: Where should people turn for positive influence if they aren’t getting it at home?
19:28: How Arlan got into investing
25:52: The background of flying to San Francisco on a one-way ticket
31:27: What Arlan looks for when she’s investing in a business
37:00: Diversifying is key
39:00: “Sometimes you have to write the invitations to the parties you don’t get invited to.”
42:36: Including self-care in the hustle and grind
46:24: Getting Black women on the cover of magazines to become the norm