The Cashflow Show: Entrepreneurship Insights for Founders, CEOs and Business Leaders

Episode Summary For decades Black and brown women have worn “nude” tights that made their legs look grey and ashy. Tahlia Gray got tired of it. Eight years, one startup loan, six years of side-hustling, and a pivotal investor introduction from Wray Forward later — Sheer Chemistry is the UK’s leading inclusive hosiery brand (and heading to North America). Hear the raw story of self-funding, 98 % survey validation, trademark battles, and why mainstream retailers finally said “yes” after 2020.Chapters [00:00] Intro & Powerbook 2025 Spotlight [00:45] The problem: “Nude” tights that make brown legs look ashy [01:42] Bootstrapping for 8 years while working full/part-time [02:36] How Wray Forward pitch night turned a loss into major investment [03:34] 98 % of 100+ women surveyed said they’d buy — instant validation [04:29] Real customer stories: First dress in 15 years, ballet exam confidence [05:51] 10 years ago retailers said “no demand” — post-2020 they begged [07:45] Start small, prove UK demand, then scale globally [08:43] One event, one question → introduction to UK’s biggest hosiery distributor [11:34] Why colours can’t be trademarked (but shade names & slogans can) [12:56] Next 5 years: Raise investment → mainstream UK retail → 17× growth in North America Key Discussion Points 8 years self-funded + side jobs before significant outside capital98 % survey respondents ready to buy inclusive tightsPost-2020 shift: retailers went from “no demand” to desperate partnershipsNorth America = 17× bigger opportunity than UKOne networking event question unlocked the perfect manufacturerKey Takeaways Your personal frustration is often the clearest market validation Networking > protecting your idea — no one will steal it (execution is everything) Post-2020 the appetite for inclusive beauty has permanently changed Trademark names, slogans and stories — not coloursNotable Quotes “I wanted tights that matched my skin tone… but they made my legs look grey and ashy.” – Tahlia Gray “98 % of women said they would buy — that was my green light.” – Tahlia Gray “One question at a fashion event led to the UK’s largest hosiery distributor introducing me to three manufacturers.” – Tahlia Gray Actionable Insights for Businesses & Investors Retail buyers: Stock inclusive “nude” ranges now — the demand is proven and growing Founders: Ask one bold question at every event — connections beat NDAs Investors: Back proven consumer pain solutions (8 years bootstrapped + 98 % intent-to-purchase = low risk) Network intentionally: Eventbrite + “fashion + business” keywords changed everything for TahliaResources Shop & discover shades → https://sheerchemistry.comInstagram & all socials → @sheerchemistryWray Forward & Powerbook 2025 → https://www.wrayandnephew.com/wray-forwardsThe Cashflow Show can be reached here:Website: www.thecashflowshowpodcast.com Email: [email protected]: https://twitter.com/thecashflowshow Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecashflowshowpodcastTo sponsor or advertise on The Cashflow Show Podcast, contact us at [email protected] M Coke can be found here:LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/claytoncokeWebsite: https://www.prmsltd.co.ukEmail: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/prmsltd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prmsltd/ Our theme music is called "The Mediator - aka Theme from The Cashflow Show" [PRS] and "Better Call Clayton" [PRS] “What are YOU like?”, “60 Second Shoot-Out” &"What About The Tech?" are all intellectual properties of Dialogue [London] Ltd(c) Clayton M Coke/PRMS Ltd/Dialogue [London] Ltd | All Rights Reserved  ★ Support this podcast ★

Episode Summary What if every online purchase at a Black-owned business put cash back in your pocket – and doubled donations to charity? Matthew Addai, co-founder of Cash Black and Afrofiliate, reveals how three brothers turned a 2020 lockdown idea into the UK’s first cashback platform + affiliate network exclusively for Black-owned brands. Discover the AI-powered browser extension, real-life cashback events, and why “just talk to us” is the simplest way investors can unlock this £multi-billion opportunity.Chapters [00:00] Intro – Meet Matthew Addai, CEO of Cash Black & Afrofiliate [00:51] Cash Black Explained: Earn real cashback shopping Black-owned brands [01:13] Afrofiliate: The UK’s first affiliate network for Black brands & diverse creators [01:43] Born in 2020: From sabbatical & redundancy to two tech companies [03:36] “Cash Black” started as a joke between brothers – now it’s a movement [04:33] Building partnerships: Easier in 2020 (BLM momentum), tougher in 2025 [06:46] Funding reality: Rejections, pop-up market pitches & accelerator wins [09:40] Advice to investors: “Just communicate with us” – stop guessing what we need [11:35] Brutally honest advice to aspiring founders: “Don’t start a business… unless ‘don’t’ isn’t enough to stop you” [14:00] Where to join: Cashblack.com + Afrofiliate.com Key Discussion Points Cash Black users earn cashback OR donate (100% matched) to charity Afrofiliate connects Black brands with creators of all sizes – micro to mega Built from scratch after 2020 anti-racism wave – now backed by Wray & Nephew AI “Afrobot” Chrome extension shows Black-owned alternatives while you shopKey Takeaways Supporting Black businesses shouldn’t feel like charity – it should pay YOU Investors: Talk directly to founders instead of assuming what we need If “don’t do it” is enough to stop you – don’t. If it isn’t – welcome to entrepreneurship Cashback + affiliate tech = scalable, sustainable Black wealth creationNotable Quotes “We reward members with cash back when they shop with Black-owned businesses.” – Matthew Addai “I heard ‘don’t’ from everyone… and did it anyway.” – Matthew Addai “Investors: Just communicate with us. That’s the bare minimum.” – Matthew Addai Actionable Insights for Businesses & Investors Brands: List on Afrofiliate.com today – turn customers into paid ambassadors Creators: Join Afrofiliate – monetise your audience with Black-owned + major brands Investors: Stop guessing – DM or email Black founders directly Consumers: Install the free Afrobot Chrome extension – discover & earn from Black alternatives instantlyResources Cash Black (shop & earn) → https://cashblack.comAfrofiliate (brands + creators) → https://afrofiliate.comInstagram & all socials → @cashblackhq | @afroaffiliateFree AI Chrome extension → CashBlack AfrobotThe Cashflow Show can be reached here:Website: www.thecashflowshowpodcast.com Email: [email protected]: https://twitter.com/thecashflowshow Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecashflowshowpodcastTo sponsor or advertise on The Cashflow Show Podcast, contact us at [email protected] M Coke can be found here:LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/claytoncokeWebsite: https://www.prmsltd.co.ukEmail: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/prmsltd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prmsltd/ Our theme music is called "The Mediator - aka Theme from The Cashflow Show" [PRS] and "Better Call Clayton" [PRS] “What are YOU like?”, “60 Second Shoot-Out” &"What About The Tech?" are all intellectual properties of Dialogue [London] Ltd(c) Clayton M Coke/PRMS Ltd/Dialogue [London] Ltd | All Rights Reserved  ★ Support this podcast ★

Episode Summary From feeling like an outsider in fashion to founding Black Girls in Design London (now 570+ members across UK & Ghana), Sandra Adu reveals how lockdown workshops turned into flagship programmes with Canva, BrainStation and Akaya Foundation. Discover the raw truth about self-funding, getting rejected 3× for grants, and the mentorship + accountability strategies that finally unlocked multi-year funding to empower 300+ Black girls in design.Chapters [00:00] Intro & Powerbook 2025 Recognition [00:51] Sandra’s Journey: Fashion → Graphic Design → Agency Art Director (Rolls-Royce, HSBC, Adobe) [01:48] Lockdown Pivot → Lecturer at UAL & Royal College of Art → PhD [02:15] Founding Black Girls in Design (2022) – The Community She Wished She Had [02:44] Flagship Programmes: Design Her Skills (Canva), Design Her Futures (Ghana-UK), Mastering Your Skills (BrainStation) [03:41] Self-Funding Reality: Building Everything Herself + Spending Thousands While Full-Time Employed [05:01] Rejected 3× → Won Multi-Year Funding: The Power of Storytelling & Community Support [06:30] Accountability Strategy: Mentorship Circles That Actually Work [09:25] How Corporates & Investors Can Find & Fund Black-Led Impact Businesses [11:50] Advice to Aspiring Founders: Purpose Over Profit, Start Small, Trade Skills for Access Key Discussion Points 3 flagship programmes reaching UK + Ghana Turned 3 lockdown workshops into partnerships with Canva, BrainStation & Akaya Foundation Rejected 3 times for funding → finally won by leading with personal story & measurable impact Built a 570+ strong global community in just 3 years 79% of Black business owners feel unsupported — here’s how to change thatKey Takeaways Your personal “why” and story are your strongest funding assets Mentorship + accountability circles > life coaches Write the vision, share it publicly, let the community hold you to it Start where you are: Sandra traded logos for event tickets when she couldn’t afford entryNotable Quotes “Your story is what lands the funding.” – Sandra Adu “I never wanted the next generation of Black girls to feel as isolated as I once did.” – Sandra Adu “Profit-first founders give up in year one. Think purpose first.” – Sandra Adu Actionable Insights for Businesses & Investors Corporates: Partner with visible community organisations (e.g., Black Girls in Design, Foundervine) instead of building your own pipelines Recruiters: Tap into ready-made talent pools of Black creatives instead of asking “where are they?” Founders: Write your goals publicly → join a mentorship circle → get rejected → refine → win Trade skills for access when cash is tight (Sandra’s logo-for-ticket hack still works in 2025)Resources Black Girls in Design → https://blackgirlsindesign.comInstagram & LinkedIn → @blackgirlsindesign_ Wray Forward & Powerbook 2025 → https://www.wrayandnephew.com/wray-forwardsThe Cashflow Show can be reached here:Website: www.thecashflowshowpodcast.com Email: [email protected]: https://twitter.com/thecashflowshow Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecashflowshowpodcastTo sponsor or advertise on The Cashflow Show Podcast, contact us at [email protected] M Coke can be found here:LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/claytoncokeWebsite: https://www.prmsltd.co.ukEmail: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/prmsltd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prmsltd/ Our theme music is called "The Mediator - aka Theme from The Cashflow Show" [PRS] and "Better Call Clayton" [PRS] “What are YOU like?”, “60 Second Shoot-Out” &"What About The Tech?" are all intellectual properties of Dialogue [London] Ltd(c) Clayton M Coke/PRMS Ltd/Dialogue [London] Ltd | All Rights Reserved  ★ Support this podcast ★

Episode Summary 81% of Black & ethnic-minority founders find raising startup capital difficult — vs 56% of white founders. Cecil Adjalo (COO, Foundervine) reveals the hidden structural barriers, the power of community economics, and why Black founders who reach the same milestone have already proven 10× resilience. Discover the free programmes, corporate partnerships, and mindset shifts closing the multi-billion funding gap.Chapters [00:00] Intro & Cecil’s Role at Foundervine [00:56] Wray Forward: Supporting 4,000+ Black Founders Since 2021 [02:19] The Shocking 81% vs 56% Funding Gap [02:48] Structural Barriers: Networks, Wealth, Bias & Bank Lending [04:16] Power Book 2025 – 25 Stand-Out Black UK Founders [06:09] Doing More With Less: Beard Surgeon Hits £1.7M Sales [07:34] The Power of Buying Black & Circulating the Pound [09:54] Closing the Knowledge Gap (Free Programmes vs “10× Courses”) [14:06] Confidence Crisis: Why Black Men Ask for Money Less [16:32] Banks Reject Ethnic-Minority Firms Nearly 2× More (49% vs 32%) [18:54] Corporate Partnerships That Actually Work [20:23] The One Thing Lenders Must Understand About Black Resilience [21:50] Resources & Close Key Discussion Points Black UK household wealth is up to 9× lower → less friends & family funding Ethnic-minority firms 49% loan rejection rate vs 32% overall (British Business Bank) Black founders operate ultra-lean, turning £100–£300 into million-pound businesses Wray Forward (Foundervine + Wray & Nephew) has supported 4,000+ founders for free Confidence gap: 53% of Black founders held back by fear of askingKey Takeaways Resilience is the hidden superpower: Black founders who reach the same point have jumped higher hurdles Community economics works — keep the pound circulating inside before it leaves Free, high-quality programmes beat paid “guru” courses every time Corporates get better ROI by funding community-led organisations, not running their own schemesNotable Quotes “When a Black founder looks the same as a white founder on paper, they’ve already overcome 10× more barriers.” – Cecil Adjalo “If communities don’t buy and sell from each other, they can never grow large.” – Cecil Adjalo “We turned hundreds of pounds into £1.7 million in sales.” – Beard Surgeon exampleActionable Insights for Businesses & Investors Lenders: Create dedicated funds or policies that score resilience & barriers overcome Corporates: Partner with (and fund) grassroots organisations like Foundervine instead of direct programmes Black consumers: Buy Black first — every pound spent multiplies inside the community Founders: Join free programmes like Wray Forward for mentorship, finance access & communityResources Wray Forward programme & Power Book 2025 → https://www.wrayandnephew.com/wray-forwardsFoundervine programmes → https://www.foundervine.com/our-programmes/wrayforward-pitchandrumpunchFree events, grants & community → foundervine.comThe Cashflow Show can be reached here:Website: www.thecashflowshowpodcast.com Email: [email protected]: https://twitter.com/thecashflowshow Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecashflowshowpodcastTo sponsor or advertise on The Cashflow Show Podcast, contact us at [email protected] M Coke can be found here:LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/claytoncokeWebsite: https://www.prmsltd.co.ukEmail: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/prmsltd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prmsltd/ Our theme music is called "The Mediator - aka Theme from The Cashflow Show" [PRS] and "Better Call Clayton" [PRS] “What are YOU like?”, “60 Second Shoot-Out” &"What About The Tech?" are all intellectual properties of Dialogue [London] Ltd(c) Clayton M Coke/PRMS Ltd/Dialogue [London] Ltd | All Rights Reserved  ★ Support this podcast ★

Episode Summary 90% of business leaders say they’re committed to inclusion — yet only half know how to support neuro-divergent staff. Dr Louise Morpeth reveals shocking research: 43% of neuro-divergent employees are ready to quit, but with the right adjustments businesses can unlock a 45% productivity boost, 24% higher retention, and £21,000 per person in savings. Discover the practical, low-cost steps that turn good intentions into profit.Chapters[00:00] Intro & Brain in Hand Overview[00:29] 90% of Leaders Want Inclusion – But Only 50% Know How[00:55] What Is Neuro-divergence? (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia + More)[01:49] The Employee-Employer Disconnect[02:16] 77% of HR Leaders Worried About Insufficient Support[02:44] Creating Psychological Safety & Spotting Hidden Struggles[03:44] 45% Productivity Boost + £21K Savings Per Person[04:37] Simple Cultural Changes That Work for Everyone[06:00] 43% Considering Leaving – How to Retain Neuro-Diverse Talent[07:20] Cost-Effective Strategies (Start with Manager Training)[08:18] First Steps to Build a Neuro-Inclusive Culture Tomorrow[09:39] How Brain in Hand’s “Coach-in-Your-Pocket” Works[11:05] Why Media Portrayals of Neuro-divergence Miss the Mark[12:04] Resources & Close Key Discussion Points 43% of neuro-divergent employees plan to leave in the next 12 months Only 1 in 5 feel safe disclosing their condition to managers Inclusive workplaces deliver 45% higher productivity, 24% better retention, 11 fewer sick days Average financial saving: £21,000 per neuro-divergent employee per year Simple fixes: “Work With Me” profiles, clear schedules, unambiguous communication Manager confidence is the #1 barrier – and the biggest opportunityKey Takeaways Neuro-inclusion isn’t charity — it’s a proven profit driver Start with psychological safety and manager training (biggest ROI) Small adjustments (e.g., sending week-1 schedules early) reduce anxiety and boost performance 3 in 4 employers admit they’re missing untapped potentialNotable Quotes “45% increase in productivity, 24% increase in retention, and £21,000 saved per person.” – Dr Louise Morpeth “Only 1 in 5 neuro-divergent employees feel confident disclosing to their manager.” – Dr Louise Morpeth “We need nuance — neuro-divergence is neither tragedy nor superpower, it’s individual.” – Dr Louise Morpeth Actionable Insights for Businesses Add a “Work With Me” section in onboarding for every employee (not just neuro-divergent) Train managers on clear, unambiguous communication and reasonable adjustments Join the Disability Confident scheme and signal adjustments in job ads Run an anonymous staff survey to understand your neuro-diversity profile Pilot Brain in Hand or similar digital + human coaching supportResources Full research & employer toolkit: https://www.braininhand.co.ukBrain in Hand platform: Digital + human coaching for neuro-divergent staffThe Cashflow Show can be reached here:Website: www.thecashflowshowpodcast.com Email: [email protected]: https://twitter.com/thecashflowshow Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecashflowshowpodcastTo sponsor or advertise on The Cashflow Show Podcast, contact us at [email protected] M Coke can be found here:LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/claytoncokeWebsite: https://www.prmsltd.co.ukEmail: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/prmsltd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prmsltd/ Our theme music is called "The Mediator - aka Theme from The Cashflow Show" [PRS] and "Better Call Clayton" [PRS] “What are YOU like?”, “60 Second Shoot-Out” &"What About The Tech?" are all intellectual properties of Dialogue [London] Ltd(c) Clayton M Coke/PRMS Ltd/Dialogue [London] Ltd | All Rights Reserved  ★ Support this podcast ★