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

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 shop

Key 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 creation

Notable 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 instantly

Resources 

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 that

Key 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 entry

Notable 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 

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 asking

Key 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 schemes

Notable Quotes 

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 opportunity

Key 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 potential

Notable 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 support

Resources 

Episode Summary

Host Clayton M. Coke interviews Craig Carson, Managing Director of Barratt London, on how London’s housing crunch is stalling Gen Z life goals and what developers are doing to help. From 40% delaying marriage/kids to deposit matches and new-build perks, discover Barratt’s “Step on the Ladder” campaign and practical paths to ownership. Ideal for first-time buyers, renters, and property professionals.

Chapters
[00:00] Intro & Barratt London Overview
[00:29] 40+ Years, 50K Homes, TfL Partnerships
[00:57] 36% Young Adults Held Back by No Home
[01:26] Gen Z Delays & “Step on the Ladder” Campaign
[02:21] London Land Squeeze & Lifestyle Shifts
[03:45] 29% Don’t Know How to Start Buying
[04:37] Cutting Through Negative Property Press
[05:05] Key Worker Deposits, Deposit Unlock, 5% Match
[06:50] Shared Ownership & Lifetime ISA (£1K Bonus)
[08:17] New-Build vs. Fixer-Upper Advantages
[10:10] Stamp Duty Explained & Broker Advice
[12:02] Tapping Buyer Excitement
[13:26] Government 1.5M Homes Target
[14:48] Entrepreneur Advice: Stay in the Market
[15:44] Resources & Close 

Key Discussion Points 

• Barratt London: 40+ years, 50,000 homes delivered, 2,000/year goal via TfL brownfield sites. 
• Gen Z Crisis: 40% delay milestones; 36% feel held back; 29% clueless on process. 
• Market Dynamics: Land scarcity, Elizabeth Line, hybrid work, 50% affordable homes. 
• Solutions: Mortgage brokers, Deposit Unlock (95% LTV), 5% deposit match, key worker schemes. 
• Shared Ownership (via partners), Lifetime ISA (£1,000 bonus on £4,000 saved). 
• New-Build Perks: Move-in ready, energy-efficient, 10-year NHBC warranty. 
• Stamp Duty/Mortgages: Hidden costs; brokers simplify. 
• Policy: 1.5M homes target; ambitious collaboration needed.

Key Takeaways 

• Mortgage often cheaper than rising rent—deposit access is key. 
• Lifetime ISA adds £1,000 free per £4,000 saved annually. 
• New homes = lower bills, no reno hassle, prime transport links. 
• Start with a broker to avoid surprises like stamp duty. 
• Optimism drives sales—focus on dream, not hard-sell.

Notable Quotes 

• “40% of Gen Z are putting off marriage, children, or travel because of the housing ladder.” – Craig Carson 
• “The difference between mortgage and rent is marginal—accessing deposit is key.” – Craig Carson 
• “Buying new: move in, put furniture down, start living—day one.” – Craig Carson 
• “Better being in the market than not in the market.” – Craig Carson

Actionable Insights for Businesses 

• Launch beginner guides like “Step on the Ladder” to build trust. 
• Offer deposit boosts (5% match, 95% LTV) to close rent-vs-buy gap. 
• Market new-build energy savings and 10-year warranties. 
• Partner with housing associations for shared ownership pipelines. 
• Train teams on empathy—guide buyers through nerves to excitement.

Resources