Monique Rodriguez

And I think that's a huge key component for entrepreneurs is that we can't be so quick to take our money from investors because that is a whole another animal. It is a relationship. It is a marriage with whoever you're partnering with. And you want to make the right choice. And I tell people like, Don't dilute your shares early on because what you're building can be so valuable.

And I think that's a huge key component for entrepreneurs is that we can't be so quick to take our money from investors because that is a whole another animal. It is a relationship. It is a marriage with whoever you're partnering with. And you want to make the right choice. And I tell people like, Don't dilute your shares early on because what you're building can be so valuable.

So you can have the largest exit ever for a black female or male entrepreneur. The reason why we had the largest exit was because I didn't dilute my shares early on. We sacrificed a lot to not take on that money that they wanted 40 percent.

So you can have the largest exit ever for a black female or male entrepreneur. The reason why we had the largest exit was because I didn't dilute my shares early on. We sacrificed a lot to not take on that money that they wanted 40 percent.

Right. So we had to just be patient and wait it out until we met the right investors that were willing to invest in us. And patience is the key, right?

Right. So we had to just be patient and wait it out until we met the right investors that were willing to invest in us. And patience is the key, right?

Because that patience is pruning you, is building character, is building resilience, is building like that tenacious spirit that we need as entrepreneurs, is building a whole, a new level of wisdom and knowledge that you need to carry on into your next venture or project. Right. And so, um,

Because that patience is pruning you, is building character, is building resilience, is building like that tenacious spirit that we need as entrepreneurs, is building a whole, a new level of wisdom and knowledge that you need to carry on into your next venture or project. Right. And so, um,

Those are some lessons that I wanted to share because it's so easy for someone to say, hey, we're going to give you $2 million for what comes with that $2 million.

Those are some lessons that I wanted to share because it's so easy for someone to say, hey, we're going to give you $2 million for what comes with that $2 million.

And what we'll be left with after.

And what we'll be left with after.

Exactly. So I just also caution people to be very careful with picking investors, being students of life and always learning and asking questions.

Exactly. So I just also caution people to be very careful with picking investors, being students of life and always learning and asking questions.

you know i was very big on raising my hand and finding the people that had the successful exits how can i learn from you yes yeah that was key right because in order to be a champion tomorrow you have to be teachable today and i have always been very teachable and coachable and that was one of the reasons why berkshire which was our private equity partner who was a great partner by the way that's why they invested in us because they said you and melvin are very coachable

you know i was very big on raising my hand and finding the people that had the successful exits how can i learn from you yes yeah that was key right because in order to be a champion tomorrow you have to be teachable today and i have always been very teachable and coachable and that was one of the reasons why berkshire which was our private equity partner who was a great partner by the way that's why they invested in us because they said you and melvin are very coachable

So that's a good question because you really don't know. You don't know when it's the right time.

So that's a good question because you really don't know. You don't know when it's the right time.

Exactly. You really have to have faith because we did question like, is it time? Is it not time? And I will tell you, looking back in hindsight, I am so glad we did it when we did it. Oh, good.

Exactly. You really have to have faith because we did question like, is it time? Is it not time? And I will tell you, looking back in hindsight, I am so glad we did it when we did it. Oh, good.