Show notes
Founder of Women Invest in Women, Kwamara Thompson and Director, Minister Cat Warren aka Ms. Kitty Rose talk about their journey that started 10 years ago and has now brough them to the global tour, TV show, and podcast, Women Invest in Women.They reflect on a decade of collaboration, turning their shared passion for empowering women into a global movement. From microlending to media production, Women Invest in Women is a platform amplifying diverse voices through storytelling, mentorship, and community-building. With a global tour and TV series, Women Invest in Women celebrates resilience, sisterhood, and the transformative power of women investing in each other. This is more than a movement—it’s a revolutionary call to action for unity, visibility, and lasting impact.(00:00:00 – 00:04:13)The conversation begins with Kwamara and Miss Kitty Rose reflecting on their decade-long business relationship and friendship. Their connection originated over LinkedIn ten years ago when Kwamara was already invested in empowering women through microlending and microgrants to Black and Brown women-owned businesses. Kwamara immediately sensed a strong chemistry with Kitty, which proved true over the years as they supported each other’s careers and missions. Miss Kitty Rose introduces herself as a longtime advocate for Black women and communities, emphasizing the synergy between their companies, shared commitment to empowerment, especially youth and women, and the business-minded approach they maintain even within their friendship. They stress how clear boundaries, honest conversations about contracts, profit sharing, and expectations help sustain their relationship personally and professionally.First connection via LinkedIn sparked a 10-year collaborative relationship.Both women prioritize empowerment, youth advocacy, and community support.Business transparency and communication maintain the health of their partnership.Mutual respect for roles, responsibilities, and clear boundaries reinforce trust.Evolution of Their Work and Media Presence (00:04:14 – 00:10:05)The women discuss their evolution from microlending initiatives to media production, highlighted by Miss Kitty Rose’s one-woman show Girl on Fire and other projects. Kwamara praises Kitty’s growth from email marketing and retail to an award-winning TV personality and producer, underscoring their collaborative spirit and mutual support in navigating the business landscape.They emphasize the importance of elevating the voices of Black women and women of color through media, stressing diversity and the need to challenge monolithic portrayals. This mission is the foundation of Women Investing in Women—a platform built to amplify and celebrate diverse stories, experiences, and leadership of women across communities.Media and storytelling are powerful tools to elevate underrepresented voices.Their collaborative efforts include both profitable and non-profitable projects but remain fueled by purpose.Recognition and awards validate the impact of their platform, positioning it for wider national and global influence.Impact and Recognition of Work (00:10:06 – 00:14:48)Kwamara shares her background of overcoming shyness and finding her voice through teaching, public speaking, and entrepreneurship. She recounts speaking engagements, community work, and how Miami has helped catapult her mission globally. Notably, she speaks about being targeted by online harassment during the pandemic, which she refused to let silence her, instead turning it into a platform-building opportunity.The success of her TV show, with 4.7 million viewers and international reach through streaming platforms like Amazon and Roku, stands as a testament to resilience and purpose-driven activism. She highlights the importance of speaking truth, amplifying voices of others, and using platforms to disrupt systemic silencing, especially of Black women.Overcame personal and systemic challenges including cyber harassment.Grew from local community initiatives to a global social media impact.TV show and planned global tour exemplify commitment to empowerment.Silencing attempts turned into momentum for visibility and influence.Challenges and Strategies in Women’s Business Empowerment (00:14:49 – 00:23:57)Miss Kitty Rose elaborates on the realities women face in entrepreneurship, including subtle resistance, biases, and the sometimes toxic intersections of gender and power dynamics in investment environments. She stresses that women must know how to protect their voices, create safe spaces for vulnerability, and maintain psychological safety within their communities.They discuss the layered challenges women encounter balancing business and personal life, including mental health, family responsibilities, and relationship boundaries, particularly when intermixing work and personal time. Both advocate for clear negotiation, intentional collaboration, and transparent communication as tools to navigate these challenges.An important theme is “staying the course”—continuing entrepreneurial growth despite setbacks or requiring multiple income streams without abandoning the core business mission. They emphasize understanding legal business structures (LLC, sole proprietor, corporation), paying taxes properly, and building wealth sustainably.Psychological and emotional safety are crucial for sustained empowerment.Navigating the business world requires clear boundaries and honest communication.Work-life balance is essential to mental health and entrepreneurship longevity.Financial literacy and business acumen are foundational for success.Persistence beyond the 10-year mark defines a true business.The Role of Jobs, Fear, and Entrepreneurship (00:23:58 – 00:27:44)The discussion touches on the delicate balance between having a job and running a business. Both women agree it’s okay to maintain a job for financial stability and benefits, but caution against using employment out of fear, which can stall business growth. They encourage strategic decisions that align with long-term wealth and sustainability.The conversation addresses internal and external fears that hold women back, affirming the importance of creativity, faith, and resilience. Kwamara interjects a motivational tone, encouraging women to push beyond self-doubt and the “fear of failure” trap. Jobs can provide safety nets but should not be crutches that limit business potential.Entrepreneurship requires mental and emotional resilience.Strategic financial planning is key to protecting and growing wealth.Fear is natural but must be confronted intentionally.Women Investing in Women Global Tour and TV Series (00:27:45 – 00:38:51)Miss Kitty Rose describes her role as the director of the upcoming Women Investing in Women global tour and TV series, focusing on the importance of visual storytelling and showcasing the warmth and layered experiences of women entrepreneurs on camera. She highlights the female energy and nurturing presence that will shape the series. Kwamara outlines the tour schedule and locations, beginning with the Essence Festival in New Orleans in July, a city with deep personal and ancestral significance to her family. Other stops include Houston, New York City, Toronto for Caribana, Miami, , and Salamanca and Marbella in Spain. This global itinerary intentionally creates a connected ecosystem that celebrates unity, collaboration, and open borders, contrasting global trends of isolation and division. They emphasize access and inclusivity, leveraging Bronx Net and other New York broadcast channels initially, with digital expansion to YouTube and podcast platforms like Spotify, Apple, and iHeart Radio. The shows will be both filmed in studios and on-location, creating an immersive, behind-the-scenes experience for followers.Tour kickoff during Essence Festival rooted in heritage and community.Multiple U.S. and international stops fostering a global sisterhood.Multi-platform distribution including public access TV, streaming, and podcasts.Emphasis on transparency, collaboration, and inclusivity.Behind-the-scenes content highlights production journey and authentic experiences.Final Remarks and Invitations (00:38:52 – End)The video closes with a heartfelt call to action for audience engagement: following the platforms, partnering, collaborating, and supporting the movement. They reiterate the ethos of Women Investing in Women as flexible, inclusive, and collaborative without gatekeeping or exclusivity.Both women express excitement, gratitude, and commitment to elevating women’s voices through authentic storytelling, support networks, and business frameworks. The discussion touches on the realities and challenges women face, the importance of clear business practice and communication, and the launch of a powerful global initiative: a TV series and tour that seeks to amplify Black women’s voices worldwide. Rooted in joy, resilience, and a spirit of sisterhood, Women Investing in Women is positioned as a transformative movement setting a new standard for collaboration, visibility, and empowerment on a global scale.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-invest-in-women--6695973/support.