Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Money Matters: Balancing Investments in Business


I had a chance to interview entrepreneur and financial expert Marlo Richardson, on her experience investing in numerous businesses.

How do you choose where to invest?
I choose to invest in areas that I am familiar with. Right now, fir instance… most of my investments are in the wine, spirits, hospitality, and stock market. These are all areas that I’ve had success in and that I understand.

What happens if an investment doesn't go well, how do you recover?
Well you don’t exactly recover that loss. People should never invest money that they can’t afford to be without. All investments are a risk, but there are plenty of safe investments that have historically had great and consistent returns. If someone isn’t familiar with investments they should look to safer investments like blue chip stocks, bonds or ETFs.

How can people manage multiple businesses and investments?
Management of investments has become relatively easy thanks to apps. I have several apps on my phone that have investment portfolios of some sort. I’ve organized them into a category called “financial”. The other investments without apps I typically check monthly by relying on statements and email alerts. I look at investing like a job. I rely on that money to live and to survive. So, I check it often enough to be able to make adjustments in order to minimize any loss.

What are some things that are important to know that business school doesn't always teach?
They don’t teach you how valuable choosing employees really is. I try to find people with like minds to employ. They tend to have a better understanding of my wants, needs and goals for the business. I try to put people in a position that allows them to grow and see themselves more as a partner. Business school doesn’t teach the value of employee buy in and appreciation. Most people that hate their jobs don’t necessarily hate what they do; they hate the people they work for or with.

“Strength does not come from the things that you want to do, or the things that you know you can do,” Richardson adds. “Strength comes from being able to accomplish the things that you once thought would be impossible.”

This is a quote Marlo lives by every time she reaches a new business milestone while running her businesses ranging from hospitality, real estate, crypto to Cannabis on top of a number of investments.

About Marlo

Marlo is known as a dynamic leader, business professional and as someone who has made her mark in many industries. She is a regular disrupter, often carrying the title “First African American Woman to”. Marlo has been a Keynote Speaker, business advisor, and is often invited to speak with local business groups and universities regarding her personal story and experiences in the business world.

As a young girl, Marlo knew she had an interest in helping others. She was able to accomplish this through roles within charitable organizations, law enforcement, and politics. After facing gender and racial discrimination when working for the LAWAPD, Marlo decided she wanted more financial freedom and to be her own boss. She transitioned out of working the traditional 9-5, overcoming various hurdles in the process and took a leap of faith into entrepreneurship. She knew doing so would also create generational wealth which was important for her.

Richardson has owned business franchises, restaurants, a home health care agency, a real estate investment company, insurance agency, retail clothing, travel agency, security company, production company, distribution company, manufacturing company, marketing company and has created several successful brands. Currently she focuses on real estate, crypto, is one of the few license holders to grow and operate a cannabis grow op and is a financial expert advisor. 

She is the founder of Business Bullish, a website and resource that seeks to train people in the areas of financial literacy and entrepreneurship. She is a dynamic business woman and leader and is also a keynote speaker and business advisor who shares with local businesses her success stories in hopes that they can replicate her growth.

She also takes time to speak before many organizations, universities, and corporations. She speaks on topics such as leadership, motivation, work, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The business advisor and speaker regularly accepts bookings to some of the most prestigious institutions and organizations in the country.

Business Bullish comes as a passion project of Richardson, after realizing the lack of resources that help people invest and grow businesses. Moreover, the resource is completely free, as the business guru looks to help as many entrepreneurs as she possibly can. In the future, she hopes to create a strong community and network of business owners who can share insights and ideas to help each other flourish in their respective fields. She hopes to create an avenue where people can share business ideas and get feedback from the Business Bullish community.

As a working mom with numerous brands under her, she seeks to share her knowledge on finance, business and demonstrate women really can do it all. 


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