Marketing for entrepreneurs often gets reduced to just posting on social media, but successful business marketing requires so much more. In this episode of DO GOOD X, hosts Stephen Lewis and Kimberly Daniel break down the essential elements every social entrepreneur needs to master. They explore brand storytelling, reaching the right target audience, and driving real customer conversion. Whether you're building a purpose-driven business or scaling an existing venture, this conversation offers practical marketing strategies for social entrepreneurs that go beyond vanity metrics. Learn how to choose the proper marketing channels, measure meaningful conversions, and craft brand messaging that resonates with your customers and supporters.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The four foundational elements of effective marketing strategy: brand identity, storytelling, audience, and call to action

✅ How to move beyond social media and diversify your marketing communications across multiple marketing tools and platforms

✅ Why understanding your customer engagement metrics matters more than chasing likes and followers in content marketing

✅ Practical steps to define your brand, identify your ideal target audience, and select the proper marketing channels for your business growth

Join the DO GOOD X Community to access resources, connect with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and grow your impactful business with intention.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction to marketing for entrepreneurs and why it extends far beyond social media marketing

02:32 The four essential elements of marketing: brand, storytelling, target audience, and call to action

05:43 Choosing the proper marketing channels and avoiding the trap of chasing trendy platforms without a strategy

11:07 Real-world examples: How Apple and Charity Water excel at brand messaging and customer conversion

17:44 Four practical marketing strategy steps for social entrepreneurs to implement immediately

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Marketing for entrepreneurs requires four foundational elements: clear brand identity, compelling brand storytelling, defined audience segmentation, and strategic call to action

💎 Don't put all your eggs in one basket—diversify your digital marketing efforts across multiple marketing channels like email, podcasts, webinars, and social media rather than relying solely on one platform

💎 Focus on meaningful marketing metrics that track customer conversion and actual impact, not just vanity numbers like likes and followers

💎 Start with practical steps: define your brand and the problem you solve, identify your target audience, determine where they spend time, and commit to showing up consistently on one to two channels

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

Connect with Hosts:

Kimberly Daniel LinkedIn

Stephen Lewis LinkedIn

QUOTES:

"You might be trying to build a business that serves young adults, but it is their parents who are doing the purchasing. Are the primary and secondary audiences close? The point is paying attention to your audience." Stephen Lewis

"Start with one to two channels. Commit to showing up and pay attention to what's working and adjust as you go." Kimberly Daniel

“While some social...

AI is transforming how social entrepreneurs and small businesses work. In this DO GOOD X podcast episode, hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis explore practical ways underrepresented founders can leverage artificial intelligence applications and business automation tools without feeling overwhelmed. They discuss real opportunities for efficiency across customer relationship management and financial management, while addressing critical concerns about bias, environmental impact, and accessibility. Learn how to use AI in a small business ethically by starting small, identifying one or two repetitive tasks that technology can streamline. Remember, AI for small businesses should enhance, not replace, human connection and community building that drive social impact ventures forward.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How AI for small businesses creates opportunities through efficiency, business scalability, and enhanced customer experience while freeing up time for meaningful community engagement

✅ The real challenges of ethical AI use, including concerns about AI bias, environmental impact, data analytics accuracy, and accessibility for underrepresented founders

✅ Practical strategies for digital transformation by starting small with marketing automation, financial management software, or business operations management tools that fit your budget

✅ Why human connectedness and face-to-face interaction remain irreplaceable in social entrepreneurship, even as task automation handles repetitive work

Join the DO GOOD X Community to access resources, connect with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and grow your impactful business with intention.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction to AI for small businesses and business automation tools for social entrepreneurs and underrepresented founders

04:22 Understanding AI and automation: opportunities for efficiency, business scalability, enhanced decision making, and improved customer experience

07:50 Real-world artificial intelligence applications in healthcare, speech pathology, and social impact technology examples like cardio.ai

11:00 Addressing challenges: AI bias concerns, environmental impact, accessibility issues, data privacy, and the importance of ethical AI use

15:50 Business operations management tips: starting small with marketing automation, financial management software, customer relationship management, and task automation

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Start small with AI for small business by identifying one or two areas where business automation tools can reduce repetitive tasks in marketing automation, financial management software, or customer relationship management systems

💎 Underrepresented founders and communities must actively engage with AI to teach it and reduce AI bias. Technology will only become inclusive when diverse voices shape its development

💎 Ethical AI use requires awareness of environmental impacts, data privacy concerns, and accessibility issues while making intentional decisions that support your social entrepreneurship mission to do good

💎 Task automation and artificial intelligence applications should enhance human connection, not replace it. Prioritize face-to-face touchpoints and community building as irreplaceable elements of your business

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X Start Up Accelerator

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

AI for entrepreneurs is transforming how businesses solve problems and scale impact. In this episode of the DO GOOD X podcast, hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis are joined by Keyona Meeks, an AI strategy expert who helps organizations navigate intelligent automation. Keyona shares her problem-first, tool-second approach to AI implementation strategies for social entrepreneurs, emphasizing that successful early-stage startups must focus on solving real market problems before adopting technology. She addresses common misconceptions about AI accessibility and environmental sustainability, offering practical guidance on using smaller models and advocating for better data center regulation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How to apply a problem-first approach to AI for entrepreneurs, ensuring your business model development solves real market needs before adopting technology solutions.

✅ Why entrepreneurship education gaps prevent founders from succeeding, and how AI strategy can help early-stage startups build sustainable revenue generation systems.

✅ Practical ways to use AI ethically while addressing environmental sustainability concerns, including utilizing smaller models and knowledge management systems for your operations.

✅ How to overcome the misconception that AI implementation is beyond you, and why project-based learning with intelligent automation beats perfectionism in building impactful businesses.

Join the DO GOOD X Community to access resources, connect with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and grow your impactful business with intention.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Intro: Keyona’s journey from venture capital to AI strategy consulting for early-stage startups

05:51 The entrepreneurship education gap is preventing minority founders from raising capital and building revenue-generating models

11:19 Problem first approach: Defining business as solving problems for qualified customers in exchange for money

16:30 Misconceptions about AI for entrepreneurs, including the belief that AI implementation is beyond reach

20:58 Why consumer technology creates false barriers to understanding AI strategy and intelligent automation

23:22 Environmental sustainability concerns with data centers and practical ways entrepreneurs can reduce AI impact

28:15 How AI enables climate solutions and benefits low-income families navigating complex decisions

33:20 Practical AI tools: voice recording for stream of consciousness and knowledge management systems like Notion

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 AI for entrepreneurs requires a problem-first approach: Your business must solve a real market problem for qualified customers in exchange for money before adopting any technology solution.

💎 Momentum beats perfection in AI implementation—stop trying to master every technical detail before getting started. Use project-based learning, embrace messy experimentation, and focus on business operations improvements rather than coding from scratch.

💎 Address environmental sustainability through smart choices: Use smaller AI models that achieve 80% of results and consider your individual climate impact rather than abandoning AI strategy tools.

💎 Build an AI-first organization by establishing a strong documentation culture first. Use knowledge management systems like Notion and voice recording tools to overcome formal tech accessibility barriers and enable stream-of-consciousness prompting.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Keyona Meeks is an AI strategy and systems expert who helps organizations navigate intelligent automation and workforce transformation as the consulting Lead of AI Strategy at Prismm, founder of ReRev, and General Partner at BlackTech Capital. She...

AI entrepreneurship meets purpose-driven innovation as Martha Sylla Underwood, founder of Prismm, transforms wealth transfer and legacy planning through technology.

In this episode of DO GOOD X, hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis sit down with Martha Sylla Underwood, founder and CEO of Prismm, a groundbreaking platform revolutionizing end-of-life planning and wealth transfer through AI and digital organization tools. Inspired by her own family’s experience, Martha shares how Prismm empowers families to manage vital documents, plan for legacy, and reduce stress during critical moments. She opens up about the challenges and triumphs of being a Black woman in tech, the importance of diversity in AI, and how entrepreneurship can build generational impact. Tune in for a powerful conversation on faith-driven innovation, tech for good, and what it means to keep going when the journey gets hard.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How Martha’s personal story inspired the creation of Prismm

✅ Why AI entrepreneurship can be used for good in legacy and wealth transfer

✅ The unique challenges faced by Black women in tech startups

✅ How end-of-life planning technology can preserve generational wealth

Join the DO GOOD X Community to access resources, connect with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and grow your impactful business with intention.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Welcome to the DO GOOD X Podcast

01:22 Meet guest Martha Sylla Underwood, Founder & CEO of Prismm

06:34 The personal story that inspired Prismm’s creation

11:27 Using AI for good: simplifying end-of-life organization

14:33 Diversity, responsibility, and AI ethics in tech

14:43 Barriers Black women face in scaling tech startups

17:22 Best advice Martha received on her entrepreneurial journey

18:02 Building legacy and transferring generational wealth

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Use technology to simplify life’s hardest moments and protect family legacy.

💎 Representation in AI development ensures more inclusive and ethical innovation.

💎 Networking and access to contracts are critical for scaling Black-owned startups.

💎 “Just keep going” — perseverance turns purpose into lasting impact.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

As a seasoned tech executive and now entrepreneur, I leverage over 25 years of experience to bridge the gap between financial institutions and families, ensuring seamless generational wealth transfer. I am passionate about creating innovative solutions that empower people to safeguard their legacies and make critical information accessible when it matters most.

My journey began at IBM, and throughout my career, I've witnessed the transformation of technology from dial-up to AI. This foundation has shaped my approach to leadership, strategy, and innovation in fintech. Prismm, the digital vault I founded, redefines how wealth is managed and transferred across generations, helping financial professionals and families preserve their economic heritage.

Driven by personal experience, I’ve made it my mission to solve real problems for families, ensuring that assets reach their intended heirs without being lost in probate. I work closely with banks, wealth advisors, and credit unions to deliver practical solutions that offer peace of mind and accessibility.

I’m also dedicated to empowering others, especially women, through mentorship and community involvement. Through platforms like 'Executive Estrogen,' I focus on helping women excel in leadership and business.

I'd love to connect if you're interested in how my team and I at Prismm can help your organization, or if you’re passionate about financial empowerment.

RESOURCES...

AI for social good isn't just a buzzword. It's a critical decision point for every purpose-driven business owner today. In this episode of the DO GOOD X podcast, hosts Stephen Lewis and Kimberly Daniel tackle the tension between tech for good and tech for growth, asking: Are you building ethically or just scaling fast? They explore AI adoption challenges facing social impact entrepreneurs, from environmental impact like energy consumption and e-waste to algorithmic bias and job displacement. Discover how to use AI for social good while staying true to your values, plus real examples like Rainforest Connection's innovative approach to ethical AI in environmental protection. Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The difference between AI for social good and AI for growth, and why social entrepreneurs must consider both when scaling their impact

✅ Real-world examples of responsible AI use, including how nonprofits leverage technology for environmental protection and sustainable business practices

✅ Key ethical considerations when implementing AI in small businesses, from data privacy to workforce impact and environmental sustainability

✅ Practical strategies for measuring impact beyond revenue while adopting emerging technologies that align with your core values and mission

Join the DO GOOD X Community to access resources, connect with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and grow your impactful business with intention.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Exploring AI for social good and whether entrepreneurs are building for impact or just growth

02:21 Ethical issues with digital technology, including algorithmic bias, cybersecurity, privacy concerns, and the environmental impact of AI

04:57 Real example: Rainforest Connection uses AI-powered devices made from recycled smartphones for environmental conservation and protection

08:42 How to be a conscious user of technology during this technological revolution while balancing growth and responsibility

12:20 Key takeaways: Build with intention, measure your impact beyond revenue, stay curious, and align tech adoption with your business values

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Tech for good and tech for growth aren’t always mutually exclusive—but it is possible for impact-driven entrepreneurs can scale responsibly by aligning AI implementation with their mission and environmental responsibility

💎 The environmental cost of AI is real: data centers, energy consumption, water usage, and electronic waste require conscious technology choices

💎 AI can create jobs when used intentionally—82% of small businesses using AI increased their workforce, proving technology adoption can support people rather than replace them

💎 Building with intention means asking critical questions: Who benefits? Who could be harmed? How do we mitigate risk while using AI tools to advance our social mission?

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

DO GOOD X Mastermind Community

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

QUOTES:

“There's a tension that can exist between tech for good and tech for growth because sometimes the fastest path to profit isn't necessarily what's good for people or our environment in the long run.” - Stephen Lewis

"AI and technology do not replace humans; in some ways, it can support our work, but these days, they are using it as an opportunity to create jobs." - Kimberly...

Social entrepreneurship requires vision, resilience, and a deep commitment to serving communities. In this episode of DO GOOD X, host Stephen Lewis sits down with Dr. Kit Evans-Ford, founder of two thriving social enterprises: Argrows House of Healing and Hope, and Autistic and Loved. Dr. Kit shares her journey of building mission-driven businesses that provide healing spaces for women survivors of violence and sensory-friendly resources for children with autism. She discusses essential strategies for scaling social entrepreneurship, including customer discovery, navigating nonprofit fundraising, winning pitch competitions, and the power of trust-based philanthropy. This conversation offers practical wisdom on how to start a mission-driven social enterprise while maintaining your values and serving marginalized populations.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How to balance purpose-driven leadership while growing a sustainable business model that serves your community's real needs

✅ Proven startup funding strategies, including grant writing, entrepreneurial journey insights, and leveraging community-based entrepreneurship networks

✅ Why business pivot strategies and listening to your customers are essential for impact-driven ventures that create lasting change

Join the DO GOOD X Community to access resources, connect with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and grow your impactful business with intention.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Dr. Kit's advice on building mission-driven businesses: listen to your heart and community needs, practice customer discovery, and pivot based on what families actually want

08:51 Strategies for scaling social entrepreneurship: winning pitch competitions to raise money, and receiving transformational donor support

11:56 Three revenue streams for social enterprise success: business profit, grant writing resources, and private donations that fuel nonprofit fundraising efforts

14:19 How DO GOOD X and networking with like-minded social entrepreneurs create a ripple effect of resources and community-based entrepreneurship connections

17:35 The realities of social entrepreneurship: serving marginalized populations, maintaining boundaries, practicing self-care, and sustaining entrepreneurial resilience through challenges

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Customer discovery is critical for social entrepreneurship success. Listen to your community's actual needs rather than just your initial vision, and be willing to pivot strategies as you learn what truly serves people

💎 Multiple funding streams strengthen mission-driven businesses, such as combining business profits with nonprofit fundraising, grant writing opportunities, and pitch competitions to raise seed money and sustain your impact-driven ventures

💎 Building a network through community-based entrepreneurship programs like DO GOOD X creates invaluable connections with like-minded social entrepreneurs who provide resources, referrals, and support throughout your entrepreneurial journey

💎 Self-care and entrepreneurial resilience are essential when serving marginalized populations. Protecting your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being ensures you can sustain purpose-driven leadership without burning out.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Dr. Argrow “Kit” Evans-Ford is a spiritual director, social entrepreneur, and founder of Argrow’s House of Healing and Hope, a safe space offering free services and employment for women healing from violence in the Quad Cities. She also founded Autistic & Loved, LLC and the Autistic & Loved Foundation, creating sensory-friendly products and resources for children with autism. An award-winning author, Kit has received the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for...

Black Church Food Justice is transforming communities through purpose-driven initiatives. Join Stephen Lewis and Kimberly Daniel on the DO GOOD X podcast as they interview Dr. Heber Brown III, founder of the Black Church Food Security Network. Discover how his leadership at Pleasant Hope Baptist Church sparked a movement to combat food apartheid by leveraging church land and Black farmers. Learn how Black food ecosystems empower communities and foster social justice and food sovereignty. Dr. Brown shares insights on building community-led food justice solutions that honor cultural identity and drive lasting change.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How Dr. Heber Brown III founded the Black Church Food Security Network to address food apartheid.

✅ Strategies for creating Black food ecosystems with Black farmers and churches.

✅ The role of social justice in transforming black church food justice initiatives.

✅ How to leverage church assets for food sovereignty and community empowerment.

Join the DO GOOD X Community to access resources, connect with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and grow your impactful business with intention.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Meet Dr. Heber Brown III, pastor and founder of Black Church Food Security Network, for food security and food sovereignty

03:35 Dr. Brown shares his core values: agency, love, social justice and the launching of Black Church Food Security Network, inspired by food apartheid patterns of members in his church

09:06 Frustration with the local market leads to a church garden vision; yields 1,200 pounds, tapping community knowledge from the Great Migration

15:39 Utilizing the opportunity that exists in land owned by Black churches: underutilized church land, an opportunity for Black food ecosystems, and engaging rising entrepreneurs

22:14 Favorite story: Ebenezer Baptist Church CSA program with Black farmers, 100 subscribers shifting to food sovereignty

28:21 Approach to lasting change: honor food charity, show congregations by example what can be accomplished

32:24 Aligning funding with values and relationships and being unapologetic for the black base of power

38:24 Dr. Brown speaks to shifting from being a pastor to leading a business, but staying connected to your base and not delegating critical aspects of your core values

42:59 Scaling the philosophy, and allowing the values to guide the ecosystem you have created

44:52 Listeners are invited to join the DO GOOD X Mastermind Community, beginning November 6, 2025

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Dr. Heber Brown III's vision for Black Church Food Justice transforms communities through black food ecosystems and church gardens.

💎 Food sovereignty thrives as black farmers and churches unite, tackling food apartheid with social justice.

💎 Community-led food justice solutions empower black churches to leverage land for sustainable food security.

💎 Unapologetic Black Church Food Justice aligns funding with values, fostering resilient community gardens.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Reverend Dr. Heber M. Brown, III, has been a catalyst for personal transformation and social change for over twenty years. For nearly fourteen years, he served as pastor of a Baptist church in Baltimore, where he saw and personally experienced the impacts of food apartheid. This helped inspire him to launch the Black Church Food Security Network, which advances food security and food sovereignty by co-creating Black food ecosystems anchored by nearly 250 Black congregations, in partnership with Black farmers and other food justice stakeholders. He serves on the board of Bread For The World. He is Senior Church Advisor to Justice Connection, the...

A purpose-driven business is more than just profit. It’s about aligning values with impact, authenticity, and community building. On the DO GOOD X podcast, hosts Stephen Lewis and Kimberly Daniel explore the commitments that guide social entrepreneurs. They discuss the power of authenticity, community building, and creativity in entrepreneurship, as well as how intuition in leadership influences decision-making. Centering your business around faith and intention helps entrepreneurs stay aligned with their vision and purpose. By focusing on mutual relationships and authenticity, this episode inspires growth for anyone building a purpose-driven business designed for sustainable impact.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How to align your purpose-driven business with your core values to create long-term impact.

✅ Why authenticity and mutual relationships are essential for building trust in a purpose-driven business.

✅ Ways to use intuition in leadership to guide decisions and strengthen your community-building efforts.

✅ How creativity in entrepreneurship fuels innovation and growth in a purpose-driven business.

✅ The role of social entrepreneurs in shaping businesses that honor faith, intention, and the common good.

Join the DO GOOD X Community to access resources, connect with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and grow your impactful business with intention.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 How a purpose-driven business can be rooted in authenticity and community building

04:28 Kimberly shares the key values that guide her life and work—authenticity, mutual relationships, community, and creativity in entrepreneurship

08:26 Listeners are invited to join the DO GOOD X Mastermind Community, beginning November 6, 2025

09:45 Stephen emphasizes the importance of intuition in leadership to create a purpose-driven business

12:45 Stephen discusses living with purpose and intention, sharing how every social entrepreneur carries a “divine genius”

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Discover how building a purpose-driven business anchored in authenticity, mutual relationships, and community building creates long-term impact.

💎 Learn why intuition in leadership, creativity in entrepreneurship, and values are essential for every social entrepreneur seeking meaningful growth.

💎 Explore how aligning purpose and intention with your purpose-driven business fuels innovation, strengthens community, and empowers entrepreneurs to thrive.

💎 Understand how authenticity, creativity in entrepreneurship, and purpose-driven business practices help leaders honor faith, vision, and sustainable impact.

ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Kimberly R. Daniel, co-founder of DO GOOD X, empowers faith-driven social entrepreneurs to create positive change through supportive programs and initiatives. She helps purpose-driven organizations craft compelling brand and communication strategies. With over 15 years of experience, she builds authentic, community-centered brands and effective processes. As a certified life coach, she facilitates workshops and writes on innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact. She co-authored A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation (2021).

Stephen Lewis, president of FTE and co-founder of DO GOOD X, supports faith-driven social entrepreneurs through programs fostering positive change. He is an organizational change strategist and leadership development specialist inspiring purposeful leadership and entrepreneurship. Lewis co-authored "Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose" (2020) and "A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation" (2021).

RESOURCES MENTIONED: