Even after constructing a number of companies, producing thousands and thousands of {dollars} for manufacturers, and launching a $25 million enterprise capital agency, nothing compares to Monique Idlett-Mosley’s newest enterprise: making a $1 million greenback firm in 90 days in a overseas metropolis with out her contacts, wealth, or identification. As if the endeavor wasn’t daunting sufficient, she accepted this problem in the midst of the pandemic.
Up For The Problem
Identified for her enterprise prowess as an entrepreneur, investor, and leisure govt, Idlett-Mosley has overcome plenty of hurdles all through her journey. She pulled herself out of poverty, completed faculty regardless of having her first youngster at 18 years outdated, and rebounded from a public divorce from mega music producer Tim “Timbaland” Mosley.
Nonetheless, conquering these trials is what gave the Miami-based philanthropist the gasoline to compete on “Undercover Billionaire,” a actuality sequence on The Discovery Channel that challenges profitable entrepreneurs to construct a enterprise underneath a pretend alias with simply $100 and an outdated car.
“I’m going into uncharted territory, however I’m positively not afraid of adversity. I believe my entire life has been adversity,” says Idlett-Mosley in a promotional clip for the present.
Drive, tenacity, and gumption can be what led Idlett-Mosley to launch her profession as an promoting govt when she was simply 22 years outdated at USA At this time, turning into each the youngest and first-ever African American lady senior govt on the publication. Throughout her seven-year stint, she created a advertising company representing purchasers like Kanye West, Verizon, and T.I. In 2006, she helped her ex-husband launch Mosley Manufacturers and the Mosley Music Group (MMG) file label, serving because the CEO of each firms and managing artists like One Republic, Nelly Furtado, and Chris Cornell. Her profession path took one other main flip in 2017 when she and angel investor Erica Duignan Minnihan co-founded Reign Ventures, an early-stage funding agency that focuses on women- and minority-led startups. For sure, Idlett-Mosley was by no means one to again away from a problem.
Within the first episode, Idlett-Mosley is whisked away from her lavish way of life and dropped in Tacoma, a mid-sized city port metropolis in Washington, 32 miles southwest of Seattle. Shortly after arriving, she meets an area Black pastor who pays for her to sleep in a resort for 3 nights. In alternate, she volunteers at his church and seizes the chance to query parishioners about Tacoma and key gamers within the metropolis. She shortly builds relationships with the movers-and-shakers as she cultivates a marketing strategy to open a inexperienced juice store. Based on Idlett-Mosley, the most important challenges she confronted was being away from her household and sustaining a false identification.
“Exterior of stepping away from my youngsters and the day-to-day of caring for my household, the toughest a part of this was being true to Tacoma,” she informed BLACK ENTERPRISE. “The toughest half was mendacity to folks.”
The enterprise mogul says she felt the impression of being separated from her household immediately.
“I even have by no means lived on my own earlier than. I used to be a mother at 18, and so I’ve at all times taken care of individuals. And this was the primary time ever in my life as an as a younger grownup to maturity, that I really got here residence on my own,” she says. “It was actually onerous at first. That first night time, I cried.”
Though the circumstances have been powerful, Idlett-Mosley refused to surrender. Not solely was she personally dedicated to finishing the mission at hand, however she knew that the stakes have been larger for her as the one Black lady and particular person of colour on the present.
“Not ending this isn’t even an possibility. I considered each single lady, each Black lady, each lady of colour,” she mentioned. “We will’t be what we don’t see.”
Vulnerability Is An Asset
Along with her supreme networking expertise, Idlett-Mosley says she tapped into the ability of vulnerability, describing it as one in every of her largest property on the present.
“Girls, and specifically Black ladies, we’ve got been taught that we’ve got to imitate the conduct of an alpha male — specifically, a Caucasian alpha male,” she mentioned. “As ladies, we will’t cry, we will’t do that, we will’t try this. The truth is that in enterprise, and in life personally, it’s important to permit folks to know what you want. And the way do you inform folks what you want with out being weak? I needed to be taught shortly that I can’t be embarrassed by these circumstances. That is actual life for thus many individuals each single day,” she added. “All of us have obstacles in our life, however be weak together with your journey. It’s okay.”
Together with Idlett-Mosely, season 2 of “Undercover Billionaire” follows Grant Cardone, an actual property investor, worldwide motivational speaker, and best-selling creator, in addition to Elaine Culotti, an actual property developer, inside designer, builder, and the founding father of Home of Rock as they attempt to construct a thriving enterprise in separate cities.
Success is a Mindset
Episode 2 of the brand new season airs Wednesday, giving viewers the chance to see Idlett-Mosley put her marketing strategy into motion. Though she had no earlier expertise within the meals business, she was assured about opening a wholesome meals store in Tacoma that sells juices and immunity pictures.
“Success is a mindset,” she informed BE. “You may have to have the ability to see your self profitable [and] see what you are promoting profitable earlier than it really is,” she mentioned. “Earlier than you possibly can also have a income greenback, for those who shift your mindset, your organization is already going to win.”
Season 2 of ‘Undercover Billionaire’ airs on Discovery Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and is presently streaming on Discovery+.
