1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:02,550 Speaker 1: If you're about to make a change in your life 2 00:00:03,090 --> 00:00:06,390 Speaker 1: and you feel uncomfortable, that's the best feeling you can have. 3 00:00:07,990 --> 00:00:10,250 Speaker 1: Because for the first time in your life, you're making 4 00:00:10,270 --> 00:00:13,590 Speaker 1: a decision that's going to be best for you and 5 00:00:13,650 --> 00:00:16,350 Speaker 1: not what somebody told you to do. And that's when 6 00:00:16,670 --> 00:00:19,910 Speaker 1: all bets are off. Welcome to Money Making Conversation Masterclass. 7 00:00:19,930 --> 00:00:23,110 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Rashawn McDonald. Our theme is there's no 8 00:00:23,190 --> 00:00:26,190 Speaker 1: perfect time to start following your dreams. I recognize that 9 00:00:26,210 --> 00:00:29,050 Speaker 1: we all have different definitions of success. For you, it 10 00:00:29,070 --> 00:00:31,230 Speaker 1: may be the size of your paycheck. It's time to 11 00:00:31,250 --> 00:00:34,089 Speaker 1: stop reading other people's success stories and start living your own. 12 00:00:34,610 --> 00:00:40,910 Speaker 1: Keep winning. That's the day. We're here. This is Rashawn McDonald. 13 00:00:40,930 --> 00:00:41,630 Speaker 1: You know this voice. 14 00:00:42,050 --> 00:00:42,309 Speaker 2: Okay. 15 00:00:42,570 --> 00:00:45,710 Speaker 1: Sometimes I don't even know my voice. So I think 16 00:00:45,729 --> 00:00:48,150 Speaker 1: about all my, I remember when I first started doing 17 00:00:48,190 --> 00:00:53,670 Speaker 1: stand-up comedy, way back in the day, the guy who 18 00:00:53,690 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 1: owned the comedy club said, your accent is so bad, Rashawn, 19 00:00:57,550 --> 00:01:00,810 Speaker 1: that you would never make people laugh. He said that 20 00:01:00,950 --> 00:01:04,190 Speaker 1: to me. He said, your accent is so bad. He said, 21 00:01:04,209 --> 00:01:06,950 Speaker 1: because even though the room was laughing, I remember the 22 00:01:06,990 --> 00:01:09,110 Speaker 1: first time I walked on stage and I got a 23 00:01:09,110 --> 00:01:12,610 Speaker 1: standing ovation, he said to him, he didn't understand why 24 00:01:12,670 --> 00:01:15,429 Speaker 1: people were laughing at me. So I've always dedicated myself 25 00:01:15,470 --> 00:01:18,679 Speaker 1: to being able to prove people wrong. People say things 26 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:21,660 Speaker 1: to you, whether they believe it or not. That doesn't 27 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:23,819 Speaker 1: mean you should take it to truth. What you should 28 00:01:23,860 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 1: do is understand that your weakness can be people allowing 29 00:01:28,020 --> 00:01:31,650 Speaker 1: people to see your flaws and build on those. My 30 00:01:31,670 --> 00:01:35,710 Speaker 1: strength is that my flaws, I expose them. I challenge 31 00:01:35,750 --> 00:01:38,270 Speaker 1: you to defeat me with them. And as I go 32 00:01:38,310 --> 00:01:40,569 Speaker 1: through life, I prepare to win. I wake up every 33 00:01:40,590 --> 00:01:44,250 Speaker 1: day with the attitude that I am stupid. I need 34 00:01:44,270 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: to gain knowledge. And by having that attitude, it allows 35 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:51,060 Speaker 1: me to be able to be receptive to information that 36 00:01:51,140 --> 00:01:54,000 Speaker 1: is given to me. That is money-making conversation. I am 37 00:01:54,040 --> 00:01:57,320 Speaker 1: your host, Rashawn McDonald. I host this weekly Money Making 38 00:01:57,340 --> 00:02:00,530 Speaker 1: Conversation Masterclass show, the interviews and information that this show 39 00:02:00,550 --> 00:02:03,790 Speaker 1: provides are for everyone. It's time to stop reading other 40 00:02:03,850 --> 00:02:07,530 Speaker 1: people's success stories and start living your own. Let's get 41 00:02:07,570 --> 00:02:10,390 Speaker 1: this show started. My guest is the co-founder of Ripple. 42 00:02:11,050 --> 00:02:15,250 Speaker 1: He's built successful businesses, launched and sold startups, and raised 43 00:02:15,389 --> 00:02:19,839 Speaker 1: over $ 45 million in venture capital. Please welcome to Money 44 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:23,540 Speaker 1: Making Conversation Masterclass, Shannon Denton. How are you doing, sir? 45 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:26,500 Speaker 2: I'm doing great, Rashawn. Thanks for having me. 46 00:02:26,980 --> 00:02:28,359 Speaker 1: You know, I got to start with the name of 47 00:02:28,380 --> 00:02:32,640 Speaker 1: the business. Where were you sitting when you thought that 48 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:35,660 Speaker 1: was the name that should build your fortune on? 49 00:02:38,220 --> 00:02:41,140 Speaker 2: First of all, just so the audience, it's Ripple with 50 00:02:41,220 --> 00:02:46,540 Speaker 2: a W. So it's W-R-I-P-P-L-E. And hey, we love the name. 51 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:48,220 Speaker 2: You know, we were sitting down, me and my two 52 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:52,120 Speaker 2: other co-founders. And we thought of the, you know, just 53 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:54,139 Speaker 2: thinking of words. You know how it is today, Rashawn. 54 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:56,670 Speaker 2: It's kind of hard to find a unique name, although 55 00:02:56,750 --> 00:03:00,090 Speaker 2: the names are taken. But yeah, with Ripple, it was like, 56 00:03:00,530 --> 00:03:03,250 Speaker 2: we saw, you know, the visual of in the water 57 00:03:03,570 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 2: of water movement and kind of the ripple effect of 58 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:09,820 Speaker 2: making a positive shift in the way things were done 59 00:03:09,860 --> 00:03:12,860 Speaker 2: and happening. And we happened to be looking around the 60 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:16,400 Speaker 2: internet and the URL was available, which is always super 61 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:18,419 Speaker 2: important today. You want to make sure people can find 62 00:03:18,460 --> 00:03:21,470 Speaker 2: you online. And so it just kind of stuck. And 63 00:03:21,770 --> 00:03:23,429 Speaker 2: we thought it was very flexible. You could do a 64 00:03:23,430 --> 00:03:26,510 Speaker 2: lot of cool things from a brand perspective, you know, 65 00:03:26,590 --> 00:03:28,830 Speaker 2: waves and motion and stuff like that. So we really 66 00:03:28,870 --> 00:03:29,370 Speaker 2: love the name. 67 00:03:29,690 --> 00:03:31,910 Speaker 1: Well, you know, it's important that people who are listening 68 00:03:31,950 --> 00:03:34,589 Speaker 1: to the show understand that a name is a part 69 00:03:34,650 --> 00:03:36,930 Speaker 1: of your brand and the brand has a story. And 70 00:03:37,290 --> 00:03:41,330 Speaker 1: like my company name is 3815 Media, 3815 Media. And 71 00:03:41,350 --> 00:03:43,890 Speaker 1: the four digits are from the home that I grew 72 00:03:43,930 --> 00:03:45,170 Speaker 1: up in as a kid. I grew up with six 73 00:03:45,190 --> 00:03:50,480 Speaker 1: sisters and two brothers. And my parents and we lived 74 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:53,620 Speaker 1: in a two bedroom shotgun house. And the numbers on 75 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 1: that house was 3815. And so that's my back story 76 00:03:57,040 --> 00:04:00,070 Speaker 1: on it allows me to understand where I came from 77 00:04:00,150 --> 00:04:03,490 Speaker 1: and how I've been able to overcome the odds to 78 00:04:03,530 --> 00:04:05,690 Speaker 1: be the person I am today. So I appreciate you 79 00:04:05,710 --> 00:04:09,450 Speaker 1: taking the time and also conveying the rationale as to 80 00:04:09,490 --> 00:04:12,780 Speaker 1: why you named your company Ripple. And then you said, Rashawn, 81 00:04:12,940 --> 00:04:16,100 Speaker 1: that's with a W, W-I-P-P-L-E. 82 00:04:17,339 --> 00:04:21,140 Speaker 2: Absolutely. Make sure everybody gets the spelling correct. That's important, 83 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 2: you know. 84 00:04:21,660 --> 00:04:25,430 Speaker 1: Absolutely. The thing about it, when I got an opportunity, 85 00:04:25,450 --> 00:04:28,810 Speaker 1: you know, I get a lot of guest information sent 86 00:04:28,850 --> 00:04:32,390 Speaker 1: to me on a daily, sometimes weekly basis. What really 87 00:04:33,710 --> 00:04:35,370 Speaker 1: dove me in the direction of saying I want to 88 00:04:35,450 --> 00:04:39,060 Speaker 1: interview you, Shannon, was the whole talk of venture capitalists. 89 00:04:39,529 --> 00:04:42,860 Speaker 1: Because I really don't know what that is. It's been 90 00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 1: a very popular term in the last 15 years, especially 91 00:04:45,900 --> 00:04:49,620 Speaker 1: the last 10 years. What exactly is a venture capitalist? 92 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:58,230 Speaker 2: Yeah, so venture capital companies invest in early stage startups, 93 00:04:58,330 --> 00:05:00,770 Speaker 2: a lot in technology companies like Ripple. So we have 94 00:05:00,790 --> 00:05:03,900 Speaker 2: a software that we created. And, you know, they're looking 95 00:05:03,940 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 2: to invest early and into high-growth companies, and they're looking 96 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:12,580 Speaker 2: to hopefully make really good returns on some of those companies. 97 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:16,110 Speaker 2: So it's a high-risk game. So a venture capital firm 98 00:05:16,350 --> 00:05:20,510 Speaker 2: that may invest in, you know, 50, 100 companies, and 99 00:05:20,570 --> 00:05:25,190 Speaker 2: as long as maybe even, you know, 15% of those, 20% 100 00:05:25,190 --> 00:05:27,489 Speaker 2: of those companies do well, then they end up making 101 00:05:27,510 --> 00:05:30,970 Speaker 2: a return. And so it's probably the riskiest type of 102 00:05:31,029 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 2: investment vehicle. But yeah, so as a startup, when Ripple, 103 00:05:35,110 --> 00:05:38,690 Speaker 2: we started it about five years ago, and we went 104 00:05:38,770 --> 00:05:41,530 Speaker 2: out and pitched a lot of venture capital firms and said, hey, 105 00:05:41,570 --> 00:05:43,550 Speaker 2: this is a business plan we have. This is what 106 00:05:43,589 --> 00:05:46,860 Speaker 2: we're trying to build. This is the experience we have 107 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:49,599 Speaker 2: as a team when we started it. And we'd love 108 00:05:49,620 --> 00:05:51,720 Speaker 2: to take some investment from you so that we can 109 00:05:51,779 --> 00:05:54,780 Speaker 2: actually do this and go fast. And so that's kind 110 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 2: of what venture capital is. And it can be a fun, 111 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:02,820 Speaker 2: fast-paced world in venture capital. It can also be you know, 112 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:07,479 Speaker 2: stressful and challenging sometimes, too. But, yeah, so that's kind 113 00:06:07,520 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 2: of what the venture capital or the VC world is 114 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 2: all about. 115 00:06:10,690 --> 00:06:13,570 Speaker 1: You know, when you talk about the venture capital, you know, 116 00:06:13,610 --> 00:06:16,690 Speaker 1: because you always talk about, Rashawn, you go to a bank, 117 00:06:17,430 --> 00:06:20,270 Speaker 1: you borrow money, it's tied to an interest rate, but 118 00:06:20,290 --> 00:06:24,990 Speaker 1: you basically keep 100% of your brand, I like to believe, 119 00:06:25,070 --> 00:06:28,030 Speaker 1: or your assets, you know, unless you don't pay back 120 00:06:28,050 --> 00:06:30,810 Speaker 1: the loan. Then they come in looking for it. When 121 00:06:30,860 --> 00:06:33,700 Speaker 1: you do that from a venture capital standpoint, how does 122 00:06:33,740 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 1: that work? Is it a loan with interest? Do they 123 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:39,520 Speaker 1: take a percentage of your company? How does that work? 124 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:41,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, there you go. Yeah, so you're basically giving up 125 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:46,330 Speaker 2: a percentage of your company. And so once you decide 126 00:06:46,370 --> 00:06:50,089 Speaker 2: to get a venture capital firm or individual to invest 127 00:06:50,230 --> 00:06:53,770 Speaker 2: venture in your company, you're basically saying, hey, here's a 128 00:06:53,810 --> 00:06:57,450 Speaker 2: chunk of my company. And you agree upon a valuation. 129 00:06:57,510 --> 00:07:01,110 Speaker 2: So if anybody, any of your audiences watched Shark Tank, 130 00:07:01,730 --> 00:07:04,390 Speaker 2: it works kind of similar to that. And you're basically saying, 131 00:07:04,410 --> 00:07:06,930 Speaker 2: you know, I'll give up 20% of the company for 132 00:07:06,950 --> 00:07:10,220 Speaker 2: a few hundred thousand dollars, what have you. And that all, 133 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 2: the math all works out towards, you know, stock. And 134 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:16,900 Speaker 2: so you figure out how much stock the founders keep, 135 00:07:16,940 --> 00:07:20,160 Speaker 2: how much stock the venture capital investors keep. And at 136 00:07:20,180 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 2: the end of the day, though, it's absolutely, they take 137 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:24,820 Speaker 2: a percentage ownership of your company. And Of course, they 138 00:07:24,860 --> 00:07:26,940 Speaker 2: want you to do well because they own a percent. 139 00:07:26,990 --> 00:07:29,190 Speaker 2: So the more you grow, the more your company's worth. 140 00:07:29,730 --> 00:07:32,490 Speaker 2: They reap the benefits as well as you as an 141 00:07:32,550 --> 00:07:34,270 Speaker 2: entrepreneur does as well. Right. 142 00:07:34,550 --> 00:07:36,670 Speaker 1: And, you know, this is a two-part interview, and I 143 00:07:36,770 --> 00:07:39,550 Speaker 1: always like to really get a clear understanding, Shannon, of 144 00:07:39,650 --> 00:07:45,020 Speaker 1: what you're doing because so many people, you know, my 145 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:50,460 Speaker 1: audience is 60% African-American, 20% white, and the rest is other. 146 00:07:50,620 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 1: You know, it breaks down. And so it's a large audience. 147 00:07:53,140 --> 00:07:56,340 Speaker 1: Part of my audience struggle with bank loans, struggle with 148 00:07:56,740 --> 00:08:00,020 Speaker 1: trying to find financing and things of that nature. And 149 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,740 Speaker 1: so how does one, like you said, Rashad, I put 150 00:08:02,780 --> 00:08:05,620 Speaker 1: together a presentation and I went and sat down with 151 00:08:05,660 --> 00:08:09,240 Speaker 1: venture capital individuals or companies and I pitched, how are 152 00:08:09,260 --> 00:08:13,060 Speaker 1: you able to make these meetings happen and how are 153 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:15,739 Speaker 1: we able to find these people who could potentially invest 154 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 1: in your company? 155 00:08:17,860 --> 00:08:28,330 Speaker 2: Yeah. So, um, Fortunately for myself, so I'm an old entrepreneur. Right. 156 00:08:28,770 --> 00:08:33,090 Speaker 2: I had run prior businesses. Now, they weren't businesses I started, 157 00:08:33,170 --> 00:08:35,170 Speaker 2: but I kind of had been in management and stuff 158 00:08:35,190 --> 00:08:39,830 Speaker 2: like that. And, you know, there's incubators and accelerators and 159 00:08:39,890 --> 00:08:43,680 Speaker 2: programs for entrepreneurs that want to get involved in startups. 160 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:44,219 Speaker 3: Right. 161 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:47,280 Speaker 2: So my company is actually based out of Atlanta. Right. 162 00:08:48,230 --> 00:08:53,270 Speaker 2: There's an organization, an accelerator there called the ATDC, Advanced 163 00:08:53,309 --> 00:08:56,770 Speaker 2: Technology Development Center, which is actually associated with Georgia Tech. 164 00:08:57,390 --> 00:09:00,229 Speaker 2: And so me and my two co-founders joined that program. 165 00:09:00,990 --> 00:09:04,890 Speaker 2: And based upon that program, we got introduced to potential 166 00:09:04,929 --> 00:09:07,809 Speaker 2: venture capital investors. And so they had somebody that formed 167 00:09:07,830 --> 00:09:10,870 Speaker 2: the network for us. And, you know, we send around 168 00:09:10,890 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 2: an email and a deck. What we're trying to do, 169 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 2: and we were able to get meetings. And so obviously, 170 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:20,010 Speaker 2: because we were experienced, it really helped. But I would 171 00:09:20,030 --> 00:09:23,510 Speaker 2: encourage the listeners who are interested in starting a company 172 00:09:23,530 --> 00:09:29,140 Speaker 2: or entrepreneurialism. There's definitely in the major cities, there's accelerators, 173 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:32,420 Speaker 2: there's incubators, and there's educational programs that can help you 174 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:36,860 Speaker 2: build a community and network. that is essential to raise money, 175 00:09:36,890 --> 00:09:39,560 Speaker 2: to raise venture capital money. And so that was very 176 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:42,140 Speaker 2: important to us that we became part of that ATDC, 177 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:44,819 Speaker 2: that accelerator that I mentioned. And it gave us a 178 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:47,680 Speaker 2: lot of new avenues to meet different types of people 179 00:09:48,140 --> 00:09:52,140 Speaker 2: and eventually raise the venture capital money. Wow. 180 00:09:52,730 --> 00:09:55,380 Speaker 1: I appreciate that because you know, we all walk around 181 00:09:55,880 --> 00:10:00,040 Speaker 1: life loss, it seems, and we complain. And sometimes we 182 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:03,980 Speaker 1: just need the right amount of information. And again, Shannon 183 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:06,620 Speaker 1: will tell you this did not happen overnight. Like he said, 184 00:10:06,660 --> 00:10:09,350 Speaker 1: I'm a, I'm an old entrepreneur. I've been in the 185 00:10:09,370 --> 00:10:12,110 Speaker 1: game for a minute, which means that if you think 186 00:10:12,150 --> 00:10:14,109 Speaker 1: you just run in here with a fresh idea and 187 00:10:14,130 --> 00:10:16,910 Speaker 1: somebody's going to buy it up top with no background 188 00:10:17,370 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 1: or no work history, Well, you might be frustrated because, 189 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:24,700 Speaker 1: like he said, people are investing in you because they 190 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:27,200 Speaker 1: want to return. They just want to donate their money 191 00:10:27,260 --> 00:10:29,540 Speaker 1: to your cause. They want to get their money back 192 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:32,950 Speaker 1: and more, and it's called an investment. Now, Ripple, you 193 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:35,990 Speaker 1: talked about the name and how the name came about 194 00:10:36,030 --> 00:10:39,370 Speaker 1: with your other co-founders. Tell us what exactly Ripple is. 195 00:10:40,690 --> 00:10:46,700 Speaker 2: Yeah, so we call ourselves a talent marketplace, and so 196 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:51,520 Speaker 2: what we do is we connect independent freelancers to jobs 197 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:54,910 Speaker 2: or gigs. And so a lot of people have heard, obviously, 198 00:10:54,929 --> 00:10:58,089 Speaker 2: people are familiar with DoorDash, people are familiar with Uber, 199 00:10:58,470 --> 00:11:03,189 Speaker 2: all the different gig economy type platforms. We actually connect 200 00:11:03,490 --> 00:11:08,390 Speaker 2: a lot of writers, designers, developers with big companies that 201 00:11:08,429 --> 00:11:12,059 Speaker 2: are looking to hire freelancers on demand. So if you're 202 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:14,709 Speaker 2: a developer, you're a writer, you're and you kind of 203 00:11:14,809 --> 00:11:17,470 Speaker 2: want either extra income on the side, maybe you have 204 00:11:17,510 --> 00:11:20,790 Speaker 2: a job, or you want to pursue a really flexible 205 00:11:20,830 --> 00:11:24,479 Speaker 2: lifestyle of, you know, or being independent, almost like being 206 00:11:24,500 --> 00:11:27,360 Speaker 2: a free agent, then you sign up on Ripple, and 207 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:30,880 Speaker 2: we introduce you and connect you to jobs. And you 208 00:11:30,900 --> 00:11:34,080 Speaker 2: can take on that work. And we handle all the payment, 209 00:11:34,100 --> 00:11:36,300 Speaker 2: we pay you weekly, as if you were an employee 210 00:11:36,340 --> 00:11:39,490 Speaker 2: of Ripple. And we will help you find work. So 211 00:11:39,929 --> 00:11:41,709 Speaker 2: those are the two hardest things when you're kind of 212 00:11:42,179 --> 00:11:43,959 Speaker 2: an entrepreneur and you want to kind of be on 213 00:11:43,980 --> 00:11:46,719 Speaker 2: your own, the hardest things are how do I find 214 00:11:46,740 --> 00:11:49,840 Speaker 2: the jobs and keep an income coming in? And second 215 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 2: is I want to make sure I get paid on 216 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,059 Speaker 2: time and get a check. And so we do both 217 00:11:54,100 --> 00:11:57,160 Speaker 2: of those things. And we have a software platform that 218 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:00,120 Speaker 2: you sign up on and that you register for. And 219 00:12:00,140 --> 00:12:02,590 Speaker 2: then we kind of take care of the rest. Wow. 220 00:12:02,990 --> 00:12:05,010 Speaker 1: Now I'm talking to one of the co-founders of Ripple, 221 00:12:05,170 --> 00:12:08,730 Speaker 1: Shannon Denton. He built a successful business, many, and launched 222 00:12:08,790 --> 00:12:11,250 Speaker 1: many and sold many. The company he has right now 223 00:12:11,929 --> 00:12:15,559 Speaker 1: is a marketing on demand platform that offers private marketplace 224 00:12:15,700 --> 00:12:19,220 Speaker 1: of vetted talent. Now, again, got to have a resume, 225 00:12:19,740 --> 00:12:21,559 Speaker 1: got to come in with experience, got to have background, 226 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:24,180 Speaker 1: just can't show up and go, hey, I'm talented, and 227 00:12:24,220 --> 00:12:26,679 Speaker 1: get frustrated when they tell you no. That's the word 228 00:12:26,920 --> 00:12:31,870 Speaker 1: vetted means. And software to manage freelancers and their relationships 229 00:12:32,390 --> 00:12:35,330 Speaker 1: all in one place. Now, the first time I ever 230 00:12:35,350 --> 00:12:39,770 Speaker 1: heard the word gig was during the pandemic. I, you know, 231 00:12:39,830 --> 00:12:41,990 Speaker 1: I was like, what's the, because there was a issue 232 00:12:42,050 --> 00:12:46,470 Speaker 1: with trying to pay them during a COVID moment. Can 233 00:12:46,490 --> 00:12:50,050 Speaker 1: you explain to everybody what exactly that name, that term means? 234 00:12:50,130 --> 00:12:51,840 Speaker 1: Because I get, I had never heard of it. And 235 00:12:51,890 --> 00:12:54,360 Speaker 1: I realized, you know, so Rashad, you are that person. 236 00:12:54,620 --> 00:12:54,890 Speaker 2: Okay. 237 00:12:54,910 --> 00:12:57,819 Speaker 1: You are a freelancer. And, but I never associated it 238 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:00,460 Speaker 1: because I call myself a producer. I call myself a writer. 239 00:13:00,860 --> 00:13:03,480 Speaker 1: I call myself a manager, but I never associated it 240 00:13:03,620 --> 00:13:06,000 Speaker 1: with that term. Please go in a little bit more 241 00:13:06,040 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 1: detail exactly what that title means. 242 00:13:08,730 --> 00:13:11,350 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, the term gig actually came a little 243 00:13:11,390 --> 00:13:15,210 Speaker 2: bit pre-pandemic, but it absolutely took off, you're right, during COVID. 244 00:13:15,809 --> 00:13:19,770 Speaker 2: And so it really, a gig meant like get a job, 245 00:13:19,870 --> 00:13:22,350 Speaker 2: sort of a temporary job that you kind of crank 246 00:13:22,410 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 2: out and get done. And so the term gig. And 247 00:13:24,910 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 2: so basically it was like, hey, I do gig work. 248 00:13:27,740 --> 00:13:31,640 Speaker 2: I may drive an Uber. I may do DoorDash. I 249 00:13:31,660 --> 00:13:36,620 Speaker 2: may do shopping for Shopify. for any Instacart, for any 250 00:13:36,640 --> 00:13:38,850 Speaker 2: of those types of companies. And so those are called gigs. 251 00:13:39,290 --> 00:13:42,449 Speaker 2: And then it became known as a gig worker. And so, 252 00:13:42,690 --> 00:13:45,290 Speaker 2: you know, in the freelancing world, now we talk more 253 00:13:45,330 --> 00:13:49,710 Speaker 2: today about the freelance economy. And so freelance economy is 254 00:13:49,750 --> 00:13:53,980 Speaker 2: really more about you're actually doing those types of jobs 255 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:57,660 Speaker 2: or assignments for big corporations. And so these are like 256 00:13:57,760 --> 00:14:02,000 Speaker 2: professional type assignments that, you know, you may be doing 257 00:14:02,020 --> 00:14:05,579 Speaker 2: some copywriting for a big company or Maybe you're doing 258 00:14:05,620 --> 00:14:09,620 Speaker 2: some graphic design. Maybe you're developing software. And so as 259 00:14:09,660 --> 00:14:13,309 Speaker 2: a freelancer, but in general, Rashawn, I mean, they kind 260 00:14:13,330 --> 00:14:15,070 Speaker 2: of mean all the same thing. I'm a gig worker. 261 00:14:15,110 --> 00:14:17,910 Speaker 2: I'm a freelancer. The other term you'll see out there 262 00:14:17,950 --> 00:14:20,250 Speaker 2: is I'm an independent talent, meaning I don't have a 263 00:14:20,270 --> 00:14:22,930 Speaker 2: full-time job. I'm kind of pursuing, you know, you're kind 264 00:14:22,970 --> 00:14:26,130 Speaker 2: of a free agent. You kind of look for jobs, 265 00:14:26,410 --> 00:14:28,970 Speaker 2: and you kind of assemble. You do those jobs based 266 00:14:29,030 --> 00:14:31,410 Speaker 2: upon what comes your way. And so there's a lot 267 00:14:31,450 --> 00:14:35,480 Speaker 2: of people very successful now. that are earning a really 268 00:14:35,500 --> 00:14:40,500 Speaker 2: good income by doing independent work, gigs, freelance work, and 269 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:42,730 Speaker 2: they're able to get enough of those jobs to where 270 00:14:42,770 --> 00:14:44,510 Speaker 2: they actually make more money than if they had a 271 00:14:44,530 --> 00:14:45,210 Speaker 2: full-time job. 272 00:14:45,470 --> 00:14:48,650 Speaker 4: Please, don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more 273 00:14:48,750 --> 00:15:02,200 Speaker 4: Money-Making Conversations Masterclass. Welcome back to the Money Making Conversations Masterclass, 274 00:15:02,380 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 4: hosted by Rashawn McDonald. 275 00:15:06,100 --> 00:15:07,500 Speaker 2: And so that's what this is all about. 276 00:15:07,660 --> 00:15:09,780 Speaker 1: And they control their schedule. You know, it's really interesting. 277 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:11,710 Speaker 2: Absolutely. Which is awesome. 278 00:15:12,070 --> 00:15:14,310 Speaker 1: Which is really, really awesome because of the world that, 279 00:15:14,630 --> 00:15:17,910 Speaker 1: you know, I've lived a life of high-end drama. When 280 00:15:17,950 --> 00:15:20,910 Speaker 1: I say that means there's stress and it's tied to, 281 00:15:21,930 --> 00:15:25,480 Speaker 1: you know, you can say it's consistent, but the one 282 00:15:25,540 --> 00:15:28,170 Speaker 1: thing you can, it may not be true. But if 283 00:15:28,190 --> 00:15:30,330 Speaker 1: you work a 40-hour week job, there's a degree of 284 00:15:30,370 --> 00:15:34,510 Speaker 1: consistency there, maybe. But when you're doing independent thoughts, but 285 00:15:34,530 --> 00:15:39,080 Speaker 1: that freedom can bring drama, too. But it's good drama 286 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:43,140 Speaker 1: because you're controlling your point of view. Now, when I 287 00:15:43,180 --> 00:15:46,910 Speaker 1: was talking to you about the pandemic, it was really interesting. 288 00:15:46,930 --> 00:15:50,230 Speaker 1: The gig worker who I knew nothing about, or the 289 00:15:50,270 --> 00:15:53,430 Speaker 1: freelancer who I really knew about, Shannon, but I didn't 290 00:15:53,610 --> 00:15:56,490 Speaker 1: understand the value they had with a company like mine. 291 00:15:57,170 --> 00:16:00,800 Speaker 1: It changed my whole philosophy, realizing that, you know, Rashawn, 292 00:16:01,300 --> 00:16:04,760 Speaker 1: you don't have ebb and flows in your business model. 293 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:08,860 Speaker 1: Sometimes you do a large gig, and sometimes you get 294 00:16:08,900 --> 00:16:12,570 Speaker 1: a contract. maybe a three-month contract or a month contract. 295 00:16:13,010 --> 00:16:16,550 Speaker 1: And I was doing that old philosophy of hiring full-time people. 296 00:16:16,930 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: At times, they were just sitting around the office. And 297 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:22,540 Speaker 1: so that's where the independent worker has value, correct? 298 00:16:23,860 --> 00:16:26,900 Speaker 2: No doubt. So well said. So basically, think from a 299 00:16:26,980 --> 00:16:33,239 Speaker 2: company perspective. So if you're really hiring freelancers, you only 300 00:16:33,300 --> 00:16:35,690 Speaker 2: hire for the work you need to get done when 301 00:16:35,730 --> 00:16:38,210 Speaker 2: you need it. So you may need some work done 302 00:16:38,250 --> 00:16:40,920 Speaker 2: for the next three weeks. The freelancer can kind of 303 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:42,780 Speaker 2: crank it out, and you may not need that type 304 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:45,430 Speaker 2: of work done for another couple months. And so there's 305 00:16:45,510 --> 00:16:47,830 Speaker 2: no wasted money is the way to think about it. 306 00:16:47,870 --> 00:16:50,170 Speaker 2: So companies really are embracing it, and they love it 307 00:16:50,730 --> 00:16:52,530 Speaker 2: because you can kind of lay out, here's all the 308 00:16:52,550 --> 00:16:55,190 Speaker 2: different stuff I need to get done. I can use 309 00:16:55,610 --> 00:16:58,230 Speaker 2: a platform like Ripple to go find the freelancers to 310 00:16:58,270 --> 00:17:02,600 Speaker 2: do that. And I don't have to pay as much 311 00:17:02,700 --> 00:17:06,200 Speaker 2: full-time salary cost to a big, huge group of employees. Right. 312 00:17:07,040 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 2: The flexibility, the cost savings, and the speed at which 313 00:17:11,859 --> 00:17:16,380 Speaker 2: you can move hiring freelancers is the rationale that companies 314 00:17:16,420 --> 00:17:19,730 Speaker 2: are really embracing this new world in the freelance economy. 315 00:17:19,910 --> 00:17:20,110 Speaker 4: Wow. 316 00:17:20,530 --> 00:17:22,330 Speaker 1: Thank you for that update. When we come back, we 317 00:17:22,350 --> 00:17:25,250 Speaker 1: will continue this conversation with Shannon Denton, one of the 318 00:17:25,310 --> 00:17:29,350 Speaker 1: founders of Ripple, as you can see. It's not AI, 319 00:17:29,590 --> 00:17:31,890 Speaker 1: but it's a way of being able to fill your 320 00:17:31,930 --> 00:17:37,110 Speaker 1: job responsibilities or job needs, sometimes long-term, sometimes temporarily. I'm 321 00:17:37,140 --> 00:17:40,310 Speaker 1: speaking to one of the co-founders of Ripple, a company 322 00:17:40,330 --> 00:17:43,850 Speaker 1: that's changing the game as far as independent freelancers. It 323 00:17:44,250 --> 00:17:50,389 Speaker 1: fills companies' long-term and temporary needs. Co-founder's name is Shannon Denton. 324 00:17:50,690 --> 00:17:52,610 Speaker 1: How can they reach you, or what is the website 325 00:17:52,650 --> 00:17:53,810 Speaker 1: that they should go to, Shannon? 326 00:17:55,230 --> 00:18:02,149 Speaker 2: Yeah, so www.ripple.com, again with the W-W-R-I-P-P-L-E. And just go 327 00:18:02,190 --> 00:18:05,170 Speaker 2: out there, and if you're interested in freelance opportunities, there's 328 00:18:05,330 --> 00:18:07,810 Speaker 2: a place that you can apply. And if you're a 329 00:18:07,830 --> 00:18:11,710 Speaker 2: client looking to hire freelancers, you can easily sign up 330 00:18:11,730 --> 00:18:14,630 Speaker 2: for a demo, and we'll jump on a video call 331 00:18:14,650 --> 00:18:16,130 Speaker 2: with you and show you our platform. 332 00:18:17,530 --> 00:18:19,390 Speaker 1: When you were thinking about this, you know, there's always, 333 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:22,500 Speaker 1: where did that idea pop up from? You know, was 334 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:26,660 Speaker 1: this a long-term idea that kind of like manifested itself, 335 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:30,399 Speaker 1: or it was like, you know, the old slogan, a 336 00:18:30,500 --> 00:18:33,480 Speaker 1: light bulb above your head. How did this idea come about? 337 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:39,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, great question. So it actually came, so my two 338 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:42,640 Speaker 2: co-founders and myself, we were working together at a company 339 00:18:42,700 --> 00:18:46,100 Speaker 2: called Razorfish, which was a pretty well-known, what's called a 340 00:18:46,140 --> 00:18:48,010 Speaker 2: digital agency. So we were doing a lot of work 341 00:18:48,030 --> 00:18:52,050 Speaker 2: for big companies, and we kept hearing from our clients. 342 00:18:52,550 --> 00:18:54,430 Speaker 2: This is always a great way to start a company, 343 00:18:54,470 --> 00:18:57,210 Speaker 2: is if you keep hearing the same thing from somebody 344 00:18:57,350 --> 00:18:59,449 Speaker 2: over and over, and you're like, that must really be 345 00:18:59,470 --> 00:19:01,910 Speaker 2: a problem to focus on. So what they were, what 346 00:19:01,950 --> 00:19:04,780 Speaker 2: our clients were telling us is, hey, we would love 347 00:19:04,820 --> 00:19:09,180 Speaker 2: a way to be able to tap into on-demand talent 348 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:14,260 Speaker 2: or people a lot easier and faster than what we've 349 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:16,340 Speaker 2: ever been able to do before. And so they kind 350 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:22,100 Speaker 2: of were using parallels of what has happened in e-commerce, Amazon.com. 351 00:19:22,140 --> 00:19:24,590 Speaker 2: They knew about Uber. And they're like, how come it's 352 00:19:24,619 --> 00:19:28,730 Speaker 2: not that easy to go find some talent to do 353 00:19:28,770 --> 00:19:32,210 Speaker 2: a project for us? Why couldn't we have a platform 354 00:19:32,230 --> 00:19:34,940 Speaker 2: that did that for us? And so we just kept 355 00:19:34,980 --> 00:19:36,780 Speaker 2: hearing it from our clients that there had to be 356 00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:40,600 Speaker 2: a better, easier, faster way, cheaper way. And so we 357 00:19:40,619 --> 00:19:42,680 Speaker 2: put our heads together and said, hey, let's create something 358 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:45,850 Speaker 2: really amazing here. And that's how the idea came about. Wow. 359 00:19:46,650 --> 00:19:50,530 Speaker 1: A courageous idea because, you know, you know, dreaming. always 360 00:19:51,230 --> 00:19:55,109 Speaker 1: good to have. But planning it and executing it is 361 00:19:55,170 --> 00:19:58,670 Speaker 1: the reality that we all fall off the cliff on, 362 00:19:58,710 --> 00:20:02,600 Speaker 1: you know. So when you started this idea, Shannon, this 363 00:20:02,690 --> 00:20:05,960 Speaker 1: idea of creating Ripple with your other two co-founders, did 364 00:20:05,980 --> 00:20:12,830 Speaker 1: you start with a certain– a job type, or you 365 00:20:12,869 --> 00:20:16,250 Speaker 1: said that we're going to go with these four categories 366 00:20:16,310 --> 00:20:16,629 Speaker 1: of jobs. 367 00:20:16,930 --> 00:20:17,429 Speaker 3: How did you start? 368 00:20:17,450 --> 00:20:19,090 Speaker 1: It had to be a model. What was that model? 369 00:20:20,010 --> 00:20:23,909 Speaker 2: Yeah, so the model, I mean, we were fortunate in 370 00:20:23,950 --> 00:20:26,540 Speaker 2: that we had some good contacts. Right. And so we 371 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:29,659 Speaker 2: were able to build it around a couple of early customers. 372 00:20:30,260 --> 00:20:34,359 Speaker 2: And so we started out doing mainly, you know, website design. Okay. 373 00:20:34,380 --> 00:20:36,040 Speaker 2: And building websites for companies. 374 00:20:36,060 --> 00:20:36,200 Speaker 3: Okay. 375 00:20:36,700 --> 00:20:40,199 Speaker 2: And we were able to win a few clients, and 376 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:43,930 Speaker 2: that helped, honestly, fund the early stages of the company 377 00:20:43,950 --> 00:20:49,570 Speaker 2: because we had actual paying customers, which is amazing. That's 378 00:20:49,590 --> 00:20:52,190 Speaker 2: not always the case with startups. But we had a 379 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:55,439 Speaker 2: paying customer, and we actually started building the product. And 380 00:20:55,460 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 2: then we got venture capital money about eight to ten 381 00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:02,080 Speaker 2: months after that. So we actually had some customers. We 382 00:21:02,119 --> 00:21:04,610 Speaker 2: had some revenue coming in, some dollars in the door. 383 00:21:05,390 --> 00:21:07,150 Speaker 2: And we had a little bit of a product that 384 00:21:07,170 --> 00:21:10,770 Speaker 2: was built through that customer, through a couple of customers 385 00:21:10,790 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 2: that hired us early stage. And so that's kind of 386 00:21:13,060 --> 00:21:15,860 Speaker 2: how we and we did focus on. It's a good question. 387 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:18,100 Speaker 2: I mean, a lot of cases when you're building a startup, 388 00:21:18,660 --> 00:21:20,420 Speaker 2: you want to kind of narrow your focus to get 389 00:21:20,460 --> 00:21:24,560 Speaker 2: going and to and to create something that kind of 390 00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:27,540 Speaker 2: gets traction early. And so it may you may have 391 00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:30,969 Speaker 2: to kind of. Start smaller than your big, huge vision, 392 00:21:31,310 --> 00:21:34,790 Speaker 2: and then grow the vision over time incrementally. It's a 393 00:21:34,830 --> 00:21:37,820 Speaker 2: very common model that you want to follow in building 394 00:21:37,859 --> 00:21:38,340 Speaker 2: a startup. 395 00:21:39,180 --> 00:21:42,560 Speaker 1: Okay. The question I'm sure everybody is asking, what separates 396 00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:49,070 Speaker 1: you from other job-related firms like an Indeed? What's the difference? 397 00:21:50,390 --> 00:21:55,870 Speaker 2: Yeah. So I think for us, we're what's called category-focused. Okay. 398 00:21:55,890 --> 00:22:00,169 Speaker 2: So all we really do is marketing. type positions. And 399 00:22:00,210 --> 00:22:04,690 Speaker 2: we really make the CMO and the marketing organization love 400 00:22:04,750 --> 00:22:07,620 Speaker 2: us because if you go on our platform and you're 401 00:22:07,630 --> 00:22:12,580 Speaker 2: looking to hire on-demand talent, the language we speak, the 402 00:22:12,660 --> 00:22:16,119 Speaker 2: platform and the software kind of just, it speaks so 403 00:22:17,340 --> 00:22:21,220 Speaker 2: intimately to the marketing team and all the different job 404 00:22:21,280 --> 00:22:23,780 Speaker 2: titles and the types of projects. It matches the way 405 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:26,590 Speaker 2: they think and how they speak. And so when you're 406 00:22:26,609 --> 00:22:30,230 Speaker 2: building a startup like that, being experts in a certain 407 00:22:30,310 --> 00:22:32,710 Speaker 2: area is super important. And that's how we've been able 408 00:22:32,770 --> 00:22:36,290 Speaker 2: to compete really well against some of the bigger players 409 00:22:36,310 --> 00:22:38,250 Speaker 2: that have been out there longer. So we've been taking 410 00:22:38,310 --> 00:22:41,340 Speaker 2: business from them ever since we started. And it's really 411 00:22:41,359 --> 00:22:44,700 Speaker 2: because we kind of have that expertise in the category, 412 00:22:44,740 --> 00:22:47,760 Speaker 2: and we know it cold. And, you know, it's been 413 00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:50,619 Speaker 2: instrumental to our momentum in the market. 414 00:22:51,020 --> 00:22:53,710 Speaker 1: Well, Shannon, I'll be honest with you. The philosophy that 415 00:22:53,730 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: you're preaching– preaching to the gospel, that's me. You know, 416 00:22:59,859 --> 00:23:04,410 Speaker 1: I one time had 11 full-time employees. All my offices 417 00:23:04,450 --> 00:23:07,230 Speaker 1: were filled with people. I couldn't even justify it. I 418 00:23:07,270 --> 00:23:08,870 Speaker 1: had to give them busy work, you know, to try 419 00:23:08,890 --> 00:23:12,410 Speaker 1: to justify why I was paying these individuals. And then 420 00:23:12,450 --> 00:23:16,820 Speaker 1: when I cut it down to like six, then all 421 00:23:16,840 --> 00:23:20,840 Speaker 1: of a sudden when I needed independence like you, like 422 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:25,040 Speaker 1: your company provides, then it became smart business model, you know, 423 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:29,609 Speaker 1: The revenue made sense. I wasn't trapped at every 5th 424 00:23:29,690 --> 00:23:32,630 Speaker 1: and 20th. I had a payroll I had to deliver. Now, 425 00:23:32,670 --> 00:23:36,929 Speaker 1: when you start talking about independence, what's working well in 426 00:23:36,970 --> 00:23:39,949 Speaker 1: the freelancer economy and what needs to be worked on? 427 00:23:41,450 --> 00:23:45,260 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think in general, I think it's working pretty well. 428 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:48,859 Speaker 2: So the data says that both the clients that hire 429 00:23:48,920 --> 00:23:53,139 Speaker 2: freelancers and the freelancers are satisfied. It's just to fully 430 00:23:53,220 --> 00:23:56,210 Speaker 2: unlock the growth potential, there's a few things I think 431 00:23:57,030 --> 00:24:00,530 Speaker 2: just the onboarding is always important. So if you get 432 00:24:00,570 --> 00:24:03,189 Speaker 2: hired as a freelancer, you want to have a really 433 00:24:03,369 --> 00:24:06,970 Speaker 2: clear definition of what you need to be able to do, 434 00:24:06,990 --> 00:24:11,740 Speaker 2: your deliverables, what expectations you need to hit to keep 435 00:24:11,780 --> 00:24:15,600 Speaker 2: your client happy. And so I think just encouraging just 436 00:24:15,640 --> 00:24:18,560 Speaker 2: a little bit more clarity and getting that a little 437 00:24:18,580 --> 00:24:21,200 Speaker 2: bit more professional is something that we talk a lot 438 00:24:21,220 --> 00:24:24,200 Speaker 2: about with our clients and our freelancers. so that everybody's 439 00:24:24,240 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 2: on the same page. You know, that may not sound 440 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:31,720 Speaker 2: amazingly cool, but communication and expectation setting, everybody being clear, 441 00:24:32,720 --> 00:24:35,859 Speaker 2: it's super important. And I think in the world of freelancing, 442 00:24:36,540 --> 00:24:39,100 Speaker 2: it hasn't been quite as clear as when you're hiring 443 00:24:39,140 --> 00:24:42,480 Speaker 2: somebody full-time for a job. And so we're trying to 444 00:24:42,520 --> 00:24:44,980 Speaker 2: make sure that the clarity is really there for both 445 00:24:45,050 --> 00:24:47,250 Speaker 2: sides when the project starts. 446 00:24:47,530 --> 00:24:49,150 Speaker 1: As we wrap up the interview, I want to ask, 447 00:24:49,350 --> 00:24:51,889 Speaker 1: I think a key question would be, Okay, when someone 448 00:24:51,990 --> 00:24:54,690 Speaker 1: comes to Ripple, I'm talking about I'm an employer, I'm 449 00:24:54,710 --> 00:24:59,119 Speaker 1: a company, are you locked to like a two-month contract 450 00:24:59,190 --> 00:25:01,859 Speaker 1: or a 90-day contract or a six-month contract? How does 451 00:25:01,880 --> 00:25:02,280 Speaker 1: that work? 452 00:25:03,619 --> 00:25:06,620 Speaker 2: No, absolutely not. That's one of the things about freelancing. 453 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:11,440 Speaker 2: It's super flexible. So first of all, we have jobs 454 00:25:11,500 --> 00:25:16,600 Speaker 2: that are a day, a week, several months, two years. 455 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:21,510 Speaker 2: So the jobs can be basically any length you can imagine. 456 00:25:21,830 --> 00:25:24,270 Speaker 2: And so, and then if, you know, the way it 457 00:25:24,330 --> 00:25:27,609 Speaker 2: works also is that if it's not a right fit 458 00:25:27,670 --> 00:25:29,609 Speaker 2: for either side, maybe you get started, you work a 459 00:25:29,630 --> 00:25:33,290 Speaker 2: few days, then, you know, it doesn't happen very often, 460 00:25:33,390 --> 00:25:37,080 Speaker 2: but we can, you know, the freelancer or the company says, Hey, 461 00:25:37,119 --> 00:25:40,000 Speaker 2: I'd like to try somebody else out. Um, then, you know, 462 00:25:40,020 --> 00:25:42,000 Speaker 2: that's built into our model where you can kind of 463 00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:43,580 Speaker 2: swap out and that kind of stuff. 464 00:25:45,090 --> 00:25:47,389 Speaker 1: You know, that's important because like I said, when I 465 00:25:47,430 --> 00:25:49,710 Speaker 1: was coming up in the college, you know, temporary employment 466 00:25:49,730 --> 00:25:53,450 Speaker 1: opportunities or independent worker opportunities were important to me because 467 00:25:53,470 --> 00:25:55,889 Speaker 1: it allowed me to work with different companies and find 468 00:25:55,990 --> 00:25:58,990 Speaker 1: out different personalities and find out where I wanted to work, 469 00:25:59,119 --> 00:26:01,679 Speaker 1: you know. So it was really important what you're offering 470 00:26:01,740 --> 00:26:06,160 Speaker 1: now in the gig community, independent community, freelance community is available. 471 00:26:06,560 --> 00:26:09,840 Speaker 1: And Ripple, the way you, as you say, with the water, 472 00:26:09,859 --> 00:26:13,229 Speaker 1: the the movement, the calmness, the sudden change that can 473 00:26:13,270 --> 00:26:15,710 Speaker 1: change a person's life. That's what you're doing with Ripple. 474 00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:19,440 Speaker 1: As we close out, can you tell us the opportunities 475 00:26:19,580 --> 00:26:21,419 Speaker 1: of how we can reach out and touch you? 476 00:26:22,720 --> 00:26:25,540 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I first just want to emphasize, Rashawn, you 477 00:26:25,600 --> 00:26:29,260 Speaker 2: opened it up by talking about living the dream and 478 00:26:29,359 --> 00:26:31,399 Speaker 2: pursuing dreams. I mean, I think that's what we're all 479 00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:35,290 Speaker 2: about as well. And it's fun to be a freelancer. 480 00:26:35,310 --> 00:26:37,510 Speaker 2: It's fun to be a free agent. But I love 481 00:26:37,530 --> 00:26:40,570 Speaker 2: your message on You've got to want it, and you've 482 00:26:40,590 --> 00:26:43,070 Speaker 2: got to be good at something, and you've got to 483 00:26:43,250 --> 00:26:46,850 Speaker 2: execute as well. But I just want to reiterate the 484 00:26:46,910 --> 00:26:49,619 Speaker 2: message you kicked off this podcast with. I thought it 485 00:26:49,650 --> 00:26:53,960 Speaker 2: was great. And, again, I'm on LinkedIn. You can find me, 486 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:57,920 Speaker 2: Shannon Denton, on LinkedIn. Send me a message or visit 487 00:26:57,960 --> 00:27:00,659 Speaker 2: our website, and I would love to have a conversation 488 00:27:00,700 --> 00:27:01,960 Speaker 2: with anyone about Ripple. 489 00:27:03,050 --> 00:27:05,190 Speaker 1: Well, let me tell you what. You're a seasonal guy 490 00:27:05,210 --> 00:27:07,490 Speaker 1: to me. You'll be talking to me again in the fall, 491 00:27:07,530 --> 00:27:11,420 Speaker 1: my friend. because I'm about trying to get people non-traditional 492 00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:15,379 Speaker 1: or traditional ways of finding employment. You are a star maker, 493 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:18,900 Speaker 1: and I appreciate you taking the time, and an employer. 494 00:27:19,560 --> 00:27:22,800 Speaker 1: And this works for me, because a lot of people 495 00:27:22,859 --> 00:27:26,640 Speaker 1: out there trying to, they've been frustrated not finding employment opportunities. 496 00:27:26,900 --> 00:27:29,350 Speaker 1: This is a very, very comfortable way of pursuing it. 497 00:27:29,690 --> 00:27:31,810 Speaker 1: And again, thank you, Shannon, for coming on my show 498 00:27:32,130 --> 00:27:37,580 Speaker 1: and telling us about your job, assist, freelance, gig, independent 499 00:27:37,600 --> 00:27:40,899 Speaker 1: thinking way of controlling your life and building your dreams. 500 00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:43,620 Speaker 1: That's what Ripple.com does. Thank you for coming to my show. 501 00:27:44,440 --> 00:27:45,439 Speaker 2: I appreciate you, man. All right. 502 00:27:45,580 --> 00:27:47,910 Speaker 3: Thank you for joining us for this edition of Money 503 00:27:47,950 --> 00:27:54,250 Speaker 3: Making Conversations Masterclass. Money Making Conversations Masterclass with Rashaun McDonald 504 00:27:54,369 --> 00:27:59,490 Speaker 3: is produced by 3815 Media Inc. More information about 3815 505 00:27:59,490 --> 00:28:03,580 Speaker 3: Media Inc. is available at 3815media. 506 00:28:02,400 --> 00:28:06,459 Speaker 4: Com. And always remember to lead with your gifts.