Equity, Grit, and Growth w/ Ander Sevilla :: Ep 274 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

Entrepreneur Ander Sevilla, founder of Black Light, joins host Jim McCarthy to share how he went from selling duct tape wallets in 4th grade to building a fast-growing marketing and private equity hybrid based in Nashville. Ander talks about losing everything (twice), moving cross‑country to start over, turning an Antioch house into an incubator, and raising capital to scale Black Light into multiple markets.They dive into:Why he left law school plans for entrepreneurshipHow Black Light takes equity stakes in businesses instead of just feesWhat he looks for in founders and teamsThe real value of college vs. trades vs. starting a businessCulture, hiring (and firing friends), and staying “green so you grow”Whether you’re just getting started or already deep in the grind, this episode is a reminder that there’s no single “right” path to building a business—only the one you’re willing to bet on, learn from, and keep showing up for. Tune in, take notes, and then take action on the ideas that hit home for you.Follow Ander:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersevilla/_____________________________________________________________________****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast:www.mmtbp.comwww.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcastwww.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvosTiktok: @jimmccarthyvos    __________________________________________________________Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP.Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept:https://linktr.ee/mamwmw___________________________________________________________If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours!https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668 ___________________________________________________________***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”:https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip_________________________________________________________________The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a non-profit 21st Century Non-Traditional Business School that you should really check out: Wizard Academy - www.wizardacademy.org______________________________________________________________________Curious about podcasting? This podcast (and many others) is produced by www.itsyourshow.co