Returns on Resilience

In this episode of Returns on Resilience, host Dr. Dawn Sizemore sits down with Atlanta entrepreneurs, Dr. Patricia Kelly Marsh (Founder and CEO of Ask Me Your MD) and Farah Allen (Founder and CEO of Arc Advisory), for a candid conversation about the connection between entrepreneurship, wealth building, and the legacies founders are creating right now. How family members who displayed grit and resourcefulness in the face of hardship planted the seed of entrepreneurship Why growing up watching people solve problems with limited resources is its own kind of business school The moment each founder recognized that building something was not just possible for them, it was inevitable How early experiences of resilience became a competitive advantage later in business How being embedded in tight-knit communities (the Jamaican immigrant community in Miami, professional Black Atlanta neighborhoods) shaped both identity and professional vision Why the people you grow up around calibrate what you believe is possible for yourself The difference between communities that survive and communities that build generational infrastructure How Atlanta’s specific history of Black business ownership creates a distinct culture of ambition and possibility Atlanta’s long track record of Black-owned businesses building and sustaining wealth across generations The ecosystem resources (accelerators, tech communities, networks) available to founders who are ready to scale Why Atlanta is uniquely positioned to help women entrepreneurs move from survival mode to legacy-building mode What it means to reach the “next level” and how the city’s infrastructure is designed to take founders there Why wealth is not just a revenue number: it is the ability to meet the needs of future generations without starting from zero The case for setting up a family office structure (trusts, tax incentives) long before most founders think they need one How to think about legacy as a financial instrument, not just an emotional goal Why protecting wealth requires different skills and relationships than building it Build for alignment, not just access: seek community members who have been stress-tested and whose values hold under pressure Let go of the ego attachment to a single income stream; diversified wealth (real estate, low-maintenance businesses, investments) compounds faster than founder salary Why founders who stay curious and open to unconventional income sources consistently outperform those locked into one model How authentic relationships, not transactional networking, become the real infrastructure of a lasting business The Pivot Playbook Legacy is built daily: The decisions you make today about structure, ownership, and community determine what survives you Diversify before you think you have to: Build income streams outside your primary business while you still have energy and options Protect the wealth: Revenue without structure disappears; get the legal and financial infrastructure in place early Community is not optional: The founders who last are embedded in networks of people who tell them the truth Your resilience has a return: Every time you get through difficulty, you gain the credibility and clarity that money cannot buy Key Takeaways Legacy is not luck: It is the compounded result of intentional decisions made consistently over time Wealth building requires a shift in identity from founder to builder of something that outlasts you Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem provides real infrastructure for founders serious about scale and longevity Letting go of ego-driven income models opens the door to faster, more sustainable wealth creation Resilience is not just a personal virtue; it is a fundable, returnable asset About Our Guests Dr. Patricia Kelly Marsh is the Founder and CEO of Ask Me Your MD, a platform connecting patients with trusted medical guidance. A physician turned entrepreneur, Dr. Kelly Marsh brings deep clinical expertise and a founder’s drive to closing the gap between patients and the information they need to make confident healthcare decisions. Farah Allen is the Founder and CEO of Arc Advisory, a firm focused on strategic advisory services for founders and growing businesses. Rooted in Atlanta’s professional community and shaped by an upbringing that valued excellence and service, Farah brings a clear-eyed perspective on what it takes to build businesses that create lasting wealth and community impact. Visit weiatlanta.com for more stories, resources, and ways to connect with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative community. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Invest Atlanta or the City of Atlanta. The program is committed to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, or background. Produced by the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool On Entrepreneurial Origins & MindsetOn the Power of Community & IdentityOn Atlanta as a Wealth-Building HubOn Defining & Protecting WealthOn Strategic Advice for Founders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Returns on Resilience, host Dr. Dawn Sizemore sits down with two Atlanta alumni founders, Jillian Anderson, founder and CEO of HerRide, and Jamine Moton, founder and CEO of Skylar Security, for a candid conversation about building tech companies from the ground up, navigating the real costs of innovation, and what it means to lead with both strategy and intuition. On the Entrepreneurial Journey How a ride-share driver identified a gap in safety and comfort for women travelers Why founding a tech company and building its technology at the same time is a path to avoid The roller coaster of entrepreneurship and why self-reflection is part of the ride What "why" keeps founders moving when the journey gets hard On the Technical Founder Experience Balancing business operations with the demands of tech development The case for finding a technical co-founder or learning to leverage AI tools to manage costs Why trademarking and owning your source code matters more than most founders realize The hidden costs of development, hosting, and maintenance, and how to fund them through revenue On Community and Capital Why advisory boards can be as valuable as venture capital, and less predatory How the Gathering Spot and other Atlanta networks open doors to grants and resources Setting clear boundaries around your ideas and knowing when to charge for your expertise The caution required when navigating relationships that could compromise your vision On Building a Stronger Atlanta Ecosystem The frustration of being "over-coached" in exchange for small grants What mature businesses actually need: capital access and a clear growth ladder How Atlanta's entrepreneurial ecosystem can better serve founders who are past the early stages Why staying in tune with your own intuition is a competitive advantage Key Takeaways Own your tech: Protect your source code and trademark your brand from the start Build your board: Community and advisors can help you navigate what capital alone cannot Self-care is strategy: Avoiding burnout keeps you in the game for the long haul Know your limits: Be prepared to be disliked when strong leadership decisions have to be made Trust your gut: The roller coaster is real, but your intuition is one of your greatest assets About Our Guests Jillian Anderson is the founder and CEO of HerRide, a female-friendly ride-share app based in Atlanta. Drawing on her own experience as a ride-share driver, Jillian built HerRide to prioritize safety and comfort for women travelers. She holds a computer science degree and is a vocal advocate for founders understanding the technical and legal foundations of their businesses. Jamine Moton is the founder and CEO of Skylar Security, an Atlanta-based company that uses technology to deliver security guard services with a high level of transparency. Rooted in a background in protection and a passion for private-sector innovation, Jamine built Skylar Security on the belief that security is, at its core, an emotional experience. Visit weiatlanta.com for more stories, resources, and ways to connect with the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative community. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Invest Atlanta or the City of Atlanta. The program is committed to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, or background. Produced by the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices