From America to Africa: How Dawn Dickson Overcame Racism and Built a Tech Empire

Konnected Minds Podcast

What if you could overcome systemic racism, sexual harassment, and break the barriers to success by moving halfway across the world? Dawn Dickson, an innovative American entrepreneur and one of the first 25 black women in the US to raise over a million dollars in venture capital, joins us to share her incredible journey. Dawn talks about founding her cutting-edge retail tech company, Popcom, and the numerous challenges she faced, including her bold decision to relocate to Ghana and Rwanda in search of new opportunities and to escape the racial barriers in America. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship in creating wealth and revolutionizing industries.
Dawn dives deep into the importance of mindset and a 'give first' attitude when building and funding businesses. By sharing personal anecdotes, she illustrates how approaching potential mentors and employers with value and generosity can foster powerful connections. We explore how passion, purpose, and continuous learning are crucial in the entrepreneurial journey, and how unexpected generosity can open doors you might never have imagined. Dawn's experiences underline the necessity of truly enjoying what you do and the evolving mindset required for sustained success.
Finally, Dawn shares the rewards and challenges of living and investing in Ghana, discussing cultural adjustments, managing operations in both Ghana and Rwanda, and the importance of hands-on management. She also opens up about her strategies for dealing with sexual harassment and the vital role of delegation. We highlight the critical importance of trusting your intuition and how setbacks can be stepping stones to new opportunities. This episode is packed with insights and inspiration for anyone looking to navigate the complex path of entrepreneurship.

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Capíttulos

1. Navigating Wealth and Entrepreneurship (00:00:00)

2. The Power of Mindset and Giving (00:11:30)

3. Navigating Challenges of Living in Ghana (00:19:15)

4. Empowering Women in Ghana (00:28:02)

5. Trusting Your Intuition in Business (00:36:07)

6. Entrepreneurial Success Through Self-Trust (00:46:33)