Street genius radio is a space for black entrepreneurs to discuss the challenges that are unique to people of color; as well as a space for low-income people of color to get on the job training in radio and video production. Street Genius spoke with Susan Campion, co- founder of the Giant Steps conference. Susan shared what it means to "Be completely, unabashedly, yourself.” Susan Campion is the founder of Camponovo Consulting, where she works with leaders to crystallize, scope, and execute emerging business strategies. She combines strong analytical skills and creative capabilities to help your team re-frame problems, identify new opportunities, and design new ways of working. She has spent her career working across cultures, industries, and sectors–fostering innovative and “unlikely” collaborations and constructively blurring boundaries between business and art. Susan grew up in an extremely corporate family, where job and financial security were highly valued. The first twelve years of her career she worked for 3M, seven of those years were spent overseas. Even though she was raised to “work a regular job” she knew she didn’t want to work at 3M for forever. A couple of Susan’s friends had managed to leave their corporate jobs to start new ventures, and somehow managed to survive. Even though Susan had no idea what she was going to do, she decided to leave her good paying job to find a space where she could “Be completely, unabashedly, herself.” Before hosting the first Giant Steps Conference, Susan spent most of her time consulting for boutique firms on operations. During this in-between stage, as a consultant, she happened to come across a poster for a Ghanaian hip-hop artist’s, named M.anifest, concert. On a whim, she went to see him perform. After his performance she introduced herself and asked if he would be willing to come and speak at a high school to talk to students about the ways you often need to tap into other revenue streams to finance something like an album. M.anifest agreed to do it, which began his and Susan’s partnership on the Giant Steps Conference.
For the first 2010 Giant Steps Conference it was just the two of them planning for four months in advance. Admittedly Susan says they really had no idea what they were doing, but they were going to do the best they could with what they had. Around 116 people attended and 35 people spoke. The conference got so much attention that Susan received a call from the Walker Art’s Center, asking “How did you get all of these amazing speakers in one room?” The Giant Steps conference goal is to create a space for artists or entrepreneurs to feel safe to explore what it means to start a business. Her goal isn’t to bring speakers that talk about all their success, but rather discuss how they too are still figuring it out as they go. Susan says there is no way she could ever go back to corporate life, where she was only able to be two thirds of herself. As the founder of Giant Steps and Camponovo Consulting she is able to be one hundred percent herself, and create a space for others to do so as well.
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I've always been very aware of microphones , & how they are used. The responsibility one has when they grab the mic . Which voices in our communities are amplified, and which ones are on mute. This show creates opportunities for untraditional entrepreneurs to share knowledge, & support the startup journey. Our program is a work training social venture, and will provide training & job opportunities for blacks in tech. "When I reach $1,500 per month, I’ll add an additional intern to our show. This will allow me to give them a liveable wage while they continue their education in college."
AuthorIni Augustine Archives
April 2018
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