There is limitless potential out there that has never gotten a chance because of the color of their skin or the sound of their name.
James Chapman is the founder and CEO of Plain Sight, an incredible platform networking, both in person and remotely. He’s dedicated his career to taking ambitious people and getting them into one room. He started and ran Detroit Demo Day, which has provided over $4 million in funding to small businesses throughout the city of Detroit, the majority of which have been minority and women owned.
Jump right into our conversation as we talk about inherent bias in networking and how his team at Plain Sight has worked to eliminate it
to maximize relationships.
Things you will learn in this episode:
[00:01 – 06:03] Opening Segment
- I introduce today’s guest, James Chapman
- Bio
- If anything in this episode impacts, take a screenshot and tag us
- James gives us a bit of his background
- Growing up on the ‘hustle’
- Always asking questions
- Thinking out of the box
- Growing up in a bad area
[06:04 – 22:17] Building a Successful Platform During COVID
- James talks through his college life
- Playing ball and staying active
- Working to self-sustain
- Coming out of college
- Either basketball or business
- Venturing into the business world
- Starting with mobile oil changes
- James work with the Detroit community fund
- Starting with the co-working space
- The impact of building relationships on building capital
- Pushing through the Pandemic for the payoff
- Building this platform during COVID
- Getting ready to pivot
- Trying to give value in the new working climate
- The new way of doing co-working spaces
- A word from our Sponsor
[22:18 – 32:03] Eliminating Bias from Networking
- No faces, no names, just skill and intelligence
- Finding from the market testing
- Giving people the choice
- Who you know, or what you know?
- What you know is based on who you know
- When a connection led to success
- Getting recruited to Detroit
- College vs. going right into working and learning under someone
- The impact basketball had on culture building
- James’ networking tips for people who want to expand
- Be honest with yourself with strengths and weaknesses
- Think long term and know what you bring to the table
- Be humble in your development
[32:04 – 41:35] Closing Segment
- The opportunities that arise from humility and being teachable
- ThE RaNdOm RoUnD
- How to engage with James
- Links below
- Final words
Tweetable Quotes:
“Growing your network and connecting with people to be able to get to the goal that you’re trying to get to… if we can just meet the right person, or have that right connection, then the money will follow.” – James Chapman
“People are literally not being competitive for opportunities that could better their livelihoods, because of their looks and their name.” – James Chapman
“Networking is more relationship building, and trying to get to know people that can help me achieve my long term goals… So when it comes to that, you have to really be honest about who you are, what you need, and what you can do.” – James Chapman
Resources Mentioned:
Connect and engage with James on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
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If you want to learn how to build YOUR network, check out my website travischappell.com. You can connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Be sure to join The Lounge to become part of the community that’s setting up REAL relationships that add value and create investments.
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