From Jay-Z to Warren Buffett there is no denying that Hip Hop has embedded itself all over the business world while influencing some of the greatest minds to date. We aim to show the correlation and lessons to be learned between Hip Hop and the Business World.
Starting a business is not easy but it can be done with determination and passion. We decided to start The Phat Startup during a Startup Weekend that focused on music and gaming. We realized that many of the attendees were inspired and actually learned from many of their favorite Hip Hop figures. We decided to bring these lessons to life while also providing an educational platform that people could use as inspiration or to get started during their journey as an entrepreneur.
Our core beliefs are:
Jay-Z once said “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man,” but how did he become a business? Let us show you how!
We welcome you to tell your story! If you are currently working on a business and love Hip Hop, hit us up!
This is not a parody, and not affiliated with The Lean Startup. The Lean Startup is a trademark and service mark owned by Eric Ries.
Logo Design Ameer Carter
James prides himself in being born and raised in the birth place of Hip Hop, Bronx NY. Since an early age, James has been a fan of Hip Hop and has always looked for ways to use it as a motivational tool. He has been working in the technology field for over 12 years. He holds a Masters of Science in Telecommunications and has a Bachelors of Arts in Computer Science. Before embarking on his own entrepreneurial journey, he was a technologist for Random House Inc for fives years where he was able to hone in on his love of books. James is obsessed with technology especially the edtech and musictech scene. He feels that anyone can achieve their dreams with a little bit of effort and hopes to serve as a catalyst for those who feel they need the support.
Anthony Frasier is a native of Newark, NJ. Former co-founder of mobile startup Playd, and award winning gaming site TheKoalition.com. Anthony was also profiled on the hit documentary Black in America: The New Promised Land – Silicon Valley, which has received over 1 million viewers. CNN Money profiled him as being one of 8 minorities diversifying the tech scene. Anthony was listed on NBC The Grio’s 100: Making History Today list for his acclaimed work. Currently working on building up the Newark, NJ tech scene and a new tech startup.
Ashley has over 7 years of experience in marketing and is not afraid to showcase her talents. She has led marketing campaigns for companies such as Bertelsmann Inc, NCM Media Networks, and has worked with startups in all stages. Ashley also has a love for creating and retaining customer relationships. Ashley engages her motto of pursuing what she terms the trifecta of marketing, technology, and social media on a daily basis. She is passionate about storytelling through the use of traditional marketing, interactive marketing, and social media campaigns.
