The 85 South Show with Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly and Chico Bean - #BlackMarket- Leander Howard II w/ Karlous Miller & Clayton English

Episode Date: January 19, 2023

Business advisor and career coach Leander Howard II sits down with Karlous and Clayton. || Subscribe to 85 SOUTH on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/The85SouthShow || Twitter/IG: @85SouthShow || Our Website: www.85southshow.com || Custom Merch: www.85apparelco.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Turning River Road on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Pretty Private with Ebeney, the podcast where silence is broken and stories are set free. I'm Ebeney, and every Tuesday I'll be sharing all new anonymous stories that would challenge your perceptions and give you new insight on the people around you. Every Tuesday, make sure you listen to Pretty Private from the Black Effect Podcast Network. Tune in on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Your entire identity has been fabricated. Your beloved brother goes missing without a trace.

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And we're the host of the Good Mom's Bad Choices podcast, brought to you by the Black Effect Podcast Network every Wednesday. Yeah, we're moms, but not your mommy. Historically, men talk too much. And women have quietly listened. And all that stops here. If you like witty women, then this is your tribe. Listen to the Good Mom's Bad Choices podcast every Wednesday on the Black Effect Podcast Network, the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you go to find your podcast. See the wrist?

Come on. Look at the wrist. In the kitchen cooking cooking. That means the black market is open. That means that it's some black money to be made, spent, and cycled back through the black community. You know what I'm saying? Because I'm tired of people complaining about what they don't have. But they don't never tell you about what they don't do.

That's a fact. And that's why we bringing this whole black market thing back together because it's some doers. And we know some people who do. And we know some people. who know how to. And we know some people who having things because of the things that they do. That they know how to do.

Mm. That's why I got my young dog in here with me today. I knew he was a young dog because he had an old nigger name. What's his name? You don't get to meet no young nigga Leander. That man, he come from a good generation

where the men stuck around. Right, right. Go back six, seven grand. They all stayed and raised the family. Ain't no, you don't get no name. Leigham to be in on the boy. That's a legacy name. Wow.

That come from your great, great, great, great grandfather. And his name be some crazy shit, axelrod or something shit. No, man, there's a lot of people out here who try, you know, continue to climb that ladder of success. And everybody knows, man, you only as good as your resume. Come on. And my daughter, Leander? Yeah. He got a whole business to show you how to put your resume together.

So welcome to the black market. My man. Appreciate you, man. Leander Howard. The second. Appreciate it, man. I appreciate that. Give him a brief intro of who you are and what you do, man.

Yeah, man. So my name is Leander, the CEO. Don't try to say it fast. This is Leander. Leander. Howard the second, founder and CEO, Spark your resume. spark your resume. So we're a professor in the development agency, man, connecting top talent, the top companies. We help people land their dream job in 90 days or less.

Yeah, what's a dream job? And it really depends on the person. You'll see a lot of people trying to work at, like, Google, Netflix, all that good jazz. They might think it's a dream job, but to me, man, I mean, flexibility, you know, good pay, good benefits to certain people. Remote work is like key buzzwords these days. Everybody want remote work. That just means good lifestyle. You know what I'm saying? Work life balance. But yeah, that's what I would say is like a solid dream job.

And working at a company that has good culture. Yeah, that's real. Something that you can fit in. When did you figure out the resume game? Yeah, man, I was actually, so I went to Georgia State, graduated with two degrees, one in marketing, one in finance, May of 2020. And before, please appreciate that.

We support black people getting education. Appreciate that, man, appreciate that. This is like grew. Facts. So August of 2019, like I had good internships. I interned at Wells Fargo in 2018. Still, tell you. Tell you.

Nah, I still. No. No, no money. No. No. But, and then I interned at Arthur Blanks Foundation at Mercedes Men Stadium. That's hard.

Yeah. And I got like, you know, it was like one out of 14 people that got, well, it was 14 of us, but it was like 1,000 applications. So I'm in the top 1% of people that got hired. And then Wells Fargo was pretty much the same. And people are just asking me, like, how you get that job, man? Like, you don't know nobody, like, you're networking, what you're doing? I'm like, man, you know, reaching out people on LinkedIn, you know, being somebody that people want to know.

I think that's really what kind of got my foot in the door and just my hunger, you know, humbleness, tenacity, just do hard work, do the hard things. But now, man, I think the resume is most definitely important because it's a snapshot of, like, your overall experience. Yeah. And it really tells, like, recruiters and hiring managers, you know, who you are, what you are. you do and how you plan to bring your value to organization. Walk me through it. So if I want to spark your resume.com right now, what would be the first thing to ask me to do?

Yeah, man. So our website is kind of pretty built on two goals, like, you know, learning more about who we are, what we do. We do like free strategy calls with like career professionals looking to advance their career and then they can purchase like any one of our three packages that we have. So we do like resume enhancement, LinkedIn profile development, cover letter development, and And then there's one other thing called reverse recruiting that I'm starting to do to where the job searches more

than your resume. Like that's just the beginning of the process. So what we're doing now for clients is like cold email and recruiters on their behalf, scheduling interviews for them, like applying for jobs on their behalf, pretty much taking out the whole process because most of our clients are like managers, directors, VPs, and C-suite professionals.

So they really don't have the time. They're working 40 hours a week, 60 hours a week, but they want a new opportunity or a better opportunity. Well, I was just sitting here thinking about some crazy shit. Like I wonder what kind of job you can get just based off your Instagram profile. Like there's no other information, just pictures and captioned. You'd be surprised, man. Like, people get jobs off TikTok based on what they're talking

about. So, like, you got good content, like, content is king. You be talking about, like, really dope stuff and you speak in the language that people want to hear. Then... I might have to hit you, bro. I believe you might get some money. We probably could get some money. No facts. I think y'all should be on LinkedIn, bro. No. No lie. What is that? So LinkedIn is honestly the number one B2B platform in the world, man. I think, and content, content goes crazy on there, bro. Like, video content, polls. Like, it's a whole

science to it, but a lot of, not a lot of, like, podcasts or like artists. You know how to find with it. Oh, yeah. I got like $26,000 on LinkedIn right now. Man, why are you on Instagram? Like, bro, I tell people this all the time. I say, if you want to make real money, get on LinkedIn. That's what the bread is. I swear to God. B2B. That's social media. Yeah. Like B2B contacts, like CEOs, don't connect with NFL players on there, CEOs, VC firms, like, all types of prices.

And y'all set that up for people. Oh yeah, oh yeah, the whole profile. I need me, I'm like, need that, man. Banner, all that. I mean, there's a lot where is it. Just for putting in, what's your call? Jobs. Yep, that's what most people think.

I go to LinkedIn and search with jobs, but no, man, it's way more than that, man. Like, I get all my. So y'all be having no fronches and shit. They're on there for shop. I'm just saying, I'm not getting on now just for no business now. I live.

in between all your networking too. It's most dead. Hey, all work and no plays make you boring in the sale and something like that. Fuck that. Nah, they most definitely on that too. And what was the other one you said?

No I'm saying. So when you build your LinkedIn profile, it does a lot more to me for like conversions than like an Instagram. So like you got a headshot, you got a cover stories like a 30 second like clip that you can put on your headshot and people click on your profile.

Like I go to my profile or anybody, like looking me up on LinkedIn, you'll click click my profile, and it's a video of me talking about myself. Instagram, you can't do that. You got like stories that you can probably like people, you know, go through and see stuff like that, but not like a cover story, 30 seconds. I'm telling you who I am, what I do, navigating you to like book a call with my team, like telling you what to do, like, guide you in the right direction to kind of convert

you as a like a prospect or a lead. And then they got like a feature tab on LinkedIn to where you put like all your links to your website, you know, calendar, podcast episodes, all that good jazz. So, yeah, we're gonna get on that. It honestly converts, man. That's your, yeah, a lot of good traffic. Somebody in my technical department and get us on LinkedIn.

Yeah, somebody started that right now. Telling, bro, go crazy. Roll up and get on LinkedIn. He said, holds on in there, everything. No, no, no, it's social media. That's what you want. You said the conversion rate is crazy over there. It's not just for jobs.

Not just for jobs, bro. It's for blow jobs, too. Hey, hey, hey, hey, I'm thinking ahead. I'm dead. They're going to steal that slogan because it's too good. Too good. That is too good to pass up. I'm dead.

You know, so since you're talking about social media and all of that good stuff, where can they find you? Where can they get in touch with you? How can they support your service? What we need to do to blow this shit up and take you to the next level. Yeah, man. Instagram is Leander Howard II and then LinkedIn. No, I'm on Instagram. I got an Instagram profile.

Just do other shit. Yeah, I'm more focused on LinkedIn, though. Like, that's where my audience is, for real. Yeah. Yeah. Just, it probably ain't a lot of Leander's. You just probably type in. Yeah, for sure.

You can type it in. Well, you know what I mean? I think LinkedIn is probably like Instagram for people with jobs. Oh, you're a fucking genius. I don't even... I mean... I guess you can say that.

A lot of corporate professionals are on LinkedIn. You know what I mean? Like, the influences be influenced on Instagram, but it ain't real, no tangible. tangible gig, job thing, but yeah. Bro, you cold, though. You cold. You said LinkedIn is Instagram for people who got jobs.

I did. Keep it real unprofessional on that, too. I'm dead. How can they find you on LinkedIn? Yeah, just type in Leander Howard the second. Tell them how to spell Leander. It's L-E-A-N-D-E-R. Where you from, man?

Stone Mountain. Oh, where. Yeah, born to race. Went to Arabia Mountain. I never heard of it. Oh, it's in the Cab County. Theme school. Yeah.

Yeah. Uniform. I was growing when I moved to Georgia. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It sounded mystical. Yeah, it's at the end. Arabia. What the fuck you graduated with?

A Latin in the Presumptives? Nah, that's a good school, man. It's based on, like, tracks. So you get to pick, like, business or, like, computer science. Like, yeah. business track? Yep, I did. It worked out.

It worked out. I believe most of the shit you said. I believe most of it. That's a lot. I mean, you to be a complete stranger, but I know like you got the name, Leanne, and then you got, tell them about your software business too. Yeah, man. So right C man, it's pretty big.

We actually just raised two million seed rounds. Come on, man. I appreciate it, man. Now what you gonna do with the money? A lot of fact. So yeah, shout out to the founder, Brandon Mitchell, Ahmed, Noel, and Hansla, it's a CTO, and then Sonor, a marketing associate. But what we do at Rice, man, so pretty much spark your resume. The founder had another resume writing business, and we kind of linked up. Like, I'm the marketer. He's like the founder. I'm a CMO. And what we do is, like, it's a management, it's a business management solution for writers and coaches. So we pretty much help people streamline, automate, processes, workflows, using our software. Yeah. But now, man, we're looking to hire and all that stuff now with the $2 million. Pay ourselves and things like that. Yeah, I get a job over there.

I ain't doing shit, but I'd be on staff as a consultant. So raising the $2 million, because I think most of us out there in the world at the house, we see Shark Tank. That's our only reference for stuff. So how does that go about, like, how much, like, because a lot of times they'd be on Shark Tanker, they ain't proven nothing. Right. Just maybe tell the people like how you have to prove yourself to even be able to get out there like that.

Yeah, man, I think, you know, having traction is one thing like investors look at. So we already had customers, paying customers. Like, I think it was making like $200,000 a year so far. We just started January 2020. So in a SaaS company, that's pretty major. Like, you don't see that a lot. And then pitch decks.

So we got to create a pitch deck. I mean, the founder did most of it. But it took us nine months, bro, to raise that two million. We got three investors. So Collab Capital, they actually located in Atlanta. We got a Tinto Capital in Tulsa. And then Bolster is like a recruiting firm. But we're about to partner with them on like some crazy stuff.

But they invested like $100K. And then we got like family and friends around. But I mean, I think just, you know, having that story and then targeting people that can relate to your industry. It makes it a lot easier because they understand what you're doing in business. And then selling a vision, man. having a good team like you got to sell the team because that's one thing they're asking about who want your team because that's at the end of the day bro business is people systems and processes so if I'm buying the business I'm looking at that those three

components well shit drop your social media one more time yeah man uh follow me on instagram Howard the second um LinkedIn most definitely connect with me on LinkedIn Leander Howard the second follow right C follow spark your resume Spark Your Resumet is the resume writing company, so www.sparkyourresumate.com, and then right c is www.w-W-W-W-R-I-T-E-A-D-C. So it's W-R-I-T-E-A.com. Hey, man.

Thank you, thank you, man. We appreciate your stuff out. Thank you very much, sir. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Leander. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Ah, come on, why is this taking so long?

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Unlock AI experiences with the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, powered by Intel Core Ultra processors, so you can work, create, and boost productivity. all on one device. Join IHeart Radio and Sarah Spain in celebrating the one-year anniversary of I-Hart Women's Sports. With powerful interviews and insider analysis,

our shows have connected fans with the heart of women's sports. In just one year, the network has launched 15 shows and built a community united by passion. Podcasts that amplify the voices of women in sports. Thank you for supporting IHart Women's Sports and our founding sponsors,

elf beauty, capital one, Novartis. Just open the free IHeart app and search IHard women's sports to listen now. I knew I wanted to obey and submit, but I didn't fully grasp for the rest of my life what that meant. For My Heart Podcasts and Rococo Punch, this is The Turning, River Road. In the woods of Minnesota, a cult leader married himself to 10 girls and forced them into a secret life of abuse. But in 2014, the youngest escaped. Listen to The Turning River Road on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Pretty Private with Ebeney, the podcast where silence is broken and stories are set free.

I'm Ebeney, and every Tuesday I'll be sharing all new anonymous stories that would challenge your perceptions and give you new insight on the people around you. Every Tuesday, make sure you listen to Pretty Private from the Black Effect Podcast Network, Tune in on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Your entire identity has been fabricated. Your beloved brother goes missing without a trace. You discover the depths of your mother's illness. I'm Danny Shapiro.

And these are just a few of the powerful stories I'll be mining on our upcoming 12th season of family secrets. We continue to be moved and inspired by our guests and their courageously told stories. Listen to Family Secrets Season 12 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast.