# ActOne Group: Janice Bryant Howroyd

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2018-12-03
- Length: 51m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-12-03-actone-group-janice-bryant-howroyd

## Summary

Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder of ActOne Group, explains how she started a staffing agency in Beverly Hills with $1,500, eventually merging with her husband Bernie’s company to create a billion-dollar workforce management firm. She details the strategic decision to certify as a minority-owned business to access corporate contracts and the pivot to selling internal technology solutions rather than just services. In the postscript, Ofer and Helene Webman describe prototyping the ToneWood Amp, a battery-powered device that attaches to acoustic guitars, using a janky initial build of sponges and tape before launching a successful Kickstarter campaign.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-12-03-actone-group-janice-bryant-howroyd#t=0) Introduction: Janice Bryant Howroyd and ActOne Group
- [4:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-12-03-actone-group-janice-bryant-howroyd#t=240) Early Life and Education in North Carolina
- [14:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-12-03-actone-group-janice-bryant-howroyd#t=895) Moving to LA and Starting ActOne with $1,500
- [25:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-12-03-actone-group-janice-bryant-howroyd#t=1530) Certification, Contract Work, and Technology Pivot
- [35:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-12-03-actone-group-janice-bryant-howroyd#t=2125) Merging with AppleOne and Family Dynamics
- [37:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-12-03-actone-group-janice-bryant-howroyd#t=2277) Navigating Racism and Sexism in Sales
- [45:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-12-03-actone-group-janice-bryant-howroyd#t=2757) Postscript: Ofer and Helene Webman and the ToneWood Amp
- [48:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-12-03-actone-group-janice-bryant-howroyd#t=2918) Prototyping the ToneWood Amp and Kickstarter Launch

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- ActOne Group (company)
- Billboard (company)
- AppleOne (company)
- ToneWood Amp (product)
- Kickstarter (other)

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