# How I Built Resilience: Live with Morgan DeBaun

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2020-07-11
- Length: 24m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-07-11-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-morgan-debaun

## Summary

Morgan DeBaun, founder of the media company Blavity, discusses navigating the dual crises of the pandemic and the 2020 social justice movement while managing a for-profit business with over $11 million in venture funding. She explains how Blavity diversified its revenue streams through enterprise client bundles and niche community targeting to maintain cash flow during economic downturns. DeBaun also offers advice to entrepreneurs on the realities of venture capital, the importance of revenue focus, and the challenges facing small business owners of color.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-07-11-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-morgan-debaun#t=0) Introduction and Blavity's Mission
- [2:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-07-11-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-morgan-debaun#t=125) The Origin Story and Silicon Valley Frustration
- [8:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-07-11-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-morgan-debaun#t=493) Navigating the Pandemic and Social Justice Crisis
- [14:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-07-11-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-morgan-debaun#t=852) Advice on Raising Venture Capital
- [16:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-07-11-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-morgan-debaun#t=966) Lessons Learned and Leadership Growth
- [19:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-07-11-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-morgan-debaun#t=1199) Business Model and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Blavity (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Huffington Post (company)
- BuzzFeed (company)
- Vox (company)
- Shadow and Act (product)
- Afro Tech (product)
- Work Smart (product)
- Founder Gym (company)
- Google Analytics (tool)
- Upwork (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Founder Feature: Emmanuel Waters and Courtney Tucker of Old Hillside Bourbon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-03-06-founder-feature-emmanuel-waters-and-courtney-tucker-of-old-hillside-bourbon) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [159: Build a Community to Sell Your New Product Invention](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-01-18-159-build-a-community-to-sell-your-new-product-invention) (Product Startup)
- [416: Ichabod’s Big Boy Pants](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-10-27-416-ichabods-big-boy-pants) (Making It)
- [S6E29 Joshua Tarbutton | Lessons From the Military Applied to Engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-07-18-s6e29-joshua-tarbutton-lessons-from-the-military-applied-to-engineering) (Being an Engineer)
- [495: Blow on a Wishy Puff](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-08-22-495-blow-on-a-wishy-puff) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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