Hello Cultivators,

This is one of those posts where I need you to keep it super real with yourself… in the spirit of learning and growing.

So here’s the question:

Are you building something nobody asked for?

Have you ever spent months creating something you thought people needed, only to realize… nobody asked for it?

Let me go first.

I’ve done it more than once, but one moment in particular led to the very newsletter you’re reading today.

After a 15-year run as a full-time, monetized creator (blogger, podcaster, producer) I made a bold shift. I wanted to become the person I wish I had in my early journey: a teacher, coach, mentor, and sponsor rolled into one.

So I launched a program called Social Sofrito, with a coaching class titled “Why Aren’t You Crushing It?” (Shout out to Gary Vee for the inspiration.)

At first, it hit. I helped friends and fellow creators level up…some even launched full-on brands. We had real trust, real connection. They saw my growth in one of the most supportive Latino creative communities to ever exist, and they knew I had their back.

Then I tried to scale it.

I pitched it outside the community and that’s when it all shifted.

Enrollment dropped. A few students ghosted the class. Results started to dry up. It wasn’t them. It was me.

I realized I was still teaching what made me successful without checking if it still worked for them. Social media had shifted. I hadn’t asked new questions. I stopped evolving.

So I hit pause.

I had to face a truth a lot of us avoid:

We keep building things we assume people want, instead of what they’re actually asking for.

It’s not about throwing out your vision—it’s about aligning it with real needs.

That’s when I made a decison that led me here:

I would become both student and teacher.

When I started Siembra Connect, I didn’t launch a product—I started with people. A small Facebook group of friends and colleagues during the pandemic called #SiembraInitiative. Just 40 creators. Raw, honest, unfiltered feedback. That seed grew into a movement with nearly 250 creators.

Many of them birthed incredible projects during that season.

Here’s what I learned:

You don’t need to guess what your audience wants.
You just need to ask.
Listen.
And build with them—not for them.

Check out this Siembra Lesson to learn what might want to explore if this post resonates.

So today’s Siembra Lesson is this:

Failure isn’t the end. It’s feedback.
And when you use that feedback wisely, it becomes the foundation of something real, rooted, and ready to grow.

If you're still reading, do me a favor—starting today, let’s stop hustling backwards, chasing clout, or undervaluing our worth. Instead, let’s build what’s needed. Let’s build with purpose.

I’ve been at this for a minute. And if my lessons can help you shortcut some of the struggle… then it was all worth it.

let’s keep growing…

Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings are changing the game for the community. Together, they host the tremendously successful financial literacy podcast Earn Your Leisure. They are more than just podcasters; they are educators, change agents, and legacy builders for our community.

Here is what they built… and why it matters

Earn Your Leisure is a revolutionary media platform which gives rise to emerging and established content creators from the world of business, finance, and entrepreneurship whose perspective, expertise and in-depth insight has been undervalued and overlooked. At its core, Earn Your Leisure’s ultimate purpose is to build, as we climb as a community highlighting collaboration over competition.

FUN FACT: During the pandemic, I was able to binge their channel and build a modestly successful investment portfolio on RobinHood. They are my go to learn different business priciples… and are also super inspirational when you look at how they built their ecostystem… GOALS!

EYL has Three Top #100 podcasts

Earn Your Leisure has three Top 100 podcasts under its umbrella, including “Earn Your Leisure”.

The Earn Your Leisure Show has amassed over fifty million downloads and is consistently ranked in the Top 20 Business Podcasts in the United States, peaking at #1 on the Apple Podcast charts.

Earn Your Leisure has over 2 million followers across social media, and 900,000 YouTube subscribers. EYL hosts live events across the globe, which includes the biggest financial literacy festival in the world “Invest Fest”. Over 14,000 attended Invest Fest 2022, with keynote speakers including Steve Harvey and Tyler Perry.

Earn Your Leisure also includes an online educational platform, “EYL University”. EYL University is an online interactive community that includes over 200+ archived webinars covering a range of business, finance, and entrepreneurial topics. EYL University has over 12,000 active members and is one of the fastest growing private business education communities in existence.

WHO SHOULD BE NEXT?

Most of our features come from creators I come across on my timeline daily—but I know YOU are connected to some amazing talent I may not have discovered yet. That’s why I’m opening up the floor…

Are you or do you know a creator who deserves to be featured?

We’re looking for creators, entrepreneurs, and artists who are making waves and have a story to tell. Whether you’re building a brand, leading a movement, or creating game-changing content, we want to highlight your journey!

📩 Send your submissions to [email protected]

Stan Store is perfect for creators, coaches, and service-based entrepreneurs who want a simple, all-in-one storefront to sell digital products, book calls, and grow their audience—without needing a full website. If you're tired of juggling platforms and want to start earning directly from your content, Stan makes it easy to get started fast. You can launch offers, track performance, and connect with your community—all from one link in bio. No tech headaches. No monthly overwhelm. Just a clean, powerful way to monetize your ideas.

This past Wednesday, based on your feedback we launched a second weekly feature that will just be a news drop with additional growth opportunities for creators and small bsinesses.

Black Creator Incubator by We Are Makers Studio
A 12-week paid program that supports Black creators through training, funding, and strategic brand partnerships.

Why it matters: Too often, Black creators are left out of the monetization conversation. This incubator gives you funding and a blueprint to turn content into income.

🔗 Read More: https://www.wearemakersstudio.com/blackcreatorincubator

Sundance Institute’s Uprise Grant Fund
Provides up to $10K in unrestricted grants for BIPOC creators working in film, media, or interactive storytelling.

Why it matters: This grant doesn't just support your project—it supports you. That means real creative freedom, not just deliverables.

🔗 Read More: https://www.sundance.org/uprise-grant-fund/

Later x Pinterest Creator Fund
A collaboration offering $25K packages for underrepresented creators, including ad credits, equipment, and campaign support.

Why it matters: This fund is a foot in the door to paid Pinterest partnerships, plus tools to grow visibility and earnings.

🔗 Read More: https://later.com/blog/pinterest-creator-fund/

YouTube Black Voices Fund
Annual initiative that backs Black creators with funding, platform visibility, and ongoing growth mentorship.

Why it matters: YouTube is still the biggest platform in the game—this gives you insider access to level up with the support you deserve.

🔗 Read More: https://www.youtube.com/creators/black-voices/

Casted Talent Network
A matchmaking platform that connects creators with paid brand campaigns across podcasts, video, and social media.

Why it matters: Instead of chasing deals, let them come to you. Casted helps you get in front of brands that align with your content and values.

🔗 Read More: https://www.casted.us/talent-network

Podcast Movement Evolutions – Los Angeles (Aug 19–22, 2025)
One of the biggest podcasting events of the year, bringing together creators, marketers, and media professionals. Sessions focus on monetization, growth strategies, and industry trends.

Why it matters: Whether you're just launching your show or scaling your listenership, this event puts you face-to-face with leaders from Spotify, Apple, and other key platforms.

🔗 Read More: https://podcastmovement.com/evolutions/

AfroTech Conference – Austin, TX (Nov 13–16, 2025)
A premier tech and innovation summit for Black professionals and entrepreneurs, featuring panels, pitch competitions, and brand activations.

Why it matters: This is the spot where tech meets culture. Great for creators looking to expand their networks and land major brand or VC opportunities.

🔗 Read More: https://experience.afrotech.com/

VidCon Anaheim – Anaheim, CA (June 25–28, 2025)
The OG creator conference bringing together influencers, fans, brands, and platforms. Features creator keynotes, workshops, and expo floor collabs.

Why it matters: It’s still one of the best places to connect directly with platform reps and showcase your work to brands IRL.

🔗 Read More: https://www.vidcon.com/anaheim/

Nas Summit NYC – New York City (June 21–22, 2025)
A creator-focused conference curated by Nas Daily, designed for content creators to collaborate, learn new strategies, and build lasting connections.

Why it matters: With a global creator lineup and practical workshops, this is a great place to sharpen your storytelling and video skills.

🔗 Read More: https://www.nassummit.com/newyork

Tastemaker Conference – Chicago (Sept 18–19, 2025)
A food-focused creator event that blends business strategy with community building for bloggers, chefs, and foodpreneurs.

Why it matters: If you create in the food, lifestyle, or wellness space, this is a chance to learn SEO, content strategy, and connect with sponsor-ready brands.

🔗 Read More: https://tastemakerconference.com/chicago/

Hosting or attending an event I should know about?
I love spotlighting gatherings that help creators grow.

📩 Submit your event: https://siembraconnect.beehiiv.com/contact

Want more updates like this?

📬 Subscribe to the Siembra Connect Newsletter to stay in the loop with creator-focused happenings around the world.

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