How My Goldman Sachs Experience Changed My Outlook

Hi there, K.T. Braxton, the Braxton of Braxton Management here. I have received so many questions about how I got into the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business program (OMBW) as I am an alum of cohort 4. Well, the gag is I genuinely do not know.

When I received the acceptance, I was stunned. I kid you not! I thought that someone must have regretfully declined her acceptance and I was her alternate. I have since accepted that I was chosen to be one in a million (well the cohort was 150, but 1M is the goal). I was purposely selected to sit at the tables in those rooms and glean all the wisdom and insight from powerhouses. I deferred my MBA program for one semester to give myself time to focus on the program while still managing all the things as the solopreneur I was (still am in some ventures). 

My background is business. I hold a BBA and MBA. I started my first two businesses in undergrad, so I know first hand that there is much not covered in business school. When I went to NYC for the orientation, I had no idea what to expect, but I was expecting something amazing. I was overwhelmed with joy, empathy, and determination as I walked in a room with so many Black female founders across the country representing various industries, business cycles, socioeconomic status, etc. who shared many common experiences with me. OMBW was so intentional. I learned nuanced subject matter and had quite a few V8 moments (like girl, you know this, why are you not doing it?!) I also had highly illuminating moments that peeled back the layers of my mind allowing me to go deeper and dream further for my business and community.

The most impactful elements:

• My growth group. Five ladies who started out as strangers became my sisters. They have no idea the personal and professional storms they have helped me weather. The founders of Ray George Interiors, Solo Scoop Creamery, Artxzay, Althea's Tropical Delights, and box it UP designs, Inc. are phenomenal women who I am so grateful to know and love. We still connect when we can to hold one another accountable of our SMART Goals and support one another however we can.

• My business advisor is amazing. I have been self-employed the vast majority of my career. I never felt more seen as a management professional - let alone an exert- than with her. She held me accountable but she also removed the blind spots in my eyes to help me see the foundation that was already laid.

How it changed my outlook

• When I started YNF (2014-2024) and Braxton Management (2015-), some people attempted to diminish the gravity of what I was setting out to do. It was considered insane to dream big coming from where I'm from doing what I do as a first generation entrepreneur, but going to OMBW gave me the proof that small business can rise to become million dollar businesses.

• It is all about execution and how I value my work. That may sounds like the run-of-the-mill spiel, but the way this concept was embodied at OMBW was unmatched. I used to think Braxton Management was not impressive enough because we are not a tech startup or extremely niche, but then as I conversed with more of the founders, I saw more of a need for what I do. Braxton Management provides foundational support that is crucial to my clients' operations. I lay out my value proposition and show my clients how we help them fulfill their missions and realize their vision - no matter what service tier they are in need of in the moment.

  
  

Describing the experience has been arduous because much of what I got was inexplicable. There were moments that transcended words. I have not personally seen or experienced another investment of the caliber that Goldman Sachs has invested into OMBW. I am eternally grateful to have been in that number - to be one in a million. Best wishes to everyone applying to the program. Hiring a W2 employee was in the action plan I developed while in the program, and here I am one year after hiring my W2 employee. Cheers!

To discuss one-on-one, come specific takeaways from marketing to processes to SMART Goals or to discuss how Braxton Management can alleviate your business pain problem, schedule a consultation.