G-2LCWV30QZ8 Purpose-Driven Leadership: Turning Diverse Journeys into Unstoppable Social Good - TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective
Podchaser Logo Rate on Podchaser

Episode 226

full
Published on:

1st Apr 2025

Purpose-Driven Leadership: Turning Diverse Journeys into Unstoppable Social Good

Episode Title:

Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/Purpose-Driven Leadership: Turning Diverse Journeys into Unstoppable Social Good

Episode Video Link:

In this episode of A Black Executive Perspective podcast, host Tony Tidbit welcomes Chad Hickey, founder and CEO of Givsly. They discuss Chad's journey from growing up as a gay man in the South to leading a company that aligns business success with social good. Chad shares insights about living in different cultural environments, the impact of travel on personal growth, and the unique business model of Givsly. The conversation also delves into the importance of empathy, understanding diverse viewpoints, and the role of companies in societal issues. Chad's insights on responsible advertising and the evolving business landscape offer valuable lessons for leaders seeking to integrate purpose into their corporate strategy.

▶︎ In This Episode

00:00: Unexpected Attention Abroad

00:42: Introduction to the Podcast

01:25: Meet Chad Hickey: A Trailblazing Leader

03:22: Chad's Personal Journey and Family Life

05:26: Growing Up Gay in the South

11:51: Navigating Family and Faith

16:51: The Importance of Travel and Exposure

30:05: Cultural Evolution and Personal Growth

31:00: Fear and Resistance to Change

31:30: Understanding Different Perspectives

33:31: Career Shifts and Leadership

33:59: Founding Givsly: Inspiration and Challenges

41:23: Givsly's Business Model and Impact

50:47: Future Goals and Broader Impact

53:04: Final Thoughts and Call to Action


🔗 Resources

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:


🔔 Listen and Subscribe

Listen to this episode and subscribe for future updates

subscribe to A Black Executive Perspective podcast on

if you like what we're doing and would like to support us, here's some ways you can help us continue the uncomfortable conversations that drive change

  1. subscribe to our newsletter
  2. give us up to a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts
  3. share an episode with a friend, family member or colleague


🗣️ Follow @ablackexec

follow us across social media @aBlackExec


⭐️ Follow @TonyTidbit

follow Tony across social media @TonyTidbit


This episode was produced by TonyTidbit ™ . Copyright © 2024 A BLACK EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced without prior written permission. For permissions, email podcast@ablackexec.com .

Transcript
Chad Hickey:

But I said to my translator that was with me, I

2

:

said, why are they all around me?

3

:

You know, like, what is happening here?

4

:

That was the

5

:

Tony Tidbit: question I was about to ask.

6

:

Like, why are they all around you?

7

:

Chad Hickey: And they said

they've never seen a white person.

8

:

Mm-hmm.

9

:

Now think about that.

10

:

You know what I mean?

11

:

Like for me, they have never seen

someone in person that is white like me.

12

:

Now that will completely change

your perspective to go, whoa.

13

:

You know what I mean?

14

:

Like Right.

15

:

This is a very big world and we'll discuss

16

:

Tony Tidbit: race and how it plays

a factor and how we didn't even talk

17

:

about this topic 'cause we were afraid

18

:

BEP Narrator: A Black

Executive Perspective.

19

:

Tony Tidbit: We are coming

to you live from our new BEP

20

:

studio for another thought.

21

:

Provoking episode of A Black Executive

Perspective podcast, A safe space

22

:

where we discuss all matters related to

race, culture, and those uncomfortable

23

:

topics people tend to avoid.

24

:

I'm your host, Tony Tidbit.

25

:

So excited to be with you today.

26

:

But before we dive in to our guests

and what we wanna talk about, I wanna

27

:

remind everybody to check out our

partners at Code M Magazine, whose

28

:

mission is to help save the black

family by first saving the black man.

29

:

So check them out@codemmagazine.com.

30

:

That is code m magazine.com.

31

:

So today.

32

:

Chad Hickey, founder and CEO of Givsly

shares his incredible journey from

33

:

growing up as a gay man in the South

to becoming a trailblazing leader in

34

:

responsible advertising and marketing.

35

:

Chad reflects on the impact of his

upbringing, the importance of travel in

36

:

shaping perspectives and his mission to

align business success with social good.

37

:

Together we'll explore the personal

and professional milestones

38

:

that have shaped his unique

approach to leadership community.

39

:

Purpose driven business.

40

:

So let me tell you a little

bit about my good friend Chad.

41

:

As I stated, he is the founder

and CEO of Givsly, which is

42

:

headquartered in New York City.

43

:

Givsly is a responsible advertising

and marketing solution that enhances

44

:

brand business results by aligning

brand values with consumer values.

45

:

Through Givsly solution, users

activate responsible strategies

46

:

that also impact the bottom line.

47

:

Over the last six years, Givsly has

collaborated with hundreds of companies

48

:

to generate business results while

directing over $2 million to almost five.

49

:

Hundred nonprofit organizations.

50

:

That is awesome.

51

:

The software was recognized in fast

Companies world Changing Ideas award.

52

:

Prior to launching Givsly, Chad has

spent 22 years of his career in the

53

:

advertising industry leaving re leading

revenue driven sales teams with a focus

54

:

on mobile location data and measurement.

55

:

My friend, my brother, Chad

Hickey, welcome to A Black

56

:

Executive Perspective podcast.

57

:

Chad Hickey: Thank you for having me.

58

:

Excited to be here,

59

:

Tony Tidbit: buddy.

60

:

We're excited to, to, to have

you on here, especially, bro.

61

:

I mean, look, bro, you, you

doing a lot of great stuff.

62

:

I mean, so we want to definitely have

you share all the things that you're

63

:

doing and your fabulous journey.

64

:

So looking forward to it.

65

:

But before we get started, let's

just tell the audience a little bit

66

:

about where you're currently living

and a little bit about your family.

67

:

Chad Hickey: Yeah, so I'm currently

living in Arkansas, which is probably not

68

:

what a lot of people expected me to say.

69

:

Uh, lived lived in New York for 12

years and I'm one of these pandemic

70

:

people who escaped the city.

71

:

Uh, but I'm happy to report that

I'll be returning back in January.

72

:

So, um, family, well, for, for

me, it's me and my dog, you

73

:

know, for the immediate family.

74

:

But I am about an hour north of,

uh, my mom and, uh, stepdad, so

75

:

that's nice to have them closer.

76

:

So, uh, that is awesome.

77

:

Yeah.

78

:

Buddy

79

:

Tony Tidbit: Whitney.

80

:

Now tell us about the dog.

81

:

What's your dog's name?

82

:

Chad Hickey: What type of dog?

83

:

She's, you may hear her, uh, bark here in

a minute, but she's a Yorkie Bijan mix.

84

:

She'll be 15 Wow.

85

:

In March.

86

:

She's my child.

87

:

And so when, uh.

88

:

Something bad happens, it's not

gonna be good for me personally.

89

:

'cause she's been with me about a third

of my life, which is pretty crazy to say.

90

:

Tony Tidbit: Well, well, we're

gonna pray for her and hope

91

:

she gets another 15 years.

92

:

Okay.

93

:

Definitely don't want you

to get all upset, my man.

94

:

So, like I said, buddy, we're

so excited that you're here.

95

:

Look, I know you, you run an

organization in the city, you

96

:

travel all over the country.

97

:

Uh, you put on, you work with

brands from all over the globe.

98

:

You attend all different type

of conferences and functions.

99

:

You speak at a lot of

different organizations.

100

:

So you are a very busy man, my friend.

101

:

So why did you wanna come on

A Black Executive Perspective

102

:

podcast to share your story?

103

:

Chad Hickey: I, you know, I love

when I meet someone and I can just

104

:

comfortably talk about anything,

uh, and ask any questions.

105

:

And I felt that way with you,

um, when I first, uh, met you.

106

:

So it was more of just, I liked

the vibe of the conversation, but I

107

:

also believe in what you're doing.

108

:

So, uh, I wanted to support

in any way that I could.

109

:

Tony Tidbit: Well, buddy, I

really appreciate that and

110

:

the, the feeling is mutual, my

brother, so I'm glad you're here.

111

:

So, Chad, are you ready

to talk about it, my man?

112

:

Chad Hickey: Oh, please.

113

:

Let's, let's get into it.

114

:

Tony Tidbit: Alright

buddy, let's talk about it.

115

:

So listen, uh, Arkansas by way of New

York talk, tell us a little bit about,

116

:

you know, growing up, you know, obviously

you said, Hey, you know, I'm gay.

117

:

Tell us a little, and you are in

the south now, but talk a little

118

:

bit about your identity growing up.

119

:

How did you navigate?

120

:

What were some of the things that you

were dealing with and more importantly,

121

:

how did you feel about yourself?

122

:

Chad Hickey: Yeah, I think that, look,

it was an, a very interesting time to

123

:

grow up in general and then also know

that, you know, I was feeling something

124

:

that was different from the norm.

125

:

Um, you know, I was born in

:

126

:

developing just as a human being

and knowing that I was different.

127

:

Um, you know, the AIDS crisis

was happening, uh, Matthew

128

:

Shepherd was, was killed.

129

:

I don't even know if young

people today even know.

130

:

Yeah.

131

:

Correct.

132

:

Correct.

133

:

What I mean when I, you know, say

that, um, Ellen came out of the

134

:

closet on TV and that was like,

this must see, you know, moment.

135

:

And so, you know, I think in those earlier

moments, especially with the AIDS crisis

136

:

and Matthew Shepherd, um, you know,

you can't help but think that you could

137

:

potentially die for, for feeling a certain

way or that be ingrained right in you.

138

:

And so, you know, I think as a young

person, that's a, that's a really

139

:

hard thing to say, well, I'm feeling

this way, but then I'm seeing all

140

:

these things happen, you know, with.

141

:

You know, what was a pandemic at that

time to, to some extent, especially

142

:

for the, the queer community, um, and

thinking that's gonna happen to me.

143

:

You know, to be completely honest.

144

:

Um, and I remember when Ellen came

out of the closet and even Will and

145

:

Grace, you know, was right on tv

and how I thought, man, I want to be

146

:

just like Will for Will and Grace.

147

:

And um, you know, I had a lot of

girlfriends that would say, oh,

148

:

you know, I'm your, I'm your Grace.

149

:

You know, and then it was, I remember,

I remember a moment, you know, when I

150

:

lived in New York after, you know, five or

six years and I thought, oh, I'm kind of

151

:

living this life that I was thought about.

152

:

Like, I'd kind of forgotten

about it, you know?

153

:

'cause you know, when Will and

Grace was on, I was so young, uh,

154

:

you know, not the age that I am

now, that I'd kind of forgotten

155

:

that that was like a dream of mine.

156

:

And so to, to actually

be living that life.

157

:

F not necessarily from a queer

perspective, but just living my life

158

:

in New York and having a successful

career and those sort of things was

159

:

kind of this like aha moment that a

friend of mine, uh, one of my best

160

:

friends, Chrissy, she goes, Chad, you

always talked about living in New York.

161

:

Like as long as I can remember and in

that weird that you're actually doing it.

162

:

And I was kinda like, yeah, I've never,

I've never really thought of it like that.

163

:

So, um, so, so to kind of, to get back

to your question though, for me it wasn't

164

:

necessarily so much the South, there's

definitely some elements of it, you know,

165

:

especially with Christianity and, and

church being very much a way of life.

166

:

Right, right.

167

:

And, and the reason why I say

a way of life here, I say that

168

:

churches are the bars to New York.

169

:

Like, you know, I'm not saying

every person of faith is this

170

:

way, but I do feel like there is

more of a social element than I.

171

:

More of learning and acting in

the teachings of Jesus Christ.

172

:

Right, right.

173

:

Um, I've always thought that was

interesting, especially in my older

174

:

age, after living in New York where,

you know, in New York, a church

175

:

is going to a bar and socializing

that way, you know, so, uh, for,

176

:

for lack of a better analogy there.

177

:

Tony Tidbit: Well, thanks

for that my friend.

178

:

I really appreciate it.

179

:

You know, one of the things I

had friends of mine, not had, I

180

:

have friends of mine growing up,

um, that I didn't know was gay.

181

:

Okay.

182

:

And we went to church together and we,

the church that I belonged to, and I

183

:

don't think this was just unique to where

I lived at, I just think that was the

184

:

doctrine that they were preaching at the

time that, you know, people gay, they're

185

:

going to hell and blah, blah, blah,

blah, blah, and all this type of stuff.

186

:

Right.

187

:

And when you are a young kid and

you're listening to that right.

188

:

And that's all you know, because you,

why would they say this is wrong?

189

:

Why blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

190

:

Right?

191

:

Yep.

192

:

And, uh, my friend who I went to, who,

uh, I, you know, was going to church, I

193

:

didn't know he was gay until later on.

194

:

ADDRA Labs Promo: It's time

to rethink your protein.

195

:

ADDRA Labs protein bars are crafted with

high quality protein, double the leucine

196

:

and enriched branch chain amino acids,

essential for optimal muscle recovery.

197

:

Finally, a protein bar that

works as hard as you do.

198

:

So visit ADDRA Labs and use

the code BEP to get 20% off.

199

:

That's ADDRA Labs promo code, BEP.

200

:

Tony Tidbit: Hmm.

201

:

So think about that.

202

:

When you're sitting there and your,

your parents are bringing you, and,

203

:

and I, I'll get to my point and say,

but your parents are bringing you.

204

:

And then you're hearing, you're like, you

say you're different, you feel different.

205

:

And then you're hearing something

that's saying that if you are

206

:

different, you're gonna be ostracized

or you're not this or this and that.

207

:

And then you gotta go

home to your parents.

208

:

Okay.

209

:

And then, you know, so years

later he, he explained that number

210

:

one, I was just flabbergasted.

211

:

I couldn't believe it, right?

212

:

Number two.

213

:

And he, he said something, he said,

Tony, you know, one thing about

214

:

it, you always treated me the same.

215

:

You know?

216

:

And I didn't, but I didn't know.

217

:

But it didn't matter.

218

:

He, he was my friend, okay?

219

:

But when he told me his situation,

I felt so bad, especially as

220

:

I learned, um, and I grew.

221

:

Because again, what somebody

teaches you, that's what you think.

222

:

Okay.

223

:

And until you expand outta that.

224

:

Okay.

225

:

Which I had to Right.

226

:

And then you are like, wait a minute.

227

:

So my question, my brother, is that one

of the toughest things he said he had

228

:

to do was to tell his parents right.

229

:

That he was, this is who he is.

230

:

And it was tough because his parents, you

know, believed the doctrine, you know,

231

:

the Christians and the whole nine yards.

232

:

And it took them a little bit to

accept it and look, they're great now.

233

:

They're great family.

234

:

Whole nine yards.

235

:

So the question I have for you, how was

that experience when you were growing up?

236

:

Yeah.

237

:

You know, you, you saw Ellen

and you know Will and Grace

238

:

and you were able to live that.

239

:

Alright.

240

:

But tell me, tell us a little

bit about, you know, you and your

241

:

family and, and your communication.

242

:

Chad Hickey: Um, look, I, here's,

people don't know what they

243

:

don't know, you know what I mean?

244

:

And, um, stereotypes are

perpetuated that aren't always,

245

:

for the most part, even accurate.

246

:

I'm a very boring person,

you know what I mean?

247

:

I'm not, I've never been, um, one of

these guys that's, you know, out till

248

:

four in the morning, you know, I've

had my moments, but don't get me wrong,

249

:

but you know what I mean, just like

dancing like crazy, you know what I mean?

250

:

At a, at a, at a club.

251

:

Um, and so what I've always said, you

know, to anyone, when they talk about

252

:

acceptance of any family member or

friends or, or anything, it's like, you

253

:

know, I think for a queer person, you

have, at whatever age you come out 20.

254

:

30, whatever it is.

255

:

Some people come out,

you know, really late.

256

:

Um, you've had all that

time to kind of process it.

257

:

And so when you say something like

that, have you ever like known

258

:

something about somebody but then you

kind of convince yourself otherwise?

259

:

You know, that's kind of what Absolutely.

260

:

I mean, that's what

261

:

Tony Tidbit: we all do.

262

:

Yeah.

263

:

Yeah.

264

:

Chad Hickey: It's like you're like, oh,

that's probably not what's going on.

265

:

And so it's always still

somewhat of, of a shock.

266

:

Um, you know, I come from the belief

of giving people grace, you know, that

267

:

they need to, to come to terms with it

and wrap their mind around it and, um,

268

:

you know, come to their own acceptance

and mourn their idea for my life that.

269

:

Um, that I won't have, you

know, to some capacity.

270

:

And so, you know, I would say that I've

been very lucky to have loving parents.

271

:

You know?

272

:

Um, is it probably something that they

fully agree with coming from like church?

273

:

Cool.

274

:

Probably not.

275

:

Um, and that's okay.

276

:

That's totally okay.

277

:

We agree to disagree.

278

:

I don't think it changes anything

about the way we love each other.

279

:

Um, and I am of the belief that I have

to respect other people's opinions.

280

:

You think I'm going to hell cool.

281

:

I don't.

282

:

Um, but that's your belief and

that's your own experience.

283

:

You know what I mean?

284

:

Right, right.

285

:

I think I come from, I have my

moments look where, you know,

286

:

no one's gonna disrespect me.

287

:

Let me be very clear.

288

:

You know what I mean?

289

:

Like, I'm not gonna take

a level of disrespect.

290

:

Um, but at the same time, I

think we all evolve who I am.

291

:

Five years ago is fundamentally

different from who I am today.

292

:

And I think that people have lost that

sense of development and, and presentism,

293

:

if that, for lack of a better word,

that like you are supposed to be as wise

294

:

as you are now in this moment forever.

295

:

You know what I mean?

296

:

And the reality is the culture changes and

people's belief changes and all of that.

297

:

So that's, that's a long-winded answer

of, you know, really saying, um, you know,

298

:

I think when it comes to my family, it's

like there have been accepting moments and

299

:

there have been moments where some things

are better left unsaid and that's okay.

300

:

You know what I mean?

301

:

Right, right.

302

:

With, and so, you know, I

have, I have a pretty moderate

303

:

view on, on things like this.

304

:

I'm kind of this guy in the middle

because I can see both sides

305

:

when I know we'll get to that.

306

:

And so I tend to kinda live

that, um, as long as someone is

307

:

doing it in a respectful way.

308

:

Tony Tidbit: Right, right, right.

309

:

You know?

310

:

Well, number one, thanks for sharing

that, my friend, because you know.

311

:

I, number one, I love

your thought process.

312

:

And I, and you're right, we all evolve.

313

:

We, well, I'll put it this

way, we should evolve.

314

:

I don't think everybody evolves.

315

:

Okay.

316

:

I think every, I think there's a lot

of people who just, you know, like

317

:

things the way they are and they,

they, you know, don't wanna see any

318

:

change and they can't get beyond it.

319

:

Right.

320

:

But life is about evolving.

321

:

I mean, if you think about it,

you know, we're in:

322

:

If we didn't evolve, we'd

be still riding horseback.

323

:

Okay.

324

:

If we didn't evolve.

325

:

So that it's always about

learning and trying to get better.

326

:

So I really appreciate that.

327

:

But speaking about that a little bit,

right, is that, you know, you now, you've

328

:

been in the south, you've been on the

east coast, you know, um, we are in a,

329

:

um, you know, we're in a age right now,

or a timeframe I should say, where, you

330

:

know, people have certain perspectives.

331

:

Based on when some, where somebody lives.

332

:

It's a very polarizing

world in the United States.

333

:

Right.

334

:

You know, people on the East

coast, they're liberals, people in

335

:

the south, they're conservative.

336

:

People on the west coast are liberal.

337

:

I mean, and, and we tend

to put people in boxes.

338

:

Okay.

339

:

So talk, tell us a little bit about

your experience, um, you know, being

340

:

in the south, being a, a, a, a gay

man, and then also being on the East

341

:

coast, and then you travel all over.

342

:

Tell me a little bit about what

you've learned, and going back to that

343

:

evolving, what have you learned about

the different people that you meet?

344

:

Are we as polarizing or

is it a lot different?

345

:

Chad Hickey: No, I think that there are

s, there's such a large number of people

346

:

that just want some sense of normalcy.

347

:

Now, what your definition of

normalcy is, is, you know, um.

348

:

Is, is, you know, broad, you know.

349

:

Um, but I think that the reality is,

is that we all live in our own bubbles.

350

:

And those bubbles are very different.

351

:

You know, that is something that

coming back to Arkansas after being

352

:

gone for 20 years, you know, I

lived in Atlanta for seven years

353

:

and then I was in New York for 12.

354

:

You know, you obviously get exposed

to a lot of different people.

355

:

You know, my first boss,

Marsha Jaffe was Jewish.

356

:

I had never seen a Jewish person or met

a Jewish person until I moved to Atlanta.

357

:

And that was, and, and I'm always

very quick to say I was sheltered.

358

:

It wasn't an ignorance thing.

359

:

And I think that we need to, you

know, really start to be careful

360

:

with our language there because we

automatically just tell someone, oh,

361

:

you're ignorant because you don't

understand my life, when really they

362

:

may just have never been exposed to it.

363

:

Right.

364

:

But coming back to, to Arkansas, um.

365

:

In this, this last four years that,

you know, I've been here off and on, is

366

:

that the, the bubble here is the same as

the bubble I was living in in New York.

367

:

It's just of two different beliefs.

368

:

Right.

369

:

And I think that the interesting thing

is that, you know, and I, you know, I

370

:

don't wanna get political, but we're

obviously living in a very uncertain

371

:

time no matter what you believe.

372

:

Right, right, right.

373

:

Um, and I think that, you know,

more liberal people need to

374

:

understand that people in small

towns really have no opportunity

375

:

and, well, let me take that back.

376

:

They don't have no opportunity, but their

opportunities are very limited to me.

377

:

Right.

378

:

A very good living wage versus

what you would experience in a

379

:

New York or in LA or Atlanta.

380

:

Right.

381

:

And.

382

:

You know, I think when you live in

a big city, it's just so accessible

383

:

that you forget about that.

384

:

Right.

385

:

But I think that you're seeing that there

is a large amount of people in middle

386

:

America and not even middle America, look

at what happened in, you know, New York

387

:

with a swing into more conservative views.

388

:

Where at the end of the day, people need

to be heard or they feel this desire

389

:

to be heard, that, hey, I feel like the

world is leaving me behind in opportunity

390

:

and I need someone to acknowledge that.

391

:

And they get that, you know,

from certain candidates.

392

:

Right.

393

:

Now, on the flip side of that, I don't

need a person who has never left the

394

:

borders of their county to tell me

that they understand the world because,

395

:

you know, respectfully, they don't.

396

:

And I, and again, I don't mean

that as they are ignorant.

397

:

I just mean it as if you've

never been outside this country.

398

:

I, I'm not really interested in your

perspective because, you know, to me,

399

:

when you get exposed to those different

areas, the world becomes very big and

400

:

who you are becomes very, very small.

401

:

And I think you start to

question a lot of things.

402

:

And so, um, I think that the, the

moment that both sides starts to

403

:

realize those things and say, and,

and change our language in a little

404

:

bit more of a respectful way and

like have conversations like what you

405

:

and I are having, which obviously I

think you are and I are probably a

406

:

little bit more on the same page, but

a lot of my friends are Republicans.

407

:

Um, and we have great conversations.

408

:

I just wish that that

would more broadly happen.

409

:

You know what I mean is no, but yeah,

I mean, I agree to disagree, but I love

410

:

you and you're a great person and that it

doesn't change the way I feel about you.

411

:

I mean, that's really kind of the way

that I've always approached things.

412

:

Tony Tidbit: Right.

413

:

I, I, and number one,

I, I, I, I respect that.

414

:

And, and again, I don't want to be the

old guy or romanticize about 30 years ago

415

:

because the country's always had problems

416

:

Chad Hickey: in the same boat, by the way.

417

:

Yeah, yeah.

418

:

Tony Tidbit: Okay.

419

:

You know, but to be fair.

420

:

Um, you know, people were more

open to say, you know, um, speak

421

:

their views and people were more

open to say, okay, I disagree.

422

:

And then they were able to move on.

423

:

Right.

424

:

And they were able to still

have some sense of friendship

425

:

and stuff to that nature.

426

:

It seems like that's the big difference.

427

:

That's the lack of evolution.

428

:

You know, it seems like we're going

backwards when it comes to having

429

:

a conversation and, and being

okay with agreeing to disagree

430

:

and still move forward together.

431

:

And you know, when you were just talking

about a few minutes ago about, um,

432

:

middle America, that there are people

there that have limited opportunities

433

:

and then there's people that live in

big cities that don't recognize that.

434

:

And again, we're, I don't want to

generalize, but we're generalizing, but

435

:

you know, we're not saying everybody.

436

:

Right, right,

437

:

Chad Hickey: right.

438

:

Um,

439

:

Tony Tidbit: um.

440

:

Then at the end, but at the same time,

there's people in, in, in, in small towns

441

:

that think that people that live, and

again, we're generalizing that people

442

:

live in big cities, that they're, they're

wild and loose and that, you know,

443

:

they, you know, they, um, are, you know,

they, they're the most progressive and

444

:

they're, and we know that's not true.

445

:

Okay.

446

:

And at the end of the day, my, the

reason I'm bringing this up and I'm

447

:

agreeing what you're saying is those

people, in my opinion, and I'd love

448

:

to hear your thoughts, they haven't

evolved their thoughts, they haven't

449

:

evolved, you know, because at the end

of the day, and, and you know, I wanna

450

:

get to this when it comes to travel,

and I wanna hear your tho your points

451

:

in terms of how travel can help this.

452

:

But if you never left anywhere, if you've

only grew up in the Bronx, New York.

453

:

Okay.

454

:

And you only grew up in Tulo, Mississippi.

455

:

How would you know, right?

456

:

How would you know that people

in Tulo don't have a lot of

457

:

opportunity and how would you know

what the person that grew up in the

458

:

Bronx, New York has to deal with?

459

:

So there's no evolution there because

you only know what you know based on

460

:

your circumstances or your environment.

461

:

Let me hear your thoughts and and

how travel can help with that.

462

:

Chad Hickey: Oh Lord.

463

:

How travel in general.

464

:

I mean, I think that when you travel, you

start to understand how big this world is.

465

:

You know what I mean?

466

:

And that might be like.

467

:

No shit.

468

:

Sorry if you need to

belief that out, but, um,

469

:

Tony Tidbit: no, all good, all good.

470

:

Keep talking.

471

:

Yeah,

472

:

Chad Hickey: well, don't,

don't tell me all good.

473

:

'cause I do cost a little bit so

I don't want to offend anybody.

474

:

But, um, you know, the best example that

I can, you know, give is I was a CRO of

475

:

a tech company where, um, the CEO asked

me to expand the sales team globally.

476

:

Now Tony, up until about four

years before he asked me, I had

477

:

never been out of the country.

478

:

Like, I, I have as much as I fly,

I have a weird fear of flying.

479

:

And so, you know, in my younger

days I was like, I'm just gonna try

480

:

not to do this as much as possible.

481

:

But my career took me in directions

that I just had no choice.

482

:

And so I still white

knuckle it no matter what.

483

:

Um, but I started expanding a

sales team into China and Japan.

484

:

And I'm not sure if you've, uh, ever

done business there, but it really

485

:

makes you start to empathize in

certain scenarios of people from other

486

:

countries being in an environment

that they are not familiar, right.

487

:

And right.

488

:

The best example that I can give

is we've all heard, you know,

489

:

someone maybe speaking a different

language, you know, in our country.

490

:

And so it will speak the language.

491

:

You, you know, you or in our country, you

know, we've all heard comments like that.

492

:

What I always say is take that

person, drop them in six hours

493

:

outside of Shanghai, China and

say, speak Mandarin and get back.

494

:

And I can tell you it is one of the most

eye-opening experiences that you will.

495

:

C because when, when I was at this

company, we, um, this is actually where

496

:

I started to get the idea for Gibbs

Lee, is 'cause of this experience.

497

:

We went six hours outside of Shanghai to

donate deaths to these school children.

498

:

And when we got there, they surrounded me.

499

:

I've talked about this a little bit

as like a pivotal part of Gibs Lee.

500

:

And when I say they surrounded me

like a hundred kids, you know, um,

501

:

in this very, very rural VI village.

502

:

And I was like, what

is happening right now?

503

:

Like, I'd never had an experience like

that, but it was also tangible joy.

504

:

Like, I mean, it was like tangible joy.

505

:

I don't know how else to like, like,

um, explain it, but I said to my

506

:

translator, that was with me, I said.

507

:

Why are they all around me?

508

:

You know, like, what is happening here?

509

:

That was the question

510

:

Tony Tidbit: I was about to ask.

511

:

Like, why are they all around you?

512

:

Chad Hickey: And they said

they've never seen a white person.

513

:

Tony Tidbit: Mm-hmm.

514

:

Now

515

:

Chad Hickey: think about that.

516

:

You know what I mean?

517

:

Right.

518

:

Like for me, they have never seen

someone in person that is white like me.

519

:

Now that will completely change

your perspective to go, whoa.

520

:

You know what I mean?

521

:

Like Right.

522

:

This is a very big world.

523

:

And the other thing spec specifically with

China, excuse me, that was also spiritual

524

:

in some way, but it also made me question,

um, is that you start to really think

525

:

are you a product of your environment?

526

:

Because, you know, obviously

there is a, there is a level of

527

:

control within that community.

528

:

Um, and they believe just

as devoutly as you know.

529

:

Some of the people who go to church

here that believe in Christianity,

530

:

you know what I'm saying?

531

:

And so when you get exposed to

that, it really makes you start

532

:

to question and go like, am I

just a product of my environment?

533

:

Like what is the truth?

534

:

You know?

535

:

Um, right.

536

:

Is something that I

definitely went through.

537

:

And so to make a long story short, you

know, I think it really just obviously

538

:

broadens your perspective, but you can be

put in situations like the example that

539

:

I was saying around like, speak your,

speak, the language of this country where

540

:

you go, wait, that, that is not so easy.

541

:

You know, it's not just like someone

is intentionally walking in here

542

:

trying to disrespect my community.

543

:

They just can't communicate the same

way that I couldn't communicate.

544

:

And so I, I, I say that every

person that feels that way should

545

:

be dropped in the middle of China.

546

:

So maybe that'll be my

next company that I start.

547

:

Tony Tidbit: Well, number one, I thank

you for sharing that because that's a.

548

:

That's very powerful.

549

:

Okay.

550

:

And, and then more importantly,

but let's be fair though too.

551

:

There are people that, that could have

happened to and still would've came

552

:

back and still thought the same way.

553

:

Okay.

554

:

Let's just be, that's again, I keep, I

hate to keep using the same word evolved.

555

:

All right.

556

:

Because it reminds me when I

was in the military and I was,

557

:

uh, I was stationed in Hawaii.

558

:

Hmm.

559

:

Not a bad place.

560

:

No, no.

561

:

It wasn't a bad place.

562

:

Especially for an 18-year-old.

563

:

Right.

564

:

And, um, um, we used to go to Korea,

uh, it was called Team Spirit.

565

:

Right.

566

:

And we would go to Korea, you know, play

like war games and stuff for like 90 days.

567

:

Yeah.

568

:

And I remember being an 18-year-old kid

from Detroit, Michigan, and going to Korea

569

:

and talking about broadening the horizon.

570

:

You kidding me?

571

:

Right.

572

:

I had never been on an airplane

until I went to the military.

573

:

Okay.

574

:

And so when I went to Korea and I'm

seeing, you know, the Korean people,

575

:

um, and, and again, I'm generalizing,

right, but they just were so, seemed, so

576

:

happy and they were living in huts, okay?

577

:

And as we were marching down the streets,

they would come up and throw ribbons

578

:

and stuff around our neck because

obviously the Korean War that happened

579

:

in the fifties and, uh, you know,

America was there to save South Korea.

580

:

And then we, that's always

been part of their allies.

581

:

And, and so this was that,

that they never forgot that.

582

:

And they still do that today.

583

:

And then to be able to go to

the DMZ and be at the, the, the

584

:

debilitation line where you can

see the other side of North Korea.

585

:

And, and so those things I.

586

:

When you see those things, okay.

587

:

Then you recognize, to your point,

and this, there was no iPhone then.

588

:

There was no Facebook,

there was none of that.

589

:

All I knew about Korea was on a map, okay?

590

:

That I didn't even look at that long.

591

:

Right?

592

:

Yeah.

593

:

And the ba o to go there and experience

that took my mind and that took how I

594

:

looked at people totally different, right?

595

:

However, I had friends of mine or military

friends, army friends of mine that when

596

:

they was there that didn't take them

like that, they were still thinking, you

597

:

know, uh, from Chicago, wherever they're

from, Tupelo, Mississippi, whatever.

598

:

And, and then the, the, the things that

they would say to the Korean people,

599

:

which I was appalled at and shocked at.

600

:

Okay?

601

:

So this is my point, is that

you can be put in certain

602

:

places, but you have to choose.

603

:

To evolve.

604

:

You have to choose to see

things differently and open up

605

:

your mind and stuff to that.

606

:

What's your thoughts on that, my friend?

607

:

Chad Hickey: Look, I think that

people don't evolve out of fear.

608

:

You know what I mean?

609

:

I don't, I don't know that I know

of anyone who might, and maybe you

610

:

do, but you know, who would say,

I don't want to evolve as a human.

611

:

You know what I mean?

612

:

Like who would actually,

613

:

Tony Tidbit: no, they're

not gonna say that.

614

:

Some people, well, they won't say that.

615

:

They'll just say, I like what I am.

616

:

I like my, and I don't want to change it.

617

:

So they'll use the word, they don't

wanna change, they won't say evolve.

618

:

Right.

619

:

Chad Hickey: Yeah.

620

:

And I think that that stems

from fear, you know what I mean?

621

:

Like Right.

622

:

The older I get, the more I

realize everyone's dealing with

623

:

their same shit just like I am.

624

:

Right.

625

:

You know what I mean?

626

:

Right.

627

:

And while I may not sometimes

agree with behavior, or I may

628

:

find things close-minded that.

629

:

You know, at the same time, I don't

understand that person's experience.

630

:

And so like, how can I fully just make an

assumption, you know, because what movie

631

:

was I watching where it was like, your

parents not to, you know, that this is

632

:

a, my parents, you know, um, experience,

but it's like your parents were humans

633

:

too, and they have their own baggage

and they're, you know, I think as a kid,

634

:

you never pass that on to your parent.

635

:

You're, you're never like, oh, they

had their own trauma, or they had their

636

:

own experiences where they felt left.

637

:

Then that made them

react in a different way.

638

:

And maybe I'm reacting in a different way.

639

:

Right.

640

:

You know what I mean?

641

:

Like, I have thought if I'm being

completely vulnerable, like my career

642

:

is so important to me that maybe I'm

trying to prove my worth in some way.

643

:

You know what I mean?

644

:

Right.

645

:

Right.

646

:

Sure are, are there people that can

like, take a step back like you and

647

:

I are having this conversation and

go, yeah, why really do I do that?

648

:

But there are things, Tony, that I need

to work on that I ignore all day long.

649

:

You know what I mean?

650

:

Like No, it's so true buddy.

651

:

I think we all can pick and choose where

we want to evolve and where we wanna put

652

:

something back on the shelf because it

maybe it's too painful to, to deal with.

653

:

And so I say all that because I try

to come from that mindset, right?

654

:

It doesn't mean that I'm

the most understanding.

655

:

'cause you know, I definitely

have my moments where.

656

:

You know, it doesn't make sense to me

why someone wouldn't want to do that.

657

:

But again, I do things that I'm sure a

lot of people don't understand as well.

658

:

So who am I to say that my way

is better than anyone else's?

659

:

You know what I mean?

660

:

Tony Tidbit: Right, right, right.

661

:

Well, look, this is one

thing that I do know.

662

:

Okay.

663

:

And we, it is funny that we started

with the word evolve, and that's

664

:

gonna be our key word throughout

this, this conversation today, right?

665

:

Yeah.

666

:

Because you went from being in

a sales leadership position,

667

:

many positions, right?

668

:

Chad Hickey: Yeah.

669

:

Tony Tidbit: Leading.

670

:

Leading sales organizations, and typically

people who are in those positions.

671

:

And I've been in those

positions a lot in my career.

672

:

Yep.

673

:

They end up staying in those positions.

674

:

They don't evolve to somewhere else.

675

:

Right.

676

:

So tell us a little bit how you

made that shift from, you know,

677

:

leading a sales organization and

then ended up starting Givsly.

678

:

I.

679

:

Chad Hickey: Yeah.

680

:

Well, I mean, one, I think that it was

to prove to myself that I could do it.

681

:

You know what I mean?

682

:

Um, you know, when I was a CRO,

I started to accomplish things.

683

:

You know, I had a leader who believed

in me more than I believed in myself,

684

:

if I'm being completely honest.

685

:

And he was like, no, I think

you can expand this globally.

686

:

I think you, he was very good at

like, seeing certain things in me, um,

687

:

that I really had self-doubt on now.

688

:

Um, so with that being said, you

know, I think that when you're a

689

:

CRO, I remember when I became a

CRO, I was kinda like, now what?

690

:

You know what I mean?

691

:

Like, because I, yeah.

692

:

What am I gonna do

693

:

Tony Tidbit: now?

694

:

Right?

695

:

Chad Hickey: My thirties,

I say this all the time.

696

:

My thirties was all about

climbing the ladder.

697

:

It was all about me.

698

:

It was all about how

much money I could make.

699

:

I was.

700

:

Not sitting around thinking about how,

how I help underserved communities.

701

:

So going back to that, you know, evolution

thing, you know, there were moments

702

:

that happened, you know, between 2016

and:

703

:

woke me up to say, man, going back to

my comment about my friend saying, you

704

:

live in New York and you have this dream.

705

:

Like, I, I was like, I have experienced

things that I never dreamt that I would

706

:

get to experience, you know, as a young

kid growing up in a town of 13,000,

707

:

that that was not, um, you know, really

what I, I, I thought would ever happen.

708

:

And so, so, so for me, a little bit

of it was to say, okay, like I've.

709

:

Accomplish this.

710

:

Can I accomplish this,

like pushing myself?

711

:

'cause I, I get bored really easy.

712

:

I have to constantly be learning.

713

:

I, and so I tend to go in and I've

always done that with my career.

714

:

Like I'm, I'm really dating

myself, but when I got into mobile

715

:

advertising, no one wanted to touch it.

716

:

And now think about that, like, right,

I went into my director of sales at the

717

:

Atlanta Journal Constitution, um, and

I said, Hey, um, the girl who was um,

718

:

kind of, uh, controlling that at the

time had resigned and she was going to

719

:

a little known company called Google.

720

:

I would love to see what her

chairs looked like today.

721

:

Um, but, but, um, anyway, she

left and I walked right into.

722

:

Uh, my boss's, uh, um, office and I said,

Hey, I, I wanna take over the mobile.

723

:

Like, I promise I'll be able to

keep up with my other work because

724

:

I wanted to see if I could learn and

I was genuinely interested in it.

725

:

So I've, I've always kind of been

that way and so, you know, I learned

726

:

a lot in my CRO positions around how

to run a business, and I really wanted

727

:

to do something more with my life.

728

:

It was those two factors of like, I

really wanted to see if I could do

729

:

it and prove it to myself and see

if I had the instincts to do it.

730

:

And, you know, it's still TBD, we've been

able to survive, but you know what I mean,

731

:

who knows what tomorrow brings, right?

732

:

Um, and so from, from that

perspective, that was really the,

733

:

the approach that I'm in now.

734

:

One, I think you're always in sales.

735

:

In general, and I love

being a sales leader.

736

:

Like I love, you know, managing teams.

737

:

I love seeing people grow.

738

:

I love pushing people to grow.

739

:

My teams that have worked for

me would probably say I'm very

740

:

tough, uh, to work for as much

as we get on and kind of laugh.

741

:

I have very high expectations.

742

:

Um, but I wanted to apply that to this

company and be in control of what my

743

:

vision was for, for building a company

and to see if I can make it happen.

744

:

And I always kind of laugh at like, if

you, you know, hear VCs or, or other,

745

:

you know, uh, CEOs that come from a

different background like product and

746

:

engineering, they're like, oh, sales

and marketing make terrible CEOs.

747

:

I actually think it's quite the opposite.

748

:

Like I think it's quite the opposite

because I know how to run a p and l

749

:

so I know how to look at when we're

overspending and we're underspending and

750

:

how to look at cash flow and all those

things, um, to make the business work.

751

:

But I also know how to listen to the

market and adjust and weave where.

752

:

I see the direction going.

753

:

I think in a, in a way that

might be harder for someone in an

754

:

engineering role or a product role.

755

:

Not everyone, but you know

what I mean, where Right.

756

:

A lot of that profile, again, making

general statements is, you know, you're,

757

:

you're technical, you're like in the zone.

758

:

You tend to be, you know, someone

who doesn't want to be up in front

759

:

of people pitching and talking into,

in, in, in front of big groups.

760

:

And so I think it's been

one of our strengths.

761

:

As much as I see people sometimes

broadly speaking in the trades, kinda

762

:

like, you know, talk about a, a sales

leader or a marketing leader being a

763

:

CEO, I think that we have some of the

best qualities to actually do that.

764

:

And, you know, look,

Givsly launched in:

765

:

I joke all the time when I'm on

calls, I say we had one year of

766

:

normalcy and then we had an events

armed to our business, uh, high.

767

:

That was the only thing we offered.

768

:

And we were moving into a pandemic.

769

:

And guess what, what did we do that year?

770

:

We tripled revenue.

771

:

ADDRA Labs Promo: If you like what you

hear and wanna join us on this journey

772

:

of making uncomfortable conversations

comfortable, please subscribe to A

773

:

Black Executive Perspective podcast

on YouTube, apple Podcasts, Spotify,

774

:

or wherever you get your podcasts.

775

:

Hit subscribe now to stay

connected for more episodes.

776

:

That challenge inspire

and lead the change,

777

:

Tony Tidbit: right?

778

:

Right.

779

:

Chad Hickey: We knew how to adjust

the product so that it still drove

780

:

the KPIs for our clients, but also

adjusted to the current environment

781

:

that was going on all around us.

782

:

And so that is, that is an inherent

skill, you know, that anyone

783

:

in an organization can have.

784

:

But I think in sales and marketing,

that is kind of your role.

785

:

You know what I mean?

786

:

Right?

787

:

Is that you are to listen to the

market, share that feedback with

788

:

product and technology, help them

to like guide on how they build the

789

:

products and then run the business.

790

:

And, um, those were skills that

I've developed, you know, in the

791

:

last 10 years that I think, um.

792

:

I really wanted to hone and

see how far I could take it.

793

:

Right, and the fact that we've survived.

794

:

And look, I'm a very superstitious

person, so I'm not, um, the typical

795

:

type of founder that I'm like, I'm

gonna be a $7 billion company next year.

796

:

You know, you have all those,

you know, CEOs that, you

797

:

know, paint this huge vision.

798

:

I'm more of a realist.

799

:

But I think that that's also my training

of being a CRO and knowing that I had

800

:

to report into my CEO and say, Hey, this

is what I think the number is gonna be,

801

:

because that was going to a board, but

then would hold us accountable to do this.

802

:

So I was always trying to set

that realistic expectation.

803

:

And I think that we've, you know,

been very low on fundraising versus

804

:

a lot of people that were in the

space six years ago when we launched,

805

:

Tony Tidbit: right.

806

:

Chad Hickey: Or out of business.

807

:

And I'll knock on wood, I'm not saying

that, you know, anything can happen,

808

:

but I do think we've been able to

navigate some pretty unprecedented

809

:

challenges and, and done it well.

810

:

And so, and we're really proud of that.

811

:

Tony Tidbit: So, so that is great.

812

:

That is awesome.

813

:

And I love the, um, you

know, the thought process.

814

:

You know, why, um.

815

:

You know, sales leaders can be great CEOs,

but let's back up a little bit, right?

816

:

Because, you know, number one, GIBS Lee

and, and just we wanna make sure that

817

:

the audience is, you know, has a clear

understanding of what Givsly does, right?

818

:

Mm-hmm.

819

:

So talk a little bit, 'cause

this is a unique business model.

820

:

Okay?

821

:

And you were working, um,

in the ad sales side, right?

822

:

Mobile, the whole nine yards

data, um, where it was all about

823

:

getting brands to spend money.

824

:

Um, with your company, and then

you guys would market and advertise

825

:

them across whatever properties.

826

:

Well, Givsly is totally different.

827

:

So how did you come up with the

idea of that business model?

828

:

Number one, explain what the business

model is and then how did you develop,

829

:

come up when be inspired enough to say,

this is what I'm going to do in a, in a

830

:

industry that typically from this type

of mindset doesn't actually, you know,

831

:

follow that from a, a, a, a nonprofit,

from a, a charity standpoint, from

832

:

their business and in the different

charities that they, they they support.

833

:

Chad Hickey: Yeah.

834

:

So look like I started researching

the company in, or, or researching

835

:

the idea for the company in, uh, 2018.

836

:

Right.

837

:

Um, I was at my friend's lake house,

they all went to the lake, and I

838

:

just, have you ever had those moments

where you're like, I feel creative,

839

:

like something is pushing me to kind

of like, get the, my ideas down?

840

:

Um, and so I knew I wanted to tap into

a little bit of my skillset, but I

841

:

also wanted to look at trends and, and

there was a ton of, you know, research

842

:

and articles around the fact that

society's, um, confidence in government

843

:

had eroded and, you know, as far as

like helping, you know, underserved

844

:

communities and things like that.

845

:

And they were looking to toward

their companies to actually,

846

:

uh, take up that charge.

847

:

And I think it's really interesting

the time we're living in right now,

848

:

because I think a lot of people

have, you know, amnesia around

849

:

that time and they're gonna be.

850

:

In for, I think a, a rude awakening

at what expectation happens.

851

:

You know, you, so when you say

852

:

Tony Tidbit: they, when you say

they have amnesia and there's

853

:

gonna be a rude awakening, like be

specific, like what do you mean?

854

:

Chad Hickey: I think that they forget

the expectations that their employees

855

:

had to feel purpose and, and listen.

856

:

I don't, I don't like the, I

don't like words like purpose and

857

:

good and CSR and social impact.

858

:

We are a values company.

859

:

Mm-hmm.

860

:

We are all about aligning

consumer values with brand values.

861

:

Right.

862

:

And the research today

shows that 82% of people.

863

:

Choose values as one of the

signals for who they buy from.

864

:

Like brand loyalty is, and this was

some of the research that, you know,

865

:

I was looking at it some of the time.

866

:

And so at that moment I was like,

this is bigger than a volunteer day.

867

:

Now we do volunteer days.

868

:

You know, don't, don't, don't,

uh, you know, get me wrong.

869

:

That is an element to showing your values.

870

:

But values is bigger.

871

:

Values is bigger than inclusion.

872

:

Values is bigger than sustainability.

873

:

Values can be.

874

:

We are a brand that cares about childhood

cancer or education or nutrition.

875

:

Right?

876

:

Um, the, the ex CMO of Cho

Chobani said our values was,

877

:

was that, you know what I mean?

878

:

And so I think that we go to

the, the, the polarizing topics.

879

:

Very much topics that need to be

discussed do not get me wrong, but the,

880

:

the opportunity is bigger than that.

881

:

We go into brands all the time and we say.

882

:

If I told you 82% of your consumers

were women, would you do little 5%?

883

:

Cause marketing campaigns that,

you know, are sitting over here.

884

:

And so you wouldn't, you would

apply that to everything.

885

:

And I think that if brands are gonna

speak to consumers, especially young

886

:

consumers, they have to think about

how a value strategy is incorporated

887

:

in everything that they do.

888

:

Right.

889

:

Or they're not gonna

survive in the future.

890

:

They will, they will become, um, I don't,

I don't wanna say they'll become obsolete,

891

:

but they're, they're gonna become stale.

892

:

I truly believe that when it

comes to younger consumers.

893

:

Tony Tidbit: Right, right.

894

:

So just to be clear though,

so Givsly obviously operates

895

:

from a value add, right?

896

:

In terms of advertisers will give you a

certain amount of budget and then you take

897

:

a little bit of that budget or they pick

out exactly what cause they want to be

898

:

able to contribute it to, is that correct?

899

:

Chad Hickey: Yeah.

900

:

Think about us as like in, as like a Warby

Parker for advertising and marketing.

901

:

Everything that we do drives a

donation, and everything that we

902

:

do is rooted in responsible topics.

903

:

And so, you know, going back to,

I, I guess I didn't fully complete

904

:

your, your question, so No, no.

905

:

All good.

906

:

My friend.

907

:

You, you, you, Chad.

908

:

Tony Tidbit: It's all

909

:

Chad Hickey: good.

910

:

Good.

911

:

As a CEO to, to, to talk

about your three products.

912

:

But, um, you know, so from

that perspective, there's three

913

:

different ways to work with us.

914

:

The first is how we launched, which is

experiences that are all rooted in values.

915

:

And so whether that is a panel discussion

of employees talking about what it's

916

:

like to be a, a, a black employee, um,

you know, in an, an office and to feel,

917

:

you know, accepted and included and,

and that they belong all the way to a

918

:

volunteer experience in a food pantry.

919

:

Like we do those things, but what we

do is we come from the lens of taking

920

:

the customer with their partner so that

they are spending that time in a more.

921

:

I don't wanna say deeper way as if others,

you know, situations aren't deep, but, you

922

:

know, in a, in a more values focused way

where you're connecting as humans versus

923

:

like a five course dinner or a baseball

game or a concert where you get tickets.

924

:

Not that those things are bad, trust

me, we, we do those things, but you

925

:

don't have to do it all the time, right?

926

:

So, so that's the first piece.

927

:

We then have a B2B platform where people

use it for sustainability efforts to

928

:

replace things like swag with a donation.

929

:

So, Hey Tony, come by my booth at CES

and we're going to offer a $25 donation.

930

:

When you scan this QR code to

one of these three charities, you

931

:

select it is more sustainable.

932

:

The swag doesn't end up left in

your hotel room or in a landfill.

933

:

We all know that that's what

happens, but people do it out of

934

:

habit and fear that they're gonna

be the only ones to, God forbid.

935

:

You know, not have a branded hoodie that

we have 700 of, you know what I mean?

936

:

Right.

937

:

And again, the one thing I wanna

clarify, it's not that swag is bad, it's

938

:

more about the duplication and giving

people an option who don't want it.

939

:

Like what's, what is the harm in that?

940

:

Like, I don't want your notebook with your

logo, and I'd rather that $10 go to the

941

:

American Cancer Society, that's a win.

942

:

Right.

943

:

You know what I mean?

944

:

That's not something that, you

know, people should be afraid of.

945

:

And then the last piece of our business

and is, um, you know, our largest piece

946

:

of, of our business is the media side.

947

:

And the media side is when consumers

engage with ads, we drive a donation, um,

948

:

to the charity of that brand's choice.

949

:

And so what happens is

it's really a win-win.

950

:

The brands are able to showcase their

values, which consumers are looking for.

951

:

And again, it doesn't have to be

the polarizing topics, it can be.

952

:

Feeding America right now, we're

doing a ton of campaigns with CPG, uh,

953

:

brands with Feeding America because

of food insecurity at the holidays.

954

:

Um, and so from, from that perspective,

um, it really enables those brands

955

:

to showcase those values, but in a

way that increases the performance

956

:

of the, their product campaigns.

957

:

Mm-hmm.

958

:

So what we go in to these brands and say

is like, okay, cause marketing cool, you

959

:

know, you're doing this on five to 10%.

960

:

You see all these very fluffy

ads, you know, and, and I don't

961

:

say that to say that they're bad.

962

:

We, we run, you know, cause marketing

campaigns, if that's where the brand

963

:

is, we meet them where they are.

964

:

But we are also very vocal at saying,

look, this is eight out of 10 consumers.

965

:

Look for this.

966

:

And if purpose drives profit, which

we always say, then what about

967

:

this support of this charity says

to buy more hamburgers or to buy

968

:

more lipstick or to buy butter.

969

:

Nothing about that says, and it's, and

what CMOs will tell you, not publicly,

970

:

it's the first to get cut, right?

971

:

Because of that lack of tying.

972

:

ROI.

973

:

So we have literally said no to

very large brands on campaigns where

974

:

we're like, we wanna do this right?

975

:

We want you to see what we are seeing,

where we increase attention by 15%.

976

:

We can, up to quadruple brand

awareness that we've seen.

977

:

Um, video completion rates up 18%.

978

:

That are product campaigns that

just incent the consumer by

979

:

showcasing that nonprofit donation

and the value of the brand.

980

:

Right?

981

:

And so that's a big focus, uh, of ours,

982

:

Tony Tidbit: buddy.

983

:

It's, it's fantastic.

984

:

And, and the effect that you

guys have had thus far, right?

985

:

$2 million, 500 non-profit organization.

986

:

So obviously you guys are doing a lot

of great things, and not just for the

987

:

advertiser, but for the community as well.

988

:

So my final question I have for you.

989

:

What, what, what's your ultimate goal?

990

:

What do you think the greater,

what are you guys trying to

991

:

achieve on a bigger level?

992

:

What, from an impact standpoint,

what do you think Givsly could

993

:

have from a business standpoint

as well as the, the community?

994

:

Chad Hickey: Well, I'm trying

to decide if I wanna tell you.

995

:

Tony Tidbit: Wait, is

this:

996

:

Chad Hickey: No, no, no.

997

:

I, I'll, I'll, I'll say this.

998

:

At a very high level, our goal is to be

able to provide the best solution that

999

:

predicts consumer values for brands.

:

00:51:21,299 --> 00:51:25,169

Um, and so I'll leave it at that, you

know, and so we're, we're working on a

:

00:51:25,169 --> 00:51:31,049

lot of things, and that is not to say

that brands are being inauthentic by

:

00:51:31,799 --> 00:51:38,220

maybe in New York, showing support of

one charity versus what they may show

:

00:51:38,220 --> 00:51:40,589

as a charity, um, in Arkansas, right.

:

00:51:40,589 --> 00:51:43,229

That may speak more to this community.

:

00:51:43,680 --> 00:51:47,879

Um, the reality is, is that a lot of

brands tend to have three to four.

:

00:51:48,225 --> 00:51:50,925

Maybe even more nonprofit partnerships.

:

00:51:51,134 --> 00:51:55,425

So if you are able to deliver

products that can predict that mm-hmm.

:

00:51:55,665 --> 00:52:01,634

And deliver campaigns with that

messaging to know that that person or

:

00:52:01,634 --> 00:52:06,435

that area is gonna lean more into that

value, why wouldn't you want that?

:

00:52:06,435 --> 00:52:06,555

Right.

:

00:52:06,555 --> 00:52:07,245

You know what I mean?

:

00:52:07,335 --> 00:52:11,805

Um, so, so from that perspective, that's

really our bigger, longer term vision.

:

00:52:12,120 --> 00:52:13,590

Tony Tidbit: Well, that's

exciting, my brother.

:

00:52:13,590 --> 00:52:17,190

It's, and you know what, at the end

of the day, you, they definitely have

:

00:52:17,190 --> 00:52:19,529

the right person at the helm, okay.

:

00:52:19,529 --> 00:52:25,560

Somebody that is very passionate,

um, very worldly, um, and more

:

00:52:25,560 --> 00:52:27,750

importantly has a heart of goal, okay.

:

00:52:27,750 --> 00:52:29,100

That wants to leave.

:

00:52:29,490 --> 00:52:29,880

Uh, I have the

:

00:52:30,060 --> 00:52:30,690

Chad Hickey: moments,

:

00:52:30,955 --> 00:52:32,610

Tony Tidbit: well, look,

stop, hold on, buddy.

:

00:52:32,759 --> 00:52:35,370

When I, when I'm giving you accolades,

you know what you're supposed to do.

:

00:52:35,375 --> 00:52:36,435

Just say, I'm not, I'm not good

:

00:52:36,435 --> 00:52:37,075

Chad Hickey: at taking conflict.

:

00:52:37,075 --> 00:52:37,275

Yeah.

:

00:52:37,275 --> 00:52:38,430

Tony Tidbit: So, so just say thank you.

:

00:52:38,975 --> 00:52:39,870

That's all you gotta do.

:

00:52:39,990 --> 00:52:40,710

Thank you, Tony.

:

00:52:40,715 --> 00:52:40,915

Thank you.

:

00:52:40,925 --> 00:52:41,317

Thank you, thank you.

:

00:52:41,610 --> 00:52:42,000

Right.

:

00:52:42,300 --> 00:52:45,150

But all that being said, regardless

if you're good at taking accolades

:

00:52:45,150 --> 00:52:46,590

or not, those are the facts.

:

00:52:46,620 --> 00:52:47,130

Okay?

:

00:52:47,310 --> 00:52:50,820

Because you wouldn't be doing what

you're doing if that wasn't who you are.

:

00:52:50,820 --> 00:52:52,440

And I really love what you're doing.

:

00:52:52,620 --> 00:52:54,090

So, final thoughts, my brother?

:

00:52:54,090 --> 00:52:57,779

What do you wanna leave the

audience about your journey?

:

00:52:57,779 --> 00:52:58,399

Givsly.

:

00:52:58,620 --> 00:52:59,250

Let's hear it.

:

00:53:00,750 --> 00:53:01,259

Chad Hickey: Hmm.

:

00:53:04,775 --> 00:53:10,500

I, this may sound weird to say,

but I think it's relevant for.

:

00:53:10,995 --> 00:53:11,805

The time.

:

00:53:12,435 --> 00:53:15,944

I think there's a lot of people

that just wanna live their life.

:

00:53:17,025 --> 00:53:21,645

Um, whether you're talking about

queer people, the trans community,

:

00:53:22,214 --> 00:53:27,884

um, black people, Hispanic people,

people just want to live their life.

:

00:53:27,975 --> 00:53:37,245

And I think that we have to get back

somehow for both sides understanding

:

00:53:37,245 --> 00:53:43,484

that and that this amplification of

the scary part of it and whatever

:

00:53:43,484 --> 00:53:46,185

narrative is created on both sides Right.

:

00:53:46,185 --> 00:53:47,625

For right, right, right.

:

00:53:47,625 --> 00:53:53,205

Um, really conservative people

that may be scary to my community,

:

00:53:53,595 --> 00:53:56,714

to that community understanding.

:

00:53:57,345 --> 00:54:00,705

And I'll just use the trans community

because, you know, my heart breaks

:

00:54:00,705 --> 00:54:05,835

for, for what they are going through

and how their life is being exploited.

:

00:54:06,404 --> 00:54:07,095

Um.

:

00:54:08,175 --> 00:54:13,005

That at the end of the day, they,

people just wanna live their life

:

00:54:13,065 --> 00:54:16,215

and, and have respect and discipline.

:

00:54:16,785 --> 00:54:21,945

And we need to understand that there is

more people like that than the 15% on both

:

00:54:21,945 --> 00:54:26,325

sides that jump on these cultural moments.

:

00:54:26,745 --> 00:54:31,995

Um, or a video of someone maybe answering

a question, you know, in a very, you know,

:

00:54:32,085 --> 00:54:38,985

uh, what one might say unintelligent way,

um, that we have to understand that that's

:

00:54:38,985 --> 00:54:41,595

really what everyone wants, you know?

:

00:54:41,985 --> 00:54:42,105

Right.

:

00:54:42,135 --> 00:54:47,895

Um, and so the temperature needs to be

dialed down somehow, or we need to get

:

00:54:47,895 --> 00:54:52,485

back to a place where we can all talk

about that and we can talk about it

:

00:54:52,485 --> 00:54:56,385

in the middle and go, yeah, you know

what, like there's certain parts of

:

00:54:56,655 --> 00:54:58,425

the queer movement that's complicated.

:

00:54:59,654 --> 00:55:01,065

It is, you know what I mean?

:

00:55:01,065 --> 00:55:03,165

Like there, it's not

black and white, you know?

:

00:55:03,165 --> 00:55:03,255

Right.

:

00:55:03,255 --> 00:55:04,424

From that perspective.

:

00:55:04,755 --> 00:55:08,745

And then there's certain areas of

the, uh, conservative movement where

:

00:55:08,924 --> 00:55:12,345

people feel hopeless and left behind

and they want the same opportunities.

:

00:55:12,345 --> 00:55:12,825

And guess what?

:

00:55:12,825 --> 00:55:14,505

That's really fair.

:

00:55:14,685 --> 00:55:14,835

Right.

:

00:55:14,835 --> 00:55:15,555

You know what I mean?

:

00:55:15,975 --> 00:55:19,185

And so, um, that's what I

would leave people with.

:

00:55:19,185 --> 00:55:24,165

And I, that may not be the answer that

you expected, but it's, um, something

:

00:55:24,165 --> 00:55:28,725

that I think about a lot and, um, I

think more people need to be mindful of.

:

00:55:29,160 --> 00:55:30,720

Tony Tidbit: Well, number

one, thank you my friend.

:

00:55:30,720 --> 00:55:32,100

And number two, let's just be clear here.

:

00:55:32,100 --> 00:55:35,010

It's not the answer that I'm

looking, uh, that, that I care about.

:

00:55:35,010 --> 00:55:36,780

It's what you wanna leave.

:

00:55:36,930 --> 00:55:36,990

Yeah.

:

00:55:37,080 --> 00:55:37,560

Right.

:

00:55:37,560 --> 00:55:41,550

And I think what you left is who you,

what you just got from stating is who you

:

00:55:41,550 --> 00:55:43,380

are and you're a hundred percent right.

:

00:55:43,770 --> 00:55:47,040

And hopefully we can,

you know, that's my goal.

:

00:55:47,400 --> 00:55:51,510

My goal here on A Black Executive

Perspective podcast is to have people

:

00:55:51,510 --> 00:55:55,710

come on no matter what their background,

no matter what their race, no matter

:

00:55:55,710 --> 00:56:01,620

religion, what, who the political, uh,

uh, platform is to come on and chat

:

00:56:01,620 --> 00:56:04,980

so we can all learn from one another

because we have, to your point, we

:

00:56:04,980 --> 00:56:08,970

have way more in common than we have,

uh, uh, things that, that's a part.

:

00:56:08,970 --> 00:56:13,440

And I, and to be fair, the our

so-called leaders are exploiting that.

:

00:56:13,530 --> 00:56:16,260

To keep us divided so

they can stay in power.

:

00:56:16,380 --> 00:56:20,430

And it's really up to us to

break those shackles and to

:

00:56:20,430 --> 00:56:21,930

come, uh, and come together.

:

00:56:21,930 --> 00:56:27,030

And I really appreciate you breaking

the shackle to come on, BEP to talk,

:

00:56:27,030 --> 00:56:30,420

tell your story and the things that

Givsly is doing, and then obviously

:

00:56:30,420 --> 00:56:31,890

the goals that you guys have.

:

00:56:32,130 --> 00:56:35,220

So, Chad Hickey, I wanna thank you

for coming on A Black Executive

:

00:56:35,220 --> 00:56:36,960

Perspective podcast, my brother.

:

00:56:37,200 --> 00:56:38,550

It's been fantastic.

:

00:56:38,550 --> 00:56:39,720

I learned a lot from you.

:

00:56:39,900 --> 00:56:44,400

More importantly, I can see why

that you and your organization

:

00:56:44,400 --> 00:56:47,910

is doing well, because they have

a really good person at the top.

:

00:56:48,120 --> 00:56:52,110

So, and that person we is going to

help us with our call to action.

:

00:56:52,320 --> 00:56:55,020

So you stay right there, my

friend, and we're gonna help you.

:

00:56:55,170 --> 00:56:57,300

You are gonna help us

with BEP's call to action.

:

00:56:57,540 --> 00:57:01,530

So I think it's now

time for Tony's tidbit.

:

00:57:02,280 --> 00:57:07,200

So the tidbit today is always, is

about what we discuss today, what our

:

00:57:07,200 --> 00:57:09,270

guest Chad Hickey and the tidbit is.

:

00:57:09,270 --> 00:57:12,300

And I quote, when we listen and celebrate.

:

00:57:12,675 --> 00:57:14,985

What is both common and different?

:

00:57:15,495 --> 00:57:16,995

We become a wiser.

:

00:57:17,610 --> 00:57:22,530

More inclusive and a better

organization and country.

:

00:57:22,620 --> 00:57:25,050

And that's by Pat Waters.

:

00:57:25,350 --> 00:57:28,860

And you heard a lot of that today

from our guest, Chad Hickey.

:

00:57:29,130 --> 00:57:31,080

So he's gonna help us stay right there.

:

00:57:31,080 --> 00:57:34,590

And the thing that I don't want you

to forget about is every Thursday,

:

00:57:34,590 --> 00:57:36,000

make sure that you check out.

:

00:57:36,240 --> 00:57:37,860

Need to know with Dr.

:

00:57:37,860 --> 00:57:38,820

Nsenga Burton.

:

00:57:39,030 --> 00:57:41,310

You definitely don't wanna miss, uh, Dr.

:

00:57:41,310 --> 00:57:44,940

Burton's segment on A Black Executive

Perspective podcast where she dives

:

00:57:44,940 --> 00:57:50,850

into timely, crucial topics, keeps you

up to date on what's going on, right?

:

00:57:50,910 --> 00:57:53,280

Stuff that's gonna shape

our community and world.

:

00:57:53,460 --> 00:57:56,250

So don't forget to tune in and

gain insight and deepen your

:

00:57:56,250 --> 00:57:58,470

understanding on these topics.

:

00:57:58,800 --> 00:58:03,150

Every Thursday, black executive

perspective podcasts need to know what Dr.

:

00:58:03,150 --> 00:58:04,020

Nsenga Burton.

:

00:58:04,170 --> 00:58:09,840

I hope today that you enjoyed our episode

from Resilience to Leadership, a journey

:

00:58:09,840 --> 00:58:15,540

of purpose and impact with the CEO and

founder of Chad Hickey of Givsly, and now.

:

00:58:16,214 --> 00:58:20,535

He's gonna help us and this is

our time for BEPS Call to Action.

:

00:58:20,865 --> 00:58:25,875

Our goal is to decrease all

forms of racism, discrimination.

:

00:58:26,745 --> 00:58:28,694

In every aspect of life.

:

00:58:28,755 --> 00:58:33,525

And so we're asking everyone to help

us do this with our call to action.

:

00:58:33,525 --> 00:58:38,955

This go starts with less LESS,

and I'm gonna kick it off.

:

00:58:38,955 --> 00:58:40,455

L stands for learn.

:

00:58:40,694 --> 00:58:45,345

So more importantly, you wanna learn and

teach and learn about racial and culture

:

00:58:45,345 --> 00:58:47,714

nuances that you are not familiar with.

:

00:58:47,714 --> 00:58:51,375

It is a lot Chad talked about

earlier, about traveling and going

:

00:58:51,375 --> 00:58:55,694

to different places, and by doing

that it opens up your perspective.

:

00:58:56,055 --> 00:58:59,174

Chad Hickey: Chad, the

EASE stands for empathy.

:

00:58:59,265 --> 00:59:01,725

So be open to understand diverse views.

:

00:59:02,265 --> 00:59:05,895

I think don't cut people off just

because they don't agree with you.

:

00:59:06,680 --> 00:59:11,330

Actually make an effort to push through

that instinct and really understand

:

00:59:11,330 --> 00:59:12,500

where that person's coming from.

:

00:59:13,220 --> 00:59:14,029

Tony Tidbit: Absolutely.

:

00:59:14,029 --> 00:59:20,089

And then after you, uh, apply empathy,

now you wanna do share s stands for share.

:

00:59:20,299 --> 00:59:24,020

You wanna share your insights

and the things that you learn

:

00:59:24,020 --> 00:59:27,920

to your friends and family, so

they can be enlightened as well.

:

00:59:28,100 --> 00:59:30,170

And then the final S stands for Stop.

:

00:59:30,470 --> 00:59:34,100

We wanna stop discrimination

as it walks in our path.

:

00:59:34,339 --> 00:59:37,970

So if Aunt Jenny says something

at the Thanksgiving table and

:

00:59:37,970 --> 00:59:41,839

it's inappropriate, you say, aunt

Jenny, we don't believe that.

:

00:59:42,110 --> 00:59:43,220

We don't say that.

:

00:59:43,430 --> 00:59:45,080

And you stop it right there.

:

00:59:45,259 --> 00:59:51,830

So if everyone can incorporate less,

LESS will build a more fair, more

:

00:59:51,860 --> 00:59:54,500

understanding world and more importantly.

:

00:59:54,855 --> 00:59:58,185

We'll all be able to see

the change that we wanna see

:

00:59:58,455 --> 01:00:00,975

because less will become more.

:

01:00:01,245 --> 01:00:05,235

So I really appreciate you joining us here

on A Black Executive Perspective podcast.

:

01:00:05,505 --> 01:00:09,045

You can continue to watch all of

our episodes, listen to our episodes

:

01:00:09,045 --> 01:00:13,335

on YouTube, apple, Spotify, or

wherever you get your podcast.

:

01:00:13,545 --> 01:00:18,225

And don't forget to follow us on all

our social channels of TikTok, LinkedIn

:

01:00:18,315 --> 01:00:25,035

X, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook at

a black exec for our fabulous guest,

:

01:00:25,035 --> 01:00:28,225

Chad Hickey, CEO, founder, a Givsly.

:

01:00:28,245 --> 01:00:29,505

I'm Tony Tidbit.

:

01:00:29,775 --> 01:00:30,885

We talked about it.

:

01:00:30,915 --> 01:00:32,805

We learned about it a lot.

:

01:00:33,075 --> 01:00:35,205

We love you and we're out.

:

01:00:39,315 --> 01:00:41,955

BEP Narrator: A Black

Executive Perspective.

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective

About the Podcast

TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective
Reshaping Leadership & Diversity in Corporate America
About the Podcast: "TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective" offers a deep dive into the corporate world through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by Tony Franklin, aka Tony Tidbit, this podcast shines a light on vital conversations around race, leadership, and diversity, fostering understanding and change.

https://ablackexec.com

Meet Your Host: Tony Franklin has over three decades of corporate experience and provides transformative insights into diversity and inclusion, making each episode a journey of learning and empowerment.

Why You Should Listen:
- Diverse Perspectives: Insights from a variety of voices on challenges and triumphs in the corporate sphere.
-Action-Oriented: Practical advice for advocating equity and allyship in the workplace.
- Educational & Empathetic: A focus on empathy and education to drive impactful change.

What to Expect: #BEPpodcast brings powerful transformations, empowering voices, addressing barriers, and delving into topics reshaping Corporate America. It's a platform uniting diverse voices and making a significant impact.

Stay Connected:
Follow @ablackexec on social media for insights and visit ablackexec.com for updates and additional content.

Listen & Subscribe:
"TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective" is available on:
Apple Podcasts: https://ablackexec.com/apple
Spotify: https://ablackexec.com/spotify
YouTube Podcasts: https://ablackexec.com/youtube
Other Platforms: https://ablackexec.com/listen

Join us in transforming the narrative on race, leadership, and diversity in Corporate America. Your participation matters!

#BEPpodcast #TonyTidbit #CorporateDiversity #Inclusion #Leadership #RaceInCorporate #DiversityMatters #DEI

This podcast uses analytics and growth tools from Podder, Chartable, Podsights, and Podcorn.

About your host

Profile picture for Tony Franklin

Tony Franklin

Tony Franklin, the esteemed host of "TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective," is a dynamic and insightful leader with over 30 years of experience navigating the complexities of corporate America. With a career marked by leadership roles across various industries, Tony brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the podcast. His journey is one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace.

A passionate advocate for change, Tony initiated the groundbreaking "Conversations about Race" series in his workplace following the social unrest of 2020. This series laid the foundation for the podcast, offering a platform for open, honest discussions about race and the Black executive experience in corporate America. Through his engaging conversations with guests, Tony explores themes of adversity, exclusion, and implicit bias, while also highlighting the strategies that have helped break down racial barriers.

Tony's approachable style and depth of experience make him an influential voice in the DEI space. His dedication to fostering an inclusive environment is evident in each episode, where he provides actionable guidance for being a better advocate and ally. "TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective" is not just a podcast; it's a movement towards a more equitable corporate landscape, led by Tony's visionary leadership and empathetic voice.