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The Power Drop Newsletter – Issue #2
Brought to you by The Lulu List – Where Black & Brown Businesses Grow Together.
In partnership with
Welcome Fam!
You're locked into The Power Drop — the weekly spark for Black & Brown entrepreneurs ready to grow, glow, and build boldly.
This issue’s packed with tools, tactics, and truth. Skim it fast or dive in deep — either way, you're leaving with something powerful.
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THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Table of Contents
🔥 Sponsor Shoutout #1
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FUNDING CORNER
💸 Tool: Hello Alice – Grants + Growth Tools for Founders
Hello Alice is a free, founder-friendly platform connecting small business owners to real money and practical support.
✅ Dozens of grant programs throughout the year
✅ Step-by-step guides to grow and fund your business
✅ Personal biz health score and curated learning tracks
✅ Backed by brands like Amazon, Verizon, and Mastercard
🔥 Featured Grants:
$25K Small Business Growth Fund
$10K Progressive Driving Small Biz Forward Grant
$5K Verizon Digital Ready Grants
👉🏾 Sign up free at HelloAlice.com
💎 Power Move: Set up alerts so you never miss the next round.
DIGITAL AI TOOL CORNER
Tool: Notion + AI — Your Digital Brain
Feeling scattered? Notion gives founders a free, flexible way to manage everything — now with built-in AI to make it smoother.
🗂 Plan launches, store client notes, track goals
🧠 Use AI to write, summarize, and clean up content
🛠 Start fast with free “Business OS” templates
🎯 Use Case: Record a voice memo → drop into Notion → use AI to turn it into a blog post or IG caption
AI PROMPT OF THE WEEK
✨ The Leverage Audit Prompt
Use this in ChatGPT (or your favorite AI tool):
“Act as a business operations strategist. Audit my current business activities and show me: 1) what I should stop doing, 2) what I should delegate or automate, and 3) what I should double down on to grow faster. I’ll tell you my business model, goals, and workload. Ask questions if needed before giving the plan.”
Why it works:
✅ Clears clutter so you stop doing low-return work
✅ Helps you reclaim time without burning out
✅ Forces clarity on what actually grows your business
💎 Power Move: Pair this with Notion AI and use the output to build your weekly game plan.
🤝 Sponsor #2 is Helping to Power This Drop
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MARKETING MINDSET
The “Unsexy CTA” That Converts Better
Most people obsess over flashy calls to action like:
💥 “Book Now!”
💥 “Limited Time Only!”
💥 “Click Here Before It’s Gone!”
But what’s actually outperforming all that in 2025?
“Reply and I’ll send it to you.”
Why it works:
✅ Feels personal, not promotional
✅ Triggers conversation, not just a click
✅ Gets around the algorithm and into real DMs
Try this:
“Want the free guide? Reply and I’ll send it.”
“Need the vendor list? Just say ‘yes’ below.”
“I’ve got 3 templates I’m giving away. DM me ‘templates’ if you want them.”
💎 Power Drop: Conversions come from conversations. Make your CTA a hand-raise, not a hard sell.
CLIENT ACQUISITION TACTIC
People love access. This week, make your calendar a conversion tool.
Post this: “If you’ve been thinking about launching [insert service or offer], I just opened a few free 15-min audit slots this week. I’ll review where you are, where you want to go, and map a quick win you can take right now. No pressure, just clarity.”
✅ Gives value upfront
✅ Builds trust fast
✅ Filters serious prospects
Where to drop it:
Instagram Stories (with “Let’s talk” link)
LinkedIn with a Calendly link
Email blast or DM group
💎 Pro Tip: Even if no one books right away, you’ve positioned yourself as someone in demand — and that energy attracts.
MOTIVATION MINDSET
You Don’t Need More Time — You Need a Trigger
Clarity comes from doing, not thinking.
Try this formula:
⏰ Trigger: Right after I make coffee
➡️ Tiny Action: Write 1 post, send 1 pitch, sketch 1 idea
Reps build rhythm. Rhythm builds wins.
💎 Say it with us: “This rep counts.”
GRANT DROP
💼 Fast Break for Female Founders Grant
Deadline: May 27, 2025
Award: $10,000
Eligibility: U.S.-based women entrepreneurs
👉🏾 Apply here
Comcast RISE Grant – National Round
Deadline: June 1, 2025
Award: $5,000 + tech/media support
Eligibility: BIPOC & women-owned small businesses
👉🏾 Apply here
Amber Grant for Women
Rolling deadline
Award: $10K monthly / $25K annually
Eligibility: Women-owned businesses in U.S. or Canada
👉🏾 Apply here
Find a Grant – UK Government Portal
Overview: A centralized platform to search and apply for UK government grants.
Features: Filter grants by sector, location, and eligibility.
Apply: Find a Grant
E³: EDUCATION & ENTERTAINMENT
🎧 Podcast Pick: The Minority Report Podcast
Hosts: Erik Michael and Kerel Cooper
Theme: Where multicultural marketers, creatives, and entrepreneurs share their stories, strategies, and the real behind-the-scenes of success.
Why we’re tuned in:
Features BIPOC leaders across industries
Unpacks branding, leadership, and navigating corporate & entrepreneurial spaces
Combines inspiration with industry game
🎯 Great for:
Founders building inclusive brands
Marketers and creators refining their message
Anyone growing a business with identity and impact at the core
🎵 Track: Nipsey Hussle – “Grinding All My Life”
🧠 Energy: Relentless. Focused. Unapologetic.
“Been grindin’ all my life…”
🎬 Watch: High on the Hog (Netflix)
A docuseries exploring Black culinary history and cultural power through food.
SPEAKING OUR MIND
We Build Anyway.
Even when it’s hard. Even when we’re tired. Even when no one claps yet.
We still show up. We still build.
Why? Because we believe in what we’re creating.
And this newsletter?
It’s proof that we’re not in this alone.
Let’s keep going — together. ✊🏾💛
FEEDBACK WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
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