We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stewart Mcclain a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Stewart, appreciate you joining us today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?
When I first started asking family and friends to support my entrepreneurial journey, I naturally expected everyone would be on board. I thought, “They love me, they’ll definitely back my vision.” However, I soon realized that wasn’t always the case. Some friends showed up for every event and shared my work enthusiastically, while others were more distant, perhaps because they didn’t understand the vision.
Interestingly, those moments when support didn’t come from expected sources forced me to look outward. For instance, I connected with someone completely outside my circle, who became a major supporter of All Hoods Unite. They believed in the mission even before some close to me fully did. This taught me that support isn’t about who you know, but about finding those who believe in your vision.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’ve always had a passion for volunteering and helping those in need, which naturally led me into this industry. Through years of working with various organizations, I developed a deeper understanding of the issues faced by underserved communities, particularly around poverty, hunger, and access to resources. This inspired me to create All Hoods Unite, an organization dedicated to addressing these challenges.
At All Hoods Unite, we focus on providing food, resources, and outreach to families in need. We also promote financial literacy, health, and wellness. I’m proud of the impact we’ve made by reaching out to individuals who often feel forgotten and giving them tools to improve their circumstances. What sets us apart is our community-driven approach—our mission goes beyond a single neighborhood, it’s about uplifting entire demographics who face systemic challenges.
For anyone interested in our work, I want them to know that All Hoods Unite is more than a nonprofit; it’s a movement toward lasting change. Our services empower people not only by meeting immediate needs but by giving them the knowledge and skills to build a better future. What I’m most proud of is the lives we’ve touched and the hope we’ve been able to offer through our outreach.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that a nonprofit organization is purely a charity. In the beginning, I viewed All Hoods Unite as just a way to help people and didn’t fully understand the business side of running a nonprofit. I thought that as long as we were doing good work, everything else would fall into place.
However, I quickly learned that nonprofits need structure, funding, and strategy just like any business. We need money, grants, and sponsors to meet the vision and achieve our goals. Without that, even the most well-intentioned mission can’t sustain itself. This shift in mindset was critical for me to understand how to grow and sustain All Hoods Unite long-term.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I already had a decent following when I launched All Hoods Unite, but growing it came down to consistency and authenticity. I shared our mission regularly, posted updates on community impact, and engaged with my audience by responding to comments and collaborating with others. For anyone just starting, my advice is to stay consistent, be authentic, and focus on building genuine connections with your audience. It’s all about sharing your journey and inviting people to be a part of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.allhoodsunite.com
- Instagram: allhoodsunite
- Facebook: stewartmcclain
- Linkedin: stewartmcclain
