We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Y. Michelle Wilson -Merriwether, CWDP a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Y. Michelle , appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The inspiration for the birth of my latest venture, Mogul Mindset’s immersion into the world of extended reality technology in 2023, was a profound and deeply personal journey fueled by loss and propelled by a thirst for innovation and connection. Following the sudden and devastating passing of my beloved parents earlier that year, I found myself grappling with immense grief and seeking solace in unconventional avenues.
In March 2023, in the midst of navigating this overwhelming emotional landscape, I fortuitously stumbled upon a Virtual Reality Headset while perusing the aisles of a Best Buy store. As I donned the device on a whim, little did I know that it would be the gateway to a transformative encounter with the metaverse – an immersive realm teeming with endless possibilities and uncharted territories.
As my exploration of mixed, augmented, and extended reality technology deepened, I soon recognized its unparalleled potential to revolutionize not only how we perceive reality but also how we engage with it. Drawing upon my extensive network cultivated over 25 years in Corporate America, I swiftly mobilized resources and expertise within the field of extended reality technology.
Driven by an unwavering passion for innovation and a commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technologies for meaningful impact, I embarked on a bold mission to integrate extended reality solutions into Mogul Mindset’s existing framework. The seamless fusion of our established coaching methodologies with the limitless opportunities presented by this burgeoning technological frontier sparked a wave of excitement and purpose within me.
In envisioning Mogul Mindset as a pioneering force at the intersection of business strategy coaching and extended reality technology, I recognized the unique opportunity to offer our clients an unparalleled experience tailored to meet their evolving needs in an increasingly digitized world. The convergence of personalized coaching insights with immersive digital environments promised to transcend traditional boundaries and empower individuals to unlock their full potential in ways previously unimaginable.
Through relentless determination and unwavering belief in the transformative power of extended reality technology, I envisioned Mogul Mindset as not just solving problems but redefining possibilities. It was this profound conviction in the ability of our innovative approach to revolutionize how we perceive learning, growth, and connection that propelled me forward with unwavering resolve.
Ultimately, it was this synergy between personal tragedy, technological discovery, and entrepreneurial vision that solidified my steadfast belief in the boundless potential of Mogul Mindset’s foray into extended reality technology – each element converging to shape a narrative that transcends grief into innovation, sorrow into purpose, and dreams into reality.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My entrepreneurial journey has been a fusion of varied experiences, passions, and pursuits that have shaped the evolution of Mogul Mindset. Over my illustrious career spanning more than 25 years as a retiree Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Sales, I honed expertise in business strategy and coaching, nurturing connections and insights that ultimately laid the foundation for Mogul Mindset’s inception. Alongside my corporate tenure, my involvement in the political arena added another layer to my diverse skill set.
With a background deeply rooted in both Corporate America and the political sphere, I accumulated a vast network of esteemed CEOs, investors, mentors that helped me build strong relationships. Leveraging these invaluable connections, I have easy access to incredible resources that can propel Mogul Mindset’s endeavors forward. Whether it be engaging with CEOs for strategic partnerships, collaborating with investors for funding opportunities or seeking mentorship from industry veterans, my network is an asset that can significantly benefit our mission.
After bidding farewell to the corporate world in 2016, Mogul Mindset emerged as a beacon for small business owners providing them with essential tools, strategies, and guidance required to navigate the intricate landscape of entrepreneurship. Through personalized coaching sessions and tailor-made business solutions, our team successfully steered countless clients towards realizing their professional aspirations and achieving success. Our expansion into platforms such as VR Chat, Meta Horizons, Spatial, Roblox, Sandbox, Decentraland, Zepeto coupled with our appointment to the prestigious Metaverse Fashion Council signifies our commitment to exploring new realms.
Beyond empowering creators and businesses with custom strategies to seamlessly integrate Extended Reality technology and AI for enhanced consumer engagement and growth, we also specialize in crafting growth strategies and bespoke business plans to amplify social media presence that often leads to monetization. The core of our comprehensive approach lies in VIRTUE Strategy © (Virtual Integration with Reality and Technological Urbanization for Economic growth), which has consistently driven remarkable growth across various key performance metrics.
What distinguishes Mogul Mindset is our relentless dedication to pioneering innovative solutions that transcend conventional boundaries. In a momentous achievement during our inaugural year.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Embarking on the journey into Meta Horizon Worlds at launch, was a pivotal moment that tested not just our resolve but the foundation of Mogul Mindset’s vision. As we stepped into this new digital realm, our team encountered a barrage of resistance and negativity from a vocal segment of the creator community population. We were different. Events brimming with innovative ideas and educational initiatives struggled to draw attendance, and whispers of gossip seemed to echo through the virtual corridors.
Nevertheless, Mogul Mindset persisted in its mission to foster learning and growth within the community. A shining achievement during this tumultuous period was the launch of a groundbreaking tween program focused on S.T.E.M education, which gained recognition from national organizations. However, our success did not shield us from darker elements lurking in the virtual shadows.
As our team’s children enthusiastically engaged with the program, they faced harassment and threats from adults within Meta Horizon Worlds for choosing to attend our S.T.E.M. Grant sponsored program in VR. The platform meant to inspire creativity and collaboration became tainted by negativity and hostility. Amidst these turbulent waters, it became clear that some individuals failed to grasp our true intentions – that we were there solely to learn and create connections for a meaningful impact and business opportunities.
In addition to facing baseless accusations and unprofessional demeanor at events, one truth remained steadfast – cream rises to the top. Some creators failed to recognize opportunities due to their focus on frivolous activities like Mob/Mafia role playing rather than real transferable achievements
In a bizarre twist, two misguided individuals attempted a virtual conspiracy against us, stating false claims about Mogul Mindset Inc., NDAs not being legally binding, and creating a disruptive atmosphere. These acts were met with amusement rather than fear, as we remained focused on our goals.
With unwavering loyalty and support from Meta Colleagues and Mogul Mindset team members such
Allen Merriwether
James “Jordanthetwin2” Jordan
Vanessa “Lady V” Thigpen
Todd “ShortyBSD” Raven
NaShyla ” Nurithelotus” Dillard
Kahlin “Chomp” Rosario
Phill “Ceem Phill” Garza,
Tahsean “0h.kill.um” Pandy
Patrice Dunckley
Sherry “Hotbrown” Yarbrough,
Kimberly “SweetestFlower” Flowers
Megan
Issac “Issac/Janeluvsu” Brango
Deveio Technologies Creator and Founder
Matthew “Matlo3d” Losiak
Jay “SenseiJay” Haynes
Oculos410
Queen Royalty Productions VR Creator and Founder Leah “MizzQueen” Grimmett
Dean Tudor
Vidyuu Corporation
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated – Eta Lambda Zeta Chapter of Mount Clemens, Michigan
Meta Horizon Worlds Corporation
VR Chat Corporation
Amidst these trials emerged a lesson in resilience and fortitude – success is not just about victories but also about navigating adversity with grace and determination. As we weathered these storms united as a team – bound by purpose – we emerged stronger than ever before.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Throughout my 25-year journey climbing the corporate ladder in the early 90s, I faced challenges as a woman of color in a landscape where proving oneself required extra determination and resilience. Rising through the ranks from Director to VP to COO across multiple countries and continents, leading Fortune 500 Corporations, private enterprises, and non-profits, I found success that many only dream of – from private jets to ringing the opening bell on Wall Street. Yet, despite these achievements, I felt a lingering sense of unfulfillment.
In 2016, at the cusp of stepping into my ultimate role as COO of a publicly traded company, I paused to reflect. It was then that I realized my journey in Corporate America had served its purpose; the job no longer needed to be done within those walls. With courage and clarity, I made the decision to step down, take early retirement, and embark on a new chapter of my life.
Leaving behind the comforts of corporate prestige and security was daunting, but deep within me, I knew it was time for a pivotal shift. Embracing newfound freedom, I ventured into uncharted territories – becoming a Global Ambassador to Tanzania, immersing myself in African community work, and serving as a community activist turned elected political official. These roles allowed me to authentically engage with my passions and contribute meaningfully to causes close to my heart.
And then came an unexpected turn in my journey – founding a tech company. A dream that had once seemed unimaginable now unfolded before me as I embraced innovation and entrepreneurship with vigor.
This pivot not only transformed my career but also enriched my life with purpose and fulfillment beyond measure. It taught me that stepping away from what no longer serves us can open doors to new beginnings we never thought possible. It’s a reminder that our paths may twist and turn unexpectedly, but each pivot brings us closer to our true calling and allows us to evolve into the fullest expression of ourselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mogulmindsetmetaverse.com
- Instagram: @mogulmindsetmetaverse.com
- Facebook: mogulmindsetXR
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemerriwether/
- Twitter: MogulMindsetXRBusinessSolutions
Image Credits
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