Vic Mensa shares tips for aspiring creatives to achieve success.

The journey of recording artist Vic Mensa reflects a crucial shift in the modern Black business world - moving beyond surface-level consumer metrics to attain true autonomy through equity, IP control, and community-centered enterprise. In part 2 of his exclusive interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Mensa delves into the early financial pitfalls, navigating regulated industries, and why Black wealth extends far beyond consumer spending power. The questions have been edited for clarity, and Mensa's answers highlight his experience and advice for aspiring Black entrepreneurs.

BE: You've launched your company, ORANJ, which has evolved into a full-scale production house. How did you establish a strong operational foundation while safeguarding long-term ownership? Vic Mensa: It was a step-by-step process, where I immersed myself in every aspect of the production process - from learning about workers' compensation and insurance to equipment rentals and staffing.

Once I gained a solid understanding of the industry, I began expanding into different areas. For example, I have always been passionate about writing and have published essays like my piece for TIME magazine on Palestine and American racism. Now, I have a newsletter vertical that allows me to monetize my writing directly, rather than simply giving away my intellectual property.

BE: As the founder of 93 Boyz, Illinois' first Black-owned legal cannabis brand, what operational lessons can you share with other Black founders entering highly regulated markets? Mensa: It's essential to be wary of predatory deals that aim to dilute Black leadership and ownership by using Black faces as mere figureheads. It's crucial to stay conscious of this setup.

From an operational standpoint, I highly recommend reading The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding - that book has been incredibly valuable to me. Additionally, equity is non-negotiable. As my mentor Dan Pettigrew says, the first time you earn money, things can quickly go wrong.

Drawing from my past experiences, my goal is to retain true equity and avoid repeating past mistakes. BE: How has owning your intellectual property influenced your approach to monetization, risk-taking, and deal structuring? Mensa: At this stage, owning your IP is everything.

We've been sold a business model where we receive upfront capital to cover immediate needs, like paying rent, but forfeit all backend profits. The result is that we rarely see money again. Having experience changes the dynamic.

When you own your IP, you can move beyond basic survival, retain long-term value, and maintain control over your creative expression. BE: BLACK ENTERPRISE has been documenting Black economic power for decades. How do you and your generation define true wealth beyond account balances?

Mensa: I've been reading Dr. Jared Ball's book, The Myth and Propaganda of Black Buying Power. He dissects the heavily cited statistic of $1 trillion in Black spending power, showing how that figure was primarily constructed to market products to us, rather than representing capital that generates actual Black wealth - such as land, stocks, and tangible assets.

That number is designed for corporations like Coca-Cola. Real wealth comes from collective organizing to influence policies that protect human rights, along with actively redistributing resources and asset ownership. BE: What was the biggest financial mistake you made early in your career, and what did it teach you about running a business?

Mensa: My biggest mistake was not keeping a close enough eye on the percentages and allowing reckless deals to go through without proper oversight. In the beginning, I trusted people too much without fully understanding my own business. I assumed that because I paid someone, they would operate ethically and in my best interest.

However, that is not always the case in the business world. You have to have a thorough understanding of your operations and maintain strict oversight. BE: What is the one piece of non-negotiable advice you give to young Black creatives who want to transition from being talent to owning their own enterprise?

Mensa: Embrace what makes your story unique. In this day and age, it's easy to believe that imitation is the key to success, but it's not. Speaking on what is real to you is the first step towards something great.

Also, don't just sell your labor - build the tool itself. If you have a specialized skill set, use current technologies to create platforms that can scale your services, rather than just being a worker within someone else's structure.