Continuing our series that features the entrepreneurs participating in “Put Me On,” a small business accelerator program designed to help underrepresented entrepreneurs grow their businesses, we’re pleased to spotlight Latesha Williams, Co-Founder of Cards For All People. 

Cards For All People is a small, but mighty, team of 10 people headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The company is on a mission to celebrate and create gaming products for diverse, often underserved, and underrepresented communities. Read on to learn more about Latesha and Cards For All People. 

Tell us about the story of your brand, how did the company come to be?

Fascinated by follower engagement on social media from previously working together for NBA icon LeBron James at his marketing firm, my partner Jay and I saw the power and potential of Black Twitter. After an exchange of hilarious Black Twitter moments and pondering the question, ”Is there a game fueled by Twitter content?”, the two of us fused our love of hip-hop and Black culture to build out games. In 2015, our first game, Black Card Revoked, was born. 

Where do you want to see the company in five years? 

We’re on a mission to celebrate and create gaming products for diverse, often underserved, and underrepresented communities, creating experiences they can enjoy with friends and family, and paving the way to lots of laughs, conversations, perspectives, and memories. In the next five years, we look to expedite innovation and creativity in the gaming space by developing a team of Avengers in both the product and partners spaces to highlight the needs of the changing U.S. population. Our customer base is always growing and evolving, and it’s important we evolve and grow with them. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to other entrepreneurs and why?  Involve your customer in the development process as soon as possible.  A proof of concept with digital/online traction will save you a lot of time and money, and you will never regret it.

What is something you wish you knew about business, entrepreneurship, or leadership when you were first starting your company and why?

The importance of great communication, legal, and sales. Leadership requires outstanding communication in order to manage people and get the best out of them. Communicating your passion in a way that empowers and inspires others to join you on the journey is a fine art. And, legal protection and sales strategy help take your idea from a fad to a business.

Why is “Put Me On” important to you and your business and what are you hoping to get from the program?

“Put Me On” is creating a path for us to deliver our products into the hands of customers in minutes, by launching on Gopuff.  Gopuff and the “Put Me On” team’s dedication to raising awareness for our products while providing us access to their networks creates a unique opportunity for our business now and beyond. Through the program, we are looking to innovate how we deliver our products to customers. We are also hoping to learn from other entrepreneurs on best practices, including from Gopuff’s co-founders, who are creating an amazing business in the changing e-commerce marketplace.

What was the last item you purchased on Gopuff?

SunChips Garden Salsa.