This podcast is brought to you by eBay.

This is what you do when you have high standards and fancy all the fancy things,

like a Dior saddle bag or that diamond tennis bracelet.

You go to eBay.

There, you'll find new loves that will never disappoint.

Whether it's that vintage pearl necklace or brand new ruby earrings,

a prodig cross-body bag, or classic watches like that Rolex oyster

or that Cartier tank, all expertly authenticated.

On eBay, there are no limits to your high standards.

Yeah, eBay, the place for new, pre-loved, vintage, and rare fashion.

eBay, things people love.

The cut. The cut. The cut. The cut.

The cut.

Eleven years ago, Aurora James rented a stall at a street fair in downtown New York and displayed 12 handmade shoes that she designed with a team in Namibia.

It was a big risk, but it paid off.

That shoe stand eventually became a luxury shoe line, Brother Valies.

And now, Aurora's designs have been worn by celebrities, like Beyonce and Zendaya.

But I was interested in speaking to Aurora because she founded her company in 2013, right before

the frenzy around Girl Bosses reached its peak.

What was it like to be a young woman-of-color entrepreneur during all of that?

I also wanted to hear about what Aurora's been up to more recently,

because in 2020, she launched the 15% pledge, which urges stores to stock inventory from black-owned

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