Welcome back to the Christianity of Business Podcast, an initiative of the RGW Dunham College of Business at Houston Christian University. I'm your host, Gary Sheer, and this is the show that helps Christian Business to integrate biblical values into business. On this episode, we're joined by Rich Mason. Rich has worked over 40 years in technical business and ministry, founding six startup companies and evaluating many startups in his career. As founder of Alpha Kingdom Capital, a business's mission venture capital firm, and as an angel investor and serial entrepreneur, Rich has a heart for helping people fulfill their God-given callings and starting Christian-run businesses. He also started the Lion's Den in Tampa, Florida, which now has four locations around the world, uh, through which they offer community training and pitch events for Christian startups. Rich, welcome to the Christianity and business podcast.
SPEAKER_00Thanks for having me, Darren.
SPEAKER_01Rich, when did you first realize God wanted to be involved in your work and business?
SPEAKER_00Well, in 2002, I felt the Lord call me to start a BAM company, a business as mission company. We didn't use that term back then, but that's that's when it first started.
SPEAKER_01Okay. Gotcha. And so what changed? I mean, were you previously just doing business like everyone else? And then you had a a shift? Like, how did that come about? And what and what what resulted from that?
SPEAKER_00Exactly right. I was just, you know, living my life uh my way, you know, when we my wife and I, we had three small children at the time. And as the Lord began to reveal this really this crazy plan, because the starting of that company, I had none of the advantages that we would fund today. You know, if if I came to a venture capital company, and I did, by the way, um, I would say no. And and they did too. And so um, but when God confirms things and over and over again, we checked, we we sought wise Christian counsel, um, we had to go. And it was like uh stepping off a cliff. I told my wife, it was like, honey, this is like financial suicide, I said, because we had, you know, maybe one month's salary in the bank, we weren't planning it, and we had none of the advantages. But that began, Darren, just this life, this walk of faith. We had to trust God by faith for things we didn't have. And that's really what the Christian life is. It should be that way all the time, everywhere. Whatever he calls us to, we'll find that faith is gonna be required at some point. Because he's really more interested in us than he is in business.
SPEAKER_01And so you were at Intel before you started this BAM or this business's mission, correct?
SPEAKER_00No, I was actually at a different semiconductor conductor company called uh Connexant, uh spin-off of Rockwell semiconductor systems. And then we further spun off into Mindspeed Technologies, another semiconductor company, which actually Intel acquired later on.
SPEAKER_01Okay. And what was this this business's mission company that you started? What was kind of the value proposition?
SPEAKER_00So the value prop for that was a triple play service provider, like a telco of today, uh, data voice video over fiber. So it was a fiber to the home type of service provider. And we had no customers already established, we had no funding. I talked to one Christian venture capitalist, and um, he wasn't a venture capitalist, he was a wealth advisor. And and he said, Rich, in my world, there are three things, and with any two, you could get the third. He said, There's money, there's customers, and there's experience. Now, which two do you have? And I looked up and said, none. And he said, Okay, well, God bless you. This meeting's over, you know, it was kind of like that.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Wow. Well, what's one of your favorite stories that illustrates the impact um that's been made through your company? So maybe that would be um through the the BAM company or through the Lion's Den pitch event. Actually, let's back up a little bit. Why don't you tell us about the Lion's Den and what's being accomplished there?
SPEAKER_00Sure. So Lion's Den is uh a powerful startup group for Christian startups. We help them, we train them, and we're building community so that they have pieces of the puzzle that will get them from that first thought idea through those initial stages, because many people don't know. There's a lot of steps between I've got a good plan and you're actually ready to seek funding. And then we offer them a pitch event where the community of Christian investors are also there with the community of Christian entrepreneurs, sponsored and supported by the Christian business people that want to reach both. And allowing them to pitch in front of these Christian investors and get their wisdom is what can help move them forward. A lot of times they have already begun to succeed, but they're now ready to scale. And they need a new type of strategy. They need capital, of course, um, but they need mentorship uh also. A lot of them are young, um, uh, but not all of them. Some of them are on their fourth uh company. Uh, but this is where we help them and we build that community. The recipe the Lord gave us is uh generosity, so we do that for free. We do our trainings for free. Disciple making, we help them do it in this Christian manner, and we seek disciple grandchildren, we call it. Because when you disciple someone, you have to teach them that they have to go disciple someone. And then the third part of the recipe is community, because it's lonely out there as an entrepreneur, and it's even lonelier as a Christian entrepreneur, and likewise, as a Christian investor, you might think you're the only one who really cares more about Jesus than about the return, though you're seeking strong returns. There's that healthy balance, but Jesus is first.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. So you said discipleship. How do you disciple a startup founder? What is what do you mean by that?
SPEAKER_00So there's many different areas. I I talked to a young man who, of course, was trying to impress us with the the uh advantages and and the achievements that he had just gone through. And he said something like, uh, I've been in 13 cities in the last 17 days, and I achieved, you know, one, two, three, four, and five. And I know, and I I said that that's great, but let me ask you a question. How's your wife? Didn't you say you had a two-year-old? Do you have a limit whereupon you would say, no more than this will I travel? Because my family can or cannot take any more? And so we start teaching them right there this biblical principle of uh balance, of uh priorities, and also isn't it really faith? Do you really need to fly to Boston, to California, or could God delay that? Is God able to bring you what you need, even if you are home with your little two-year-old? And so that's part of the discipleship is really applying the word of God in faith.
SPEAKER_01I love that. So, what's one of your favorite stories that illustrates the impact that's been made through Lion's Den? What are some of your favorite favorite stories that have come out of this?
SPEAKER_00So uh some of some of my favorite stories are, you know, God doesn't care where we're from, whether we're from the uh the slums, the ghettos, the difficult circumstances, or we're from, you know, strong, uh, wealthy backgrounds, uh, even Ivy League uh colleges. Um, so with one of the full circle item that uh company that covers all of our organizations is out in East Africa was a woman that was trained by Tim, my partner, and the team out there in how to get more efficiency out of her coffee um uh uh area, acreage. And I think it was something like 25% more more coffee. And she said, Okay, now I'll go into business. And we said, No, here's even better, because then you'll be in competition with all your neighbors. Why don't you go teach them what you've learned for free generosity and ask them all for an exclusive? And she now has an exclusive with about 30,000 farmers in Uganda, and so she has no competition for miles around her, and now we came in and with Alpha Kingdom Capital, and we have now funded her so that she's roasting coffee, so it's this success story, or a gentleman from the slums of Kampala who is now running a successful company and is one of our trainers out there. Wow, and and so you know, those are the type of stories where we're we're seeking people in the two areas greatest need and greatest growth.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah, and a lot of these pitch events are happening here in the United States. Um, what are some of your favorite stories from uh some of these these stateside startup founders?
SPEAKER_00So I I love that there are uh people that have all sorts of uh different plans and their heart God is driving them, you know, just forward. They they have to do what they're being called to do. So in the United States, we had a company that that pitched, and a lot of times people worry and wonder, um, uh, you know, will anyone actually fund me? Am I just gonna pitch for um you know the sake of of creating an event? Well, in in Lion's Den, uh, Tampa, in February, we had an organization pitch, and one of the judges that's also involved in investing came over to him at the end and said, Um, uh, that was great. Uh, you're you're only seeking half a million dollars and you're moving too slow. With three phone calls, I could probably get you 20 million dollars uh so that you can move much faster because your plan is a good one, and you really need to take advantage of the market. And so we love that type of uh success and really coming together of the body of Christ to multiply because that's what that's gonna do.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. So the the Lion's Den reminds me of the shark tank, and I'm sure that's not coincidental. Um I don't know. What do you and I know that there's Christians like Robert Hirschovek, I understand, is uh is a is a Christian. Um what are some of the the differences and how you approach um the these pitch events and and the startup coaching compared to how it's traditionally done out there?
SPEAKER_00Well, I think the single most important item is Jesus. We start with end with, and it's all throughout is Jesus. You your calling is to him, and so he's first, and when he says seek him first, he means it. And we try to tell them this uh this way since you've already won the lottery of eternity, it doesn't matter what happens with your company, it only matters that you're faithful because God's doing 10,000 things at the same time that you won't understand. We just don't understand this side of heaven. But if we're faithful, that'll be fruitful for the kingdom of God. I like to sometimes go to extremes. That really, that really helps me. Did God call anyone to difficult circumstances that would glorify him? You bet. You know, Psalm 105 has an interesting uh four areas where it talks about difficult circumstances and people cried out to the Lord. But I found the third one really interesting um one night. The third one says the businessmen go down to the sea. This is my paraphrase, and the Lord raises up the seas, and their hearts melt. In other words, we freak out because business got difficult. But who did it? God raised up the seas, he put us through this difficult circumstances. Why? Well, in the end, they cry out to the Lord and He rescues them, and then they tell of Him in the assembly. So, what if God called you to start a company and His only goal was that you have a testimony of going through a difficult circumstance? You see, when we tell that to a startup, they can get through those tough times better. Because what if the entire goal was the tough time? Yeah, and then okay, finally you made it. See, you could be praying for your neighbor, your family member, and God says, Okay, listen, Darren, your eternity is settled. So here's what I'm gonna do now I'm gonna squeeze you, and that that sister or brother or neighbor that you prayed for, that uncle or parent or child that you prayed for, they're watching. And when you risk because you responded biblically, I was able to reach them.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Now, now when you're going through and you're like, how are we gonna get more sales? What should we do? Should we cut some corners? Should we compromise? Should I lose that influence that I have? We tell them the there's over 800 times the influence on the unchurched than a pastor as a solid Christian leader. We say, No, don't lose that influence. This may be the very calling, right? The tough spot could actually be the calling. Yeah, Richard it might it might just go gangbusters. Um, maybe, or maybe it'll just go medium. Will you be faithful with medium? Will you be faithful with small, a small business?
SPEAKER_01Yes. Well, what's one of the business practices that you teach to these startup founders and entrepreneurs that uh helps them to reflect the character and ways of God through their companies?
SPEAKER_00So, you know, we try to teach them that the biblical business principles are the wisest business principles in the world, and a lot of people use them. Uh, you know, for example, uh, the diligent will prosper, right? We diligently work at things. Uh, love God and love everyone as though they are you. That's a that's an important second half, right? And that allows you to even love your competitors once again, because you've already won the lottery uh of eternity. How about all your discussions at at work? As even as they get heated and passionate, um, we we advise them to have these honest yet kind um discussions. We also say use grace and then use more grace instead of getting angry or getting offended. Just have extra grace. All right, all of those biblical principles uh you know, be faithful to the word of God and to your commitments, and to your commitments. That's very important that we as Christians do what we say and say what we do. You know, when we say we're gonna do something, right? The the the real character is is when a person, you know, a man will swear to his own hurt, but change not. In other words, if I make you a promise and later I find out it's gonna hurt me, I don't change. Because I made you a promise. Yeah. And once again, we fall back on because the I already won the lottery of eternity. I'm already settled. My provision comes from above. He could make it rain, food. I actually don't have to earn money to buy food when you operate in those truths, you're not scared, you're not worried, you're not desperate. Desperate people usually do foolish things.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. What are some of the companies that have been funded through Alf Kingdom Capital, the Lion's Den, and uh kind of what is the what are some of the noticeable differentiators that really marks them as Christian-led companies?
SPEAKER_00Well, you know, we we ask our companies to not only give us a board of directors report on the financials. Um, you know, we have uh usually we have a minimum of uh quarterly uh board meetings where we want to quickly find out what help do they need, where else can we mentor them or connect them? Where can we, what are we praying for? Um, so we're praying with them and praying for them, but in addition to the normal sort of uh financial um reports, we ask for a BAM report. We ask for the Impact for Christ uh report, and we ask them to be intentional for Christ, be intentional as appropriate for the geographic area, the culture, and the laws of the nation that they're in. Um, you know, we've now opened up our lion's dens to the 1040 uh window, you know, the the latitude uh uh where there's three billion people that have trouble hearing the gospel, and two billion of them are living on $2 a day or less. So a great need for the gospel and great need for uh economic uh uh help. So bam, Christian BAM there is is perfect. Um, but it could be fatal in some of those nations if you're intentional for Christ. But in the United States, however, uh, we had, for example, what you know, the gold standard of BAM, uh uh Mark Whitaker from Coca-Cola Consolidated spoke at our Lion's Den Tampa event. Because a lot of times when I talk to Christian investors and I say, listen, stop putting your money in investments that are against your Christianity. Bring it into the cousins. Uh you put it in an Alpha Kingdom Capital Fund, for example, where we're gonna invest it. And they usually ask me questions in one of two areas, uh, Darren. The first area is Rich, I'm an investor. Can I still make a lot of money? And I say, well, uh, Coca-Cola Consolidated is now has a market cap of about $8.5 billion. So, yes, I think you can still make a lot of money. We seek strong businesses with strong returns. And we also seek that bam impact for Christ. And then the second thing they ask is well, if it's um intentional and they're doing things like Bible studies at work, is that even legal? That's the second area where I get asked questions. And so we had ADF Legal, Alliance Defending Freedom, come and speak also. Uh, Bob Pruitt from ADF spoke at our Lions Dan Tampa event. And he got to explain that yes, it's legal. You're allowed to have optional, that's the legal part. You can't get a raise if you go to the Bible study or miss a raise if you miss it, right? Um and Coca-Cola Consolidated has Bible studies, discipleship meetings, prayer meetings. They are so intentional for Christ. In fact, Mark Whitaker is VP of Culture and Care and he reports to the CEO, and that's his job. And there's a team, they have a chaplain in every single plant. They're the bottling company. They separated from Coke uh 120 or so years ago. But they have a chaplain in every single plant. They're publicly traded, and their stock has rocketed. They're doing very well. And he'll tell you it's because we honor God and God has blessed us.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00He said, You don't have to be a Christian to work here, but you can't be against it because it's part of our vision statement, it's part of our core values. These core values, they're not written in scripture, but the core values are non-negotiable of a company, right? If you want to work for a company and we say, you know, you got to love everyone, and you say, No, I can't. I hate a certain group of people, you can't work here.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00You say, I'm I'm not gonna be diligent at my job, you know, I I want to cush, you know, you know, they're non-negotiable, and we're not saying you have to become a Christian, but he says, But you're gonna, you know, you you're gonna have opportunity if you'd like to to learn about uh you know this real the real God.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. I heard an old preached go ahead.
SPEAKER_00Oh, go ahead. Well, I hadn't I heard an old preacher one time say for for people who don't yet believe in God, he said, Um, tell me about this God you don't believe in because I bet I don't believe in him either. Right, most people who don't believe in God, they really haven't found out who he is, his love, his plan, his power, his awesomeness, his beauty. If they did, they'd believe in him and want to know him more.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. I was I was gonna ask, uh, is Coke Consolidated one of the companies that Alpha Kingdom Capital invests in?
SPEAKER_00No, uh they're but they're publicly traded, right? So it shows even more the extreme because a lot of people say, you know, is this legal to even do?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00And they're thinking, well, maybe it's legal if you're a small company, or maybe it's legal if you're a private company, but you certainly can't do it as a public company. And I'm saying, no, this is all the way to the extreme.
SPEAKER_01Can you tell us some of the companies that you are that Alpha is investing in?
SPEAKER_00Uh, sure. And and we're just getting started, by the way. So we did an initial close of our first fund, which is a US plus international fund. And so we've invested in a company called Parcel Path, which is a SaaS company for shipping that is integrating with all these different shipping services. And they found a way to reduce the cost of shipping in this innovative software way. And we're looking for that innovation and disruption there. But they're growing this company, and we've been helping them. They have great opportunity now with their unique partnerships with UPS and USPS. Uh, they're based out of the Portland area. Uh, we also invested in Ribo Coffee, I was referring to in northern Uganda, um, who over the last nine years we've been training and helping and supporting. And then uh we have a third one, uh, a company called Afrobarn that we invested in that is actually taking original authentic uh automotive parts into Nigeria. So here the innovation is really a geographic uh almost monopoly because they've figured out the the ability, the methods uh to get through all the different channels uh to get there. So lots of growth potential uh for those companies. Um and you know, still more to come, but we have you know lots more that we would like to achieve. And uh investors coming to join what we're doing um is essential. Yeah, above above Jesus, layer two of this entire thing is the Christian investor.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. So alpha kingdomcapital.com is the website. Um, what do you want to say to people about how they can get involved?
SPEAKER_00So the best way to get involved is is contact us at alphakingdomcapital.com or get involved in Lions Den, help build that community, lions-den.org. And there are our cousins in uh Birmingham, and they were the first Lion's Den in the United States, uh, by the way. Great people, and we're the younger cousin, they've been helping us, supporting us, Mark Wesson and Chuck and team in Birmingham, and then Ed Pierce and Vip Pipperman in uh Lion's Den Dallas, uh DFW, another great team. They've been doing it for nine years. Um, all of those groups, people should get involved in this move of God. We have the other cousins, Faith Driven Investor, Faith Driven Entrepreneur Network with Henry Keysner uh and team, and lots of others. Um, this is a move of God, and so people should um not stay on the sideline. I know that's a bit of a you know, that that's a bit of a common phrase, but really get involved. We we need people now because the the the globe, the planet needs it. You can see the world's gone mad. And the answer is Jesus. The the basis of every answer is the biblical love and joy and peace and all of it that comes out of Christianity, uh, from Jesus, not religion, Jesus Himself, the truth of a God who loved us so much and came down and died for us, paid the penalty for our sins so we could be free.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, amen, Rich. Rich, this has been a great conversation. Again, alpha kingdomcapital.com and lions-den.org are the websites. Um, really appreciate you coming to spend some time with our listeners and any of you entrepreneurs, startup founders, investors, um, these are going to be great resources for you. Um, really appreciate your time and wisdom here today, Rich.
SPEAKER_00Darren, thank you so much, and thank you for all you do. This is very important stuff. God's blessing.
SPEAKER_01We hope you've enjoyed this episode. And if so, we would greatly appreciate it if you'd leave us a quick rating of review for the Christianity and business podcasting IT. You can get more information about HCU's Center for Christianity and Business. By visiting our website at Christianity and Business.com. Thanks for listening. And remember to keep integrating biblical values into your business.