

Hot Smart Rich
Maggie Sellers
Hot Smart Rich is your place to hear unfiltered conversations with the people shaping the future of culture, creators, startups and community. Hosted by Maggie Sellers, investor and media powerhouse, and guests breaking the mold, you’ll get the real deal as it relates to navigating the startup fast lane, leveling up your life or becoming your hottest, smartest, richest self. New episodes weekly on Wednesdays.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 9, 2025 • 51min
Maggie Sellers On Why She Got a Breast Augmentation—And What No One Tells Ambitious Women About Surgery, Recovery & Self-Confidence
In this raw and unfiltered episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie opens up about something she’s never talked about publicly before—her recent natural breast augmentation, also known as an NFTBA (Natural Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation). From the real cost of the procedure to the unexpected emotional rollercoaster of recovery, this is the tell-all she wishes had existed when she was making her decision.She breaks down exactly what the experience was like—both physically and professionally. From downtime as a founder and managing brand campaigns while recovering, to the mental load of plastic surgery as a high-achieving woman, Maggie shares the part no one talks about.If you’ve ever typed “fat transfer breast augmentation reviews” into Reddit, wondered whether fat transfer actually lasts, or debated between implants vs natural enhancement—this is your go-to guide. She also reveals why Dr. Steven Teitelbaum was her surgeon of choice, what no one tells you about post-op depression, and how this surgery intersected with her identity, body image, and ambition.What This Episode Covers: Why Maggie chose fat transfer over implants (and what she’d do differently) What to expect with plastic surgery downtime while running a business What Maggie wore during recovery, what helped her heal, and what no one warned her about The actual cost and why it was over $17K The business of beauty and how investors and VCs are capitalizing on medical aesthetics and plastic surgery How to approach elective surgery as a working woman in the corporate world This is for the woman who’s ambitious, informed, and unapologetic about wanting to feel confident in her body—and still wants the full breakdown before making a decision.Whether you’re in your “research era” or just here for the tea, Maggie’s story will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and maybe a little less alone.

Apr 2, 2025 • 54min
Dianna Cohen, Founder Of Crown Affair, On Why She Fired Herself as CEO After Raising $15M—And What It Taught Her About Money, Power & Letting Go
In this episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie Sellers sits down with Dianna Cohen—the founder of Crown Affair, the premium beauty brand redefining clean luxury in haircare. Dianna’s journey started long before building her own brand—she launched her career working alongside Emily Weiss at Into The Gloss, then went on to shape the stories of modern DTC icons like Away. That background gave her a masterclass in brand building.By 2024, she had scaled Crown Affair to $20M in sales and raised $15M in venture funding. Then she did something few founders would dare to do: she fired herself as CEO.This episode isn’t about quitting—it’s about redefining. Dianna opens up about what it means to build a premium, emotionally resonant brand in the age of hustle culture, and how stepping into a more creative, intuitive role has become her most powerful chapter yet.What You'll Hear In This Episode:From working with Emily Weiss to building her own brand—Dianna’s evolution from beauty insider to beauty founderThe early days of Crown Affair and how her time at Away shaped her approach to brand strategy and storytellingWhy Dianna stepped down as CEO—and how it unlocked a new creative chapterThe clean luxury playbook: how she built Crown Affair into a category-defining brandRaising $15M and scaling to $20M in revenue—without compromising brand integrityMaggie’s take on the identity shifts every founder faces—and the freedom of letting goDianna’s blueprint for building brands that feel personal, purposeful, and powerfulCONNECT WITH MAGGIE:INSTAGRAM: @maggiesellers TIKTOK: @maggiesellers_ YOUTUBE: @hotsmartrich LINKEDIN: Maggie Sellers NEWSLETTER: HSR ICYMI CONNECT WITH DIANNA:INSTAGRAM: Dianna CohenTIKTOK: Dianna CohenSUBSTACK: Take Your TimeSHOP CROWN AFFAIR: WEBSITESEPHORASHOP HSR:HSR MERCH SHOP MYAMAZONThis episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC, with support from Coldea Productions.

13 snips
Mar 26, 2025 • 50min
Maggie Sellers On Her Hot Smart Rich Money Mindset—Women Are Being Lied to About Money and It’s Making Men Rich
In this conversation, Katie Sellers, a former CFO of billion-dollar brands and Maggie Sellers' sister, dives into the financial truths impacting women today. They tackle how societal narratives keep women from building wealth, revealing the often-overlooked role of women in consumer spending. The sisters emphasize practical budgeting methods like the 50-20-20-10 system and challenge traditional views on financial management. Listeners are inspired to shift their money mindset, engage in investing, and reclaim their financial power.

Mar 19, 2025 • 52min
Natalie Holloway, Founder of Bala, On How She Built Bala to $20M, Survived Nearly Going Bankrupt & Balanced Motherhood
On this episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie Sellers sits down with Natalie Holloway, co-founder of Bala, the brand that made fitness hot. Natalie built Bala into a $20M business with a Shark Tank deal from Mark Cuban, faced near bankruptcy, and navigated the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship—all while raising three kids under four.The conversation gets real as Natalie shares the hardest moments of scaling Bala, from the chaos of explosive growth during COVID to nearly losing the company. She breaks down what saved the business, why she prioritizes profit overgrowth, and how she made the tough call to lay off nearly her entire team while pregnant.Maggie and Natalie also dive into motherhood, ambition, and the reality of balancing it all—plus, Natalie shares what really happened with Bala’s Drunk Elephant drama, how she deals with copycats, and why she believes affiliate marketing is the future for brands.Key TakeawaysYou can build a $20M brand without raising big VC money. Bala’s success proves that profitability is more important than endless fundraising. Natalie and her husband bootstrapped their way to the top—then nearly lost it all.Scaling fast can break you. Bala blew up overnight after Shark Tank and COVID, but hypergrowth almost killed the business. Natalie shares the hard truth about layoffs, cash flow, and surviving the free fall.Motherhood and entrepreneurship? There’s no perfect balance. Natalie had to make brutal business decisions while pregnant. The real talk: founders don’t get maternity leave, and work-life balance is a myth.Copycats and competition will come—so stay ahead. Drunk Elephant launched a Bala-inspired product. Knockoffs are everywhere. The only way to win is to innovate faster than they can copy.The smartest founders are shifting from influencers to affiliates. Natalie shares why paying influencers big bucks is outdated and why affiliate marketing is the new power move for brands.Negotiate like a man. Women are still underpricing themselves in business. Natalie learned to ask for more, own her worth, and not settle for the first offer.Bala is just getting started. NYC fitness studio? More retail expansion? Natalie spills what’s next and why she’s betting big on IRL experiences and digital fitness.Items Mentioned in This EpisodeBala — the original workout bangles. Shop here.Form x Bala — the set. Shop here.Connect with MaggieInstagram:@maggiesellersTikTok:@maggiesellers_ YouTube:@hotsmartrich LinkedIn:Maggie SellersConnect with NatalieInstagram: @natalieholloway, @bala & @balacizeSubstack: working out in heels Read the NewsletterHSR ICYMI – Stay ahead with consumer startup trends, business news, and investing insights.Shop Maggie's FavoritesHSR Merch Shop MyAmazonThis episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC, with support from Coldea Productions and Vandana Ravi.

Mar 12, 2025 • 25min
Maggie Sellers On The BTS of Neko Health’s 100,000-Person Waitlist, What to Do in London, and HSR’s Global Angel WhatsApp Community
In this episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie takes you behind the scenes of her latest trip to London—where business, wellness, and exclusivity collide. From securing high-level meetings with potential LPs and Unilever Ventures to stepping inside the ultra-exclusive Neko Health body scan (with a 100,000-person waitlist), this episode pulls back the curtain on what it looks like to build a global empire while living life in the fast lane.Maggie also takes you inside one of London’s most talked-about events with her boyfriend, Courtney Reum—Bryony Deery’s wedding, a Vogue-worthy affair celebrating the Pilates entrepreneur and Dior’s Global Wellness Expert. Plus, she’s launching something major: the HSR Global Angels WhatsApp community, a new way for ambitious women to connect, network, and build their own power circles.This episode is a first-of-its-kind vlog-style format—so if you want to see the full experience, make sure to watch on Spotify or YouTube.Episode HighlightsThis episode isn’t just about business—it’s about building a life that blends ambition, wellness, and connection. Maggie shares an inside look at her week in London, including:Neko Health Body Scan: Maggie experiences one of the most high-tech, data-driven wellness scans available today, founded by Daniel Ek (CEO of Spotify).Bryony Deery’s Wedding: A behind-the-scenes look at the stunning wedding of fitness entrepreneur Bryony Deery, founder of Pilates by Bryony and Dior Global Wellness Expert, to Kaspar Basse, Founder of Joe & The Juice.HSR Angels Meet-Up: 30 HSR community members gathered at Joe & The Juice for an impromptu event—proving the power of real-life connections.Doing Business on the Go: Maggie shares how she maximizes travel time for work, from taking investor meetings between events to leveraging her global network.Working the Network: Meetings with potential LPs and Unilever Ventures—how Maggie is making strategic connections for future investments.Join the HSR Global Angels Community💌 Link to join: Click here to joinThis is a community by you, for you. It’s peer-led, community-driven, and built for ambitious, like-minded women. Whether you’re looking to connect with business besties, discover the best Pilates class in your city, or find new friends—this is where it happens.Places & Items Mentioned in This EpisodeNeko Health Body Scan – The future of personalized healthcare. Get on the waitlist.Pants from Revolve (The Everywhere Pant) – Maggie’s go-to travel pants. Shop here.Milk Makeup – Hydro Grip Primer. Shop here.FlyKitt – Jet lag relief kit. Shop here.Arrae – Siff & Nish's brand. HSR15 for 15% off. Shop here.Pilates By Bryony – Bryony's pilates method. Join here.✨CONNECT WITH MAGGIE SELLERS✨ Instagram:@maggiesellersTikTok:@maggiesellers_YouTube:@hotsmartrichLinkedIn:Maggie Sellers✨READ THE NEWSLETTER✨HSR ICYMI – Stay ahead with consumer startup trends, business news, and investing insights.✨SHOP HOT SMART RICH✨HSR Merch Shop MyAmazon✨ABOUT MAGGIE SELLERS✨Maggie Sellers is the founder of Hot Smart Rich, an investment and media company designed to empower women in business and entrepreneurship. A multi-hyphenate creator, investor, and entrepreneur, she’s redefined female empowerment with her sharp, candid insights into business, wealth-building, and startup investing. As a leading voice on TikTok and LinkedIn, Maggie’s content reaches over 180,000 ambitious women looking to elevate their careers, finances, and businesses.Maggie is also an angel investor in brands like Allara Health, Mixlab, and De Soi and a venture partner in HSR Ventures, where she backs the next generation of consumer startups. Forget outdated notions of female empowerment—Maggie is reshaping what it means to be a modern power player in business and investing.📢 This episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC.

Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Woman Investing $60M Into Creators On Finding The Next Mr. Beast, The Future of Influencers, and Venture Capital
Investing $60M to Find the Next Mr. Beast—The Future of Influencers, Creators, and Venture Capital with Megan LightcapIn this episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie sits down with Megan Lightcap, Partner at Slow Ventures, one of the leading venture capital firms backing content creators and digital-first businesses. With a $60M seed-stage fund, Megan and Sam Lessin are betting big on the creator economy, where social media platforms, personal brands, and original content are shaping the future of digital entrepreneurship.From investing in early-stage startups to finding the next Mr. Beast, Megan breaks down how venture capital is shifting toward creators and why influencers are the new entrepreneurs to bet on.Episode HighlightsThe creator economy is booming, and Slow Ventures is proving that content creators are the next generation of entrepreneurs. Megan unpacks Goldman Sachs’ $500 billion projection for the creator economy, what it means for venture capital firms, and where social media platforms are heading in a post-Instagram world.She also dives into how creators are turning personal brands into multi-million dollar businesses and why Mr. Beast is the blueprint for the next wave of content entrepreneurs. Megan shares an inside look at raising a creator-led fund and how she and Sam Lessin structured Slow Ventures’ $60M fund to back the next era of digital-first founders.Key TakeawaysCreators Are the New Entrepreneurs – Investors are treating influencers like startups, changing the entire business model of social media.How to Secure VC Funding as a Creator – What venture firms like Slow Ventures look for when backing creator-led businesses.The Future of Monetization – Why brand deals aren’t enough and how creators can build scalable revenue streams.Social Media’s Next Evolution – Where new platforms will drive the next wave of digital entrepreneurship.The Mr. Beast Playbook – The business model behind the world’s biggest creator—and how others can apply his strategy.Resources & Items Mentioned in This EpisodeApply for the Slow Ventures Creator Fund Associate Role – Interested in venture capital and the creator economy? Apply for the Slow Ventures Associate role and let them know HSR sent you: Apply HereMegan’s Go-To Skincare for Hydrated Skin – She swears by Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid for its affordability and effectiveness. Shop HereMust-Listen Podcast on the Future of Social & AI – Check out the Telepathy Tapes Podcast, where Sam Lessin and Slow Ventures break down the evolving landscape of AI, social media, and the internet. Listen Here90% of Young People Want To Be an Influencer - Read HereListen now for an inside look at how venture capital is evolving, why creators are building billion-dollar businesses, and how Slow Ventures is shaping the future of content, social platforms, and digital entrepreneurship.✨CONNECT WITH MAGGIE SELLERS✨ Instagram:@maggiesellersTikTok:@maggiesellers_YouTube:@hotsmartrichLinkedIn:Maggie Sellers✨CONNECT WITH MEGAN LIGHTCAP✨ LinkedIn: Megan LightcapWebsites: Slow Ventures✨READ THE NEWSLETTER✨HSR ICYMI – Stay ahead with consumer startup trends, business news, and investing insights.✨SHOP HOT SMART RICH✨HSR Merch Shop MyAmazon📢 This episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC, with support from Coldea Productions.

Feb 26, 2025 • 45min
Gab Waller On Celebrity Luxury Fashion Sourcing, The Coat That Changed Her Life, And Building Fashion's Next Big AI App
Gab Waller On Celebrity Luxury Fashion Sourcing, The Coat That Changed Her Life, And Building Fashion's Next Big AI AppIn this episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie sits down with Gab Waller—the fashion sourcer-turned-tech founder—who built a global empire from a single Instagram DM. Known for finding the most coveted luxury pieces for celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Hailey Bieber, and Khloé Kardashian, Gab has pioneered fashion sourcing and is now reshaping the future of luxury shopping with her tech platform, Sourced By.✨ Episode Highlights:Gab’s journey from a small town in Australia to becoming one of the most sought-after fashion sourcers is nothing short of remarkable. Starting her career in the Australian government, she took a leap into fashion, driven by a passion for luxury items and an eye for hard-to-find pieces. What began as a personal mission quickly turned global as she tapped into the high-demand market for sold-out luxury fashion.Her big break came through an Instagram DM when she sourced an iconic Old Celine coat for Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. That single moment changed her career trajectory, positioning her as the go-to for celebrity clients seeking rare fashion. With names like Hailey Bieber, Sofia Richie Grainge, and Chiara Ferragni on her roster, Gab became the fashion world’s best-kept secret.As demand skyrocketed, Gab saw an opportunity to scale beyond 1:1 sourcing. Enter Sourced By—the ultimate platform shaping the future of luxury shopping. Using AI to connect shoppers to rare items worldwide, the platform is the backbone of the fashion sourcing industry—a proof of concept that’s creating an entirely new space in fashion tech.Key Takeaways:Passion to Personal Brand: Gab shows how focusing on a niche—like fashion sourcing—can build a global personal brand.Scaling a Brand into a Business: She transformed her personal success into Sourced By, proving personal brands can evolve into scalable businesses.Spotting Market Gaps: Identifying the unmet demand for sold-out luxury pieces was key to her entrepreneurial success.Scaling Without Losing Authenticity: Even as she moves into tech, Gab maintains the personalized touch that made her stand out.Building in Public: Her transparency—sharing wins and challenges—offers a blueprint for founders growing personal brands into global empires.✨CONNECT WITH MAGGIE SELLERS✨ Instagram:@maggiesellersTikTok:@maggiesellers_YouTube:@hotsmartrichLinkedIn:Maggie Sellers✨CONNECT WITH GAB WALLER✨ Instagram: @gabwaller, @gabwallerdotcom, @sourcedbyTikTok: @gabwallerLinkedIn:Gab WallerWebsites: Shop with Gab Waller & Sourced By✨READ THE NEWSLETTER✨HSR ICYMI – Stay ahead with consumer startup trends, business news, and investing insights.✨SHOP HOT SMART RICH✨HSR Merch Shop MyAmazon✨ABOUT MAGGIE SELLERS✨Maggie Sellers is the founder of Hot Smart Rich, an investment and media company designed to empower women in business and entrepreneurship. A multi-hyphenate creator, investor, and entrepreneur, she’s redefined female empowerment with her sharp, candid insights into business, wealth-building, and startup investing. As a leading voice on TikTok and LinkedIn, Maggie’s content reaches over 180,000 ambitious women looking to elevate their careers, finances, and businesses.Maggie is also an angel investor in brands like Allara Health, Mixlab, and De Soi and a venture partner in HSR Ventures, where she backs the next generation of consumer startups. Forget outdated notions of female empowerment—Maggie is reshaping what it means to be a modern power player in business and investing.📢 This episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC.

Feb 19, 2025 • 40min
Kristine Locker, Founder of Locker, On Building a Multimillion Dollar Fashion Tech And Betting Everything On What's Next
In this episode of Hot Smart Rich, I sit down with Kristine Locker—founder & CEO of Locker, the social shopping platform that’s redefining how we shop, save, and discover products online. From starting her career in real estate finance at Goldman Sachs to self-funding her startup for two years with $225,000 before landing a game-changing $1M angel investment, Kristine’s journey is proof that big risks lead to even bigger rewards.But building a multi-million dollar consumer startup isn’t just about great ideas—it’s about navigating investor rejection, learning from bad decisions (like an $8K influencer campaign gone wrong), and understanding what today’s consumers actually want.We also dive into the new wave of creator-led brands—like Parke, Dairy Boy, and Set Active—and the backlash some are facing for bootstrapping their businesses through supplier terms, the drop model, and negative cash conversion cycles. Kristine shares her perspective as a founder on how these strategies impact growth, customer loyalty, and whether this is the future of consumer brands.If you’ve ever had 100 open tabs while debating a purchase, returned a wish list item you finally bought, or wondered why brands keep pushing affiliate links instead of listening to consumers, this episode is for you.Kristine and I get into the real talk about startup life, from fundraising challenges to the mental toll of being a founder, and why she’s betting everything on what’s next for Locker and social commerce.WHAT WE COVER:The Wishlist Struggle Is Real – Why we overthink purchases and how Locker is changing thatFrom Open Tabs to Millions – Kristine’s path from bootstrapping to landing a $1M angel investmentThe Influencer vs. Community Debate – Why Locker is built for real shoppers, not influencersHow Locker Grew to 200K Users With Zero Paid Ads – Kristine’s strategy for scaling without big marketing budgetsCreator-Led Brands Under Fire – The backlash against brands like Parke, Dairy Boy, and Set Active for their drop model and supplier-backed scaling strategiesRunning a Startup and Having a Life? – How Kristine balances marriage, career, and the pressure of building a billion-dollar businessLessons for Founders – The best (and worst) $8K Kristine ever spent on marketing, and why brand loyalty matters more than ever✨CONNECT WITH MAGGIE SELLERS✨ Instagram:@maggiesellersTikTok:@maggiesellers_YouTube:@hotsmartrichLinkedIn:Maggie Sellers✨CONNECT WITH KRISTINE LOCKER✨Instagram: @kristinelockerShop With Kristine on Locker ✨READ THE NEWSLETTER✨HSR ICYMI – Stay ahead with consumer startup trends, business news, and investing insights.✨SHOP HOT SMART RICH✨HSR MerchShop MyAmazon✨ABOUT MAGGIE SELLERS✨Maggie Sellers is the founder of Hot Smart Rich, an investment and media company designed to empower women in business and entrepreneurship. A multi-hyphenate creator, investor, and entrepreneur, she’s redefined female empowerment with her sharp, candid insights into business, wealth-building, and startup investing. As a leading voice on TikTok and LinkedIn, Maggie’s content reaches over 180,000 ambitious women looking to elevate their careers, finances, and businesses.Maggie is also an angel investor in brands like Allara Health, Mixlab, and De Soi and a venture partner in HSR Ventures, where she backs the next generation of consumer startups. Forget outdated notions of female empowerment—Maggie is reshaping what it means to be a modern power player in business and investing.📢 This episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC. Hot Smart Rich & HSR Ventures is an advisor to and investor in Locker.

Feb 12, 2025 • 51min
Maggie Sellers & Courtney Reum, Maggie's Boyfriend, On How To Heal From Your Breakup And Not Let Everything Else Fall Apart
Maggie Sellers & Courtney Reum, Maggie's Boyfriend, On How To Heal From Your Breakup And Not Let Everything Else Fall ApartIn this episode of Hot Smart Rich, I sit down with Courtney Reum—serial entrepreneur, co-founder of M13, investor, and best-selling author—who also happens to be my boyfriend. We’re diving deep into heartbreak, breakups, and healing, sharing our personal experiences and hard-earned lessons on love, self-growth, and moving forward.If you’ve ever felt lost after a relationship breakup, struggled to rebuild your confidence, or wondered how to navigate the healing process while balancing a demanding career, this episode is for you.What We Cover:💔 How to move on from heartbreak—without losing yourself or your momentum.🧠 The psychology of heartbreak—why it feels like physical pain and how to rewire your brain.💡 Breakup mistakes to avoid—the habits that keep you stuck and how to break free.👀 Rebuilding confidence after a breakup—how to focus on yourself, not your ex.⚡ The truth about manifesting your next relationship—and what actually works.❤️ Maggie’s perspective on navigating heartbreak, rebuilding confidence, and the mindset shifts that led to a healthy, fulfilling relationship as Courtney’s girlfriend.❤️ Courtney’s perspective on what makes a healthy relationship and how men process heartbreak differently.If you’re going through heartbreak, feeling stuck in past relationships, or wondering when you’ll be ready for a new relationship, this episode is packed with real talk, emotional support, and actionable steps to help you move forward.🎧 Tune in to Hot Smart Rich now!✨CONNECT WITH MAGGIE SELLERS✨📲 Instagram:@maggiesellers🎥 TikTok:@maggiesellers_ – Where Maggie Sellers’ TikTok content is breaking down business, investing, and modern female empowerment.📺 YouTube:@hotsmartrich – Get insights on entrepreneurship, investing, and startup strategy.💼 LinkedIn:Maggie Sellers – See what’s trending in venture capital and startup investing.✨CONNECT WITH COURTNEY REUM✨📲 Instagram:@courtneyreum💼 LinkedIn:Courtney Reum – Follow his latest insights on startup investing and venture capital.✨READ THE NEWSLETTER✨📰HSR ICYMI – Stay ahead with consumer startup trends, business news, and investing insights.✨SHOP HOT SMART RICH✨🛍HSR Merch – Wear your ambition.🛍Shop My – Discover Maggie Sellers’ top startup-backed finds.🛍Amazon – Find must-have startup products curated by Maggie.✨ABOUT MAGGIE SELLERS✨Maggie Sellers is the founder of Hot Smart Rich, an investment and media company designed to empower women in business and entrepreneurship. A multi-hyphenate creator, investor, and entrepreneur, she’s redefined female empowerment with her sharp, candid insights into business, wealth-building, and startup investing. As a leading voice on TikTok and LinkedIn, Maggie’s content reaches over 180,000 ambitious women looking to elevate their careers, finances, and businesses.Maggie is also an angel investor in brands like Allara Health, Mixlab, and De Soi and a venture partner in HSR Ventures, where she backs the next generation of consumer startups. Forget outdated notions of female empowerment—Maggie is reshaping what it means to be a modern power player in business and investing.📢 This episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC.

Feb 5, 2025 • 35min
Maggie Sellers On How To Start Angel Investing (Her Secrets Exposed)
Angel Investing 101 With Maggie Sellers: How to Start, Find Deals & Build WealthCurious about angel investing but don’t know where to start? In this episode, Maggie Sellers breaks down how to invest in startups, even if it’s your first time and you don’t have a finance background. She covers the real risks and rewards, how to find great startups, and why owning equity is key to long-term wealth.✔ What is angel investing & how does it work✔ The biggest myths & mistakes first-time investors make✔ Due diligence tips before investing your own money✔ How to use personal funds wisely in early-stage investments✔ Angel investing vs. venture capital: Key differences✔ Why most startups fail – and how to pick the winners✔ How to get started, even if you don’t have millions by using the HSR 50/20/20/10 framework✔ Join a syndicate like HSR Ventures Investing in women-led startups & consumer brands⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERThis episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice of any kind. Investing in startups involves significant risk, and you may lose your entire investment.If you’re in the United States, seek legal advice and determine whether you qualify as an accredited investor under SEC guidelines:🔗 SEC Accredited Investor GuidelinesCONNECT WITH MAGGIEInstagram: @maggiesellersTikTok: @maggiesellers_LinkedIn: Maggie SellersYouTube: Hot Smart RichREAD THE NEWSLETTERHSR ICYMISHOP HSRHSR MerchAmazon StorefrontShopMy ProfileKEY TAKEAWAYS✔ Angel investing isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy – Anyone with a smart strategy can get started.✔ Due diligence is essential – Always research the founders, market, and risks.✔ It’s not about quick returns – Angel investments take years to mature.✔ Venture capital vs. angel investing – VCs invest others’ money, while angels invest their own money.✔ Invest in people, not just ideas – A great idea means nothing without a strong team to execute it.ABOUT MAGGIE SELLERSMaggie Sellers is revolutionizing modern female empowerment, leading the charge as a Los Angeles-based multi-hyphenate content creator, media entrepreneur, and angel investor, unapologetically blazing new trails.As the founder of Hot Smart Rich, a digital media company and investment platform, Maggie is on a mission to help women embrace their hottest, smartest, richest selves and know and build their worth. She is reshaping how early-stage consumer startups scale and how modern power players connect and collaborate. Known for shaping consumer brands and working alongside global superstars, Maggie seamlessly blends the intersection of entertainment, venture capital, and branding. She was one of the first to carve out a space where influence and investment collide, making her a sought-after syndicate lead and strategic advisor. Through HSR Ventures, she backs some of the fastest-growing consumer startups, including De Soi, Allara Health, Mixlab, and Upkeep Beauty, with equity stakes in 18+ brands. Maggie’s meteoric rise began on TikTok, where her candid, sharp-witted content struck a chord with over 200,000 ambitious Gen-Z and millennial women, rapidly expanding her influence as the blueprint for modern influence and angel investing. Her best friends and peers in the startup world include top founders and investors like Courtney Reum, further solidifying her reputation as a key connector in the industry. But Maggie’s vision extends beyond content—she’s redefining what it means to be a modern investor, operator, and entrepreneur. Whether she’s supporting the new launch of a brand, backing angel investments that fuel the next wave of disruptive startups, or building the Hot Smart Rich empire, Maggie Sellers is impossible to ignore.This episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC.