The Angel Next Door

What happens when an entrepreneur turns their biggest fear—asking for money—into their secret weapon for success? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Maria Springer, founder of Capital Department, to discuss how founders can overcome fundraising anxiety and unlock new paths to capital.Maria’s journey began in the social enterprise world of East Africa, where she quickly learned that mastering fundraising was vital to making an impact. Her hard-won expertise now powers Capital Department, a firm that has helped startups secure over $200 million, with a special emphasis on fueling growth through innovative community rounds and crowdfunding.This episode is essential listening for startup founders and investors alike. Maria and Marcia dive into how narrative and organization are key to successful fundraising, the evolving landscape of crowdfunding, and why engaging your community is more powerful than ever. If you want practical fundraising advice and insider stories—like how Pirouette outperformed Substack with a record-setting raise—this conversation is packed with takeaways you won’t want to miss. To get the latest from Maria Springer, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaspringer/https://www.capitaldept.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

What does it truly take to transform a simple side hustle into a nationally recognized brand—and what if you could change lives along the way? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia invites Angie Bastian, co-founder of the beloved snack brand BOOMCHICKAPOP, to share the remarkable journey of building a business from the family garage all the way to a multimillion-dollar acquisition. Angie’s story challenges the traditional image of entrepreneurship, laying bare both the financial scrambles and the deeply human rewards that accompany the pursuit of a dream.Angie Bastian, who, along with her husband, Dan, started popping kettle corn in 2001 to help fund their children’s college education, never imagined she’d become a leader in the natural foods movement. With no prior business experience—Angie was a nurse, her husband a teacher—the Bastians hustled at farmers markets, connected with local sports teams, and relentlessly pushed through setbacks to turn their “Angie’s Kettle Corn” into the global phenomenon BOOMCHICKAPOP. Angie’s dedication to transparency, clean ingredients, and her community sets her apart as an entrepreneurial role model.This episode is packed with invaluable lessons as Angie details the scrappy financing tactics, the reimagining of their brand, the leap to building their own manufacturing plant, and the deep impact of sharing success with their employees. It’s a candid conversation about perseverance, integrity, and redefining what business can mean for families and communities. And don’t miss the tear-jerking story Angie tells at the end of the episode – it’s a true heart warmer.  To get the latest from Angie Bastian, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-bastian-31085010/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

What if the real secret to entrepreneurial success isn’t about doing more, but about learning how to genuinely receive support and harness your inner resources? On this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood welcomes Andrea Quinn, celebrated coach and author of The Quinn Essentials, to explore the essential mindset shifts that help women founders thrive both personally and professionally.Andrea Quinn draws on 18 years of coaching and her groundbreaking curriculum, The Quinn Essentials—a set of nine tools that empower women to unlock creativity, manage energy, and pursue their ambitions authentically. Her hands-on experience with thousands of women adds depth and practical wisdom to the conversation.Listeners will enjoy a high-impact discussion covering the power of receiving, business mindset, and the value of visualization and supportive communities. This is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and leaders seeking real strategies to overcome burnout, cultivate resilience, and achieve meaningful, sustainable growth. To get the latest from Andrea Quinn, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/theandreaquinn/https://andreaquinncoaching.com/https://thequinnessentials.com/The Quinn Essentials Women's Empowerment WorkshopOctober 18th & 19th - Beverly Hills, CANovember 8th & 9th - New York CityUse code 100Marcia for $100 off the cost of the workshop  Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

How does one transform a personal crisis into a groundbreaking business that has the potential to change lives? This question lies at the heart of this episode, as we explore the journey of entrepreneurship through the lens of resilience, innovation, and a relentless drive to make a difference.Our guest, Martha Carlin, transitioned from a career in accounting to founding BiotiQuest after her husband’s early Parkinson’s diagnosis. Motivated to find solutions outside traditional medicine, Martha uncovered the power of the microbiome and developed specialized probiotics, leveraging years of research and personal investment to help improve lives—including her husband’s.This episode provides an inside look at Martha’s incredible story, the unique science behind her products, and the significant challenges small health businesses face in the era of digital marketplace giants. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in health, entrepreneurship, or what it truly takes to pursue a mission-driven business in today’s digital world. To get the latest from Martha Carlin, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/marthacarlin/https://biotiquest.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

Patricia Lizarraga, a finance expert and creator of the Hypatia Women CEO ETF, joins to discuss empowering women in investment. She highlights the notable performance of her fund, which allows anyone to invest in companies led by female CEOs. Lizarraga shares insights on initiatives like the '100 Shares for Women' campaign that aim to increase female representation in leadership. The conversation delves into making investing accessible and emphasizes the importance of community, education, and fostering women's confidence in their financial capabilities.

What if the true game changer in entrepreneurship isn’t just innovation, but the ability to make bold, strategic asks—even when a “no” seems inevitable? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with communications coach and auctioneer Dia Bondi to explore how asking for what you want can transform a founder’s journey.Dia Bondi, author of Ask Like an Auctioneer, draws on her extensive experience coaching executives and founders, as well as her unique background in live auctioneering, to teach entrepreneurs how to “ask off the menu” and design requests that move the needle. Her deep insights into communication and fundraising are both fresh and empowering.Listeners will discover actionable frameworks for making bigger asks, handling feedback, and setting personal boundaries—insights every founder and investor needs. If you’re looking to improve your pitch, grow your confidence, and make every ask count, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. To get the latest from Dia Bondi, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/dia-bondi/ https://www.diabondi.com/The Transformational Voice Intensive: https://www.diabondi.com/intensivehttps://www.asklikeanauctioneer.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

Tim Maul, a key player at Balerion Space Ventures, sheds light on the future of space investments. He discusses the exhilarating potential of lunar mining, particularly helium-3, for energy production and its applications in quantum computing. Maul emphasizes the shifting landscape of private funding in aerospace, with institutional investors taking a keen interest. He also explores how biotech innovations in zero gravity could revolutionize pharmaceuticals, all while highlighting the strategic importance of space in national defense.

What if the path to entrepreneurial success for women didn’t have to be so lonely—or so uphill? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Melissa Wallace, a marketing veteran whose journey spans a $750 million tech exit, hands-on mentorship, and now, leading the first Femtech venture studio dedicated to female founders.Melissa shares her fascinating career evolution, from the high-octane world of startup acquisitions to co-founding Fierce Foundry, a unique venture studio that partners with women at every step of the startup journey. She explains how this studio model—offering co-founding, expert resources, and founder development—directly addresses the hurdles women face in raising money, scaling, and achieving meaningful exits.This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about gender equity in tech and entrepreneurship. You’ll gain fresh insights into new funding models, innovative support networks, and hear about real-world tools that are empowering more women to launch, grow, and lead successful companies. To get the latest from Melissa Wallace, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahudsonwallace/https://www.thefiercefoundry.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood 

What happens when the people deciding which startups get funded rethink the rules of who belongs at the table? In this episode, host Marcia welcomes Kate McAndrew, co-founder of the Baukunst fund, who shares her journey from arts student to leading pre-seed venture capitalist with a fresh perspective on building companies.Kate discusses how she’s redefining the early stage investment process—focusing on community, creativity, and making capital accessible for underrepresented founders. She also weighs in on the practical realities of AI, groundbreaking fund models, and the powerful role of networks in startup success.If you’re curious about how the next generation of startups are being launched, and who’s working to open up the investing world for new voices, this conversation is essential listening. To get the latest from Kate McAndrew, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateprestonmcandrew/ https://baukunst.co/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

What if the key to unlocking a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem lies not just in funding, but in research, mentorship, and global collaboration? On this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Dr. Shakenna Williams, Executive Director of the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College, to discuss the center’s 25-year evolution and its impactful work supporting women and allies in entrepreneurship.Dr. Williams leads initiatives ranging from student and founder support to global research through Babson’s accelerator and the Diana International Research Institute. She sheds light on how Babson’s blend of mentorship, education, and research is empowering new generations of entrepreneurs while challenging and refining the statistics around women’s access to venture capital.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in building a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape. You’ll hear practical insights on the importance of research-driven programs, mentorship dos and don’ts, and what’s next for global women’s entrepreneurship—making it essential for founders, investors, and ecosystem builders alike. To get the latest from Dr. Shakenna Williams, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/drshakennawilliams/https://www.babson.edu/womens-leadership-institute/about-us/dr-shakenna-k-williams/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood