The Angel Next Door

What drives a successful start-up employee to leave the security of a lucrative role after a major acquisition to become a founder? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood explores the fascinating journey of Caitlyn Driehorst, an exited entrepreneur and financial service expert. Caitlyn shares her unique path—from majoring in Russian and English literature to becoming a strategic consultant for financial services giants, before returning to her roots to build a company that focuses on high-impact finance management.Caitlyn's journey is as varied as it is impressive. Raised in a military family, she moved frequently across the United States before discovering her passion for financial services. A seasoned strategist and advisor, she has worked with companies like Boston Consulting Group and Capital Group, as well as navigating her own transformative exit through OpenInvest's acquisition by JP Morgan. Despite the allure of financial security with JP Morgan, Caitlin chose to strike out on her own—a decision driven by both personal values and a desire for broader impact.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, career development, or financial advisory. Caitlyn talks about the challenges of being a female entrepreneur in the financial space, discusses her ambitious goals for RightWise, and elaborates on the transformative power of strong financial planning. With insights into both the industry and personal growth, this conversation sheds light on balancing ambition with values and navigating the sometimes complex relationships between risk and opportunity. To get the latest from Caitlyn Driehorst, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlyndriehorst/RightWise WealthRightWise Ambassador Program 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 drives economic growth? In this engaging episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we explore the crucial role of angel investors in supporting entrepreneurs—the creative minds behind groundbreaking innovations and thriving businesses.  Host Marcia Dawood is joined by two esteemed guests: Pat Gouhin, CEO of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), and Kristina Montague, incoming ACA Chair (July 2025). Together, they break down the mission of ACA and its charitable arm, the Angel Investor Foundation (AIF), showcasing how angel investors provide financial backing and invaluable mentorship to entrepreneurs.  Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the nonprofit structure supporting angel investing, the significance of expanding the angel investor network, and AIF’s efforts to increase representation among women and underserved founders. Whether you're considering becoming an angel investor or simply curious about the world of early-stage funding, this episode is packed with insights on how angel investing fuels innovation and economic prosperity.  This special episode is part of Podcasthon 2025, the world’s largest podcast charity initiative! From March 15 to 21, 2025, Podcasthon will bring together 1,500+ podcasts from around the world to raise awareness for charitable causes, building on the momentum of previous years.  Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the power of angel investing in shaping the future! To get the latest from Pat Gouhin and Kristina Montague, you can follow them below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/patgouhin/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-montague-7b1a942a/ 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 a woman navigate and succeed in the traditionally male-dominated world of Wall Street? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood welcomes Lori Van Dusen, an inspiring figure in the financial advisory industry. Lori began her career at Lehman Brothers in the late 1980s, where she stood out not only for her quantitative skills but for her early advocacy of client-centered, conflict-free financial advice.With years of experience under her belt, Lori founded her own firm, LVW Advisors, where she continues her mission of empowering clients, and women coming into substantial wealth tend to gravitate toward her. Her book, "Running with Grace," encapsulates her remarkable journey and her commitment to teaching and mentoring others in finance and beyond.Lori and Marcia discuss the upcoming major wealth transfer to women and the importance of education and mentorship in breaking down barriers in the financial world. Through Lori's experiences and insights, listeners are inspired to take control of their financial futures and redefine their relationship with money. To get the latest from Lori Van Dusen, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorivandusen/Running with Grace: A Wall Street Insider’s Path to True Leadership, a Purposeful Life, and Joy in the Face of Adversity -  https://a.co/d/4Y9rYGThttps://lvwadvisors.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

Gina Schaefer, a pioneering entrepreneur and founder of a 13-store hardware chain, shares her transformative journey of transitioning to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). She discusses the benefits of empowering employees and fostering community sustainability through intentional exit strategies. Listeners will learn about the complexities of building a business under a cooperative model, the financial mechanics of ESOPs, and the importance of educating owners on this innovative approach. Gina's insights highlight the potential for creating wealth and culture shifts in businesses.

What drives an entrepreneur to turn personal adversity into impactful ventures? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we explore this question through the lens of Diana Greshtchuk's compelling journey. Following a profound personal loss, Diana found herself re-evaluating her legacy and impact on the world, leading her to become a passionate advocate for financial literacy and empowerment, especially among women and marginalized communities.Diana Greshtchuk is a seasoned financial expert who brings a wealth of experience from her background as a CPA and financial services professional. Her career spans over two decades, during which she has worked for one of the big four accounting firms and various asset management companies. Currently, she is committed to fanning the flames of potential for individuals and organizations as a financial literacy coach and executive producer of the impactful documentary, "Show Her The Money."Throughout this episode, Diana shares insights into her transition from finance to impact investing, emphasizing the importance of a positive money mindset and financial literacy. She discusses her work in helping founders, particularly women, to view themselves as worthy investments and cultivate an empowered relationship with money. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to transform their financial mindset and understand the intersection of personal growth, entrepreneurship, and impact investing.To get the latest from Diana Greshtchuk, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianagreshtchuk/https://fan-your-flame.com/Spark 9-week course: https://fan-your-flame.com/sparkFB: https://www.facebook.com/FanYourFlameLLCIG: https://www.instagram.com/FanYourFlameLLC/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fan-your-flame-llcPublic FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fanyourflameBluesky: @fanyourflamellc.bsky.social 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

In this engaging discussion, Cindy Gallop, visionary entrepreneur behind Make Love Not Porn, opens up about her groundbreaking work in sex tech and education. She tackles the shortcomings of current sex education and the societal stigma around sexual health. Cindy shares her challenging journey of securing funding as a female founder, reflecting on the emotional toll of rejection faced by women in the industry. She also introduces her new venture, Make Love Not Porn Academy, aimed at providing comprehensive sex education. A thought-provoking listen!

What if your charitable donations didn’t just support causes—but actually helped build impactful businesses?In this episode of The Angel Next Door, host Marcia Dawood gives a quick 7-minute overview of the growing interest in investing with philanthropic capital and answers some of the most common questions about how it works. Using insights from past conversations with experts like Sally Boulter of Impact Assets and Patrice and Leah Brickman of Inspire Access, Marcia breaks down how Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and nonprofit organizations are revolutionizing the way we think about philanthropy and investment. You'll learn about: - How DAFs work – A simple, tax-advantaged way to invest in for-profit impact companies while keeping funds designated for charitable giving. - Inspire Access’ unique model – A 501(c)(3) that allows donors to contribute directly, ensuring capital reaches underrepresented founders working on innovative solutions. - Non-accredited investors can participate too – You don’t need to have a certain amount of wealth or income to make a donation; now more people than ever can back mission-driven startups. Instead of just ‘making a donation’, discover how to create a lasting impact by strategically investing in businesses that align with your values—all while staying within a philanthropic framework. Tune in now to rethink how your giving can fuel innovation and drive meaningful change! 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

Have you ever considered how your financial mindset might impact your entrepreneurial journey? In this episode of the Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood recaps insightful conversations with guests, exploring the profound connections between money, leadership, and impact investing, and how these factors influence entrepreneurship.Marcia highlights Sally Boulter's discussion on donor advised funds (DAFs) as a means for accessible impact investing. She also revisits her conversation with Wendy Ryan, who shares her Learn Lead Lift framework, promoting leadership through clarity and collaboration and advocating for investment in diverse founders. Lastly, Marcia reflects on her dialogue with Cammie and Sandi from the Money Tales podcast, who emphasize reshaping our money beliefs.In case you missed any of this great content, you can get a recap here and also go back and listen to the full episodes: https://pod.link/1586445642 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

In this enlightening conversation, Julie Foucht, a dedicated coach for female entrepreneurs, shares her inspiring journey from financial dependency to empowerment. She emphasizes the power of mindset shifts in transforming one's relationship with money. Julie discusses the crucial role of gratitude in financial decisions and encourages women to break free from limiting societal beliefs. With practical advice on building supportive networks and embracing financial awareness, she empowers listeners to dream big and unlock their entrepreneurial potential.

Have you ever wondered what it truly takes to turn a groundbreaking idea into a successful business venture? On this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, our host Marcia Dawood explores this question with Anya Cheng, an innovative entrepreneur from the Bay Area. Anya’s journey from big tech to launching her own AI-powered company showcases the transformative potential of unique data in revolutionizing an industry.Anya Cheng is the founder of Taelor, an AI company on a mission to redefine how men dress by leveraging cutting-edge technology and unique consumer data. With a background that includes strategic roles at Meta, eBay, McDonald's, and Target, Anya’s experience in tech is both broad and deep. She played a pivotal role in developing Facebook and Instagram Shopping and expanding McDonald's food delivery services worldwide, equipping her with the skills to seamlessly integrate technology with consumer behavior.In this must-listen episode, Marcia and Anya discuss the intricacies of Taelor's business model, especially its novel approach to using AI and unique data to personalize men's fashion. Anya reveals how her company gathers authentic consumer feedback and detailed garment quality data, providing invaluable insights to brands and improving sustainability in fashion. Additionally, Anya shares her fundraising journey, shedding light on the challenges faced by women and people of color in the startup ecosystem. For anyone interested in AI, the power of unique data, or building a tech startup, this episode is packed with expert advice and inspiring stories, making it essential listening. Taelor — Men’s wardrobe rental with expert styling✨ 30% off first month with code: Angel30. using this link.Give the gift of time and confidence! Taelor Gift Card 🎁 10% off gift card with code: AngelGift10 To get the latest from Anya, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anyacheng/ https://www.facebook.com/AnyaChengSiliconValley/ 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