The Angel Next Door

This episode is introducing a new type of podcast episode -  Minutes with Marcia. She explains that these episodes are shorter, around four to six minutes, to cater to the overwhelming amount of content that people are exposed to nowadays. This first installment is addressing the ability to do good while also doing well. She goes on to discuss how angel investing provides an opportunity to achieve both emotional and financial rewards. Marcia highlights the risks that come with angel investing but emphasizes that many angels invest in early-stage companies because they care about the big problems these companies are trying to solve. She shares examples of angel investments in companies working towards solving important issues like Alzheimer's disease and women's health.Marcia explains that angel investments are not solely driven by financial gains, but also by the desire to make a positive impact in the world. She emphasizes the importance of diversifying investment portfolios to mitigate risks and continues to advocate for the support and funding of entrepreneurs who tirelessly work to solve challenging problems. The episode concludes with Marcia's call to action, encouraging listeners to consider becoming the change they want to see in the world by supporting startups in their own communities.Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.com And 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 wondered how difficult it is for startups to find early money? In this short episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood demystifies the friends and family round, shedding light on the challenges and potential solutions for entrepreneurs seeking funding at the very beginning stages of their journey.The episode is divided into three parts: raising from friends and family, alternative options for those without a support network, and the possibilities of non-dilutive funding. Marcia explains how entrepreneurs can structure their fundraising efforts, the importance of building strong relationships with potential investors early on, and the benefits of leveraging non dilutive funding sources. Listeners are encouraged to approach funding with the right mindset and effectively communicate with investors throughout their entrepreneurial journey.How To Raise a Friends And Family Round on fi.coThe No. 1 thing entrepreneurs don’t spend enough time doing Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.com And 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 wondered what it takes to successfully raise funds for a startup? In this thought-provoking episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Colin Gardiner, an operator in residence at Techstars and a seasoned investor with a track record of raising over $200 million. Colin shares his journey into the world of angel investing, starting with his parents' entrepreneurial background and their experience raising capital for their business. Throughout the episode, he offers valuable insights and lessons learned from his own fundraising experiences, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, communication, and strategic forecasting for founders seeking investment.Colin highlights the importance of setting up a strong foundation for fundraising, from anchoring valuation to building relationships and consistently updating investors. Colin also emphasizes the value of storytelling and how it can make a significant impact on securing investment. Listeners will gain valuable insights on strategic forecasting, under-promising and overdelivering, and effectively communicating a company's progress to investors. Ultimately, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in the intricacies of successful fundraising in the startup world.To get the latest from Colin Gardiner, you can follow him below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colingardiner/Colin's podcast :Wannabe Angels" - https://wannabeangels.com/Marcia's episode on Wannabe Angels - https://wannabeangels.com/p/importance-of-investing-in-diverse#detailshttps://www.techstars.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.com And 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

Susie DeVille shares insights on navigating uncertain times and making bold decisions. Topics discussed include self-trust, imposter syndrome, embracing playfulness, and finding inspiration in every aspect of life. The hosts discuss the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, the importance of uncertainty tolerance, and fostering self-trust. They challenge prevailing advice on success, emphasizing the importance of connecting to one's innate creativity, and discuss the negative impact of overworking and imposter syndrome. The chapter on cultivating inspiration introduces the five M's: morning pages, meditation, movement, moments of inspired learning, and making something. The podcast concludes with gratitude for the guest's message and promotion of their book and contact information, as well as promoting Angel University courses and workshops.

Have you ever wondered what drives the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in a city? Especially a city in the middle of the country? Well, in this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we dive into the world of entrepreneurship in Columbus, Ohio, and explore how the city has become a hub for startups and angel investing with guest Parker MacDonell.  In this episode, we learn about his involvement with Rev One Ventures, a nonprofit organization that not only invests in startups through its startup studio but also manages a series of investment funds. Throughout the conversation, Parker shares his insights into successful and not-so-successful investments, and how he found his niche in B2B software and life sciences companies. He also highlights the role of collaboration among angel investors and the importance of learning from others with different expertise. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or an angel investor yourself, you won't want to miss Parker MacDonell's fascinating journey and his contribution to the vibrant startup ecosystem in Columbus.To get the latest from Parker MacDonell, you can follow him below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/parker-macdonell-4762005/ Learn More about RapChat - https://rapchat.comCheck out this blog from the late John Huston - https://www.angelcapitalassociation.org/blog/ohio-techangel-funds-success-by-aligning-entrepreneur-and-angel-goals/Register to attend the ACA 2024 - The Summit of Angel Investing in Columbus, Ohio happening May 13-15, 2024https://events.angelcapitalassociation.org/summit2024 Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.com And 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

Why does gender bias persist in fundraising, preventing many deserving entrepreneurs from accessing the funding they need? In this episode Marcia is joined by founder and angel investor, Allison Byers. They discuss the need for awareness and innovation to overcome gender inequity in venture capital.Allison Byers, a two-time founder and experienced operator in tech companies, shares her journey from being on the founding team of a medical device company to becoming an angel investor. She highlights the inefficiencies and gender bias she encountered during the fundraising process, which inspired her to start Scroobious. Scroobious is a marketplace to more easily connect entrepreneurs to investors and investors to the companies they want to support.The episode underscores the importance of awareness in tackling the funding gap in entrepreneurship. By uncovering the biases ingrained within the venture capital industry, Allison and Marcia emphasize the need for comprehensive education and support for founders, enabling them to present their opportunities in a way that resonates with investors. Through the tools Scroobious offers, entrepreneurs gain access to quality resources and guidance, helping them navigate the fundraising landscape and increase their investability. To get the latest from Allison Byers, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-byers/Read more about Dana Kanze's data here: https://hbr.org/2017/06/male-and-female-entrepreneurs-get-asked-different-questions-by-vcs-and-it-affects-how-much-funding-they-getWatch Dana Kanze's TED Talk here: https://www.ted.com/speakers/dana_kanzeMore on Scroobious: https://www.scroobious.com Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.com And 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

Do advisors truly add value to early-stage companies, or are they just a box to check off? In this episode, Marcia explores how to best utilize advisors and eventually a board of directors with guest Kirsten Moorefield, co-founder of Cloverleaf. Kirsten shares her insights on how to leverage advisors effectively and avoid common pitfalls. She emphasizes the importance of finding advisors who align with a company's specific needs and warns against the practice of giving board roles solely based on investment.As co-founder of Cloverleaf, a platform that helps teams improve collaboration and productivity, Kirsten discusses the challenges she and her partner faced when starting their tech company with limited knowledge and connections. Through trial and error, they learned the value of being specific when seeking advice and leveraging the expertise of advisors who could provide practical help.  The episode dives into the nuances of valuation, early-stage funding, and the importance of traction beyond revenue in determining a company's potential for success. Kirsten discusses her own experiences with raising funding and the lessons she learned along the way. She emphasizes the role of customer feedback and genuine market interest as indicators of traction, rather than relying solely on monetary investments. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights for both founders and investors, highlighting the importance of strategic advisors and the impact they can have on a company's growth and success.To get the latest from Kirsten Moorefield, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenmoorefield/Read more about Queen City Angels:  https://www.qca.comCloverleaf Board Member Sue Bevan Baggott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suebaggott1/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.com And 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

Continuing the conversation from last week’s episode with Diego Mariscal about the lack of funding going to disabled entrepreneurs,  Marcia is joined by the inspiring Keely Cat-Wells to explore her own experiences in the world of entrepreneurship. Keely shares her personal journey of resilience and determination, from her dreams of becoming a professional dancer to starting a talent agency exclusively for representing disabled individuals. The episode dives into Keely's mission to provide equitable opportunities for disabled talent in the entertainment industry and her recent venture into creating a scalable solution to bridge the gap between underrepresented talent and meaningful employment.  Keely recounts her unexpected path to entrepreneurship, propelled by her own firsthand experiences with ableism and discrimination. From being dismissed by the medical system to facing exclusion in the workplace, Keely's determination to champion disabled talent fueled her journey. The episode showcases her groundbreaking work with C Talent, the talent agency she founded, and the subsequent acquisition that led her to venture into the tech space with Making Space.  As disabled individuals face barriers to traditional employment opportunities, Keely's venture, Making Space, empowers companies to access pre-qualified, underrepresented talent, while simultaneously addressing issues of recruitment, retention, and turnover. By leveraging technology and creating a Trojan horse effect, Keely is determined to ensure that diverse candidates, including disabled individuals from low-income communities, can secure and thrive in meaningful employment.Be prepared to be inspired and educated as Keely shares her experiences, triumphs, and powerful vision for a more accessible and equitable future. To get the latest from Keely Cat-Wells, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keelycatwells/Keely's website - https://keelycatwells.com/Making Space Media - https://makingspacemedia.com/C-Talent - https://www.whalar.com/c-talentDiego Mariscal's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-mariscal-6363787a/Watch Diego's GMA segment - https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/GMA3/video/organization-support-disabled-people-mentorship-101872639 Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.com And 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 wondered why entrepreneurs with disabilities are so underrepresented in the startup world? In this episode of "The Angel Next Door Podcast," host Marcia Dawood explores this thought-provoking question with her guest, Diego Mariscal.  Diego, who was born with cerebral palsy, is a passionate advocate for disability-focused entrepreneurship. As the founder of an accelerator program for founders with disabilities, Diego shares his insights and experiences to shed light on the challenges and opportunities faced by this community. Diego Mariscal, a pioneer and disruptor in the disability space, joins Marcia to discuss the immense potential of entrepreneurship among people with disabilities. With 1 billion individuals having a disability, Diego highlights the untapped market and the need for inclusive investment practices. He shares his personal journey as both an entrepreneur and an advocate, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and celebrating disabilities as a form of diversity.  The episode delves into Diego's efforts to create an ecosystem for disabled entrepreneurs, the significance of Disability Pride Month, and his plans for a groundbreaking micro fund focused on funding startups led by individuals with disabilities. To get the latest from Diego Mariscal, you can follow him below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-mariscal-6363787a/Check out Diego's Tedx Talk here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVG94W0gBPcWatch Diego's GMA segment - https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/GMA3/video/organization-support-disabled-people-mentorship-101872639Keely Cat-Wells  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keelycatwells/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.com And 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

Why do female entrepreneurs receive less funding than their male counterparts? In this solo episode, Marcia focuses in on the various factors contributing to the lack of funding for women, including biased questions during the fundraising process and the perception that women start slower-growing, less scalable businesses. She also explores the importance of diversifying the pool of investors and expanding networks to create more opportunities for women in the startup world.  Marcia highlights research findings and shares insights on how female entrepreneurs can navigate the funding landscape more effectively. She also discusses the upcoming documentary "Show Her the Money" and its mission to raise awareness and spark change. With a focus on creating a more equitable startup ecosystem, Marcia emphasizes the need for ongoing conversation, networking, and collective action to move beyond the current 3% mark and empower women to secure the funding they deserve.Show Her the Money movie trailer: https://showherthemoneymovie.comGet tickets for Opening Night in Philly here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thewomensfilmfestival/993793#Connect with Catherine Gray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinelgray/Read more from Dana Kanze here: https://hbr.org/2017/06/male-and-female-entrepreneurs-get-asked-different-questions-by-vcs-and-it-affects-how-much-funding-they-get Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.com And 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/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theangelnextdoorpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood