The Angel Next Door podcast is a show about how people got started investing in startup companies. Hosted by Marcia Dawood, member of the SEC Small Business Cap...
The Power of Franchising: Dawn Lafreeda’s Road to Owning 72 Denny's
What does it take to turn a humble beginning into a thriving empire? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores the intricacies of entrepreneurship and franchising with Dawn Lafreeda, a highly successful Denny’s franchisee. Dawn's entrepreneurial journey from a young hostess to owning more Denny’s franchises than anyone else globally underscores the power of determination, resilience, and strategic thinking.Dawn Lafreeda began her career at Denny’s at the age of 16 as a hostess and worked her way up to waitress before seizing her first business opportunity. Over the course of a 40-year career, she has owned, among other ventures, up to 120 Denny’s restaurants. In addition to her franchising achievements, Dawn participated as an executive producer in the movie "Show Her the Money," which highlights the challenges and empowerment of women in venture capital.This episode explores the benefits and challenges of franchising, where Dawn offers invaluable insights into site selection, financing, and scaling a business. Dawn also shares personal anecdotes about navigating business through crises like 9/11 and the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication and financial prudence. Coupled with her advocacy for women in business and her efforts to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of successful entrepreneurship and the feasibility of franchising as a robust business model. Tune in to learn from one of the best in the industry and be inspired by her story of success and determination. To get the latest from Dawn Lafreeda, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-lafreeda-36059314/ 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
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100th Episode Special: Empowering Women in Venture Capital with Catherine Gray
Ever wondered what it really takes to break into the world of venture capital, especially as an underrepresented entrepreneur or an emerging fund manager? In our milestone 100th episode, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Catherine Gray, the visionary Executive Producer of the award-winning documentary *Show Her the Money,* to demystify this complex space. The film shines a light on the staggering statistics around the lack of funding for female entrepreneurs but goes beyond the numbers with powerful storytelling and remarkable profiles of women founders making a difference.Catherine Gray, the force behind the Invest in Her podcast, She Angels Investors, and She Angels Foundation, is a trailblazer in using media for social change. Her previous work, including the impactful documentary I Can’t Marry You, has consistently driven cultural shifts.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the potential of venture capital as a tool for societal impact. Marcia and Catherine discuss the need for greater education and awareness in this field, emphasizing the unique challenges and opportunities for women investors. They also explore the transformative impact of investing in women-founded funds and the ripple effects this can have on economic and social progress. Don't miss this insightful conversation that uncovers the power of venture capital to foster meaningful change. To get the latest from Catherine Gray, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinelgray/ https://www.sheangelinvestors.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/invest-in-her-with-catherine-gray/id1134670723 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
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Philanthropy Meets Startup Investing: A New Approach to Funding Innovations
Have you ever considered the possibilities that arise when philanthropic capital is directed towards funding startup companies? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Sally Boulter from Impact Assets to unravel an often overlooked but transformative investment approach—using donor-advised funds to fuel entrepreneurial ventures. If you're an angel investor or contemplating entering the startup ecosystem, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on navigating investments impactfully.Sally Boulter brings a wealth of experience to the table, having a diverse background in nonprofit fundraising and impact investing. Impact Assets, a nonprofit financial services firm, is tailored to investors who wish to make a difference while achieving returns. Sally's journey from traditional fundraising to becoming a pivotal player in impact investing highlights a unique blend of passion for societal betterment and astute financial strategies.Throughout the episode, Marcia and Sally discuss the mechanics of how donor-advised funds can be employed to support for-profit startups, offering both new and seasoned investors a blueprint for high-impact investments. They explore the simplicity and flexibility of setting up a donor-advised fund, the risks and rewards associated with impact investing, and real-life success stories like that of Seth Goldman, who amplified his philanthropic reach after his work with Honest Tea. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to understand how to make their investment dollars work harder, not just for financial gains but for genuine societal progress. You’ll walk away with actionable insights and a newfound enthusiasm for merging philanthropy with entrepreneurship. To get the latest from Sally Boulter, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyboulter/https://impactassets.org/ 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
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NasaClip’s Fundraising Journey: Integrating Crowdfunding with Traditional Methods
What does it take to transition from being a dedicated emergency medicine physician to a groundbreaking entrepreneur? In this thought-provoking episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood explores the journey of Dr. Liz Clayborne, the inspiring founder behind NasaClip. Liz's story sheds light on the innovative process of developing a medical device and the unique challenges she encountered while fundraising for her venture.Dr. Liz Clayborne is not your average entrepreneur. A committed emergency medicine physician and faculty member at the University of Maryland, Liz pivoted her career by creating NasaClip—a revolutionary hands-free nosebleed rescue device. Motivated by her ER experiences, where she treated numerous nosebleed cases, Liz designed a user-friendly solution and successfully raised funds from angel investors, VCs, and now a current Wefunder crowdfunding campaign.In this episode, Liz shares her journey from idea to market, detailing the various stages of fundraising and the obstacles she faced. This episode is essential for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, medical innovations, and using different fundraising strategies to achieve key milestones. To get the latest from Dr. Liz Clayborne, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethpclayborne/https://wefunder.com/nasaclip 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
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Navigating Franchising Challenges and Opportunities with Domineca Neal
Are You Ready to Invest in Your Dreams?What does it take to transform a vision into a sustainable business and eventually into a lucrative investment opportunity? This week's episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast with Marcia Dawood discusses the often-overlooked world of franchising and angel investing, revealing the essential elements driving entrepreneurial success. Alongside guest Domineca Neal, an experienced entrepreneur and angel investor, listeners are taken on an educational journey through the nuances of starting and scaling a business, whether independently or through franchising.Domineca Neal brings a wealth of knowledge to this episode. With a diverse background ranging from being a CPA at a big six accounting firm to becoming a seasoned franchise owner and eventually stepping into the world of angel investing, she embodies the quintessential entrepreneurial spirit. Neal has not only thrived in multiple business environments but has also dedicated herself to mentoring others, especially women and BIPOC communities, on their own journeys toward financial and operational success.They explore the practicalities of owning a franchise, from the initial due diligence to overcoming common challenges like labor and expansion. Moreover, Domineca shares invaluable advice for entrepreneurs considering franchising their own business models. The episode comes full circle with an inspiring discussion about angel investing, where Neal reveals how her portfolio seeks financial returns and aims to generate positive social and environmental impact. This multifaceted conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to gain practical insights and inspiration on creating successful business ventures while giving back to the community. To get the latest from Domineca Neal, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominecaneal/ 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
The Angel Next Door podcast is a show about how people got started investing in startup companies. Hosted by Marcia Dawood, member of the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee and Chair Emeritus of the board of the Angel Capital Association, the professional organization of angel investors across the US and globally. If you want to see change in the world you have to create it, invest in it or be it! Tune in to hear stories of what angel investing is, who does it and why!
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