Powerful Conversations: Insights from leaders, coaches, and entrepreneurs on living a life that matters

Are you an entrepreneur lacking the money and resources you need? Don't miss this expert VC line-up. Learn how to get connected to the mentors and advisors who want you to succeed. In this episode you'll get expert advice from the women who connect entrepreneurs to money and traction. They've done it and they share with you their strategies and experience on what works. Expert line-up: Nancy Hayes of Golden Seeds, Alicia Castillo Holley of Women Get Funded, and Jory Des Jardins, co-founder of BlogHer. About Nancy Hayes: Nancy Hayes mentors women and men starting or growing small businesses, as well as those launching high growth technology-based firms. She is also an angel investor and member of Golden Seeds angel group. She is cofounder of MoolaHoop, a rewards-based crowdfunding site for women-led small businesses that launched in July 2013. Nancy left the IBM Corporation, where she was a senior executive to become CEO of a national nonprofit serving seriously ill children. She later was CEO of a nonprofit that served the elderly. She was then Dean of the College of Business at San Francisco State University, and later CFO and VP of the university. She has an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago. About Alicia Castillo Holley: Alicia Castillo Holley is an angel investor, speaker and academic. Castillo Holley's career started as a young scientist and professor on Agronomy before becoming involved in product development for a Bayer-Shell joint venture and eventually turning into an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and angel investor. Along the way, she has authored numerous articles and books and taught at many universities worldwide. As an entrepreneur, she has started nine companies -successfully exiting from five of them- and two non-for-profit. She played a pivotal role in the Development for the Entrepreneurial Curriculum and the Venture Capital Industry in Chile, where she lived between 1996 and 2002 and founded the country's first Seed Capital micro VC. An avid traveler, she has lived in 6 countries and visited more than 100. Her latest initiative "Women Get Funded" seeks to demystify funding for women, and empower them to be in control of their funding process. About Jory Des Jardins: Jory Des Jardins co-founded BlogHer, a venture-backed, category-defining women's digital lifestyle company that was sold to SheKnows Media in late 2014. She spent 10 years on the founding team, enabling strategy from pre-venture funding through post-acquisition phase. While with BlogHer, Jory evangelized best practices in social and influencer marketing to Fortune 500 Marketing Leads and digital/media agency leadership. She served for six years on the Board of Directors of the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB). She started her career in print editorial, as an editor for Penguin Books, The New York Times Syndicate, and Time Inc. Custom Publishing. Jory is a tireless crusader for women entrepreneurs and business leaders, sharing her personal growth story, contacts, and insights learned from 10 years of growth hacking, digital community building, strategy development and fundraising. She sits on the boards of several female-led or founded startups. Links: Learn more about Nancy Hayes Women Get Funded BlogHer Check out the complete episode page here Learn more about Powerful Conversations Online Find Powerful Conversations on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Medium

What is the power of using the Internet to lift 30,000 people out of poverty through the creation of jobs? That is what Leila Janah did with SamaSource and that is just the beginning. She is the Founder and CEO of Sama Group and Laxmi and an award-winning social entrepreneur. She created an international nonprofit that is now a consortium of three organizations, created jobs, crowdfunds medical procedures, and trains employees at job centers in the US and in Kenya. Join us as she shares her growth from nonprofit to for-profit, the challenges, and risks of entrepreneurship, and the lessons she has learned along the way. About Leila Janah: Leila Janah is the founder and CEO of Sama Group and an award-winning social entrepreneur. Prior to Sama Group, Leila was a visiting scholar with the Stanford Program on Global Justice and Australian National University's Center for Applied Philosophy and Public ethics. She was a founding director of Incentives for Global Health, an initiative to increase R&D spending on diseases of the poor, and a management consultant at Katzenbach Partners (now Booz & Co.). She has also worked at the World Bank and as a travel writer for Let's Go Mozambique, Brazil, and Borneo. Leila is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, a Director of CARE USA, a 2012 TechFellow, recipient of the inaugural Club de Madrid Young Leadership Award, and in 2014, was the youngest person to win a Heinz Award. She received a BA from Harvard and lives in San Francisco. Links: Find Out More About Leila Here Follow Leila on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Get Your Copy of Leila's Book Give Work SamaSource LXMI Check out the complete episode page here Learn more about Powerful Conversations Online Find Powerful Conversations on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Medium

What does it take to work your way to the top of an organization? Do you have an intention of being a CEO someday? Shellye Archambeau is the CEO of MetricStream, a governance, risk, and compliance company. She had a 15-year career at IBM where she worked her way up to run IBM's Asia Pacific business for the public sector, making her the first African American woman to be sent on assignment internationally by the company. In this episode, Shellye shares with us her experiences as we dive into the attributes of a great leader and identify the benefits of women leaders and the need for more diversity at the top. About Shellye Archambeau: Shellye Archambeau is a leader in both business and community. In her tenure as CEO of MetricStream, a Silicon Valley-based governance, risk, compliance and quality software company that enables corporations to comply with rules, regulations and mandates such as FDA regulations and Sarbanes-Oxley, the company's sales have grown 100 percent year after year. MetricStream has been recognized for growth and innovation over the years and was awarded the highly acclaimed international business award, the "Stevie," for innovative business model in 2007. In 2008 MetricStream was named a leader in Governance, Risk and Compliance by Forrester Research and Gartner. Shellye has been recognized as a leader by several organizations including being ranked a Top Women of Influence in Silicon Valley and recently named a Game Changer by The Registry Bay Area. Links: Find out more about Shellye here Follow Shellye on Twitterand follow her on Twitter Check out the complete episode page here Learn more about Powerful Conversations Online Find Powerful Conversations on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Medium

In this episode, I am thrilled to feature Joe Plumeri whose impressive career includes serving as vice chairman of the First Data Board of Directors and previously as chairman and CEO of Willis Group Holdings plc and as CEO of Citibank North America where he held a 32-year career. He drove the deal to rename the Sears Tower as Willis Tower, then the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. In 2015 Joe published his first book, a national best seller, The Power of Being Yourself: A Game Plan for Success – by Putting Passion into Your Life and Work. In his book, based on his life experiences, Joe offers simple yet profound guidance on how to stay positive, motivate yourself and others and achieve success in your life and work. All of the author's proceeds from the book will be donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. A widely admired leader, he has received several honors and accolades for his work. Links Check out the complete episode page here Learn more about Powerful Conversations Online Find Powerful Conversations on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Medium

Female founders are statistically less likely to receive investments from venture capitalists. While there is a growing diversity of investments, it's still going to take substantial time before industry changes take place. Scott Kupor, managing partner at Andreessen Horowitz and author of Secrets of Sand Hill Road, joins me to talk about venture capitalism and the changing face of the investment industry. Scott has been with Andreessen Horowitz since it began in 2009. He's now working with $10 billion investments to help start-ups get their feet off the ground. In this episode, Scott's sharing how he makes investment decisions, if there are any investments he regrets or missed out on, and how you can make your business more appealing to potential investors. First, Scott chats about why women-led businesses are less likely to receive investment support. But he is hopeful for the future. Companies like Andreessen Horowitz are making positive changes for diverse investments. Scott gives us the inside information on how businesses get to be in those top percentages of businesses that get funding from venture capitalists. He explains what advice you should get from VCs, investors, and business advisors before you do your first pitch. Many VCs are open to providing information and feedback before you pitch, it's all about how you ask. There are several big market hubs in the United States currently, some of the most well-known being Silicon Valley and Austin, Texas. But new markets are in the process of being built up. Scott explains why this is taking time. What makes these new markets work? And how does remote work fit into the picture? New business hubs are faced with challenges existing markets don't have, such as the availability of experienced people at senior levels of management. Have you been thinking of pitching for investors? Who can you approach today to ask for advice for your potential pitch? Do you have an idea for the next Airbnb? In This Episode: Why women-led businesses are less likely to receive investment support What does the future of investment look like for female founders How does a business get to be part of the percentage of businesses that get funding How is the future of venture capitalism changing to be more diverse What advice you should get before and after your first investment pitch Why it's taking time for new markets to build up that rival or equal Silicon Valley What you need to make new markets work What challenges do new markets face that established markets don't experience How important timing is when you have an innovative business idea Quotes: "80% of funding in the United States goes to male founders, 2% goes to female founders, and 18% goes to hybrid male/female teams." (4:17) "In many cases, to be successful as a founder, you do have to willfully suspend disbelief and have an outlook, in terms of optimism and your ability to approach the future, that is unconventional and different from how other people might think about what is likely to succeed." (16:47) "I think most companies tend to be remote a little bit more when they're at a stage that's more relevant when they get a little more mature, rather than when they're in a start-up phase." (45:30) Links Buy Secrets of Sand Hill Road: Venture Capital and How to Get It on Amazon Find Scott Kupor and Andreessen Horowitz Online Fina Scott on Twitter | LinkedIn Check out the complete episode page here Learn more about Powerful Conversations Online Find Powerful Conversations on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Medium

When the fashion and technology worlds combine, remarkable and advanced creations are made. But we need to encourage more women and minority groups to embrace technology. Anina Net, fashion model, blogger, and CEO of 360 Fashion Network is creating beautiful wearable technology while paving the way for diversity. Anina Net is an absolute inspiration. She approached major tech companies with her ideas to combine fashion and technology at an early age and has been guided, mentored, and educated along the way to making her dream happen. Anina Net knew what value her thoughts and ideas could bring to the fashion industry. She believes in the power of amplification and wholeheartedly thanks Marcelo Moyano for being an advocate for her in a male-dominated industry. In the same vein, women in positions of power should always bring other women with them to the top - that's the power of a mentor. With the advances in fashion technology, companies are learning more about who their customers actually are, and in a lot of cases, the results are surprising them. Anina Net shares some insights into this side of the fashion industry. Wearable technology is not solely about light-up clothes and self-heating jackets. Technology meeting fashion will also transform the home medical industry. Imagine a world where you're not having to hide in your house wearing monitors and wires, but one where that's all built into a cozy sweater you can head outside in. Anina Net is advocating for more diversity in fashion technology. By elevating women and minorities, discussion and opinions that differ from others in the room lead to more creativity. That's why we should be endeavoring in every aspect of our lives to create a more representation. In This Episode: Why you need to know your own value How having a male advocate to amplify your voice can impact your career How fashion technology is showing designers who their customers really are How wearable technology can have a positive impact on home medical care What fashion technology kits are bringing to the future of medical technology Why we need to expose more minorities to technology to create diverse ideas and views What happens when we have a more diverse panel How a mentor should help lift you up Quotes: "I think as women, we don't maybe all the time see how fabulous we are. I think women need to get some kahunas and be more bold!" (4:44) "I decided that we needed more women in technology. I thought we needed more women to create technology. And how could I get women even interested in technology? Because through their upbringing, they have been trained to be technophobic. So I thought fashion is the right platform to attract women. Because women in fashion are powerful." (31:09) "We have to cleanse our minds and be conscious of our unconscious bias, to specifically go where we may feel uncomfortable or out of place." (36:11) "I just really tried to put together a useful event, that when you go in you had one way of thinking, and when you come out, you have solutions that you can implement into your business that can bring you forward into a more sustainable and inclusive and diverse world that we're moving into." (53:00) Links Check out the full episode page here! Learn More About Diversity Meets Fashion Join the 360 Fashion Network Learn More About 360 Fashion Tech Kit Find Anina Net Online Fina Anina on Typepad | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Learn more about Powerful Conversations Online Find Powerful Conversations on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Medium

Who says the fashion industry has to stay the same as it always was? With remarkable advances in technology, the industry is entering a renaissance period, with many designers and models at the helm. We're speaking with Anina Net, Pablo Starr, and Dale Noelle to find out how they're revolutionizing the fashion industry with wearable technology. Anina Net was the first model blogger. She's the CEO of 360 Fashion, a company dedicated to fashion technology and wearable tech. Pablo Starr is a fashion editor who has recently released his first book: RNWY, A Fashion Week Space Adventure. Dale Noelle is a model manager and instructor at The Fashion Institute of Technology. While all three guests come from different parts of the fashion industry, their mission is in sync. Together, they speculate and share what they think the future of Artificial Intelligence looks like, especially for the fashion industry. Pablo goes one step further to explore a world where we live and work in harmony with Artificial Intelligence. Dale is looking at the benefits technology brings to the fashion industry, starting with creating clothes to fit all body types. In fact, diversity in fashion and technology is important, and not just for representation. Removing the barriers to fashion technology opens up so many possibilities for diverse opinions, expressions, and possibilities. Anina shares how hearing phrases like "that's impossible" have pushed her to make greater things. She's used her experience as a model to become an entrepreneur, as so many of the aspects overlap. For her, fashion technology is the present and future. Do you own any wearable technology? How do you feel about the future of fashion and artificial intelligence? What does diversity in fashion mean to you? In This Episode: What the future of Artificial Intelligence might look like Why you should be open to the concept of sharing the world with Artificial Intelligence How technology is helping the fashion industry create clothes that fit more body types Why more diversity in fashion and technology is important What can happen when you remove the barriers to fashion technology Why hearing "that's impossible" is actually a great motivation for making things happen How modeling can give you all the skills you need to become an entrepreneur How the modeling industry is helping defy gender stereotypes Quotes: "It's through our dreaming and through our storytelling that we actually understand the products and things of the future that we want to develop." (8:36) "If we continue to ignore the idea of things existing that our more powerful or faster than us and we don't give them some sort of security, then we're inviting all the problems that we see in science fiction novels." (13:07) "The world is finally moving forward in the right direction when it comes to "fit for all" and trying to help the world be a more environmentally friendly place." (19:11) "If we had more people from diverse backgrounds developing the tech, we would have even more services that would help them out." (22:58) Links Check out the full episode page here! Learn More About Diversity Meets Fashion Find Anina Net Online Fina Anina on Typepad | Facebook | Instagram Find Pablo Starr Online Find Pablo on Instagram Find Dale Noelle Online Find Dale on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Learn more about Powerful Conversations Online Find Powerful Conversations on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Medium

Join me for an interview with award-winning author Larry Robertson as we delve into the world of creativity and explore some of the themes he has covered in his second book released Fall 2016, "The Language of Man: Learning to Speak Creativity." About Larry Robertson Larry Robertson is the 8-time award-winning author of "A Deliberate Pause: Entrepreneurship and its Moment in Human Progress" and the founder of two ventures, one for-profit, and one non-profit. He is a highly respected thought leader in creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, advising individuals and organizations across a broad spectrum. He is also the author of the highly acclaimed book "The Language of Man: Learning to Speak Creativity," newly released by Daymark Press in the fall of 2016. Larry is a graduate of Stanford University and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and a former Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. In short, he's an innovation advisor. He recently appeared on MSNBC to discuss Making Creativity a Habit. Links Larry Robertson's website Follow Larry Robertson on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Podcast A Deliberate Pause Book The Language Of Man Book Check out the full episode page here Keep up to date with everything Powerful Conversations Follow Monica on LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

What does it take to make it as an entrepreneur? What do you need to know to create rapid, sustainable growth while also being a boss who everyone loves and respects? How do you create a vision and culture that is connected to your values while always trying to get ahead? Can you win through collaboration?Join me in an interview with leading entrepreneurs and venture capitalists - Bill Reichert, managing director of Garage Technology Ventures, and Tim Draper, founder of Draper Associates, DFJ, and Draper University. About Bill Reichert Bill Reichert has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and operating executive. He joined Garage Technology Ventures in 1998 and focused on early-stage IT and materials science companies. He has been a board director or board observer at CaseStack, WhiteHat Security, ClearFuels Technology, Simply Hired, ThermoCeramix, and several others. Prior to Garage, Bill was a co-founder or senior executive in several venture-backed tech startups, including Trademark Software, The Learning Company, and Academic Systems. Earlier in his career, he worked at McKinsey & Company, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., and the World Bank. Bill earned a B.A. at Harvard and an M.B.A. from Stanford. He was a founding board member and a Chairman of the Churchill Club, and a Board Member of the Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Small Fund Roundtable of the VC Taskforce and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. About Tim Draper: Tim Draper, legendary Silicon Valley venture capitalist founded Draper University in 2012 with a vision and belief that in order to change the world we have to change education.Draper University aims to teach entrepreneurship globally in an entirely new way. Through hands-on training, an innovative curriculum and thought leadership Tim Draper brings together young entrepreneurs, startup founders, executives and investors all under one roof.Tim Draper has deep roots in entrepreneurship and venture capital with a rich background that started by founding Draper Associates in 1985. Venture successes include Skype, Overture, Baidu, Tesla, Theranos, Parametric Technology, Hotmail, Digidesign, Twitch.tv, and hundreds of others.Tim is thrilled to be leading the charge to disrupt entrepreneurship education and is excited to have Draper University as the star of the show in the new ABC Family series: StartupU. Links: Garage Technology Ventures Draper University Check out the full episode page here Keep up to date with everything Powerful Conversations Follow Monica on LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Under the direction of Larry Baer, the San Francisco Giants developed and constructed AT&T Park - the first privately-financed Major League ballpark. Since opening in 2000, AT&T Park has been widely praised as one of the "best ballparks ever built." In 1968, former all-star pitcher Jim Bouton and Rob Nelson who were both then teammates with the Class A Portland Mavericks, came up with the idea to invent Big League Chew, the bubble gum synonymous with baseball. These are the entrepreneurs of baseball, those who show their love of the game so much that they are willing to take risks and go for it. Join us for an incredible conversation on Entrepreneurs of Baseball and the Love of the Game. About Larry Baer A fourth generation San Franciscan, Larry Baer has gained a national reputation as one of professional sports' leading visionaries. Baer joined the team in 1992 as the executive vice president after he and Peter Magowan led the effort to assemble a new ownership group and negotiate the sale that kept the Giants in San Francisco. A limited partner of the ownership group, Baer was named COO in May 1996, team president in October 2008 and CEO on January 1, 2012. In his first year as president and CEO, the Giants won their second World Series Championship in three years. In 2014, the Giants won their third World Series title in five years. Under his direction, the Giants developed and constructed AT&T Park - the first privately-financed Major League ballpark. Since opening in 2000, AT&T Park has been widely praised as one of the "best ballparks ever built. About Rob Nelson Rob Nelson is a game designer and former Portland Mavericks minor league pitcher who created Big League Chew bubblegum along with his business partner former pitcher Jim Bouton who sold the idea to a division of the Wrigley company in 1979. Links Big League Chew Check out the full episode page here Keep up to date with everything Powerful Conversations Follow Monica on LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook