Returns on Resilience

In this episode of Returns on Resilience, host Dr. Dawn Sizemore sits down with Atlanta entrepreneurs, Dr. Patricia Kelly Marsh (Founder and CEO of Ask Me Your MD) and Farah Allen (Founder and CEO of Arc Advisory), for a candid conversation about the connection between entrepreneurship, wealth building, and the legacies founders are creating right now.

How family members who displayed grit and resourcefulness in the face of hardship planted the seed of entrepreneurship

Why growing up watching people solve problems with limited resources is its own kind of business school

The moment each founder recognized that building something was not just possible for them, it was inevitable

How early experiences of resilience became a competitive advantage later in business

How being embedded in tight-knit communities (the Jamaican immigrant community in Miami, professional Black Atlanta neighborhoods) shaped both identity and professional vision

Why the people you grow up around calibrate what you believe is possible for yourself

The difference between communities that survive and communities that build generational infrastructure

How Atlanta’s specific history of Black business ownership creates a distinct culture of ambition and possibility

Atlanta’s long track record of Black-owned businesses building and sustaining wealth across generations

The ecosystem resources (accelerators, tech communities, networks) available to founders who are ready to scale

Why Atlanta is uniquely positioned to help women entrepreneurs move from survival mode to legacy-building mode

What it means to reach the “next level” and how the city’s infrastructure is designed to take founders there

Why wealth is not just a revenue number: it is the ability to meet the needs of future generations without starting from zero

The case for setting up a family office structure (trusts, tax incentives) long before most founders think they need one

How to think about legacy as a financial instrument, not just an emotional goal

Why protecting wealth requires different skills and relationships than building it

Build for alignment, not just access: seek community members who have been stress-tested and whose values hold under pressure

Let go of the ego attachment to a single income stream; diversified wealth (real estate, low-maintenance businesses, investments) compounds faster than founder salary

Why founders who stay curious and open to unconventional income sources consistently outperform those locked into one model

How authentic relationships, not transactional networking, become the real infrastructure of a lasting business

The Pivot Playbook

Legacy is built daily: The decisions you make today about structure, ownership, and community determine what survives you

Diversify before you think you have to: Build income streams outside your primary business while you still have energy and options

Protect the wealth: Revenue without structure disappears; get the legal and financial infrastructure in place early

Community is not optional: The founders who last are embedded in networks of people who tell them the truth

Your resilience has a return: Every time you get through difficulty, you gain the credibility and clarity that money cannot buy

Key Takeaways

Legacy is not luck: It is the compounded result of intentional decisions made consistently over time

Wealth building requires a shift in identity from founder to builder of something that outlasts you

Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem provides real infrastructure for founders serious about scale and longevity

Letting go of ego-driven income models opens the door to faster, more sustainable wealth creation

Resilience is not just a personal virtue; it is a fundable, returnable asset

About Our Guests

Dr. Patricia Kelly Marsh is the Founder and CEO of Ask Me Your MD, a platform connecting patients with trusted medical guidance. A physician turned entrepreneur, Dr. Kelly Marsh brings deep clinical expertise and a founder’s drive to closing the gap between patients and the information they need to make confident healthcare decisions.

Farah Allen is the Founder and CEO of Arc Advisory, a firm focused on strategic advisory services for founders and growing businesses. Rooted in Atlanta’s professional community and shaped by an upbringing that valued excellence and service, Farah brings a clear-eyed perspective on what it takes to build businesses that create lasting wealth and community impact.

Visit weiatlanta.com for more stories, resources, and ways to connect with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative community.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Invest Atlanta or the City of Atlanta. The program is committed to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, or background.

Produced by the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool

On Entrepreneurial Origins & MindsetOn the Power of Community & IdentityOn Atlanta as a Wealth-Building HubOn Defining & Protecting WealthOn Strategic Advice for Founders

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In this episode of Returns on Resilience, host Dr. Dawn Sizemore sits down with two Atlanta alumni founders, Jillian Anderson, founder and CEO of HerRide, and Jamine Moton, founder and CEO of Skylar Security, for a candid conversation about building tech companies from the ground up, navigating the real costs of innovation, and what it means to lead with both strategy and intuition.

On the Entrepreneurial Journey

How a ride-share driver identified a gap in safety and comfort for women travelers

Why founding a tech company and building its technology at the same time is a path to avoid

The roller coaster of entrepreneurship and why self-reflection is part of the ride

What "why" keeps founders moving when the journey gets hard

On the Technical Founder Experience

Balancing business operations with the demands of tech development

The case for finding a technical co-founder or learning to leverage AI tools to manage costs

Why trademarking and owning your source code matters more than most founders realize

The hidden costs of development, hosting, and maintenance, and how to fund them through revenue

On Community and Capital

Why advisory boards can be as valuable as venture capital, and less predatory

How the Gathering Spot and other Atlanta networks open doors to grants and resources

Setting clear boundaries around your ideas and knowing when to charge for your expertise

The caution required when navigating relationships that could compromise your vision

On Building a Stronger Atlanta Ecosystem

The frustration of being "over-coached" in exchange for small grants

What mature businesses actually need: capital access and a clear growth ladder

How Atlanta's entrepreneurial ecosystem can better serve founders who are past the early stages

Why staying in tune with your own intuition is a competitive advantage

Key Takeaways

Own your tech: Protect your source code and trademark your brand from the start

Build your board: Community and advisors can help you navigate what capital alone cannot

Self-care is strategy: Avoiding burnout keeps you in the game for the long haul

Know your limits: Be prepared to be disliked when strong leadership decisions have to be made

Trust your gut: The roller coaster is real, but your intuition is one of your greatest assets

About Our Guests

Jillian Anderson is the founder and CEO of HerRide, a female-friendly ride-share app based in Atlanta. Drawing on her own experience as a ride-share driver, Jillian built HerRide to prioritize safety and comfort for women travelers. She holds a computer science degree and is a vocal advocate for founders understanding the technical and legal foundations of their businesses.

Jamine Moton is the founder and CEO of Skylar Security, an Atlanta-based company that uses technology to deliver security guard services with a high level of transparency. Rooted in a background in protection and a passion for private-sector innovation, Jamine built Skylar Security on the belief that security is, at its core, an emotional experience.

Visit weiatlanta.com for more stories, resources, and ways to connect with the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative community.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Invest Atlanta or the City of Atlanta. The program is committed to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, or background.

Produced by the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool

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In this episode of Returns on Resilience, host Dr. Dawn Sizemore sits down with Candace Mitchell, co-founder and CEO of Myavana and WEI board member, to explore the art of the pivot. With 13 years in beauty tech, Candace unpacks how she transformed a Georgia Tech prototype into an AI-driven personalized hair care platform and what it really takes to know when to change direction.

On Finding the Problem Worth Solving

Why passion for the problem (not just the solution) is the real test of founder readiness

What it means to live with a problem 24/7 and why that drive matters when things get hard

How Candace's own hair care frustrations became the foundation for Myavana

On Market Timing & Demand

The difference between a great idea and a market that's ready for it

Why being too far ahead of your market can cost you years of unnecessary struggle

How authentic demand signals separate viable businesses from passion projects

On Scalability & the Business Model Canvas

The turning point when Candace realized her original model couldn't scale

Planning for your first 10,000 (or 100,000) customers from day one

Why founders need to stress-test their model before falling in love with it

On Data, Instinct & Faster Failing

How gut instinct and data work together (not against each other)

Using data to read market timing and user behavior

Why failing faster is a feature, not a flaw, when you're making informed decisions

On Investors as Partners

Shifting the mindset from "getting money" to finding the right partners

Founders don't need all the answers; investors can fill the gaps

What it looks like when investor relationships actually work

On the B2C to B2B Pivot

How Myavana went from consumer product to enterprise licensing

What it means to plug into the "machines" of partners like Shea Moisture and Ulta

Why this pivot was the unlock for scale

The Pivot Playbook: Advice for Founders

Pivot vs. iteration: Know the difference before you make a move

Talk to at least 10 customers before committing to a major change

Protect your IP before entering any partnership

Carve out dedicated ideation time so the business can evolve, not just execute

Key Takeaways

Love the problem, not just the solution: If you don't care about solving it around the clock, entrepreneurship will wear you down

Market timing is a variable, not a given: Even a strong idea can struggle if the market isn't ready

Scale starts on paper: The Business Model Canvas isn't just an exercise; it's a survival tool

Strategic pivots create momentum: Moving to B2B licensing let Myavana grow by leveraging what already existed

Guest: Candace Mitchell is the co-founder and CEO of Myavana, an AI-powered personalized hair care platform, and a board member of the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative. She started Myavana as a Georgia Tech student with a prototype and has spent 13 years building at the intersection of beauty and technology.

Returns on Resilience is the official podcast of the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, empowered by Invest Atlanta. For more resources and stories, visit weiatlanta.com.

Produced by the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool

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In this episode of Returns on Resilience, host Dr. Dawn Sizemore talks with WEI alumni Jenn Graham (Inclusivv) and Tamara Lucas (My PANDA) about the hidden costs of entrepreneurship (financial, emotional, and personal) and how they've reclaimed their businesses by rejecting conventional "growth at all costs" mentality in favor of sustainability and self-trust.

On Sacrifice & The Real Cost of Building

Time, finances, and emotional bandwidth as the entrepreneur's triple tax

Why not paying yourself early can backfire (COVID relief lesson)

The dangers of investor pressure to "spend money" and scale too fast

On Resilience & Reclaiming Your Company

Confronting worst-case scenarios to take back your power

Setting boundaries: no weekends, no after-6pm work

Moving from "harmful resilience" (battering through) to strategic shifts

On A Feminine Approach to Growth

Why "growth, growth, growth" can be detrimental

Equity crowdfunding as a community-aligned funding model

Getting money from customers vs. chasing VC validation

On Being Underestimated

The "lifestyle business" dismissal and being called "emotional"

Rebuilding investor trust through radical transparency

Forgiveness (of yourself and your investors) as a turning point

Key Takeaways

Pay yourself: It protects you and validates your role

Worst-case planning removes fear's power

Resilience isn't just endurance; it's knowing when to shift

Community-based funding can align with your values

Guests

Jenn Graham is the founder and CEO of Inclusivv (formerly Civic Dinners), a platform bringing meaningful conversations to corporations and organizations. After scaling to 26 employees and navigating down rounds, she reclaimed her company and reached profitability without additional funding.

Tamara Lucas is the founder and CEO of My PANDA (Personal Assistant Next Door App). A former sales executive and single mother, she bootstrapped her business through WEI and is now pursuing equity crowdfunding aligned with her community-first values.

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In this episode of Returns on Resilience, host Dr. Dawn Sizemore goes behind closed doors with three Atlanta investors to hear exactly what they see, think, and feel when founders pitch. Featuring Lisa Calhoun of Valor Ventures, Stephanie Diaz of Catalyst by WellStar, and Charles Robinson of 1888 Ventures, this candid conversation reveals insider truths about the funding process and what it really takes to win investor confidence.

GUEST BIOS

RESOURCES

Valor Ventures Deck Check AI: deckcheck.valor.vc/ (get same-day AI feedback on your deck)

Visit weiatlanta.com for more stories, resources, and ways to connect with the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative community

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Invest Atlanta or the City of Atlanta. The program is committed to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, or background.

Produced by the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool

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In this inaugural episode of Returns on Resilience, host Dr. Dawn Sizemore sits down with two Atlanta powerhouses, serial tech founder and ecosystem builder Jen Bonnett, and investor and Zane Venture Fund founder Shila Nieves Burney, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build and fund successful women-led businesses.

On Money & Confidence (08:30)

Why asking for money is a learnable skill

The importance of financial literacy for founders

How to handle rejection and build confidence through practice

Why women founders need to own their CEO title

On Resilience & Vulnerability (13:46)

The difference between a marathon and a series of sprints

Why celebrating wins matters for long-term success

The critical importance of communicating both good and bad news to investors

How self-care and pauses fuel better decision-making

On Atlanta's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (23:26)

Why Atlanta is positioned to become a top-five tech hub

The city's commitment to equitable growth

How to retain the incredible talent coming from Atlanta's universities

The power of community in raising successful entrepreneurs

On Why Invest in Women (30:29)

Women-led companies return 30-33% more capital to investors

The social impact component of women-founded ventures

How women founders create cyclical investment in other women

The importance of not backing off on investments in female founders

You are the CEO: Only you can lead your company at this stage, own that role!

Practice asking for money: It's a learnable skill that gets easier with repetition

Communicate the bad news too: Regular transparency builds trust with investors

It takes a city: Success requires an entire ecosystem of support organizations

Women don't walk away: Female founders honor their commitments and make things happen

Jen Bonnett is a serial tech founder turned entrepreneurship ecosystem builder with nine startups under her belt. After spending ten years in corporate tech and taking a company public, she founded Startup Chicks in 2008 to support women entrepreneurs in Atlanta. Today, she works to make the entrepreneurial journey easier for all founders in metro Atlanta.

Shila Nieves Burney is the founder and managing partner of Zane Venture Fund, which has invested in nine portfolio companies and graduated over 100 companies from its programming. After a personal tragedy involving her daughter in 2019, Shila pivoted to venture capital to solve the access-to-capital problem facing entrepreneurs, particularly women and underrepresented founders.

Invest Atlanta

Zane Venture Fund

Visit weiatlanta.com for more stories, resources, and ways to connect with the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative community.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Invest Atlanta or the City of Atlanta. The program is committed to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, or background.

Produced by the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool

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About the Show

Returns on Resilience is the official podcast of the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, empowered by Invest Atlanta. Hosted by Dr. Dawn Sizemore, this podcast goes deeper than funding rounds and elevator pitches to explore the real stories behind women entrepreneurs building businesses in Atlanta's thriving innovation economy.

What to Expect

Each episode features candid conversations with founders, investors, and ecosystem builders who are shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Atlanta. From navigating capital raises to building confidence, from celebrating wins to communicating setbacks—this is where the honest conversations about women's entrepreneurship happen.

Why Listen?

Whether you're a founder looking for community, an investor seeking opportunities, or simply curious about Atlanta's entrepreneurial ecosystem, Returns on Resilience offers insights, inspiration, and actionable advice from those who are living it every day.

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