Superpowers for Good: Empowering Changemakers for Social Impact via Regulated Investment Crowdfunding from the SuperCrowd.

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.

Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.

Devin: What is your superpower?

Paul: Ability to heal through the power of forgiveness.

Paul Lovejoy, a financial advisor and Principal Advisor of Stakeholder Enterprise, embarked on a bold mission: to make a regulation crowdfunding investment every single day for an entire year. His goal? To truly understand the experience of a crowdfunding investor and leverage that knowledge to help others build wealth ethically and effectively.

Paul explained, “I wanted to give investment plans for people without extractive corporations, without exploitations. For me to recommend investments, I really needed to know the industry at the most core level—that of a customer.” Immersing himself in the world of crowdfunding, he sought to experience firsthand the challenges and opportunities that investors face.

Through his journey, Paul uncovered a standout takeaway: the power of debt crowdfunding, or as he calls it, “crowdlending.” He shared, “Debt crowdfunding is like the greatest thing that has happened to investing probably ever. From a financial planning standpoint, it’s so helpful to have predictable monthly payments.” By crowdfunding amortized loans, investors can benefit from steady repayments of principal and interest, making it easier to plan financially.

Paul’s passion for crowdlending stems from its accessibility and reliability. “Crowdlending allows the general public to access private credit, an asset class that has been outperforming the stock market since 2008,” he said. For those seeking an alternative to traditional Wall Street investments, crowdlending offers a practical and impactful solution.

This year-long experiment also led Paul to create the Crowd Capital Blueprint, a program designed to help compassionate people invest with purpose. The step-by-step system empowers individuals to move their money from exploitative investments to ethical, regenerative ones, while simplifying the process of building wealth with intention.

Paul’s journey proves that investing isn’t just about growing money—it’s about aligning finances with values. By embracing the principles of regulation crowdfunding, he’s paving the way for a new era of financial activism, one investment at a time.

tl;dr:

Paul Lovejoy invested in regulation crowdfunding every day for a year to understand the experience.

He discovered debt crowdfunding, or “crowdlending,” as a powerful tool for financial planning.

Paul shared personal lessons from the 2008 financial crisis, including the importance of ethical investments.

He created the Crowd Capital Blueprint to help people build wealth ethically and sustainably.

Paul’s superpower, healing through forgiveness, inspires others to grow from pain and help others.

How to Develop Healing Through Forgiveness As a Superpower

Paul Lovejoy’s superpower is his ability to heal through the power of forgiveness. Reflecting on the shame and pain of being defrauded during the 2008 financial crisis, Paul explained, “The first step into healing is to simply acknowledge your suffering and to give yourself compassion for it.” He emphasized that forgiveness is not about excusing others but about freeing yourself from the burden of resentment. “Resentment is poison for the soul, and forgiveness is the antidote,” he said.

In one striking story, Paul described forgiving Doug Swenson, the man who defrauded him and his family of over a million dollars. Paul explained that forgiveness wasn’t about excusing Swenson’s actions or ignoring accountability. Instead, it was about releasing the pain he carried. “I only was defrauded once, but I had to suffer every time in my mind that I thought about that,” he said. By forgiving Swenson, Paul was able to reclaim his energy and channel it into creating solutions for others through his work.

Paul also offered actionable advice for developing forgiveness as a strength:

Acknowledge your suffering: Recognize your pain and give yourself compassion to reduce its intensity.

Forgive yourself: Treat yourself like a best friend who made a mistake, offering understanding instead of judgment.

Visualize others living their best life: Imagine those who wronged you thriving, which helps release resentment.

Focus on what you’ve learned: Use the energy freed by forgiveness to grow and create solutions for others.

By following Paul’s example and advice, you can make healing through forgiveness a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.

Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!

Guest Profile

Paul Lovejoy (he/him):

Principal Advisor, Stakeholder Enterprise

About Stakeholder Enterprise: Stakeholder Enterprise stands against a financial system rigged against everyday people, the false belief that wealth and ethics can’t coexist, and the predatory tactics that keep people powerless. We are seeking to create a financial landscape where wealth is a tool for justice, a world where anyone can invest without guilt or barriers, and a movement that shifts economic power away from corporations and into the hands of real people.

Website: stakeholderenterprise.com

Biographical Information: Paul is not your typical financial advisor.

He is a licensed financial advisor on a mission to democratize impact investing.

After losing everything in the 2008 crash, Paul went inside the belly of the beast - working at a wealth management firm catering to the 1%. What he discovered there shocked him.

Now, he's blowing the whistle on Wall Street's dirty secrets and empowering regular people to take control of their financial futures.

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/paul-lovejoy

Instagram Handle: @paul.lovejoy

Support Our Sponsors

Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, SuperCrowd25, and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.

Max-Impact Members

The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:

Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name Here

Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar

If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.

Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on May 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.

SuperCrowdHour, May 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, Champion of Social Good and CEO of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on "The Secret to Higher Investment Returns via Impact Crowdfunding." He’ll share powerful strategies and real-world examples that show how aligning your investments with your values can lead to strong financial and social returns. If you're an investor looking to maximize impact or curious about the growing world of impact crowdfunding, this is a session you won’t want to miss! Don’t miss it!

SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!

Community Event Calendar

Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.

Crowdfunding Addict: Lessons Learned from a Year of Daily Investments, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET.

Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.

Call for community action:

Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.

If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.

We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode.

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.

Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.

Devin: What is your superpower?

Gary: Tenacity, never giving up.

Education in the United States is in crisis. Sixty-eight percent of students are below grade level, a staggering statistic Gary Surdam, Founder and CEO of Bright Start Ed-Tech Inc., refuses to accept. In this episode of the Superpowers for Good show, Gary shared how his company is addressing this challenge with an innovative AI-powered solution designed to create personalized learning experiences for every student.

Gary explained that the idea for Bright Start Ed-Tech’s flagship program, Illuminate, began while teaching a STEAM course in Thailand. He recalled giving students a problem to solve: “You could see the wheels in their mind turning, but you didn’t see them finding the solution. Then, all of a sudden, this young man’s face illuminated. Within seconds, he gave a solution to the problem.” That moment of discovery became the foundation for Illuminate, a program designed to spark these “illuminating moments” in students worldwide.

Using AI, Bright Start Ed-Tech tailors lessons to individual learning styles, levels, and preferences. “AI really brings all of that together and individualizes the learning for our students,” Gary explained. The company’s approach is a bold departure from the traditional one-size-fits-all education model.

Bright Start’s strategy unfolds in two phases. The first phase focuses on empowering parents as educators. “Parents are the first and most important teachers in the lives of their children,” Gary emphasized. The program equips parents to address the learning gaps many students experienced during the pandemic.

The second phase targets school systems, delivering personalized learning apps to transform classrooms. “We’re the answer to the problems that are happening in education,” Gary said. By using AI to provide targeted engagement, the program aims to re-engage students and help them succeed.

Bright Start Ed-Tech is currently raising funds through a regulated crowdfunding campaign on Funding Hope to scale its transformative technology. “We’re looking at raising our funds to take us a step further,” Gary said, inviting support from investors who share his vision of a brighter future for education.

Bright Start Ed-Tech isn’t just a company—it’s a catalyst for change in an education system that desperately needs innovation. Gary’s vision and determination are paving the way for a brighter future for students everywhere.

tl;dr:

Bright Start Ed-Tech uses AI to create personalized learning solutions tailored to each student’s needs.

The company’s two-phase approach empowers parents and transforms schools with targeted educational tools.

Gary Surdam’s vision began with a moment of inspiration while teaching a STEAM course in Thailand.

His superpower, tenacity, has driven him to overcome challenges and refine his innovative technology.

Bright Start Ed-Tech is raising funds via crowdfunding to scale its transformative personalized learning platform.

How to Develop Tenacity As a Superpower

Gary Surdam’s superpower is tenacity—a relentless determination to overcome challenges and drive forward. As Gary explained, “Tenacity, never giving up. I had this vision…never be ashamed to dream big dreams, because what you dream, you will become.” He emphasized the importance of perseverance, even when progress feels slow, and shared how his unwavering commitment to his vision for Bright Start Ed-Tech has kept him moving forward despite obstacles.

Illustrative Story:Gary shared a story illustrating his tenacity. In 2015, he had the idea for Bright Start Ed-Tech and launched a crowdfunding campaign. Despite raising just $95, he refused to abandon his vision. “Back in 2015, technology wasn’t at the level we are now,” he said. Years of hard work and refinement led to the development of Illuminate, leveraging advancements in AI to create personalized learning experiences. His persistence through setbacks exemplifies his commitment to making a difference in education.

Tips for Developing Tenacity:

Start each day by setting clear goals and focusing on your vision.

Reflect nightly on your progress, identifying positives and areas for improvement.

Embrace setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures.

Stay aware of potential challenges, keeping “your eyes open” to avoid pitfalls.

Break large goals into small, measurable steps to maintain momentum.

By following Gary’s example and advice, you can make tenacity a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.

Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!

Guest Profile

Gary Surdam (he/him):

Founder, President, Professor, Bright Start Ed-Tech Inc.

About Bright Start Ed-Tech Inc.: Bright Start Ed-Tech Inc. is an innovative education technology company dedicated to transforming learning through AI-driven personalized instruction. Founded by Professor Gary Surdam, Bright Start aims to ensure every student receives the individualized education they deserve.

Website: illoominate.net

Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/WorldTreeEco

Biographical Information: Professor Gary Surdam is a visionary educator, entrepreneur, and international consultant dedicated to transforming global education through technology and innovation. As the founder of Bright Start Ed-Tech Inc., he is leading a groundbreaking movement to personalize learning through AI-powered instruction. With a strong belief that every child deserves individualized attention, Surdam’s work addresses the limitations of one-size-fits-all education systems by creating adaptive, student-centered learning platforms. His efforts have culminated in a dynamic crowdfunding campaign with Funding Hope, aiming to bring customized education to students around the world. A Harvard Business School Online alumnus with a background in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Surdam also serves as a Visiting Professor in Japan, where he continues to influence educational practices across cultures.

Professor Surdam’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. His leadership at Bright Start International Education and widely respected teacher training programs have empowered educators and school leaders globally. Through practical, customized training strategies, he equips teachers with the tools to create engaging, high-impact learning environments. He is also the author of A Candle of Hope, a guide for parents navigating modern challenges in raising resilient, future-ready children. Surdam’s human-centered approach to education and business—first spotlighted on KTLA’s “Making It”—underscores his lifelong mission: to unlock the potential in every learner and reshape education into a force for equity, empowerment, and opportunity.

Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/gary.surdam

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/garysurdam

Support Our Sponsors

Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, AMIBA, and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.

Max-Impact Members

The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:

Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name Here

Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar

If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.

Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on May 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.

SuperCrowdHour, May 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, Champion of Social Good and CEO of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on "The Secret to Higher Investment Returns via Impact Crowdfunding." He’ll share powerful strategies and real-world examples that show how aligning your investments with your values can lead to strong financial and social returns. If you're an investor looking to maximize impact or curious about the growing world of impact crowdfunding, this is a session you won’t want to miss! Don’t miss it!

SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!

Community Event Calendar

Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.

Crowdfunding Addict: Lessons Learned from a Year of Daily Investments, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET.

Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.

Call for community action:

Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.

If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.

We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode.

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.

Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.

Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!

Devin: What is your superpower?

John: I'm a playing field leveler.

Veteran entrepreneurs face unique challenges when raising capital for their businesses. John Panaccione, CEO and Co-Founder of Folla Capital, is on a mission to change that. In today’s episode, John explained how his experience as a veteran has shaped his passion for helping others in the veteran and minority business communities succeed.

“I’ve had to live through running a business, owning a business, and raising capital,” John said. “I felt firsthand some of the challenges that we have there, but now, doing what I do, I just love helping fellow veterans and women- or minority-owned businesses deal with some of the unique challenges that we need to face.”

Folla Capital, where John serves as CEO, is a registered broker-dealer that supports clients in conducting regulation crowdfunding offerings. Their goal is to make financing more accessible for underserved communities. By leveraging tools like Reg CF and Reg D exemptions, John and his team help entrepreneurs overcome the systemic barriers that have historically excluded them from funding opportunities.

John shared several success stories from his work, including one about helping a veteran-owned software company called Oplign. The business, which helps veterans translate their military experience into civilian qualifications, raised nearly $700,000 through a Reg CF campaign. John reflected on the pride he feels when clients succeed. “There’s nothing better than when somebody calls me and says, ‘Hey, two years ago you helped me, and now we’re killing it.’ That’s the biggest reward I experience.”

John’s work is more than just helping companies raise money—it’s about building communities. Highlighting the importance of both geographic and demographic connections, he explained how Folla Capital fosters networks that empower entrepreneurs. “Crowdfunding is wonderful,” he said, “but at the end of the day, a lot of the money ends up coming from people that have some connection with the management team.”

Through Folla Capital, John is leveling the playing field for veterans and other underrepresented entrepreneurs. His work proves that with the right tools and support, these communities can thrive, creating not just businesses but stronger, more inclusive communities.

If you’re inspired by John’s mission, stay tuned for more insights later in the episode about his superpower and how he uses it to empower others.

tl;dr:

John Panaccione discussed the challenges veterans and minority entrepreneurs face when raising capital.

Folla Capital helps entrepreneurs succeed using tools like Reg CF and Reg D exemptions.

Success stories highlight the importance of building both geographic and demographic communities.

John’s superpower is leveling the playing field by teaching the rules entrepreneurs need to know.

Entrepreneurs can achieve success by exceeding standards, building networks, and fostering resilience.

How to Develop Leveling the Playing Field As a Superpower

John’s superpower is “leveling the playing field.” He explained, “I’ve learned that most people that have goals are leaders. If they know the rules, they can compete.” John prides himself on being a teacher who ensures that entrepreneurs understand the standards and rules of raising capital, empowering them to create their own success. He emphasized, “We don’t want to be the smart people with all the answers. We like to pride ourselves on being teachers.”

Illustrative Story:One of John’s proudest success stories involves helping a group of veterans open an indoor skydiving iFly facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. Despite skepticism and challenges, the team raised $1 million via a Reg CF campaign to unlock a $12 million financing package. This funding transformed an empty lot into a thriving business, showcasing how understanding the rules and applying them effectively can bring ambitious projects to life.

Tips for Developing This Superpower:

Learn the Rules: Familiarize yourself with the standards and regulations in your field.

Aim Higher Than the Standard: Strive to exceed the minimum requirements for quality and preparation.

Teach Others: Share your knowledge to empower others, rather than positioning yourself as the “expert.”

Build Community: Leverage both geographic and demographic networks to support your goals.

Practice Resilience: Don’t be discouraged by skepticism—focus on proving doubters wrong through action.

By following John’s example and advice, you can make leveling the playing field a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.

Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!

Guest Profile

John Panaccione ("Pana-chone" (he/him):

CEO & Co-Founder, Folla Capital

About Folla Capital: Folla Capital is an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Folla Capital helps small businesses raise capital and provides general investment banking advisory services for startups, active businesses, and those involved in mergers and acquisitions. Our founders are entrepreneurs ourselves.  We’ve gone down the path of having to raise money the traditional way. We know what it’s like to have to make weekly payroll and the rent and constantly deal with the challenge of managing cash flow. Our core team started in North Carolina in 2018, facilitating the State’s Intrastate investment crowdfunding program called the NC PACES Act. Based on this experience, we began the process of expanding nationally to help any company, in any state, raise capital using any of the SEC exemptions including Reg D, Reg CF, and Reg A.

Website: follacapital.com

Biographical Information: John Panaccione, co-founder of Folla Capital, holds an array of SEC licenses, including Series 7, 24, 79, and 63. Folla Capital is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and helps entrepreneurs and small business owners raise capital. Prior to his Folla Capital venture in 2020, he co-founded and led the LogicBay Corporation, a software company, from 2003 to its 2020 acquisition by Pluribus Technologies, gaining extensive experience in small business finance and mergers and acquisitions.

In 2013, he co-founded VETtoCEO, a non-profit aiding transitioning military personnel in considering entrepreneurship. Before his entrepreneurial career, John held leadership roles in operations and sales across various corporate sizes. He served six years as a U.S. Army officer, primarily in the 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper units.

John holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.B.A. from Bryant University, focusing on Technology and Operations Management.

Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/FollaCapital

Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/69705255

Guest Profile

John Panaccione ("Pana-chone" (he/him):

CEO & Co-Founder, Folla Capital

About Folla Capital: Folla Capital is an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Folla Capital helps small businesses raise capital and provides general investment banking advisory services for startups, active businesses, and those involved in mergers and acquisitions. Our founders are entrepreneurs ourselves.  We’ve gone down the path of having to raise money the traditional way. We know what it’s like to have to make weekly payroll and the rent and constantly deal with the challenge of managing cash flow. Our core team started in North Carolina in 2018, facilitating the State’s Intrastate investment crowdfunding program called the NC PACES Act. Based on this experience, we began the process of expanding nationally to help any company, in any state, raise capital using any of the SEC exemptions including Reg D, Reg CF, and Reg A.

Website: follacapital.com

Biographical Information: John Panaccione, co-founder of Folla Capital, holds an array of SEC licenses, including Series 7, 24, 79, and 63. Folla Capital is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and helps entrepreneurs and small business owners raise capital. Prior to his Folla Capital venture in 2020, he co-founded and led the LogicBay Corporation, a software company, from 2003 to its 2020 acquisition by Pluribus Technologies, gaining extensive experience in small business finance and mergers and acquisitions.

In 2013, he co-founded VETtoCEO, a non-profit aiding transitioning military personnel in considering entrepreneurship. Before his entrepreneurial career, John held leadership roles in operations and sales across various corporate sizes. He served six years as a U.S. Army officer, primarily in the 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper units.

John holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.B.A. from Bryant University, focusing on Technology and Operations Management.

Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/FollaCapital

Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/69705255

Support Our Sponsors

Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, AMIBA, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.

Max-Impact Members

The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:

Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name Here

Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar

If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.

SuperCrowdLA: we’re going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can’t-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! 

Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on May 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.

SuperCrowdHour, May 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, Champion of Social Good and CEO of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on "The Secret to Higher Investment Returns via Impact Crowdfunding." He’ll share powerful strategies and real-world examples that show how aligning your investments with your values can lead to strong financial and social returns. If you're an investor looking to maximize impact or curious about the growing world of impact crowdfunding, this is a session you won’t want to miss! Don’t miss it!

SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!

Community Event Calendar

Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.

Crowdfunding Addict: Lessons Learned from a Year of Daily Investments, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET.

Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.

Call for community action:

Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.

Guest Profile

John Panaccione ("Pana-chone" (he/him):

CEO & Co-Founder, Folla Capital

About Folla Capital: Folla Capital is an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Folla Capital helps small businesses raise capital and provides general investment banking advisory services for startups, active businesses, and those involved in mergers and acquisitions. Our founders are entrepreneurs ourselves.  We’ve gone down the path of having to raise money the traditional way. We know what it’s like to have to make weekly payroll and the rent and constantly deal with the challenge of managing cash flow. Our core team started in North Carolina in 2018, facilitating the State’s Intrastate investment crowdfunding program called the NC PACES Act. Based on this experience, we began the process of expanding nationally to help any company, in any state, raise capital using any of the SEC exemptions including Reg D, Reg CF, and Reg A.

Website: follacapital.com

Biographical Information: John Panaccione, co-founder of Folla Capital, holds an array of SEC licenses, including Series 7, 24, 79, and 63. Folla Capital is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and helps entrepreneurs and small business owners raise capital. Prior to his Folla Capital venture in 2020, he co-founded and led the LogicBay Corporation, a software company, from 2003 to its 2020 acquisition by Pluribus Technologies, gaining extensive experience in small business finance and mergers and acquisitions.

In 2013, he co-founded VETtoCEO, a non-profit aiding transitioning military personnel in considering entrepreneurship. Before his entrepreneurial career, John held leadership roles in operations and sales across various corporate sizes. He served six years as a U.S. Army officer, primarily in the 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper units.

John holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.B.A. from Bryant University, focusing on Technology and Operations Management.

Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/FollaCapital

Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/69705255

Support Our Sponsors

Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, AMIBA, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.

Max-Impact Members

The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:

Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name Here

Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar

If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.

SuperCrowdLA: we’re going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can’t-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! 

Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on May 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.

SuperCrowdHour, May 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, Champion of Social Good and CEO of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on "The Secret to Higher Investment Returns via Impact Crowdfunding." He’ll share powerful strategies and real-world examples that show how aligning your investments with your values can lead to strong financial and social returns. If you're an investor looking to maximize impact or curious about the growing world of impact crowdfunding, this is a session you won’t want to miss! Don’t miss it!

SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!

Community Event Calendar

Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.

Crowdfunding Addict: Lessons Learned from a Year of Daily Investments, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET.

Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.

Call for community action:

Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.

We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode.

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.

Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.

Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!

Devin: What is your superpower?

Doug: Love

Climate change solutions can sometimes feel either too small to matter or too big to engage with individually. That’s why World Tree’s innovative approach to carbon capture through a remarkable natural technology, the Empress Splendor tree, stands out.

Doug Willmore, CEO of World Tree, explained on today's episode how their model leverages the fastest growing hardwood tree in the world to address climate change while creating real economic opportunities. "World Tree represents the most complex, technologically advanced carbon capture system on the planet, and it's called a tree," Doug said. "It's the fastest growing hardwood tree in the world... and will have a 60-foot tall tree within eight to ten years."

What sets World Tree apart is not only the speed and effectiveness of its tree-based carbon capture, but also the company’s commitment to sustainable, long-term impact. When harvested, the Empress Splendor trees regrow from the stump, offering five harvests from a single planting. The lumber is used to create high-value products like musical instruments and furniture, locking away carbon for generations.

In addition to their environmental impact, World Tree is making waves in the investment world. The company is currently raising capital through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign, allowing individual investors to participate directly in their annual "vintages" of tree plantings. Doug noted, "Little old World Tree has partnered with now 370 small farmers and 1,500 small investors over these nine years. The value of the assets that we have planted: more than $300 million."

The EcoTree program offers a triple-bottom-line impact: profits for farmers, returns for investors, and massive climate benefits for the planet. "We call it putting your money where your heart is," Doug shared.

Investors can participate in World Tree’s EcoTree program by visiting ecotreeprogram.com. It offers a powerful opportunity to align investments with values while potentially earning attractive returns.

Today’s episode showcases how climate solutions can be tangible, accessible, and profitable, thanks to innovative models like World Tree.

tl;dr:

World Tree uses the Empress Splendor tree to capture carbon and create valuable long-lasting products.

CEO Doug Willmore shares how World Tree partners with small farmers and investors for mutual benefit.

World Tree is raising capital through regulated crowdfunding, offering individuals a way to invest in climate solutions.

Doug identifies his superpower as "love," applying trust, passion and positivity in leadership and business.

Doug encourages embracing love, possibility and trust to build more impactful and fulfilling professional relationships.

How to Develop Love As a Superpower

Doug Willmore defines his superpower as "love." He explained in today's episode that love is "the most underused word in business" and emphasized its importance not just in ideas but in people, partnerships and daily work. Doug shared, "Love shows up when you dwell on possibility... it's love of people, love of the things you get to wake up and do every day." He noted that truly loving your goals and the work you do ensures the resilience needed to weather difficult times.

Doug illustrated this superpower with the story of how he joined World Tree. After a successful career in healthcare and public service, Doug was drawn back into the private sector by his passion for fighting climate change. When he met Wendy Burton, World Tree's founder, they "fell in love" — not romantically, but with each other's vision and mission. Doug emphasized that their shared love for the idea of scaling a nature-based climate solution became the foundation for building a thriving organization that now manages over $300 million worth of trees.

Doug offered actionable tips for developing love as a strength:

Look for reasons to say "yes" rather than "no" in business decisions.

Dwell on possibility instead of focusing immediately on barriers.

Choose to trust people and give them opportunities to succeed.

Stay connected to the passion behind your goals to maintain motivation.

Avoid letting money-driven decisions crowd out purpose and heart.

By following Doug's example and advice, you can make love a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.

Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!

Guest Profile

Doug Willmore (he/him):

CEO, World Tree

About World Tree: World Tree is focused on nature-based solutions to some of our biggest global challenges. We develop carbon forestry projects for the purpose of native forest protection, renewable timber production and carbon sequestration.

World Tree funnels private capital into the regeneration of undervalued farmland through Empress-based forestry.

Our goals are to:

- Build the value and improve productivity of under-utilized farmland

- Create robust returns for investors and landowners

- Introduce a new, sustainable hardwood lumber to the U.S. market.

- Protect and rebuild eco-systems through regenerative farming practices

- Generate nature-based carbon offsets to tackle the climate crisis

World Tree employs regenerative farming practices that restore ecosystem function, soils, and biodiversity. These practices serve as the foundation for our ultimate goal to restore and reforest millions of acres of land into productive agroforestry landscapes.

Website: worldtree.eco

Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/WorldTreeEco

Other URL: ecotreeprogram.com

Biographical Information: Doug Willmore is the Chief Executive Officer of World Tree – an international agroforestry company providing large scale solutions to climate change.

Doug has had an accomplished career in both the public and private sectors. Previously, Doug was chosen to lead the turnaround at the City of Bell, CA after the disastrous administrative scandal that left the City on the verge of bankruptcy. After almost three years at the helm, the City of Bell had fully recovered financially.

Prior to that, Doug was the Chief Administrative Officer of Salt Lake County, UT for 6 ½ years. He managed more than 4000 employees and an annual budget of more than $800M. He also led the County during the financial downturn of 2008, and producing one of the most amazing public finance success stories of the great recession in the US according to Standard and Poor’s.

Doug is also the former Chief Executive Officer of Reference Pathology Services – a leading research pathology laboratory. Doug led the growth of the company before its sale to Ameripath, Inc.

He also worked for USAID in Central America for three years earlier in his career, and has also been a sought-after consultant in breakthrough performance to Fortune 100 companies. He has a BS in Public Administration from George Mason University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Utah.

Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/WorldTreeEco

Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/world-tree-technologies-inc

Instagram Handle: @worldtree.eco

Support Our Sponsors

Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, Make Money with Impact Crowdfunding, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.

Max-Impact Members

The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:

Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name Here

Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar

If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.

SuperCrowdLA: we’re going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can’t-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! 

Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on May 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.

SuperCrowdHour, May 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, Champion of Social Good and CEO of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on "The Secret to Higher Investment Returns via Impact Crowdfunding." He’ll share powerful strategies and real-world examples that show how aligning your investments with your values can lead to strong financial and social returns. If you're an investor looking to maximize impact or curious about the growing world of impact crowdfunding, this is a session you won’t want to miss! Don’t miss it!

SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!

Community Event Calendar

Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.

Crowdfunding Addict: Lessons Learned from a Year of Daily Investments, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET.

Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.

Call for community action:

Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.

If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.

We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode.

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.

Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.

Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!

Devin: What is your superpower?

Jay: Understanding the superpower in others.

What if storytelling could help children with sensory sensitivities sleep through the night for the first time? That remarkable outcome is exactly what one family reported after experiencing the immersive environment created by Burble Creativity.

Jay Goth, CEO of Burble Creativity, has joined forces with inventor Taylor Cole to bring to life a new form of storytelling called "minimally defined immersive storytelling." In this approach, children step into a multisensory tent where lights, sounds, and sparse narrative cues combine to unleash their imagination. "When you're done, each one of them will have their own specific version of that story, which is really cool and very, very new and unique," Jay explained.

The tent's multisensory environment has proven especially beneficial for neurodivergent children, particularly those on the autism spectrum. Jay shared a powerful example: "Her child had never slept through the night. And after her story time's telling session, the kid actually slept through the night for the first time in his life. That was remarkable."

Motivated by the product's potential to do good, Jay brought his deep entrepreneurial and angel investing experience to Burble. He saw not only an opportunity to make a positive social impact, but also to build a sustainable business around it. Jay and the Burble team made a conscious decision to raise capital through regulation crowdfunding rather than traditional venture capital.

"I wanted to go directly to the community through a crowdfunding program," Jay said. "So that the members of the community could actively be involved in the development of the company as partial owners."

Burble Creativity is currently raising funds through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign, allowing anyone to invest and become part of the mission to bring this therapeutic storytelling experience to more families. Interested supporters can visit s4g.biz/Burble to learn more about the campaign.

Jay's vision for Burble is about more than business. It's about creating tools that foster peace, imagination, and healing for children who experience the world differently. For me, hosting this episode was not just a pleasure—it was a glimpse into a brighter, more inclusive future.

tl;dr:

Jay Goth explains Burble's innovative storytelling tent, helping neurodivergent children engage imagination and find calm.

He shares the tent's success with autistic children, including one who slept through the night for the first time.

Jay discusses his path from angel investing to becoming CEO of Burble to promote conscious capitalism.

He reveals his superpower: recognizing and nurturing others' superpowers through deep listening and mentorship.

Jay encourages community investment via crowdfunding to support Burble's mission and social impact.

How to Develop Empowering Others As a Superpower

Jay Goth’s superpower is his ability to see the potential in others and help them realize it. Reflecting on his career, Jay said, “My superpower is really understanding the superpower in others.” He explained that his passion lies in identifying what drives people and finding ways to support them in achieving their goals.

One touching story Jay shared exemplifies how he uses this superpower. While working in investor relations, he mentored a colleague, Chris Rosgen, helping him develop a strong reputation in the industry as a “real bulldog.” Chris thrived under Jay’s mentorship, growing into a respected leader. Jay’s guidance left a lasting impact, and the experience remains a cherished memory.

Jay also highlighted the importance of listening to others as a key to identifying their strengths. “We have two ears and one mouth for a reason,” he said, emphasizing the need to understand people’s passions and help them channel those into their success.

Tips for Developing This Superpower:

Listen Actively: Focus on understanding someone’s passions and goals instead of planning your next response.

Identify Strengths: Pay attention to what excites and motivates people to uncover their unique talents.

Mentor with Purpose: Provide guidance and support to help others grow into their potential.

Encourage Self-Belief: Help people see their own strengths and develop confidence in their abilities.

By following Jay’s example and advice, you can make identifying and nurturing potential a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.

Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!

Guest Profile

Jay Goth (he/him):

CEO, Burble Creativity, Inc.

About Burble Creativity, Inc.: Burble Creativity has developed a storytelling technology that merges lights, sound, and story in a unique way, empowering readers to actively imagine and personalize the details of the narrative. Burble is a transformative experience that sparks imagination, encourages creativity, and supports cognitive and emotional development.

Website: burblecreativity.com

Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/burblecreativityinc

Other URL: invest.burblecreativity.com

Biographical Information: Jay Goth is a seasoned C-level executive with experience in technology, energy, finance, and healthcare. He currently holds the position of CEO of Burble Creativity, where he is preparing  the company to introduce its Story Tent. Jay also has a background in investment banking, investing, and mentoring startup companies.

X/Twitter Handle: @jaygoth

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/burble-creativity

Instagram Handle: @burblecreativity

Support Our Sponsors

Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, AMIBA, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.

Max-Impact Members

The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:

Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name Here

Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar

If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.

SuperCrowdLA: we’re going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can’t-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! 

Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on May 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.

SuperCrowdHour, May 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, Champion of Social Good and CEO of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on "The Secret to Higher Investment Returns via Impact Crowdfunding." He’ll share powerful strategies and real-world examples that show how aligning your investments with your values can lead to strong financial and social returns. If you're an investor looking to maximize impact or curious about the growing world of impact crowdfunding, this is a session you won’t want to miss! Don’t miss it!

SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!

Community Event Calendar

Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.

Igniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.

Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.

Call for community action:

Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.

If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.

We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode.

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.

Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.

Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!

Devin: What is your superpower?

Sherwood: I am constantly saying yes, instead of saying, I'm sorry, no, I can't.

The future of investment crowdfunding is being defined by those who not only pioneered the space but continue to shape it with a relentless commitment to data and transparency. The most exciting development for investors and entrepreneurs alike is how actionable insights, not just anecdotes or hype, are driving smarter decisions and better results.

In this episode, Sherwood Neiss, Principal at Crowdfund Capital Advisors and one of the original architects behind the legislation that made regulated investment crowdfunding possible, shares his unique perspective. Sherwood’s new book, Investomers, distills fourteen years of experience, offering a comprehensive look into what makes this industry tick and how anyone—investor, entrepreneur, or policymaker—can benefit.

What sets Sherwood apart is a dedication to grounding everything in robust data. Early on, he recognized that the industry needed more than vision; it needed transparency and metrics. “From the minute this industry launched, we’ve been collecting information, not just on the companies and where they are and their financials and all that stuff, but every day, how much money has been committed to an offering and how many investors. With those data points, we can track what we call investor sentiment,” Sherwood explained.

This relentless focus on measurement is not just academic. It empowers investors to make informed decisions and helps founders understand what drives successful campaigns. “The book is a lot of data-driven insights from the work that we’ve done with investment crowdfunding about the economic rationale for this,” Sherwood shared. He’s created tools and reports that highlight where the signals for success are strongest, always encouraging readers and clients to dig into the numbers for themselves.

Crucially, Sherwood’s work is not just about numbers, but about democratizing access to capital and opportunity. “Many of the reasons for failure is lack of capital, which I’m hoping we’re solving for with investment crowdfunding,” he noted, underscoring the human impact behind the data.

For those eager to learn more or to leverage these insights in their own investing, Sherwood’s company is not currently raising capital from the crowd but is focused on providing invaluable data and advisory services through Crowdfund Capital Advisors and their C-Clear platform. Investomers is available now, offering a blueprint for anyone who wants to invest smarter or build something meaningful in this rapidly evolving space.

Sherwood’s passion and open-handed approach to sharing what works—and what doesn’t—make this episode a resource for anyone looking to turn data into a tool for empowerment and positive change.

tl;dr:

Sherwood Woodie Neiss shares how data-driven insights are transforming investment crowdfunding for investors and entrepreneurs.

He reveals the story behind launching Crowdfund Capital Advisors and building a comprehensive industry database.

Sherwood explains how his new book, Investomers, distills years of experience and research into actionable guidance.

He describes his superpower: breaking big goals into small steps and using accountability to achieve them.

The episode highlights practical strategies for making progress on major projects by leveraging data and discipline.

How to Develop Relentless Follow-Through As a Superpower

Woodie’s superpower is his ability to say yes to opportunities and follow through by breaking daunting challenges into manageable steps. As Woodie described, “I am one of these people that I’m a yes man. So I am constantly saying yes, instead of saying, I’m sorry, no, I can’t...you need to take anything that you’re doing and break it down into 100 steps. And then do one of those a day...the principle of that, the theory behind it is break everything down into small chunks, so that you can accomplish something in a day, in a week or whatever, but it keeps the ball moving forward.”

Woodie illustrated this superpower vividly by recounting how he managed to write a 400-page book, Investomers, while juggling his many professional responsibilities. He set a big goal at the start of the year, broke it down into about a hundred discrete steps, and methodically worked through them, bit by bit, over the course of the year. He even enlisted a friend as an accountability partner, meeting weekly to track progress, ensure he stayed on task, and remove nonessential items from his plate. This system helped him complete the book in just over a year while keeping all his other commitments moving forward.

To cultivate relentless follow-through, Woodie suggests:

Break large goals into small, actionable steps

Set regular milestones and track your progress

Find an accountability partner who will meet with you weekly

Be willing to reprioritize and move less important tasks off your plate

Commit to a schedule and honor it—treat your accountability meetings as non-negotiable

By following Woodie’s example and advice, you can make relentless follow-through a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.

Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!

Guest Profile

Woodie Neiss (he/him):

Principal, Crowdfund Capital Advisors, LLC

About Crowdfund Capital Advisors, LLC:  CCA is a data-driven investment crowdfunding consulting and advisory services firm. Its principals wrote the framework for Regulation Crowdfunding, lobbied for its passage, and attended the JOBS Act bill signing ceremony at the White House. CCA built the industry's first aggregator that collects daily information on all online investment offerings from almost 100 platforms in the USA. The database captures over $1.5B daily transaction volume into 5,500 issuers in every state. Venture funds, financial services firms, regulators, and more use the data for insights into the online investment marketplace, be it job creation, valuations by industry, deal flow, or overall industry trends. CCA clients include the World Bank, Securities Regulators globally, the US State Department, and major Family Foundations. CCA launched the industry's first index that tracks the top 50 daily offerings and also recently launched CrowdBook, a data research and visualization tool for consumers of CCA's data feeds.

Website: crowdfundcapitaladvisors.com

X/Twitter Handle: @woodien

Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/crowdfundcapitaladvisors

Biographical Information: Sherwood Neiss is a 3-time INC500 winner whose former company won E&Y's Entrepreneur of the Year. During the credit crunch, Sherwood saw a need to change outdated securities laws. He co-created and lobbied for the Crowdfunding Framework used in the JOBS Act. President Obama signed it into law on April 5, 2012. CCA advises multilateral organizations, governments, NGOs, and other entrepreneurial stakeholders on understanding the multi-billion-dollar crowdfunding market. He co-founded the Crowdfunding Professional Association (CfPA) & Crowdfund Intermediary Regulatory Advocates (CFIRA). He is an entrepreneur in residence and co-founder of The Program for Innovation in Entrepreneurial and Social Finance at the University of California Berkeley. He is co-author of Crowdfund Investing for Dummies (Wiley) and the World Bank Report Crowdfunding’s Potential for the Developing Word. He produces comprehensive Crowdfund Investing educational materials via Success with Crowdfunding. He is an active investor in the emerging global crowdfunding ecosystem. He holds an International MBA from Thunderbird and a BA from Tulane University.

X/Twitter Handle: @woodien

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/sherwoodneiss

Support Our Sponsors

Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, AMIBA, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.

Max-Impact Members

The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:

Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name Here

Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar

If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.

SuperCrowdLA: we’re going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can’t-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! 

Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on May 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.

SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!

Community Event Calendar

Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.

Igniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.

Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.

Call for community action:

Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.

If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.

We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode.

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.

Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.

Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!

Devin: What is your superpower?

Sal: I don't quit.

Bringing value to patients is the foundation for profitability. That’s the guiding principle behind Pivotal Health, which is reinventing healthcare delivery by bringing medical care directly to patients’ homes, dorms or offices. It’s not just convenient—it’s a better way to care.

Sal Braico, Co-Founder and CEO of Pivotal Health, explained in today’s episode how the company is reviving the once-common practice of house calls using technology and a physician-led team of experienced nurse practitioners and physician assistants. “We are improving [access] by bringing the house call back,” Sal said. “We're leveraging tech to bring the house call back.”

The results speak for themselves. By avoiding long wait times and exposure to illnesses in urgent care or emergency rooms, patients receive focused, uninterrupted attention from providers. This personalized care environment also allows patients to open up about mental health issues that might otherwise go unaddressed.

Sal shared, “One of the things that we’ve seen is that oftentimes patients are able to bring up issues about mental health because they’re more comfortable in their own house.” That comfort leads to better outcomes, deeper care and a more trusting relationship between provider and patient.

It’s not just a feel-good story. Pivotal Health is scaling rapidly by delivering real value. From just one employer partner a year ago to now serving over 45 companies and more than 3,000 employees, the company’s direct care model is gaining traction.

“If we're able to always do the best thing for the patient, then the money and the profits, they will come,” Sal emphasized.

Pivotal Health is currently raising funds via a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder. As Sal explained, patients themselves sparked the idea by asking how they could invest. Now they can.

Visit wefunder.com/pivotalhealth or use the shortcut s4g.biz/Pivotal to learn more. Funds from the campaign will help expand the service from three metro areas in Wisconsin to more cities across the country.

Today’s episode shows that innovation often means returning to ideas that once worked well. With Pivotal Health, Sal and his team are proving that house calls, enhanced by technology, can transform modern healthcare. And thanks to crowdfunding, the very people who benefit most can help power its growth.

tl;dr:

Sal Braico is using technology to revive house calls, making healthcare more personal and accessible.

Pivotal Health uses nurse practitioners and physician assistants to deliver efficient, high-quality care.

Personalized visits in comfortable environments help patients discuss mental health and receive better overall care.

Sal demonstrates how impact and profitability align, with strong growth driven by patient and employer value.

A Wefunder campaign enables patients and supporters to invest in expanding Pivotal Health’s innovative model.

How to Develop Relentless Persistence As a Superpower

Sal Braico says his superpower is simple: "I don't quit." In today’s episode, Sal, the CEO and Co-Founder of Pivotal Health, shared how an unwavering determination has carried him and his team through countless challenges.

"It doesn't matter what the problem is, what the issue is. I just don't quit," Sal said. Inspired by his immigrant parents, who modeled tireless dedication to work without complaint, he developed a mindset rooted in grit and consistency. "They just put their heads down, and they just worked," Sal explained. "That's what they showed me."

One vivid example of Sal’s persistence came when Change Health, Pivotal Health’s primary claims processor, was hacked. Payments stopped. Claims couldn’t be submitted. The company faced a crisis. Cash flow dried up, and making payroll became difficult. But quitting was never an option. “We just didn’t quit,” he said. Sal communicated openly with his team, secured a little more time, and eventually stabilized the business. The incident led to a key pivot away from insurance, helping the company emerge stronger.

Sal offered several insights for building this kind of resilience:

Keep a level mindset. Things are never as bad—or as good—as they seem.

Take care of physical health. Fitness builds stamina to endure tough times.

Protect mental health. Use tools like therapy or meditation to maintain perspective.

Avoid emotional overreaction. Emotional regulation helps sustain long-term focus and energy.

By following Sal’s example and advice, you can make persistence a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.

Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!

Guest Profile

Sal Braico (he/him):

Co-Founder and CEO, Pivotal Health

About Pivotal Health: Pivotal Health, headquartered in Madison, WI, is revolutionizing access to healthcare. We've completed over 16,000 house call visits in multiple Midwest metro areas since 2021, proving our commitment to accessible, patient-centered care. Our tech-enabled platform empowers clinicians to deliver urgent and primary care wherever you need it – home, work, or beyond.  We're also breaking down barriers with our Direct Care model, offering affordable, transparent healthcare without the limitations of insurance.

Website: pivotalhealth.care

Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/yourpivotalhealth

Other URL: wefunder.com/pivotalhealth

Biographical Information: Sal Braico is a seasoned healthcare entrepreneur with over 22 years of experience building and scaling successful companies across the industry. His diverse background spans the spectrum of healthcare, from drug and medical device development to pharmacy and healthcare information technology, culminating in his current venture, Pivotal Health. Notably, Sal founded Flex Biomedical, a medical device company that developed a groundbreaking osteoarthritis treatment, later licensed to a major orthopedic firm. He also was the Chief Operating Officer of Mallatt's Pharmacy and Home Healthcare, transforming it into one of the Midwest's largest independent pharmacy companies before its acquisition by Walgreen's and Guardian Pharmacy.

X/Twitter Handle: @salbraico

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/sal-braico

Instagram Handle: @pivotalhealthcare

Support Our Sponsors

Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, Make Money with Impact Crowdfunding, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.

Max-Impact Members

The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:

Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name Here

Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar

If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.

SuperCrowdLA: we’re going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can’t-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! 

Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on May 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.

SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!

Community Event Calendar

Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.

Igniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.

Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.

Call for community action:

Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.

If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.

Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.

Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!

Devin: What is your superpower?

Gene: Ability to create solutions people genuinely need.

Affordable housing is one of the most pressing problems of our time. When a business emerges that not only addresses the issue but also dramatically improves environmental impact, my attention is piqued.

Azure Printed Homes, co-founded by Gene Eidelman, is doing just that. With cutting-edge technology, they're printing homes from recycled materials. Their mission is clear: build faster, reduce costs and minimize environmental harm.

"We started the company with three bullets: build faster, build less expensive and less environmental impact," Gene said in today’s episode.

Gene and his team have created large-format 3D printers that produce the modules of a house—floor, walls and ceiling—in just 24 hours. It’s a staggering time savings compared to traditional construction, which can take 90 to 180 days. That efficiency doesn’t sacrifice quality, thanks to their controlled, factory-based process.

The company’s origins lie in tragedy. After the Woolsey Fire devastated Malibu, Gene volunteered to help families navigate the rebuilding process. The experience galvanized him to rethink construction. "We really were still building the traditional way," he recalled. "If we don't have innovation, it'll be impossible to rebuild now."

Today, Azure Printed Homes is delivering units across California, Georgia, Colorado, Arkansas and beyond. And they’re doing it using recycled plastic. "We can use about 6,000 to 7,000 pounds of recycled material a day," Gene explained. "I can't think of any other industry that does that."

They aren’t just building homes. They're offering people a chance to be part of a solution. Azure has raised over $2 million from 2,000 investors across 46 states and 23 countries through regulation crowdfunding.

"What I love about crowdfunding is we now have 2,000 true partners," Gene told me. One early investor who started with just $1,000 ultimately brought in over $400,000 in additional investment and leasing support.

The momentum continues. You can learn more and invest at s4g.biz/Azure before their campaign closes on April 26. This isn’t just another startup. Azure is redefining what’s possible in housing—and they’re doing it with help from the crowd.

tl;dr:

Azure Printed Homes builds affordable, sustainable housing by 3D printing modular units from recycled plastic materials.

Gene Eidelman co-founded the company after witnessing the devastating effects of the Woolsey Fire in Malibu.

The factory-based printing process reduces build time from months to days, cuts costs and limits environmental harm.

Azure has raised over $2 million via five crowdfunding campaigns, creating a community of 2,000 supportive investors.

Gene's superpower is creating needed solutions through innovation, persistence and a mission-driven approach to housing and sustainability.

How to Develop Solution Creation As a Superpower

Gene Eidelman's superpower is the ability to create solutions people genuinely need.

"This is my fourth startup, and honestly, I've never been involved in something that when you just offer a picture rendering where people say, I need to have it," Gene said. He explained that the core of their work at Azure Printed Homes is solving the real problem of affordable housing. By creating high-quality, attractive homes made from recycled materials that are produced quickly and inexpensively, he and his team are directly responding to one of society's greatest needs. "Affordable housing does not need to look ugly," he emphasized, reflecting a commitment not only to function but also to dignity.

One story that illustrates Gene’s superpower is the origin of Azure Printed Homes. After living through the Woolsey Fire and volunteering to help displaced families, Gene recognized the deep flaws in traditional construction. Rather than accept the slow, expensive and environmentally harmful status quo, he helped create a company that uses recycled materials and large-scale 3D printing to build homes in just 24 hours. What began as a community response evolved into a growing enterprise with national reach.

To develop the superpower of solution creation, Gene implicitly offers several actionable tips:

Identify what people desperately need; don’t just chase trends.

Combine deep domain expertise with a willingness to reimagine old methods.

Prioritize speed, cost and environmental sustainability when designing new solutions.

Stay committed even when others say it’s impossible.

Leverage global innovation and customize it to local needs.

Use crowdfunding not only for funding but to build a community of believers and advocates.

By following Gene Eidelman's example and advice, you can make solution creation a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.

Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!

Guest Profile

Gene Eidelman (he/him):

Cofounder, Azure Printed Homes

About Azure Printed Homes: Azure Printed Homes is fundamentally changing the construction industry by leveraging 3D printing technology using recycled polymers and fiberglass to prefab tiny homes, ADUs, affordable homes and units for housing after natural disasters 70% faster and 30% less expensive than existing construction methods. 

Website: azureprintedhomes.com

X/Twitter Handle: @azureprinthomes

Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/azureprintedhomes

Other URL: invest.azureprintedhomes.com

Biographical Information: Gene Eidelman: Pioneering Sustainable and Affordable 3D Printing of Homes

From developing multifamily housing to revolutionizing the construction industry with 3D-printed homes, Gene's journey in entrepreneurship is marked by innovation and impact.

He co-founded his latest start-up, Azure Printed Homes in 2022. At Azure, Gene and his team are breaking new ground with a patented 3D printing process that constructs entire structures from recycled materials, fiberglass and other additives. This eco-friendly method is not only 70% faster but also 30% less expensive than traditional construction, revolutionizing how we think about building homes. Since May 2023, Azure Printed Homes has been delivering units ranging from workforce housing, affordable houses, homes for victims of natural disasters and units for outdoor hospitality industry, with a focus on sustainable, attainable housing for all. Azure current state-of-the art factory is in Los Angeles. They will be opening a factory in Colorado in 2025 and will be opening locations around the globe in 2026 and 2027. Azure is the winner of numerous awards and recognitions, including the 2024 Real Estate Tech Awards and 2025 Fast Company Global Innovator. Azure is currently raising its next round of funding at https://invest.azureprintedhomes.com.

Gene is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, 3D Printing, construction and real estate. He delivered a TED talk on the future of housing, which has over 500,000 views and has been selected as one of the most impactful TED talk this century. His work is paving the way for a future where affordable and sustainable housing is going to be attainable by all.

X/Twitter Handle: @geidelman

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/geneeidelman

Instagram Handle: @azureprintedhomes

Support Our Sponsors

Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, Make Money with Impact Crowdfunding, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.

Max-Impact Members

The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:

Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name Here

Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar

If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.

Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on April 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.

SuperCrowdHour, April 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Gene Massey, Chairman/CEO of MediaShares, will lead a session on "Secrets For Creating Great Content To Attract Investors." He’ll share expert insights on crafting compelling content that engages and converts potential investors. Whether you're launching a crowdfunding campaign or looking to enhance your storytelling strategy, this session is a must-attend! Don’t miss it!

SuperCrowdLA: we’re going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can’t-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! 

SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!

Community Event Calendar

Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.

Igniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.

Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.

Call for community action:

Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.

If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.

We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode.

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.

Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.

Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!

Devin: What is your superpower?

Jason: Ability to inspire excitement.

Raising money through regulated investment crowdfunding is hard. Too many founders underestimate the difficulty, thinking that once their campaign goes live, the crowd will come running. The truth, as Jason Fishman explains, is that success starts long before a campaign launches.

Jason, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency (DNA) and host of the "Test. Optimize. Scale." podcast, is one of the industry's most experienced investor acquisition experts. He helps founders raise capital by creating marketing funnels that turn strangers into advocates. In today’s episode, he shared the single most important element of a successful crowdfunding raise: planning.

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail," Jason said. "Imagine launching a website tomorrow and trying to bring 50,000 people towards it and get 1,000 of those people to convert at a transactional value of $1,000 or more."

That’s the scale of the challenge many founders face without realizing it. Jason broke down how campaigns that succeed aren’t just lucky—they’re methodical. They use strategies built on industry research and competitive marketing audits. These show founders what messaging and channels are working and which aren't, enabling them to craft a custom roadmap for every stage of their campaign.

He encourages founders to go deep on pre-launch preparation. That includes clearly identifying audiences, traffic sources, and strategic partnerships. According to Jason, it also means fine-tuning the content and offering page to ensure it’s optimized for conversions.

"You still need to have a well-thought-out plan on where that traffic's coming from," he noted, even for small campaigns targeting $50,000. "One way or the other, I need to figure out how am I getting those actual visits to my offering page."

Jason and his team at DNA have helped clients raise hundreds of millions of dollars from the crowd. The secret? They treat marketing as a science—and a strategy-first mindset is always step one.

To hear more from Jason, check out this episode and join us at SuperCrowdLA, where he’ll speak twice and be available throughout the event. Don’t miss the chance to learn from one of the best in the business.

tl;dr:

Jason Fishman explains why strategic planning and marketing are essential for crowdfunding success at any scale.

He shares how the most successful campaigns use research and competitor audits to map traffic and conversions.

Jason emphasizes that even small campaigns must create momentum with targeted audiences and compelling content.

His superpower, generating excitement, helps him motivate teams, founders, and friends to rally around a vision.

Jason encourages understanding your audience’s fears and desires to inspire action and build lasting engagement.

How to Develop Inspiring Excitement As a Superpower

Jason Fishman’s superpower is his ability to inspire excitement and rally people around a shared goal. “Getting people excited…has been present my whole life,” Jason explained. He shared how this skill underpins his success in building impactful marketing campaigns, emphasizing that understanding what drives and motivates people is key. Jason applies this talent to craft compelling messaging and visuals that move audiences to action.

Illustrative Story:

Jason shared a personal anecdote about planning a wedding for his wife’s cousin, who had been overwhelmed by the process. By addressing objections and highlighting exciting details, Jason turned their reluctance into enthusiasm. The result was a beautiful wedding overlooking the beach, with Jason even serving as the DJ. This story exemplifies his ability to energize others and create positive outcomes.

Tips for Developing the Superpower:

Understand Your Audience: Identify what excites and motivates them, as well as their fears.

Communicate the Vision: Show others what success looks like and why it matters.

Address Objections: Turn concerns into opportunities by re-framing challenges in a positive light.

Leverage Energy: Use your enthusiasm to inspire and rally others around shared goals.

By following Jason’s example and advice, you can make inspiring excitement a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.

Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!

Guest Profile

Jason Fishman (he/him):

Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency DNA and Host of the "Test. Optimize. Scale." Podcast, Digital Niche Agency (DNA)

About Digital Niche Agency (DNA): DNA is a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in surpassing client goals. Our team has over 25 years of experience in Marketing, Start-Ups, and Business Development. While working with clients and launching brands we have learned what works and how to implement a revenue-driving marketing strategy. Watching the digital marketing landscape evolve everyday, our primary objective is to offer the latest technologies and techniques to small to mid level businesses. With a focus on two areas, Content Development and Content Distribution, the DNA model is built for both brand value and performance. Our success is truly measured by the growth rate of our clients companies. Whether you are looking for Social Media, SEO, Content Marketing, Digital PR, Web/ Mobile Media Buying, Marketing Plans, Influencer Marketing, Instagram Ads, Traffic to CrowdFounding Platforms, Investor Materials, CPI / Burst and AOS Campaigns, Development, Video, or Digital Advertising, we know how many options there are out there and have structured ourselves so that you can get everything you need from DNA. We have relationships with the top vendors in the digital world and provide the ability to work with one partner to manage all areas of your digital brand at below industry standard rates. With this approach we want to make the process easy, so we can begin getting you more market share with our formula.

Website: digitalnicheagency.com

X/Twitter Handle: @DNAgency_CA

Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/digitalnicheagency

Biographical Information: Jason Fishman has 15+ years experience as a “New Media Enthusiast”, who genuinely enjoys planning, activating, and managing scalable marketing strategies across the full-spectrum of verticals and goals. He is an expert in digital channels including Search Engines, Social Media Platforms, Programmatic Ad Exchanges, Influencer Networks, Email Automation, Content Marketing, and Partnerships. He has held leadership roles at all sides of the marketing table: Agency, Brand, and Vendor, which explains his ability to structure unique opportunities for DNA clients.

Jason managed the Product Marketing Division of a major Mobile Ad Network who exclusively represented ad inventory for 1,500+ Print Publishers' Mobile/Tablet apps and worked with many Top 100 Advertisers. Leveraging traffic algorithms, Jason now takes this knowledge and applies it to scale brands with effective marketing tactics.

Since launching DNA in 2014, Jason and the team have worked with over 750 brands and deliver industry-leading results across eCommerce, Lead Generation and Digital Funding campaigns. DNA is now an Inc 5000 company, who has worked with over 350 Reg CF, Reg A+, Reg D, and Digital Asset campaigns that have produced 9-figures of funding.

Jason has been showcased in Panel and Individual presentations at a high volume of Tech and Marketing conferences, along with his “Test. Optimize. Scale.” Podcast. He is also committed to a number of Thought Leadership content projects for 2024, including the Forbes Agency Council. Jason manages a Los Angeles team with experience in all aspects of the user journey.

Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/digital-niche-agency

Instagram Handle: @digitalnicheagency

Support Our Sponsors

Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, Make Money with Impact Crowdfunding, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.

Max-Impact Members

The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:

Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name Here

Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar

If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.

Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on April 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.

SuperCrowdHour, April 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Gene Massey, Chairman/CEO of MediaShares, will lead a session on "Secrets For Creating Great Content To Attract Investors." He’ll share expert insights on crafting compelling content that engages and converts potential investors. Whether you're launching a crowdfunding campaign or looking to enhance your storytelling strategy, this session is a must-attend! Don’t miss it!

SuperCrowdLA: we’re going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can’t-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! 

SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!

Community Event Calendar

Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.

Devin Thorpe joins Entrepreneurs On Fire to share powerful insights on impact investing and doing well by doing good. Tune in on April 10 to hear Devin’s inspiring conversation with host John Lee Dumas!

Igniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.

Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.

Call for community action:

Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.

If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.

We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode.

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.

Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.

Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!

Devin: What is your superpower?

Alex: Thinking deeply and critically about a number of things.

Crowdfunding has revolutionized how businesses raise capital, but not all crowdfunding is created equal. In today’s episode, Alex Fisher, CEO and CCO of Netcapital Securities, shared how her team empowers businesses by leveraging a comprehensive suite of tools including Reg A, Reg D, and Reg CF offerings. Her insights highlight the importance of tailoring fundraising strategies to meet the unique needs of each company, ensuring both flexibility and success.

Alex explained, “When people hear crowdfunding, they kind of lump all of the different offering types and ways to raise capital together.” Netcapital’s approach, however, recognizes the nuances of these methods. For instance, Reg CF allows companies to raise up to $5 million from the general public, while Reg D removes the cap but limits investments to accredited investors. Combining these strategies can create opportunities for businesses to achieve their goals more effectively.

For Alex, the innovation lies in the ability to use these regulations strategically. She noted, “Companies who look to utilize both offering types at the same time are being very strategic… using the Reg CF bucket to open the investment opportunity to their broad network,” including customers and social media followers. Meanwhile, Reg D can attract larger investments from accredited investors such as venture capitalists.

One of the most exciting developments Alex discussed is the potential for liquidity in crowdfunding. While much of the focus has been on raising capital, Netcapital is exploring ways to offer investors opportunities for future liquidity. This forward-thinking approach benefits both issuers and investors, enhancing the overall value of crowdfunding.

Netcapital’s role as both a broker-dealer and a funding portal sets it apart from other platforms. “Under Reg CF, companies are limited to listing on one portal at a time,” Alex explained. “That restriction doesn’t exist in Regulation A or Regulation D and doesn’t apply to broker-dealers.” This flexibility allows Netcapital to collaborate with other platforms, creating a synergistic ecosystem that benefits companies and investors alike.

By combining innovative strategies with a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, Alex and her team at Netcapital are helping businesses raise capital smarter, faster, and more effectively.

If you’re considering crowdfunding for your business, Alex’s expertise offers a roadmap for success. As she put it, “It’s very facts and circumstances based… You want to understand the stage of the company, the industry, and the networks they’re a part of.”

tl;dr:

Alex Fisher explains how Netcapital combines Reg CF, Reg A, and Reg D to fundraise strategically.

She highlights the untapped potential for liquidity in crowdfunding, benefiting both issuers and investors.

Netcapital’s broker-dealer status allows for unique flexibility and collaboration across fundraising platforms.

Alex’s intellectual curiosity drives her personal growth and her ability to connect with clients.

She shares actionable tips for fostering intellectual curiosity to fuel professional and personal success.

How to Develop Intellectual Curiosity As a Superpower

Alex Fisher’s superpower is her intellectual curiosity, a trait she describes as “thinking deeply and critically about a number of things.” This mindset drives her to question established norms, explore new ideas, and continuously improve both personally and professionally. Alex explained, “It’s about not just accepting things for how they are and constantly thinking about how to do things better.” Her curiosity fuels her ability to connect with clients on a deeper level, understanding not just their business goals but also their personal motivations.

Illustrative Story:Alex shared how rekindling her love of reading helped her rediscover her intellectual curiosity. After years of focusing solely on textbooks, regulations, and professional development, she began reading for personal interest in 2022. Since then, she has read over 70 books, which has broadened her perspective and improved her ability to think creatively. This shift has positively impacted her professional life by enabling her to approach challenges with fresh ideas and a more holistic understanding.

Tips for Developing Intellectual Curiosity:

Ask “Why” and “How” Questions: Dive deeper into processes, systems, and decisions to understand their purpose and function.

Read Widely: Explore books and resources outside your professional field to gain new perspectives.

Embrace Continuous Improvement: Focus on finding better ways to do things, even if the current method works.

Connect Personally: Take time to understand the motivations and passions of the people you work with.

Be Open to Exploration: Allow yourself to engage in activities that don’t have an immediate or tangible impact.

By following Alex Fisher’s example and advice, you can make intellectual curiosity a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.

Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!

Guest Profile

Alex Fisher (she/her):

CEO & CCO, Netcapital Securities Inc.

About Netcapital Securities Inc.: Netcapital Securities, a wholly owned subsidiary of Netcapital Inc. (Nasdaq: NCPL, NCPLW), is an SEC-registered, FINRA member broker-dealer.

Netcapital Securities specializes in supporting companies with equity capital raises under Regulation A and Regulation D and in partnering with other broker-dealers to collaboratively syndicate deals.

Website: netcapital.com

Biographical Information: Alexandria (Alex) Fisher is a seasoned business strategist and compliance specialist, passionate about expanding founders' access to funding and investors' access to the private capital markets.

Alex is currently the CEO and CCO of Netcapital’s subsidiary broker-dealer, Netcapital Securities Inc., which specializes in supporting companies with equity capital raises under Regulation A and Regulation D and partnering with other broker-dealers to collaboratively syndicate deals.

Alex is an advisor to startup companies and is a member of Global Women in Venture Capital (VC).

Previously, Alex managed various regulatory compliance programs at a Series A venture-backed startup and at Fidelity Investments.

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alexandria-fisher

Support Our Sponsors

Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, Make Money with Impact Crowdfunding, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.

Max-Impact Members

The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:

Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name Here

Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar

If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.

Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on April 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.

SuperCrowdHour, April 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Gene Massey, Chairman/CEO of MediaShares, will lead a session on "Secrets For Creating Great Content To Attract Investors." He’ll share expert insights on crafting compelling content that engages and converts potential investors. Whether you're launching a crowdfunding campaign or looking to enhance your storytelling strategy, this session is a must-attend! Don’t miss it!

SuperCrowdLA: we’re going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can’t-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! 

SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!

Community Event Calendar

Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.

Crowdfunding Made Simple with Devin D. Thorpe: AI-Powered Fundraising Strategies, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.

Devin Thorpe joins Entrepreneurs On Fire to share powerful insights on impact investing and doing well by doing good. Tune in on April 10 to hear Devin’s inspiring conversation with host John Lee Dumas!

Igniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.

Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.

Call for community action:

Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.

If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.

We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode.