What makes some cities flourish with entrepreneurial activity while others struggle to get started? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast dives deep into that question, as host Marcia Dawood welcomes back Nicola Corzine, CEO & Executive Director of the NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Center, to reveal powerful new research on the factors that drive innovation economies forward.

Nicola Corzineis a leader in helping entrepreneurs worldwide, with a decade of experience in building communities, designing free programs, and rallying support from top foundations. In this episode, she shares the Center’s latest findings from a five-year research journey, spotlighting the data and stories behind the top-performing U.S. regions for high-growth entrepreneurship.

Listeners will hear the real ingredients for building a thriving innovation ecosystem—from angel investor networks and supportive policy makers to the vital role of education and industry diversity. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about entrepreneurial success, economic development, and creating communities where everyone has the chance to rise. Listen until the end to see if your city made the list!

To get the latest from Nicola Corzine, you can follow her below!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolacorzine/

https://nasdaqcenter.org/

Nicola's Previous Angel Next Door Episode - Revolutionizing Startup Support: Insights into Angel Investing and Entrepreneurial Empowerment

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Do Good While Doing Well

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What does it really take to build wealth? Could the answer lie beyond traditional investments and into the realm of alternative assets and creative financial structuring? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast digs into that very question, challenging listeners to rethink what successful investing looks like in today’s ever-changing economic landscape.

Guest Kelly Ann Winget, founder of Alternative Wealth Partners, brings a myriad of experience from five generations in oil and gas and over 250 private placements. Her innovative approach encompasses everything from managing diversified private equity funds to investing in sustainable consumer products, ammunition manufacturing, and even a Jamaican coffee farm—all while keeping a laser focus on tax strategy and long-term financial growth.

Together, Marcia Dawood and Kelly Ann Winget unpack the nuts and bolts of alternative investments, the critical importance of tax credits, and what fund managers often overlook when serving individual investors. This episode is essential for entrepreneurs and investors ready to push past conventional wisdom, gain insider insights, and discover practical ways to maximize their wealth and investment impact.

To get the latest from Kelly Ann Winget you can follow her below!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyannwinget/ 

https://www.kellyannwinget.com/

https://a.co/d/9HERqTl - Kelly's Book - Pitch the Bitch: Grab your Financial Future by the Bags

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Do Good While Doing Well

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What if entrepreneurship could fundamentally change how we experience aging—making it more joyful, independent, and connected? On this special “ICYMI Aging” episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood brings together highlights from interviews with three pioneering guests who are reinventing what it means to grow older.

You’ll hear a recap of the insights from Dr. Kerry Burnight, who blends cutting-edge research and family wisdom to prevent elder abuse and loneliness; Hunter Ziesing, who uses tech and AI to personalize healthcare and empower people to own their wellbeing; and Bruce Simpson, an investor building the largest age tech marketplace to help seniors stay independent and financially secure.

If you’re curious about the future of aging, entrepreneurship, and technology’s role in all of it, this episode will give you the highlights. When it comes to aging, having proactive strategies, community, and smart innovations can help us all thrive—at any age.

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Do Good While Doing Well

Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com

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What does true innovation in entrepreneurship look like when the problem seems too big for conventional solutions? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Dillon Baxter, co-founder of PlantSwitch, to explore how determination and creativity can drive next-generation solutions in the sustainability space.

Dillon shares his journey from college athlete to entrepreneur, revealing how an interest in plastic alternatives led to the founding of PlantSwitch: a company now producing affordable, truly biodegradable cutlery and food packaging. He discusses strategic decisions like building manufacturing capacity in North Carolina, then rapidly expanding to China to fulfill major contracts such as with Walmart and Taylor Farms.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the practical realities of scaling a startup, protecting your technology, and finding product-market fit in a complex industry. Dillon’s story offers actionable insights and inspiration for founders and innovators looking to turn ambitious ideas into real-world impact.

To get the latest from Dillon Baxter you can follow him below!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dillon-baxter/

https://www.plantswitch.com/

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Do Good While Doing Well

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What if the key to entrepreneurial success isn’t following a straight path, but embracing the unexpected turns along the way? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood is joined by Madeline Reeves, a dynamic entrepreneur whose journey from aspiring pediatric oncologist to fintech leader and founder of Fearless Foundry challenges our assumptions about what it means to build a career—and a business—on your own terms.

Madeline draws from her rich background in business development, creative consulting, and tech to share her experiences breaking into male-dominated industries and tackling challenges like workplace bias. Her story serves as a reminder that resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to rewrite the rules can shape not just businesses, but also lives.

Throughout the episode, you’ll hear practical insights on building authentic brands, leveraging strategic marketing, and thoughtfully integrating AI into creative processes. Madeline also dives into critical conversations around algorithmic bias and the importance of women shaping the future of technology. This is a must-listen for anyone looking for honest, actionable advice on modern entrepreneurship and the courage to do things differently.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinefearless/

https://www.fearlessfoundry.com/

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Do Good While Doing Well

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What if the greatest barrier to building a profitable business isn’t just strategy or hustle, but the way you think about—and manage—your money? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood is joined by Melissa Houston, a seasoned CPA, entrepreneur, and author on a mission to close the financial literacy gap, especially for women business owners.

Melissa Houston shares her journey from corporate accounting to launching "She Means Profit," writing "Cash Confident," and developing the ProfiVise app—all aimed at helping entrepreneurs truly understand their financials and boost profitability. Her approach empowers founders to shift their mindset, master vital numbers, and confidently manage their business finances.

Listeners will walk away with actionable tips from Melissa’s five-step Cash Confident framework, learn how to avoid money leaks, and gain insight into setting effective prices. With tools and mindset shifts tailored for entrepreneurs at every stage, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to move beyond break-even to achieving real, lasting business success.

To get the latest from Melissa Houston, you can follow her below!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahoustoncpa/

https://www.shemeansprofit.com

https://www.profivise.com

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Do Good While Doing Well

Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com

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What if your money journey depended less on spreadsheets and more on rewriting the personal stories you tell yourself about money? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia challenges listeners to rethink the narratives that influence their financial decisions, arguing that self-awareness is the first step toward genuine, purpose-driven wealth building.

Marcia, author of Do Good While Doing Well, returns solo to announce her new book, Unapologetic Wealth: Rewrite Your Money Story, which is set to release in March 2026. Drawing from interactions with women around the globe, she shares how underlying beliefs—handed down from family or shaped by culture—can either limit or unlock our financial confidence and investing potential.

The episode offers a sneak peek into the new book’s focus on “financial fluidity,” or using money as a tool aligned with your own values, free of guilt. It's a must-listen for anyone ready to leave behind apologetic money stories and embrace entrepreneurial growth with clarity, confidence, and intention.

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Have you ever considered what lessons counterterrorism could offer to the world of entrepreneurship? In this fascinating episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Niccola Milnes to uncover the surprising parallels between building a startup and combating extremism. The conversation kicks off with a thought-provoking look at how understanding the spread of ideas, from dangerous ideologies to innovative products, can be crucial to startup success.

Niccola Milnes brings a truly unique perspective to the table. With 14 years of experience in counterterrorism across Africa, Niccola has devoted her career to analyzing how extremist organizations effectively spread their messages and recruit followers. Now a founder, she’s turned her analytical skills toward the wellness industry, launching the children’s supplement brand Little Boosties. Her journey from data-driven counterterrorism analysis to product development offers not just an unusual story, but real strategies for entrepreneurs.

This episode dives deep into how psychological tools, network effects, and trust-building—techniques honed in counterterrorism—are also the foundation of ethical and powerful marketing. Niccola shares first-hand insights on launching a purpose-driven company, the critical importance of community, and why transparency and integrity must undergird every decision. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just curious about how cross-disciplinary thinking can spark innovation, this candid conversation is a must-listen. It challenges assumptions and offers actionable advice for anyone looking to authentically engage their audience and build something meaningful.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/niccola-milnes-51b39234/

www.littleboosties.com

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Invisible systems like algorithms play a powerful role in entrepreneurial success, shaping who gets access to opportunities and who does not. On this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood dives into the world of gender bias, equitable AI, and economic justice with a fresh, thought-provoking lens, challenging listeners to rethink the foundations of modern entrepreneurship.

Guest Katica Roy is a gender economist, tech CEO, and advocate whose family history—rooted in stories of immigration and resilience—fuels her mission for equity. From her own battles for fair pay as a breadwinner mother to being featured in the New York Times, Katica commands a unique and powerful voice on dismantling barriers in the workplace and beyond.

Together, Marcia and Katica explore how algorithmic bias perpetuates inequality, and most importantly, what all of us can do to foster change, both individually and systemically. Packed with actionable insights and a sense of urgency, this episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in creating a fairer, more innovative future in business and tech.

To get the latest from Katica Roy, you can follow her below!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katicaroy/

https://www.katicaroy.com/about

https://designobserver.com/why-ethical-ai-is-good-business/

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What if entrepreneurship wasn’t just about building businesses, but about creating real financial access and opportunity—especially for those traditionally left out of the conversation? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood invites listeners to consider where everyday investors, particularly women, can find their seat at the crypto table and gain the knowledge and confidence to participate.

Marcia’s guest, Elaine Asher, is the founder of EVE Wealth—a pioneering platform designed to demystify the world of cryptocurrency investing for women and anyone intimidated by the crypto space. Drawing on her extensive background at JPMorgan and years of experience in crypto asset management, Elaine shares her journey from private wealth management to becoming an advocate for democratizing access to emerging technologies. Her drive stems from firsthand experience seeing men reap life-changing gains in crypto, while women remain underrepresented and underserved.

This episode offers an engaging, accessible, and jargon-free breakdown of crypto basics, the importance of diversification, and the difference between stablecoins and cryptocurrencies. Elaine gives a behind-the-scenes look at EVE Wealth’s mission, how it works, and why she’s passionate about building a supportive community where women (and all curious investors) can learn and invest with confidence. Listeners will come away with actionable insights, a much clearer understanding of crypto investing, and inspiration to take charge of their financial future. If you want to understand the potential of digital assets while empowering yourself or your community, this is a must-listen.

To get the latest from Elaine Asher, you can follow her below!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-asher-0a49a24/

https://www.evewealth.com/

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