How does crowdfunding fit into a startup's fundraising strategy? In this intriguing episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood converses with guest Woodie Neiss about how crowdfunding has emerged as a transformative option for entrepreneurs seeking capital. The conversation unveils the ways securities-based crowdfunding is reshaping how new ventures are funded, making investments more accessible to various investors.

Woodie Neiss, an experienced entrepreneur and a key advocate for crowdfunding legislation, shares his journey from Wall Street to becoming a pivotal figure in changing securities laws. His efforts have helped launch a thriving crowdfunding industry that offers over $2.8 billion in raised capital to more than 8,000 startups. He is also one of the founders of Crowdfund Capital Advisors (CCA), a crowdfunding advisory, implementation, and education firm.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in entrepreneurship, providing insights into significant crowdfunding developments and statistics. Woodie discusses how the industry has evolved, highlighting trends in sectors like healthcare and technology, and explaining how crowdfunding complements traditional fundraising strategies. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or policymaker, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the current and future state of investment crowdfunding.

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https://crowdfundcapitaladvisors.com/

https://a.co/d/f9987We - Investomers: How Customers-Turned-Investors are Shaping the Future of Early-Stage Finance

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What does it take to not only start a company but to grow it into something truly impactful, not just once but FIVE times? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we dive into the experiences of Angel Gambino, a remarkable five-time exited entrepreneur. With over 20 years of experience crafting successful ventures and fostering economic equity through entrepreneurship, Angel offers a wealth of knowledge on various aspects of business growth and development..

Having achieved success as a founder, co-founder or founding team member of five companies across the US, the UK, and Latin America, she has solidified her reputation as a visionary leader and strategic thinker. Her most recently role is as a fractional chief growth officer, helping start-ups build and grow their companies. Angel Gambino is a formidable force in the world of angel investing and entrepreneurship.

Throughout the episode, Angel tells us the fascinating stories behind her ventures, highlighting key insights on fostering growth through strategic partnerships, navigating the emotional roller coaster of exits, and the importance of self-awareness in leadership. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or an experienced investor, Angel's candid reflections and practical tips make this episode a must-listen for anyone seeking to make a positive impact through business. Her journey is not just about success—it's about creating prosperity and joy, making this discussion both inspiring and empowering.

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https://www.angelclub.com/

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What truly sets successful entrepreneurs apart from the rest? Is it creativity, resilience, or perhaps a unique blend of traits that allows them to thrive in the unpredictable world of startups? In this compelling episode of The Angel Next Door podcast, host Marcia Dawood dives into these questions with guest Greg Moran, a seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist with a deep-rooted passion for identifying and nurturing innovative founders.

Greg Moran is a serial entrepreneur turned investor, having successfully built and sold multiple technology companies, particularly in the HR tech space. After selling his last company right as the world was bracing for a global pandemic in 2020, he transitioned into venture capital. Co-founding Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners, a fund focused on early-stage tech investments, Greg uses his vast experience to support and guide the next generation of "find a way founders" who possess grit, determination, and resilience.

During the episode, Greg shares insights from his forthcoming book, "The Adaptive Innovator," which explores the archetype of successful entrepreneurs based on extensive research. He elaborates on the four key pillars of the adaptive innovator model—creative resilience, humble assertiveness, balanced risk-taking, and strategic accountability. This conversation is not only a treasure trove of wisdom for budding entrepreneurs, but also a practical guide for investors aiming to evaluate the potential of founders in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. If you're interested in understanding the personal qualities that drive entrepreneurial success or looking for investment insights in today's AI-driven world, this episode is a must-listen.

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https://www.thefounderscollective.com/

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What drives a successful start-up employee to leave the security of a lucrative role after a major acquisition to become a founder? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood explores the fascinating journey of Caitlyn Driehorst, an exited entrepreneur and financial service expert. Caitlyn shares her unique path—from majoring in Russian and English literature to becoming a strategic consultant for financial services giants, before returning to her roots to build a company that focuses on high-impact finance management.

Caitlyn's journey is as varied as it is impressive. Raised in a military family, she moved frequently across the United States before discovering her passion for financial services. A seasoned strategist and advisor, she has worked with companies like Boston Consulting Group and Capital Group, as well as navigating her own transformative exit through OpenInvest's acquisition by JP Morgan. Despite the allure of financial security with JP Morgan, Caitlin chose to strike out on her own—a decision driven by both personal values and a desire for broader impact.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, career development, or financial advisory. Caitlyn talks about the challenges of being a female entrepreneur in the financial space, discusses her ambitious goals for RightWise, and elaborates on the transformative power of strong financial planning. With insights into both the industry and personal growth, this conversation sheds light on balancing ambition with values and navigating the sometimes complex relationships between risk and opportunity.

To get the latest from Caitlyn Driehorst, you can follow her below!

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RightWise Wealth

RightWise Ambassador Program

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What drives economic growth? In this engaging episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we explore the crucial role of angel investors in supporting entrepreneurs—the creative minds behind groundbreaking innovations and thriving businesses.  

Host Marcia Dawood is joined by two esteemed guests: Pat Gouhin, CEO of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), and Kristina Montague, incoming ACA Chair (July 2025). Together, they break down the mission of ACA and its charitable arm, the Angel Investor Foundation (AIF), showcasing how angel investors provide financial backing and invaluable mentorship to entrepreneurs.  

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the nonprofit structure supporting angel investing, the significance of expanding the angel investor network, and AIF’s efforts to increase representation among women and underserved founders. Whether you're considering becoming an angel investor or simply curious about the world of early-stage funding, this episode is packed with insights on how angel investing fuels innovation and economic prosperity.  

This special episode is part of Podcasthon 2025, the world’s largest podcast charity initiative! From March 15 to 21, 2025, Podcasthon will bring together 1,500+ podcasts from around the world to raise awareness for charitable causes, building on the momentum of previous years.  
Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the power of angel investing in shaping the future!

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-montague-7b1a942a/

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How does a woman navigate and succeed in the traditionally male-dominated world of Wall Street? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood welcomes Lori Van Dusen, an inspiring figure in the financial advisory industry. Lori began her career at Lehman Brothers in the late 1980s, where she stood out not only for her quantitative skills but for her early advocacy of client-centered, conflict-free financial advice.

With years of experience under her belt, Lori founded her own firm, LVW Advisors, where she continues her mission of empowering clients, and women coming into substantial wealth tend to gravitate toward her. Her book, "Running with Grace," encapsulates her remarkable journey and her commitment to teaching and mentoring others in finance and beyond.

Lori and Marcia discuss the upcoming major wealth transfer to women and the importance of education and mentorship in breaking down barriers in the financial world. Through Lori's experiences and insights, listeners are inspired to take control of their financial futures and redefine their relationship with money.

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Running with Grace: A Wall Street Insider’s Path to True Leadership, a Purposeful Life, and Joy in the Face of Adversity -  https://a.co/d/4Y9rYGT

https://lvwadvisors.com/

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What if the path to successful entrepreneurship isn't just about finding a compelling market idea, but also about crafting an intentional exit strategy that benefits an entire community? On this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we dive into an unconventional exit strategy that prioritizes employees and community sustainability. Marcia, our host, welcomes Gina Schaefer, a pioneering entrepreneur who transitioned her successful hardware store chain to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), ensuring her legacy and providing her team with a stake in the business – not to mention a nice payout for her and her family.

Gina Schaefer, along with her husband Mark, founded what began as a single hardware store in a once-struggling neighborhood in Washington, D.C., and expanded it to a 13-store enterprise under the Ace Hardware cooperative. Her entrepreneurial journey, defined by community revitalization, culminated in a unique exit strategy that included selling a 30% stake of the company to its employees through an ESOP, with plans to eventually transition to 100% employee ownership. Gina's commitment to her team and community shines through, highlighting her innovative approach to succession planning.

In this must-listen episode, Gina unravels the process of establishing an ESOP, discussing the transformation it brings to company culture, employee ownership, and wealth generation. Listeners will gain insights into the benefits and complexities of ESOPs, as well as the broader impacts on community and economic structure. By highlighting this thoughtful and community-oriented exit strategy, Gina’s story offers a fresh perspective on how entrepreneurship can go beyond personal success to foster community growth and empowerment.

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What drives an entrepreneur to turn personal adversity into impactful ventures? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we explore this question through the lens of Diana Greshtchuk's compelling journey. Following a profound personal loss, Diana found herself re-evaluating her legacy and impact on the world, leading her to become a passionate advocate for financial literacy and empowerment, especially among women and marginalized communities.

Diana Greshtchuk is a seasoned financial expert who brings a wealth of experience from her background as a CPA and financial services professional. Her career spans over two decades, during which she has worked for one of the big four accounting firms and various asset management companies. Currently, she is committed to fanning the flames of potential for individuals and organizations as a financial literacy coach and executive producer of the impactful documentary, "Show Her The Money."

Throughout this episode, Diana shares insights into her transition from finance to impact investing, emphasizing the importance of a positive money mindset and financial literacy. She discusses her work in helping founders, particularly women, to view themselves as worthy investments and cultivate an empowered relationship with money. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to transform their financial mindset and understand the intersection of personal growth, entrepreneurship, and impact investing.

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https://fan-your-flame.com/

Spark 9-week course: https://fan-your-flame.com/spark

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What does it take to turn a groundbreaking idea into a reality, especially when it challenges societal norms and confronts widely held taboos? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores this question with her guest, Cindy Gallop, a trailblazer reshaping conversations around sex, pornography, and sexual wellness. Cindy's journey into entrepreneurship is anything but conventional, providing a fascinating look at how one can use business to drive social change.

Cindy Gallop is not only a veteran of the advertising world but also a pioneering advocate for open and honest discussions about sex. Her unique background, which combines decades in brand building and personal experiences, led her to found MakeLoveNotPorn, a platform aimed at socializing and normalizing real-world sex. Cindy’s venture started as a response to the adverse effects of pornography being the default form of sex education and has since evolved into a crusade for better sexual understanding and education.

Listeners are in for an enlightening discussion that dives deep into Cindy's mission to transform societal perceptions through her two interconnected ventures: MakeLoveNotPorn.com and the upcoming Make Love Not Porn Academy. The episode addresses critical issues such as the impact of porn on youth, the cultural stigma around sex, and the struggles of funding a venture in the sex tech industry. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship that's grounded in social impact, the challenges of being an underrepresented founder, and the importance of using innovative platforms to drive change in global issues.

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

https://cindygallop.com/

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What if your charitable donations didn’t just support causes—but actually helped build impactful businesses?

In this episode of The Angel Next Door, host Marcia Dawood gives a quick 7-minute overview of the growing interest in investing with philanthropic capital and answers some of the most common questions about how it works. Using insights from past conversations with experts like Sally Boulter of Impact Assets and Patrice and Leah Brickman of Inspire Access, Marcia breaks down how Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and nonprofit organizations are revolutionizing the way we think about philanthropy and investment. 

You'll learn about: 

- How DAFs work – A simple, tax-advantaged way to invest in for-profit impact companies while keeping funds designated for charitable giving. 

- Inspire Access’ unique model – A 501(c)(3) that allows donors to contribute directly, ensuring capital reaches underrepresented founders working on innovative solutions. 

- Non-accredited investors can participate too – You don’t need to have a certain amount of wealth or income to make a donation; now more people than ever can back mission-driven startups. 

Instead of just ‘making a donation’, discover how to create a lasting impact by strategically investing in businesses that align with your values—all while staying within a philanthropic framework. 

Tune in now to rethink how your giving can fuel innovation and drive meaningful change!

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