The Angel Next Door Podcast

The Angel Next Door podcast is a show about how people got started investing in startup companies. Hosted by Marcia Dawood, member of the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, Chair Emeritus of the board of the Angel Capital Association, the professional organization of angel investors across the US and globally, and author of Do Good While Doing Well. If you want to see change in the world you have to create it, invest in it or be it! Tune in to hear stories of what angel investing is, who does it and why!

New episodes released every Thursday!

Listen to the newest episode

How Capital Department Helps Entrepreneurs Raise Millions With Crowdfunding

with guest Maria Springer

Unmask the hidden biases in AI image generation—watch the video that reveals what algorithms aren’t showing you, featuring podcast guest Lucy Farey-Jones.

Explore the categories below to easily find episodes tailored to your interests! Dive into specific topics and discover the insights that matter most to you.

  • BOOMCHICKAPOP’s $250 million exit: Angie Bastian on Growth, Grit, and Giving Back

    What does it truly take to transform a simple side hustle into a nationally recognized brand—and what if you could change lives along the way? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia invites Angie Bastian, co-founder of the beloved snack brand BOOMCHICKAPOP, to share the remarkable journey of building a business from the family garage all the way to a multimillion-dollar acquisition. Angie’s story challenges the traditional image of entrepreneurship, laying bare both the financial scrambles and the deeply human rewards that accompany the pursuit of a dream.

    Listen here.

  • • 4/10/25

    Insights from a Five-Time Exited Entrepreneur on Investing in Future Innovation

    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.

    Listen here.

  • • 3/27/25

    Navigating Exit Strategies and Unlocking Wealth Management Secrets

    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.

    Listen here.

  • Exploring Unique Exit Strategies Using Employee Stock Ownership Plans

    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.

    Listen here.