What happens when overlooked innovators are empowered to solve problems for communities often left out of the conversation—and, even more, when those innovators have lived experience of the challenges they’re addressing? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia sits down with Brittany and Rich Palmer, a dynamic entrepreneurial couple, to explore how true innovation and impact are ignited at the intersection of necessity, lived experience, and meaningful capital.

Brittany and Rich Palmer are not only successful entrepreneurs and angel investors but are also the visionary founders behind Adaptation Ventures, an investment firm and community dedicated to empowering startups focused on disability, neurodivergence, accessibility, and aging. Brittany, herself born with a limb difference, brings firsthand perspective to the conversation, while Rich’s journey includes a personal medical challenge that became a catalyst for his mission-driven career shift.

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What does it really take to thrive as a first-time fund manager in today’s challenging investment landscape, especially when you’re building a venture fund from scratch while championing diversity and innovation? This episode delves into the real experiences behind the headlines, inviting listeners to consider the often unseen hurdles and triumphs that define entrepreneurial journeys.

Our guest, Laurel Mintz, is the founder of Fabric VC—a new venture capital fund spun out of her extensive 17-year run as the leader of a successful marketing agency.

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What’s the hidden reality behind entrepreneurship when your company faces a merger or acquisition? Beyond the headlines and the excitement of a potential exit, there’s a deeply human side to these transitions—one filled with change, uncertainty, and the need for strong leadership and cultural awareness. In this episode, Marcia Dawood sits down with Jennifer Fondrevay, a former corporate executive turned M&A expert.

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What does it really mean to balance purpose and profit as an entrepreneur? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Coco Sellman to uncover how founders can address real community needs while building profitable, lasting companies. Marcia Dawood introduces Coco Sellman, a serial founder and the author of “A Force for Good.”

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What drives someone to make their very first investment in a company that becomes a unicorn, and how can others follow suit? In this episode, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Jaclyn Johnson—serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and founder of Cherub—to unpack her journey from building and selling companies to becoming a prolific dealmaker and innovator in the fundraising space. Jaclyn Johnson shares her candid story, beginning with her initial leap into angel investing and continuing through her experience with high-profile exits and the founding of Cherub.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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