What if the true game changer in entrepreneurship isn’t just innovation, but the ability to make bold, strategic asks—even when a “no” seems inevitable? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with communications coach and auctioneer Dia Bondi to explore how asking for what you want can transform a founder’s journey.

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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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What does it take for a founder to break new ground in an industry full of barriers and taboos? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast features Colette Courtion, CEO and founder of JoyLux, whose personal experience ignited a mission to transform women’s health with innovative, red light therapy solutions for intimate wellness.

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What if the path to entrepreneurial success for women didn’t have to be so lonely—or so uphill? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Melissa Wallace, a marketing veteran whose journey spans a $750 million tech exit, hands-on mentorship, and now, leading the first Femtech venture studio dedicated to female founders.

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How close are we to making space not just the final frontier, but the next big investment opportunity? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia sits down with Tim Maul of Balerion Space Ventures to break down the exciting—and very real—landscape of space investing, moving the conversation far beyond science fiction.

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What happens when the people deciding which startups get funded rethink the rules of who belongs at the table? In this episode, host Marcia welcomes Kate McAndrew, co-founder of the Baukunst fund, who shares her journey from arts student to leading pre-seed venture capitalist with a fresh perspective on building companies.

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What if the key to unlocking a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem lies not just in funding, but in research, mentorship, and global collaboration? On this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Dr. Shakenna Williams, Executive Director of the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College, to discuss the center’s 25-year evolution and its impactful work supporting women and allies in entrepreneurship.

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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.

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What if the key to a successful startup lies not just in its venture's brilliance but in its workplace's inclusivity? In this episode of "The Angel Next Door Podcast," Marcia Dawood invites Gena Cox to explore a crucial aspect that entrepreneurs often overlook amidst the hustle of financial planning and product development—organizational culture. Cox, an organizational psychologist with over 30 years of experience, asserts that the human experience within an organization is foundational to its innovation, customer satisfaction, and overall success.

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Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn around a failing organization or to drive remarkable change in business, government, and philanthropy? This thought-provoking question sets the stage for an insightful conversation with Lisa Gable, a seasoned expert in orchestrating turnarounds across diverse sectors. In this episode, Marcia Dawood sits down with Lisa to unveil the intricacies of driving meaningful change, tackling complex problems, and navigating the turbulent waters of entrepreneurship.

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Ever wondered what it really takes to break into the world of venture capital, especially as an underrepresented entrepreneur or an emerging fund manager? In our milestone 100th episode, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Catherine Gray, the visionary Executive Producer of the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money, to demystify this complex space. The film shines a light on the staggering statistics around the lack of funding for female entrepreneurs but goes beyond the numbers with powerful storytelling and remarkable profiles of women founders making a difference.

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What does it take to turn a humble beginning into a thriving empire? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores the intricacies of entrepreneurship and franchising with Dawn Lafreeda, a highly successful Denny’s franchisee. Dawn's entrepreneurial journey from a young hostess to owning more Denny’s franchises than anyone else globally underscores the power of determination, resilience, and strategic thinking.

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Have you ever wondered why some entrepreneurs seem to effortlessly connect with high-profile clients and seemingly land opportunities out of thin air? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we unravel the secrets behind successful networking and relationship building, which are crucial to making those magic moments happen. Our guest today, Michelle Tillis Lederman, is an accomplished author, networking expert, and dynamic speaker known for her strategic insight into the world of relationships and connections.

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On this special, year-end episode, our host Marcia Dawood wraps up the year with a joint episode with Laura Nix Gerson, host of the Venture F podcast. This year marked a significant milestone for The Angel Next Door podcast, hosted by Marcia Dawood. With a full year of weekly episodes, we celebrated key achievements, impactful conversations, and global recognition for our contributions to angel investing and impact-driven funding.

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Have you ever wondered what it takes to leave a lasting legacy in the world of entrepreneurship? In this illuminating episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Wendy Ryan, who transforms our understanding of leadership, investment, and legacy-building. Wendy's journey from human resources to becoming a game-changing investor offers valuable insights for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in the business world.

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What does it take to successfully navigate the transition from being an entrepreneur to a CEO while maintaining your company’s core values intact? This intriguing question sets the stage for a deeply insightful conversation with Anne Maghas on "The Angel Next Door Podcast." Anne’s journey from curiosity about angel investing to becoming a significant mentor and investor is full of valuable lessons about leadership, diversity, and resilience amidst rapid change.

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