Welcome to She Invests, where you’ll hear from existing female angel investors, venture capitalists and fund managers on their investment thesis. From deal flow to exits, they will share the best practices that contribute to their success.
In this episode, Dr. Silvia Mah welcomes to the podcast start-up consultant, entrepreneur and investor, Michelle Youngers. As a cross-functional Executive, Michelle brings over 30 years diverse experience in both financial and operational strategies to improve organizational effectiveness of early stage, high growth companies across multiple industries. Throughout her career, she has served as a Company Co-founder, President and CEO, and various roles as a trusted financial and operational partner to CEOs, leadership teams, Board of Directors and investors. She strongly believes in the equation vision plus execution equals success. Dr. Silvia and Michelle talk about Michelle’s investment thesis, factors Michelle looks for when assessing founders and how we can better empower female entrepreneurs.
What We Covered
04:26 – Dr. Silvia Mah introduces today’s guest, Michelle Youngers who speaks to her involvement in San Diego Angel Conference, how she assesses founders and what her investment thesis entails
13:13 – Michelle provides some examples of companies she has invested in that she is also incredibly excited about
16:02 – Michelle talks about diversification, the importance of having capital available for investment opportunities and the value of SDAC
21:44 – Dr. Silvia and Michelle talk about the Women of SDAC and areas where we can better promote more female entrepreneurs
Welcome to She Invests, where you’ll hear from existing female angel investors, venture capitalists and fund managers on their investment thesis. From deal flow to exits, they will share the best practices that contribute to their success.
In this episode, Dr. Silvia Mah welcomes to the podcast leader, connector and mentor of startup founders, Oralia Alvarez. Oralia currently serves as a director of business development for Founders First Capital Partners, a fund committed to growing and funding small businesses led by diverse and inclusive founders. With over ten years of experience in distressed real estate investments and business strategy, Oralia works exclusively with cash investors in the acquisition of off-market properties. As an angel investor, Oralia is extensively involved in San Diego’s startup ecosystem by serving as a connector and mentor to entrepreneurs and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors at Startup San Diego. Dr. Silvia and Oralia talk about the daring journey of being an entrepreneur, why women of color make some of the most efficient founders and the importance of being bold and confident.
What We Covered
04:19 – Dr. Silvia Mah introduces today’s guest, Oralia Alvarez who speaks to her involvement in San Diego Angel Conference, her entrepreneurial origin story and her involvement in animal philanthropy
10:31 – Oralia provides her thoughts on why women of color are some of the best and most efficient entrepreneurs
14:13 – Oralia speaks to the brilliant work the winning founders at San Diego Angel Conference are currently doing and what impressed her the most by these founders
21:28 – The importance of communication and coachability when it comes to investing in founders
25:46 – Dr. Silvia and Oralia talk about their excitement for SDAC Fund III
31:16 – Oralia talks about her bold, confident nature and how she maintains balanced confidence
34:30 – Oralia shares what having an abundance mindset means to her
Welcome to She Invests, where you’ll hear from existing female angel investors, venture capitalists and fund managers on their investment thesis. From deal flow to exits, they will share the best practices that contribute to their success.
In this episode, Dr. Silvia Mah welcomes to the podcast business owner, consultant and investor, Amy Duncan. Amy has over 20 years of experience working in the high growth life sciences industry and is a seasoned marketing strategist. Amy co-founded Goldfish Consulting in 2008 with the goal of helping small businesses and life science entrepreneurs grow their business. Amy currently serves as chair of the communications committee for the San Diego Entrepreneurs Exchange (SDEE) and co-fund manager for the San Diego Angel Conference (SDAC). Dr. Silvia and Amy talk about the mindset transition Amy had to undergo from active angel investor to Lead Fund Manager, the importance of women representation in this field and the growth of the Women of SDAC.
What We Covered
03:59 – Dr. Silvia Mah introduces today’s guest, Amy Duncan who speaks to her involvement in the San Diego Angel Conference and the mindset that was required to take over as Lead Fund Manager
12:33 – Amy recalls a particularly impressive pitch from an entrepreneur finalist pitch at the San Diego Angel Conference and how Amy became a champion for her
20:17 – The transition to becoming a Fund Manager for SDAC III and what excites her most about this venture
26:23 – Amy talks about the group ‘Women of SDAC’ and the work that they do
30:12 – Amy shares what having an abundance mindset means to her
Excited to bring to you a new series for the She Invests podcast, a special Inspiring Women in Angel Investing 12-episode series. The genesis of this series rises from the exceptional work the San Diego Angel Conference does in funding innovative companies and the women who are part of this group who are creative, inquisitive and curious, a true alignment of my mission at She invests to give voices to the female angel investors who are actively investing and being an advocate for our amazing San Diego innovation ecosystem through real investor stories.
Welcome to She Invests, where you’ll hear from existing female angel investors, venture capitalists and fund managers on their investment thesis. From deal flow to exits, they will share the best practices that contribute to their success.
In this episode, Dr. Silvia Mah welcomes to the podcast Vice President of Crescent Ridge Partners, Maria Gonzalez-Blanch. CRP is a female-led venture capital and private equity firm that invests in early stage companies and growth equity for more mature and proven businesses. Prior to CRP, Maria held senior roles in Operations, Sales and Strategy at Red Bull and Altamont Capital. Dr. Silvia and Maria talk all about investing in values-aligned founders, the impact COVID-19 has had on entrepreneurs and examples of innovative companies Maria and CRP have recently invested in.
What We Covered
03:34 – Dr. Silvia Mah introduces today’s guest, Maria Gonzalez-Blanch who shares her origin story, the work she does at Crescent Ridge Partners and the respect she has for entrepreneurs
11:04 – Maria speaks to her career transition from private equity to venture capital and the investment criteria that Crescent Ridge Partners utilizes
17:27 – Maria identifies some examples of innovative entrepreneurs CRP has invested in
20:40 – How Maria and CRP adapted and pivoted during COVID-19
23:53 – The work Maria is doing with Ad Astra Ventures
28:45 – Maria speaks to yet another company that is doing tremendous work and earned an investment from CRP
31:07 – Maria shares what having an abundance mindset means to her
Welcome to She Invests, where you’ll hear from existing female angel investors, venture capitalists and fund managers on their investment thesis. From deal flow to exits, they will share the best practices that contribute to their success.
In this episode, Dr. Silvia Mah welcomes strategic advisor, entrepreneur, and investor Sonia Steinway to discuss the work she’s doing with Village Up. Sonia has a wide array of experience helping startups and entrepreneurs achieve their goals. Most recently, she has focused on helping companies with underrepresented founders, specifically women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Dr. Silvia and Sonia discuss investing during COVID-19, the exciting future of Femtech and what abundance mindset means to Sonia.
What We Covered
03:38 – Dr. Silvia Mah introduces today’s guest, Sonia Steinway who shares the exciting work she’s doing with Village Up and the importance of supporting aspiring entrepreneurs from all walks of life
08:14 – Sonia opens up about barriers that LGBTQIA entrepreneurs and founders continue to face
15:55 – Sonia highlights a specific company she’s extremely excited about
21:10 – Sonia shares her investment criteria and the importance of promoting and fostering true diversity
27:14 – Sonia shares her excitement for the future of Femtech
33:30 – Sonia discusses what having an abundance mindset means to her
This is an invaluable resource to me as an entrepeneur! Getting to peek into the heart and mind of investors is SO incredibly valuable to me. Thank you for bringing such a fantastic podcast to life!
