by | | Articles
I mean it. I sit down alongside leaders and entrepreneurs, I write checks, I am a trusted advisor when the journey seems unsurmountable for so many reasons. Having heard thousands, know you are not alone, the journey is so varied that noone has the one-size​=fits-most approach to launch or scale, and it's about trial and error as you focus on product-market fit and founder-market fit.
Innovation is what drives me, problem-solving around the world‘s most difficult problems and challenges. However, at the root of it, creativity is sparked by a curious human who wants to solve something, either something that needs to be fixed, just has to be in this world for the greater good, or something to fix an inequality. This spark is why founders invent and investors invest, the magic that makes up the innovation economy.
“Words may inspire but only action creates change”
Simon Sinek
I wholeheartedly agree that action is the necessity for inventions to change the world, to have a ripple effect for communities who would benefit from the commercialization of the innovation.
So, to inspire action, Ignite innovation by:
- Creating in your field of genius. If you love to tinker, then tinker and create something out of nothing. If you are a business strategist, give yourself the time and place to strategize and come up with wonderful new business models or frameworks. If you are struggling with even creativity itself, just doodle, build a sand castle, pick up a bouquet of flowers and arrange them in a vase and enjoy your masterpiece. Inspired surroundings inspire!
- Journaling ideas. First thing in the morning, just jot down what you have in your brain. That's it, 2 min, in the morning. Journal all of your thoughts (lofty and tiny) in this “ideas journal” so you get used to having your brain take a break from the mundane & thrive!
Impact is what sustains innovation. Impact has been a buzz word for main stream economists and investors, but during, and after, the pandemic, it became a necessity, a sustainability strategy that allowed for companies to stay open, to be able to get through the pandemic and thrive afterwards. If impact is baked into the DNA of a start up or an existing business, customers become raving fanatics of the solution they are buying, strategic partners are more engaged, and return on impact is synonymous with return on investment.
Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ignite Impact by:
- Show up. Helping a colleague out is a tangible impact moment for someone who needs advise or support. Get on a zoom call and listen, truly listen, to what they are working on and impact them by a new way of thinking, expanding on an idea using “yes, and”), connecting them with the RIGHT people, or intro-ing them to a next level connection.
- Talk about impact. Communicating the impact individual people are making or an organization is doing for the greater good is imperative for changing the narrative from only return on investment to also a return on impact. Devise a way to communicate your own impact stories about your personal brand and your startup, this will help you devise and communicate your impact metrics more efficiently. Ask your team and advisors about your impact metrics to fully understand opportunities and identify gaps to do even more good. Bake impact metrics into your business metrics, your customers and investors will thank you.
Investing makes for thriving economies from capital markets to angel investing to VCs to cryptocurrency. Investing hard cash into the startup economy allows for founders to turn an idea into reality and scale to communities that need a solution. Investing is also about investing in humans and the human potential of creativity. That is why innovation is intertwined with impact and investing. Investing can also be non-monetary, like mentoring someone who needs your expertise or your advice, advising businesses how to launch and scale, and helping founders become leaders. Investing also inwardly, towards your own leadership qualities is essential to show up as your best self, so double down on your strengths, be aware of your weaknesses, and be open to change for the greater good.
Ignite investing by:
- Putting money down. Period. Send a wire, write a check, take out your pocket book to invest in a startup, company or small business.
- Open up your network. Your network is your networth, we have heard that so many times, but investing in others by spending time with them, understanding their needs, and assisting in targeted introductions or connections through your network, that's significant. You have grown your network based on TRUST, so exercise that currency to invest in values-aligned entrepreneurs and investors who could really impact the world through connections you make.
#innovation #impact #invest
by | | Podcast
Episode Summary
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 entrepreneur, Product Coach, author and co-founder, Vidya Dinamani. Vidya has a passion for coaching product leaders and teams. She is one of the founding partners of Ad Astra Ventures. She is also Principal with Product Rebels, a company founded to help product managers, founders and entrepreneurs make customer breakthroughs. Vidya has also recently been focused on investing and mentoring startups and early stage companies. She has over eighteen years of experience specializing in business and technology strategy development and product design, development and management. Vidya has held multiple executive roles at leading companies, including executive positions leading innovation and product management at Mitchell International, Director of Customer Experience for TurboTax Intuit. She also served as Director of Business Operations and Chief IT Architect for the software provider. Prior to Intuit, Vidya was a consultant with Deloitte Consulting, specializing in technology strategy consulting. She holds seven U.S. patents for software technoloy and is a certified Net Promoter associate.
Today, Dr. Sylvia and Vidya talk about Vidya’s ‘Why’ of investing and her goal to achieve equality among men and women on both sides of the investment table. Vidya expounds on what it means to go from the first meeting with a startup company to actually writing a check and investing. Finally, Dr. Sylvia and Vidya discuss the work Ad Astra Ventures is doing to educate entrepreneurs today.
What We Covered
- 04:30 – Dr. Silvia Mah introduces today’s guest, Vidya Dinamani, who discusses her professional background, her very first investment and her ‘Why’ of investing
- 10:22 – Vidya talks about identifying the right founder and the right product-market fit when she seeks out early stage startup companies to invest in
- 13:45 – Vidya talks about the origin story of Ad Astra Ventures and the commitment they’ve made to help more female founders
- 20:55 – Vidya speaks to the impact Ad Astra Ventures wants to create
- 29:15 – Vidya talks about her book, Groundwork: Get Better at Making Better Products and some of the great testimonials she’s received as feedback
- 37:02 – Vidya expounds on her background in product and how it’s impacted how she shows up as an investor
- 38:55 – Vidya talks about the work she’s doing at Lash.Live
- 45:56 – What abundance mindset means to Vidya
- 47:32 – Dr. Silvia recaps her interview with Vidya
Tweetables
Links Mentioned
Dr. Silvia Mah’s LinkedIn
Dr. Silvia Mah’s Website
Dr. Silvia’s Twitter – @silviamah
Domaine Santé Website
San Diego Angel Conference
Vidya’s LinkedIn
Product Rebels Website
Ad Astra Website
Vidya’s Book
Episode Sponsor
Domaine Santé
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by | | Podcast
Episode Summary
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 attorney and angel investor, Rose Bowlus. Rose is an experienced attorney and former in-house counsel with extensive transactional, regulatory and compliance experience at industry leading financial institutions and energy companies. She is a strong leader, seasoned negotiator and excellent communicator, all traits that have prepared her for her transition to angel investing. Today, Dr. Silvia speaks to Rose about Rose’s journey from aspiring angel investor to an expert who is ingrained in the startup ecosystem. They discuss Rose’s background in law, the work she’s doing to help and advocate for start-ups and some of projects she’s currently taking part in, including Angels in the Law and The Fourth Floor.
What We Covered
- 05:12 – Dr. Silvia Mah introduces today’s guest, Rose Bowlus who speaks to her involvement in the San Diego Angel Conference (SDAC), her background as a lawyer and finding her voice as an investor
- 11:01 – Rose recounts the finalist companies at San Diego Angel Conference
- 13:24 – Rose expounds on her latest project, Angels in the Law
- 18:51 – Bringing a different perspective and doing your due diligence as an angel investor
- 24:02 – What Rose is doing to help and advocate for start-up companies
- 29:28 – Rose talks about one of the start-up companies that she’s particularly excited about
- 37:56 – Rose speaks to her involvement in an early stage company, The Fourth Floor
- 42:14 – What abundance mindset means to Rose
- 43:40 – Dr. Silvia recaps her interview with Rose
Tweetables
Links Mentioned
Dr. Silvia Mah’s LinkedIn
Dr. Silvia Mah’s Website
Dr. Silvia’s Twitter – @silviamah
Domaine Santé Website
San Diego Angel Conference
Rose’s LinkedIn
Rose’s Website
Link to The Fourth Floor
Episode Sponsor
Domaine Santé
Share the Show
Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
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by | | Podcast
Episode Summary
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 entrepreneur, founder and fellow angel investor, Dr. Kay Olmstead. Dr. Kay is an angel investor who has a particular interest in investing in technology-based companies in biotech and clean tech. She looks for investment opportunities in socially responsible companies with technologies to make our world better by creating products to tackle tough problems. Dr. Kay is also an accomplished entrepreneur and is a co-founder and CEO of Nano PharmaSolutions. Throughout her thirty-two year career in the pharmaceutical industry she led the development efforts of five FDA-approved drugs and holds nineteen issued patents to date.
Today, Dr. Silvia speaks to Dr. Kay about her investment thesis, one that is rooted in impact investing and legacy building through philanthropic investment vehicles, such as Donor Advised Funds, or DAFs. Dr. Kay continues by discussing the importance of commercialization and provides general advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.
What We Covered
- 04:40 – Dr. Silvia Mah introduces today’s guest, Dr. Kay Olmstead who speaks to her investment thesis and the decision to pursue impact investing
- 16:44 – Dr. Kay talks about how her approach to investing has been influenced by her background as both an intrapreneur and entrepreneur
- 20:53 – Dr. Kay provides some poignant investment questions that are important to ask
- 24:03 – Dr. Kay comments on the importance of commercialization
- 29:33 – Dr. Kay speaks to the value of relationship building in investing
- 34:35 – Dr. Kay talks about her experience with San Diego Angel Conference
- 38:47 – Dr. Silvia recaps her interview with Dr. Kay
Tweetables
Links Mentioned
Dr. Silvia Mah’s LinkedIn
Dr. Silvia Mah’s Website
Dr. Silvia’s Twitter – @silviamah
Domaine Santé Website
San Diego Angel Conference
Dr. Kay’s LinkedIn
Intercept Pharma
Salix
Nano PharmaSolutions
Episode Sponsor
Domaine Santé
Share the Show
Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
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- Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork
- Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section
- Click on ‘Write a Review’
by | | Podcast
Episode Summary
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 experienced retirement plan consultant and entrepreneur, Rebecca Hourihan. Rebecca is the founder and CMO of 401(k) Marketing, a firm that helps retirement plan advisors market their expertise and build long-lasting brand awareness. The company was founded on the idea that retirement plan advisors are specialists and should promote their unique skill set. With over 15 years of retirement plan experience, Rebecca is skilled at developing clear paths that are simple for plan sponsors, advisors and participants to understand. She is committed to company growth, advisor development and collaborative improvement. Dr. Silvia and Rebecca discuss lessons Rebecca has learned from her involvement in the San Diego Angel Conference, tips for being a better public speaker and how she has transitioned into a leader in the financial planning and services industry.
What We Covered
- 04:19 – Dr. Silvia Mah introduces today’s guest, Rebecca Hourihan who speaks to her involvement in the San Diego Angel Conference, her background as a financial advisor and her entrepreneurial journey
- 15:45 – The community of SDAC and what Rebecca noticed about some of the founders from this past year
- 20:39 – Rebecca talks about how she prepares for presentations
- 22:27 – How Rebecca has grown throughout her journey as an angel investor and the importance of diversifying her investments
- 27:12 – Rebecca’s shares other projects she’s a part of
- 28:45 – Rebecca expounds on her investment thesis and her ‘why’
- 30:21 – Dr. Silvia shares her own specific investment thesis
- 34:04 – Rebecca talks about some trends she’s seen in the FinTech industry
- 35:53 – Rebecca discusses her financial savvy and provides best practices for living a frugal lifestyle
- 44:40 – Final words of wisdom from Rebecca
- 46:20 – What abundance mindset means to Rebecca
Tweetables
Links Mentioned
Dr. Silvia Mah’s LinkedIn
Dr. Silvia Mah’s Website
Dr. Silvia’s Twitter – @silviamah
Domaine Santé Website
San Diego Angel Conference
Rebecca’s LinkedIn
Rebecca’s YouTube Channel
Rebecca’s Twitter
Rebecca’s Podcast
401(k) Marketing Website
Episode Sponsor
Domaine Santé
Share the Show
Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
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- Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork
- Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section
- Click on ‘Write a Review’
by | | Podcast
Episode Summary
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 ecosystem builder, investor and advisor, Caitlin Wege. Caitlin is a partner at MooDoos Investments, a private family-owned investment fund that invests in early-stage companies throughout North America. MooDoos is industry agnostic and invests in several industries including life sciences, manufacturing, and education technology. Caitlin is an experienced angel investor and fund manager that serves as Chairman of the board of multiple portfolio companies and President of the San Diego Chapter of Tech Coast Angels, the largest Angel network in the US. Dr. Silvia and Caitlin discuss the concept of finding your ‘why’ as an investor, Caitlin’s passion for fostering entrepreneurial and investor education, and how to create a wonderful network and community for investors locally as well as nationwide.
What We Covered
- 04:32 – Dr. Silvia Mah introduces today’s guest, Caitlin Wege who speaks to her entrepreneurial journey, her ‘why,’ and how she got involved in investing
- 08:45 – Caitlin speaks to the importance of addressing the wealth gap in America
- 12:24 – Caitlin discusses the dynamic of her family office and her role as President of the San Diego Chapter of Tech Coast Angels
- 18:40 – Caitlin shares her thoughts on the need to get more women involved in angel investing and the panel she worked to achieve this goal
- 27:08 – Caitlin identifies some specific female members of Tech Coast Angels who are doing amazing work
- 29:35 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
- 36:19 – Caitlin talks about overcoming the challenges of COVID-19 to emerge successful in 2020 and what excites her about 2021
- 41:31 – How Caitlin plans to amplify her ‘why’ in 2021
- 46:05 – What abundance mindset means to Caitlin
Tweetables
Links Mentioned
Dr. Silvia Mah’s LinkedIn
Dr. Silvia Mah’s Website
Dr. Silvia’s Twitter – @silviamah
Domaine Santé Website
San Diego Angel Conference
Caitlin’s LinkedIn
MooDoos Website
Tech Coast Angels Website
Tootris
Episode Sponsor
Domaine Santé
Share the Show
Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
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- Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork
- Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section
- Click on ‘Write a Review’
by | | Podcast
Episode Summary
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 former Director of Contracts at Qualcomm, Janet Carson. After retiring from Qualcomm in 2018, Janet turned her focus to making an impact in the community by serving with several community-based organizations and investing personal resources with numerous startup companies. As an angel investor, Janet identifies innovative solutions and technology-centric startup companies for investment opportunities.
Dr. Silvia and Janet talk about how Janet has diversified her portfolio through different types of investment opportunities, from Portfolia and San Diego Angel Conference to Founders First Capital Partners. They discuss the value of looking to others for industry-specific expertise throughout the due diligence process. Finally, they speak to Janet’s passion for investing in women-led and underrepresented startup organizations.
What We Covered
- 05:06 – Dr. Silvia Mah introduces today’s guest, Janet Carson who speaks to extensive business background, her involvement in San Diego Angel Conference and what she enjoyed most about SDAC
- 11:19 – How Janet’s experience has changed with a year under her belt at SDAC and speaks to the benefits of angel investing
- 15:14 – How SDAC has adjusted and pivoted amidst COVID-19
- 19:32 – Janet speaks to the site visits she’s excited to make once it’s safer to travel
- 23:02 – Janet opens up about her different investment approaches and how she’s leveraged the investment platform Portfolia
- 34:10 – Janet talks about her involvement with Kim Folsom and Founders First Capital Partners
- 38:01 – How Janet views herself as an investor
- 42:54 – What abundance mindset means to Janet
Tweetables
Links Mentioned
Dr. Silvia Mah’s LinkedIn
Dr. Silvia Mah’s Website
Dr. Silvia’s Twitter – @silviamah
Domaine Santé Website
San Diego Angel Conference
Janet’s LinkedIn
Otonexus
Portfolia
Episode Sponsor
Domaine Santé
Share the Show
Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
- Click this link
- Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork
- Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section
- Click on ‘Write a Review’
by | | Podcast
Episode Summary
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
- 28:42 – What abundance mindset means to Michelle
Tweetables
Links Mentioned
Dr. Silvia Mah’s LinkedIn
Dr. Silvia Mah’s Website
Dr. Silvia’s Twitter – @silviamah
Domaine Santé Website
San Diego Angel Conference
Michelle’s LinkedIn
Episode Sponsor
Domaine Santé
Share the Show
Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
- Click this link
- Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork
- Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section
- Click on ‘Write a Review’
by | | Podcast
Episode Summary
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
Tweetables
Links Mentioned
Dr. Silvia Mah’s LinkedIn
Dr. Silvia Mah’s Website
Dr. Silvia’s Twitter – @silviamah
Domaine Santé Website
San Diego Angel Conference
Oralia’s LinkedIn
Founders First Capital Partners
Episode Sponsor
Domaine Santé
Share the Show
Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
- Click this link
- Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork
- Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section
- Click on ‘Write a Review’
by | | Podcast
Episode Summary
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
Tweetables
Links Mentioned
Dr. Silvia Mah’s LinkedIn
Dr. Silvia Mah’s Website
Dr. Silvia’s Twitter – @silviamah
Domaine Santé Website
San Diego Angel Conference
Amy’s LinkedIn
Goldfish Consulting Website
Gust Website
Episode Sponsor
Domaine Santé
Share the Show
Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
- Click this link
- Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork
- Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section
- Click on ‘Write a Review’
