What's Your Ask? with Stephanie Sims

In this episode… This is a shared episode by Matt Wolach. Matt starts the episode introducing Stephanie, asking where she is today and how she got there. They kick off the show agreeing that raising capital is truly all about sales. People looking for funding need to look at what is right in front of them - creating something of value that clients and future clients will pay them for. One of the mindsets that is super important is that of an investor. And then you ask yourself, “What is the best use of the resources I already have?” When it comes to timing, Stephanie shares the best way to know if you’re ready to raise capital is when you know how to turn $1m inside your company to $2m. One needs to understand what makes a good investment inside your business first. The show turns to talking about fundraising being truly a sales and marketing process. However, there are a few metrics, key numbers and KPIs to keep an eye on. Finally, they wrap up with Stephanie sharing advice to those setting out to find funds and the right investor. And of course, ways to keep up with Stephanie. Resources Mentioned in this episode Finance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.

In this episode… Andrea begins the episode introducing Stephanie, and asks her exactly what it was that drove her into owning her own business. More specifically, what drove her to Financeability. What gave Stephanie the heart for business? It stemmed from watching her parents who owned their own business. When her parents were ready to retire, they reached out to Stephanie who helped them place value on their business so they could talk about it like the asset it was. Stephanie shares how she helps businesses plan an exit strategy that doesn’t just include hanging their hat on the door and that’s that. Understanding the end game is crucial, and not everyone knows that. Another major playing piece for those wanting to ask for money is knowing their ideal investor. Without knowing that, there is so much wasted time and energy. There are two groups that Stephanie works with, and those are founders, but the second one that really excites her is working with organizations that serve groups of founders. She explains why, so make sure you listen! The episode wraps with words of advice and sharing what she believes is her superpower and how it helps others. Resources Mentioned in this Episode Finance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedInhttp://leadlikeawoman.biz Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.

In this Episode . . . Robbie gets this episode started by asking Stephanie about her leadership journey and when she realized she had a knack for leading. To Stephanie, being a leader is equal parts inspiration and risk/action taking. One must have a bold vision to share with people that will get them excited about doing something. In the same sense, one must also be willing to roll up their own sleeves, dig in and do some work as well. Mentors were important to Stephanie, and among the top of that list are her parents. They encouraged and supported her in multiple ways during her leadership journey. No matter how crazy of an idea, they were there for her and provided the push when needed. At the age of 12, Stephanie thought she wanted to be a doctor until the opportunity arose at summer camp to practice on cadavers. It was then her dream of being a doctor was called off. By the age of 13, she was working on spreadsheet for her parents, and with her father being an accountant, she was off and running in the world of finance. Robbie and Stephanie talk at length about networking. Prior to the pandemic, networking was largely face-to-face. Things, events, and the mode of networking has changed drastically since March 2020, and these changes will be a permanent thing. The episode wraps with Stephanie sharing what excites her about the future, and how she will be mentoring and reaching groups of entrepreneurs. Resources Mentioned in this episode Finance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.

In this Episode . . . Stephanie shares that her parents owned a business while she was in high school, but when time came to sell their business and retire, they struggled to find buyers. She realized then that the business was sellable, but they didn’t know how to talk about their business as an investment. For Stephanie, it is fun to see people get excited, but she tries to help when they are frustrated because they see a way to grow but don’t know how to find the money to do it. Most entrepreneurs are not finance people, so don’t always understand their financial health and what pieces to put in place. They need to know their numbers in order to look and ask for capital. The numbers are very revealing! The world changed during the pandemic. Toward the end of the year, and people adapted, there was quite a bit of money raised. The changes, including the world of Zoom, made people transition to a different way of approaching the investor. But, she did see a lot of people panic, but most turned the panic into productivity. The biggest misconception people have, is there is this huge pool of money just looking to be spent. That isn’t how it works. They generally won’t fund 100% of the round, and sometimes they simply aren’t interested because it isn’t big enough for them. Reality is this – there are different kinds of capital for companies at different stages. Fundraising is just like sales and marketing – you need an ideal client, and you need a message that resonates with them. You can’t stand up and simply ask, “Hey I have this thing, do you want to buy it?” Building connections is key, even though the digital world continues to advance. It’s time to pull back automation and create genuine relationships. The touch and customer service are needed. Philosophy needs to be aligned with whomever you work with. It isn’t always prudent to get involved, and there are always going to be other opportunities. Finally, Stephanie shares this piece of advice, “money is not your problem.” Rethink things if you feel money will get you where you want to go. Resources Mentioned in this episode Finance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.

Today, I’m excited to talk to Natalie Benamou, the Founder & CEO of Herpower2 Lead. Natalie is a strategic thought leader with 30 years of experience creating ‘Blue Ocean’ strategies that help differentiate businesses from the competition and leading organizations. She has served as President of HBA Chicago (Healthcare Business Women's Association) as well as A Heart For Animals, an all volunteer animal rescue that has saved over 3,000 pets. Natalie founded HerCsuite™, an advisory & networking platform for executive women leaders, to empower female executives. She is a super connector and helps women make meaningful business relationships, gain visibility, and advance to the C-suite and beyond. Natalie is also the host of HerCsuite™ Radio, a podcast for women leaders on the move. In this episode… As they start, Natalie shares the scariest ask has ever been when asking for herself. It is getting others to see the vision she has and join in the vision she has. She leads with empathy, and asks “what does success look like to you” in hopes they are aligned and can work together. Natalie and Stephanie have a lengthy discussion on failures, the fear of rejection and how to rejoice with getting “no” knowing it leads to bigger and better things. In addition to failures, they talk about resilience and flexibility. Without those, success will not be easily achieved. Lastly, Natalie shares she loves to say “yes” to the asks she gets but now asks herself if she can make a difference, can she help people, and still live her purpose. If she can confidently say yes to these three questions, she can say yes. Resources Mentioned in this Episode LinkedIn Profile:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliebenamou/https://hercsuite.com/https://www.rejectiontherapy.com/ Finance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.

Today, I’m excited to talk to Tara Spalding, the Managing Director of BoomStartup Accelerator. BoomStartup is an accelerator and mentorship-driven angel-stage investment program for startups, which operates as an online technology-driven accelerator, providing entrepreneurs a custom business plan including business maturity guidance, investment preparation, and capital structuring relevant to growth, and investment strategies as well as a curated marketplace for services. Tara is also the founder of Hen House Ventures, an early stage incubator that helps tech companies rapidly scale when entering massive markets, and is also on the board of trustees for VentureCapital.org. Tara is the recipient of the 2020 Utah Business 30 Women to Watch award. Tara began her high-tech career in Silicon Valley when she taught herself to code software and became the first employee, and eventually VP of marketing at industry leader, SugarCRM. Her Silicon Valley experience included roles as CMO at GroundWork Open Source, VP marketing at Magnet Systems, and co-founder and CPO at BenchPick. Tara received her bachelors from University of Colorado, Boulder. In this episode… Tara starts with the speed round and answering Stephanie’s questions including her favorite junk food, vacation spots, and music. For Tara, there were thousands of asks that she didn’t not even know she had the courage to do until she did it. The first time she became a cofounder with another person and needed to find outside investments. When she did it or helped other people, it came much easier than when it was her own. Looking back, she realizes she worried about the most goofy things, such as the color she was wearing. The relationship she has now with their investor was built along with trust and credibility over time. When you find the right investor fit, there is no better relationship because they are on your side in multiple ways and offer beneficial suggestions and ideas. Tara suggests to entrepreneurs: Look at it from the investor’s point of view, not the entrepreneur’s or their own. What is important is getting a sense of adventure in how they want to spend their money and see the returns. For those looking for money, it needs to fit into their investment portfolio as a person. Everyone has a different risk/reward appetite and that needs to be aligned. You may want to know how you get an indication about the risk appetite they might have or how involved they want to be, and according to Tara, it is really tricky. Asking the question, three different times over a period of time to see if answers are consistent, is one method. Over time, relying on the network is important as well. Tara’s company offers everything online at the moment but is piloting their first face-to-face soon. It is amazing how adaptive our brains are, no matter what the platform or venue. Right now, investors, and others, are more accessible with technology. How does one refine their ask? Tara actually pulls from Stephanie’s play book and suggests coming up with two options that people can help you with. People can be successful making the smaller asks and building relationships. How does Tara decide who to say yes to when it comes to sharing her time? Always looking for meaningful engagement with more than one person at a time. When coming up with your ask, make sure to think of a couple of asks. If you get an answer, advice or introduction you need to follow up by explaining the conclusion! Where can people find Stephanie? Join the Boom Start Up Community! It’s fun and easy! Come on in and have some fun! Resources Mentioned in this episode https://www.linkedin.com/in/taraspalding/https://boomstartup.comFinance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert...

Today, I’m excited to talk to Ari Palmer Salafia, who’s the Co-Founder & CEO of TaxTaker, a female-founded tax and technology savings company focused on helping put money back into growing companies pockets. Over the course of her career, Ari has helped hundreds of companies save tens of millions of dollars on taxes through R&D tax credits and other specialty government programs. Originally from California, Ari graduated and holds a bachelor degree in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Ari moved to Austin, Texas in 2016 and is steadfast in providing support to the incredible companies being built in the United States. In her free time, Ari enjoys running the trails with her husband and fur babies and finding any waterway she can get to in Texas. Welcome Ari! In this episode: Ari starts with the speed round and answering Stephanie’s questions including her favorite junk food, vacation spots, and music. After the speed round, the conversation begins with Ari sharing her biggest ask, which happened a mere year and a half ago when she began to raise capital for TaxTaker. She approached this as if she were in sales, but asking for money was very foreign to her. You will hear how she gained confidence to continue on. As she grew the number of conversations held with investors, so did her confidence level, and she became more secure with each. She had a healthy mix amongst the investors she met with and realized there is no perfect recipe. Ari’s whole story and messaging held true over time, and the numbers were growing, interest in her product was growing and trending upward. Even when the pandemic hit, they were running lean, getting more customer accounts, and building traction. When it came to mindset, Ari admits that the Imposter Syndrome is very real and big headlines with huge raises do not help. It was not reality and the fact is, there are so many out there grinding to make something a reality. Those people are the ones who get overlooked. Self doubts do creep in, and you have to fake it while you make it. Truthfully speaking, comparison is the thief of joy, so avoiding comparing oneself to others is helpful. Ari is a big believer in abundance, but you have to set your own path. The power of storytelling can get people hooked by sharing what the end of the book may look like. She has this very important piece of advice to share, “Remember exactly what you tell an investor. They share deals. Make sure your messaging is consistent.” Having financial literacy, or not having it, can break a company. One can’t only focus on customers, they also need to focus on where their money is going and how much is left. When an individual is disorganized, there is a good chance the company is as well. Although it pains her to say “no” to people asking for her time, she is getting better at saying “yes” when she feels it will be beneficial to both sides. For those who are listening, please visit her website and see if you qualify to work with her. There are tax incentives and dollars on the table. Resources Mentioned in this episode www.taxtaker.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aripalmer/www.instagram.com/arisalafiaFinance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of...

Today, I’m excited to talk to Zachary Eikenberry, a CoFounder, Director and CEO of Hook Security, which uses Psychological Security, or PsySec™, to teach employees how to spot and avoid phishing attacks and create a healthy security-aware culture company wide. Before Hook, Zach was a Founder and the CEO of The NEXT Schools in Greenville, SC. These schools provided entrepreneurial experiences for over 900 students between 2 high schools and a middle school. Zach has over 14 years of startup experience since graduating from Purdue University with degrees in Philosophy and Economics, including the successful launch of a SaaS company in addition to his ongoing consulting practice. He has been recognized as a Top Ten most Innovative Educator, a TEDx Speaker, and a conference speaker on the nature of innovation and education. Welcome Zach! In this episode… In this episode you will hear why Zach likes the summer olympics over the winter olympics, and the curious reason why. Also, Zach recalls a story in relation to an offer that was too good to refuse, but it all came down to a personal guarantee. So, this offer? Ultimately it was turned down. When it comes down to sharing, describing and showing data of the pipeline, authenticity is key and of ultra importance. Oftentimes as things gain traction, people get worried they are missing out and that should not be the case. But, on the flip side, putting yourself in the investor’s shoes may help you see more clearly as to why they feel this way. Relationships that align with investors make an almost-perfect relationship. Most founders feel they need to be perfect and not show weakness when in front of them but in reality, most investors are skeptical of perfection as they wonder why they’re at the table if everything is all “unicorns and rainbows.” Now, some investors do want to hear perfection and a pretty picture without negativity, but not all. Let’s talk home runs! Institutional investors have to hit home runs. However, hitting the moon isn’t always reality, and one hopes to never crash into the oceans. Hitting projections is the true objective, and that is all investors really need to hear. Finally, it comes down to this, investors need entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs need investors. They go hand-in-hand. One cannot go on without the other. Resources Mentioned in this episode https://designli.co/blog/zach-eikenberry-on-pursuing-radical-ideas/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ikeinc/zach@hooksecurity.coFinance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.

Today, I’m excited to talk to Amy & Adam Fazackerley, Co-Founders of Lay-n-Go, a company that designs and manufactures innovative organizational solutions for life, play, and travel. I’ve interviewed them both individually, so if you haven’t listened to those episodes, add them to your playlist! But today we’re doing something different - and talking to them about what it’s like to work with your spouse day in, day out. Welcome, Adam & Amy! In this episode… Instead of the speed round, they start out with a few either / or questions. Both Amy and Adam both feel it is easier to work with their spouse than anyone else in the family! They have very distinct strengths and weaknesses, which, perhaps is part of the secret. Adam laughs as he shared his weakness is he is always in trouble and Amy’s strength is she is forgiving. Amy shared a true benefit in being founders together is the ability to work things together versus another founder who hops in his or her car and drives away. Together, they run their business a different way. They are lifestyle based, work hard, and always want what is best for their family. However, it isn’t always smooth, and days do not always start out with having breakfast casually. What is really important is really understanding the other person. For Amy, balance is really important to each of them. Stephanie wanted to know if they feel as though they are working more than an average person because they work together. Both, Amy and Adam, stated yes and that is the nature of the base. They both agree their kids have been a pretty cool part of the journey. Making best use of their time, such as in the car, it very important. They’re very focused and intentional on what they want their business to be. After ten years in business, the number one question is where do they want to be in five years or ten years and what do they want it to look like? What they do fall back on is the trust they have in each other. One of the other things they like to do is give back by teaching the next generation about the things they went through in starting and running their business. Together they are very active in extracurricular entrepreneurship things. Working with other people is what makes them tick. Other than a shared vision, there are other parts of working together that have contributed to their success. They include communication, trust, and really looking at going back to the strengths. Adam feels understanding those hot spots is ultra-important. For instance, if there is friction, Amy does not want any part of that. It isn’t always as easy as a line down the middle. When it comes to other founders, there are certain things they should look for, but there are also those they should avoid. Adam shares that a lot of times the teams that come to them are paired up, but if they’re not, just remember you are picking a partner so find someone who has the strengths where you may lack. If there are issues between partners, they like to push for resolutions that are fair. Amy shares that it is important to stick with what you love, what will get you out of bed every day and stick with that. It shouldn’t feel like work. Just look at what drives and motivates you. Before involving a family member in your business, there are some questions that need to be asked of yourself. Such as, “What do you want out of this?” In fact, that should be a mutual question. If everyone wants success and progression, it’s a pretty good start. If you are going to involve family, figure out ways they will help build the business but also do it in the family role. They do consider their friends as their family as well. For them, their friends also started as their first focus groups. On the flip side, everyone needs to make sure it is working for those involved. Keeping open lines of communication are so important, family or not. They close with one piece of advice for others who are going to work with family, and that is to just...

Today, I’m excited to talk to Jamie Easton, the founder of The Uptick - a weekly dose of financial market smarts! Jamie has nearly 20 years of professional experience in the financial services industry, including Managing Director at Evercore, a premier, independent, global investment banking advisory firm. At Evercore, she not only founded the equities business in 2010, but was also recognized by Institutional Investor Magazine as the top ranked IR professional in her peer group. Jamie began her career at Goldman Sachs, where she led investment research on the Bond Insurance Industry. Jamie resides in Manhattan and is an avid lover of fitness and all things CNBC. Welcome Jamie! In this episode… In this episode, Jamie shares her scariest ask - with a little backstory, Jamie started her career in her 20s in equity research, moved to sales and discovered she was better suited for that. Her hardest or scariest ask was after she moved over to a sales role and brought in a large account, which was her first account. At that point, it was a top 3 account for the company but when she got her bonus, it was not reflective of the account. “Someone is getting paid off the money I brought in, where is it going?” Boss said they never asked her to bring in the account, and with that, she promptly handed the bonus back. The next day, got 100% more, which was still a small amount, but it was something, and that she accepted. Jamie feels this proves one thing – if you continue to accept and don’t ask for what you’re worth, it will continue to happen to you. In her job, she would be able to leave every day and know her worth and her value. It was data-based and easy to figure out. Her tip for someone not working with numbers is to write down every single positive contribution that was made. Then at your review, put all that compiled knowledge down and feed it back. Rank yourself highly when you have the chance. If you don’t think you’re exceptional then change it before your review. When you are in front of the person doing the review, it is difficult for them to say, “Oh, you’re terrible.” So, set yourself up with positivity; make your own data and value. Jamie says anyone facing this should think a little deeper than the top or bottom line – what else am I doing that will make the firm a better place. If you lost me, what would you be losing as an organization. You will see more value and able to highlight. There is psychology around always remembering the negative things or things that go wrong more so than the positive things. Jamie shares she had a deep passion to help women stay in finance. She finds it disappointing when women choose not to continue during pivotal times in their lives. When it came to starting Uptick, she would read financial articles written by a journalist who had never worked in finance, and she felt she could do a better job synthesizing business news for everyone. If people don’t understand the fundamental functions of the economy, it is hard to make decisions due to not understanding some of the products available. Some people miss out on incredible opportunities due to this. When they do finally decide, it might not be based on the right assessment of true risks and rewards. Jamie feels ones’ biggest investment is in oneself and the company they own. Most people put their financial decisions on someone else, and they do not have time to learn but rather are on different trends. For those who “knew” it was going to be a thing, then put some money in it. The second you notice a shift, make a move. When people have others managing their money, there is less ownership involved. Identifying long-term funds that you believe in is a phenomenal investment strategy. When you have money to invest, keep 20% of that and figure out for yourself what to invest in. Learn and understand everything there is about investing. In addition, know your investment strategy and your own goal. Money is such an important...

In this episode, you will hear how Amy felt her scariest ask was how to get started in business, how to get started in manufacturing, where do you go? It’s hard to go overseas, share your ideas and not know anyone not to mention hand over a prototype and negotiate dollars and all the major details. After stepping on loose Legos drove her over the edge, she brainstormed on how does one clean, corrale, and pick up after them without having to throw them all in buckets. Her advice to others wanting to start a business is to know your pain point and solve it. Questions they should ask themselves include: Do you understand your audience and their price points?What problem are you solving? To Amy, it was “What would I want?”How do you plan to get the message across to make it better? Will they look at the product and say, “Oh my gosh, I need that!” Some people can get stuck in perfectionism when they are getting ready to launch a product, and they shouldn’t. Learn from the mistakes you make, but get it out there. If something goes amiss, then quickly pivot and fix it. It’s a learning process, but it makes your product better and your brand stronger as well as reviews better. Ask for feedback, always. Feedback is so important! It shows the customer you are listening to them. Customers want to feel like they are part of what you’re doing, so make it a priority and engage with them. Make your brand feel real! Amy shares she goes through every day, week and year bumping into other problems. She loves finding products that provide simple solutions to make her daily life better. When just starting out, how does one get feedback, expand and get people engaged? The strategies they used were organic growth by telling their stories. Someone out there will relate and react. So, start with your story, grow organically, reach out to your friends and family, and use technology to your advantage. Not everyone “gets” or listens to feedback that is shared, but all feedback needs to be listened to as it’s all positive and all an opportunity. It’s all information you can put in your toolbox to make it better and stronger. Feedback could indicate changes are needed in education, changing the product, whether or not it’s off-trend, etc. Don’t look at negative feedback as a reason to throw everything out and start over rather look at it as if something needs tweaking. For instance, you might have the right product but are in the wrong place selling it to the wrong person. It’s easy to get lost in ideas and start branching out, but you need to remind yourself to stay focused. Your core is your core. Sometimes you just have to say “no” as it isn’t aligned with your mission or vision. It’s easy to get distracted. When it comes to sharing her time, Amy starts with family and friends, which lots of the groups have become. Looks at where she can add value. Amy’s ask of listeners: If you’re listening to this, take a look at their website and share feedback. Would love to hear thoughts and ideas. Promo code: April40 to get a 40% discount on any of the items! Resources Mentioned in this episode Finance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If...

Today, I’m excited to talk to Spencer Montgomery, the Founder of Uinta Crypto Consulting, a cryptocurrency training and mentoring program. He has been providing Bitcoin and cryptocurrency consulting and training for over 4 years. Spencer has spoken to over 3000 people and has influenced over 5 million of crypto investing. Spencer personally turned $13k into over $1.2M in 18 months back in 2017 and more impressively, sold in early 2018 protecting his earnings. He has helped many friends and family 10x their money investing in crypto assets. Spencer has a MBA and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Brigham Young University. Prior to starting his own company, Spencer was the Blockchain Evangelist for Microsoft. In This Episode Spencer shares what the offer was that he could not refuse. Back in September he was offered to join a coaching program for $4,000. The coaching program spoke exactly to a pain he was feeling and helped solved the problem. Since he had invested so much into it, he dedicated lots of time and energy to get the returns. There are three things Spencer feels should be looked at when making a decision to spend money on something such as a coaching program. BooksTestimonialsGuarantee In order to set himself apart from the rest of the “hype” to make connections, Spencer posts twice daily on his LinkedIn account with tips, information and education. Multiple times he hears he is a “breath of fresh air” when people are looking for something they can trust. He feels he is that person, and he is easy to pitch to. Spencer feels that some buy out of fear of everyone else getting rich and sell because they are afraid they are going to lose money. Risk profiles are different for everyone, but he helps people conquer fear and deal with loss aversion by understanding their motivations and what their goals are. Spencer shares common myths in regard to crypto investing such as people believing the information they see or read is education and that all investing does not have to be crypto - they can start small. Condensing the opportunity and showing people what they are missing is key. Spencer shares his thoughts surrounding how crypto currency will impact the broader market, how people will do business and what the future holds or will evolve to. In addition, how will regulations change or what controls may come into play. He feels technology has interrupted so many other industries, and they survived, so this should be no different. In addition, Spencer shares information about NFTs. Finally, Spencer wants everyone to know the risk/reward - not too many opportunities out there and just wants people to benefit from it. But you need to learn. If you don’t understand, you’re just gambling. Links Mentioned: www.uintacrypto.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/montgomeryspencer/Finance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of...

Adam Fazackerley is the COO and Co-Founder of Lay-n-Go, LLC. Fazackerley started his career at UUNET Technologies. He went on to found concept2creations, LLC, a corporate design company focused on building brands and producing every aspect of their digital / print marketing strategies. He worked as an Associate with Osborn Capital and later went on to co-found Fortify.vc. Both firms were focused on early-stage technology fund investing in Mid-Atlantic, Silicon Valley, and talent-rich technology markets. In 2010, Adam and his wife Amy founded Lay-n-Go, LLC. The company is focused on designing and developing innovative organizational solutions for life, play, and travel. To date, they have been awarded three US Utility Patents on their invention and distribute their products to leading retail companies domestically and internationally. Fazackerley serves on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council and the Syracuse University Library Advisory Board. Adam graduated with a B.S. degree in Marketing from Syracuse University. In this episode… Adam answers all of Stephanie’s speed round questions which lead into a lively discussion of music and how the decade of the 70s reigns in superiority! Once they get down to business, Adams shares how his, and Amy’s, decision making process really started with her dad. They asked him, “What do you think of this business, and would you invest?” Their questions were immediately answered with, “How are you placing it? What are you doing? How are you producing it? What’s your supply chain?” It was then that they realized that maybe investments from family weren’t the best choice. For Adam, he thinks the scariest questions are when you ask for an opinion and get answers you don’t fully understand. Ultimately, one must stand behind the decisions made and realize there is a lot of learning in the process and it is rewarding. Adam shares, “If you have an idea that keeps you up at night thinking, and it could change the world, in a little or big way, then go after it!” Hearing feedback from others will make you think and ask questions of yourself which lead to growth. Always think big, dream big but know your path to profitability. When you face uncertainty and doubt, don’t lose faith in yourself or your model - always remember it doesn’t happen overnight. Make sure, when talking with investors, do not pretend to know it all. You can lose credibility - it is okay to say, “I don’t understand.” You can’t put the top of a building on until the middle is built! So build the middle and build confidence - asking helps. Situational awareness is crucial! Know your audience and know your investors! Some can be picky and aggressive, and that’s ok. Each have their own personality, so know how to handle them. Do your research. You don’t need everyone to love you, just need to know what a good partnership will look like. Will they be there for the long haul? There is an analogy you will hear about between investors and the comfort of shoes - and believe it or not, it makes perfect sense! To be successful, you need the pure warrior mentality! When it comes to saying “yes” for requests, Adam takes into consideration will it change the world, do I connect with it, and is it something Amy and I can do together. If you’re overextending yourself, you are worthless to everyone. Adam’s ask to listeners: Do you think we can build our product in America and hit the price points that consumers want? He would love to hear it! And, there is a special offer for listeners! 40% off orders on their site with free shipping for orders over $50. Enter StephRocks when ordering! Resources Mentioned in this episode LinkedIn Profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamfazackerley/ UUNET : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UUNET Fortify.vc : https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/fortify-ventures Lay-n-Go : www.layngo.com PATENT 9,0984,459 (July 2015) : https://patents.google.com/patent/US9084459 PATENT...

A 20-year finance industry veteran, podcaster, writer, and speaker, George is working to help people get better at money and life so they can live how they want. He spent 10 years with a Fortune 100 company as an advisor as well as in leadership positions where he impacted thousands of people and developed training curriculums. George is the President of Financial Consulting Professionals, the Founder and Chief Community Officer of Money Alignment Academy, and the host of the Money Savage podcast. He’s also been named to Investopedia's list of the Top 100 Most Influential Financial Advisors two years in a row. In this episode… George helps people with money and life, so they are able to live life as they envision for themselves. He shares that the “money stuff” can keep you from reaching success. Not everyone lives the life envisioned in their head, but in order to do that, they need to understand the overall picture. The overall picture includes knowing the three most valuable resources to them are: TimeAttentionMoney Those three items need to be aligned with the best version of “me” that is in “my mind.” People need to come to the conclusion themselves as to what that may be in all three. And, people need to be transparent with their goals and decisions. When people want to be held accountable, to be successful, they really need to hold themselves accountable and create a community with others by sharing the change they want to make and asking others the permission to check in with them and share their progress. Communities, or groups, are successful as the members “do it themselves” but are reinforced by others. George believes in the Self-Determination theory, which is people’s ability to make choices and manage their own life. Resources Mentioned in this episode George LI:https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgegrombacherMoney Alignment Academy:http://moneyalignmentacademy.com/Self Determination Theory:https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/theory/Finance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.

Sean O’Brien, is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Overline, an Atlanta-based seed-stage venture capital fund that he runs with his partner, Michael Cohn. Sean has been in the investment business for nearly 30 years, with roles in investment banking, hedge fund management, corporate development and venture capital. He is an All-Star Mentor in the Techstars network, a mentor in the Endeavor network, and an advisor to a number of startups. Sean received his degree from NYU and lives in the Atlanta area with his wife and twin daughters. In this episode… Sean talks about asymmetry and if the gap is really that wide? He shares how he knows it is inherently unnatural for those looking for funding to sell themselves and their vision. When people are making their pitch, it is painful to watch as he knows the anxiety they are feeling and being terrified to make the ask. Sean is a big fan of authenticity - people need to just be themselves and trust in them and the process. They aren’t looking for a performance and are more interested in their story, not someone who is salesy or a know-it-all. Humility is key. Rather than the “fake it until you make it” mentality, they want to hear, “I don’t know” or “Will you explain that to me?” Sean feels it is refreshing with the modernization of the funding world in seeing success not only through the eyes of a spreadsheet and numbers. Pattern recognition is important when talking to investors, and founders don’t always do their homework. They need to learn about whom they are pitching too and follow the patterns. A tip for fundraising: adopt a process and be intentional about it. However, most people have a huge miss and that’s the ask. He likes to hear, “This is what I’m building, here is what I think, and this is my structure.” Those seeking funding should know what they think they need but also be open to hearing thoughts and advice. Sean and Michael want to be the first one called for celebrations, bad news, good news and a couch session when a mental break is needed. How quickly people recover is crucial! Sean states he is really bad at saying no, and is intellectually curious in what everyone has to pitch. He feels an obligation and responsibility toward diversity. He has a simple intake form on his website for those who are interested, but is sticking close to Atlanta and the SE. Resources Mentioned in this episode https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanobr/https://overline.vc/Finance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.

Robert is a Speaker, Author, Leadership Trainer, and Executive Coach who integrates a heart-centered, result-oriented and transformational leadership approach to being effective. He’s a serial entrepreneur including having founded and led two training industry success stories with over one million graduates of high-impact experiential learning seminars. In this episode… Robert White talks about how he found a sense of purpose during a time of need turned out to be life-changing. A previous “no” became a hard “yes” in a time of desperation that led to his financial success for years to come. Sometimes it is after a period of courting that it becomes apparent that saying yes will work. Facing unknown situations can, ultimately, be a good thing. You are uninhibited by not having preconceived notions. So, taking that plunge isn't as scary when you have no previous experience to use as a means to discount the idea. When you have that desire to do something different, you are more apt to take the chance. When the idea just won’t leave you alone, you have to try. Passion and commitment are the best characteristics to take the chance on entrepreneurship. Starting your own company takes the energy of passion and commitment to that passion. Entrepreneurs can teach you so much. How you show up with the client matters. So, your presence matters when making that ask. Robert says, “You aren’t enough” is a great motivator to do great things. However, you need to overcome that and have a positive relationship with yourself. Success is not narrowly defined and is a personal reflection for yourself. Get clear on what you want to accomplish, just don’t get tunnel vision. Stay awake to what’s possible. Resources Mentioned in this episode Extraordinary People on LinkedInExtraordinaryPeople.com Robert White on LinkedIn Just Start: Take Action, Embrace Uncertainty, Create the Futureby Leonard Schlesinger and Charles KieferFinance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.

Today, I’m excited to talk to Kim Raath, the co-founder and CEO of Topl, an ESG technology company with a purpose-built blockchain that empowers businesses to prove and monetize ethical and sustainable practices. Before university, Kim worked in 18 developing countries to rebuild and strengthen communities by implementing innovative forms of technology. She has since given numerous talks about how technical innovation empowers communities to improve quality of life and access to opportunities. Kim was the first student at Rice University to simultaneously complete a Masters in Economics and PhD in Statistics, and additionally holds a BS in Mathematics. While at Rice, Kim met her Topl co-founders James and Chris and found a common mindset and desire to build systems to create a better world. As CEO, Kim innovates around every problem that arises and continuously finds ways to grow the entire Topl ecosystem using her connections and resources in the mining and agricultural industry, creating an even more valuable company. In this episode… Kim Raath talks about how your customers care about your global impact. This is more and more important with the flow of information and how easily someone can quickly search and learn more about your company than ever before. She also discusses how actively bringing in VC during the pandemic changed - the virtual space created allowed for closer relationships with more distant investors. In meeting with potential investors, it is important to have case studies, to be able to show investors how people use your product. Getting people to buy into your process and what the capabilities are vs. the history of the product. Kim talks about how critical it was to bring her teaching experience into the process of teaching investors to understand how her process works. The education piece was extremely useful in making better relationship-building with investors. Listen in as Kim explains how she, and her team, had to simplify the processes of their product to help people understand the process. The core of the team was to create a new environment to break down barriers to make it more accessible to a larger audience. Sharing the story and take it from a concept to a commitment in a mindful and transparent way. Resources Mentioned in this episode Preventive vs. Promotional questionsKim Raath on LinkedIn Topl’s Blockchain as a ServiceFinance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.

Today, I’m excited to talk to two-time founder Katy Campbell. Katy is currently working with Porsche Digital to develop new startups across various ecosystems. Katy is also running "formation", a startup school for founders who identify as womxn, or as part of a minority group. She was also leading the brand and communication team at APX, the early-stage VC from Axel Springer and Porsche. Driven by her passion for mental wellbeing and diversity, Katy is working closely with boards globally to make sure both these topics are at the forefront of discussions. Zalando, Rocket Internet, and House of Malakai alumna. In this episode… Katy Campbell talks about how her naive approach to asking for investment was actually easier than asking for investments after understanding the process. The lack of experience allowed her to be bolder in her ask, simply because she was unaware she wasn’t following the norms. Simply said, don’t be afraid to boldly ask for what you want. Lean into the fact that you have the innocence of how can I go wrong, and just dive in. By taking chances when you don’t have a lot of experience allows you to grow in many ways. You don’t have to fake it until you make it. However, being innocent about where you are in the process allows for additional support from investors. Look at the people who are willing to ask for help while being secure in what they do know. You have to be comfortable and confident, but being humble attracts investors who are willing to support those learning the processes. Whether investment or sales, the first connection is connecting on a human level. Investors are people too. Listen in for more of Katy’s experience in the investment world and how to ask for “Smart” money. And, how the pandemic has affected how people are thinking about what they want to build, how they want to build it, and who do they want involved in the process. Resources Mentioned in this episode Katy Campbell on LinkedInPorsche Digital on LinkedInVisit Porsche DigitalFinance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.

Today, I’m excited to talk to Greg Head, the CEO of Scaling Point and the founder of Gregslist. Greg Head is a 30-year software industry veteran who was part of the startup-to-scale journeys of three different software companies in the CRM industry, including one IPO. He is now an active mentor, advisor, consultant, and speaker helping founders of early-stage software startups all over the world. At Scaling Point, Greg works with startup tech founders on positioning strategy, product-market fit, messaging, and scalable marketing execution. Gregslist.com is the curated and up-to-date list of local software companies used by thousands of founders, tech leaders, investors, and job seekers each month. Gregslist is now available for tech communities in Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Austin, Chicago, and more. Greg and his wife live in the Dallas area. They spent 23 years in Phoenix before returning to her Texas hometown in 2019. Welcome Greg! In this episode… Greg Head talks about how going full circle from selling software to running a software company was a natural progression. He further explains how the way he was asked by a partner, and that it was a logical step in his progression. He knew the journey was still evolving and was a commitment. He embraced being a leader of a large team and a large company. In shifting through the development of the software arena, Greg found that the way companies and entrepreneurs made asks changed. It became a more mature market than a frontier market. To stand out in a “noisy” environment of start-up, you need to be a specialist. Yes, you heard that right. With the market being so much more saturated, you need to specialize in order to make an impact. Buyers want to know you are the “Best” at what you do, your specialty. And, finally, getting traction is how you validate your specialized service. With so many choices, you need to stand-out. Listen in to see how you can stand-out in your specialty. Resources Mentioned in this episode Connect to GregslistGreg Head on LinkedInVisit Greg’s WebsiteFinance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.

Matt Wolach, host of SaaS-Story in the Making, is an entrepreneur, investor, coach, and leader who knows the sales world from the inside out. He has nearly two decades of SaaS sales management experience. His expertise, in particular, lies in crafting a streamlined buyer journey that maximizes conversions at every stage from lead to close. Matt is the creator of The Perfect D.E.A.L. Process which has created growth patterns that led to multiple 8 and 9 figure exits. He uses his experience and this proven process to guide founders and leaders of B2B SaaS companies from around the world on how to effectively turn their entire sales process into a conversion machine. In this episode… Understanding the process behind the sales process is essential to making the right ask of potential clients and investors. Until you understand your product, your process, you will not have the framework that creates a “machine”, sales engine, that provides the fuel to facilitate growth and investment. Matt explains how your initial investment comes from your sales. By positioning yourself as an investor, you create that space for scaling your business. You accomplish this by knowing your numbers, your metrics. By understanding how investing in your own business allows for additional growth positions you as the best partner for an investor. Create a mutually beneficial relationship. Resources Mentioned in this episode Matt Wolach on LinkedInFinance-AbilityStephanie SimsStephanie Sims LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode... Finance-Ability is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners and startups find their best options for growth funding. Founded by financial strategist and transaction expert Stephanie Sims, Finance-Ability can help any business owner identify the right funding partners and get through fundraising as painlessly as possible. Visit their website to take their online assessment test to help you find out which kind of funding is the best fit for your business right now. They also have a ton of resources to help you understand business processes and financial decision-making that can help you start and build your own empire so be sure to check them out. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs and CSFB. If there’s anyone with their heart in the right place when it comes to championing the dreams of small business owners and startup companies, Stephanie is that person. Let Finance-Ability help you get the funding you need and deserve to get your dreams soaring high towards your own brand of success.