Strategy & Tragedy: CEO Stories with Steph Melodia

EP18: 4 KIDS, 3 EXITS, 2K MEMBERS, ONE WOMAN | Emmie Faust, Female Founders Rise

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Emmie Faust is the 3X exited entrepreneur-turned-angel-investor, now Founder of Female Founders Rise - the supportive and inspiring resource for female founders to help them succeed with their businesses.
 
Emmie invests exclusively in female founders and her portfolio includes ONEWAYX, RunYourself, and Mamma Wellbeing among others, as well as her role with Ventures Together.
 
In this episode, Steph and Emmie discuss:
 
✊ The impact of motherhood on self-confidence✊  Female role models, including Emmie's first powerhouse boss!✊ The power of mindset shifts in order to serve a more personally fulfilling mission✊  How entrepreneurship can lead to financial freedom, and why women need to consider this path for empowerment✊ Angel investing, including Emmie’s portfolio and what she looks for in a deal (hint: numerology features!!)
 
Learn more about Female Founders Rise here: https://femalefoundersrise.com/
 
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Want more?
 
Follow Steph:
🤍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/
🤍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/
 
🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos
 
🙏🏼 Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517
 
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EP17: My failed business made me a BETTER investor | Mona Tiesler, tokentus

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Mona Tiesler is an investor at tokentus, a leading VC firm in the German blockchain ecosystem, where she invests in startups that leverage blockchain technology globally.  She has several years of experience in venture capital, and has been involved in pre-seed to Series A deals across Europe, USA, UAE and Asia.
 
With a background in strategy consulting, venture building, and entrepreneurship, Mona has a passion for supporting innovators who are building the decentralized future of the internet. She has co-founded and led companies in Fintech, Edtech, and Foodtech, and has an MBA from INSEAD. 
 
In this episode, Mona and Steph discuss:
🌐 How to re-invent yourself while navigating huge career changes
🌐 The mental reframe required when facing rejection (after rejection, after rejection... )
🌐 Practical tips on learning the key skill *every* entrepreneur needs; SALES!
🌐 The importance of strategy and how each step helps the next
🌐 PLUS! What Mona looks for now as an investor
 
Mona is passionate about breaking down barriers to access - both for fundraising founders and equalising gender opportunities. In-line with her mission, Mona is a member of Global Women in VC, the world's largest community for women in venture capital to connect, collaborate, and create opportunities for each other. Discover more here: https://www.women-vc.com/
 
Mona is also the Co-Founder of Distributed Funding, a platform for underrepresented founders in the Web3 space to submit pitch decks and a short survey in just a few minutes. Learn more here: https://roomy-tailor-258.notion.site/Distributed-Funding-b49508c6d2484d62b3c0ca1ab286a132
 
Fundraising? Learn more about what tokentus looks for in their investments here: https://tokentus.com/targets
 
Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, rate, review, and share it with a friend!
 
Want more?
 
Follow Steph:
🤍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/
🤍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/
 
🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos
 
🙏🏼 Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517 
 

EP16: We were HOURS away from a $30M deal collapse | Nick Telson-Sillett, exited DesignMyNight, now Co-Founder of Trumpet

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Nick Telson-Sillett is the exited Co-Founder of DesignMyNight (acquired for $30M) and now Co-Founder of Trumpet, a buyer enablement tool that enables sales teams to drive revenue.
 
In this episode, Steph and Nick discuss:
🎺  Founder journey from leaving the day job to growing a $30m biz🎺  Exactly when and why he raised external funding (plus comparisons between VCs vs angels vs bootstrapping)🎺  The importance of your first 10 hires as you grow🎺  What worked for DesignMyNight 10+ yrs ago vs now (hint: it's free!)🎺  How to exit - practical financial tips and the metrics to focus on🎺  What Nick now looks for as an angel investor (via Horseplay Ventures)🎺  How building in public has helped his personal brand (and how to encourage team members to do the same!)🎺  The trendy new term in sales, "buyer enablement"
 
Learn more about Trumpet's digital sales rooms here: https://www.sendtrumpet.com/
 
 
Follow Steph:
🤍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/🤍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/
 
 
🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos
🙏🏼 Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517
 
 
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EP15: Scott Galloway called me a LOSER | Kristin Cardwell, Sourcerie

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Kristin Cardwell is the Co-Founder & CEO of Sourcerie, the world’s first community-powered intelligence engine. She and her team managed to raise £1.8m in pre-seed funding during one of the toughest times ever, but it was not without its trials & tribulations! (Tune in for all the tea ☕😏)
 
As a fierce feminist too, Kristin is also a co-founder of Alma Angels (https://www.alma-angels.com/), and advisor to Women for Women International (https://womenforwomen.org.uk/)
 
In this episode, you'll hear all about:
 
🎢 The transition from corporate to startup
👯‍♂️ How Kristin met her Co-Founder, and how they cultivate a successful working relationship
😩 The trials & tribulations of pre-seed funding during a touch macroeconomic environment
🎓 The benefits of a top education (Kristin studied at NYU Stern and her Co-Founder, Alex Beyer, is ex-Cambridge and MIT - okuurrrr)
😍 What it was like to be taught by Scott Galloway!
 
Learn more about Sourcerie here: https://sourcerie.co/
 
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Follow Steph:
🤍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/
🤍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/
 
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🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos
 
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🙏🏼 Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517
 
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EP14: Meet the black rose in a concrete jungle | Andy Ayim MBE, Angel Investing School

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Andy Ayim MBE is the Founder of Angel Investing School which has trained 500+ angels who have invested $5M globally - including the Black Angel Group spun out of Google's Black Network which has invested over $3.5M in 30+ startups.
 
Andy has personally invested in 17 startups, including Farmlend, Patch and Unplugged, with 70% of his angel investment portfolio led by diverse founders.
 
In this episode, Steph and Andy discuss:
 
👼 The importance of relationship-building in a "humanistic" approach to investing
👼 The education gap that Andy and his team are plugging with Angel Investing School
👼 Red flags to watch out for while doing your due diligence (both as a fundraising founder and as an investor looking to make a deal)
👼 Impact and happiness beyond the buzzwords. (Hint: embrace your authentic self and do good in the world) 
👼 The concept of “second mountains” - and how the loss of Andy’s dad played a part in his self-development
👼 Optimising our limited time with pressure-free habits (leaning into what feels right and embracing the ebbs & flows with heart)
👼 On getting an MBE and the assumed credibility to build a trustworthy position - especially for someone educating financial literacy
 
Learn more about Angel Investing School here: https://angelinvestingschool.com/
 
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Follow Steph:
🤍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/
🤍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/
 
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🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos
 
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🙏🏼 Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517
 
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🎧 Don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend!
 

EP13: I want really filthy effing rich women | Nina Mohanty, Bloom Money

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Nina Mohanty is the Silicon Valley-born, London-bred founder of Bloom Money, the fintech startup that supports migrant communities with the mission of accelerating intergenerational wealth.
 
Bloom Money is also 2X regulated and backed by the likes of January Ventures, Octopus, and Pact VC.
 
Nina Mohanty bucks the trend as a young, female, brown entrepreneur who has backing by top venture capitalists and operates in both the finance & tech fields.
 
In this episode, you'll hear about:
🌍 Nina's upbringing in Silicon Valley and how that shaped her entrepreneurial drive
🌍 How to take care of yourself as a mission-driven founder building such an impactful startup
🌍 Identifying your guiding light in a squiggly career + how to find satisfaction
🌍 Bloom's investor strategy (think about who you're making rich)
🌍 PLUS! What it was like to meet Michelle Obama 😍
 
Discover more about Bloom Money here: https://bloommoney.co/
 
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Follow Steph:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/
 
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Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos
 
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Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517

EP12: Our exit collapsed at the last moment | Tom Adeyoola, investor, advisor, ex-Founder of Metail

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Tom Adeyoola is the exited founder of Metail, the leading virtual try-on platform, now advisor, investor and Co-Founder of Extend Ventures and Capital Angel Network.
 
In this episode, Steph and Tom discuss:
 
🎙 Tom's journey leading up to Metail, and how he secured investment (including "£10k from a random guy at the top of the gherkin" LOL 🤣 )🎙 His exit story and big lessons learnt along the way - including a huge deal collapse right near the end 😫 🎙 Tom's grieving process and appreciation for health now 🙏 🎙 How he's promoting diversity in investment and what he looks for now as an investor 🤑 🎙 The importance of TIMING! ⏰ 
 
PLUS! What Tom has in common with TV celeb Richard Ayoade 😂 
 
Hope you enjoy listening to this episode and that you can take away a nugget of wisdom from Tom Adeyoola's story that helps you in your own entrepreneurial endeavour. If you liked this one, please rate & review the show! (Oh, and don't forget to subscribe to weekly episodes of course! 😉)
 
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Download the latest report from Extend Ventures on Diversity Beyond Gender (UK 2023), here: https://www.extend.vc/reports
 
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Thanks to our supporters at 50Pros.com, the no-noise platform where you can find highly-vetted partners in the creative industries. Learn more here: https://www.50pros.com/
 
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Follow Steph on social for more updates:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/
 
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cCqckngoEeE
 
Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517

EP11: My business *literally* fell apart | Alex Pitt, Build Your Maverick Business

Get access to special perks and support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517
 
In this episode, Steph and Alex take their business brunch chats over to the podcast and discuss...
 
🖤 The highs and lows of entrepreneurship (hint: frustrations vs freedom)
🖤 The danger of "procrasti-planning" (listen to find out more!)
🖤 The importance of authenticity with your brand (business or personal)
🖤 The benefits of working with a business coach
🖤 Money mindset and overcoming limiting beliefs
 
I hope you enjoy this special episode and find business value in the entertaining chat between two friends too!
 
Don't forget to subscribe to listen to weekly episodes 🎧
 
👉🏼 Ready to kick start your side hustle? Get your FREE 7-step action plan here: https://www.buildyourmaverickbusiness.com/kick-start-hustle
 
🎥 Watch the show on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos
 
💖 Follow Steph on social:
LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/

EP10: I started my first business when I was THIRTEEN! Geoff Wright, Tembo

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Geoff Wright is the CTO of Tembo, the only place in the UK where you can go to get a complete picture of your property purchasing power.
 
His path leading up to this position was anything but ordinary. Entrepreneurial as a kid, Geoff forged his own, alternative path. Instead of doing the usual by completing his studies, going to uni, and getting a job, Geoff realised he could make money doing what he loved...
 
Of course, there were lots of lessons along the way - the kind you DON'T get taught at school!
 
Ultimately, what Geoff has developed a deep appreciation for - across his various ventures and positions in eventual employment - is THE PROBLEM.
 
The bigger the problem, the more your customers will want it. The more painful the problem, the more they'll pay for it. And the more they'll forgive you flaws. (Particularly helpful in the early days when the tech is somewhat lacklustre!)
 
Tune into Geoff's fascinating story to hear how he went from schoolboy dropout to seasoned entrepreneur and now C-suite at a fast-scaling proptech.
 
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Discover more about Tembo, the online digital mortgage broker focused on helping first-time buyers, movers & remortgagers overcome the affordability gap: https://www.tembomoney.com/
 
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Follow Steph:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephmelodia/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/
 
Watch the episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos
 
Support the show on Patreon:
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EP09: My tech team let me DOWN | Tanya Saha Gupta, Resale Future

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Tanya Saha Gupta is the Founder & CEO of Resale Future, a fashtech SaaS product that enables fashion brands to add a P2P resale platform to their e-commerce store.
 
(Shoppers can easily resell their garments; the retailers get a cut where it would otherwise be sold on Depop, Vestiaire Collective, Vinted or eBay, and; it encourages everyone to get involved in the circular economy - win win win!!)
 
In this episode, Steph and Tanya discuss:
👗 The transition from cushty corporate life to uncertain entrepreneurship. (Hint: Tanya was pretty savvy about the steps she took);
👗 The impact of fast fashion, how the circular economy can help, and what we can all do to minimise our carbon footprint;
👗 The lessons learnt from Resale Future's early days, including a tech team that disappointed, and Tanya figuring things out the hard way.
 
Hope you enjoy listening to this special fashtech episode! Did you learn something new? Do you feel inspired by Tanya's story? Then hit the subscribe button to support the show and stay in the loop for new episodes published weekly 😉
 
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Are you a fashion brand keen to generate revenue from the circular economy AND reduce your carbon footprint? Discover more about Resale Future here: https://www.resalefuture.com/
 
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Follow Steph:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephmelodia/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/
 
Watch the episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos
 
Support the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517