The Angel Next Door

Hosted by Marcia Dawood

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177

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Angel Next Door podcast is a show about how people got started investing in startup companies. Hosted by Marcia Dawood, member of the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee and Chair Emeritus of the board of the Angel Capital Association, the professional organization of angel investors across the US and globally. If you want to see change in the world you have to create it, invest in it or be it! Tune in to hear stories of what angel investing is, who does it and why!

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June 11, 202617 min

Fabric VC Fund One Update with Laurel Mintz: Raising Capital and Supporting Women’s Health Startups

What does it really take to thrive as a first-time fund manager in today’s challenging investment landscape, especially when you’re building a venture fund from scratch while championing diversity and innovation? This episode delves into the real experiences behind the headlines, inviting listeners to consider the often unseen hurdles and triumphs that define entrepreneurial journeys. Our guest, Laurel Mintz, is the founder of Fabric VC—a new venture capital fund spun out of her extensive 17-year run as the leader of a successful marketing agency. With a background that includes corporate M&A law, entrepreneurship, and marketing, Laurel Mintz brings a unique and practical perspective to the venture capital world. Her approach blends deep sector knowledge with a commitment to supporting underrepresented founders and championing women’s health, fintech, and consumer tech sectors. In this update, listeners get an inside look at the nuts and bolts of raising and deploying Fabric VC’s first fund—just under $8 million, already largely deployed across 23 portfolio companies. Laurel Mintz shares candid insights on the emotional rollercoaster of fundraising, the critical importance of diversity, and the creative approaches to supporting women-led companies, such as accepting investments via donor-advised funds and retirement accounts. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring investors, founders, or anyone interested in how real change is being made within venture capital. It’s raw, motivating, and packed with unfiltered advice on how to show up, take risks, and put capital to work for the next generation. To get the latest from Laurel Mintz, you can follow her below! LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-mintz/ https://www.fabricvc.com/ Laurel's first appearance on The Angel Next Door Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

May 28, 202629 min

Legal Essentials for Founders and Angel Investors with Meredith Haviland

What’s the true cost of getting your startup’s legal foundation wrong—and how can overlooking legal nuances derail even the most promising entrepreneurial dreams? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood dives into the questions every founder and early-stage investor should be asking about company formation, equity, and governance. Our guest, Meredith Haviland, is a partner in the corporate group at Foley Hoag, a law firm serving clients in innovation-driven sectors like life sciences, technology, and private capital. Bringing years of experience working with both startups and investors, Meredith Haviland shares her expertise on navigating the legal landscape that underpins successful new ventures. This episode unpacks everything from LLC versus C-corp structures and the importance of choosing the right legal counsel, to equity allocation, 83b elections, and the risks of mishandling intellectual property—especially when AI technology is involved. Marcia Dawood and Meredith Haviland discuss regulatory obligations, governance, board responsibilities, compliance pitfalls, and the growing scrutiny on AI-related legal risks. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for your next funding round, this conversation is packed with real-world guidance and cautionary tales, making it a must listen for founders, fund managers, and angel investors who want to avoid costly mistakes and build resilient companies from day one. To get the latest from Meredith Haviland, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithhaviland/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

May 14, 202628 min

The Power of Cooperatives in Real Estate and Impact Investing with Kachuwa

What does it take to redefine entrepreneurship for both impact and profit, and can owning less of a company mean achieving more? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, listeners are invited to consider how traditional business structures and investment models can be transformed for greater societal good without sacrificing returns. Blake Jones joins Marcia Dawood as today's guest—a self-described accidental entrepreneur who transitioned from engineering in the oil and gas sector to pioneering employee ownership through Namaste Solar. His journey includes international work in renewable energy, founding a successful solar cooperative, and now leading the innovative Kachuwa Impact Fund, which democratizes impact investing via a cooperative model boasting over 300 members and nearly 100 diversified assets. The episode takes a deep dive into how Blake Jones and the Kachuwa Impact Fund structure investments to balance financial returns with meaningful impact. Offering an accessible, diversified portfolio that pays annual dividends, the fund supports employee ownership conversions, affordable housing, and more—all governed democratically. If you’ve ever wondered how to invest for impact while still earning returns, or how cooperatives operate in practice, this episode is a must-listen for its fresh perspectives, practical insights, and inspiration for anyone looking to shake up traditional business and investing models. To get the latest from Blake Jones, you can follow him below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-jones-ab044925/ https://www.kachuwaimpactfund.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

April 30, 202632 min

Bridging Human Connection and AI in Wealth Management with Carrie Nelson

How will artificial intelligence transform the most human parts of wealth management? In this episode, we explore where technology meets empathy, and what the future looks like for financial professionals and their clients as AI adoption accelerates across the industry. Our guest, Carrie Nelson, is the founder of Atlas Point and a veteran leader with experience at Ernst & Young, Experian, and Edward Jones. Carrie shares her journey from big-firm consulting to building a platform that empowers advisors to navigate a rapidly changing landscape, with a focus on the coming great wealth transfer and the next generation of clients. Together, we discuss why human connection is still essential—even as AI creates new efficiencies—and how Atlas Point blends behavioral science and smart tools to bridge the gap. For anyone interested in the future of finance, entrepreneurship, or the emotional side of money, this is a must-listen episode filled with real-world stories and actionable insights. To get the latest from Carrie Nelson, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-nelson-5377864/ https://www.theatlaspoint.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Do Good While Doing Well Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

April 16, 202632 min

Crypto, AI, and Wellness Apps: Karima Williams Talks Transformation and Safety in Tech

How can we build technology that’s not only innovative, but truly safe for its users—especially in a world of rapid AI and crypto development? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast explores the critical intersection of safety, user empowerment, and digital progress in today’s tech landscape. Our guest, Karima Williams, is a leader in crypto and AI who has brought communities together, educated newcomers, and, following personal adversity, created Crash Out Diary—a wellness app designed to help people regulate emotions and find support online. In this wide-ranging conversation, you’ll learn about practical safety strategies for both crypto and AI applications, hear Karima’s vision for human-first technology, and get inspired by her drive to create tools that meet users where they are. If you care about the ethical side of tech and want real stories from the front lines, this episode is a must listen. To get the latest from Karima Williams, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/idodigitalmedia/ https://www.crashoutdiary.xyz/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Do Good While Doing Well Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

April 9, 202629 min

Cryptocurrency, Networking, and Building Credibility with Chris Haroun

What if your next breakthrough in entrepreneurship comes not from your product, but from the relationships you build and the way you position yourself as a thought leader? In this episode, Marcia Dawood welcomes Chris Haroun—a former hedge fund manager, early investor in tech giants, and top-rated business educator—to share actionable insights for founders and business owners. With a rich background spanning Goldman Sachs, Citadel, and managing his own billion-dollar fund, Chris Haroun now channels his expertise into teaching practical business skills. He emphasizes networking, leveraging social media, and becoming a resource for others as core pillars of success—challenging traditional MBA paradigms. Packed with advice on raising capital, building credibility, and even navigating the complexities of crypto investing, this episode is essential for anyone eager to grow their business in today’s fast-paced landscape. If you want real-world strategies from someone who’s walked the walk, you won’t want to miss it. To get the latest from Chris Haroun, you can follow him below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/charoun/ https://www.instagram.com/chrisharoun/ https://harouneducationventures.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Do Good While Doing Well Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

April 2, 202612 min

Transforming Inherited Beliefs: Building Intentional Wealth from Any Beginning

How do the beliefs we inherit about money shape our approach to wealth—and what happens when we finally decide to examine and rewrite those patterns? The Angel Next Door Podcast’s latest solo episode invites listeners to reflect on the roots of their financial behaviors and unpack how history, culture, and family influence their relationship with money. Host Marcia Dawood draws on her new book, "Unapologetic Wealth: Rewrite Your Money Story from Any Beginning." She shares personal insights, scientific studies, and actionable tools that help listeners understand why so many women feel hesitant or guilty around money, and how these feelings are often passed down across generations without question. In exploring the importance of financial awareness and intentional decision-making, Marcia demonstrates how changing our money story not only builds confidence and clarity for today, but also models healthier financial patterns for the next generation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to shift their financial perspective, break free from inherited limitations, and start conversations that can spark lasting change. Get the Unapologetic Wealth e-book for 99 cents on Amazon! Get the Unapologetic Wealth e-book for 99 cents at Barnes & Noble! Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Unapologetic Wealth Do Good While Doing Well Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

March 26, 20268 min

How to Recognize and Rewrite Your Money Story for Lasting Wealth

March 19, 202626 min

Why Women Need a Seat at the Financial Table

What if the key to entrepreneurial success isn't just about making money, but about building confidence and aligning your finances with your personal values? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast dives into how shifting your mindset around money can transform not only your business but your whole approach to wealth and life.Our guest, Shari Rash, founder of GWA Wealth and host of “Everyone’s Talking Money,” brings a wealth of experience in financial advising, with a special focus on empowering women to own their financial journeys. Her unique perspective comes from years in both corporate finance and building her own practice dedicated to closing the confidence gap women often feel around money.In this episode, Shari Rash and Marcia Dawood candidly discuss the obstacles women face around financial confidence, practical ways to get comfortable with both small and large money decisions, and the major wealth shift underway as more women take control of assets. If you’re ready to rethink your approach to wealth and entrepreneurship, this conversation is packed with relatable stories and tangible advice you can put into action—making it an essential listen for driven, values-minded listeners. To get the latest from Shari Rash, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/shari-rash/https://www.gwawealth.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comDo Good While Doing WellLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

March 12, 202627 min

How Shang Saavedra Reached Financial Freedom by 31 and Teaches Mindset-First Money Habits

What if the real foundation of entrepreneurship is less about making money and more about mastering your mindset around it? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores how our early experiences and psychological beliefs about money shape our financial behaviors—and ultimately, our freedom to create and build. Guest Shang Saavedra, who reached retirement savings goals by age 31, shares her journey from a frugal upbringing as the child of immigrants to graduating from Harvard, thriving in management consulting, and building the Save My Cents community. She’s passionate about helping others use psychology and practical strategies to rewrite their financial stories, break the cycle of fear, and pave the way for meaningful wealth. This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs and anyone needing a mindset reset around finances. With actionable advice on automating savings, understanding investment options, and handling financial setbacks, Shang Saavedra proves that changing how you think about money can transform your life—and your business. To get the latest from Shang Saavedra, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/shangsaavedra/ https://savemycents.com/ https://www.instagram.com/savemycents/?hl=en Wealth Is a Mindset: Change Your Mind, Change Your Money Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Do Good While Doing Well Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood