The Angel Next Door

How does one transform a personal crisis into a groundbreaking business that has the potential to change lives? This question lies at the heart of this episode, as we explore the journey of entrepreneurship through the lens of resilience, innovation, and a relentless drive to make a difference.

Our guest, Martha Carlin, transitioned from a career in accounting to founding BiotiQuest after her husband’s early Parkinson’s diagnosis. M...

What if the key to transforming entrepreneurship lies in who gets to be an investor? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood invites us to consider the power of opening up investment opportunities to more women and how it could change the face of business leadership.

Our guest, Patricia Lizarraga, is a trailblazing finance expert who created the Hypatia Women CEO ETF (WCEO ETF) after realizing the unique s...

What if the true game changer in entrepreneurship isn’t just innovation, but the ability to make bold, strategic asks—even when a “no” seems inevitable? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with communications coach and auctioneer Dia Bondi to explore how asking for what you want can transform a founder’s journey.

Dia Bondi, author of Ask Like an Auctioneer, draws on her extensive experience c...

How close are we to making space not just the final frontier, but the next big investment opportunity? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia sits down with Tim Maul of Balerion Space Ventures to break down the exciting—and very real—landscape of space investing, moving the conversation far beyond science fiction.

Tim brings a wealth of experience from institutional investing and now plays a key role in connecti...

What if the path to entrepreneurial success for women didn’t have to be so lonely—or so uphill? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Melissa Wallace, a marketing veteran whose journey spans a $750 million tech exit, hands-on mentorship, and now, leading the first Femtech venture studio dedicated to female founders.

Melissa shares her fascinating career evolution, from the high-octane worl...

What happens when the people deciding which startups get funded rethink the rules of who belongs at the table? In this episode, host Marcia welcomes Kate McAndrew, co-founder of the Baukunst fund, who shares her journey from arts student to leading pre-seed venture capitalist with a fresh perspective on building companies.

Kate discusses how she’s redefining the early stage investment process—focusing on community, creativity, and m...

What if the key to unlocking a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem lies not just in funding, but in research, mentorship, and global collaboration? On this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Dr. Shakenna Williams, Executive Director of the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College, to discuss the center’s 25-year evolution and its impactful work supporting women and ...

How do small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive when global policies and economic shifts threaten stability? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast explores that question with Congressman Gabe Amo of Rhode Island, whose life story as the son of West African immigrants and career in both state and federal government uniquely position him to address these challenges.

Congressman Amo shares his journey from growing up in Rhode Is...

What does it take for a founder to break new ground in an industry full of barriers and taboos? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast features Colette Courtion, CEO and founder of JoyLux, whose personal experience ignited a mission to transform women’s health with innovative, red light therapy solutions for intimate wellness.

Colette shares how JoyLux was born from her own postpartum and perimenopausal struggles, leading her t...

What does it take to carve a space in the entrepreneurial world when you begin feeling like an outsider? Pocket Sun, co-founder of SoGal Ventures, shares her transformative journey from setting up a community for female entrepreneurs to becoming a major player in the venture capital space. In a world where women are often underrepresented and underfunded, Pocket's journey has been anything but conventional, pushing boundaries to en...

How does crowdfunding fit into a startup's fundraising strategy? In this intriguing episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood converses with guest Woodie Neiss about how crowdfunding has emerged as a transformative option for entrepreneurs seeking capital. The conversation unveils the ways securities-based crowdfunding is reshaping how new ventures are funded, making investments more accessible to various investors...

What does it take to not only start a company but to grow it into something truly impactful, not just once but FIVE times? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we dive into the experiences of Angel Gambino, a remarkable five-time exited entrepreneur. With over 20 years of experience crafting successful ventures and fostering economic equity through entrepreneurship, Angel offers a wealth of knowledge on various aspects o...

What truly sets successful entrepreneurs apart from the rest? Is it creativity, resilience, or perhaps a unique blend of traits that allows them to thrive in the unpredictable world of startups? In this compelling episode of The Angel Next Door podcast, host Marcia Dawood dives into these questions with guest Greg Moran, a seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist with a deep-rooted passion for identifying and nurturing innovati...

What drives a successful start-up employee to leave the security of a lucrative role after a major acquisition to become a founder? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood explores the fascinating journey of Caitlyn Driehorst, an exited entrepreneur and financial service expert. Caitlyn shares her unique path—from majoring in Russian and English literature to becoming a strategic consultant for financial servi...

What drives economic growth? In this engaging episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we explore the crucial role of angel investors in supporting entrepreneurs—the creative minds behind groundbreaking innovations and thriving businesses.  

Host Marcia Dawood is joined by two esteemed guests: Pat Gouhin, CEO of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), and Kristina Montague, incoming ACA Chair (July 2025). Together, they break down the m...

How does a woman navigate and succeed in the traditionally male-dominated world of Wall Street? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood welcomes Lori Van Dusen, an inspiring figure in the financial advisory industry. Lori began her career at Lehman Brothers in the late 1980s, where she stood out not only for her quantitative skills but for her early advocacy of client-centered, conflict-free financial advice.

W...

What if the path to successful entrepreneurship isn't just about finding a compelling market idea, but also about crafting an intentional exit strategy that benefits an entire community? On this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we dive into an unconventional exit strategy that prioritizes employees and community sustainability. Marcia, our host, welcomes Gina Schaefer, a pioneering entrepreneur who transitioned her successfu...

What drives an entrepreneur to turn personal adversity into impactful ventures? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we explore this question through the lens of Diana Greshtchuk's compelling journey. Following a profound personal loss, Diana found herself re-evaluating her legacy and impact on the world, leading her to become a passionate advocate for financial literacy and empowerment, especially among women and margin...

What does it take to turn a groundbreaking idea into a reality, especially when it challenges societal norms and confronts widely held taboos? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores this question with her guest, Cindy Gallop, a trailblazer reshaping conversations around sex, pornography, and sexual wellness. Cindy's journey into entrepreneurship is anything but conventional, providing a fascinat...