Her CEO Journey™: The Business Finance Podcast for Mission-Driven Women Entrepreneurs – Details, episodes & analysis

Key Takeaways
Finding Wellness in a Bustling World: How a high-stress career fueled Sheena's search for personal well-being, leading her to discover the power of tea.

• More Than Just a Tea Company: Tease Wellness offers functional tea blends designed to seamlessly integrate into everyday life.  
• Overcoming Barriers as a Woman Entrepreneur: Sheena sheds light on the challenges women face in accessing capital.
• Debt Financing for Growth: Sheena shares her experience using debt financing, an often-overlooked strategy, to scale Tease.
• Strategic Debt Financing: Sheena shares the benefits of leveraging debt financing instead of giving up equity and highlights how timing and planning are key when securing business loans.
• Financial Knowledge for Entrepreneurs: Understanding financial health through cash flow and balance sheets is crucial for avoiding pitfalls, especially when planning for an exit.
• Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Sheena founded the Founders Fund to help women entrepreneurs access funding, mentorship, and education, focusing on financial literacy and business growth.

Episode Highlights

• [03:50] Transition from Hospitality to Wellness: Sheena shares how unhealthy habits and burnout from her hospitality career led her to create Tease Wellness, a brand focused on wellness through tea.
• [08:50] From Layoff to Launchpad: Sheena's experience of being let go from her corporate job became the catalyst for building Tease.
• [12:45] Financial Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs: Sheena reflects on systemic barriers, particularly around debt and credit history, and how this shaped her path to growing Tease.
• [19:20] Avoiding Equity Investment: Sheena discusses how she avoided equity investment for 11 years and strategically used debt financing to scale Tease, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to seek a loan.
• [23:10] Factoring Financing Costs into Direct Product Costs: Sheena explains how businesses should treat financing costs as part of their direct costs when pricing products.
• [25:50] The Role of Financial Literacy: Sheena and Christina discuss how cash flow management and understanding the balance sheet are key to preparing for a healthy exit and long-term business success.
• [28:50] Plan an intentional Exit Plan:  The importance of financial literacy for women  founders not only to maintain healthy finances but to build an exit strategy with a strong foundation.
• [33:20] The creation of Founders Fund: This organization supports women entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship, and education, with a focus on financial literacy, mental health, and business growth.

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We hope you enjoyed this episode! Tune in for more inspiring stories and practical insights from incredible women leading the way in business. 

In this episode of Her CEO Journey, we’re joined by Lisa Curtis, the dynamic founder and CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods. Lisa’s journey began during her Peace Corps service in Niger, where she struggled with finding nutritious food. A group of local women introduced her to moringa, a superfood that helped tackle malnutrition—and that simple solution later became the foundation of her thriving business. 

Recognizing the potential of moringa as both a powerful source of nutrition and a way to support the livelihoods of small farmers, Lisa began her journey in partnership with these farmers. She set out on a mission to introduce this superfood to the global market. As Kuli Kuli grew from a grassroots effort to an international brand, Lisa Curtis faced challenges such as consumer education and fundraising for her mission-driven company. 

Key Takeaways

• Aligning your company's mission with both profit and purpose is crucial for long-term success, especially in the CPG industry.
• Finding a product that resonates with your passion and values helps create a more meaningful and mission-driven business.
• How Kuli Kuli collaborates with women farmers in developing countries to create positive change in the food industry. 
• Achieving scale in the CPG industry is essential to drive cashflow positivity and optimize economies of scale across supply chain and manufacturing.
• Kuli Kuli leveraged a variety of financing strategies—crowdfunding, angel investors, grants, and customer loans—at different stages of growth, each tailored to the company's needs at the time.

Episode Highlights

• [04:20] – Lisa’s Peace Corps journey and discovering the power of moringa to found Kuli Kuli Foods.
• [10:05] – The early challenges of building Kuli Kuli and securing funding.
• [14:45] – The challenges and rewards of introducing a new superfood to the U.S. market. 
• [17:20] –  Developing a successful pricing and margin strategy to achieve growth and profitability while staying true to the mission. 
• [19:30] – Understanding each retailer's game and creating a pricing strategy for each one. 
• [20:30] – Unexpected direct costs that undermine the margin and Kuli Kuli’s ability to learn from experiences around distributor’s fees. 
• [25:00] – How to create and maintain an ethical and impactful supply change and the value of high-chain diversification to manage quality.
• [28:15] –  How Kuli Kuli integrates social impact into its business model working closely with each group of local farmers.
• [29:50] - Expand and grow Kuli Kuli’s business model to other superfoods.
• [31:20] - Lisa discusses the challenge of reaching profitability in the CPG sector, emphasizing how difficult it is to make money when you're a small business.
• [31:48] -  Lisa shares how Kuli Kuli navigated financing challenges by using a mix of different financing paths. 
• [36:20] - Negotiating loan terms and finding investors that align with your mission. 

Resources

• Kuli Kuli Foods website: kulikulifoods.com
• Lisa Curtis' LinkedIn
• Connect with Christina Sjahli on LinkedIn

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Patrice's journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring women entrepreneurs, showcasing the profound impact of blending passion, purpose, and strategic planning to build a successful and meaningful business.

In this episode of Her CEO Journey, our host Christina Sjahli welcomes Patrice Mousseau, founder and CEO of Satya Organics, a company dedicated to creating effective and sustainable skincare products. 

Patrice unfolds her inspiring journey from media personality to entrepreneur, driven by a personal need to find natural remedies for her daughter's eczema. She delves into Satya Organics' commitment to social good, building a diverse workforce, and navigating the dynamic world of international expansion.

Key Takeaways:

• From passion to purpose: Patrice's  journey underscores how personal experiences can ignite entrepreneurial ventures. 
• Values-driven business: Satya Organics prioritizes quality, sustainability, and social responsibility, demonstrating that businesses can be profitable while making a positive impact.
• Building a diverse team: Patrice emphasizes the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that empowers individuals from different backgrounds.
• Going global: Expanding internationally comes with its own set of challenges, but Patrice believes it can be less daunting than expected by focusing on connecting with advisors and then finding the right partners and aligning with your values.
• Strategic growth: Patrice's experience showcases the importance of a balanced and thoughtful approach to financial strategy, utilizing various resources to achieve sustainable growth.

Episode Highlights

• [04:33] Patrice's journey from media personality to founder of Satya Organics.
• [08:14] Cultivating a business culture centered on purpose, values and sustainability.
• [10:14] Evolution of the product and packaging always at service of community and environment.
• [14:19] Sourcing simple and high quality is the key.
• [17:50] Prioritizing opportunities that align with your values while letting go of those that don't. 
• [21:32] The crucial role of advisors in business international expansion growth.
• [24:51] Top recommendation: work on your margin for healthy finances
• [30:20] Partnering with suppliers that align with the mission and values.
• [33:10] Patrice's proudest moment on her impact journey.
• [36:50] Returning to the community to drive innovation. 

Resources

• To learn more about their products and mission visit Satya Organic’s Instagram   and Website
• Connect with Patrice Mousseau on LinkedIn 
• Connect with Christina Sjahli on LinkedIn 
• Explore Profit Reimagined and discover how you can turn purpose into profit: Website and  LinkedIn

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Ready to turn purpose into profit? Transform your financial strategy and embark on a journey toward a sustainable and thriving business. Schedule a chat with the team today!

As business leaders, we bear the brunt of the stress and pressure that comes with running a company. So, many of us have the tendency to do everything on our own. However, running a business does not have to be this way. You won't be able to be an effective leader if you are overworked. Good thing you can ask for the help of a chief financial officer for your company. 

Contrary to popular belief, the role of a chief financial officer or CFO entails more than just looking at your numbers. Beyond financial management, a modern CFO helps you evolve your business. For this episode, we go through five key tips on how a CFO can reimagine your company's finances and align them with your mission. We talk about what a CFO does and how they can help business owners like you. Hiring a CFO can help your business fluorish in more ways than you realize.

Listen to this episode to find out why you should hire a modern CFO for your business!

3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:

1. Understand the role of a chief financial officer.
2. Learn crucial tips on hiring the benefits of having a modern CFO as a trusted advisor.
3. Find out the areas and aspects beyond financial management that a CFO can examine.

Episode Highlights

• [01:50] What is the Role of a Chief Financial Officer?
• [03:16] Tip #1: Presents an Independent Viewpoint
• [03:55] Tip #2: Spots Critical Issues in the Business Operation
• [04:28] Tip #3: Provides a Business Plan and Strategy Aligned with Why You Founded the Business
• [05:30] Tip #4: Assists with Setting Goals and Targets
• [06:14] Tip #5: Brings Everything Together into Financial Results You Can Understand
• [06:51] The Benefits of Having a Trusted Advisor

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Write a review and share this with your friends.

Connect With Me
Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Resources

• Visit Christina Sjahli'’s website for more insights on business finance on the Her CEO Journey podcast.
• Chat with Christina and set up a time here!
• Identify the financial gaps that can stop you from building a profitable and sustainable business. Download this quiz!

Your relationship with your investors shouldn’t end after you’ve successfully raised capital. It's vital to update them on the progress of your business. After all, they placed faith in you and your vision. Being proactive in letting your investors know where the money is going will build trust and strengthen investor relationships. You can do this by having a transparent and well-constructed mid-year financial review.

In this episode, we will talk about three steps you should take to successfully create a mid-year financial review. Aside from impressing your investors, doing so can also help you spot problems and solve them promptly. 

If you want to build up your investor relationships and create accountability for yourself, then tune in to this episode!

3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: 

1. Learn why doing a financial review after successfully raising capital can help you with investor relationships.
2. Find out the three steps you need to take to craft a well-thought-out mid-year financial review.
3. Understand the options that you, as a founder, have with regard to your business finance.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] Maintaining Investor Relationships After Capital Raising
• [02:18] Step 1: Review and update the assumptions in your financial model
• [03:23] Step 2: Prepare a financial projection for the next 12 months 
• [03:40] Step 3: Review your working capital
• [04:07] Partnering with a CFO 

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Write a review and share this with your friends.

Connect With Me

Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Resources

Are you getting ready to raise capital? Identify the financial gaps that can stop you from building a profitable and sustainable business first. Download this quiz!

As a startup company, you may choose to bootstrap your funding. In fact, some business owners find it more comfortable to do so, as was the case for Michelle Eichner and her first company. From bootstrapping her company to success, she talks about her journey to creating a financial model that works. According to Michelle, it is important to make well-researched assumptions and reasonable predictions for business growth, such as when and where to increase or reduce your financial resources. 

Michelle also talks about why she eventually chose to raise capital externally for her second company. Building her digital product was a more competitive venture than her previous emailing platform. She explains why bootstrapping was no longer an option in this case. Furthermore, Michelle tackles the benefits of attracting investors and using special purpose vehicles.

Do you want to know which type of funding is the best fit for your business? Listen to this episode to know more! 

3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: 

1. Learn how Michelle transitioned from bootstrapping her business to raising capital and seeking investors.
2. Explore how using special purpose vehicles can help you raise capital.
3.  well-researched business projections are crucial for your financial model.

Episode Highlights

• [04:53] Starting as an Entrepreneur
• [06:44] Michelle’s Second Company
• [12:14] Bootstrapping for Pivotal Veracity vs Raising Capital for Digitile 
• [15:24] What If Digitile Was Founded in the 2000s?
• [18:46] Choosing to Raise Capital for Digitile
• [20:32] Digitile’s Financial Model
• [23:09] The Changing Model of Digitile
• [27:39] The Benefits of SPVs
• [33:01] Determining the Amount of Investment
• [34:51] A Checklist for Capital Raising
• [37:02] Understanding Your Financial Numbers for a Well-Thought Pitch Deck
• [42:52] What Michelle Would Do Differently
• [48:02] Hiring a CFO

Enjoyed This Podcast?

Write a review and share this with your friends.

Connect With Me

Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Resources

• Are you getting ready to raise capital? Identify the financial gaps that can stop you from building a profitable and sustainable business first. Download this quiz!
• Download this Action Guide to help you determine the best type of funding for your business.

There are lots of benefits to using a special purpose vehicle or SPV to raise capital. However, you undermine these advantages if you don’t familiarize yourself with its legal aspects. Handling legal affairs may be intimidating, but it is a necessary aspect of any business venture. If you want to utilize the full potential of an SPV, you need to know how to navigate its legalities.

In this episode, McCall Harris talks about the legal processes involved with SPVs. She also explains from a legal standpoint why it is a favourable alternative to venture capital funds. In addition, McCall talks about the steps involved in creating and dissolving an SPV. Finally, she provides details behind the legal documents essential in these processes.

If you are a mission-driven founder who wants to try SPVs for your business, this episode is for you!

3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: 

1. Understand the step-by-step process of creating an SPV.
2. Learn the documents you need for an SPV.
3. Find out more about dissolving an SPV, whether in a successful or unsuccessful exit.

Episode Highlights

• [05:24] Being a Lawyer and Specializing in SPV
• [07:43] What Is a Special Purpose Vehicle?
• [12:09] The Four-Step Process of Creating an SPV
• [13:47] Benefits of SPVs
• [15:29] Why Does a Cleaner Cap Table Matter?
• [17:50] Legal Documents You Need to Know
• [21:37] Drafting an Operating Agreement
• [26:01] The Terms Included in an Operating Agreement
• [28:03] Legal Aspects of Successful Business Exits
• [34:42] Unsuccessful Business Exits
• [38:44] Other Considerations

Enjoyed This Podcast?
Write a review and share this with your friends.

Connect With Me
Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me.

Resources

• Visit Christina Sjahli’s for more insights on raising capital through equity crowdfunding on the Her CEO Journey podcast.
• Episode 118: Using a Special Purpose Vehicle as an Option for Capital Raising - The Journey of Katie Neilson
• Episode 119: Ensure Your Startup Growth: Tips on Capital Raising Using Special Purpose Vehicle And Strategic Development 
• Are you getting ready for capital raising? Identify the financial gaps that can stop you from building a profitable and sustainable business. Download this quiz!
• Download this Action Guide to help you determine if an SPV is right for your business.
• Assure — The Special Purpose Vehicle Specialist: Website | LinkedIn

As a founder, you need to be strategic about your plans for startup growth. Capital raising alone won’t be the solution to your cash flow problems. Instead of focusing on this, you need to know if you’re building a sustainable and profitable business. Because no matter how successful you are at capital raising, it’s pointless if you don’t know how to deploy these resources.

BoomStartup's Tara Spalding joins us to discuss the important things you need to keep in mind when raising capital to ensure startup growth. She emphasizes the importance of communication and transparency between BoomStartup and its clients. Through quarterly business surveys, they can track their clients' progress and suggest improvements along the way.

Tara also shares the programs they have to help founders accelerate their startup growth. We also touch upon the importance of intellectual property and high growth potential. Finally, we learn the value of SPVs in the pre-seed round and CFOs in the seed round.

If you want to know how an accelerator can be helpful to your startup growth, then this episode is for you.

3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: 

1. Discover how BoomStartUp helps startups grow by giving them guidance and expert advice.
2. Learn the different evaluation processes BoomStartup conducts to determine the progress and growth of its clients.
3. Find out tips and strategies for intellectual property, capital raising, and when to hire a CFO.

Episode Highlights

- [06:18] Tara’s Background
- [10:28] What BoomStartup Does
- [12:59] What Low Barrier Means
- [16:20] How to Join the Accelerator for Startup Growth
- [19:17] Programs at BoomStartup 
- [24:53] Building an Intellectual Property Strategy
- [31:14] High Growth Potential for Startup Growth
- [36:37] Assessing Capital and Progress
- [40:59] Using SPVs at the Pre-Seed Round
- [47:13] What to Look Out for in the Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A Rounds
- [50:15] Why it Makes Sense to Hire a Part-Time CFO Prior to and After the Seed Round

Enjoyed This Podcast?
Write a review and share this with your friends.

Connect With Me
Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Resources

• Visit Christina Sjahli’s website for more stories on entrepreneurial journeys to success on the Her CEO Journey podcast.
  • Episode 118: Using a Special Purpose Vehicle as an Option for Capital Raising - The Journey of Katie Neilson
  • Are you getting ready for capital raising? Identify the financial gaps that can stop you from building a profitable and sustainable business. Download this quiz!
• Connect with Tara: LinkedIn
• BoomStartup — An action-oriented and change-making accelerator that empowers startup growth. Check out their programs:
  • OpenUp
  • PitchUp
  • RiseUp
  • AmplifyUp
•  Check out these Boom backers:
  • Assure

As a business owner, you need to raise capital to grow and scale your business. I always believe there are many different ways to raise capital. However, it is easy to get lost because of the various options. If you want to raise capital and get the flexibility to control outcomes, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) may be your answer.

Today on Her CEO Journey, Katie Neilson discusses capital raising using a special purpose vehicle. She helps us understand this investment vehicle and the benefits this presents for founders and investors. Katie also shares some options you can explore if you’re thinking of using SPV to raise capital.

If you are a mission-driven founder who is looking for a different method of raising capital, this episode is for you.

3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: 

1. Determine the difference between a special purpose vehicle and venture capital.
2. Learn how a special purpose vehicle can help founders raise capital.
3. Find out the benefits of a special purpose vehicle in capital raising.

Episode Highlights

• [05:47] Katie's Journey in Co-Founding Assure
• [08:19] Katie and Her Co-Founder's Background
• [08:57] What Is a Special Purpose Vehicle?
• [11:50] What Is an Organizer?
• [12:41] The Difference Between SPV and Venture Capital
• [15:42] How Assure Managed to Lower the Cost of SPV
• [18:03] Hybrid Fund: A Combination of SPV and Venture Capital
• [23:51] The Benefits of Special Purpose Vehicle for Founders
• [26:32] Preparation for Fundraising
• [28:34] What Is a Syndication?
• [30:34] Key Takeaways in Fundraising through SVP
• [33:00] How to Set Up an SVP or Work with Assure

Enjoyed This Podcast?
Write a review and share this with your friends.

Connect With Me
Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Resources
Visit Christina Sjahli’s website for more stories on entrepreneurial journeys to success on the Her CEO Journey podcast.

• Episode 117: Thinking of Capital Raising? Address These 5 Business Finance Misconceptions First
• Download this Action Guide to help you understand the value of an SPV in raising capital.
• Getting ready for capital raising? Identify your financial gaps first by addressing these five business finance misconceptions. Download this quiz! 

Interested in setting up an SPV or working with Assure? Check out these options:

• BoomStartup
• Assure Syndicates

It takes hard work to move your purpose-driven business closer to your goal while ensuring that it’s sustainable. As you scale your business, you’ll realize that you need to be profitable to amplify your social impact mission. But before you think about capital raising, first and foremost, you need to understand why you need the extra capital. 

In this episode, I discuss five misconceptions — and a bonus sixth! — on business finance that can cloud your headspace. Clearing out these misconceptions can close gaps in your business finance process you may not even know you had. In doing so, you can make more strategic and informed business decisions for your company’s growth.

If you are a mission-driven founder who wants to make the best business finance decisions, then this episode is for you!

3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: 

1. Find out five (plus a bonus one) business finance misconceptions that can cloud your business decisions.
2. Identify the gaps in your business and take steps to create solutions.
3. Clear your headspace and make the best decisions for you and your business as you look into capital raising.

Episode Highlights

• [02:14] Know the Five Misconceptions in Business Finance First Before Going into Capital Raising
• [05:10] #1: High Price and High Volume Equals High Revenue
• [06:42] #2: Fast Growth Means a More Profitable Situation and More Cash Flow
• [19:32] #3: Financing Resolves All Cash Flow Issues
• [11:23] #4: Financial Knowledge Equals Bookkeeping and Taxes
• [14:39] #5: Forecasts are Pointless
• [19:06] Bonus: Getting a Business Loan Is Bad

Enjoyed This Podcast?
Write a review and share this with your friends.

Connect With Me
Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Resources

• Visit Christina Sjahli’s website for more stories on entrepreneurial journeys to success on the Her CEO Journey podcast.
• Getting ready for capital raising? Identify your financial gaps first by addressing these five business finance misconceptions. Download this quiz!