183. Empowering Women in Investing: Natalie Levy's Game-Changing Strategy for Diversity in Venture Capital

What distinguishes thriving businesses in today's fast-paced world?  Tune in as host Deb Boulanger talks with Natalie Levy, a passionate supporter of women entrepreneurs and advocates for investing in diverse founders. Natalie reveals her strategies for empowering female-led startups and highlights the significance of inclusive investment strategies and cultural awareness in the business arena. She discusses key factors for evaluating startup potential while emphasizing the value of balancing entrepreneurship and well-being. Through sharing her own journey and the trials of scaling a service business, this conversation promises to reshape your understanding of success.      [00:01- 13:23]   Equity, Accessibility, and Mindset Shift   Challenging traditional "herd mentality" of attracting only high-net-worth accredited investors. Rejecting the notion of simply allocating capital to deals without active involvement. Emphasizing a learning journey and transformative mindset shift for members. Pioneering a new model that prioritizes strategic and smart investment practices.     [13:24 -18:26] Women's Empowerment in Early-Stage Investing: Strategies for Success  Investing in the "seed plus" round allows for a more meaningful impact with smaller check sizes. Evaluating the quality of deal sourcing and the ability to find good opportunities at an early stage. Higher risk but potentially higher returns when investing early in a company's lifecycle. Flexibility to invest across sectors and stages without being bound by specific mandates.      [18:27 - 22:08]  Scaling Service Businesses with AI: Challenges and Opportunities     Services businesses often face challenges in attracting strategic acquirers due to lower margins. Productizing services by integrating AI can enhance scalability and create a path for venture-level growth. Successful service businesses may incorporate a services component to generate revenue and gain market insights. Transitioning from services to productized offerings can improve profitability and attract investors seeking scalable ventures.   [22:09 - 37:00]  Mindful Entrepreneurship: Balancing Success and Well-being   Prioritizing self-care practices like mindfulness, yoga, movement, and proper nutrition to maintain overall well-being. Finding time for personal growth and self-investment amidst the demands of entrepreneurship. Embracing a mindful approach to handle challenges and setbacks, such as physical injuries, with resilience and positivity. Encouraging others to prioritize self-care and personal well-being by leading by example   Connect with Natalie Levy Website: ShesIndependent.com                                                                                                                                         LinkedIn: @‌shesindependent YouTube: She's Independent - YouTube Instagram: @shesindependent   Go to https://lifeaftercorporatepodcast.com/ for all episodes 168.  The Chris Voss Method for Closing the Deal 144  Overgiving: The Secret Saboteur of Entrepreneurial Success 131 From Self-Sabotage to Success: Practical Strategies to Thrive Tweetable Quotes: "We're not just trying to build and grow this cash flow machine and just kind of run this brewery out back. But is this a business where we can see it scaling to a million dollars  or  a few million dollars?".... Natalie Levy on Entrepreneurial Vision "It kinda kills me to not fund those types of businesses, but at the same time, we're marrying, you know, deeply driven mission."".... Natalie Levy on The Difficult Reality of Funding Decisions   **TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST**   SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this podcast to other growing entrepreneurs!  Get weekly tips on how to create more money and meaning doing work you love and be one of the many growing entrepreneurs in our community. Connect with me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12656341/  or on Instagram or our website at www.lifeaftercorporatepodcast.com .