The Angel Next Door

What does it take to turn a humble beginning into a thriving empire? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores the intricacies of entrepreneurship and franchising with Dawn Lafreeda, a highly successful Denny’s franchisee. Dawn's entrepreneurial journey from a young hostess to owning more Denny’s franchises than anyone else globally underscores the power of determination, resilience, and strategic thinking.

Dawn Lafreeda began her career at Denny’s at the age of 16 as a hostess and worked her way up to waitress before seizing her first business opportunity. Over the course of a 40-year career, she has owned, among other ventures, up to 120 Denny’s restaurants. In addition to her franchising achievements, Dawn participated as an executive producer in the movie "Show Her the Money," which highlights the challenges and empowerment of women in venture capital.

This episode explores the benefits and challenges of franchising, where Dawn offers invaluable insights into site selection, financing, and scaling a business. Dawn also shares personal anecdotes about navigating business through crises like 9/11 and the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication and financial prudence. Coupled with her advocacy for women in business and her efforts to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of successful entrepreneurship and the feasibility of franchising as a robust business model. Tune in to learn from one of the best in the industry and be inspired by her story of success and determination.

To get the latest from Dawn Lafreeda, you can follow her below!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-lafreeda-36059314/

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

The Angel Next Door Podcast: 2024 Year in Review

On this special, year-end episode, our host Marcia Dawood wraps up the year with a joint episode with Laura Nix Gerson, host of the Venture F podcast.

This year marked a significant milestone for The Angel Next Door podcast, hosted by Marcia Dawood. With a full year of weekly episodes, we celebrated key achievements, impactful conversations, and global recognition for our contributions to angel investing and impact-driven funding. Here are some of the year's highlights:

Milestones Achieved

�� Winner of Best Financial, Investing, and Money Podcast: We are honored to have received

this prestigious award from the Women in Podcasting Awards, recognizing the show's

commitment to educating and inspiring listeners in the world of early-stage investing.

�� 100th Episode Celebration: In December 2024, we celebrated a major milestone with a

special episode featuring Catherine Gray, Executive Producer of the award-winning documentary

Show Her The Money. This conversation spotlighted the funding disparities women face in

venture capital, discussed how education and awareness can drive systemic change, and

highlighted the transformative potential of investing in women-founded funds for both economic

and social progress.

�� 20,000+ Downloads: This year, the podcast crossed 20,000 downloads, a testament to the

growing interest in angel investing, impact-driven funding, and the role listeners can play in

shaping the future of startups.

�� A Year of Weekly Episodes: We committed to delivering fresh, insightful content every

week, ensuring that our community of listeners stayed up-to-date on the latest trends, strategies,

and opportunities in the angel investing world.

�� Launch of Marcia Dawood’s Book: Do Good While Doing Well: In September 2024, Marcia

released her highly anticipated book, Do Good While Doing Well, which demystifies angel

investing and empowers individuals to make impactful investments in early-stage companies.

The book serves as a "why-to" guide, helping readers understand how angel investing can be

accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. It offers practical tools to align financial

contributions with personal values while supporting startups that drive innovation and social

change. The book launch was celebrated with a virtual event attended by listeners, readers, and

angel investors from around the world.

A Few Episode Highlights

AI and Entrepreneurship

One of the year's most thought-provoking episodes featured Sharon Zhang, an AI expert, who

provided a forward-thinking perspective on AI's impact on business, society, and

entrepreneurship. Key takeaways included:

The growing AI ecosystem — from chips to infrastructure and foundation models.

How AI is unlocking new business models and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Insights into data privacy, user sovereignty, and the financial hurdles faced by AI startups.

Philanthropic Investing

With Sally Boulter from Impact Assets, we explored a powerful way to merge philanthropy with

investment. This episode shed light on how to use donor-advised funds (DAFs) to invest in for-

profit startups, creating both financial and social returns. Highlights included:

How philanthropic capital can fuel impactful, for-profit startups.

Success stories like Seth Goldman's journey with Honest Tea.

The growing opportunity for individuals to leverage DAFs as a meaningful way to support

entrepreneurship while achieving impact-driven goals.

Equity Crowdfunding and the Future of Private Markets

The conversation with Kendrick Nguyen, founder of Republic.com, spotlighted the evolution of

equity crowdfunding and its potential to democratize access to private market investing. Key

insights from this episode included:

How regulatory changes enabled everyday investors to participate in private markets, opening

up new opportunities beyond traditional tech companies.

Republic's early challenges in competing with established platforms and the importance of

transparency and trust between companies and investors.

The role of blockchain technology in fractionalizing assets, reducing participation costs, and

providing education for new investors.

Kendrick’s inspiring journey from a career in law and traditional finance to building Republic

into a trailblazing platform, driving accessibility and opportunity in private market investing.

Looking Ahead

As we wrap up this incredible year, our mission remains the same: to empower individuals to see

themselves as change-makers, investors, and catalysts for innovati...

Are you an angel investor looking to navigate the AI landscape and make strategic investment decisions?

In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with special guest Katie Taylor, the CEO of Narratize, an innovative AI company. Katie shares her journey in the AI space, from her time at Purdue University to becoming one of the seven developer ambassadors advising OpenAI with ChatGPT. She explains how Narratize’s approach to AI differs from other companies, emphasizing the importance of large language model agnosticism and responsible AI principles. This episode is a must-listen for investors seeking insights into the evolving AI marketplace and the strategies they can employ to make informed and impactful investment decisions.

This episode offers a compelling exploration of the AI marketplace and the critical considerations for angel investors. Katie’s perspectives shed light on the evolving landscape of generative AI and the potential for its exponential growth. With insights on security, privacy, and diversity in AI leadership, this episode equips listeners with the essential knowledge to make informed investment decisions in the dynamic AI space. Whether you're an experienced angel investor or someone interested in the world of AI entrepreneurship, this episode provides valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions that make it a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of AI and investment.

To get the latest from Katie Taylor, you can follow her below!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-katie-trauth-taylor/

https://www.narratize.com/

Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!

Website: www.marciadawood.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

Learn about the world of entrepreneurship and the power of small businesses in the United States.

In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood welcomes Congressman Aaron Bean to discuss his fascinating journey to becoming a member of the US House of Representatives. Congressman Bean's story is one of resilience and determination, as he talks about successfully building four small businesses, including a putt-putt golf business and a retail insurance agency, while also serving in various elected positions. As he shares his experiences, Congressman Bean emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship and the role of government in supporting small businesses, making this episode a must-listen for anyone passionate about fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth.

Throughout the conversation, Congressman Bean reflects on his journey from serving as a city commissioner and mayor to being elected to the Florida House of Representatives before becoming a member of the US House of Representatives. He highlights the challenges he faced, the victories he achieved, and the impact of his work on supporting small businesses. The episode dives into the role of government in creating an environment conducive to entrepreneurship, addressing regulations, and providing opportunities for private investors to support innovative ideas. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the intersection of politics and small business, highlighting the importance of engaging with government to foster an entrepreneurial spirit and drive economic progress. Congressman Bean's perspective offers a unique understanding of the legislative process and how it intertwines with the entrepreneurial landscape, making this episode essential listening for those interested in the future of small business and economic policies in the United States.

To get the latest from Congressman Bean, you can follow him below!

https://bean.house.gov/

https://aaronbean.com/

Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!

Website: www.marciadawood.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

Have you ever considered how varying attitudes toward AI could shape entrepreneurial opportunities? In this episode of "The Angel Next Door Podcast," host Marcia Dawood engages with Lucy Farey-Jones, a marketing expert and tech enthusiast. Lucy's TED Talk on AI adoption garnered over 2 million views and combines her marketing prowess with a keen interest in consumer behavior to explore the public’s evolving relationship with technology.

Lucy discusses her research on AI adoption pre-pandemic and post-vaccine, shedding light on generational differences and shifting attitudes toward technology. She reveals surprising findings, such as Generation Z's skepticism and Baby Boomers' increasing acceptance of AI. Lucy also highlights the significant gender disparities in tech comfort levels and advocates for more diverse voices in AI development to prevent biases. This episode is essential listening for investors, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts alike, as it offers fresh insights into how societal attitudes impact the adoption and future of technology.

To get the latest from Lucy Farey-Jones, you can follow her below!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-farey-jones-74687b1/

https://www.registerbydesign.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