Karen Rands - Compassionate Capitalist

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Compassionate Capitalist Show with host, Karen Rands. Today, we're privileged to have patent attorney and CEO of Blue Iron, Russ Krajec, on the show. Russ will debunk myths and misconceptions about patents. Expect to dive deep into the importance of aligning patents with your business roadmap, with emphasis on the value of data-driven patents vs. prophetic patents. Through interesting examples, Karen and Russ will show how to avoid others' mistakes and when patent management is done right, how companies can monetize patents for growth capital, preserving equity value for their share holders.  Finally, you won't want to miss Russ’s enlightening journey into patent law and angel investing. So, tune in for an episode that promises to be filled with actionable insights on the nuances of patent writing, and much more!  5 Insights You Will Gain:  1. Misconceptions and Myths of Patents  - Understanding the role of a patent attorney and their liability concerns  - The misc

In this episode of the Compassionate Capitalist Show brought back to life from the vault, Karen Rands engages in a compelling conversation with Rashaun Williams, a late-stage angel investor and venture capitalist. Williams shares his journey from investment banking to venture capital, highlighting the unique approach he takes in late-stage private investments for predictable returns. The discussion provides valuable insights for new investors looking to navigate the startup landscape and collaborate with companies that offer resources for successful scaling and exits. Key Takeaways: 1. Late Stage Investment Strategy: Williams emphasizes the importance of late-stage investing as a strategy for more predictable returns. He reveals the evolution of the late-stage industry, driven by companies staying private for extended periods, creating opportunities for investors to enter one to three years before the companies go public. 2. Accessing Top Deals: Williams shares valuable advice for new investors, suggesting in

Welcome to another episode of the CCS podcast! In today's episode, we dive into the challenges faced by entrepreneurs with our special guest, Kenneth Berger. Host Karen Rands engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Kenneth as they discuss the struggles, conflicts, and triumphs experienced along the journey to building successful startups. From biases in communication within diverse teams to the difficulties of delegating tasks, Karen and Kenneth shed light on the crucial aspects of entrepreneurship. They also explore the role of executive coaching in uncovering unconscious biases and beliefs that affect interactions and decision-making. Join us as we unravel the complexities of the entrepreneurial world and discover valuable insights from our esteemed guest. Key Topic 1: Challenges faced by startup leaders and navigating personal and company growth - Struggles with baggage (emotional, experiential, developmental) and being open to mentorship - Conflict resolution and toxic relationships in the entrep

In this episode of The Compassionate Capitalist Show™, Karen chats with Jon Gosier, a successful entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, who has made a significant impact in the worlds of adtech, fintech, and film financing. Here are the key points they explore: 1. Unlikely Combinations in Entrepreneurship: Jon Gosier is a prominent figure in both the tech and film finance spaces. We'll discuss how this unusual combination of expertise came about and the challenges young entrepreneurs face when deciding which problem to solve and build a company around, and then transitioning from building a company to becoming investors solving the problems they're passionate about. 2. The Film Industry and Georgia's Tax Credits: Georgia's generous tax credits have transformed the state into a filmmaking hub with a massive economic impact. Karen highlights the significance of these credits and how they have attracted big studios, making Georgia second only to California in producing blockbuster movies. However, the challenge

In this episode, we delve into the lucrative world of renewable energy investments, specifically focusing on the incredible potential of solar energy projects. Host Karen Rands is joined by Mike Silvestrini, the visionary behind Energea, a company making renewable energy investments accessible to everyone. In today's economic landscape of rising inflation and a volatile stock market, real assets with stable, contracted cash yields are essential for a diversified investment portfolio. Energea's solar portfolios provide the advantage of diversification across international markets, offering long-term revenue streams that align with market inflation rates. This opportunity supports a resilient investment approach, providing stability and growth in uncertain financial environments. Episode Highlights: 1. Breaking the Capital Intensity Myth: * Common misconceptions about investing in renewable energy. * Exploring the perception that renewable energy projects are too capital-intensive. 2. Sustainable Wealth Creatio

In this episode of The Compassionate Capitalist Show we delve deep into the world of reputation marketing and its symbiotic relationship with the 'know, trust, buy' theory of customer engagement. Our guest today is none other than Dean Trevelino, the co-founder of Trevelino/Keller, a renowned full-service digital marketing agency. Dean brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, and together, we'll explore the fundamental principles of reputation marketing and how adopting a 360° media marketing strategy can catapult your brand to new heights. Join us as we uncover the secrets to building trust, driving customer engagement, and achieving unmatched brand domination in the digital age. You know what is even better?  Dean, and his partner Genna Keller, used these same principals to start his business when most business owners were struggling because they knew they could help.  They walk the walk, not just talk the talk as they are a thriving award winning business today, serving business owners fro

The need for legal contract preparation when starting a business is paramount, as it serves as a crucial investment in safeguarding the interests of founders and investors. These contracts and organizational documents act as essential guardrails for the company, ensuring a smooth course even in times of disagreement, corruption, or unexpected events like the death of a founder. Matt Thiry and Karen Rands discuss on the Compassionate Capitalist Show the importance of proactive legal steps to protect business interests. Contract law may not be glamorous, but it becomes a source of conflict resolution when founders or key personnel exit the company abruptly. Alongside legal documents, specific insurance products can help maintain business operations during challenging times. Three key takeaways for founders and investors include: Proactive Contractual Safeguards: It's vital to establish clear, legally binding agreements and contracts that outline roles, responsibilities, and dispute resolution mechanisms from th

Fractional executives offer a unique and valuable growth strategy for startups and emerging growth companies. They distinguish themselves from external consultants by actively exercising executive authority within the organization, aiding in strategy development and execution. These interim leaders are instrumental in building out specific departments, managing growth, and preparing for a seamless transition by hiring full-time replacements. Fractional executives often work across multiple companies simultaneously, adding versatility to their expertise. Brook Janousek of The Grow CMO joins Karen on The Compassionate Capitalist Show to discuss the value of using interim chief level officers to bridge the gap and maximize the value of high level expertise at a 'fraction' of the cost. In more established companies, fractional executives can also serve as a solution for the challenge of prolonged executive leave, ensuring a smooth workflow and preserving job security for valued employees. Moreover, the post-Covid

The very nature of investments is speculative -- Real Estate, Stock Markets, even Angel Investing, can all lose value based on factors outside the control of the investor. Jonathon K. DeYoe joins Karen Rands to discuss the concept of Mindful Money -- having a plan for investing so emotion doesn't kill your wealth and you can hedge against unforseen and unexpected black swan events that can cause investment sectors and assets to collapse in value. During this podcast you will learn that investors do not have to choose between a tremendous financial outcome and living a happy, meaningful life. With these simple principles, you can accumulate and protect your wealth, and avoid the stress and worry about your financial future.  Jonathan DeYoe started his own financial services firm in California after a storied career on Wall Street. He saw value in helping families build a beachhead against the invevitable financial storms, regardless of what administration is in office or financial malfeasance has been committe

In this episode of The Compassionate Capitalist Show, join host Karen Rands as she delves into the intricate world of business valuation with esteemed guest Gregg Ficery, President of Integgra Valuation & Advisory Services. Valuing private companies, particularly startups and pre-revenue ventures, is a complex challenge that demands careful consideration. Gregg's vast experience in business valuation sheds light on this critical aspect of entrepreneurship. Episode Highlights: The Complexity of Valuation: Valuating a private company involves a labyrinth of considerations, especially for startups and those yet to generate revenue. Getting it wrong at the start can seriously hamper a founder's ability to raise capital during their seed round.  Hence the reason so many startups use convertible notes and SAFE Notes. Factors Influencing Valuation: The calculation of a company's valuation isn't a one-size-fits-all equation. Multiple factors, from industry trends and market conditions to growth potential and comp

Listen to Karen's interview of Shachar Oren, of Sound Media Ventures, as he shares his journey from boot strapped startup to successful exit to lead a Media Tech VC firm in Atlanta, GA.  Karen first met Shachar nearly 2 decades ago when he was raising capital for Neurotic Media and wanted to present to her angel group, the Network of Business Angels & Investors.   Shachar's  journey as an entrepreneur gave him keen insights into the concepts of growth hacking, lean start up, boot strapping, raising capital, and getting to a profitable exit.  His experience has provided an unique perspective as an angel investor and venture capitalist sitting on the opposite side of the table.   Shachar also shares his insights as to what he looks for when considering investments in the emerging field of Media Tech.  Enjoy their conversation and learning moments.  Shachar Oren is the Founder & CEO of Sound Media Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in companies at the nexus of media and technology. Prior to st

What if there was a way to do what many have unsuccessfully tried and accomplish many think impossible: to invest in low- economic neighborhoods, benefit the community, and actually make money at the same time?   In this case, the idea of making money while doing good isn't about bringing an innovation to market that will solve a universal problem like accessible clean water, or provision of quality health care and education, or economic uplift of living wages with affordable work-force housing.  In fact in the case of urban renewal, it is all of those things and more.   We are on the threshold, if we do this right, that history will look back on this time as the turning point for an urban renaissance.  This is replay of a popular episode from 2020 where I interviewed best selling author  Terrence Gallman and we were all excited about the potential for urban renewal as as result of the Opportunity Zone tax exemptions offered in the 2017 tax reform laws.  We went on to continue to look for opportunities to upl

Jonny Price, VP of Banter at Wefunder, joins Karen Rands on this episode of The Compassionate Capitalist Show™ to discuss the evolution and impact of Crowdfunding to fuel equality and opportunity for founders and create wealth for mainstreet investors.  Crowdfunding platforms, like Wefunder, democratize raising capital and creating wealth, providing investment opportunities to a wider audience. Previously, only wealthy accredited investors had access to early-stage investments, excluding many individuals, especially from marginalized communities. Wefunder's two-sided marketplace connects diverse founders and investors, facilitating fundraising and fostering innovation. Wefunder is a leading crowdfunding platform, with 39% of the marketshare and delivering $172.8 million into companies on their platform, from 140,386 investors, in 2022. Key Takeaways: 1. Regulation Crowdfunding: Wefunder enables companies to raise funds through direct public offerings, allowing customers and the community to invest and share i

In this episode of The Compassionate Capitalist Podcast™, host Karen Rands interviews Devin Thorpe, founder of The Super Crowd, a public benefit corporation focused on impact crowdfunding to help diverse founders and social entrepreneurs raise capital. Devin, a champion of social good and a bestselling author, discusses the evolution of crowdfunding and its alignment with his core values and mission to create social impact. As a benefit corporation, he prioritizes social impact over profits and believes crowdfunding provides an avenue to democratize the capital markets and empower underserved founders. The conversation delves into successful social impact of projects funded through crowdfunding and highlights the importance of building a community around these initiatives. Three takeaways: 1. The Power of Benefit Corporations: Devin Thorpe's choice to lead a benefit corporation demonstrates a commitment to both financial success and positive social impact. Benefit corporations aim to prioritize social and env

Podcasting has emerged as a powerful marketing and customer engagement strategy, enabling businesses to establish credibility and build a trusted connection with their customers. With over 5 million podcasts globally and 70 million episodes, the medium has witnessed substantial growth, reaching targeted platforms and engaging specific audiences. Reports, such as McKinsey's, emphasize that podcasting initiates intimate conversations and plays a vital role in the customer journey, driving customer loyalty and brand trust in the digital age. Karen's Special Guest is Phyllis Nichols, founder of SoundAdvice Strategies, a podcast production company. She’s best known for helping clients create unique audio experiences for their listeners. Authors, small business owners and other creatives use their podcasts to tell stories, inspire audiences, and build real connections. Phyllis and the SoundAdvice team make sure they sound great and handle all the tech and marketing details. Karen and Phyllis talk about the benefits

Carbon capture has emerged as a crucial climate change recovery strategy, given the catastrophic environmental changes occurring worldwide. The melting of Greenland and Arctic ice sheets, deforestation and the loss of rainforests like the Amazon, warming oceans, declining coral reefs and fish populations, and the significant decline in insect populations have highlighted the urgent need for action. As human carbon emissions have outpaced nature's ability to recover, there is a risk of crossing tipping points that could lead to severe and potentially catastrophic impacts.  To get to net zero by 2050, we will need to reduce the #carbon footprint in all industrial and commercial sectors. This means pretty much reinventing our entire economy. A #greeneconomy is the only way forward.  It is NOT enough to stop producing greenhouse gases and harmful carbon, we must reverse the damage as best we can with restorative innovative technology. In order to continue to thrive, we need to find ways to uncouple our growth fro

Join us in this episode as we explore the world of Opportunity Zones. Landon Johnson, of CapZone Analytics, joins Karen Rands to dive into the latest IRS regulation changes impacting Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds (QOZFs) and unravel the complexities surrounding compliance. Whether you're new to this concept or already involved as a fund participant, investor, or fund manager and developer, compliance is where the rubber meets the road to ensure you maximize the benefits of investing in Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds.  Karen kicks of the discussion with a brief history behind the bipartisan effort in Congress to be a catalyst for change by providing strong financial incentives for investors to seek investment opportunities in underserved rural and urban communities. The impact and benefit has been siezmic. Since it's passage as part of the Tax Code changes in 2017, there are more than 8,768 designated Qualified Opportunity Zones in the 50 states, and five U.S. territories, including American Samoa, Guam,

Donna Griffit, the Corporate Storyteller, joins Karen Rands on the Compassionate Capitalist Show to discuss the art and science of pitching investors. They delve into the essential elements of a pitch deck, including the vision statement, passion, product description, and founder story as the hook. The conversation also explores the importance of creating FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) among investors, the differences between online and in-person pitching, and the nuances of pitching to male investors as a woman. Donna Griffit's expertise as a storyteller has aided numerous Fortune 500 companies, startups, and investors in raising over a billion dollars. Her insights on raising capital for female founders have gained recognition in Forbes, and she is listed among the top 100 tech and business women speakers by The Next Web. Four takeaways: Pitching investors involves a combination of art and science, requiring excellent presentation skills, knowledge of numbers, and the ability to create FOMO (Fear of Missing Ou

Focus of this episode: Educating about the acquisition and management of self-storage centers and other opportunistic real estate throughout the United States. Today we are going to talk about an asset class that is like real estate investing, but also like investing in a business... One of our goals on The Compassionate Capitalist Show is to understand the different asset classes, the niches of alternative investments, that meet your income and risk profile to help you build wealth so you can achieve the pinnacle of investment and wealth creation that angel investing. According to Bloomberg Markets, storage space is “… the number one alternative investment”. During recent years, self-storage has seen returns in the triple digits, fueled by homeownership dropping to it’s lowest point in years after the real estate crash. Key benefits of investing in self-storage properties include: ‍ Resistant to Recession Relatively High Returns Lower Breakeven Occupancy Rate because it has a broad appeal within a community

Historically, 7 M Americans, with $75K more in income, invest in Real Estate. The rising cost of real estate and cost of money is pricing new investors out of the market. Crypto investing is all the rage, but it is so volatile, risky, and time consuming. I HAVE GOOD NEWS. There is a little known way to invest, that not only has potential for big returns, but also to bring incredible emotional benefits. It is how the millionaires invest, and when they can invest in anything, why do they invest startups, private early stage companies, growing small businesses, and innovation pioneers? During this episode, Karen explains how you can own a piece of multiple businesses and share in the success of the entrepreneurs that are building the next big thing, solving big problems, or simply a business down the street that you love already. It is called angel investing, or more common for new investors, crowdfund investing. Angel investing refers to investing money in start-up companies or early-stage businesses in exchang