This episode originally aired in February 2024 and quickly became one of the most popular episodes of The Journey. Whether you're tuning in for the first time or revisiting this conversation, this episode will help you make informed decisions in your business!

Ever thought about raising venture capital for your business? In this episode, Morgan DeBaun breaks down everything a founder should know before diving into the venture fundraising process, sharing her invaluable insights from the perspective of both a fundraiser and an investor.

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction to Venture Funding

00:10 Should You Raise Money?

00:48 Understanding Angel Investors

02:55 The Importance of Traction

05:23 Navigating the Seed Round

06:44 Legal Considerations and Mistakes

08:29 Painting a Big Vision

10:57 Executing Your Plan

11:48 Hitting Milestones and Fundraising Timelines

12:31 The Importance of Momentum

13:31 Series Seed and Extensions

15:16 Navigating Series A

17:29 Series B and Beyond

19:19 Balancing Operations and Fundraising

20:56 Final Tips and Resources

First up, Morgan dives into a crucial question: Should you even raise venture capital for your business? Spoiler alert: More often than not, the answer is no. But for those who do opt for the fundraising path, Morgan warns that the venture capital journey won't be easy.

Through the episode, Morgan breaks down the phases of venture funding, from the Friends and Family and Angel Round to the critical Seed Round, all the way to the Series A, B, and C Rounds and beyond. She shares the benefits and challenges of each round and highlights what founders should pay attention to as they navigate the process. Morgan shares what she looks for in the entrepreneurs she chooses to support as an angel investor: resilience and grit. It's these qualities that often make the difference between success and failure in the cutthroat world of startups. Not sure if venture funding is the right choice for your business? After you listen to the episode, check out Morgan's workshop [link below] which will help you decide if fundraising is the appropriate next step for your startup. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review!

Pre-order Rewrite Your Rules: https://worksmartprogram.com/book/

Make sure you are following Morgan on TikTok to follow along with her beauty and wellness journey! https://www.tiktok.com/@morgandebaun?_

Join the Newsletter for More Exclusive Content: https://worksmartprogram.ac-page.com/thejourneypodcast

Visit Mormatcha.com to make a purchase.

Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thejourneybymdb

Produced by MicMoguls.

Morgan DeBaun is back with live coaching calls on The Journey! This week, she is joined by Mackenzie and Ben, two high achievers navigating major career decisions who are looking to add more joy and intention to their lives.

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome to the Journey Podcast

01:15 Introducing Mackenzie: A High Achiever's Dilemma

01:40 Balancing Ambitions and Personal Goals

03:14 The Importance of Prioritizing Wellness

05:00 Finding Joy in the Midst of Chaos

07:39 Delegation and Time Management Strategies

11:49 Exploring Passions and Tiny Joys

17:24 Navigating Relationships and Future Plans

25:33 Considering Private Practice and Career Goals

30:15 Exploring Flexible Goals and Partnerships

30:44 Commitments and Wellness Focus

31:27 Introduction to Ben's Journey

31:56 Navigating Corporate and Entrepreneurial Paths

34:05 Revenue and Scaling Challenges

36:29 Balancing Purpose and Profit

44:25 The Importance of Joy and Leisure

52:24 Seeking Guidance and Mentorship

56:51 Final Thoughts and Moving Forward

In the episode, Morgan first speaks with Mackenzie, a dual-degree medical and business student balancing her studies, content creation, and personal life. After facing a setback in her journey, Mackenzie is reevaluating her priorities and struggling to let go of the pressure to always achieve. Morgan helps her redefine success, focus on what truly matters in this season, and embrace tiny joys along the way.

Next, Morgan is joined by Ben, a corporate professional who's recently branched out into the world of entrepreneurship with his media platform, We Rest on Sundays. While deeply passionate about his project, Ben grapples with the pressure to scale and monetize, despite having financial stability. Morgan challenges him to rethink his approach, embrace balance, and find purpose beyond productivity.

Tune in for real-time insights on shifting mindsets, making strategic life pivots, and designing a career that aligns with your values!

Pre-order Rewrite Your Rules: https://worksmartprogram.com/book/

Join the Newsletter for More Exclusive Content: https://worksmartprogram.ac-page.com/thejourneypodcast

Make sure you are following Morgan's journey on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgandebaun?_

Visit Mormatcha.com to make a purchase. Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thejourneybymdb

Produced by MicMoguls.

For the first time ever on The Journey, Morgan DeBaun is hosting live coaching calls with entrepreneurs in her community. This week, she is joined by Esther and Leshawnda, two ambitious women each at a career crossroads and seeking Morgan's guidance.

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome to the Journey Podcast

00:43 Introducing Today's Guests: Leshawnda and Esther

02:10 Esther's Journey: From Mental Health Leader to Seeking Balance

03:37 Challenges of Running a Practice

07:36 Envisioning a Balanced Future

11:07 Exploring New Avenues for Income

13:28 Building a Scalable Business Model

18:07 Breaking the Cycle of Overwork

26:21 Creating a Reward System for Efficiency

32:14 Setting Financial Goals

32:48 Leshawnda: Navigating Career Transitions

34:28 Exploring Entrepreneurial Ventures

36:42 Defining Service Offerings

40:01 Building a Sustainable Business Model

44:48 Marketing and Personal Branding

51:03 Balancing Work and Personal Life

57:52 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

In the episode, Morgan first speaks with Esther, a mental health professional pivoting from private practice in the hopes of more freedom. Morgan helps her refine a scalable business model focused on B2B services and executive coaching.

Next, Morgan is joined by Leshawnda, a corporate executive exploring entrepreneurship with hesitations to leave a stable career behind. Morgan guides her in packaging her expertise into retainer-based consulting services for well-funded businesses.

Pre-order Rewrite Your Rules: https://worksmartprogram.com/book/

Join the Newsletter for More Exclusive Content: https://worksmartprogram.ac-page.com/thejourneypodcast

Make sure you are following Morgan's journey on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgandebaun?_

Visit Mormatcha.com to make a purchase. Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thejourneybymdb

Produced by MicMoguls.