In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt DeCoursey and Donald Hawkins, President, and CEO of kinly talk about Donald's experience as a minority founder raising over $20M in venture capital during a pandemic.


Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:

https://gigb.co/l/YEh5



This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:

https://fullscale.io/



Learn more about kinly:

www.bekinly.com



Listen to Donald's prior Startup Hustle podcast appearance: 

https://link.chtbl.com/pipelineE



Listen to the "Kansas City Top Startups" overview episode:

https://link.chtbl.com/startuphustleKCtop



Read up on each of the "Kansas City Top Startups":

https://startuphustle.xyz/blog/top-kansas-city-startups-2022/

In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt DeCoursey and Donald Hawkins, President, and CEO of kinly talk about Donald's experience as a minority founder raising over $20M in venture capital during a pandemic.
 Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
<a href="https://linktr.ee/startuphustle">https://gigb.co/l/YEh5</a> 
 
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
<a href="https://fullscale.io/">https://fullscale.io/</a>
 
Learn more about kinly:
<a href="http://www.bekinly.com">www.bekinly.com</a>
 
Listen to Donald's prior Startup Hustle podcast appearance: 
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/pipelineE">https://link.chtbl.com/pipelineE</a>
 
Listen to the "Kansas City Top Startups" overview episode:
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/startuphustleKCtop">https://link.chtbl.com/startuphustleKCtop</a>
 
Read up on each of the "Kansas City Top Startups":
<a href="https://startuphustle.xyz/blog/top-kansas-city-startups-2022/">https://startuphustle.xyz/blog/top-kansas-city-startups-2022/</a>

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.  With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.  If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.   

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.&nbsp; With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.&nbsp; If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Startups, Entrepreneurship and Business are Not Easy

Startup Hustle

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.  With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.  If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.

Raising Capital as a Minority Founder

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Rajiv Nathan, the Startup Hype Man, who shares insights on how to pitch a startup to investors and customers effectively. Rajiv discusses his journey from a marketing background to becoming a pitch expert, emphasizing the importance of understanding the pitch landscape beyond just raising capital. He introduces the K-PASA formula for crafting elevator pitches and highlights common mistakes founders make, such as focusing too much on features rather than the problems they solve. The conversation also covers actionable steps for creating compelling pitches and the pricing structure for Rajiv's services.

Takeaways
Founders often struggle to articulate what their company does.
The best pitches focus on the customer's problem, not just features.
Rajiv's K-PASA formula helps structure effective pitches.
Investors want to see how you communicate with customers.
Common mistakes include being overwhelmed with information and using jargon.
A strong elevator pitch can open doors to further conversations.
Lead with emotion to engage your audience effectively.
Tailor your message to resonate with your target audience.
Your pitch should evolve as your company grows and changes.
Effective messaging can significantly influence investor interest.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Learn more about Startup Hypeman here:
http://www.startuphypeman.com

Learn more about Rajiv Nathan here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivnathan/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"You need to get this together."
"I accidentally quit my job."
"Investors are not the people who buy your product."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Pitching Strategies
01:04 Rajiv's Journey to Becoming a Pitch Expert
07:24 Understanding the Pitch Landscape
12:47 The Importance of Problem-Focused Pitches
15:15 Common Mistakes in Pitching
16:34 The K-PASA Elevator Pitch Formula
22:57 Crafting the Approach and Solution
31:39 Action Steps in Pitching
35:03 Pricing and Services for Startups

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Rajiv Nathan, the Startup Hype Man, who shares insights on how to pitch a startup to investors and customers effectively. Rajiv discusses his journey from a marketing background to becoming a pitch expert, emphasizing the importance of understanding the pitch landscape beyond just raising capital. He introduces the K-PASA formula for crafting elevator pitches and highlights common mistakes founders make, such as focusing too much on features rather than the problems they solve. The conversation also covers actionable steps for creating compelling pitches and the pricing structure for Rajiv's services.
Takeaways Founders often struggle to articulate what their company does. The best pitches focus on the customer's problem, not just features. Rajiv's K-PASA formula helps structure effective pitches. Investors want to see how you communicate with customers. Common mistakes include being overwhelmed with information and using jargon. A strong elevator pitch can open doors to further conversations. Lead with emotion to engage your audience effectively. Tailor your message to resonate with your target audience. Your pitch should evolve as your company grows and changes. Effective messaging can significantly influence investor interest.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/
Learn more about Startup Hypeman here: http://www.startuphypeman.com
Learn more about Rajiv Nathan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivnathan/
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/
Sound Bites "You need to get this together." "I accidentally quit my job." "Investors are not the people who buy your product."
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pitching Strategies 01:04 Rajiv's Journey to Becoming a Pitch Expert 07:24 Understanding the Pitch Landscape 12:47 The Importance of Problem-Focused Pitches 15:15 Common Mistakes in Pitching 16:34 The K-PASA Elevator Pitch Formula 22:57 Crafting the Approach and Solution 31:39 Action Steps in Pitching 35:03 Pricing and Services for Startups

The Best Startup Pitch Framework

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Ben Taylor, founder and CEO of Soft Ledger, about his journey in creating accounting software. They discuss the challenges of building a product in a competitive market, the importance of identifying gaps in existing solutions, and the lessons learned from the startup experience. Ben shares insights on their go-to-market strategy, the role of AI in accounting, and the impact of funding on their growth. The conversation highlights the complexities of product development and the future of accounting software.

Takeaways
Ben Taylor identified a significant gap in the accounting software market.
Soft Ledger was built to address the inefficiencies in financial reporting.
The journey to acquiring the first paying customer took 10 months.
Product readiness is crucial before launching to customers.
Surviving as a startup often means focusing on cash flow management.
SEO has been a key driver for customer acquisition for Soft Ledger.
AI is expected to enhance efficiency in accounting tasks.
Funding allowed Soft Ledger to invest in product development and marketing.
The accounting software market is evolving with new entrants and technologies.
Positioning against competitors like QuickBooks requires a clear strategy.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Learn more about Softledger here:
https://softledger.com

Learn more about Ben Taylor here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentaylor8/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"I called up my longtime friend, Jeff Ostrega."
"It took about 10 months before we got our first paying customer."
"We thought we had something, but it wasn't ready."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Soft Ledger and Its Founding
03:09 Identifying Market Gaps in Accounting Software
05:56 The Challenges of Selling Accounting Software
08:54 Building a Robust Product: Lessons Learned
11:59 Navigating the Startup Journey: Surviving and Thriving
15:08 Go-to-Market Strategy and Inbound Marketing
17:54 The Role of AI in Accounting Software
21:04 Funding and Growth Strategies for Startups
23:54 Future of Accounting Software and Market Positioning

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Ben Taylor, founder and CEO of Soft Ledger, about his journey in creating accounting software. They discuss the challenges of building a product in a competitive market, the importance of identifying gaps in existing solutions, and the lessons learned from the startup experience. Ben shares insights on their go-to-market strategy, the role of AI in accounting, and the impact of funding on their growth. The conversation highlights the complexities of product development and the future of accounting software.
Takeaways Ben Taylor identified a significant gap in the accounting software market. Soft Ledger was built to address the inefficiencies in financial reporting. The journey to acquiring the first paying customer took 10 months. Product readiness is crucial before launching to customers. Surviving as a startup often means focusing on cash flow management. SEO has been a key driver for customer acquisition for Soft Ledger. AI is expected to enhance efficiency in accounting tasks. Funding allowed Soft Ledger to invest in product development and marketing. The accounting software market is evolving with new entrants and technologies. Positioning against competitors like QuickBooks requires a clear strategy.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/
Learn more about Softledger here: https://softledger.com
Learn more about Ben Taylor here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentaylor8/
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/
Sound Bites "I called up my longtime friend, Jeff Ostrega." "It took about 10 months before we got our first paying customer." "We thought we had something, but it wasn't ready."
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Soft Ledger and Its Founding 03:09 Identifying Market Gaps in Accounting Software 05:56 The Challenges of Selling Accounting Software 08:54 Building a Robust Product: Lessons Learned 11:59 Navigating the Startup Journey: Surviving and Thriving 15:08 Go-to-Market Strategy and Inbound Marketing 17:54 The Role of AI in Accounting Software 21:04 Funding and Growth Strategies for Startups 23:54 Future of Accounting Software and Market Positioning

Targeting the Midmarket, Growing with SEO

In this episode, Matt Watson and Sean Beckner discuss the journey of entrepreneurship, investment strategies, and the evolution of business growth. Sean shares his experiences transitioning from a startup founder to an investor, highlighting the importance of timing in business exits and the dynamics of customer engagement in the digital age.

They explore the challenges and rewards of acquiring businesses, the balance between equity and cash in exits, and the future of investing through a family office model. The conversation emphasizes the need for purpose and passion in entrepreneurship, as well as the potential for growth in existing businesses.

Takeaways
Entrepreneurship involves phases: founding, acquiring, and investing.
Transitioning from operator to investor can feel boring but offers freedom.
Building businesses profitably allows for better optionality in exits.
Customer engagement strategies have evolved with technology.
Timing the market is crucial for successful business exits.
Acquisitions can provide a win-win for founders and investors.
Balancing equity and cash in exits is a strategic decision.
Investing through a family office allows for more control and flexibility.
Purpose and passion are essential for long-term entrepreneurial success.
Growth in existing businesses can be more manageable than starting anew.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Learn more about Sean Beckner here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-beckner-558a916/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"It's hard. It's hard."
"We all need some sense of purpose, right?"
"You can still get those types of returns."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Investment
02:56 Transitioning from Operator to Investor
06:56 Early Ventures: From Startups to Exits
10:28 The Evolution of Customer Engagement
13:31 Viral Nova: Riding the Wave of Social Media
19:41 Timing the Market: Selling at the Right Moment
25:04 Acquisitions: Finding the Right Fit
31:02 The Balance of Equity and Cash in Exits
36:10 The Future of Investing: Family Office vs. Fund
40:32 Conclusion: The Importance of Purpose in Entrepreneurship

In this episode, Matt Watson and Sean Beckner discuss the journey of entrepreneurship, investment strategies, and the evolution of business growth. Sean shares his experiences transitioning from a startup founder to an investor, highlighting the importance of timing in business exits and the dynamics of customer engagement in the digital age.
They explore the challenges and rewards of acquiring businesses, the balance between equity and cash in exits, and the future of investing through a family office model. The conversation emphasizes the need for purpose and passion in entrepreneurship, as well as the potential for growth in existing businesses.
Takeaways Entrepreneurship involves phases: founding, acquiring, and investing. Transitioning from operator to investor can feel boring but offers freedom. Building businesses profitably allows for better optionality in exits. Customer engagement strategies have evolved with technology. Timing the market is crucial for successful business exits. Acquisitions can provide a win-win for founders and investors. Balancing equity and cash in exits is a strategic decision. Investing through a family office allows for more control and flexibility. Purpose and passion are essential for long-term entrepreneurial success. Growth in existing businesses can be more manageable than starting anew.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/
Learn more about Sean Beckner here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-beckner-558a916/
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/
Sound Bites "It's hard. It's hard." "We all need some sense of purpose, right?" "You can still get those types of returns."
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Investment 02:56 Transitioning from Operator to Investor 06:56 Early Ventures: From Startups to Exits 10:28 The Evolution of Customer Engagement 13:31 Viral Nova: Riding the Wave of Social Media 19:41 Timing the Market: Selling at the Right Moment 25:04 Acquisitions: Finding the Right Fit 31:02 The Balance of Equity and Cash in Exits 36:10 The Future of Investing: Family Office vs. Fund 40:32 Conclusion: The Importance of Purpose in Entrepreneurship

Raising Capital as a Minority Founder

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