The Funding You Weren't Told About And ADHD Strategies to Get It (with Kat Weaver)

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<v SPEAKER_01>It was you who said someone gave you the advice to sell your company for a dollar to say that you'd sold it.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I can't tell you the amount of blood that just started boiling up in my body.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I was so offended.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Like you genuinely meant well with that advice.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Hello everyone and welcome to this episode of the ADHD Skills Lab, brought to you by understood.org, the leading nonprofit helping millions of people with learning and thinking difficulties like ADHD and dyslexia.

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<v SPEAKER_01>So today we're joined by Kat Weaver.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Kat Weaver is the founder and CEO of Power to Pitch, where she helps early stage founders improve how they communicate their business, which is pretty complicated.

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<v SPEAKER_01>I know I've struggled with it before, so they can secure funding faster.

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<v SPEAKER_01>After scaling and selling her first company, which she started out of her college dorm room, Kat went on to win 22 out of 23 pitch competitions that she applied to.

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<v SPEAKER_01>She later founded Power to Pitch and has since helped founders raise over$70 million in grants and venture capital and counting.

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<v SPEAKER_01>So welcome, Kat.

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<v SPEAKER_01>It's great to have you here.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Well, I am so honored to be here.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So thank you so much for having me.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Well, my first question is a little bit about what it means to seek outside of funding.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Because, you know, I personally work, we've got a wide variety of listeners, but I work with particularly service-based businesses.

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<v SPEAKER_01>And so a lot of the time, bootstrapping or growing on your own is often what people are doing.

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<v SPEAKER_01>So tell me what you see as the difference between being in a bootstrap business versus being in a outside of funding business.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Like describe to me how those businesses operate differently.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Well, I'll leave with what I see is that so many people think that, oh, they see this tech crunch or Forbes article as someone raising this big venture capital round.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So that qualifies as a good or cool business or a valid business when it's actually quite the opposite, that has no regard to the validity of any business.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And bootstrapping, there's nothing wrong with that.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Having 100% ownership and control in a company is such a powerful thing.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So I think that is the best place to start.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And then when you think about a service-based business, the beauty is that you can pre-charge people and really any business, but it's so much easier to pre-charge and uh pre-sale and fund through your customers per se.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So it's a great way to start.

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<v SPEAKER_02>When you think about funding, the way you want to think about it is how will it help me expedite my goals that much more quickly?

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<v SPEAKER_02>It should be in a place of thinking about leverage and strategy and strategic capital.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So really the core options a founder has now, I'll talk through the most expensive first.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Is first there's the most expensive is venture capital.

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<v SPEAKER_02>That is uh the most unrealistic for most companies.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Very high growth,$1 billion outcomes are expected.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And then we have angel investors, which are individual wealthy investors, or uh your friends and family per se, but not everyone has a rich aunt or uncle lying around.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And then next on that tier, early third on the list, is crowdfunding.

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<v SPEAKER_02>It has its own pros and cons and can require equity and not, but there's some platforms that don't.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But it takes a lot of marketing dollars and a lot of audience power that you've pre-built to make that worthwhile.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And then second on that list, and getting to the most, the least expensive is through debt.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I always think debt was a scary word, but it's some of the best forms of leverage uh any founder can think of in terms of growth and capital, because debt is cheaper than giving up equity.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And there is optionality into what your returns look like and the math should work behind it, but it is cheaper.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And then the the least expensive on that list, I would say, is grants.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So if a service-based business or any is under a million in annual recurring revenue, there's a ton of grant opportunities.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I call them corporate grants that are for businesses from idea stage up to a million around the country.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And it's really, really an incredible way for some cash and PR and credibility that can help leverage a business.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And that's really how I got my start.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So I know that was long-winded, but I don't see a lot of education around what that breakdown looks like for various industries.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So I hope that was helpful and I answered that correctly.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah, really helpful.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Oh my gosh.

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<v SPEAKER_01>I was like, this is it.

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<v SPEAKER_01>We're getting, we're getting all of it right here.

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<v SPEAKER_01>But I want to know from you then.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Tell me about the different forms of funding that you've gotten in your own business.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So I, and when I first started my first company, I won 22 of 23 pitches I applied for, as you mentioned, and that was all through corporate grants.

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<v SPEAKER_02>It was non-dilutive.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I didn't have to give up any equity.

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<v SPEAKER_02>No one asked what I did with that money, and I never had to pay it back.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So it's not a loan.

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<v SPEAKER_02>It was six figures in free, literal cash, which was incredible.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I was actually also approached by some investors throughout the years, and unfortunately, some were inappropriate or not a good fit.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And I chose purposely to not go that route because I didn't feel like they were aligned.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And you get anything out of this, it's that not all money is good money.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But since then, I've worked with hundreds of founders across all of those, all five funding sources that I mentioned, because that money that you think about is should really be strategic at every capacity.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So I've helped founders secure all types, but in the really early stages, especially my first company, I really loved to leverage and went after that corporate grant route first.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah.

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<v SPEAKER_01>So you mentioned that, you know, you had people approach you and it didn't, it wasn't the right fit.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Like what made it not the right fit for your business?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Besides some of the gross and inappropriate comments from old men, when you think bringing an investor, yeah.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Uh I will write a book one day.

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<v SPEAKER_02>There I have so many stories, unfortunately, from other women raising capital that I can share.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But when you think about taking on capital, you want to think about again, all that money should be strategic.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So, what is almost like you build a profile?

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<v SPEAKER_02>I would really like someone who has experience investing at my stage with these types of connections in this industry.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So let's say it's tech or or let's say consumer, even easier.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So, consumer, I want them to have apply chain, retail, marketing experience.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And you kind of want to almost think about cherry picking someone versus, hey, I have experience of real estate, not your industry, but I want to throw you some money.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Probably not the best bet because I seen a lot of founders take on that kind of money, and that investor then becomes a thorn.

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<v SPEAKER_02>That and that money ended up becoming more expensive because they couldn't make connections, ended up asking for their money back sooner, or were making, you know, crazy claims about what they should do, what it didn't align with the type of industry that they're in, and things like that.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So there should be some strategy behind the profile of the person or type of investment that you're going after and level of experience.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So they have an idea of where you're at and where you want to go.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah.

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<v SPEAKER_01>And on that note, I think it was you who said someone gave you the advice to sell your company for a dollar to say that you'd sold it.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Yeah, one dollar.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I I can't tell you the amount of blood that just started boiling up in my body.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I was so offended.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Like he genuinely meant well with that advice, but what an idiot.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I'll take a lemonade stand, sell it for a dollar, and I'm a I'm a I'm a yeah, that was crazy.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Yeah, so no longer a mentor of mine, which is a whole nother topic of how to pick a good mentor.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But I I've had some really great and really bad, and just because you have a mentor doesn't mean you have to go with all their advice.

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<v SPEAKER_01>In the ADHD Skills Lab, we focus on building systems that help your business thrive.

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<v SPEAKER_01>But when you're parenting a neurodivergent child, that adds a new layer of complexity that no spreadsheet can fix.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Many of you have told me that you feel overwhelmed and frustrated when home is feeling more chaotic than work and you just don't know what to do about it.

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<v SPEAKER_01>That's why I'm recommending Understood's podcast.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Everyone gets a juice box for the parents of neurodivergent kids.

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<v SPEAKER_01>It's honest, it's validating, and it moves away from this idea of perfect parenting.

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<v SPEAKER_01>I've been listening to the episode on Mum Rage, where Michelle talks about getting the kids into the car seats can definitely relate to the frustration of this.

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<v SPEAKER_01>And how the idea that that frustration is it's a canary in a coal mine of burnout that might be under the surface.

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<v SPEAKER_01>And hearing them talk about these limits and how we need to be honest about our nervous system rather than just continuing to push through was so amazing to hear.

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<v SPEAKER_01>To listen, search for everyone gets a juice box for parents of neurodivergent kids in your podcast app.

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<v SPEAKER_01>That's everyone gets a juice box.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Let's say you so you said you really liked the corporate grants, and I'm like, where is this money hanging around?

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<v SPEAKER_01>Because I'm not like I haven't heard, and I've I'm not really looking, we're fully bootstrapped, but you know, tell tell me like how how would a let's say we've got a founder, they're already making a hundred K, right?

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<v SPEAKER_01>So they've the business is already in that hundred K range, it's it's growing, but they're exhausted and they know they need to hire to really get to the next level, and that's a large investment on top of what they've already invested.

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<v SPEAKER_01>What would you recommend that they do first to try and figure out what to do?

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<v SPEAKER_02>So, first I have a founder think through their goals.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And I actually have a free capital calculator.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So if you DM me the word a capital calculator on Instagram, I'm Cat Weaver.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I'll send you this tool for free.

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<v SPEAKER_02>You're listening.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But the the first thing is it's not that, oh, I want to go raise a million dollars because it sounds good.

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<v SPEAKER_02>When a founder goes to think about money, they should think about what are the big milestones that I want to hit in the next year.

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<v SPEAKER_02>That's like a good time range.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And then it's what does it look like runway wise with like what I'm already doing?

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<v SPEAKER_02>And where's that gap?

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<v SPEAKER_02>So, like, how can I essentially fill the rest of the void?

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<v SPEAKER_02>What does that amount look like?

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<v SPEAKER_02>And then you'll kind of match that amount to the type of capital.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So let's say it's under$150,000, under even$200,000.

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<v SPEAKER_02>It'll help you really hit your big milestones.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I would consider the corporate grant route.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And now the corporate grant route, now they're not all really big checks, they're between a thousand and a hundred thousand dollar checks on average.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But the beauty is stacking them.

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<v SPEAKER_02>The average founder who wins three grant or one grant wins three or more.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Like, for example, we've had a founder win 155,000, 97,000, 120,000 total, and that's a lot of money.

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<v SPEAKER_02>That's no investor on your cap table bothering you kind of thing.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But I mean, the easiest way is like you can Google until your eyes bleed.

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<v SPEAKER_02>There's a ton of for-profit things out there.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I specifically we have share about 200 a month for our founders who we work with to help win them.

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<v SPEAKER_02>There's options.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I mean, I've helped podcasters to wedding photographers to can a peanut brittle grant, you name it.

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<v SPEAKER_02>It's just more about you qualify if you're between that revenue range and you want to grow your business.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I also helped founders to think about it from an ROI time perspective.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So one time I uh complained to my dad, he was like, Oh, what are you up to?

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<v SPEAKER_02>And I said, I don't want to apply for this$5,000 grant.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I'm so tired.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I was like, worked for 12 hours and all the things.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And he goes, Well, how long would it take you?

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<v SPEAKER_02>And at the time, I thought it would take two hours.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And it actually took us.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But so I told him two hours and he goes, last time I checked, you didn't make$2,500 an hour.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So it'd sit your butt down for fuck a grant.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And I was like, okay.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Leave it to the dad analogy to get my butt in gear because I thought that, oh, like, you know, I'm at this revenue range.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I don't need to waste my time with it.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But it ended up being really great, quick cash, and I got huge PR out of it, like PR that I couldn't have paid five grand to get.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So it was worth it on so many levels.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Okay, that is very, very interesting.

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<v SPEAKER_01>My clients and the people listening to these, we all have ADHD.

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<v SPEAKER_01>You know, ADHD is kind of the space that we're in.

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<v SPEAKER_01>So what that means is like when someone says like fill out a form, we're like, I'd rather do anything else.

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<v SPEAKER_01>That is not why I got into business.

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<v SPEAKER_01>I'm sure a lot of your clients say the same thing.

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<v SPEAKER_01>But what I know from working with clients is that if you give them something like a GBT or an something audio or you body double with somebody, like all of these things can make applying for a grant a lot easier.

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<v SPEAKER_01>So, do you have any recommendations for how to not end up in the position where you're just sitting in front of a computer with a with a form to fill out and know nothing to help you?

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<v SPEAKER_01>Like, how do we not be in that situation?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Well, I will tell you when people try to shortcut and have someone apply for the grants for them, I highly recommend against that.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Because one, the work that it takes for you to do that is part of the process of winning because learning how to better communicate the business and grow into that skill as something that will serve you forever.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Pitching is not a business skill, it's a life skill.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And so I know that the task might be difficult.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So, for example, we have all of our founders go through this template, so it's copy and paste.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So they're not reinventing the wheel or every form each time.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So that the beauty of it is when you have the right process in place, all those grants and those funding applications ask the same things, anyways.

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<v SPEAKER_02>You're just adjusting for word or character count.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And so the beauty of that is like, you know, you have that core piece, you can copy and paste it.

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<v SPEAKER_02>You really do it once or big once the first time, and you go to apply.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But I'll see people try to shortcut it and then they have to go pitch.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Let's say they they get selected and they have to pitch live, but they didn't put in the work and they don't know how to pitch now, or they didn't explain the business that way.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So then it kind of catches them.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And then the let's say the funding opportunity wants to do a PR feature.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Was that really you talking about the business?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Are you prepared to do that?

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<v SPEAKER_02>So that all comes through that experience of pitching.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So now some forms can be two questions, they can be really short, but that's why.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So for a lot of busy founders, right?

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<v SPEAKER_02>There's always more to add on our to-do list.

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<v SPEAKER_02>We can always get distracted in context, which it's so easy to do, it's so tempting.

00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:13.840
<v SPEAKER_02>And so I recommend pre-blocking our calendar.

00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:19.279
<v SPEAKER_02>That has helped me to time because I run a team of seven and I get Slack messages all day.

00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:20.559
<v SPEAKER_02>I this, I that.

00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:22.240
<v SPEAKER_02>I'm like all over the place.

00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:36.080
<v SPEAKER_02>But if I pre-block what I need to do and sit down or give certain blocks to my team to get done, I notice that I'm less likely to give up or pass by an opportunity because I pre-planned for it versus letting it happen to me.

00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:37.440
<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah, yeah, 100%.

00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:48.080
<v SPEAKER_01>And I would add to that as well, just for the people listening, pre-block it and pre-block it with somebody, even if it's your EA, especially if you're going through it the first time.

00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:53.440
<v SPEAKER_01>Um, Tucky has that, he's spoke on the podcast about that idea of a date with a dude.

00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:59.919
<v SPEAKER_01>And I feel like it's such a such a good reminder, you know, to have that person who's gonna do it with you.

00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:02.559
<v SPEAKER_01>Because I know you guys, don't lie to yourselves.

00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:05.600
<v SPEAKER_02>I know you're not gonna do it if it's just you.

00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:07.440
<v SPEAKER_01>And and I'm the same way as well.

00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:12.080
<v SPEAKER_02>But okay, so both work will apply to it.

00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:16.559
<v SPEAKER_02>Let's help each other with the application and give each other perspectives about the business.

00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:22.080
<v SPEAKER_02>It doesn't even have to be someone on your team, get an outside perspective from a friend who it might benefit too.

00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:26.639
<v SPEAKER_01>I love that you both apply together for the same grant application.

00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:27.519
<v SPEAKER_01>That's amazing.

00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.399
<v SPEAKER_01>That's a great idea.

00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:31.120
<v SPEAKER_01>You mentioned this idea of like the one-liner concept.

00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:34.799
<v SPEAKER_01>So this sentence that can help you with your pitch decks.

00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:43.360
<v SPEAKER_01>Like, I am curious, pitch taking is such an interesting space, especially I think as a bootstrapped founder, it's something that is not as big of a thing.

00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:46.720
<v SPEAKER_01>And in other industries, it seems to be like that's it, that's what we're doing.

00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:49.919
<v SPEAKER_01>So, what do we do when we're putting together a pitch deck?

00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:51.120
<v SPEAKER_02>Okay, I love this question.

00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:57.840
<v SPEAKER_02>And first, I'll say the reason it's not as common in your industry is because even in the other industries, it's overglorified.

00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:07.440
<v SPEAKER_02>So many people woke one to have one and it doesn't actually service them and they spend all this time updating it, thinking it's gonna be the magic bullet, or someone sees it and goes, Oh my gosh, I can't wait to write them a check.

00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:09.120
<v SPEAKER_02>That happened never.

00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:11.840
<v SPEAKER_02>So that's okay to not have one.

00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:22.480
<v SPEAKER_02>But when it does come time to actually build one out, the fastest way to do it, especially when we're short on time, is to build out one, this is the result that I want.

00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:24.240
<v SPEAKER_02>And we're gonna work backwards from the result.

00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:27.200
<v SPEAKER_02>Two, build out what you want to say and communicate.

00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:30.000
<v SPEAKER_02>Don't design it and then work backwards from that.

00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:34.879
<v SPEAKER_02>It's gonna take so much time and back and forth that it's gonna drive, it'll drive me crazy.

00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:37.600
<v SPEAKER_02>And I've seen people do it, it'll drive anyone crazy.

00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:39.919
<v SPEAKER_02>So it's what is the outcome that I want?

00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:41.759
<v SPEAKER_02>What do I want to say and communicate?

00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:46.559
<v SPEAKER_02>And then in bullet points, that's essentially what gets translated into a deck.

00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:54.159
<v SPEAKER_02>The best decks are between, you know, eight to 12 slides because the average one gets scanned in less than two minutes anyway.

00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:57.759
<v SPEAKER_02>So people click, click, click through, and you don't want a ton of context per slide.

00:16:57.919 --> 00:17:02.080
<v SPEAKER_02>And this investor I met, she's like, the best slide that I see have 10 words or less.

00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:04.319
<v SPEAKER_02>It's more easy to communicate.

00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:07.039
<v SPEAKER_02>I can scan and then even go back to someone listening.

00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:10.240
<v SPEAKER_02>No one needs full paragraphs, even if they don't have context about you.

00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:12.240
<v SPEAKER_02>Let them mentally fill in the blank.

00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:17.519
<v SPEAKER_02>And I would say, I, or what I always say is, assume you're pitching someone old with bad eyes.

00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:19.440
<v SPEAKER_02>Don't make them lean and squint.

00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:23.519
<v SPEAKER_02>And then the second capital I have is does it pass the phone test?

00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:28.400
<v SPEAKER_02>If I were to share it with someone and they view on their phone, do they have to pinch more than one time to zoom in?

00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:31.920
<v SPEAKER_02>Can they actually get the context from just quickly scrolling?

00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:33.599
<v SPEAKER_02>Like they were almost on social media.

00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:42.640
<v SPEAKER_02>I can get into like super nitty gritty of per slide, but when you think of those things as a whole, 99% of founders making a deck don't think about those things and it will cut their time in half.

00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:43.359
<v SPEAKER_01>100%.

00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:48.319
<v SPEAKER_01>And also for those of you who are interested, Claude can now make a pitch deck.

00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:52.880
<v SPEAKER_01>Like if you talk to Claude, it can give you a PowerPoint that you can edit.

00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:57.279
<v SPEAKER_01>You can give it a template and it's not gonna be very good, and so you're gonna have to give it to someone to make it better.

00:17:57.359 --> 00:18:02.319
<v SPEAKER_01>But in terms of just getting the basics down and getting started, like it's a it's a good start.

00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:04.960
<v SPEAKER_02>Yeah, and I'll say, I mean, like you said, there's so many tools now.

00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:08.000
<v SPEAKER_02>Don't pay someone$20,000 to go make a pitch deck for you.

00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:09.119
<v SPEAKER_02>It's gonna change.

00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:12.000
<v SPEAKER_02>You're out of that era, it's not gonna do anything.

00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:20.319
<v SPEAKER_02>And also at the end of the day, when you think about whether you're going the investment route or a client route, they're choosing you as the person over what you're pitching.

00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:26.079
<v SPEAKER_02>So the focus really should be on the communication, the body language versus how pretty you make the design.

00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:28.960
<v SPEAKER_02>Unless design is your business, then that's a different story.

00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:35.200
<v SPEAKER_02>But outside of that, it does not need an in a really intense investment to do right by it.

00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.240
<v SPEAKER_01>I have a question as well.

00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:37.680
<v SPEAKER_01>So say you're pitching.

00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:41.440
<v SPEAKER_01>How much should you be worried about you did don't make it pretty?

00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:46.160
<v SPEAKER_01>I'm also curious about numbers versus referrals versus impact.

00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:50.240
<v SPEAKER_01>So if you're, you know, sometimes it's like people just want the numbers.

00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:52.480
<v SPEAKER_01>They want to know, like, can you hit the numbers?

00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:56.720
<v SPEAKER_01>Sometimes you can't hit the numbers and they know that because you're too early.

00:18:56.880 --> 00:19:01.200
<v SPEAKER_01>So it's more about you and who you could be and the potential.

00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:07.680
<v SPEAKER_01>And sometimes it's more about the credibility, like who you know, who you have access to, because they're not going to be able to help you with that.

00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:12.640
<v SPEAKER_01>Do you get a feel for which thing, or should you always be thinking about all of them in a pitch stick?

00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:14.880
<v SPEAKER_02>So all of those elements are important.

00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:23.200
<v SPEAKER_02>Now, when you're thinking about investment, the goal is to get a second meeting and a third, not get it in the first one.

00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:24.559
<v SPEAKER_02>It won't be this data dump.

00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:33.759
<v SPEAKER_02>It won't even go through a full PL, most likely, because it's a get to know you and figure out where that person is most interested and has the most questions.

00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:40.240
<v SPEAKER_02>So you can tailor that next meeting and further support to like that area that they want to focus.

00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:45.279
<v SPEAKER_02>So core categories I always recommend that a founder leads with kind of like their story and why.

00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:46.640
<v SPEAKER_02>And it could be two sentences.

00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:55.119
<v SPEAKER_02>You don't have to give them your life story, but it's really like that story problem, statistics and data behind the problem that you're solving to give proof.

00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:58.559
<v SPEAKER_02>Then it's hey, solution, what traction do you have?

00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:03.920
<v SPEAKER_02>What does the model look like, market size, competition, financials, and team?

00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:04.880
<v SPEAKER_02>And then ask.

00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:13.920
<v SPEAKER_02>Like that, you can Google that as like a standard outline, kind of strict on that, especially for a first meeting, because you can pitch that in five minutes or less.

00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:14.319
<v SPEAKER_02>Yeah.

00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:16.240
<v SPEAKER_02>No one wants to be walked out for 30 minutes.

00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:21.440
<v SPEAKER_02>So the beauty of that is there's someone you're you pitch that, and then they go, okay, let's dig into these financials.

00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.000
<v SPEAKER_02>Great.

00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:24.799
<v SPEAKER_02>And then you figure out, okay, they're financially centric.

00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:29.200
<v SPEAKER_02>I'm prepared to talk about my metrics, or hey, I want to know more about the market.

00:20:29.359 --> 00:20:30.079
<v SPEAKER_02>Okay, great.

00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.839
<v SPEAKER_02>That's where we're gonna spend time.

00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:38.480
<v SPEAKER_02>You purposely set yourself up in a way foundationally where then they lean in to where they're most interested.

00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:47.039
<v SPEAKER_02>And not in every investor will be the same, but as long as you have that foundation, it will give them a guide as to what you can figure out what's most important to them.

00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:55.839
<v SPEAKER_01>So, okay, so you're sort of like you're giving them the top level, and then you're in a position here where you're sort of saying, like, hey, that's a great point.

00:20:56.000 --> 00:21:00.000
<v SPEAKER_01>I'll get back to you, or you are expected to have all the information in your mind when they ask.

00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:05.440
<v SPEAKER_02>Investors don't, and they don't like when you lie and two, they can tell when you're guessing.

00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:08.000
<v SPEAKER_01>No one is as good at lying as I think they are.

00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:09.920
<v SPEAKER_02>They appreciate the transparency.

00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:14.960
<v SPEAKER_02>So the best thing you can do is say, you know, I don't have that answer right now off the top of my head.

00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:17.279
<v SPEAKER_02>I'm happy to get that to you after our call.

00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:21.519
<v SPEAKER_02>Or if we set up a meeting uh next week, would that work for you?

00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:24.720
<v SPEAKER_02>And I'm happy to run you through X, whatever it is.

00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:31.440
<v SPEAKER_02>Then we'd be so appreciative that you didn't just word vomit all over them or make something up because they can tell if you did.

00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:33.279
<v SPEAKER_02>So you don't need all the answers.

00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:38.480
<v SPEAKER_02>That's you just kind of have in your back pocket that little way to defer the question and go to the next one.

00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.119
<v SPEAKER_02>Awesome.

00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:39.920
<v SPEAKER_01>That's so great.

00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.519
<v SPEAKER_01>And and so helpful as well.

00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:44.640
<v SPEAKER_01>Because obviously ADHD working memory is not the best.

00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:49.440
<v SPEAKER_01>So if you're trying to like encode a bunch of information about your business, what if they asked me this?

00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.559
<v SPEAKER_01>What if they asked me this?

00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:59.759
<v SPEAKER_01>And then you're like stressing because you're trying to hold all this information in, just knowing you need to know the basics and anything you don't understand, you don't have the data.

00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.279
<v SPEAKER_01>On you can go get it.

00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:04.000
<v SPEAKER_01>It's not gonna lose you the deal, basically.

00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:06.000
<v SPEAKER_01>Okay, now I want to talk about no's.

00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:08.000
<v SPEAKER_01>Because I think this is the real reason no.

00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:12.720
<v SPEAKER_01>I mean, if everyone knew there was guaranteed money at the end of it, they would totally be doing it, right?

00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:14.559
<v SPEAKER_01>Because that's what they're doing already with business.

00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:20.799
<v SPEAKER_01>It's the fact that they're gonna do all this work and then the person's gonna say no most of the time.

00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.839
<v SPEAKER_01>Well, maybe not for you.

00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:26.240
<v SPEAKER_01>You got 22 out of 23, but Wait, I want more no's than yeses in my life.

00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:26.880
<v SPEAKER_02>I promise.

00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.160
<v SPEAKER_02>I just put in more reps.

00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.720
<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah, well, there you go.

00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:34.400
<v SPEAKER_01>So, so people are gonna say no, and they're gonna say no a lot.

00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:36.880
<v SPEAKER_01>I I would argue, and let me know what you think.

00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:47.359
<v SPEAKER_01>I think that's a there's a business level where you're you're not putting in the reps and getting all the no's, and then there's the level you get to when you get comfortable with getting no's like all day, every day, all week.

00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.960
<v SPEAKER_01>Would you agree with that idea?

00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:56.960
<v SPEAKER_02>I believe that it's guaranteed as a founder, and we should be excited about that because that should mean learning or opportunity.

00:22:57.200 --> 00:23:10.720
<v SPEAKER_02>And I I forgot what's this the stay saying that's been kind of floating around Instagram or this like little, you know, kind of viral thing where it's like if you were a hundred no's away from your biggest yes, how precise would you be to get your next no?

00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:14.000
<v SPEAKER_01>I think Cassidy said that on the podcast a couple of weeks ago.

00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:14.640
<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah, yeah.

00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:22.319
<v SPEAKER_02>Such a great perspective to think about because the people winning get rejected more than you've even tried.

00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:28.640
<v SPEAKER_02>I put in more raps and have made more sacrifices than most people can fathom.

00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:41.200
<v SPEAKER_02>And I feel like, I mean, when you're a founder, it's almost like you're trying to stay afloat when swimming attached to like 20 bricks, and someone has you hands you another bag of bricks at the same time, and you're like trying to fight it and get up, you know, it gets really bad.

00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:49.359
<v SPEAKER_02>But the no's are absolutely guaranteed and show you shows you where you really need to dig in and advance your skills and make changes.

00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.720
<v SPEAKER_02>So it's technically a blessing.

00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.200
<v SPEAKER_01>Okay.

00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:56.400
<v SPEAKER_01>Well, tell me the last time, like describe to me the last time someone said no to you.

00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:59.920
<v SPEAKER_01>And it was a it was a big deal, you know, because you probably have a lot of ones that aren't a big deal.

00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:01.519
<v SPEAKER_01>And what do you what you did after that?

00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:02.480
<v SPEAKER_02>You'd be surprised.

00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:06.160
<v SPEAKER_02>I would say, I'll tell you about a partnership last year that stuck with me a lot.

00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:08.160
<v SPEAKER_02>And it was a pretty big organization.

00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:10.400
<v SPEAKER_02>And we made this proposal.

00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:15.119
<v SPEAKER_02>They essentially sent me something that I wasn't fully excited about or in line with.

00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:19.039
<v SPEAKER_02>I thought, you know what, I've done stuff with them before, I've proven value and metrics.

00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:23.039
<v SPEAKER_02>So I'm surprised, you know, why we're we're at the rate that we are.

00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:27.759
<v SPEAKER_02>And so I conored and they mentioned that, like, no, it's not happening.

00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:29.759
<v SPEAKER_02>We're not gonna do X, Y, and Z.

00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:31.519
<v SPEAKER_02>And I didn't get much reason behind it.

00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:40.880
<v SPEAKER_02>And I was so almost like annoyed and butthurt at the same time because they wanted all this extra free stuff without any X, like they're a billion-dollar company, by the way.

00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:46.319
<v SPEAKER_02>And so I thought I knew that was totally BS, but I realized, hey, I positioned that wrong.

00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:49.599
<v SPEAKER_02>I went about, I didn't think about how I'm doing it for them.

00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.960
<v SPEAKER_02>I needed about me.

00:24:51.200 --> 00:25:01.440
<v SPEAKER_02>And so this year they countered and they came back to me with something eight times less than what they just signed a contract on.

00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:12.240
<v SPEAKER_02>I went back to them and now learned that from last year how ugly that pitch was and how embarrassed I was of like I couldn't get it right, that they signed for something eight times bigger this year.

00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:12.960
<v SPEAKER_01>Wow.

00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:13.599
<v SPEAKER_01>Wow.

00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.240
<v SPEAKER_01>Okay.

00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:16.319
<v SPEAKER_01>And and did you do anything?

00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:18.960
<v SPEAKER_01>Did you call a friend, go for a walk?

00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:21.200
<v SPEAKER_01>Like, how did you how do you like decompress?

00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:23.440
<v SPEAKER_01>Do you do you do that or do you just keep moving?

00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:31.759
<v SPEAKER_02>You know, I feel like I'm one of those overactive people naturally, but I'm not immune to burnout.

00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:34.000
<v SPEAKER_02>I'm not immune to being upset.

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:36.319
<v SPEAKER_02>I'm a big like get outside kind of person.

00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:47.440
<v SPEAKER_02>I'm lucky where I listen more warm and like purposely wanted to move to a state that was warmer because I realize how much better I feel when I go outside, I go for a walk or I'm in the sun and I get some fresh air.

00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:51.599
<v SPEAKER_02>Even 10, 15 minutes makes such a big difference, like removing myself.

00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:54.960
<v SPEAKER_02>So I've had to like flop pre-block that in my calendar.

00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:56.240
<v SPEAKER_02>I'll be like, I go feel it.

00:25:56.559 --> 00:26:02.480
<v SPEAKER_02>Honestly, if I did my seventh straight zoom today, like how they last hair.

00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:07.440
<v SPEAKER_02>And so it's like, probably should have pre-blocked some more, uh, get outside again.

00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:10.720
<v SPEAKER_02>So you can go like freshen your eyeballs up, kind of thing.

00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:12.720
<v SPEAKER_02>But that's the number one for me.

00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:16.319
<v SPEAKER_02>And I also I work out almost every day, like five, six times a week.

00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:20.559
<v SPEAKER_02>And that's been important of like natural decompression before I work.

00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:24.000
<v SPEAKER_02>So I'm level-headed be before anything begins.

00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.480
<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah.

00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:28.240
<v SPEAKER_01>Oh my gosh, I I completely understand that actually to that point.

00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:31.839
<v SPEAKER_01>I love to walk and the research behind it, amazing.

00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:35.680
<v SPEAKER_01>But I got a walking pad recently and it's changed my life.

00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:41.759
<v SPEAKER_01>Like being physically tired at the end of the day as well as mentally tired is highly, highly recommend.

00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.160
<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah.

00:26:42.400 --> 00:27:05.680
<v SPEAKER_01>If you're a service business and maybe you're, you know, so I work with people in manufacturing, irrigation, some more like online services, and you're in this sort of like a hundred thousand to million dollar range and you're going, I would actually like to start thinking about some kind of angel, angel investor or venture capital or something like that.

00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:08.240
<v SPEAKER_01>Is that a thing that people are interested in?

00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:14.079
<v SPEAKER_01>Because often you hear about it in in terms of tech companies and more of the SaaS business.

00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.680
<v SPEAKER_01>So I'm just curious about that.

00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:17.920
<v SPEAKER_02>Yes, it's it's very much possible.

00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:35.039
<v SPEAKER_02>And what I will say is like I just met someone yesterday who has a seven-figure service business agency and is now going to go raise money to acquire three other different types of service-based agencies so he can offer multiple services to singular clients.

00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:41.039
<v SPEAKER_02>So, in terms of even raising to get to growth and a big exit goal, that's something that's not uncommon.

00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:49.440
<v SPEAKER_02>But let's say, for example, this service-based business, like no invad, no angel investor is gonna come in if it's just, hey, I'm gonna, I need to pay rent.

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:57.359
<v SPEAKER_02>It should be for I want to hit these really big growth milestones with the plan of exiting soon.

00:27:57.599 --> 00:28:02.000
<v SPEAKER_02>This is gonna help me get to better margins or a better multiple as a business.

00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:06.240
<v SPEAKER_02>So I'm more valuable and I have a bigger ROI in the end.

00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:15.519
<v SPEAKER_02>So that's how someone would want to consider it one and two, the investor makes their money on a liquidity event, which means, hey, you get bought out or you IPO.

00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:20.079
<v SPEAKER_02>But mostly, most likely in the service-based industry is you'll probably get acquired.

00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.920
<v SPEAKER_02>And that wouldn't be the goal for an investor.

00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:28.880
<v SPEAKER_02>Now, I don't typically see it as much in the venture capital world with service-based businesses until your private equity or like really, really big.

00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:35.759
<v SPEAKER_02>But if you're smaller and looking for leverage, think about a strategic angel investor or debt or the grant side in it.

00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:40.160
<v SPEAKER_02>If you're going the angel investor route, you should have a big exit plan.

00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:45.119
<v SPEAKER_01>And I can tell you, and I'm sure you know, you like to probably sit down with people and go, What's your big exit plan?

00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:46.720
<v SPEAKER_01>And they go, Excuse me.

00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:47.920
<v SPEAKER_02>My what?

00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:51.359
<v SPEAKER_02>They go, Wait, I have to exit, I can't pass this down to my kids.

00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:55.440
<v SPEAKER_02>Like uh, the investor wouldn't be very happy about that, or you wouldn't get very far to be gone.

00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:57.119
<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah, yeah, that is interesting.

00:28:57.279 --> 00:29:01.279
<v SPEAKER_01>So it's really for people who are in that position where they do want to exit.

00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.880
<v SPEAKER_01>That's kind of where we're looking for.

00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:13.200
<v SPEAKER_01>Let's say that we've had people listening and they were like, This idea wasn't even in their minds, and now they've listened to this conversation and they've gone, okay, that is interesting.

00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:25.599
<v SPEAKER_01>Like that is some, you know, uh look, I I wouldn't say no to a little bit of extra cash to to help with the hiring and the and the shifting and all that kind of stuff, maybe you know, learn how to use AI, all that kind of pieces.

00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:29.599
<v SPEAKER_01>So, what's the first thing that they should do to kind of get started in this area?

00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:32.079
<v SPEAKER_02>In thinking about funding and grants particular.

00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.279
<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah, yeah.

00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:37.920
<v SPEAKER_01>If they're, you know, it's it's on their radar now, but they don't really know what to do next.

00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:41.599
<v SPEAKER_02>Well, you can DM me on social media at any point to help.

00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:44.720
<v SPEAKER_02>I share a ton of uh YouTube videos that I'm catweepers well.

00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:46.000
<v SPEAKER_02>I'll break it down.

00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:48.880
<v SPEAKER_02>But use that capital calculator that I mentioned.

00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:52.880
<v SPEAKER_02>Think about what is that minimum amount of capital that can make an impact?

00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:55.440
<v SPEAKER_02>If it's like a few thousand dollars, don't bother.

00:29:55.599 --> 00:30:00.480
<v SPEAKER_02>Like you don't need to go go cuss get a pre-sale of pre-sale customer for something.

00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:27.519
<v SPEAKER_02>But if you really see big growth goals where you need or could utilize 25, 50, 100, 150k plus, then think about what are organizations that are putting on funding opportunities that maybe we have mission alignment, or they specifically are funding service-based, or they're specifically supporting maybe women-owned businesses or businesses who are in a certain region.

00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:30.000
<v SPEAKER_02>Like there's really niche ones and then there's broad ones.

00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:32.160
<v SPEAKER_02>Like, for example, QuickBooks put on a grant.

00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:33.039
<v SPEAKER_02>$20,000.

00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:36.720
<v SPEAKER_02>QuickBooks said every service provider could be using QuickBooks.

00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:38.319
<v SPEAKER_02>You didn't have to be a customer.

00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:43.519
<v SPEAKER_02>But if you had$20,000 in support from them, could you like get team support?

00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:44.400
<v SPEAKER_02>Because you have growth.

00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:47.440
<v SPEAKER_02>Like, think about what that could look like.

00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:49.039
<v SPEAKER_02>Is that gonna be worth it?

00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:57.759
<v SPEAKER_02>And then pre-blocking calendar to one look and two, think about what could be strategic term-wise, and then send me messages.

00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:59.039
<v SPEAKER_02>That still doesn't make sense.

00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:01.839
<v SPEAKER_02>Like, there's just so many great resources to start with.

00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:13.519
<v SPEAKER_02>You don't have to go big, you don't have to go for$250,000 right away, but thinking about that small, small steps in leverage, and it also it's nice because it gets you to think about the business differently.

00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:21.599
<v SPEAKER_02>Like it, whenever I apply to those things, I you have to take this bird's eye view to what you're doing, which is so important.

00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:25.440
<v SPEAKER_02>And when because we're so close to it, right?

00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:26.960
<v SPEAKER_02>Like we're so excited, passionate.

00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:31.920
<v SPEAKER_02>But when it forces you to uh you ask the questions or think through like, how could I use this money differently?

00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:33.359
<v SPEAKER_02>Or I didn't think about that.

00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:38.240
<v SPEAKER_02>I can invest in uh the podcast this way or servicing my clients this way.

00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:41.920
<v SPEAKER_02>It's actually a fun exercise that gets you out of your day-to-day.

00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:44.319
<v SPEAKER_01>Well, I just have a couple of questions uh for you, Kat.

00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:46.000
<v SPEAKER_01>These are questions we ask everyone.

00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:50.400
<v SPEAKER_01>So, number one, what is a professional achievement that you're the most proud of?

00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:58.160
<v SPEAKER_02>I would say I am most proud of sticking with the exit of my first company.

00:31:58.319 --> 00:32:02.640
<v SPEAKER_02>I care at so many people said, Don't bother, don't waste your time, you can't do it.

00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:04.640
<v SPEAKER_02>I was under contract four times.

00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:06.799
<v SPEAKER_02>The third time fell through the week of my wedding.

00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:11.920
<v SPEAKER_02>Also, they had a light concert, but assuming something was there.

00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:17.680
<v SPEAKER_02>And the fact that I stuck with that through all that chaos and hardship is something I'm really proud of.

00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:18.880
<v SPEAKER_02>Yeah, definitely.

00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:24.160
<v SPEAKER_01>And then on the other side, do you have a professional embarrassment or failure that you've had and how did you handle that?

00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.519
<v SPEAKER_02>Oh my gosh, where do we begin?

00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.400
<v SPEAKER_02>So messy.

00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:47.599
<v SPEAKER_02>I am not, I'm upuring by any means, but I would say one of the first big mishaps was I ordered 4,000 units of product from the wrong of the wrong fabric and supplier, and thought that like, oh well, I just made a mistake, they'll fix it, they'll still change the color.

00:32:47.839 --> 00:32:50.720
<v SPEAKER_02>And I had to pay for every single one of those.

00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:53.119
<v SPEAKER_02>And I was still living in my parents' basement at the time.

00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:58.880
<v SPEAKER_02>So like that was such a big embarrassing hit and to tell them like how does that even happen?

00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:05.920
<v SPEAKER_02>And I just had to eat it, and it was so unfortunate, and it still like slightly haunts me to this day, I think.

00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:08.799
<v SPEAKER_02>Thinking about that color was so awesome.

00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:11.039
<v SPEAKER_01>Well, you are among friends here.

00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:12.160
<v SPEAKER_01>We have all done.

00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:14.640
<v SPEAKER_01>This is the right space to tell that story.

00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.680
<v SPEAKER_01>I can tell you that right now.

00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:18.799
<v SPEAKER_02>Yeah, uh, it won't be the last, uh, by the way.

00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:27.039
<v SPEAKER_02>I've I got plenty, but I think that's the the beauty of entrepreneurship is as my business coach says, new mistakes only.

00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:29.359
<v SPEAKER_02>And as long as they're new mistakes, that's okay.

00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:38.960
<v SPEAKER_01>And do you have a quote or you know, something that you like to say that kind of helps you through your life and help you kind of remember?

00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:41.119
<v SPEAKER_02>I have one on my whiteboard actually right now.

00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:44.079
<v SPEAKER_02>It's we suffer more in imagination than reality.

00:33:44.319 --> 00:33:46.160
<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah, yeah, I love that one.

00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:46.960
<v SPEAKER_01>That one's a good one.

00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:47.440
<v SPEAKER_01>Really hard.

00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:48.799
<v SPEAKER_02>As a founder, every day, right?

00:33:48.880 --> 00:33:52.640
<v SPEAKER_02>You keep thinking you're in your own little world and you think it's lonely, but it doesn't have to be.

00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:54.240
<v SPEAKER_02>So I go back to that one often.

00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:54.799
<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah.

00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:56.319
<v SPEAKER_01>We're always like in the future.

00:33:56.480 --> 00:34:00.960
<v SPEAKER_01>We're like mentally living in the future and then present us as dealing with that reality.

00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:03.200
<v SPEAKER_01>Well, it's been wonderful to have you on, Kat.

00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:05.519
<v SPEAKER_01>Tell everybody where they can find you.

00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:08.079
<v SPEAKER_02>I'm really active on LinkedIn.

00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:12.239
<v SPEAKER_02>Can find me cat weaver and Instagram and YouTube at Iamcat Weaver.

00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:19.920
<v SPEAKER_02>And if you're raising or curious about the grant process, I do a ton of training, so you can apply to work with me at uh partopitch.com slash apply.

00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:22.320
<v SPEAKER_02>So thank you so much for the great questions.

00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:23.760
<v SPEAKER_02>It was an honor to be here, Sky.

00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:25.760
<v SPEAKER_01>No worries, it's been great to have you.

00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:29.199
<v SPEAKER_01>Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the ADHD Skills Lab.

00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:31.119
<v SPEAKER_01>If you liked it, leave us a five-star review.

00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:33.360
<v SPEAKER_01>It helps other people learn more about us.

00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:37.119
<v SPEAKER_01>And thank you so much to our wonderful team for making us sound good, look good.

00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:38.239
<v SPEAKER_01>We couldn't do it without you.