Financing Archives - Speak Up Women

Guest Post from Kelly Keenan Trumpbour, Founder of See Jane Invest and Moderator, Speak Up for Financing Panel at the Speak Up Women Conference

I’m an angel investor, which means companies directly ask for my money. Because I work with angel investing groups, I choose among entrepreneurs who have made it through a tough selection process. They present their ideas to me and my colleagues at monthly pitch meetings hoping to secure sizable checks.

Frequently, I am the only female investor in the room. The majority of companies pitching us have zero women founders in the mix. That’s changing, and I’m happy to report seeing more and more women at the helm of great ideas. I’ve been privileged to see suburb pitches from women founders who are on fire, and I am left with the unenviable task of choosing among them.

And yet, more often than I would like, when other female-founded companies are in front of me, the person telling me about it isn’t always the woman who created it. It’s often a guy.

Can I tell you how often I see a woman founder’s picture in a company’s slideshow, but the woman herself is not in the room with me? Do you know how many times women co-founders take a seat in the back of the room, ready and available for our follow-up questions, but they are not running the presentation?

It makes me want to rewrite the Tammy Wynette classic and belt from the top of my lungs, “STAND BY YOUR IDEA!! (twang twang twang) . . . . And show the world you love it!”

Ladies . . . LADIES!!! Just give me one other example, anywhere in your life, where you hand the microphone to a guy so he can explain your thought process about something you care so very deeply about.

Because I don’t hear random guys saying things like, “Well Bob, Ella went vegan in college because she believes in a cruelty free, sustainable food model, which is why she’s hoping you will offer her tofu from now on!” Or, “You know what Ron, that’s a great question. Does Tanya want to get married someday? I think the important question here is does she want to get married to you. And while we are so delighted by your interest, I think you can see that her brand will need to hold out for more.”

I know what you put into these companies. Many of you have maxed out credit cards, taken out another mortgage on a house, skipped sleep, ignored friends and exasperated family members. And then your team comes to pitch me and I don’t see you at the front of the room telling me why it is all (still) worth it.

And I think I know why. It’s not necessarily a lack of confidence or self-esteem. I think it’s because you care so very much about your idea that you want to entrust its communication to the very best possible messenger. If you are going to walk into a room full of mostly male investors, why not offer them your male co-founder? It’s smart. Like can attract like. But it’s also safe, and it bets against you being the best possible messenger.

If you have made it far enough as an entrepreneur to pitch me, you have found a way to live with risk. Maybe it’s never become what you might call comfy (and it never will), but like a decent roommate, you’re familiar enough with its rhythms to sleep a few hours most nights.

If you have enough of the gambler in you to put tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars behind your concept, risk a steady paycheck somewhere else, and cash in every favor for one shot at the gold ring, why not bet on your voice being the best voice?

Your job as the startup founder will always be far more difficult than my job as an investor. I don’t envy the strain you volunteer for, even if I admire your tenacity. But when I invest, I invest only in women-owned companies. I’m quite public about that. It’s on my websites, my social media pages, and my business cards. Two minutes into a conversation with me, and you will know I invest in women-led startups. Why? Because it matters to me that other people see and hear about an angel investor who expects women to be as present as men in the startup industry.

In putting my money where my mouth is, I’m hoping to model the change you need to get more investment. To get my investment, I need you to speak up and stand by your idea.

I look forward to meeting you at the Speak Up Women Conference on March 5th at the United Nations and hearing about your experience!

Everybody loves to receive gifts and we at the Speak Up Women Conference know how to give them with our hearts and souls to help support you with your “Speak Up” skills!

When you register by Thursday, March 3rd, at 11:59pm Eastern Time
for the Speak Up Women Conference, you qualify to win one of the following giveaways from our impactful elite speakers and amazing Speak Up Women team:

Cherie Corso is gifting and giving away a gift basket filled with G HEADER-3 2 Organics products to one lucky registrant! Thank You, Cherie!

Jessica Abo is gifting and giving away a 1-hour coaching session to help one lucky registrant turn her passion into action! Thank You, Jessica!

Experienced venture capital investor, Jeanne M. Sullivan, will meet for a half-day session to support your business vision. “Let’s talk about packaging, connections and how to get funded or brainstorm ideas to scale your business.” Thank You, Jeanne!

Kathy Zucker is gifting and giving away a 1-hour consultation with one lucky registrant! Thank you, Kathy!

Bonnie Bruderer, our esteemed Emcee & Mistress of Ceremonies, is gifting and giving away 1 hour of media training. Thank you, Bonnie!

Bonnie is also gifting and giving away a “Tweebot” which is a robot and a chance to win $10,000 with it! See #tweebaa and @tweebaa on Twitter. Thank You, Bonnie!

Laura Fredricks is gifting and giving away ½ hour of her valuable time to one lucky registrant plus the winner will receive a signed copy of her book. Thank You, Laura!

Karen Taylor Bass is gifting and giving away one complimentary 45-minute PR Coaching session to one lucky registrant. Thank You, Karen!

Stephanie Parker is gifting and giving away one hour of her valuable time as a business consult to one lucky registrant. Thank You, Stephanie!

Joan Pelzer of Joan Pelzer Media, our amazing social media strategist for the Speak Up Women Conference, is gifting and giving away a 1-hour Social Media Roadmap Session to one lucky registrant in which Joan Pelzer Media will evaluate current social media and help craft a strategic plan for moving ahead to create relationships online rather than just connections! Thank You, Joan!

Jennefer Witter of The Boreland Group, our fabulous publicist for the Speak Up Women Conference, is gifting and giving away a one-hour PR tele coaching session to one lucky registrant plus a signed copy of her book. Thank
You, Jennefer!

Our Founder, Jennifer S. Wilkov, is gifting and giving away a one-hour Reset Your Mindset session to one lucky registrant plus a signed copy of her book, Boys Before Business: The Single Girl’s Guide to Having It All

Jennifer is also gifting and giving away a one-hour JumpStart Your Book Session to one lucky registrant in which she will provide guidance and direction for the winner’s book or script idea, concept, draft, published or produced work. Thank You, Jennifer!

Judy Goss Headshot 1 2015 (3)

Judy Goss is gifting and giving away a 30-minute media training and a complimentary online membership to
Over 40 Females to one lucky registrant. Thank You, Judy!

Michelle Tillis Lederman is gifting and giving away one coaching call for one lucky registrant. Thank You, Michelle!

Jessica Minhas is gifting and giving away a 1-hour consultation on how to use your story for good or media/speaking coaching for one lucky registrant. Thank You, Jessica!

Victoria Moran, one of our esteemed Keynote Speakers, is gifting and giving away a Vegan Lifestyle Coaching Session via phone or Skype to one lucky registrant. Thank You, Victoria!

Alyssa Peek of Peek Photography, one of our fabulous photographers for the Speak Up Women Conference, is gifting and giving away one photo shoot session valued at $850 to one lucky registrant. Thank You, Alyssa!

What’s different about the Speak Up Women Conference?

We all want to go to events for different reasons. Some want to go to meet others. Some want to go because of the topic or to hear the speaker being featured. Others want to go because there is a chance to network in a great location or over great food or wine.

Here are the top 5 experiences you don’t want to miss at the Speak Up Women Conference at the UN on March 5^th:

1) The Caliber of Women You’ll Get to Connect With

The women who attend the Speak Up Women Conference are individuals who are committed to making a difference in the world by using their voices to build better businesses, communities and lives. They invest their greatest assets – their time, money, energy and efforts – to be around others who are doing all they can to create a better, bolder world for others…and themselves. They know great things happen at events at the United Nations, a different caliber location for such an auspicious opportunity.

They also know that it’s worth it to invest their time here among like-minded women who are truly moving and shaking the world.

If these are the people you have been looking to be in the same room with, then make sure you are in the room at the Speak Up Women Conference.

2) The Featured Topics of Discussion at a Single Event

In just one day at this one event, the Speak Up Women Conference, you will find yourself in conversations with other motivated, courageous, and inspiring women about speaking up in business, for money you need to grow your business and dreams, in your home, in your personal relationships with family and friends, and in your community – not to mention the keynote conversations about the impact speaking up can have when you are courageous enough to do it.

In order to cover all of the topics we will be discussing at the Speak Up Women Conference, you would have to pay for and attend at least 5 different conferences, including 5 different locations and associated travel and accommodations as well as time away from your family, friends and weekend commitments, not to mention childcare considerations and more.

3) Don’t Just Get a Book; Meet the Author and Get It Signed

At the Speak Up Women Conference, you won’t just buy a book. You can do that at home. You will have the unique pleasure and chance to meet and talk with the author as she signs your book.

Whether it is Victoria Moran, Laura Day, Judy Goss, Laura Fredricks, Michelle Tillis Lederman, Kelly Keenan Trumpbour, or any of our other powerful speakers, this is your opportunity to meet them in person, have your book personally signed, and take home not just a book, but the experience of meeting each one of them.

4) Time to Meet Fellow Attendees

The Speak Up Women Conference doesn’t only give you time to meet the phenomenal speakers appearing at the event, it also provides you with time during breakfast, lunch and the after-party to connect with fellow attendees. You never know who you are going to meet at an event like this.

With the type of women attending, you may just meet the one person who could be that game changer for you and your endeavors, business and interests.

5) Special Guest Appearance by Jillian Manus – At the Speak Up Women Conference, you won’t just eat lunch. Jillian Manus will be joining us to share her remarks about speaking up, why it is important and how it does make an impact.

Why should this make a difference for you? Not sure who Jillian Manus is or why you would want to listen to her?

Jillian Manus is a presently a Managing Partner of Structure VC, a Silicon Valley early-stage venture capital firm providing capital and brand strategy to tech companies focused on creating value in under utilized assets and excess capacity. Structure is the Architects of the Zero Waste Economy. Prior to SC, Jillian has had a multifaceted career as co-director of M & A for Credit Suisse in Zurich, Director of Development for Universal and Warner Bros Studios, TV agent for ICM, Associate Publisher of Upside Magazine. She is the founder of 3 companies, Global Goal Sports Management, Manus Media & Literary Agency and Broad Strategy, a brand acceleration and investment company.

She attended Oxford University and NYU where she served on the board of Trustees. Ms. Manus is a highly regarded public speaker, providing political and business commentary in both print and television, including Bloomberg News, Hardball and Fox News.

Jillian sits on numerous corporate and philanthropic boards including Box.org, Center for Investigative Reporting, Duke Engage National, Hyp3r, Iggbo, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Communities in Schools and College Track. She served seven years as Chair of The Woman’s Conference where she joined Maria Shriver to create the largest women’s conference in the world; 15,700 women STRONG.

As an active philanthropist, she created the Manus Family Foundation whose mission is “to create paths of safety and self-sufficiency for women and children.” The two primary levers of investment for her are education and health. Jillian was recently selected by the San Francisco Business Times as a 2016 honoree for the Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business.

Jillian speaks up and has spoken up in all the areas of her life that we will be discussing during the Speak Up Women Conference. This is your opportunity to not just be in the room with her, but to hear what she has to say about why speaking up has made huge difference for her in her life – in business, in her community, and for herself.

So don’t miss the Speak Up Women Conference! Time is running out and so are our limited number of seats!

Haven’t purchased your ticket yet? The Speak Up Women Conference at the United Nations is on March 5^th. Time is running out! Don’t miss out on this elite experience to raise your game, and your life, to the next level by learning how to really speak up and make an impact.

Have you ever felt like shouting, “Show Me the MONEY!!!” to someone? I mean really got in that place, like Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character in the movie Jerry McGuire where he is dancing up a storm, laughing, and shouting at Jerry to “show me the money”?

Why not?

What’s holding you back from asking for the money you need – for your business, for a cause you believe in, for others to sponsor an event or buy Girl Scout cookies from your daughter or niece?

Asking for money can cause an emotional response in many of us. Money is funny. It conjures up all kinds of judgments we make about ourselves – and our worth.

The truth is there is a secret code, like a secret handshake, for asking for money. It all begins with confidence and the belief in yourself and what you are asking for the money for.

Too many times I hear people say that they can’t figure out where the secret door is to the venture capitalists for their business or that if they found it, they can’t seem to speak the right language to stay in the conversation and engage those they have had the privilege to meet.

Asking for money comes down to a few things.

What are you asking for the money for? Are you clear about that? You are going to need to articulate this specifically, so make sure you are clear about it yourself.

Why are you asking for it? Is this a passion project? Are you looking for investors as equity partners, people with whom you will share your business? Are you looking for investors to give you the money to bridge you and your business while you build it and then you will pay them back? When? Are you getting a mortgage for your first home? How many people will you be able to help, serve or solve their issue, such as feeding people or providing access to clean water, if someone gives you the funding? Why is it so important to you to get the money?

When you get it, what will you apply it to? Be prepared to specify what you are going to do with the money – and why.

How do you feel, think about and manage money? This is pivotal. Fear is not an ally in these types of conversations. Confidence, competence and courage are. Be prepared to discuss fiscal management of the money you ask for. It’s essential that you know what you want to do with it, how you feel about it, and the words you use to talk about it that matter.

So when you are preparing to have your “Show Me the Money!” conversation with someone, practice makes perfect! Interview yourself about how you feel, think and interact with money. Get clear about why you want someone to invest in you and whatever you are asking for the money for. Most of all, check your emotions at the door. And I mean check in on them! Be honest with yourself about how you feel. More than that, check in on how you feel about whether you’re worth it or not. The truth is, you are whatever you believe you’re worth. And trust me, you’re worth it!

So Speak Up!

Be sure to attend the Speak Up Women Conference at the United Nations on March 5^th which features a Speak Up for Financing Panel with rockstar women experts from the world of financing who can address your specific questions about financing and how to speak up for money.

Guest Post from Laura Fredricks, Panelist, Speak Up for Financing Panel at the Speak Up Women Conference

I was doing a radio interview with a fabulous, bright young entrepreneur named Maddy who was starting her own business creating 3-D patterns to make clothes. I was brought on the show specifically to hear her story and give my advice on how she could raise the money to launch her new business. She just did a TED Talk on the topic, so her energy and her promise of a successful business were sky high.

Maddy told me she had some initial people in mind to ask for the money. One in particular was her mentor, the person who helped her create the business plan for this new venture. Maddy was very organized about her approach to asking people for money. She said her mentor would be “fabulous” to ask because “she was wealthy and really liked” Maddy. Maddy had in mind asking her for a serious six-figure investment in her business. When I asked Maddy why she hadn’t already asked her mentor for money, she couldn’t answer me. Her reluctance to ask puzzled her; she didn’t think her mentor would be offended or that it would alienate their relationship.

So I asked Maddy one simple question: “What does money mean to you?” She looked surprised and answered, “I hadn’t really thought about it. Why did you ask?”

I replied, “When you ask for money, this comes up. All the emotions, feelings, attitudes, and beliefs you have about money come flooding in; I am certain that is why you haven’t asked her for money.”

She thought about it and said, “I think you’re right; I better give this some thought.”

I told her to try to think of money as the best 3-D pattern she ever created, that it was green and flowed and would be the model outfit that every designer envied and copied. Then she should ask her mentor for money.

I circled back with Maddy a few weeks later, and I received the most wonderful email from her. She asked her mentor for money, and her mentor was giving her much more than she asked. Way to go, Maddy!

The first step in anyone’s journey when you ask for money is to answer “What does money mean to you?” It’s the step that everyone skips over. The focus is always on how much to ask for and who to ask. But if you do not have a good relationship with money any ask you make will not go well. If you need to work out your money worries, and have the best relationship with money, I have a 30-Day FREE Money Wellness Program you can check out.

The next step is where you have to change your mindset. Memorize this, live by this and watch your finance asks skyrocket:

When you ASK for Money, You are Not Taking Something Away. You are giving Someone an Opportunity.

Think of Maddy. Her first thoughts were that she would be taking something away from her mentor not what she would be adding to her mentor’s business and her mentor’s life.

In my 25+ years of training and coaching CEO’s; President’s: Four-Star Generals; Multi-millionaire entrepreneurs, Rabbis, Priests, and anyone who wants to start or enhance a business or a charity, the #1 thing that holds them back~ they project that asking for money means taking something away. Just think about this. The ask has not even been made and we are already second-guessing that the person will say no because it will take away their money! Practice my money opportunity mantra and believe in the opportunities you can offer many people from this moment forward. For more great practical and success tips on how to ask for money, you can read my bestselling book: “The ASK: How to ASK for Your Nonprofit Cause, Creative Project, or Business Venture”.

Here is your real motivation to have the best relationship with money. People who worry about money are:

3x more likely to have a digestive disorder;
10x more likely to suffer from headaches or migraines; and
6x more likely to experience depression.

Report by American Psychology Association “Stress in America.”

EVERY decision you make in life involves money. Do you buy coffee or make coffee? Do you take mass transit or do you drive? Do you take a vacation away or take the time to just stay home? Do you have an extravagant wedding or something smaller with close family and friends? The list goes on and on, but once you realize that EVERY decision you make in life involves money, which can build up so much stress and affect your health, you should put every effort into having the best relationship with money. In my most recent book just out February 2016: “Money Wellness: Is Money Making Your $ick?”, I take a deep dive into how our thoughts about money affect our happiness; sleep; diet; exercise; relaxation; spirituality; creativity; and yes, even our fun. I then share numerous ways you can work through and beyond some major Money Blockers that are preventing you from asking for money. So if you are like many people and you want to have the best relationship with money and NOT have it affect your health, this book is your salvation!

Now that you have the tools to have the best relationship with money and you know that asking for money is an opportunity, is there a right way to ask? My resounding answer is YES. Over the years I have brought:

Organization – Structure – Focus

to the process of making the ASK so that you can see there is a process, the right way to ask anyone for money. I created THE FIVE STEP PROCESS FOR ANY ASK. In life, people gravitate towards structure and process so that their activity is not random, or unpredictable. The Five Step Process For Any Ask places structure to what otherwise may be a random and unpredictable ask. I’ve worked with many people and organizations world-wide with this process with amazing results. Want to know what it is so that YOU can have resounding results when you ask for money for your business or yourself?

Well, I will share it with you at the Speak Up Women Conference on March 5, 2016 at the United Nations! See you there!!

Meet Laura Fredricks, a Panelist on the Speak Up for Financing Panel at the Speak Up Women Conference happening at the United Nations on March 5th, 2016!

LAURA FREDRICKS is a multi-million dollar ASK-maker who, as Founder & CEO of THE ASK©, teaches nonprofits and businesses how to confidently, willingly and successfully ask for money. Fredricks is today’s leading authority on “How to A$K© for Money – and More of It!” She has helped hundreds of organizations worldwide raise multi-millions through her unique approach to fundraising. She is author of “THE A$K: How to ASK for your Nonprofit Cause, Creative Project and Business Venture.” Most recently Laura joined a star-studded list of Wellness Experts and is the “Money Wellness Expert” with an all new 30-day on-line money wellness program. Her newest book is: Money Wellness: Is Money Making you Sick?” www.expertontheask.com.

Laura Fredricks – Panelist, Speak Up for Financing

As an attorney-turned-philanthropic advisor, she has enjoyed a lengthy and successful career in industries best known for making high profile, multi-million dollar A$KS – law and philanthropy – and is the first to merge strategies from both professional sectors into a mainstream practice known as THE ASK©. This new practice has placed LAURA on the national and international speaking circuits at conferences around the world from Amsterdam to Ann Arbor, Bologna to Boca Raton, Kenya to Kentucky, Moscow to Montreal, Sydney to Seattle, plus Australia, Italy, and the Netherlands. THE ASK© has also led LAURA to TV and radio appearances on local talk shows across the nation, and her expertise has been featured in national publications. Her four books on “How to A$K© for Money – and More of It” have become industry leaders. Follow her on TWITTER: @expertontheask.

Join Laura as she shares her insights
during this important panel about
Speak Up for Financing
at this amazing inaugural event!

For more about speaking up, watch
this video of our founder, Jennifer S. Wilkov, talk about
why it is so important to speak up and
the impact you can make when you do.

Go to www.SpeakUpWomen.com to learn more and
to register to attend the Speak Up Women Conference
at the United Nations on March 5th, 2016

Meet Kelly Keenan Trumpbour, the Moderator of the Speak Up for Financing Panel at the Speak Up Women Conference happening at the United Nations on March 5th, 2016!

Kelly Keenan Trumpbour – Moderator, Speak Up for Financing Panel

Kelly Keenan Trumpbour is the founder of See Jane Invest and an active angel investor. She invests exclusively in women owned business. Her advocacy for female founders has been featured in Fast Company, Tech Crunch, PBS, Fox Business News, Huffington Post and the Baltimore Sun.

Based in Baltimore, she is a Founding Venture Partner of NextGen Venture Partners and a board member of the Baltimore Angels. She serves as an advisory board member to Venture for America, Betamore and Baltimore’s Social Impact Hub.

Prior to her work supporting female founders, Kelly lobbied Congress on behalf of women’s business issues and helped raise PAC donations for women political candidates. Kelly holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University, a law degree from the University of Maryland and a MALA from St. John’s College.

Join Kelly as she moderates this important panel about
How to Speak Up for Financing
at this amazing inaugural event!

For more about speaking up, watch
this video of our founder, Jennifer S. Wilkov, talk about
why it is so important to speak up and
the impact you can make when you do.

Go to www.SpeakUpWomen.com to learn more and
to register to attend the Speak Up Women Conference
at the United Nations on March 5th, 2016

Meet Bonnie Bruderer, the Emcee and Mistress of Ceremonies of the Speak Up Women Conference happening at the United Nations on March 5th, 2016!

Bonnie Bruderer Emcee for Speak Up Women Conference

Bonnie has an extensive background in the personal development field including training in NLP, Hypnotherapy, Holistic Health, Results Coaching and holds 10 certifications in human behavior and personal development. She also attended Columbia University’s Internal Coaching Certification Program.

She is best known as the “girl who traveled with the gurus,” spending over 18 years on tour with some of the top personal development minds on the planet.

She has authored four books, has multiple audio programs, hosted her own radio show (Live Your Life On Fire) and now has her own TV Show, on the Lifestyle Channel on MNN, in New York called “AskBonBon” and has appeared on multiple news shows and reality shows as an expert coach. The show is now being nationally syndicated to multiple platforms and reaches over 5 mil+ homes per week.
She has created a trans-media platform to help people that have a powerful message to spread to the world, reach the masses through TV, radio and online distribution.

She has appeared on FOX and NBC TV on numerous occasions and has helped leading organizations such as Anthony Robbins, Ticketmaster, City Search, and Active Networks achieve significantly higher levels of revenues and success.

Uniquely qualified having spent 18 years working for Tony Robbins, Harvey Mackay and some of the other worlds top trainers.

Certified in life coaching, NLP, Neuro-associative re-patterning, hypnotherapy, holistic health, yoga instruction.
Appeared on the Reality Show ‘A Band Of Wives” as the expert coach and trainer.
Have coached over 7,000 people all over the world to get results.
Hosted the “Live Your Life On Fire” Radio Show.
Winner of ‘Women Owned Business Of The Year 2009” in San Francisco for coaching practice.
Co-founder of V.I.S.S. (vision, inspiration, strategy & support) with John Assaraf from the smash hit movie “The Secret”.
Author of four personal development books and multiple video and audio programs.

Join Bonnie as she emcees this amazing inaugural event!

For more about speaking up, watch this video of our founder, Jennifer S. Wilkov, talk about why it is so important to speak up and the impact you can make when you do.

Go to http://www.SpeakUpWomen.com to learn more and to register to attend the Speak Up Women Conference at the United Nations on March 5^th, 2016.

Guest Post: Speak Up and Stand by Your Idea

Gifts & Giveaways to Registrants Only for the Speak Up Women Conference!

5 Experiences You Don’t Want to Miss at the Speak Up Women Conference AND Special Guest Announcement!!

Show Me the Money!

Guest Post: How to ASK and Get Serious Money for Your Business

Meet Laura Fredricks – Panelist, Speak Up for Financing Panel

Meet Kelly Keenan Trumpbour – Moderator, Speak Up for Financing Panel

Meet the Emcee – Bonnie Bruderer