• How family members who displayed grit and resourcefulness in the face of hardship planted the seed of entrepreneurship

• Why growing up watching people solve problems with limited resources is its own kind of business school

• The moment each founder recognized that building something was not just possible for them, it was inevitable

• How early experiences of resilience became a competitive advantage later in business

• How being embedded in tight-knit communities (the Jamaican immigrant community in Miami, professional Black Atlanta neighborhoods) shaped both identity and professional vision

• Why the people you grow up around calibrate what you believe is possible for yourself

• The difference between communities that survive and communities that build generational infrastructure

• How Atlanta’s specific history of Black business ownership creates a distinct culture of ambition and possibility

• Atlanta’s long track record of Black-owned businesses building and sustaining wealth across generations

• The ecosystem resources (accelerators, tech communities, networks) available to founders who are ready to scale

• Why Atlanta is uniquely positioned to help women entrepreneurs move from survival mode to legacy-building mode

• What it means to reach the “next level” and how the city’s infrastructure is designed to take founders there

• Why wealth is not just a revenue number: it is the ability to meet the needs of future generations without starting from zero

• The case for setting up a family office structure (trusts, tax incentives) long before most founders think they need one

• How to think about legacy as a financial instrument, not just an emotional goal

• Why protecting wealth requires different skills and relationships than building it

• Build for alignment, not just access: seek community members who have been stress-tested and whose values hold under pressure

• Let go of the ego attachment to a single income stream; diversified wealth (real estate, low-maintenance businesses, investments) compounds faster than founder salary

• Why founders who stay curious and open to unconventional income sources consistently outperform those locked into one model

• How authentic relationships, not transactional networking, become the real infrastructure of a lasting business

The Pivot Playbook

• Legacy is built daily: The decisions you make today about structure, ownership, and community determine what survives you

• Diversify before you think you have to: Build income streams outside your primary business while you still have energy and options

• Protect the wealth: Revenue without structure disappears; get the legal and financial infrastructure in place early

• Community is not optional: The founders who last are embedded in networks of people who tell them the truth

• Your resilience has a return: Every time you get through difficulty, you gain the credibility and clarity that money cannot buy

Key Takeaways

• Legacy is not luck: It is the compounded result of intentional decisions made consistently over time

• Wealth building requires a shift in identity from founder to builder of something that outlasts you

• Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem provides real infrastructure for founders serious about scale and longevity

• Letting go of ego-driven income models opens the door to faster, more sustainable wealth creation

• Resilience is not just a personal virtue; it is a fundable, returnable asset

About Our Guests

Dr. Patricia Kelly Marsh is the Founder and CEO of Ask Me Your MD, a platform connecting patients with trusted medical guidance. A physician turned entrepreneur, Dr. Kelly Marsh brings deep clinical expertise and a founder’s drive to closing the gap between patients and the information they need to make confident healthcare decisions.

Farah Allen is the Founder and CEO of Arc Advisory, a firm focused on strategic advisory services for founders and growing businesses. Rooted in Atlanta’s professional community and shaped by an upbringing that valued excellence and service, Farah brings a clear-eyed perspective on what it takes to build businesses that create lasting wealth and community impact.

Visit weiatlanta.com for more stories, resources, and ways to connect with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative community.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Invest Atlanta or the City of Atlanta. The program is committed to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, or background.

Produced by the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool

On Entrepreneurial Origins & MindsetOn the Power of Community & IdentityOn Atlanta as a Wealth-Building HubOn Defining & Protecting WealthOn Strategic Advice for Founders

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On the Entrepreneurial Journey

• How a ride-share driver identified a gap in safety and comfort for women travelers

• Why founding a tech company and building its technology at the same time is a path to avoid

• The roller coaster of entrepreneurship and why self-reflection is part of the ride

• What "why" keeps founders moving when the journey gets hard

On the Technical Founder Experience

• Balancing business operations with the demands of tech development

• The case for finding a technical co-founder or learning to leverage AI tools to manage costs

• Why trademarking and owning your source code matters more than most founders realize

• The hidden costs of development, hosting, and maintenance, and how to fund them through revenue

On Community and Capital

• Why advisory boards can be as valuable as venture capital, and less predatory

• How the Gathering Spot and other Atlanta networks open doors to grants and resources

• Setting clear boundaries around your ideas and knowing when to charge for your expertise

• The caution required when navigating relationships that could compromise your vision

On Building a Stronger Atlanta Ecosystem

• The frustration of being "over-coached" in exchange for small grants

• What mature businesses actually need: capital access and a clear growth ladder

• How Atlanta's entrepreneurial ecosystem can better serve founders who are past the early stages

• Why staying in tune with your own intuition is a competitive advantage

Key Takeaways

• Own your tech: Protect your source code and trademark your brand from the start

• Build your board: Community and advisors can help you navigate what capital alone cannot

• Self-care is strategy: Avoiding burnout keeps you in the game for the long haul

• Know your limits: Be prepared to be disliked when strong leadership decisions have to be made

• Trust your gut: The roller coaster is real, but your intuition is one of your greatest assets

About Our Guests

Jillian Anderson is the founder and CEO of HerRide, a female-friendly ride-share app based in Atlanta. Drawing on her own experience as a ride-share driver, Jillian built HerRide to prioritize safety and comfort for women travelers. She holds a computer science degree and is a vocal advocate for founders understanding the technical and legal foundations of their businesses.

Jamine Moton is the founder and CEO of Skylar Security, an Atlanta-based company that uses technology to deliver security guard services with a high level of transparency. Rooted in a background in protection and a passion for private-sector innovation, Jamine built Skylar Security on the belief that security is, at its core, an emotional experience.

Visit weiatlanta.com for more stories, resources, and ways to connect with the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative community.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Invest Atlanta or the City of Atlanta. The program is committed to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, or background.

Produced by the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool

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On Finding the Problem Worth Solving

• Why passion for the problem (not just the solution) is the real test of founder readiness

• What it means to live with a problem 24/7 and why that drive matters when things get hard

• How Candace's own hair care frustrations became the foundation for Myavana

On Market Timing & Demand

• The difference between a great idea and a market that's ready for it

• Why being too far ahead of your market can cost you years of unnecessary struggle

• How authentic demand signals separate viable businesses from passion projects

On Scalability & the Business Model Canvas

• The turning point when Candace realized her original model couldn't scale

• Planning for your first 10,000 (or 100,000) customers from day one

• Why founders need to stress-test their model before falling in love with it

On Data, Instinct & Faster Failing

• How gut instinct and data work together (not against each other)

• Using data to read market timing and user behavior

• Why failing faster is a feature, not a flaw, when you're making informed decisions

On Investors as Partners

• Shifting the mindset from "getting money" to finding the right partners

• Founders don't need all the answers; investors can fill the gaps

• What it looks like when investor relationships actually work

On the B2C to B2B Pivot

• How Myavana went from consumer product to enterprise licensing

• What it means to plug into the "machines" of partners like Shea Moisture and Ulta

• Why this pivot was the unlock for scale

The Pivot Playbook: Advice for Founders

• Pivot vs. iteration: Know the difference before you make a move

• Talk to at least 10 customers before committing to a major change

• Protect your IP before entering any partnership

• Carve out dedicated ideation time so the business can evolve, not just execute

Key Takeaways

• Love the problem, not just the solution: If you don't care about solving it around the clock, entrepreneurship will wear you down

• Market timing is a variable, not a given: Even a strong idea can struggle if the market isn't ready

• Scale starts on paper: The Business Model Canvas isn't just an exercise; it's a survival tool

• Strategic pivots create momentum: Moving to B2B licensing let Myavana grow by leveraging what already existed

Guest: Candace Mitchell is the co-founder and CEO of Myavana, an AI-powered personalized hair care platform, and a board member of the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative. She started Myavana as a Georgia Tech student with a prototype and has spent 13 years building at the intersection of beauty and technology.

Returns on Resilience is the official podcast of the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, empowered by Invest Atlanta. For more resources and stories, visit weiatlanta.com.

Produced by the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool

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On Sacrifice & The Real Cost of Building

• Time, finances, and emotional bandwidth as the entrepreneur's triple tax

• Why not paying yourself early can backfire (COVID relief lesson)

• The dangers of investor pressure to "spend money" and scale too fast

On Resilience & Reclaiming Your Company

• Confronting worst-case scenarios to take back your power

• Setting boundaries: no weekends, no after-6pm work

• Moving from "harmful resilience" (battering through) to strategic shifts

On A Feminine Approach to Growth

• Why "growth, growth, growth" can be detrimental

• Equity crowdfunding as a community-aligned funding model

• Getting money from customers vs. chasing VC validation

On Being Underestimated

• The "lifestyle business" dismissal and being called "emotional"

• Rebuilding investor trust through radical transparency

• Forgiveness (of yourself and your investors) as a turning point

Key Takeaways

• Pay yourself: It protects you and validates your role

• Worst-case planning removes fear's power

• Resilience isn't just endurance; it's knowing when to shift

• Community-based funding can align with your values

Guests

Jenn Graham is the founder and CEO of Inclusivv (formerly Civic Dinners), a platform bringing meaningful conversations to corporations and organizations. After scaling to 26 employees and navigating down rounds, she reclaimed her company and reached profitability without additional funding.

Tamara Lucas is the founder and CEO of My PANDA (Personal Assistant Next Door App). A former sales executive and single mother, she bootstrapped her business through WEI and is now pursuing equity crowdfunding aligned with her community-first values.

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GUEST BIOS

• Lisa Calhoun is the managing partner and founder of Valor Ventures, which leads seed rounds in B2B AI and SaaS startups. She also founded Startup Runway Foundation, a nonprofit supported by Cox Enterprises and Georgia Power that provides grants to underrepresented founders. Companies that have pitched at Startup Runway have gone on to raise nearly $100 million in follow-on capital.

• Stephanie Diaz is the principal of innovation and venture strategy at Catalyst by WellStar. Her journey spans pharma, healthcare, tech, and venture. She has worked extensively with female founders, previously hosting her own event series dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. Her path to the investor side of the table brought her face-to-face with obstacles that exist for women both as investors and founders.

• Charles Robinson is the managing partner and founder of 1888 Ventures, which invests in early-stage companies with ties to the Southeast. He is a former founder who has built companies from very beginning stages all the way to Series F, including work with Teamworks and Forward Cities building startup ecosystems throughout the country.

RESOURCES

• Valor Ventures Deck Check AI: deckcheck.valor.vc/ (get same-day AI feedback on your deck)

• Visit weiatlanta.com for more stories, resources, and ways to connect with the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative community

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Invest Atlanta or the City of Atlanta. The program is committed to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, or background.

Produced by the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool

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On Money & Confidence (08:30)

• Why asking for money is a learnable skill

• The importance of financial literacy for founders

• How to handle rejection and build confidence through practice

• Why women founders need to own their CEO title

On Resilience & Vulnerability (13:46)

• The difference between a marathon and a series of sprints

• Why celebrating wins matters for long-term success

• The critical importance of communicating both good and bad news to investors

• How self-care and pauses fuel better decision-making

On Atlanta's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (23:26)

• Why Atlanta is positioned to become a top-five tech hub

• The city's commitment to equitable growth

• How to retain the incredible talent coming from Atlanta's universities

• The power of community in raising successful entrepreneurs

On Why Invest in Women (30:29)

• Women-led companies return 30-33% more capital to investors

• The social impact component of women-founded ventures

• How women founders create cyclical investment in other women

• The importance of not backing off on investments in female founders

• You are the CEO: Only you can lead your company at this stage, own that role!

• Practice asking for money: It's a learnable skill that gets easier with repetition

• Communicate the bad news too: Regular transparency builds trust with investors

• It takes a city: Success requires an entire ecosystem of support organizations

• Women don't walk away: Female founders honor their commitments and make things happen

Jen Bonnett is a serial tech founder turned entrepreneurship ecosystem builder with nine startups under her belt. After spending ten years in corporate tech and taking a company public, she founded Startup Chicks in 2008 to support women entrepreneurs in Atlanta. Today, she works to make the entrepreneurial journey easier for all founders in metro Atlanta.

Shila Nieves Burney is the founder and managing partner of Zane Venture Fund, which has invested in nine portfolio companies and graduated over 100 companies from its programming. After a personal tragedy involving her daughter in 2019, Shila pivoted to venture capital to solve the access-to-capital problem facing entrepreneurs, particularly women and underrepresented founders.

• Invest Atlanta

• Zane Venture Fund

Visit weiatlanta.com for more stories, resources, and ways to connect with the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative community.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Invest Atlanta or the City of Atlanta. The program is committed to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, or background.

Produced by the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Returns on Resilience is the official podcast of the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, empowered by Invest Atlanta. Hosted by Dr. Dawn Sizemore, this podcast goes deeper than funding rounds and elevator pitches to explore the real stories behind women entrepreneurs building businesses in Atlanta's thriving innovation economy.

What to Expect

Each episode features candid conversations with founders, investors, and ecosystem builders who are shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Atlanta. From navigating capital raises to building confidence, from celebrating wins to communicating setbacks—this is where the honest conversations about women's entrepreneurship happen.

Why Listen?

Whether you're a founder looking for community, an investor seeking opportunities, or simply curious about Atlanta's entrepreneurial ecosystem, Returns on Resilience offers insights, inspiration, and actionable advice from those who are living it every day.

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