How to Attract Investors for Your Startup with Leslie Danford | Ep. 336

Sep 12, 202418 min

In this episode, Tiffany Grant, host of Money Talk with Tiff, sits down with Leslie Danford, founder of Vitaminis, to discuss an intriguing topic—attracting investors for your startup. Leslie shares her invaluable insights on what investors are looking for and how you can pitch your business successfully, whether running a tech company or opening a retail shop. Check out the full shownotes: https://moneytalkwitht.com/podcast-show-notes/attracting-investors-for-your-startup/ Key Points Discussed Defining Startups: Leslie gives a broad definition of startups, emphasizing that they are more about the mentality of creating something new than the type of business. Basic Unit Economics: Leslie highlights the importance of breaking down your business to its most basic unit and ensuring it is profitable at that level. Confidence and Sales: The significance of having confidence and treating your pitch as a sales presentation, even when you're unsure. Investor Trust: The role of personal grit and determination, relationships, and the importance of being seen as trustworthy by investors. Relationship Nurturing: Building and nurturing relationships with investors over time to establish a stronger foundation for future investment. About Our Guest Leslie Danford, founder and CEO of Vitaminis, a clean-label functional food and beverage brand. She has always been passionate about nutrition, but she is not a foodie. For her, it's like a math equation, and it's important to cover all of your nutritional bases. In 2020 she combined her personal interests with her formal business training to launch Vitaminis. Previously she worked in beverages and consumer products at large corporations. She earned her MBA from Harvard University and BA from the University of Chicago. Resources Mentioned Vitaminis Website: vitaminisbrand.com (http://vitaminisbrand.com) Vitaminis on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Xp9JT7 (affiliate link) Connect with Leslie Website: vitaminisbrand.com (http://vitaminisbrand.com) Social Media: @vitaminisbrand on all platforms Retail Availability: Fresh Thyme Farmers Market and The Fruitful Yield (Midwest) Connect with Tiffany Website: moneytalkwitht.com (https://moneytalkwitht.com) Social Media: @moneytalkwitht on all platforms If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. Don't forget to subscribe to Money Talk with Tiff so you never miss an episode! Thank you for tuning in! Be sure to visit the show notes for all links and mentioned resources. Until next time, spend wisely by spending less than you make! Support this Podcast (https://moneytalkwitht.com/donate) Copyright 2024 Tiffany Grant This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

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Exploring the Business Side of Filmmaking with Mikey T | Ep. 392

Oct 9, 202520 min

This week, Tiff dives into the business of filmmaking with special guest Mikey T—a passionate filmmaker whose work centers around Jamaican culture, legacy, and economic empowerment. Together, they explore the intersection of creativity, culture, and business, and how aspiring creatives can navigate the industry with both financial sense and social impact in mind. Check out the full show notes: https://moneytalkwitht.com/podcast-show-notes/turning-stories-into-impact/ Key Topics Covered What Is Filmmaking (for Mikey T)? Filmmaking isn’t just about art—it’s a powerful way to start conversations, drive change, and reach people worldwide. Mikey shares how his love for Jamaica inspired him to document and amplify voices that matter. The Importance of the Elevator Pitch: In today’s fast-paced networking environment, having a clear, compelling elevator pitch is crucial for filmmakers and creatives looking to find support or funding. Common Mistakes in Film Business: Mikey discusses why passion alone isn’t enough to attract investors—artistry must be paired with business acumen and clarity on ROI (return on investment), whether financial or social. Social Capital & ROI in Filmmaking: Not every film yields direct profits, but building social capital can offer tremendous value. Mikey highlights ways filmmakers can appeal to impact-driven investors and align their projects with broader social good. Shifting Media Landscape: With platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and digital streaming, the paradigms for making—and funding—films are rapidly evolving. Mikey outlines how these changes have opened global doors for storytelling and monetization. Current & Upcoming Projects:Jamaica Story (documentary) — Exploring Jamaican diasporic investment and social change Real Jamaican Food (short doc) — Featuring food security activist Peter Ivy Beg Yuh a Call (narrative short) — A festival-circuit film on family and friendship Event mini-docs in the works Special treat for Tiff’s email list subscribers: exclusive access to unreleased films! Tiff’s Takeaways Always lead with your passion but NEVER skip the business strategy—investors want to know why they should invest, and how they’ll see a return (not just money, but impact too!). Build your social capital and leverage your network, especially if you’re funding your own projects. Don’t sleep on new content formats—short-form video and global streaming are changing the filmmaking game. Community-building and sharing culture through art can be just as valuable (if not more) than chasing Hollywood profits. Links & Resources Jamaica Story - Watch on YouTube (https://youtu.be/cKfdNiM81t4?si=Er_eVKbvzo9-0Oik) Sign up for Tiff’s Email List for exclusive sneak peeks (join here (https://moneytalkwitht.com)) Connect with Mikey T:Instagram: @mikeytspeaks (https://instagram.com/mikeytspeaks) Email: [email protected] Connect with Tiff Website: moneytalkwitht.com (https://moneytalkwitht.com) Instagram / Facebook / Twitter: @moneytalkwitht Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode. See you next Thursday for more Money Talk With Tiff!

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Investors

How to Attract Investors for Your Startup with Leslie Danford | Ep. 336

Exploring the Business Side of Filmmaking with Mikey T | Ep. 392

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