Venture Capital 101 for Startups and Small Businesses (S17E4)

Amber is a Professional Organizer who decided to use her education in an unconventional way, turning her passion for order into a career. Her mission is to prevent frustration and share her expertise to help people transform their cluttered, messy areas into their favorite spaces. From closets and offices to kids' rooms, paper clutter, garages, pantries, automobiles, and commercial spaces—if it's messy, Amber and her team, The Organizer Chicks, can organize it! In addition to organizing, Amber offers packing and unpacking services and specializes in Time Management. She loves conducting corporate trainings, workshops, and seminars for civic, religious, or women's groups, both in person and virtually. Amber's unique approach and dedication make her a sought-after expert in creating organized, efficient environments.

Andrea Holmes Thompkins is the CEO of ACE Media Corp (ACE), Andrea’s Communication Empire. Founded in 2002, this broadcast, media sales, branding, and entertainment representation firm specializes in branded-content promotions and the production of interstitial ads for online, television, programs, and featured movies. In January 2020, she launched ACE LAND, a full-service production arm of ACE Media. Andrea holds a B.A. in Communications from Howard University, where she has sponsored scholarships in her late mother's and sister’s names. (victims of cancer) A board member of the MECCA Society, We’ve Got Friends, Teaneck Comes Together, JumpStart Community, Rutgers Business School, Center for Urban Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development Newark Business Hub, she commits her time, energy & resources to several community-based nonprofit organizations.

Bryan Laughery is the founder and current Lead Publicist at ClearCut PR, and he’s using his past experience in communications and entrepreneurship to create more success for other entrepreneurs. Having failed at 7 businesses created the grit, determination, and lessons that allowed for 3 successful exits later in life. But, before all of that, it was a 12 year corporate communications career. “I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur to help others, and I knew that the lessons I’d learn from working in large companies would create a better entrepreneur in the long run.” Bryan says. In his personal life, Bryan spends time with his wife and his two sons where they live in New Jersey.

Emilio Caamano is a speaker, technology instructor, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of technical experience. Driven by curiosity and a passion for solving complex problems, Emilio has led technological innovation at both the enterprise and startup level. He brings experience in corporations like Microsoft and Cisco for over 12 years. He is currently an active mentor in the Austin startup community.

Haley McClain Hill is an award winning entrepreneur, 2x former NFL Cheerleader, and United States Air Force Veteran. Her companies TORCH Warriorwear & Seek and Set Free have partnered with companies such as The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleaders. She is seen getting a deal on ABC's Season 15 of Shark Tank and is also the the 2022 Veteran Shark Tank Pitch Competition Winner - where she received a $50,000 grant. She won the 2023 Founders Live Minnesota Pitch Competition and breaks down just how she performs under pressure at TEDx Vandenberg. Her first book "Light The TORCH: An Origin Story by the Creator of Warriorwear" will be launching Summer 2024 where she shares her exact steps on how she made TORCH a global brand. Her second book, "Your Itty Bitty Guide to the NFL Cheerleading World" will be following soon after! She has been invited to speak at multiple military focused events such as The NYC USO’s Fleet Week, Military Influencer Conference, and The Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium. She has cheered over 100 NFL and collegiate football games and gives back to the cheer and dance space by offering workshops at academies and pro cheerleading team retreats. She's advised startup fashion brand companies, led over 300+ airmen while she was a 1st Lieutenant in the Air Force, and even has appeared on the game show “Beat Shazaam”!

Jarret is an American business executive and serial entrepreneur known for turning early-stage ideas into multimillion-dollar ventures. He founded and bootstrapped Incident Response Technologies (IRT), a GovTech company that grew from zero to millions in revenue and served hundreds of customers globally. After raising $2.5 million in venture capital, he led IRT to a successful acquisition by The Riverside Company and integration with Omnigo Software. Today, Jarret serves as the Vice President of North America for EMERES, Inc., and continues to lead ventures across GovTech, real estate, and business coaching. As Managing Director of the BetaBlox accelerator program and co-founder of Alpha Echo Consulting, he’s committed to helping the next generation of entrepreneurs build resilient, scalable companies.

Joe Felz is an entrepreneur and content creator, and founder of Felz Investment Group, a real estate firm he started in 2011 with a $19,000 house and a dream. The company specializes in single-family and short-term rentals, operating in Georgia and Washington State. Beyond real estate, Joe is known for his off-grid lifestyle and vanlife adventures, which he shares through vlogs and social media. He also offers solar energy consulting and DIY renovation content.

Jordan Daniel Bell is a sought-after advisor, consultant, speaker, educator, and expert contributor in the areas of digital marketing, technology, automation, and startup management. Jordan is the CEO of Agency Bell, a Digital Advertising Agency that leverages Machine Learning to build competitive advantages for high-budget digital brands. He has founded and launched several successful companies, consulted or advised startups in numerous industries, and has managed hundreds of millions of dollars in digital campaigns for Fortune level companies. Jordan was featured as an Executive Coach on Seasons 4 and 11 of "The Blox" (a Reality Competition for Entrepreneurs). Jordan is an expert on advertising, digital agencies, automation, and entrepreneurship. He is a proud husband, father, and an avid musician.

Meet Patrick Culpillari, a seasoned e-commerce expert whose leadership style is a powerful force of inspiration. Patrick believes that effective leadership should naturally energize people, infusing the soul with enthusiasm to the point that the contagion of his vision becomes unstoppable. Guided by four fundamental principles—Customer Obsession, Brand Passion, Excellence, and Creativity—Patrick brings a unique blend of strategic thinking and passion to the e-commerce landscape. Customer obsession is at the forefront of his approach, ensuring that every decision made is centered around providing exceptional value and satisfaction to customers. Patrick's brand passion is infectious, driving him to cultivate a genuine connection between consumers and the products or services he champions. He believes in excellence as a non-negotiable standard, consistently pushing boundaries to deliver top-tier solutions and experiences. Creativity is the cornerstone of his approach, infusing innovation into every aspect of the e-commerce journey. As a leader, Patrick's goal is not only to achieve success but to inspire and motivate those around him to aspire for more than they thought possible. His leadership philosophy encourages individuals to strive for success not merely because it is expected, but because they have been genuinely inspired to do so. Patrick's magnetic enthusiasm and commitment to these principles create an environment where personal and professional growth are not just encouraged but become inevitable.

Simone is an author, activist, business owner, and motivational speaker dedicated to empowering women and disrupting systems that perpetuate inequality. Inspired by her personal struggles with child support collection, she became a recognized expert, testified before Congress, and built a fintech company to help others navigate the process. Her company, Athena (formerly Don’t Get Mad Get Paid), has achieved an 87% success rate, collecting nearly $15 million in owed child support. Focused on supporting women and underserved communities, Simone is transforming a broken system into one that works for those who need it most.