Annie Evans is the founder and CEO of Dream Ventures, a boutique fund that invests in the most promising founders striving to positively impact the world. Dream Ventures’s portfolio includes theSkoop, House of Wise, DORE, MOONS, and many others. Before founding Dream Ventures, Annie co-founded Beautified, a geo-located app that finds and books on-demand beauty and fitness services. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Corporate Communications from Elon University, Annie understands consumer behavior and the essential role of B2B partnerships in turning great ideas into thriving companies.
Annie joins us today to share her journey from sleeping on her friends’ couches while bootstrapping her first business to helping the most promising founders through her boutique investment fund platform. She describes how she once converted her first customers into early investors and explains what makes a great investment pitch. She also shares her three essential tips on creating an operating agreement with business partners and explains how to make the fundraising process approachable for every Entreprenista.
“Fundraising is sales: The first step is research, followed by good, old fashioned organization.” - Annie Evans
Join the Entreprenista League!
Hey Entreprenistas! We’re launching the Entreprenista League, our very own members platform and community just for you!
We listened to your feedback and the support you’re looking for to start and build your business, and we’re here to provide you with all of the resources you’ll need!
As part of the Entreprenista League, you’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day. You’ll find special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, and the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels!
Whether you’re looking to scale your existing business and want to make the right connections, or you’re thinking about finally taking the leap to launch your business, we’re here to give you access to a community of women who will celebrate your every step, and with whom you can share the candid reality of building a business from scratch.
Join the Entreprenista league today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!
Be the Best Dressed on Zoom...and the Most Comfortable
Entreprenistas - it’s time to look professional and feel comfortable while working from home.
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If you’re ready to start looking great and feeling comfortable at your next Zoom meeting, head over to www.myworkrobe.com to order your Workrobe today. Enter code Entreprenista15 to receive 15% off your first order.
Say “Hello!” To DigiCards™
Are you ready to take your virtual team meetings to the next level? Are you tired of yelling “You’re on mute!” at your computer screen and letting the important points you were trying to make get lost?
If you’re tired of leading unproductive, distraction-filled team meetings, then it’s time for you to say “Hello!” to DigiCards. Each pack of virtual meeting cards include 20 color-coded professional cards designed to streamline your meeting communications while allowing each meeting to create an opportunity for collaboration and fun.
Say “Goodbye!” to waving your arms, being ignored, and frantically typing in the chat.
Start your next virtual meeting with DigiCards - the virtual meeting cards for entreprenistas.
To grab your deck of DigiCards and bring fun, engagement, and collaboration back into your team meetings, visit www.hellodigicards.com. Use the coupon code: Entreprenista10 to receive 10% off your first order.
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Hosts
Stephanie Cartin is a serial entrepreneur, investor, podcast host, community builder, and a champion for women founders. She created the Entreprenista League, a community for women founders, to provide resources and support necessary at all business stages. She’s also the Co-founder of Socialfly, one of the first social media marketing agencies, as well as Entreprenista Media and Pearl Influential Capital which was recently acquired by Cherub. Stephanie has shared her journey managing her health challenges with Multiple Sclerosis, Infertility, and a complicated pregnancy and is an advocate for women going through similar challenges. Her story and businesses have been featured on the Today Show, Bloomberg and Forbes. Consider Stephanie your biggest business cheerleader.
Courtney Spritzer is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, podcast host, and advocate for women founders. As Co-Founder and CEO of Socialfly, a social-first digital agency launched in 2012 and acquired in 2024, she has helped shape the industry with innovative strategies. She co-founded the Entreprenista League, a community for women founders, offering essential resources and support for all stages of business growth. Courtney’s entrepreneurial journey and business insights have been highlighted in top publications like Entrepreneur.com, Bloomberg, and Forbes.
Get featured on our podcast as an Entreprenista League member
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Highlights
- Annie’s first venture and how it led her to found Dream Ventures
- Her experience getting an investor and raising money for the first time
- How the early customers of her first business turned into angel investors
- Why her first company went out of business and the lessons she learned from the experience
- What founders need to think about when finding business partners
- The importance of having a great business attorney and how they can help you with creating operating agreements
- Why Annie decided to move forward and start another business after the failure of her first
- What Dream Ventures is and how it can help Entreprenistas raise funds for their dream businesses
- How Annie raised $50,000 in over a month on IFundWomen
- Selling your vision, creating an experience for investors, and Annie’s advice on delivering the best business pitches on Zoom
- How Dream Ventures can help every Entreprenista through their fundraising process
- The most challenging part about founding a business without a business partner
- Finding angels for IFundWomen and how Annie raised $2 million in 60 days for the platform