In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Stefanie Francis, co-founder of Hootology, about the challenges of market research, the journey of entrepreneurship, and the importance of honesty and relationships in fundraising. Stefanie shares her personal story, the evolution of Hootology, and the emotional landscape of being a founder. They discuss the need for a supportive community and the potential for changing the investment ecosystem to be more inclusive and collaborative. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-discovery, mental health, and the power of asking for help in the entrepreneurial journey.     00:00 Introduction to Hootology and Market Research Challenges 02:51 Stephanie's Origin Story and the Birth of Hootology 05:57 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Entrepreneurship 08:51 Navigating the Role of a Founder 11:43 The Importance of Relationships in Fundraising 14:39 The Emotional Landscape of Founders 17:42 Rethinking the Investment Ecosystem 20:33 The Reality of Founding a Company 23:41 The Process of Raising Capital 26:47 The Power of Asking for Help 29:26 Building a Supportive Community 32:24 The Role of Honesty in Business 35:21 The Future of Hootology and Its Impact 38:22 Maintaining Well-Being as a Founder 41:18 The Importance of Team Dynamics 44:17 The Journey of Growth and Possibility 47:08 Creating Pathways for Others 50:11 Final Thoughts and Reflections   Helena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty Stefanie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniefrancis/   🎬 Shot at 28th&Park in New York City Learn more at: https://28thpark.com/ 📸 Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/28thpark/   Inside the Round is sponsored by Bamboo X, the leading technical and design recruiting partner to startups from Seed to IPO.   To learn more about Bamboo X: https://bamboo-x.com/