Ep#22: Founders, Build Your Startup in Public with Cory Blumenfeld

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Startups Decoded

Andy Walsh

41 episodes

45 minutes ago

Jaclyn Johnson is a powerhouse entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for women in business.By 35, she had already launched and sold two multimillion-dollar companies, including Create & Cultivate, a first-of-its-kind platform for female entrepreneurs that scaled to eight-figure revenue and partnered with Fortune 500 brands like Amazon, Mastercard, and Microsoft.Now, she’s back with Cherub, a double-sided marketplace designed to bridge the gap between underrepresented founders and democratizing access to category-defining companies. As both an angel investor and advisor, Jaclyn has backed businesses like Away, Live Tinted, and Chillhouse, bringing hard-won experience from her own journey into the founder–funding relationship.Subscribe nowIn this conversation, we break down:Jaclyn’s origin story: why she built CherubHow she approaches angel investing and the lessons she’s learnedWhat makes a great angel pitch (and what doesn’t)The realities of being an accredited investorWhy representation in funding isn’t just moral, it’s market-changingChapters00:00 The Importance of Angel Investments02:49 Jaclyn’s Journey as a Founder and Investor05:41 Understanding Angel Investors vs. Venture Capitalists08:28 The Role of Angel Advisors11:23 Building Relationships with Angels14:15 The Power of Brand Fame17:25 Cherub’s Mission and Deal Flow20:07 Educating Angels and Standardizing Investments23:13 Creating Effective Fundraising Pages26:12 The Role of Analytics in Fundraising29:04 Onboarding Founders to Cherub32:01 Connecting with Angels: Best Practices35:03 Diversifying the Investment Landscape37:58 The Future of Angel Investing40:35 Special Offers for Founders on CherubGuest BioJaclyn Johnson is the founder of Cherub and creator of Create & Cultivate, which she scaled to an eight-figure exit while reshaping how brands and communities support female entrepreneurs. Named a Forbes 30 Under 30 and an Adweek Disruptor, Jaclyn is an angel investor and advisor to companies including Away, Live Tinted, and Chillhouse. She’s dedicated to making capital and community more accessible for underrepresented founders while equipping the next generation of women entrepreneurs to scale.Who Should ListenFounders raising their first angel roundEntrepreneurs seeking representation and resourcesPeople curious about Angel Investing and how to get startedOperators looking to understand the angel landscapeMusic Credit“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)Access All Areas.Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTubeSubscribe: SubstackCommunity & Events: Founders CircleConnect: LinkedInSocials: TikTok || Instagram || XWeb: startupsdecoded.com

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Entrepreneurship

Business,

Investing

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Ep#22: Founders, Build Your Startup in Public with Cory Blumenfeld

Startups Decoded

45 minutes

4 months ago

Ep#22: Founders, Build Your Startup in Public with Cory Blumenfeld

Send us a textIn this episode, we explore why the best founders don’t wait for perfect plans—they launch, learn, and build in public. From early growth hacks to fast feedback loops and sales that start before the product’s finished, we unpack what it really takes to grow quickly and stay ahead. If you're stuck planning instead of building, this one will light a fire.Cory BlumenfeldCory Blumenfeld is a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist with a passion for empowering individuals to find their voice and start their own ventures. He has co-founded multiple startups, including CoHealth, a digital platform promoting healthy behavior change, and Caribou, a healthcare planning software for financial advisors that raised over $3 million in funding. Currently, Cory serves in Strategy Operations at LearnLux Financial Wellbeing, applying his diverse experience to enhance financial wellness solutions. A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University and a Next 36 alumnus, Cory is dedicated to inspiring and guiding aspiring entrepreneurs through his insights and leadership.SHOW NOTESMusic Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)In this episode of Startups Decoded, Andy Walsh and Corey Blumenfeld discuss the concept of building in public, exploring its significance in the startup ecosystem. Corey shares his journey as a founder, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, authenticity, and the power of relationships in business. They delve into the balance between sharing ideas publicly versus keeping them private, the necessity of validation and testing in product development, and the role of trust and vulnerability in fostering a successful team culture. The conversation also touches on how effective storytelling can attract investment and the long-term benefits of building genuine connections within the entrepreneurial community.TakeawaysBuilding in public allows for authentic connections.Storytelling is crucial for engaging with audiences.Validation through testing is essential for success.Trust and vulnerability foster a positive team culture.Investors are interested in the founder's story and decisions.Sharing experiences can lead to unexpected opportunities.Building relationships is key to long-term success.The future of selling lies in genuine storytelling.You can learn from every interaction, regardless of experience.Being respectfully assertive is important in business.Sound Bites"You can learn from every single person.""You need to be respectfully assertive.""The future of selling is storytelling."Chapters00:00 Building in Public: A New Era for Startups05:02 The Journey of Entrepreneurship: Lessons Learned08:55 The Power of Sharing Your Story11:41 Learning from Every Interaction14:19 Building Relationships in a Digital Age16:45 Transparency vs. Stealth: The New Norm18:57 Testing Fast: Validating Ideas Quickly23:51 The Importance of Hypothesis Testing in BusinessDiscover Smarter Investing with the Teaminvest Wealth Builders PodcastExpert insights and proven strategies from Australia's top investors. Build your wealth.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Back to Episodes

Startups Decoded