Ep#28: How Great Founders Build Trust: The Startup Advantage You Can’t Fake

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Startups Decoded

Andy Walsh

41 episodes

23 hours 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#28: How Great Founders Build Trust: The Startup Advantage You Can’t Fake - David Homan

Startups Decoded

48 minutes

3 months ago

Ep#28: How Great Founders Build Trust: The Startup Advantage You Can’t Fake - David Homan

Send us a textMost startup advice focuses on product, pitch, and traction. But there’s one skill that fuels them all: trusted relationships.In this episode of Startups Decoded, Andy Walsh sits down with David R. Homan, master connector, strategic advisor, and author of Orchestrating Connection, to explore how founders build the kind of trust that drives real outcomes.We cover:How to network with intent (not desperation)Why AI might make human connection stronger, not weakerHow to build a community that opens doors at scaleDavid shares the mindset shift that helped him grow a global network of 2,100+ founders, VCs, and family offices, and what most startup leaders get wrong about influence.Plus: Insights from his platform SOAR, and how to create value-driven asks that actually get answered.Preorder the book: [orchestratingconnection.com]David R. Homan – LinkedInDavid is the founder of Orchestrated Connecting and a trusted relationship broker to some of the world’s most influential leaders across business, media, philanthropy, and public policy. With a background in classical music, nonprofit leadership, and strategic advisory to family offices, startups, and impact funds, David helps people unlock transformative opportunities through curated, values-driven introductions rooted in trust and shared purpose.SHOW NOTESMusic Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)In this conversation, David Homan shares his journey from being a musician to becoming a connector and community builder. He emphasizes the importance of building authentic relationships, resilience in the face of challenges, and the role of technology in facilitating connections. David discusses the principles of purposeful networking and how to navigate the complexities of human relationships in a world driven by social media and superficial interactions. He advocates for a mindset of generosity, curiosity, and vulnerability in networking, and highlights the significance of community in achieving personal and collective goals.Sound bites"I wanted to live a life without regret.""We all think we can just do that slam dunk.""The world works on introductions."Chapters00:00 The Journey of Connection06:22 Building Authentic Relationships11:48 The Power of Community and Tribe16:48 Resilience Through Adversity22:35 Navigating Morals in Networking25:25 The Reality of Startup Failures26:57 Building Trust and Authentic Connections29:20 The Importance of Vulnerability and Curiosity32:02 Honoring the Chain of Connections35:26 Creating Purposeful Communities39:08 Leveraging Technology for Meaningful Connections43:06 Key Principles for Networking SuccessExplore"The Currency of Trust: How Great Founders Build Unfair Advantages Through Relationships"“David Homan reveals how purpose-driven relationships, AI-enabled networks, Discover 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