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Imagine locking eyes with a venture capitalist and saying, \\u201cI\\u2019m building a big, badass company. You would be so lucky to invest in me.\\u201d \\U0001f94a

Though this example may seem hyperbolic, it comes from this week\\u2019s guest, Madeline Reeves, who is on a mission to help underrepresented founders fund their businesses. Reeves outlines three core reasons why entrepreneurs who are women and people of color often struggle to raise money \\u2014 and she provides solutions. We think you\\u2019ll want to listen in! \\u2705

Reeves\\u2019s professional pivot was the result of peaking professionally at an early age in the financial industry and finding her true passion: helping friends solve business dilemmas and scale their companies.

Initially Reeves helped out friends for fun or for a barter, but she soon realized she had created a sustainable business. She founded Fearless Foundry, a creative consulting firm that helps startups with branding, marketing, and business development. Reeves also started an online community, We Talk Money, for financial professionals with the tagline, \\u201cMake Noise. Be Seen. Earn More.\\u201d What\\u2019s not to love?

Reeves talks about her Give Back Program, which works with early stage founders who don\\u2019t have access to capital and often don\\u2019t know where to start.

Listen to Reeves\\u2019s mission, the challenges of bootstrapping a small business (while wearing many hats), and how she plans to disrupt the venture capital space on this episode of SheVentures.

4:48 What is Fearless Foundry\\u2019s origin and mission?
13: 24 Reeves describes the challenges entrepreneurs face with social media marketing.
18:56 How Reeves works with early stage founders through her Give Back Program and what services she offers
24:34 What Reeves believes contributes to the disparity of venture capital for women of color founders
25:24 Three core elements that discourage underrepresented founders from raising venture capital
33:38 The challenges of bootstrapping a business and being a woman founder
42:43 How Reeves offers paid maternity leave in her small business \\u2014if she can
52:12 Reeves looks back on what she aced and what she would do differently today.
56:12 Reeves\\u2019s long-term goals with Fearless Foundry and where listeners can find out more