Kristian Marquez is the founder and CEO of FinStrat Management. In our chat, Kristian shares lessons learned on his journey from starting a telemedicine startup, experiencing startup failure and an IPO, to founding FinStrat. He discusses the importance of validating your idea with customers through market feedback before building a product. He dives more into FinStrat’s unique approach, and also offers practical guidance into fundraising challenges, highlighting the need for accurate financials and metrics and financial transparency for a truly healthy investor and founder relationship.

Key Takeaways

[2:48] Kristian’s background.

[4:22] Co-founding a telemedicine startup and raising $2.5 million.

[5:58] Starting FinStrat.

[9:55] The importance of understanding investors' perspectives.

[10:14] The importance of transparency between founders and investors.

[13:02] Technology improves accounting processes but expertise is still fundamentally required.

[14:10] Healthy founder-investor relationships are built on trust and transparency.

[18:50] Raising capital for FinStrat.

[20:10] Pros and cons of debt financing.

[22:30] Fundraising from a position of strength.

[26:55] Remembering “the ask” in a meeting.

[32:16] What investors and founders shouldn’t do.

[36:47] Lessons learned from his telemedicine startup.

[38:08] The market must demonstrate demand.

[41:15] What has surprised Kristian along his journey.

[43:24] Kristian’s positive experience with Novel.

Resources:
RBF Network
Keith’s Twitter

Keith’s Linkedin

Novel Capital

Kristian: FinStrat | LinkedIn

Shaily Baranwal is the Founder and CEO of Elevate K-12. She’s an incredible entrepreneur and CEO, and I can attest to her ability to rapidly scale a company. Elevate K-12 provides engaging virtual classroom instruction from certified live teachers to ensure every student receives a high-quality education regardless of zip code. In the episode, Shaily shares the inspiring journey from her childhood in India as a special education student, to becoming a classroom teacher. She discusses founding two other companies before Elevate K-12, including a chain of preschools for low-income students in rural India. Shaily also talks about her fundraising experiences starting Elevate K-12, scaling the business, and her passion for problem-solving and rule-breaking in entrepreneurship.

Key Takeaways

[2:32] Shaily’s background.

[6:00] Shaily embraces both her scientific and artistic side.

[8:09] Solving problems is Shaily’s motivation.

[11:00] “Principles” by Ray Dalio.

[12:22] Learning from advisors and leaders. And choosing them wisely.

[14:05] Creating an ecosystem of success.

[18:01] Shaily’s past in teaching.

[18:33] Elevate - the fundraising journey.

[20:56] Why fundraising was a nightmare.

[22:08] Getting the first million from a hedge fund founder.

[26:04] The importance of a great investor.

[26:48] Discovering non-dilutive funding.

[29:27] Screening potential investors and choosing Novel.

[32:18] Asymmetry in the power and information dynamic.

[36:31] Advice for entrepreneurs and investors.

[39:35] Why did fundraising almost break Shaily?

[41:18] What surprised Shaily throughout the journey.

[43:05] The impact Shaily’s dad had on her career.

Resources:
RBF Network
Keith’s Twitter

Keith’s Linkedin

Shaily: Website | LinkedIn

Marshall Lebovits is an advisor at Asset Based Funding Solutions with almost 35 years of experience in the secured financing and alternative capital industry. In the episode, Marshall shares more about his passion for helping grow companies that typically lack access to capital with non-dilutive asset-backed financing solutions. Marshall discusses how he built a network of connections around the world, the importance of carefully evaluating your lending partners to make informed decisions, and the importance of accuracy in financial reporting.

Key Takeaways

[3:05] Marshall’s career background.

[[9:51] Asset-Based Funding.

[10:07] Sourcing deals.

[14:25] Case Study: A healthcare staffing company Marshall helped during the pandemic.

[22:15] Investing in the right types of relationships.

[29:35] Case Study: A protein drink client that stood out in the Better for You CPG space.

[34:58] What Marshall is both advising entrepreneurs on and warning them to be vigilant about.

[38:13] The importance of accurate financial reporting.

[47:21] Building Asset-Based Funding Solutions.

[47:38] Relationships matter. Make sure you trust who you work with.

Resources:
RBF Network
Keith’s Twitter
Keith’s Linkedin

Marshall: LinkedIn | X