Hurdles In Securing Venture Capital: Lori Mazan

Hurdles In Securing Venture Capital: Lori Mazan

Author: Marcylle Combs January 15, 2025 Duration: 31:29

In this conversation, Lori Mazan shares her journey from a limited childhood in Virginia to becoming a successful entrepreneur and executive coach in California. She discusses the challenges women face in the startup world, particularly in securing venture capital, and emphasizes the importance of diversity in leadership roles. Lori offers valuable advice for young women entrepreneurs, highlighting the significance of persistence, networking, and mentorship. The conversation concludes with insights on developing an internal compass to navigate the complexities of leadership and entrepreneurship. Lori Mazan is the co-founder, president, and chief coaching officer for Sounding Board, the first Dynamic Leader Development Suite designed to bridge the leadership gap. Sounding Board, Inc., offers a tech-driven, human-centric approach to leadership development. As the go-to leadership development firm for forward-looking companies—including Chevron, Sprint, Citibank, Intellikine, Tapjoy, and 10XGenomics—Mazan and her team develop capabilities that produce immediate, positive business results.

 Mazan packages these strategies in her new book,  Leadership Revolution: The Future of Developing Dynamic Leaders  (Wiley; October 3, 2023).  Well into the 21st century, organizations still rely on leadership models and development techniques based on outdated methodologies. It’s time to revolutionize leadership development.  Structured like a coaching engagement, Leadership Revolution walks you through the leader development journey with insightful questions, development exercises, examples, and practical advice. you’ll learn how to attract and retain talent by accelerating and individualizing their professional growth and how to re-think leadership in the new remote and hybrid work environment.

TAKEAWAYS

  • Persistence is key for women in the startup world.
  • Networking with men is crucial for women entrepreneurs.
  • Diversity in leadership leads to better business outcomes.
  • Mentorship is essential for developing future leaders.
  • An internal compass helps navigate challenges in business.
  • Women often face additional hurdles in securing venture capital.
  • Understanding thinking patterns is vital for personal growth.
  • Creating a supportive network can enhance leadership development.

Get In Touch With Lori: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorimazan/  SoundingBoardInc.com Book Recommendations:

  • Leadership Revolution, by Lori Mazan
  • Levers: The Framework for Building Repeatability into Your Business, by Amos Schwartzfarb & Trevor Boehm 

Hosted by Marcylle Combs, 50% with Marcylle Combs is built on the belief that women's voices and leadership are essential to every conversation. This podcast moves beyond surface-level interviews to explore the full spectrum of a leader's life. In each episode, Marcylle sits down with a woman who is actively shaping her field and community, delving into the real texture of her journey. You'll hear about the pivotal moments that defined her path, the obstacles that reshaped her direction, and the hard-won insights gathered along the way. These are not just success stories; they are honest accounts of professional and personal evolution, offering tangible advice for anyone looking to lead. By focusing on this depth, the podcast creates a platform where the diverse and inspiring narratives of women from various backgrounds, industries, and sectors take center stage. Tuning into this podcast means gaining access to a repository of experience, a source of solidarity, and a clearer understanding of what it means to build a meaningful career and life. It’s where ambition meets reflection, and where listening feels like joining a candid, necessary dialogue about progress and purpose.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

50% with Marcylle Combs
Podcast Episodes
We All Have A Story To Tell: Bianca D' Alessio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:04
Bianca D'Alessio discusses the importance of embracing vulnerability and authenticity in leadership. She reflects on her personal journey of breaking down societal expectations of perfectionism and strength, and how this…
Using Past Mistakes To Guide Future Decisions: Amy Daughters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:56
Amy Weinland Daughters reflects on the cyclical nature of human mistakes and the lessons that can be learned from past generations. She shares insights from her time travel book, which explores her childhood and her moth…
You're Killin' It: Lisa Haynes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:53
Lisa Haynes shares her journey from a successful career in accounting to retirement and beyond. She discusses the challenges of transitioning into retirement, the importance of maintaining physical and mental activity, a…
Are You A Bad Leader? (Episode 194) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
Welcome to the first episode of Season 9!We discuss examples of bad leadership, the importance of understanding individual circumstances, and the need for cultural sensitivity in leadership roles. We can't discuss leader…
Navigating A Rare Form of Breast Cancer & Mental Health: Abirami Iyer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:54
Abirami Iyer shares her profound journey from childhood trauma to becoming a breast cancer survivor and advocate. She discusses the challenges she faced, including her mother's struggles with domestic violence, her own d…
From Diagnosis to Advocacy: Roberta Albany's Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:20
Roberta A Albany shares her personal journey with breast cancer, from her initial diagnosis to becoming a passionate advocate for women's health. She discusses the importance of self-examination, the disparities in healt…
Let People Love You: Tonya Combest’s Breast Cancer Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:22
In this heartfelt conversation, Tonya Combest shares her journey through a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. She discusses the emotional challenges, the importance of community support, and the role of fi…
Community Support Is Vital For Breast Cancer Patients: Terri Coutee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:13
In this conversation, Terri Coutee shares her personal journey with breast cancer and the subsequent creation of the Diep C Foundation, which aims to educate and support others facing similar challenges. The discussion c…
Marcylle's Story of Breast Cancer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:05
In this episode Marcylle and Deantha discuss Marcylle's personal journey with breast cancer. This is the first episode of Season 8, and the first in the 2025 Breast Cancer Series.