Work That's Worth It
You are rich in hours—around 90,000 of them! For many of you, repeating the professional paths of your parents is not appealing. Particularly because their career choices often lacked purpose and put our planet in danger. Or they devoted their lives to a great cause, but money was scarce. You are craving a broader definition of “success” and need inspiration and role models to show you a different way. That much is clear.
Thankfully many young professionals like you want careers that provide income along with impact. More importantly, you are looking for work worth your valuable time, allowing you to be part of something bigger. However, finding real examples across various industries to achieve this balance is challenging. Fortunately, the Work That’s Worth It podcast connects those dots for you.
Each episode features an inspiring ‘Disruptor for Good’ who has transformed their career hours into a powerful force for positive change. Join host Georgi Enthoven for casual, insightful interviews featuring extraordinary role models from around the globe. The hand-picked guests demonstrate how they aligned their ambitious contributions to the world with matching compensation. They will show you that it is possible to combine a worthwhile contribution with meaningful compensation by investing in yourself and making intentional choices.
Whether you're a recent graduate or an ambitious young professional eager to make a difference, Work That’s Worth It offers a roadmap to turn your career into a vehicle for personal growth and a positive impact. Don’t wait for your ‘second act’ in your career. Tune in now to unlock your potential and start creating the change you wish to see in the world from the get-go.
Work That's Worth It
S1E29: Breaking the Boys Club - Inside the VC Fund That's 70% Female Investors
What happens when a CEO who helped build Old Navy from a startup into an $8 billion company decides to flip venture capital on its head? Dawn Dobras reveals the shocking truth: 93% of venture capital goes to men, and she's built a fund that's 70% female investors to change that.
**Ready to love your Mondays? Buy 'Work That's Worth It' now - Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org. OR, need more convincing? Get the first chapters FREE here.**
In this episode, Dawn Dobras exposes why most startup founders get ghosted by VCs (hint: it's not your pitch deck), shares the brutal math behind venture funding (1,000 deals reviewed, only 1-3 funded), and reveals exactly what she looks for beyond the typical metrics.
Plus, she drops game-changing advice on how students are breaking into VC right now without connections or trust funds - including the "shadow portfolio" strategy that's getting MBAs hired.
If you're interested in VC, micro-investing as an Angel investor, or working at a women-led start-up -- this is your episode as Dawn will give you the inside scoop.
Key points:
- Dawn spent 30 years as an operator running companies, including transforming Old Navy from a startup with less than $1M in sales to an $8 billion company, before transitioning to venture capital.
- Only 7% of venture capital check writers are male, with less than 3% of funding going to all-female founding teams and only 2% of healthcare funding directed toward women's health.
- Women invest in venture capital at half the rate of men, largely due to structural barriers including high minimum investments ($500K-$2M) and lack of access to information about the asset class.
- Capital F Fund has over 70% female investors, which is virtually unheard of in venture capital and creates a powerful mentorship network for portfolio companies.
- The fund focuses on three areas where technology shapes women's lives: women's health, digital commerce, and AI enablement, specifically targeting companies with valuations under $12 million.
- Dawn emphasizes that venture funding is extremely selective - they review about 1,000 deals annually and invest in only 1-3, meaning rejection doesn't reflect on the business quality.
- Key investment criteria include emotional resilience and ability to take feedback, as startups face constant challenges and founders must remain open to new ideas and counsel.
- Archive Resale, a portfolio company enabling brands to host resale on their websites, exemplifies the "triple threat" of female founder, climate impact, and tech growth potential.
- Women's health investments include Hey Jane (telehealth abortion care), Stardust (period tracking app designed by women), and Zella Health (AI-powered reproductive health diagnostics).
- For those seeking venture capital careers, Dawn recommends building a track record through shadow portfolios or small angel investments and developing deal flow by networking with founders.
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