Hey! It’s Doone, your hype girl in business. No major life-updates today, just a huge THANK YOU for letting me pop into your inbox every Monday. Writing this newsletter is a big highlight in my week and I’m forever grateful you’ve opened up your arms (slash inboxes) for us to have this weekly date.

Today we’re covering 👇

• Some home truths about funding from Connie Lo

• Scrappy marketing tips from yours truly

• Perelel secures $6M & other news

• 5 x $10,000 grants for our Canadian besties [closing tonight]

• Some cool remote work listings

• What’s on this week? 💭

The unfiltered truth about funding 👉

Let's talk about the real deal on fundraising. Remember when we thought we had to aim for the moon right out of the gate? Crazy amounts, big dreams, and a hint of chaos - classic startup, right?

Here's the thing: when it comes to early funding, it's easy to get dazzled by those flashy headlines and big numbers. That’s why Three Ships’ Connie thought it was high time to spill the tea on her funding playbook:

1/ Start Small, Dream Big: Know your assets: maps out your cash, loans and grant opportunities. What can you handle solo? Next, begin with angel investors (preferably ex-founders) they'll get your struggle and add value.

2/ Keep It Real: Set a minimum cheque, slap on an end date, and resist the urge to drown in funding. Create FOMO by showing your worth, and never leave a meeting without securing 3 further connections.

3/ Dream Big, Budget Bigger: Scrutinise every expense. What's essential? What's fluff? When it comes to setting your target, imagine having more funds. What risks would you take that you’re unable to take today? That's your target.

So, take a breath. Assess what you've got, dream a little, and remember, there's more than one way to dance to the funding tune.

Subscribe to the podcast to get Connie’s ep when it drops → 

Scrappy marketing 101 ✍️

COMMUNITY QUESTION: how can you be scrappy with marketing?

I’ll be the first to tell you that being scrappy with your marketing is a skill worth mastering. Here's a quick lowdown on what I'd dive into if I were starting fresh:

TikTok Time 🤳 Invest your time in learning, crafting and testing high-value content, BUT hold off on ad spending until you've nailed your organic game.

Lead Magnets Magic 🧲 Create lead magnets for your audience—be it a quiz, an experience, or a digital download. Build your email list and set up automated nurture sequences to keep your audience engaged.

Influencer Love 💖 Gift your products to micro-influencers who align with your niche. It's a win-win; they get a cool gift, and you get exposure.

Local Love 💛 Don't underestimate the power of local retail. Compile a list of local retailers and hit the pavement. Personal connections go a long way.

Listen to more tea on the podcast →

(or book your 1-1 coaching sessions to work with me on your marketing strategy here)

• Being Health launches (w mission to reinvent mental health care)

• Perelel secures $6M series A funding led by Unilever

• Why 2023 was a banner year for EU female (co)founders

• Corporate Natalie fell under Gen Z fire this week

• If you needed a reminder of how f*cked the system is

• It’s looking good for women’s health start-ups

• Reneé Rapp x Mejuri might be the collab of dreams

• The job of CEO should come with a warning label

• TikTok is going to start sounding a whole lot different

• The Grammy’s are for the girls this year

• Shoutout to FSC fave brand Kosi on

This week's grant...

The Visa She's Next Grant Program is back to empower women founders across Canada with 10 x $10,000 grants and access to a mentorship program.

This week's lineup...

This week's recommendations...

Ways I can help you this week…

REMOTE 🌴

• Mom-founded kids clothing brand Primary is hiring a Creative Project Manager to join the team - with some great work perks! More here.

• Sawyer, the company disrupting how parents access education for their children, is hiring for the role of Data Analyst. Apply here.

• Aussies: Femtek, revolutionising women’s health and cycle literacy, is looking for a Data Scientist to join the team. Something for you?

LA ☀️

• Your fave tinned fish brand Fishwife is looking for a Head of Growth to join the team following their Shark Tank investment! Read more here.

• Tower 28 Beauty, building a world where beauty is accessible & inclusive, is hiring a Social Media Marketing Manager. Apply here.

That’s a wrap! Come say hi in the club for exclusive insights into future episodes ✨