Got a business idea, but don’t know how to raise the funds? Listen up.

🔥 Join our next Money Making challenge: https://makemoneymoves.co/

Only 3% of venture capital goes to women—Lindsay Padilla got funded anyway.

In this episode, Rachel Rodgers sits down with Lindsay Padilla, CEO of Hello Audio, to break down how she built a tech startup from scratch and raised capital in an industry that rarely bets on women – let alone women of colour.

Lindsay shares the unfiltered truth about navigating the tech world as a first-time founder, and pushing forward when everything seems stacked against you. This is an inspiring, no-BS guide to building the business you believe in even when no one expects you to win.

If you're dreaming big and ready to defy the odds, this one’s for you.

📚Order Rachel’s new book Future Millionaire: https://helloseven.co/ytfmb165

Follow Lindsay!
Lindsay’s Instagram: @drlindsaypadilla
Lindsay’s TikTok: @drlindsaypadilla
Check out Hello Audio: https://helloaudio.fm/

Follow Rachel!
Rachel’s Instagram: @rachrodgersesq
Rachel’s Threads: @rachrodgersesq
Hello Seven's TikTok: @hellosevenco

00:00 – Asking for money as a woman entrepreneur
01:02 – The shocking stats on women getting funded
01:26 – How Hello Audio got its first $100K
02:34 – From prototype to first subscribers
03:15 – Deciding whether to raise capital or bootstrap
04:00 – Mentorship from tech founders on raising
05:16 – Getting the first check: why it matters
06:12 – Raising capital vs. selling to customers
07:01 – Building an inclusive cap table
07:26 – Prepping for investor conversations without a pitch deck
07:52 – Growing up with financial instability
08:53 – Overcoming money trauma and shame
09:13 – The reframe: raising money as a gift
10:16 – Why investors want to be part of your vision
11:05 – Rachel’s first startup investment experience
11:51 – What makes a great investor–CEO relationship
12:28 – Why founder diversity is critical to innovation
13:03 – The risk of building tech without representation
13:50 – How Lindsay landed her first check with courage
14:38 – The power of community-funded startups
15:30 – Crafting your fundraising narrative
16:45 – Talking to your audience before building your product
17:52 – Building a business that doesn’t burn you out
18:57 – Moving from course creator to tech CEO
20:18 – What investors really want to hear
21:01 – Pitching with vision instead of pressure
21:52 – How to use your network to raise capital
22:57 – Making space for women in tech leadership
23:46 – Managing fear around other people’s money
24:48 – Getting comfortable with scaling and systems
25:41 – Investing in companies

🌐 Stay Connected

Behind-the-scenes content, quick tips, and updates. 📸 Instagram

Rachel's corner of the Internet for hard-hitting articles and empowerment. 💌 Risky Women Substack

Watch full conversations, highlights, and additional video content. 🎥 YouTube

🚀 Ready to Go Deeper?

If you’re serious about taking what you’re learning on this podcast and turning it into real results, check out The Hello Seven Mastermind.

Inside the Mastermind, you’ll get:

✨ Unlimited 1:1 coaching
✨ Three in-person retreats each year
✨ A powerful network of ambitious peers committed to growth

👉 Learn more and apply: Mastermind