The Money Mondays Episode 124: How to Start a Company Without Quitting Your Job - Kim Perell 🏢

Release Date: June 2, 2025
Host: Dan Fleyshman
Guest: Kim Perell

Introduction

In Episode 124 of The Money Mondays, host Dan Fleyshman sits down with renowned entrepreneur and angel investor Kim Perell. With a remarkable portfolio of over 150 investments and multiple successful exits, Kim shares invaluable insights on building a company while maintaining a stable job, the nuances of angel investing, and the importance of integrating charity into business practices.

Kim Perell's Background and Achievements

Dan introduces Kim as a powerhouse in the investment world, highlighting her extensive experience and success:

Dan [00:05]: "She is an investor in over 100 companies… I'm an investor in 43 companies. That is more than double what I've invested into."

Kim responds with a concise bio, emphasizing her entrepreneurial journey:

Kim [01:25]: "Started my first company at my kitchen table in Hawaii and then I sold that five years later. Then I sold my last company for 235 million to Singapore Telecom. Invested, as you said, probably in close to 150 companies… at least 50 exits."

Making Money: Proving Your Concept

A pivotal discussion revolves around the necessity of generating revenue before seeking investor funding. Kim underscores the importance of validating your product in the market:

Kim [02:18]: "You have to have proof of concept, product, market fit. If no one is willing to pay for that dream, it is a hobby."

Dan echoes this sentiment, stressing that the product should stand on its own merit without celebrity endorsements:

Dan [02:30]: "Proving that someone cares and it can sell when no one's around is investable."

Investing in CPG and Food & Beverage

Kim explains her passion for the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector, particularly in health and wellness:

Kim [03:57]: "I love to see 100 times exit… Investing in startups, crypto, real estate… but I love entrepreneur."

She highlights the tangible connection products like Juni have with consumers, enhancing her investment perspective.

Advice for Entrepreneurs Balancing Jobs and Startups

Addressing entrepreneurs who hesitate to leave their stable jobs, Kim offers strategic advice:

Kim [04:47]: "Don't quit your day job. Use your day job to fund your side hustle and only make the leap when your side hustle has enough opportunity and revenue."

Dan reinforces the practicality of maintaining a steady income while building a business:

Dan [06:53]: "You do not need to quit your day job. Save up money, work on the side…"

Vision Boards and Entrepreneurial Success

Kim shares her enthusiasm for vision boards, attributing her high success rate to this practice:

Kim [08:56]: "Every year I'm… if you haven't done one, you should actually go do one, because it's a game changer… my success rate in my vision boards coming to life is 92%."

Dan and Kim emphasize the role of vision boards in manifesting goals and maintaining focus.

Selecting Founders and Investments

When asked about how she selects founders, Kim outlines key traits she looks for:

1. Clear Vision:

   "Having a crystal clear vision of what you want to achieve."

2. Passion and Resilience:

   "They have to have the passion, which is like the fuel to keep going when everyone else is going to give up."

3. Strong Relationships:

   "Having great relationships… it's always nice to know."

4. Willingness to Take Risks:

   "Are you willing to take that first step? Are you willing to risk failure?"

Embracing Mistakes and Resilience

Kim discusses the importance of accepting mistakes as part of the entrepreneurial journey:

Kim [13:43]: "I've made so many mistakes… if you can learn from those and skip those, you can obviously make millions faster."

She highlights humility and the willingness to ask for help:

Kim [14:04]: "Being okay to look stupid, being okay to ask for help… No one's successful alone."

Integration of Charity in Business

Kim believes in infusing charity into business operations, aligning with personal missions:

Kim [14:57]: "We have a mission to give back and help the next… my mission is entrepreneurs… especially focusing on women entrepreneurs."

Dan adds that personal connections drive meaningful charitable efforts:

Dan [15:55]: "You'll be more passionate if there's a personal connection… something happened within your family or friend circle."

Work-Life Integration and Balancing Responsibilities

Addressing the challenge of balancing multiple roles, Kim advocates for integration over separation:

Kim [16:52]: "It's work-life integration. Most of my relationships are integrated into creating and doing fun things together… prioritizing family first and saying no to things that aren't in my zone of genius."

Future Investment Plans and Being Co-founder

Dan inquires why Kim chooses to co-found companies like Juni instead of solely investing:

Kim [17:46]: "I'm a student of life. I love to learn. Being a co-founder makes me a better investor… if you love who you're building with and love the product, it’s energizing."

Legacy and Family

When discussing her legacy, Kim emphasizes teaching values over financial inheritance:

Kim [19:16]: "We haven't thought about leaving much to our children… leaving them books that are a roadmap to success… teaching them to be great leaders."

Conclusion

Dan wraps up by encouraging listeners to engage with Kim’s work and the podcast:

Dan [21:08]: "Check out Kim Perell across social media… listen to the whole podcast… money is an important fuel and tool for our lives."

Key Takeaways:

• Start Smart: Validate your business idea by generating revenue before seeking investment.
• Maintain Stability: Keep your day job while building your side hustle until it’s ready to take off.
• Invest Wisely: Focus on clear vision, passion, resilience, and strong relationships when selecting investments.
• Embrace Growth: Use vision boards to manifest goals and integrate learning from mistakes.
• Give Back: Incorporate charity into your business to align with personal missions and make a meaningful impact.
• Balance Life: Aim for work-life integration by prioritizing what truly matters and saying no to non-essential commitments.

Notable Quotes:

• Kim on Proof of Concept [02:18]:
  "If no one is willing to pay for that dream, it is a hobby."

• Dan on Investment [02:30]:
  "Proving that someone cares and it can sell when no one's around is investable."

• Kim on Vision Boards [08:56]:
  "My success rate in my vision boards coming to life is 92%."

• Dan on Not Quitting [06:53]:
  "You do not need to quit your day job. Save up money, work on the side…"

• Kim on Legacy [19:16]:
  "We haven't thought about leaving much to our children… leaving them books…"

Connect with Kim Perell:

• Website: kimperell.com
• Juni: drinkjuni.com
• Clean Beauty Product - K Skin: KSkin.com
• Book: Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retailers.

Thank you for tuning into The Money Mondays. Stay informed, stay inspired, and join us next week for more insights on making, investing, and giving back.