The Angel Next Door

What does it mean to truly disrupt an industry—and can one entrepreneur’s vision connect beauty, empowerment, and even space exploration? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood welcomes Shalini Vadhera, a pioneering founder who transformed her passion for global beauty into impact-driven brands and products that have made history by traveling to outer space. Shalini Vadhera shares her journey from a determined 19-year-old entrepreneur in India to celebrity makeup artist, bestselling author, and creator of Ready, Set, Jet—now certified for both human spaceflight and defense use. She’s not only revolutionizing beauty through biotech and space-tested products, but also building communities where women can invest, lead, and thrive. The episode highlights Shalini’s innovative approach to product development, her strategies for empowering women investors, and the game-changing events she’s orchestrated to bring powerful women together. It’s a must-listen conversation for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, and the real impact that comes from passing the baton to the next generation of changemakers.

What does it really take to turn your vision into reality as an entrepreneur—and how do our early experiences shape the leaders we become? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood sits down with the dynamic Syama Bunten, whose journey from a driven, creative child writing letters to the White House to a powerhouse in the world of retail and brand consulting is nothing short of inspiring. The episode dives deep into how ambition, creativity, and a determination to improve one’s circumstances can fuel an extraordinary career. Syama brings a wealth of experience to the conversation. She shares her evolution from retail buying at Macy’s to launching her own consultancy, Scaling Retail, where she empowered emerging brands to succeed in a rapidly changing marketplace. She also provides insight into her more recent work as co-founder of Wealth Catalyst, a movement and community dedicated to helping women—and people at large—claim agency over their financial lives. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about entrepreneurship, wealth-building, or changing the narrative around who can lead and invest. Marcia and Syama discuss the real stories behind building businesses, the importance of agency and vision, and why normalizing conversations about money (especially among women) is critical for collective growth. With powerful anecdotes, actionable insights, and a preview of game-changing initiatives like the Wealth Catalyst Freedom Tour, this episode is both inspiring and practical, offering listeners a front-row seat to the next evolution in personal wealth and leadership.

What does it mean to truly build a business—and a life—on your own terms, rather than just following society’s rules? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Katie Sampayo, a life re-designer and business mentor for women entrepreneurs, to explore the journey from corporate conformity to empowered entrepreneurship. Katie Sampayo shares how she moved from a marketing job in finance to founding her own wellness business and eventually creating the Millionaire Playbook, a program that supports women in scaling their businesses with freedom, fulfillment, and impact. Her insights stem from mentorship, immersion in dynamic communities, and overcoming challenges rooted in misalignment and limiting beliefs. Listeners will come away with actionable steps for finding mentorship, prioritizing inner transformation, and creating a mission-driven business. If you’re ready to break free from routine, create abundance, and connect with a supportive network, this episode delivers essential guidance and real inspiration you can’t afford to miss.

What does it take for an entrepreneur to recognize—and embrace—a groundbreaking technological innovation, especially when skepticism is the initial reaction? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores this very question with special guest Anthony Scaramucci, diving deep into the evolution of trust, disruption, and adoption in the world of digital assets. Anthony Scaramucci, a renowned financier and author, candidly shares his decade-long journey from Bitcoin skeptic to blockchain advocate. Known for his roles in finance and politics, he details his transformation, inspired by his persistent curiosity and the pivotal influence of friends such as Michael Saylor. As the founder of Skybridge Capital and the author of The Little Book of Bitcoin and his latest book, Solana Rising, Anthony Scaramucci offers a unique perspective on making complex ideas accessible to mainstream investors. This episode covers the fundamentals of Bitcoin and blockchain, why cryptocurrency may be the “perfect money,” and how legacy institutions are slowly but surely embracing this technology—even as old systems resist change. Listeners will gain insight into the mechanics behind crypto, its potential to revolutionize everyday transactions, and the challenges that remain. If you’re wondering how digital currency fits into the future of entrepreneurship or curious about how big banks and regulators are shifting their stance, this conversation is an absolute must-listen.

What’s the secret to building financial resilience as an entrepreneur—and how do you make sure you’re never caught off guard by life’s curveballs? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with financial strategist Leah Williams to tackle these questions head-on, exploring how proactive financial planning and tax strategies can empower you to take control of your wealth journey. Leah Williams brings her story of personal financial transformation—after weathering divorce and witnessing the power of good planning through family loss—to offer practical advice that goes beyond the basics. Her firm, Savvy Financial, is built on a mission to help people, especially women, become confident in their financial decisions, teaching them about insurance, investments, and the hidden levers of tax efficiency. From leveraged charitable deductions to accelerated depreciation and creative ways to involve family in your business, this episode is loaded with real, immediately useful strategies that anyone can apply. If you want to make smarter choices about your financial future and get inspired along the way, this is the episode for you.