Episode Description:

Steve Walsh didn't set out to become an angel investor. After 25 years as a Fortune 10 executive, helping build Cox Communications and Comcast's B2B divisions from zero to billions, he walked away from corporate life to help early-stage founders. What started as casual mentoring at demo days evolved into Hands-On Angel, where Steve has now invested in 64 companies with remarkable success.

In this candid conversation with host Angelo Roberts, Steve shares the unvarnished truth about startup fundraising, why most founders approach it wrong, and what it really takes to build a successful company.

Steve doesn't sugarcoat anything. His approach is refreshingly direct in an industry full of polite rejections and vague feedback. Whether you're a founder struggling to raise capital or an aspiring investor, this episode delivers actionable insights you won't hear elsewhere.

The Default Alive Strategy Why reaching break-even changes everything about your fundraising position and gives you the optionality to raise on your terms, not out of desperation.

Customer Acquisition vs. Investor Meetings Steve's mathematical approach to when founders should stop pitching investors and start selling to customers instead.

What Real Commitment Looks Like Stories of founders who sold their houses, moved countries, and put everything on the line for their vision - and why this matters to investors.

The Hands-On Difference How Steve's network-driven approach has helped 35 of his 64 investments reach Series A, with 8 exits ranging from $15M to $400M.

Investment Philosophy Beyond Startups Steve's diversification strategy across wine, art, crypto, and real estate, plus his discipline of saving 30% of income regardless of salary level.

The Marco Benitez story about selling a house and moving from Mexico City to Miami in two weeks demonstrates what "all-in" really means to successful founders.

Steve's direct advice to a founder making $10K monthly but needing $18K to break even: stop talking to investors and go find 7-8 more customers instead.

His honest assessment of different startup ecosystems and why 90% of his fundraising happens outside his home city of Boston.

This episode will challenge how you think about fundraising timing, investor relationships, and what really matters for building a sustainable business. Steve's transparency about what investors actually look for could save you months of wasted effort.

Learn from someone who's built multiple billion-dollar businesses and successfully transitioned that expertise into early-stage investing. Steve's framework for evaluating founders and his hands-on approach offer a blueprint for adding real value beyond capital.

"When it comes to sales, you control the timing, you control how many people you talk to, you control your pricing. When you talk to investors, you control none of that."

"If you don't want my help, do not take my money. You're wasting my time. Don't take it because I will be your worst nightmare if you don't let me help you."

Find Steve on LinkedIn as "The Hands-On Angel" or visit handsonangel.com. He's launching the Funding Accelerator course with 300 founders already on the waitlist.

In a startup ecosystem often criticized for lack of transparency, Steve Walsh represents a different approach - one based on honest feedback, genuine commitment to founder success, and the understanding that building great companies requires more than just capital.

Whether you're raising your first round or your fifth, this conversation will change how you approach investors and think about building a sustainable, scalable business.

Subscribe to The Ramblings for more unfiltered conversations with the investors, founders, and industry leaders who are actually moving the needle in startup world.

What Makes This Episode Essential ListeningKey Topics CoveredStandout MomentsFor FoundersFor InvestorsMemorable QuotesConnect with Steve WalshWhy This Episode Matters

Episode Summary: Host Angelo Roberts interviews Vance Morris, a former Disney executive turned business consultant, who reveals how Disney's customer service principles can transform any small business into a premium-priced operation.

The 17% Problem: When Vance's team called 4,000 home service businesses, only 17% answered with a live person—exposing a massive opportunity for businesses that simply answer their phones.

Disney's $180 Secret: Discover why Disney charges premium prices while delivering experiences customers gladly pay for, and how any business can apply these same principles.

Zero-Cost Marketing Revolution: How an Alabama insurance agent transformed his business by changing his phone greeting to "the agency that rocks"—instantly filtering out price shoppers while attracting ideal customers.

The Customer Journey Blueprint: Vance's systematic approach to mapping every customer touchpoint and identifying high-impact improvements that require minimal investment but deliver maximum results.

"Out of Market" Advertising: Unconventional strategies for finding your customers where competitors don't think to look—from wine in gun magazines to jewelry at horse auctions.

• Most businesses unknowingly create "sales prevention" and "service prevention" obstacles
• Home service providers can create portable sales environments to justify premium pricing
• Recognition creates connection, and connection justifies premium pricing
• Systematic processes, not personalities, ensure consistent customer experiences
• Small details often deliver the biggest competitive advantages

Vance shares his unique background as a former "birth control factory security guard" and his experience portraying Goofy at Disney events, revealing how recognition creates instant connection with customers.

1. Answer your phone with a live person immediately
2. Map your complete customer journey to identify improvement opportunities
3. Eliminate unnecessary obstacles in your sales and service processes
4. Create memorable experiences that justify premium pricing
5. Look for marketing opportunities where competitors aren't present

Former Disney executive with 10 years of experience, successful owner of three home service businesses, author of "Systematic Magic," and founder of Deliver Service Now. He helps businesses apply Disney's customer service principles to achieve premium pricing and improved customer retention.

Resources Mentioned:

• DeliverServiceNow.com for free downloads and resources
• "Systematic Magic: The Seven Magic Keys to Disney-fying Your Business"
• "Tales from the Customer Service Crypt"

Keep up with your Host: Flowpage.com/angelorobertsjr

To learn more about Vance and his Disney Strategy:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vancemorris/

https://www.deliverservicenow.com/

Episode #188: From Trauma to Six Figures - Building a Holistic Wellness Empire

Discover how Jacie started a wellness business and scaled it to six figures by age 23 in this latest episode of The Ramblings. Host Angelo Roberts interviews Jacie Targett, founder of Anam Saor, who reveals the secrets of building a six-figure business without social media through strategic networking and referral partnerships.

Learn holistic practices for stress management that work for high-level executives and entrepreneurs seeking sustainable success. Jacie, with her Master's in counseling psychology and Reiki certifications, breaks down the science behind energy work for business leaders - explaining how human nervous systems communicate like trees warning each other of danger.

This episode is packed with sustainable business growth strategies that reject traditional hustle culture. Discover female entrepreneur hormone cycle optimization techniques and why understanding your body's natural rhythms gives you a competitive advantage. Jacie shares executive stress management techniques that help leaders regulate their nervous systems for peak performance.

Key insights include how to recognize burnout signals before they destroy your business, the neuroscience behind Reiki healing, and practical nervous system regulation techniques for high-stress professionals. Learn how to heal your body naturally through the mental-physical health connection, especially valuable for autoimmune conditions.

Perfect for entrepreneurs seeking mindful business leadership strategies, anyone curious about energy healing for entrepreneurs, and business leaders wanting to integrate high-performance leadership wellness into their success strategies.

Discover more with Jacie @ https://www.anamsaor.com and follow her Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacietargett/

Follow Angelo Roberts across all platform: https://www.flow.page/angelorobertsjr