At DyMynd we focus on a woman’s relationship with money, and how best to empower women forward towards a healthier sense of financial security. Understanding a woman’s emotional financial security can help her in life and in business.

This year it is important that we break down these barriers so that we can all rise and stand together. DyMynd wants to bust the myth that “money isn’t for women”, and help women forge new relationships with their investment options. Our first money series explored the key money messages that women received when they were young and how that impacts their money making decisions today. In response to the pay gap and gender bias in business, we are starting a new dynamic initiative and conversation about women and angel investing!

To address the funding gap for female entrepreneurs throughout Chicago DyMynd has launched DyMynd Angels, a social initiative to empower women to become investors by getting involved in the entrepreneurial space, and disrupting the way in which female entrepreneurs access capital. In true DyMynd fashion we thought that we would start the conversation by asking women to share their thoughts and views on Angel Investing. We have asked leading women to answer a few questions about their experiences.

Today we are featuring Carolyn Leonard, CEO and Co-Founder of DyMynd, Inc., to share her insights about how she sees herself as an angel investor. We invite you to read her responses, get inspired and feel empowered to join DyMynd Angels and support the 1920 ‘Vote Your Money Campaign’ for women who want to decrease the funding gap for female-led startups in Chicago and throughout the Midwest.

When you think of angel investing, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

When I think of angel investing I immediately think of the woman who has the purpose, passion, drive and, a great idea but needs money to implement the idea. Often the founder sees a solution to a problem that vexes a lot of people and just needs the initial funding to get the idea, solution or product launched.

Are you currently an angel investor? If not, have you previously considered angel investing. Why did you or did you not become an Angel Investor? 

I have invested in several early stage initiatives. I wasn’t part of an angel network. I did what would be called a “family and friends” round. Many women support female lead businesses by frequenting their restaurants, shopping in their boutiques or going to their beauty or nail shops. Angel investing is just a different way of supporting female business owners or entrepreneurs.

When did you first learn about Angel Investing? Was your impression of angel investing positive, negative, or neutral and why?

I first heard about Angel investing when I was trading at the CBOE. Several companies that later went public were financed by traders. In fact, the movie Saturday Night Fever was financed by two Chicago Board of Options Exchange traders among others. It wasn’t unusual for entrepreneurs to look for early stage or seed capital from the traders at the Chicago Board of Trade the Chicago Board of Options Exchange or the CME. The entrepreneurs understood that traders were comfortable with a certain level of risk. My impression of Angel investing was positive. I understood my risk and knew that if the investment was successful the payoff would be big but the odds of success were about 30%. That was a risk I could live with. I only invested sums I felt I wouldn’t need if I lost.

To follow along with this conversation and other DyMynd Angel events please follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our email list. Together, women must rise to respond to this funding gap! Click here to share your thoughts below!