In this timely and illuminating episode, Raven sits down with six-time founder and global entrepreneur Oz Merchant to discuss the complexities of global expansion—especially for women leaders.

With over $147M raised and 18+ years in B2B SaaS and e-commerce, Oz brings his extensive knowledge and experience as the Program Director of Founder Institute Raleigh to this powerful conversation. Together, they unpack the nuanced challenges of scaling a business internationally, highlighting critical topics like understanding cultural differences, building credibility in male-dominated industries, and securing funding for diverse founders.

Oz shares actionable strategies for entering new markets, maintaining company culture across borders, and leveraging local partnerships for a successful expansion. From defining the “why” behind international growth to navigating the unique obstacles faced by women in leadership, he provides real-world insights that entrepreneurs can put into practice immediately.

Oz also dives into overlooked aspects of global growth, like evolving your leadership style as your company scales and tapping into emerging funding opportunities designed to support diverse founders.

Listeners will walk away with invaluable guidance on everything from infrastructure planning to sophisticated market entry strategies, making this episode essential for entrepreneurs at any stage of their global journey.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Consider if your business is truly ready for international expansion.
• Cultural understanding is crucial when entering new markets.
• Building local partnerships can significantly ease market entry.
• Funding opportunities exist specifically for diverse founders.
• Women entrepreneurs should seek supportive cultures for business.
• Navigating logistics and local customs is essential for success.
• Utilizing consultants can streamline the transition to new markets.
• Maintaining company culture is vital during international growth.
• Future trends indicate a rise in women-led global businesses.
• Assumptions about markets should be tested and validated.

DISCUSSION TIMELINE:

• 02:49 Challenges of International Business
• 06:09 Strategizing for Global Growth
• 09:12 Navigating Cultural Differences
• 11:59 Building Partnerships for Success
• 14:47 Funding and Financial Considerations
• 18:07 Consultants and Support Systems
• 21:04 Maintaining Company Culture
• 23:53 Advice for Women Entrepreneurs
• 27:05 Future Trends in Global Entrepreneurship
• 29:55 Top Three Hacks for Diverse Founders

CONNECT WITH OZ:
Oz's Website: www.ozmerchant.me Oz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ozmerchant Oz on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ozmerchant/

HOST INFO:
Hi, y'all! I'm Raven O'Neal, a diversely curious serial entrepreneur with over a decade of experience. But the fun doesn't stop there. I'm also a mentor, wife, mother, and business expert. I see my business as an extension of all my personal and professional life experiences, embracing growth and learning from a few fumbles along the way.

Throughout my business journey, I've supported over 500 female-led startups, advised more than 200 founders 1:1, and played a role in facilitating over $100M in funding. My calling is to help women transform their businesses and lives through collaboration and partnerships. I look forward to being with you every step of the way on your journey to growth and transformation. If you want to join the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

⁠www.hackingthepatriarchypodcast.com

Discover the power of scaling your business with a distinctly female approach in this insightful conversation with Katrina Purcell. Drawing from her extensive startup experience, Katrina shares strategies for leveraging your natural strengths as a woman to navigate the unique challenges of high-growth entrepreneurship.

The episode delves into Katrina's journey transitioning from the corporate world to becoming a successful business owner. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining a flexible mission, vision, and values framework during periods of rapid scaling, and explores how women can capitalize on their innate abilities in empathy and change management.

Listeners will gain valuable insights on navigating the fundraising landscape, making strategic decisions about capital allocation, and cultivating the personal resilience needed to sustain scaling efforts. Katrina also underscores the power of building a strong support network of mentors and advisors to provide guidance along the way.

Throughout the discussion, Katrina offers a refreshingly authentic and practical perspective, addressing topics such as overcoming the fear of failure, setting ambitious goals, and achieving work-life balance as a female founder. Her insights provide a roadmap for entrepreneurs seeking to scale their businesses with intention, adaptability, and a distinctly feminine approach.

Whether you're in the early stages of growth or navigating the complexities of a scaling enterprise, this episode is a must-listen for any woman looking to build a sustainable and thriving business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Women need to lean into their superpowers.
• Surrounding yourself with a supportive network is crucial.
• Resilience can be built through personal challenges.
• Authenticity in leadership fosters trust and connection.
• Change management is essential for leading teams through transitions.
• Mission, vision, and values should be clear and inspiring.
• Accessing capital requires confidence and a strong narrative.
• Not all capital is good capital; choose wisely.
• Scaling takes mental and physical preparation.
• It's okay to decide not to scale if it doesn't align with your goals.

DISCUSSION TIMELINE:

• 00:01 Empathy and Resilience in Female Leadership
• 06:11 Navigating Change Management
• 08:02 Mission, Vision, and Values
• 14:49 Accessing Capital
• 24:36 Scaling Strategies
• 29:52 The Decision to Scale or Not

CONNECT WITH KATRINA:

Katrina on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-purcell

Katrina's Website: katrinapurcell.com

The Managed Chaos Podcast: www.themanagedchaospodcast.com

HOST INFO:

Hi, y'all! I'm Raven O'Neal, a diversely curious serial entrepreneur with over a decade of experience. But the fun doesn't stop there. I'm also a mentor, wife, mother, and business expert. I see my business as an extension of all my personal and professional life experiences, embracing growth and learning from a few fumbles along the way.

Throughout my business journey, I've supported over 500 female-led startups, advised more than 200 founders 1:1, and played a role in facilitating over $100M in funding. My calling is to help women transform their businesses and lives through collaboration and partnerships. I look forward to being with you every step of the way on your journey to growth and transformation. If you want to join the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

⁠⁠⁠www.hackingthepatriarchypodcast.com⁠

Discover the dynamic world of entrepreneurial growth with operations expert Meredith Patrick in this engaging episode. The conversation dives into essential aspects of building and scaling a business, covering everything from mindset shifts to practical growth strategies. Drawing from personal experiences and hard-earned wisdom, Meredith emphasizes the value of community, the power of flexible planning, and the importance of strong operational foundations.

Meredith brings a wealth of expertise from her corporate background in healthcare and health tech. Her journey reflects a common entrepreneurial experience—the pursuit of fulfillment beyond corporate achievements.

The episode stands out with its exploration of business model evolution. Meredith shares her progression from offering one-time project execution services to developing retainer packages, illustrating how organic growth happens when entrepreneurs stay open to market demands and client needs. Her current pivot toward a partnership model with scalable team potential demonstrates how businesses can expand beyond their original vision while staying aligned with their core strengths.

Throughout the discussion, Meredith offers practical wisdom, including a systematic approach to networking that provides listeners with actionable insights for building their own support systems. The conversation also tackles critical topics such as pricing strategies, setting client boundaries, and trusting one’s instincts in business decisions.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Community building is essential for entrepreneurial success and accountability.
• Time blocking helps maintain boundaries and prevent scope creep.
• Starting with one networking conversation per week is manageable and can build momentum.
• Price based on value rather than time to avoid undervaluing your services.
• Track networking connections systematically to maintain relationships.
• Being flexible with your business model can lead to unexpected growth opportunities.
• Having a routine while remaining adaptable is key to sustainable growth.

DISCUSSION TIMELINE:

• 00:10 Meredith's Entrepreneurial Journey
• 02:48 The Importance of Mindset in Business
• 04:51 Transitioning to Full-Time Entrepreneurship
• 07:53 Accountability & Community
• 10:03 Navigating Setbacks
• 13:32 Pricing Strategies and Value Recognition
• 16:32 Scaling Your Business: Strategies and Plans
• 18:47 Networking and Building Community
• 21:37 Final Thoughts on Growth and Flexibility

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH:

Meredith on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithapatrick

HOST INFO:

Hi, y'all! I'm Raven O'Neal, a diversely curious serial entrepreneur with over a decade of experience. But the fun doesn't stop there. I'm also a mentor, wife, mother, and business expert. I see my business as an extension of all my personal and professional life experiences, embracing growth and learning from a few fumbles along the way.

Throughout my business journey, I've supported over 500 female-led startups, advised more than 200 founders 1:1, and played a role in facilitating over $100M in funding. My calling is to help women transform their businesses and lives through collaboration and partnerships. I look forward to being with you every step of the way on your journey to growth and transformation. If you want to join the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

⁠⁠www.hackingthepatriarchypodcast.com⁠