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.

To get the latest from Syama Bunten, you can follow her below!

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

https://syamabunten.com/

https://wealthcatalyst.com/

Sign up for Marcia’s newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!

Website: www.marciadawood.com

Do Good While Doing Well

Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com

And don’t forget to follow us wherever you are!

Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple

Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

Most Recent Episodes

June 11, 2026

Fabric VC Fund One Update with Laurel Mintz: Raising Capital and Supporting Women’s Health Startups

What does it really take to thrive as a first-time fund manager in today’s challenging investment landscape, especially when you’re building a venture fund from scratch while championing...

Listen · 17:50

May 28, 2026

Legal Essentials for Founders and Angel Investors with Meredith Haviland

What’s the true cost of getting your startup’s legal foundation wrong—and how can overlooking legal nuances derail even the most promising entrepreneurial dreams? In this episode of The Angel...

Listen · 29:18

May 14, 2026

The Power of Cooperatives in Real Estate and Impact Investing with Kachuwa

What does it take to redefine entrepreneurship for both impact and profit, and can owning less of a company mean achieving more? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, listeners are invited...

Listen · 28:07

Load More Episodes

Marcia Dawood TEDx Speaker/Author/Podcaster

Marcia Dawood is an early-stage investor who serves on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital, a member of Golden Seeds, and the chair emeritus of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), a global professional society for angel investors.
She is also an associate producer on the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money.
A TEDx speaker and the host of The Angel Next Door podcast, Marcia walks the talk and holds investments in over fifty early-stage companies and funds. She is committed to expanding support for diverse companies that overcome the world’s biggest problems and accelerate positive change. She is passionate about bridging the gap from early-stage inception to building thriving, profitable companies.
She is a founding member and chair of the ACA’s Growing Women’s Capital Group, which is building syndication and collaboration among US investment groups focused on women-led companies.
She is also a co-author of the book You Can, You Will, which was an Amazon bestseller in thirty-nine categories in four countries.
Prior to that, Marcia worked in sales, marketing, and operations for Kaplan Education for over sixteen years. Marcia received an MBA from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Marcia currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, Izzy, and she feels lucky to be the stepmom to three amazing sons.