In this episode, I'm coming to you fresh off Colorado Startup Week, where I've spent the week talking to founders, investors, and venture capitalists managing hundreds of millions (in some cases billions) of dollars. I share what happened when I started explaining how we use human design at the Spiritual Business Incubator to help founders build businesses faster and more intentionally, and why investor after investor paused, leaned in, and told me this was genuinely innovative.

I get honest about a fear I've carried for a long time: that blending the "woo" with real business fundamentals wouldn't be taken seriously. This week proved otherwise. I talk about what investors are actually looking for (a fast, reliable return), why alignment and intentional timing directly impact how quickly a business moves through its growth stages, and why "hustle" isn't a dirty word when it's rooted in genuine mission and alignment rather than burnout.

This episode is part reflection, part pep talk, and a reminder that the parts of you that feel too spiritual, too different, or too "out there" might actually be your biggest business advantage.

In This Episode:

• Investors care about one thing above all: getting a return in the quickest timeline possible.
• Human design and alignment can directly speed up how fast a business moves through its growth stages.
• The fear of not being taken seriously often says more about self-doubt than reality.
• Hustle isn't inherently bad. Hustle rooted in mission and alignment looks completely different than hustle rooted in burnout.
• Founders and investors want real, numbers-driven conversations, not just inspiration.
• Bridging practical business fundamentals with spiritual alignment isn't a compromise. It's a competitive advantage.

Resources:

Sign up for Momentum By Design Event October 23rd (Live in Littleton, CO) or October 30th (Online)

https://www.spiritualbusinessincubator.com/momentumbydesign

Learn more about the Spiritual Business Incubator:
https://www.spiritualbusinessincubator.com

Purchase my book here!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1966346050/

Podcast website:

https://www.spiritualbusinessincubator.com/newageceopodcast

View the full show notes for this episode:
https://www.spiritualbusinessincubator.com/blog/episode19

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annanicholsmba

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/annanicholsmba

Connect with Anna Nichols:
Instagram: @iamannanichols (https://www.instagram.com/iamannanichols/)