When raising capital, sometimes a founder is tempted to take any money because...well, they need it to move the business forward. But not all investors are the right fit. Today Shani Dowell joins us as she shares her story about how she built Possip from the ground up, then struggled (but ultimately succeeded) in finding investors who provided mentorship, expertise, and capital.

Shani Dowell is the Founder and CEO of Possip, a platform that simplifies feedback between parents, schools and districts.

Jim Flautt is on the Board of Directors at Opportunity Nashville, an advocacy organization focused on improving educational equity in Nashville.

Equity Raise is hosted by Naya Fela Powell, presented by American Underground, sponsored by The Diversity Movement, and produced by Earfluence.

This episode is brought to you by DEI Navigator from The Diversity Movement, a new, monthly membership service designed exclusively for small- to medium-sized businesses who are committed to DEI action and results. It’s everything you need all in one place - access to proven business leaders and certified diversity executives, expert curated content, how-to guides, training, and a community of peers sharing their ideas and lessons learned — all at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-service DEI consultancy.