This episode we are joined by Ioanna Onasi, a pioneering entrepreneur in the realm of ethical AI sales. As the co-founder and CEO of Dex2go, Iona elucidates the significance of integrating human-centric AI into sales enablement, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of sales teams.

Our conversation delves into the evolving landscape of leadership and the imperative of fostering opportunities for women-led enterprises. Iona shares her personal journey, highlighting the pivotal moments that informed her entrepreneurial path and the necessity of adaptability within the startup ecosystem.

Ultimately, this episode serves as a clarion call for aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace resilience and innovation in their pursuit of success.

Takeaways:

• Ionna discusses her journey from fashion to technology, highlighting the evolution of her entrepreneurial aspirations.
• Dex2go employs artificial intelligence to enhance sales coaching by personalizing training for sales representatives using psychometric data.
• The conversation explores the significance of resilience for women founders as they navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
• AI can facilitate the development of essential soft skills, making it crucial for modern sales environments.
• The episode concludes with an emphasis on the importance of self-awareness and continuous learning in professional development.

Chapters:

03:57 The Journey of an Entrepreneur: Pivots and Lessons Learned

12:44 The Importance of Human Connection in AI Solutions

21:33 The Importance of Personalized Learning in Sales Training

30:44 Understanding Human-Centric AI

41:12 The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Its Impact on Women Founders

Burning Questions Answered:

1.What does it take to build a successful AI company without a tech background?

2.How can founders pivot without losing their core mission?

3.What is "human-centered AI"—and why is it the future of sales coaching?

4.Can AI actually enhance our ability to connect and communicate better as humans?

Favorite Quotes:

“AI should help humans connect better, not replace that connection.”

“The most resilient person wins. Period.”

Closing Thoughts:

Ioanna’s journey reminds us that real innovation isn’t just about building tech—it’s about building trust, clarity, and compassion into everything we do.

Whether you're in sales, tech, or just figuring it out as you go, this episode will make you feel seen and inspired.

Offers & Contact Information:

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannemantzouridou/

Website: https://dextego.com/

Follow the #WisdomOfWomen show for more inspiring stories and insights from trailblazing women founders, investors, and experts in growth and prosperity.

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The episode discourse centers on the transformative potential of franchising as a viable avenue for business growth, particularly for women entrepreneurs.

As we delve into this topic, we are privileged to engage with Brittney Lincoln, a distinguished leader in the franchising sector and the founder of Females in Franchising.

Brittney elucidates the myriad advantages of adopting a franchise model, emphasizing its capacity to facilitate rapid expansion while offering a support network that mitigates the inherent challenges of entrepreneurship.

We also explore the essential criteria that businesses must meet to transition into a franchise model, including profitability, repeatability, and the importance of a compelling brand narrative.

This episode serves not only to inform but to inspire visionary women in their entrepreneurial journeys, urging them to consider franchising as a strategic option for scaling their enterprises.

Takeaways:

• Brittney shares her journey in franchising and her dedication to empowering women in business.
• The discussion underscores the evolving landscape of leadership, advocating for a new model that champions collaboration and inclusivity.
• Listeners are informed about the importance of profitability and repeatability for businesses considering franchising as a growth strategy.
• The episode stresses the value of community in franchising, noting that franchisees benefit from established support systems and shared experiences.
• The conversation highlights the transformative potential of franchising for women entrepreneurs, enabling them to create generational wealth and community impact.

Chapters:

03:51 Brittany's Journey into Franchising

12:30 Exploring Females in Franchising

26:19 Transitioning to Franchising: Opportunities and Responsibilities

36:56 The Importance of Relationships in Franchising

This episode features an enlightening discussion with Marcia Dawood, a prominent advocate for women in business and impact investing.

The central theme revolves around the critical need to amplify the voices of women entrepreneurs and address the substantial funding gap they face in securing investments.

Marcia, a seasoned investor and author, shares her compelling insights on how women-led ventures are essential in tackling significant global challenges, including women's health.

Throughout the conversation, we explore the importance of building supportive networks and fostering relationships with potential investors long before seeking funding. As we delve into various strategies for bridging the funding gap, listeners will gain valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of investment in women-led businesses and the vital role they play in shaping a prosperous future.

Takeaways:

• Marcia's journey illustrates the significance of early-stage investment in women-led enterprises and the challenges they face in securing funding.
• Listeners are encouraged to build relationships with potential investors long before seeking funding to enhance their chances of success.
• The discussion highlights the biases women face in securing investment and the need for more women in decision-making roles in finance.
• The episode underlines the diversity of women-led initiatives, particularly in healthcare, which have historically received insufficient funding.
• Marcia shares effective strategies for women founders to bridge funding gaps, including crowdfunding and developing investor relationships.

Chapters:

02:56 The Journey to Advocacy in Impact Investing

15:40 Building Relationships for Funding: A Crucial Strategy for Women Founders

18:23 Funding Strategies for Entrepreneurs

29:20 Understanding Equity Crowdfunding vs. Angel Investing

34:59 The Importance of Education in Angel Investing

40:05 Investing in Women's Health: The Joy Lux Story

Burning Questions Answered:

1.Why do women still receive only ~2% of venture capital funding—and what can we do to change that?

2.How can women founders bridge the funding gap, especially without friends-and-family capital?

3.Do you need to be wealthy to become an angel investor?

4.What are the different paths to investing in women-led startups—angel, venture, or crowdfunding?

5.How can aligning with values-aligned investors early unlock success for founders?

Favorite Quotes:

"Investing isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s for anyone ready to make a difference.” - Marcia

“Urgency doesn’t come from pressure tactics. It comes from truth.” - Marcia

Closing Thoughts:

This conversation is a must-listen for any woman founder who’s fundraising—or thinking about it. Marsha breaks down the myths of investing (no, you don’t need to be a millionaire), shares actionable paths to raise capital creatively (hello, crowdfunding and debt platforms), and highlights how crucial early investor alignment is. Whether you're on the founder side or investor side, this episode will reframe what’s possible—and invite you to be part of the change.

Offers & Contact Information:

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

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

Website: www.marciadawood.com

TedX Talk: