From High School Dreams to Global Impact: My Entrepreneurial Journey with Money & Mimosas
/My entrepreneurial journey began in high school when I enrolled in an entrepreneurship class. We were tasked with creating a business idea, drafting a business plan, and pitching it to bankers for a loan. I loved every aspect of the process—writing an executive summary, designing a marketing strategy, and crafting financial projections. While most students were nervous about the final pitch, I was exhilarated. Whether or not the bankers liked my idea didn’t matter. I knew I had discovered my deepest passion: entrepreneurship. The most important lesson I learned was that by combining passion with financial knowledge, I could achieve anything.
That early experience set the foundation for my understanding of business finance and fueled my entrepreneurial spirit. In college, my love for financial education was solidified as I pursued a degree in Economics and enrolled in every accounting class available. I knew that honing my accounting skills was essential for entrepreneurship—and I was right. In my Financial Accounting course, we analyzed the financial statements of public companies and presented strategies to improve their businesses. I focused on L’Oréal and realized a new passion for combining my love of beauty with entrepreneurship. Skills like cash flow management, profit margins, and sustainable financial growth were all tools I carried into my entrepreneurial career.
Over the years, my passion for entrepreneurship grew, ultimately leading to the launch of Money & Mimosas, a platform dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs globally.
The Origin of Money & Mimosas
Money & Mimosas was born out of a desire to equip multi-passionate entrepreneurs like myself with the financial tools and confidence they need to succeed. One of our early successes involved helping a small business owner with Caribbean roots secure a KIVA loan to transition her mobile business into a brick-and-mortar store in downtown San Francisco. The no-interest loan of $15,000 was all she needed to elevate her brand. Within a year, her sales tripled thanks to increased foot traffic and improved operational systems.
However, securing the loan wasn’t easy. Traditional lenders and investors were hesitant to support her business. After many attempts, we turned to community-based lending, which ultimately provided her the funding. This experience highlighted the importance of financial education and the power of community while underscoring the need for alternative financing options. It strengthened my commitment to supporting talented entrepreneurs often overlooked by traditional systems.
Money & Mimosas Roundtable Discussion in Mexico City
Since our 2014 launch, Money & Mimosas has grown to support founders in 22 countries across six continents. Through collaborations with partners, we’ve helped entrepreneurs secure over $160 million in funding.
In 2024, the U.S. Department of State’s Speaker Program invited me to represent their initiative to promote economic prosperity worldwide. As a Speaker Program expert, I work with U.S. embassies and consulates to advance economic prosperity through entrepreneurship.
danetha doe with roberto quiroz at the u.s. embassy mexico, city.
Most recently, I traveled to Mexico City, where I led a roundtable discussion on raising capital as an entrepreneur. Hosted by Frissia Monsivais, Founder & CEO of The WeMen Foundation, and Silvio Gonzalez, Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, the event brought together entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.
danetha doe with Frissia Monsivais, Founder & CEO of The WeMen Foundation.
While the startup ecosystem in Mexico City is growing, we discussed ongoing challenges, particularly the limited access women entrepreneurs have to venture capital. In 2023, only 6% of venture capital in Mexico went to women-led startups—a statistic that mirrors the struggles faced by women entrepreneurs worldwide.
money & mimosas roundtable discussion. us embassy mexico city.
Entrepreneurship: A Driver of Economic Prosperity
Access to capital empowers entrepreneurs and bolsters entire economies. A thriving entrepreneurial sector contributes significantly to regional growth. A 2023 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report states that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 70% of employment in emerging economies.
Additionally, regions with high levels of entrepreneurial activity experience a 15% increase in GDP growth over five years. By nurturing startups, we can drive innovation, stimulate local economies, and create jobs.
Can Equity Crowdfunding Bridge the Capital Gap?
During my presentation, I explored equity crowdfunding as a promising alternative to traditional fundraising. By offering equity in exchange for investment, this model democratizes access to funding and creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with a broad base of investors.
Equity crowdfunding has a long history, with early forms such as Ghana’s Susu system. Today, it’s recognized globally for its potential to support entrepreneurs and drive economic growth.
Case Studies of Successful Campaigns
Case Study 1: Miso Robotics
Miso Robotics, which designs robots for restaurants, used equity crowdfunding to raise over $26.5 million and onboarded 5,394 investors. We partnered with DealMaker, an equity crowdfunding platform, to assist with their campaign.
Case Study 2: Rootless
Rootless, a planet-friendly seaweed brand supporting women’s hormonal balance, raised over $500,000 through a successful crowdfunding campaign we supported.
Introducing Money Mastery: A New Platform for Capital Raising
For the past decade, Money & Mimosas has helped founders access capital through partnerships and direct support. Now, we’re expanding our efforts by launching Money Mastery, an on-demand platform designed to help even more entrepreneurs succeed in their fundraising efforts.
The platform offers educational resources and access to lenders and investors to guide entrepreneurs through the complexities of raising capital.
Money Mastery Programs
Funding Foundations: A 5-day accelerator that teaches entrepreneurs how to create solid business plans with clear financial projections.
Capital Connection: Focused on preparing entrepreneurs to engage with investors, this program helps craft compelling pitch decks and answer tough questions.
Investor Engagement & Growth: A 5-day accelerator on leveraging funding for sustainable growth and reporting outcomes to investors.
Education as a Path to Empowerment
At Money & Mimosas, we believe education is crucial for overcoming the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, especially women founders. Historically, knowledge about fundraising, financial management, and investor relations has been inaccessible to many women due to systemic barriers.
Education alone, however, isn’t enough. Entrepreneurs also need access to investors and lenders. Our platform addresses both the educational and financial access gaps, providing comprehensive support for the next generation of business leaders.
To learn more about the Money Mastery platform, visit our website.
