Term Sheets vs. SAFEs: Understanding Startup Investment Agreements with Rick Segal

In this powerful three-way conversation, Will sits down with venture capitalist Rick Segal and Mary Ellen Beliveau, former CEO of Knowledge to Practice, a health-tech startup that raised millions in funding before ultimately going bankrupt.Mary Ellen opens up about the highs and lows of leading a fast-growing company, the pressure that comes with raising significant capital, and the tough realities of managing growth, investors, and team expectations. She shares the hard-won lessons she learned from the collapse—and how failure can become a foundation for future success.Alongside Rick Segal’s investor perspective and Will’s entrepreneurial insights, this episode offers an unfiltered look into what it really takes to build—and sometimes lose—a company. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or dreamer, you’ll walk away with wisdom on resilience, leadership, and the hidden truths of the startup world.📖 Get your copy of The Heart of It here: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/📝 Read Rick Segal’s blog: https://impactinvestorsegal.com/blog/f/fathers-role

In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Talmage Erickson—a faith-based entrepreneur, published speaking coach, and the CEO of Speak Powerfully. Even while finishing his college degree, Talmage has built a mission-driven business that helps leaders and aspiring speakers communicate with confidence and impact.We talk about his journey of combining faith with entrepreneurship, the lessons he’s learned while coaching others to share their stories, and the mindset shifts that help people overcome fear on stage and in life. If you’ve ever wanted to strengthen your voice, grow your influence, and lead with conviction, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.📖 Get your copy of The Heart of It here: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/📝 Read Rick Segal’s blog: https://impactinvestorsegal.com/blog/f/fathers-role

In this episode of The Willpower Podcast, I’m joined by Corey Corpodian, CEO of Unleash Success, host of a top podcast, and a leader who has interviewed hundreds of successful entrepreneurs. With over 100,000 YouTube subscribers, Corey is on a mission to help leaders develop mental toughness and powerful communication skills that inspire action.We dive into:How entrepreneurs can strengthen their mental resilience in high-pressure environments.The secrets behind compelling communication that connects and converts.Corey's biggest lessons from interviewing some of the world’s top performers.Why podcasting and speaking are powerful tools for influence and growth.If you want to level up your mindset, sharpen your communication, and learn from someone who has built a thriving platform empowering leaders, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.📖 Get your copy of The Heart of It here: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/📝 Read Rick Segal’s blog: https://impactinvestorsegal.com/blog/f/fathers-role

In this episode of The Willpower Podcast, I sit down once again with investor and entrepreneur Rick Segal to unpack two of the most common documents founders encounter when raising capital: the term sheet and the SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity).Rick breaks down what each document means, how they work in practice, and the key differences that every founder and investor should understand. We talk about:Why a term sheet sets the foundation for negotiations and long-term investor relationships.How a SAFE can speed up early-stage fundraising but also create future complexities.The trade-offs between flexibility, valuation, and control when choosing one over the other.Whether you’re a founder preparing to raise money, or an investor looking to back early-stage ventures, this episode will give you a clear, practical understanding of which path makes the most sense for your situation.📖 Get your copy of The Heart of It here: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/📝 Read Rick Segal’s blog: https://impactinvestorsegal.com/blog/f/fathers-role

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Stephen Scoggins — a faith-driven, 9-figure entrepreneur who has gone from homelessness to building a global platform of influence. Stephen is a world-renowned speaker, best-selling author, and founder of Unstoppable Solutions, where he helps entrepreneurs transform ideas into thriving, profitable companies.Featured in USA Today, The Wall Street Times, Forbes, and more, Stephen also hosts the popular podcast Build, which has garnered over 48 million views and continues to grow daily. We talk about the mindset shifts, faith-driven principles, and practical strategies that helped Stephen turn adversity into an unstoppable mission.📖 Get your copy of The Heart of It here: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/📝 Read Rick Segal’s blog: https://impactinvestorsegal.com/blog/f/fathers-role

In this episode of the WillPower Podcast, I sit down with Joe Shalaby, CEO of eMortgage Capital, one of the largest independent mortgage platforms in the country. Joe has built an eight-figure company, leads a team of over 900 loan officers, and has grown a massive following with millions of fans across multiple platforms.We dive into Joe’s journey of entrepreneurship, how he scaled his business to dominate the mortgage industry, and the strategies he uses to build and lead high-performing teams. Joe also shares insights from his own podcast, Coffee’s Foreclosures, and breaks down what it really takes to stand out in today’s competitive real estate and mortgage space.If you’re an entrepreneur, real estate professional, or just someone looking to learn from a proven leader in scaling and team building, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.📖 Get your copy of The Heart of It here: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/📝 Read Rick Segal’s blog: https://impactinvestorsegal.com/blog/f/fathers-role

In this episode of The WillPower Podcast, Rick Segal joins me for part one of our deep dive into the world of private funds. Rick breaks down the fundamentals of setting up a fund and raising outside capital—covering everything from the role of general partners (GPs) and limited partners (LPs) to the structure of ownership and how capital is deployed.Rick also just released his brand-new book, The Heart of It, which unpacks decades of insight from building, investing in, and leading companies at the highest level.📖 Get your copy of The Heart of It here: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/📝 Read Rick’s blog: https://impactinvestorsegal.com/blog/f/fathers-role🎙️ Tune in for a conversation that blends hard-earned wisdom with actionable insights for entrepreneurs and investors alike.#Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #BusinessSuccess #WillpowerPodcast #TheHeartOfIt

In this episode, I’m joined once again by Rick Segal — now officially stepping in as co-host of the Willpower Podcast. We dive into the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship, the shifting challenges VCs face in finding truly investable companies, and the real-world metrics that define business success.Rick also just released his brand-new book, The Heart of It, which unpacks decades of insight from building, investing in, and leading companies at the highest level.📖 Get your copy of The Heart of It here: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/📝 Read Rick’s blog: https://impactinvestorsegal.com/blog/f/fathers-role🎙️ Tune in for a conversation that blends hard-earned wisdom with actionable insights for entrepreneurs and investors alike.#Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #BusinessSuccess #WillpowerPodcast #TheHeartOfIt

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Rachel Laryea—former Goldman Sachs analyst, double PhD from Yale, cultural entrepreneur, and author of Black Capitalists. Rachel shares her extraordinary journey from Wall Street to founding Kelewele, a lifestyle brand that celebrates heritage and redefines culture-forward luxury. We dive into the intersection of Black wealth, cultural identity, and entrepreneurship, and explore the insights behind her groundbreaking book. If you're passionate about purpose-driven business and cultural empowerment, this conversation is a must-listen.

Justin Rashidi is the co-founder of SeedX, a global digital agency with over 50 team members and an 8-figure track record of success. Featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, Justin has helped some of the world’s top brands discover and amplify their online voice.In this episode, we dive into Justin’s journey—from starting SeedX with a mission-driven vision to navigating international growth, hiring at scale, and staying ahead in the fast-moving world of digital strategy. He shares hard-earned lessons on leadership, branding, and what it takes to build a company that balances purpose and profit in the digital age.Whether you're building your own brand or scaling a team, this conversation is packed with wisdom and strategy you won't want to miss.