.png)
.png)
““You're not trying to convert the skeptics, you're looking for the believers.” - Katie Shea
Raising capital can feel like the ultimate courtship process and Katie Shea has all the tea on making your business the belle of the ball every fundraising season. Before having an investment portfolio valued at over 6 Billion USD, Katie started her career by co-founding a manufacturing company from her NYU dorm room, that went on to have best-selling brands at Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, and even more global retail locations. Now Katie is the Founder and General Partner of Divergent Capital, a $30 Million early-stage venture fund. If you ask Katie, she feels like the entrepreneurial impulse has to be in her blood because trusting her instincts while building these ecosystems through VC and angel investing has been one of her greatest assets. In today's episode, we sit down with Katie Shea to discuss her incredible Founder’s journey and what she believes every Entreprenista looking to raise capital or build a more scalable business should know. She shares what VCs are currently looking for founders, the importance of effective communication, the benefits of co-founding from an investor's perspective, hitting profitability faster, keeping your circle of champion investors excited about your business, and more!
Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show!, Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!
Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results?
Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and MORE!
Whether you’re looking to scale your existing business and want to make the right connections, or you’re thinking about finally taking the leap to launch your business, we’re here to give you access to a community of women who will celebrate and support you every step of the way.
Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!
Become An Entreprenista!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. . If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay
Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, and LinkedIn and for more exclusive content, tips, and insight, join our community of founders right here.
Guests
Katie Shea
General Partner of Divergent Capital
Hosts
Stephanie Cartin
Stephanie Cartin is a serial entrepreneur, investor, podcast host, community builder, and a champion for women founders. She created the Entreprenista League, a community for women founders, to provide resources and support necessary at all business stages. She’s also the Co-founder of Socialfly, one of the first social media marketing agencies, as well as Entreprenista Media and Pearl Influential Capital which was recently acquired by Cherub. Stephanie has shared her journey managing her health challenges with Multiple Sclerosis, Infertility, and a complicated pregnancy and is an advocate for women going through similar challenges. Her story and businesses have been featured on the Today Show, Bloomberg and Forbes. Consider Stephanie your biggest business cheerleader.
Courtney Spritzer
Courtney Spritzer is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, author, and community builder with a passion for creating brands and platforms that empower women to lead, grow, and thrive.
In 2012, she co-founded Socialfly, a leading social-first digital and influencer marketing agency. Over the course of a decade, she helped scale the business into an award-winning agency working with Fortune 500 brands and emerging startups, building a powerhouse team and culture along the way. In 2024, Socialfly was acquired.
In 2018, Courtney launched the Entreprenista Podcast to spotlight the stories of inspiring women founders. That passion evolved into Entreprenista Media in 2021, a media platform and community supporting women entrepreneurs at every stage of growth. She now co-leads the continued expansion of The Entreprenista League, a membership-driven community and ecosystem for founders.
As an angel investor, Courtney supports female-led and mission-driven startups aligned with her vision for a more inclusive and equitable business landscape.
She is the co-author of Like, Love, Follow: The Entreprenista’s Guide to Using Social Media to Grow Your Business (2015), a strategic guide for leveraging social platforms to drive business success.
Her work and ventures have been featured in Bloomberg, Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, and The New York Times. She is committed to championing visionary founders and helping build the next generation of impactful, community-driven businesses.
Join 2,000+ supportive, ambitious founders in the
Highlights
The Latest
The Entrepreneur’s Holiday Dilemma: Setting Boundaries Without the Guilt
Women entrepreneurs face heightened stress at year-end as they juggle business demands, family obligations, and social expectations, often leading to burnout and feelings of inadequacy. Establishing healthy boundaries becomes a critical mental health practice that protects energy, reduces guilt, and models sustainable leadership.
