Yvonne is an angel- an angel investor that is. 💸
One of Forbes' '8 Venture Capital Investors to Watch in 2021,' and listed on Forbes’ '30 Under 30 Europe Finance List,' it's safe to say Yvonne knows her industry inside and out.
With her years of experience in investing and finance, Yvonne is now a Founding Member and Principal at Impact X Capital.
At Impact X Capital, Yvonne and her team strive to invest in underrepresented groups. With only 1% of funding going towards Black entrepreneurs, Yvonne and her team work hard to ensure that the industry is diverse and inclusive.
So, let’s take a closer look at her career to learn about her journey to success!
After reading, you’ll:
Learn the best way to get your business off the ground and stand out💡
Learn how to use your strengths to propel yourself forward 💡
Learn how to stay ahead of the game, and be ready for anything 💡
People Are Key 🔑
Yvonne is a keen advocate in the power of people. Working with others, building relationships, and networking are key to Yvonne’s success.
Network, Network, Network!
Searching for funding and support to help get your business the success it deserves can be hard. Some are lucky to be introduced to investors, but for others, cold-calling is the way forward. This can feel like you’re one of a thousand emails sitting in an inbox. But, Yvonne highlights that being strategic in your messaging is key.
Networking doesn’t have to be face to face in a room full of people- it can be online! 🖥️
Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn are great ways of getting in touch with Yvonne. Reach out to people by sending a friendly message!
“I like to think of myself as an extended member of the team!” Yvonne tells us. So, build and nurture a relationship with your investors. They’re not only investing in your business, they’re investing in you.
Sending that first message
‘But I don’t know what to say in my first message!’ I hear you cry, no problem! Yvonne points out that you can start a conversation by sending a compliment! Simple!
Yvonne’s tip is to take an active interest in who you’re contacting- research them, be specific. Maybe you’ve seen they’re interested in companies like your own- use that as your starting point and go from there!
But don’t wait till your funds hit zero- reach out to investors as early on as possible. Yvonne’s firm- Impact X Capital has a form on their website where you can get in touch with them to get the support you need. Remember- it’s never too early to build a relationship.
Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back
As an introvert, Yvonne is no stranger to the daunting prospect of networking.
In a people focused industry, Yvonne realised relationships would be a large part of her job. She would have to build relationships with people to succeed. For Yvonne, this was a step out of her comfort zone.
But it worked.
Stepping out of her comfort zone and building those relationships brought Yvonne success.
The Power of You
Yvonne credits her success today to the relationships she's built over the years. But it is also down to her ability to realise her own unlikely ‘superpowers’ that make her stand out!
Different is your Superpower 💥
Yvonne started her career in investment banking - but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she didn’t fit in. Being told to show aggression in her role didn't sit well with her. So, Yvonne made the difficult decision to leave investment banking behind.
But, feeling like she was different was a good thing. Yvonne wasn’t aggressive- she was empathetic, and this was her superpower. 💪
By embracing and accepting who she is, Yvonne was able to succeed in her career. Yvonne’s empathy allows her to align herself with entrepreneurs.
Her superpower allows her to succeed in her job.
Learning to embrace who you are is the first step to standing out in a competitive field.
Mistakes and Risks are a part of life
We’re often told to be careful in life, to err on the side of caution. But this can sometimes hold us back. Sometimes a calculated risk is necessary. Yvonne tells us that taking risks can be powerful. A calculated risk taken in your 20s has less of a knock on effect compared to a risk taken later in your life.
And remember- you can always go back to where you started if it doesn’t work out- mistakes are a part of life. So, what are you waiting for?
Stay one step ahead
Climbing to the top of your field doesn’t come without hard work. But how do you stay at the top of your field? ❓
Stay Curious
The phrase ‘curiosity killed the cat’ warns us that curiosity can be dangerous. But did you know there's a second half of the phrase? 'Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.' The complete phrase tells us how powerful curiosity can be- it can revive you.
For Yvonne, staying curious is powerful. She does so by ensuring she carves out time to learn about her field through research and reading.
Yvonne's latest interests- NFTs and e-commerce are growing fast. But Yvonne knew this early on because she took the time to read and research ahead of everyone else. Her curiosity is paying off today.
So, keep learning, stay curious, and soak up information from a range of different sources.
How to use your time
The global pandemic has changed how we work. It can be very easy to slip into the habit of being chained to our desk and screens for hours.
But it’s also important to remember to take time away from your work. This doesn’t have to mean taking a whole week off, but Yvonne suggests that being intentional with your time is key. ⏳
Yvonne has found using time wisely can make all the difference. Not everything has to be a Zoom call- you can email if needed, people will understand. Try setting time aside for emails and calls to get through them all at once.
Why self-care is important
Making time for yourself is something that Yvonne has found to help her stay at her peak performance.
Hustle culture tells us to work 24/7. But you can’t perform at your best if your tank is running on empty- this is why self-care is important. 💖
Self-care looks different to everyone. For some, it may be spending time with loved ones, for others it could be taking a walk and getting fresh air. Yvonne likes to spend her downtime reading. Whatever it is, set aside time for yourself to do what you love and you will reap the benefits.