In this conversation, Jason Burke interviews Mike Fata, an accomplished entrepreneur and investor, discussing his journey from being a 300-pound teenager to a successful business leader. They explore the importance of health and wellness in entrepreneurship, the investor's perspective on business growth, and the intricacies of valuation and pitch decks. Mike shares valuable insights on how to navigate the fundraising process, emphasizing the need for clarity in revenue reporting and the significance of building relationships with investors before seeking capital. The discussion highlights the importance of a healthy lifestyle for entrepreneurs and the need for a structured approach to fundraising.

Takeaways

• Mike Fata's journey began with a personal health transformation.
• Building a business takes time; it's a marathon, not a sprint.
• Health and wellness are crucial for sustained entrepreneurial success.
• Investors prefer entrepreneurs who are in it for the long haul.
• Valuation is complex and depends on various market factors.
• Pitch decks should be simple and to the point.
• Networking with investors before needing capital is essential.
• Understanding net revenue is critical for entrepreneurs.
• Investing in products you believe in can lead to better outcomes.
• A structured fundraising process can alleviate distractions from running a business.

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and one of the sharpest minds in the space — Denise Lambertson, founder of Constellation Capital. Denise shares how she went from being Madonna’s executive assistant to pioneering celebrity equity deals and eventually launching her own CPG venture fund.

We talk about:

• her one-of-a-kind path into investing
• how she thinks about product, marketing, and valuation
• why more women need to be at the table as both GPs and LPs.

If you’re raising money or thinking about what makes a great brand, this one is a must-listen.

Constellation Capital's Website

Jason's Website

This episode is everything I wish more founders knew about fundraising—from why net sales matter more than gross to how valuations are actually shaped (spoiler: it’s not just about your revenue multiple). We talk about the mindset it takes to build a brand that lasts, how to stay focused when the market is noisy, and why so many founders get stuck chasing exits instead of building businesses.

Whether you’re getting ready to raise or still in the messy middle, Rodney brings two decades of honest, no-BS insight. This conversation is one I wish I had ten years ago—and I think a lot of founders will feel the same.