VIDEOS
The VC funding model isn't the only way to fund! #business #innovation
Many people think venture capital is the foremost (and most popular) way to fund a startup-- but that's not true! There are a lot of different ways startups get funded. Your funding strategy must match your objectives...
Episode 28 is LIVE and is the 3rd of 6 in the Business Basics Series. It answers the question, "What's the best funding model for startups?"
(use the Video Chapters in the episode's show notes to skip around as needed)
And che…
The strategic case for small businesses to outsource #strategy #business #logistics
"Outsourcing" used to be a scary word, but these days, it's about leveraging OTHER companies' core competencies so you can focus on what YOU do best...
Episode 30 just dropped and it answers the listener question, "What is outsourcing and should all businesses do it?"
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! What is Outsourcing and should all businesses do it? #business #entrepreneur #strategy
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the concept of outsourcing, explaining that every business engages in outsourcing to some extent, emphasizing the importance of leveraging outsourcing to enable businesses to focus on their core competencies: what they do best. The key to outsourcing is being intentional about what stays in-house and what gets handed off. She shares relatable examples from areas like logistics and PR, and walks the listeners through how to de…
New product? Build as much value as possible before seeking funding... #business #innovation
Build the prototype and THEN find funding? Or get funding TO build the prototype? Chicken or the egg?
Well... the goal is actually about VALUE, and there's only one way to get ahead of the game...
Season 3 Episode 27 is part of my Business Basics series where I’m answering a lot of general questions I’ve received in the last two months. Questions include: how a business runs, how to learn about the basics, and how to get savvy about funding in make-sense, easy ways.
Startup funding models are strategic-- many founders focus on tactics #business #innovation
Episode 28 is LIVE and is the 3rd of 6 in the Business Basics Series. It answers the question, "What's the best funding model for startups?"
(use the Video Chapters in the episode's show notes to skip around as needed)
Are you asking the right questions to focus on which funding model is best for your business and product needs?
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer addition…
Why Do So Many Startups Fail? (preview for S3E29!!) #startup #business #entrepreneur
Why DO so many startups fail?
* They run out of cash?
* Poor market fit?
* Bad timing?
* Founder temperament?
Check out Episode 29 that answers the listener question, "Why do so many startups fail?"
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, …
Ask Christa! Why Do So Many Startups Fail?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common question of why so many startups fail. She explores the assumptions about founders, the importance of vision and mission, market fit, business management, and effective leadership in startup success. She discusses how founders are often driven by a deep belief in the vision for their business and mission of their product(s) rather than a tolerance for risk. Christa emphasizes that while startups face numerous chal…
New product and new business? Focus on FUTURE VALUE #business #investing #innovation
Build the prototype and THEN find funding? Or get funding TO build the prototype? Chicken or the egg?
Well... the goal is actually about VALUE, so the answer to the question is...
Season 3 Episode 27 is part of my Business Basics series where I’m answering a lot of general questions I’ve received in the last two months. Questions include: how a business runs, how to learn about the basics, and how to get savvy about funding in make-sense, easy ways.
Check out the ep…
Today's business research is not our grandparents' business research... #business
One of the best ways to learn about business basics is to read articles based on evidence-based research.
While that sounds like a real snoozer, current business research isn't like what it was decades ago-- at least, not "applied research" that focuses on real-world solutions based on real-world studies.
Seek out articles from media that offers evidence-based research in readable ways: Harvard Business Review (don't let the name fool you, the articles are…
The best funding models are the RIGHT funding models #business #innovation
Episode 28 is LIVE and is the 3rd of 6 in the Business Basics Series. It answers the question, "What's the best funding model for startups?"
(use the Video Chapters in the episode's show notes to skip around as needed)
Once you learn about the different funding models, you can begin to narrow in on the right ones for your business...
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer add…
Funding mixes are very prevalent in smart startups-- how many funding models are there? #business
Episode 28 is LIVE and is the 3rd of 6 in the Business Basics Series. It answers the question, "What's the best funding model for startups?"
(use the Video Chapters in the episode's show notes to skip around as needed)
In my experience, many first-time founders or entrepreneurial-curious people interested in learning how to startup a business do not realize the various funding models-- OR that your first consideration should not be how much money you need.…
Ask Christa! What's the best funding model for startups? #startupfunding #innovation #business
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo discusses the various funding models available for startups, understanding which model aligns best with a founder's objectives and business goals. She reviews the misconceptions surrounding funding, the significance of ownership and leverage, and the complexity of products in determining funding needs. She also highlights the common misconception that venture capital is the only funding option and encourages entrepreneurs to expl…
Learn about business through TV shows that focus on recovery! (no, not Shark Tank...) #business
Tabatha's Take Over (oldie but goodie!), Bar Rescue... even Undercover Boss.... to learn about business QUICKLY, go for the TV shows that focus on RECOVERING a business...
Episode 26 just dropped, and it's part of my "Business Basics" series. Similar to my "Strategy Series" from season 1, this series consolidates a lot of questions I've received about learning the basics: how to learn about business, what funding models mean, why businesses fail-- e…
New product idea? Time to think about PROTECTION!!! #business #investing #innovation
Build the prototype and THEN find funding? Or get funding TO build the prototype? Chicken or the egg?
Well... the goal is actually about VALUE, and a big part of value is assuring you have freedom to operate-- you are free to make the claim that your product (and all parts of your product) are YOURS...
Season 3 Episode 27 is part of my Business Basics series where I’m answering a lot of general questions I’ve received in the last two months. Questions include: how a business…
Ask Christa! Business Basics Series (1/6) Is the Product or the Money More Important? #business
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's dilemma about whether to prioritize product development or seek funding for a prototype. She emphasizes the importance of understanding market research, protecting intellectual property, and building value before approaching investors. That puts you in a position of strength. The conversation explores various funding strategies, including seed funding and the significance of prototypes in demonstrating prod…
De-risking your business increases its value, and funding is about value... #funding #business
Build the prototype and THEN find funding? Or get funding TO build the prototype? Chicken or the egg?
Well... the goal is actually about VALUE, so the answer might surprise you...
This is the listener question for Season 3 Episode 27, which is part of my Business Basics series where I’m answering a lot of general questions I’ve received in the last two months. Questions include: how a business runs, how to learn about the basics, and how to get savvy about funding in make-sen…
Learn about business through reading about businesses that recover... #business
There's no better way to learn a trade than by fixing problems after you have the basics down....
Episode 26 just dropped, and it's part of my "Business Basics" series. Similar to my "Strategy Series" from season 1, this series consolidates a lot of questions I've received about learning the basics: how to learn about business, what funding models mean, why businesses fail-- even what outsourcing means and why it matters.
Episode 26 listen…
Business isn't a difficult subject to learn... (the hard part is the people part)... #business
You know what’s hard about business? People. And yet, business is all about people—your customers, your team, fellow employees-- even the difficult ones.
Season 3 Episode 25 is LIVE and answers the listener question, “How Can I Feel Less Intimidated by Business?”
As part of my answer, I explain why mastering human dynamics is the most underrated (and essential) business skill, yet very few think about it that way—and this skill often drives how much you actually understand a…
Management isn't for everyone, and that's OK-- it isn't the only career path! #business #management
Episode 23 of Ask Christa! is LIVE and answers the listener question, "What Are the Top Skills of Effective Managers?"
(it's not what you think...)
And btw: management isn't for everyone. If you want to go fast, if you want to make quick decisions, if the thought of working through team conflict and sitting with team members 1:1 to discuss their career paths or performance, then you'll quickly languish and burn out in a management role.
Gone a…
Business isn't just for "Business People" (and who are "Business People" anyway?) #business
If you’ve ever said, “I’m not a business person,”—pause and ask yourself why not?
I’m challenging the labels we give ourselves, and I’m on a mission to break down the myth that business belongs to a select few. It's amazing how many times I hear people who think they aren't business people perpetuate that myth (all on their own).
Whether you’re in science, engineering, manufacturing, various trades, postal services, or anything else—you’re likely more of a business…
Want to learn the basics of business? Look around you.... #business #learning
Episode 26 just dropped, and it's part of my "Business Basics" series. Similar to my "Strategy Series" from season 1, this series consolidates a lot of questions I've received about learning the basics: how to learn about business, what funding models mean, why businesses fail-- even what outsourcing means and why it matters.
Episode 26 listeners submitted questions asking "How can I learn about business basics?" and a lot of my answers is abou…
Ask Christa! How do I learn about business basics? #business
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, host Christa Dhimo introduces a new series focused on business basics, addressing common questions about how to learn about business. The episode itself explores the fundamentals of learning about business. She emphasizes the importance of understanding personal learning objectives and how they shape the learning process. She emphasizes the importance of understanding personal learning objectives and suggests various resources and methods for acqui…
Being a manager is a tough job-- companies need to select and prepare better!! #business
Episode 23 of Ask Christa! is LIVE and answers the listener question, "What Are the Top Skills of Effective Managers?"
(it's not what you think...)
AND... companies shouldn't take this role for granted. SELECT the right people, TRAIN them, and SUPPORT them!!!
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
© 2025 Christa Dhimo in partnership with Impono LLC and 21st Century Strategies. Ask Chris…
You don't need an MBA to understand business you need curiosity #business #professionaldevelopment
You don’t need an MBA to understand business. Most people picture spreadsheets, complex modeling, and endless meetings—but real business skills show up in everyday life.
If you’ve ever organized a fundraiser, managed a budget, or helped someone take a leap—you’re already practicing core business principles.
Season 3 Episode 25 is LIVE and answers the listener question, “How Can I Feel Less Intimidated by Business?”
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review t…