86. Breaking Barriers and Creating Space: Helene Servillon's Journey in Entrepreneurship

Helene Servillon is a first generation Filipino-American from San Francisco that is a multi-faceted entrepreneur, operator and venture capitalist across emerging industries. She is a Founding Partner of JourneyOne Ventures, a 100% woman and minority-owned cannabis and psychedelics fund who was named a top global exec to watch in the cannabis industry by Benzinga. Outside of JourneyOne, Helene is a Senior Advisor at Bowen, a growth tech investment bank with a 20 year track record in M&A. She also spends her time advising women-led companies and entrepreneur organizations.    We discuss empowering women through an AAPI lens and the importance of creating our own space. Helene shares her Filipino heritage and the challenges of being a first-generation Filipino in San Francisco and navigating a space that is mostly white and male dominated. Join us for this insightful conversation as we dive into her incredible career and experiences.    Five golden nuggets on how to get started as an investor: Listen to Podcasts: There's a wealth of free information available through podcasts. Engage with podcasts like "20 Minute VC" by Harry Stebbing and "Starting Greatness" by Mike Maples, Jr., which interview various investors and provide insights into their investment journeys. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: Know your strengths and weaknesses as an investor. If you have expertise in a specific sector, follow newsletters, LinkedIn profiles, and Twitter accounts of venture funds and partners who invest in that sector to stay updated on their investments and insights. Scout Programs: Some venture funds offer Scout programs, where individuals with specialized networks or industry expertise can become scouts. You can introduce potential founders to the fund, and if an investment is made, you could receive compensation and potential future profit from the company. Networking: Networking is a crucial aspect of being a successful venture capitalist investor. Attend industry events like startup tech weeks or tech events in your city to build connections and make yourself known within the startup and investing community. Pay It Forward: Always be willing to help others in the industry. If someone is kind and helpful to you, offer assistance in return. Building a reputation for being helpful and collaborative can benefit your network and reputation as an investor. Connect with Herlene: LinkedIn: Helene Servillon Twitter: @HServillon Instagram: @yahuh431   Connect with JourneyOne Social: Website: JourneyOne Ventures Newsletter: JourneyOne Ventures The Roll Up LinkedIn: JourneyOne Ventures Twitter: @JourneyOneVC Instagram: @journeyone.vc Connect with me: Email: [email protected] Business Website: www.donutprincessla.com YouTube: Mayly Tao / DONUT PRINCESS LA Instagram: @donutprincessla / @maylytao Facebook: Donut Princess Los Angeles Twitter: Donut Princess LA  Tiktok: teochewdaily LinkedIn: Mayly Tao Apple Podcast: Short N' Sweet: A Donut Princess Podcast  *Help me self-publish my mom’s book about her journey to America: https://gofund.me/e2569649 *Watch the Donut King Film here: thedonutkingfilm.com (also available on Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon Prime Now)  

Om Podcasten

Mayly Tao is a Teochew, Khmer, and Thai first generation Asian American woman based out of Southern California who is the host of Short & Sweet Podcast. She explores themes relating to women empowerment, entrepreneurs, and uplifting and highlighting AAPI stories. She shares a fresh outlook on a variety of topics, sharing anecdotes regarding small business, systems, branding, and partnerships from her experience of owning her own bakery and multiple businesses. She brings on guests in a variety of industries, including women in tech, cannabis, philanthropy, and much more. At the end of her podcast, she has her guests share five golden nuggets or takeaway messages to her listeners. You can support her here: https://linktr.ee/maylytao Mayly Tao is LA’s self-proclaimed Donut Princess, owner of Donut Princess Los Angeles, a donut bouquet delivery concept. You can find her ”Securing the Box” at @donutprincessla. She stars in the Donut King Documentary, as seen on Hulu and across domestic flights across the US. Her uncle, Ted Ngoy, sponsored hundreds of Cambodians to come to America and helped them manage and own their own donut shops. She also has her own YouTube where she visits Cambodian-owned donut shops and highlights their stories. She hopes to elevate Asian American voices and representation and vows to create a legacy for the next generation of Asian Americans.