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

Short N' Sweet: A Donut Princess Podcast

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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: [e-mail]

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)