Angel investor Vera Kretschmar knows a speculative fundraising pitch when she sees one. And it’s all good. “If you’re in the business of getting a big valuation for your tech start up and exiting without ever building a product, then that’s fine,” she says. “But it’s not always for me. I look for something more old school – people who believe in their product and have already developed it in some way and shown that it can make money.”

Brands need to be real when looking for venture capital money, adds Vera. “There’s a big difference between being a professional fundraiser and being the passionate founder of a company you are truly invested in,” says the German-born Chinese Indonesian, whose journey through corporate and on to personal entrepreneurial projects has seen her build several successful businesses. “The difference I look for is true passion in a project that has shown its potential through actual results and offers a path for growth,” she says.

As a Managing Director for Singapore-based boutique investment banking advisory firm Ivory Capital Asia, Vera focus on Ivory’s real estate investments and assignments.

“I think there are several ways to look at investing in a company,” says Vera. “You can straight up look at the numbers, but I always look at the founder, and where the business could go. And I typically tend to invest in things that I like.”

Women-Run Start Ups

Included on Vera’s radar are women-run startups. “I feel that it is a little disingenuous to try to promote a business that I have zero knowledge of,” she says. “I prefer to have something to talk about that I’m actually interested in. So I found that, for me, my niche is just things that I personally like.”

These investments to date have included Vie – Live Life Better, founded by Sabrina Villard, which helps users set consistent habits, interprets daily moods and encourages a better mental, emotional and physcial wellbeing throughout the day. “Vie delivers awareness and strategies to make your day better”, says Vera.

“From waking to falling asleep, Vie acts to help you better organise your world as you feel it, prompts you to take actions and make time for yourself. Especially at those times when we all forget to take care of ourselves.”

Fashion brand Perfect Moment is another of her ongoing investments. “Perfect Moment was born in the mountains of Chamonix. It’s a technical sportswear brand masterminded by a former French World Cup skier turned extreme sports filmmaker. Perfect Moment offers high-performance luxury ski wear that makes a major style statement – for perfect moments on the slopes and in the city.”

What She Looks For In A Start-Up

“I have been investing in women-run startups for some time,” says Vera, “because, you know, most of the time it’s the chemical plants that are very boring and unsexy that make money, but I just feel that my strategy is what works for me. If I like the product, my thinking is that others will like it too.”

Foreseeing future trends is also imperative in angel investing, she adds. “If it’s a product that I think is going to be really useful, like, let’s say, plant-based foods, then I can see it will fit with our collective move into a more healthy environment.”

Founders and shareholders are key. “I spend some time with the founders and look at the products,” says Vera. “I’m looking for a good shareholder group that is in tune and passionate about their product. What’s their vision? Does it scan with future trends?”

Best Ways To Seek Investment from An Angel

“There are many ways to approach an angel investor,” says Vera. “What I look for is a general focus on the business first. If you’re looking for risk-loaded venture capital funds, and your primary goal is fundraising for a big market play, then that’s not always for me. But there’s nothing wrong with that. Generally for angel investors that is not key. What is key is a demonstration of the ability of the product to generate revenue based on its appeal in the marketplace.”

How should we approach a pitch to an angel investor? “Whatever you are looking for in terms of investment,” says Vera, “I think the best way to get funding is to be honest, be transparent, and be real with where you are in terms of your product.”

“What’s your go-to-market strategy? How are you going to make money, what are the next stages and who are your partners? Do you know your business inside out, do you know your competitors and your market landscape? How are you going to differentiate yourself in that market, and what’s your strategy for that?”

It’s a cold hard world out there, says Vera. “At the end of the day, I’m risking my money to give it to someone who maybe isn’t risking theirs. So I need to know that the product and strategy are good, that the team is on it, and that they are also invested in the success of the venture. After that I’m in.”

Tucked away in Raleigh, North Carolina, there lies a gem for skincare enthusiasts—Skin&Tonic, a bespoke skincare studio created by the dynamic duo, Lori and Robin. With a combined expertise of over two decades in the skincare industry, these founders have brought their vision to life by establishing a sanctuary dedicated to high-end natural skincare, tailored treatments, and the art of exceptional customer service.

Their philosophy is encapsulated in their motto: “Understanding your skin is our passion. Understanding customer service is our gift.” It’s this ethos that has steered Skin&Tonic towards providing a personalized and innovative approach to skincare. The studio shines in its commitment to pure, potent botanical and marine extracts, meticulously formulated to purify, tone, renew, illuminate, and restore balance to the skin.

At the core of Skin&Tonic’s offerings are their specialized facial spas in Raleigh, which have become a signature of their expertise. Utilizing the potent active ingredients from Biologique Recherche, they deliver tailored facials that include a distinctive bio-reflex facial massage, culminating in custom masks and treatments designed for each client. Beginners to the world of bespoke facials can indulge in the Estheticians Choice, an inviting initiation into the luxury of Biologique Recherche. For those seeking targeted care, options like the Sculpting Facial, the customized Biologique Recherche Facial, the Brightening Facial, and the Peoples Choice Facial await.

Skin&Tonic’s array of beauty treatments extends beyond facials, offering Dermasweep, waxing, and tinting services, positioning them as a purveyor of opulent skincare labels including Biologique Recherche, Suntegrity, and Dermaware.

The cornerstone of their practice is the belief in the uniqueness of each skin type. The Skin&Tonic team of professional estheticians honors this by offering complimentary virtual consultations to tailor skincare routines that meet individual needs, whether it’s combating pigmentation issues, the signs of aging, or dryness.

Their allegiance to natural skincare is embodied in their exclusive use of Biologique Recherche in Raleigh, NC, their luxury brand celebrated for its high concentration of plant, marine, and biotechnological extracts. With an avoidance of synthetic fragrances and a preference for cold processing methods, the studio ensures that the integrity and potency of their products remain uncompromised. Their techniques, including the renowned Remodeling Face® treatment, are designed to amplify the product’s benefits, delivering instantaneous and extraordinary results.

Lori and Robin take immense pride in the lasting bonds they’ve formed with their clientele, some of whom have been loyal patrons since the 90s. Known for their comprehensive and deeply soothing facials, their ultimate reward is witnessing clients achieve their most radiant skin through Skin&Tonic’s bespoke care.

Skin&Tonic is not just a skincare studio—it’s a celebration of the luxury of natural beauty, combining premium brands and specialized techniques with custom skincare routines. The team’s unwavering dedication to understanding each client’s unique skin, combined with their wide range of services, transcends ordinary skincare—it’s an immersive experience that honors the opulence of natural skin health.

Skin&Tonic invites both skincare novices and aficionados to a tranquil space where they can unwind, rejuvenate, and tap into the full potential of their skin. With a genuine passion for skincare and personalized service, Skin&Tonic stands out as a paragon of skincare finesse, beckoning all to experience what they have to offer.

Explore their world at their website or connect with them on Instagram @skinandtonicgirls, and let Skin&Tonic guide you to an elevated skincare experience that awaits those ready to embrace the enchantment they have to offer.

Your employees can make or break the success of your business, which is why it’s crucial to find the right people with the right strengths to contribute to the workplace. But over the past few months, the American labor market has slowed, despite unemployment rates staying low. On average, such conditions see employers add 330,000 positions monthly, resulting in more job opportunities than employees.

When this happens, it can be difficult for companies to seek suitable candidates with the right mix of soft and hard skills, attitude, and drive to contribute to their progress. As such, it’s crucial to strengthen your hiring efforts and attract the right people. Here are some ways you can begin.

Emphasize your company’s values and culture

Nowadays, a company’s values and workplace culture hold greater weight for job seekers. In fact, over 77% of employees said they weigh up workplace culture before seeking work opportunities there. 56% said workplace culture was more crucial to job satisfaction than salary, and 73% said they would only apply to companies whose personal values aligned with theirs. So, for your company to attract the best candidates, it’s crucial to talk about your company ethos in your social media, websites, job postings, and even throughout the application process itself. Advertise it in spaces that your candidates can see when they research your company. This gives you a competitive advantage to attract skilled employees looking for the best workplace environments to grow in.

Offer the right incentives

Another great way to entice suitable candidates is by offering the right incentives. Doing so can encourage better performance by allowing employees to focus on their well-being. More importantly, it helps you stand out even further from your competition in a slow job market by ensuring applicants that you value their overall health. Remember, your incentive package should be customized based on what your employees can benefit from, so it’s good to get their input through company-wide surveys or one-on-one conversations. For instance, research finds that offering a hybrid work schedule is an effective recruiting tool, as it allows employees to have better mental wellness, save time on commute, and develop trust with their employers. Likewise, you should look for benefits your candidates would find helpful today. For instance, you can offer health insurance, professional development opportunities, health and fitness resources, and mental health support—all highly sought after by today’s professionals.

Seek professional recruitment solutions

In a slow job market, it’s crucial to seize every opportunity to upgrade your recruitment methods. This helps you scale up your pool of applicants and heighten efficiency in finding the best possible candidates for the job, all when high-quality prospects are scarce. For this, you can look into professional recruitment solutions whose specialized consultants match you with the right talent and skills anywhere globally. They are crucial to helping you find qualified and diverse candidates, navigate talent and skills shortages, and minimize time-to-hire recruitment costs. That way, you can be assured that your recruitment efforts remain strong and aggressive, even in a slow job market.

Improve your onboarding strategy

To be truly comprehensive, a recruitment strategy should look beyond the application process. That’s why onboarding software like a digital induction program is crucial to attracting and retaining top talent. Your program can involve online portals, virtual tours, and interactive videos that orient workers to your culture, policies, and procedures in a highly interactive way. This makes the first few weeks or months of onboarding structured, allowing new hires to feel that you value their time and are invested in their success. Moreover, it helps them align themselves with your goals, resulting in greater job satisfaction and commitment. By eliminating a lot of the discomfort and uncertainty in the onboarding process, you can reassure applicants at the hiring stage that they will be well-cared for. More importantly, you can avoid losing new hires early on, which can be especially crucial in a slow job market.

Recruiting the right people is crucial to your company’s success. When faced with a slow job market, strengthening your hiring efforts helps you reach the best employees effectively.