Building Confidence in Entrepreneurship with Shruti Shah

8/5/25
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Are you ready to scale your business and attract the right investors? Do you know how to build confidence as a founder and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship? In this episode of DO GOOD X, Kimberly and Stephen are joined by Shruti Shah, a partner at Symphonic Capital, who shares her expertise on funding, exit strategy, and leadership. With her unique lens as both a founder and investor, Shruti offers valuable insights on how to build a successful business that makes a positive impact.

In This Episode

  • (00:00) Kimberly and Stephen discuss highlights of conversation with Shruti Shah
  • (06:27) Shruti’s journey into her current career
  • (08:06) Introducing the DO GOOD X Mastermind Retreat
  • (08:22) Deciding on an exit strategy and different funding options
  • (12:51) Exploring funding options for early-stage startups
  • (14:00) Accelerator programs are valuable, and testing your product or service
  • (17:28) How much to spend on a prototype to test a product

Key Takeaways

  • Confidence is built through navigating hard times, and reflecting on past experiences can help entrepreneurs develop the resilience they need to succeed.
  • Investors who bring empathy and understanding to the table can be invaluable to founders.
  • Entrepreneurs should carefully consider their exit strategy and funding options, determining the type of investment that best suits their business.

Resources

About The Hosts

Kimberly R. Daniel

Kimberly R. Daniel empowers entrepreneurs and organizations to make a positive impact. She is co-founder and project director of DO GOOD X, a community that provides programs and support for faith-driven social entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on positive change. Kimberly also helps purpose-driven organizations clarify and design compelling brand and communication strategies. 

With over 15 years of experience in developing and leading communications efforts, she is committed to creating effective processes and authentic, “sticky” community-centered brands. In addition, Kimberly has nearly ten years of experience as a certified life coach. She has facilitated workshops, spoken to communities, and written about innovation and entrepreneurship with a focus on social impact. She co-authored A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation (2021). 

She is deeply passionate about purpose, meaning, and the common good in any aspect of her work.

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Stephen Lewis

Stephen Lewis is the president of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) and the creator and co-founder of DO GOOD X. This community provides programs and support for faith-driven social entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on positive change.

He is an organizational change strategist and leadership development specialist focused on inspiring the next generation of faith-inspired leaders and entrepreneurs to live and work purposefully. Stephen co-authored "Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose" (2020) and "A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation" (2021).

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Guests

Shruti Shah

Shruti Shah is a partner at Symphonic Capital, a pre-seed investment fund, and has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, advisor, and investor. She was previously an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Nike and Silicon Valley Bank. She co-founded Move Loot, a Y Combinator-backed marketplace for buying and selling used furniture that raised $22 million. Forbes has recognized Shruti as a 2016 30 Under 30 honoree in Retail and E-Commerce and by the Aspen Institute as an Aspen Ideas Festival Scholar. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina and an MS in Education from Johns Hopkins University.