Biz Builder Mike

You can't sail Today's boat on Yesterdays wind - Michael Noel

Social Network for Entrepreneurs, Investors, & Freelancers “Entre” Now Seeking Funding on WeFunder

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Entre, a U.S.-based social network for entrepreneurs, investors, and freelancers, is now seeking a max of $1 million in funding through its Wefunder campaign. Founded in 2018, Entre describes itself as a platform for entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and build. The platform’s community has more than 11,000 entrepreneurs from all over the world.

“Entre is designed to help every new, young and growing entrepreneur. We have created an all-in-one platform for everyone to connect with other like minded individuals, start businesses, find partners/employees, and develop their businesses on our platform as well using our software services.”

Entre further explained that it is on a mission to be the largest network of entrepreneurs in the world and make entrepreneurship accessible to anyone. 

“Our mobile and web app was created to be this home for the Future of Work so everyone can connect in one place. Think of us as the new alternative to Linkedin for anyone who is or wants to be self-employed.”

Entre noted that within the next five years it wishes to have a complete suite of apps and software to help people start and grow their businesses. Funds from the WeFunder campaign will be used to scale the mobile & web app and add more advanced features like bookings and video streaming:

  • $520,000: Team, Developers, Designers, and Technology Development
  • $200,000: Operating Expenses, Customer Support, and App Servers
  • $200,000: Marketing, PR, Advertising & Partnerships
  • $107,200: Events, Content Creation, Video Equipment, and Production
  • $42,800: Wefunder intermediary fee

So far, Entre has raised more than $33,000 from nearly 30 WeFunder investors. The company currently has a $7 million valuation cap, with a 20% discount.

Have a crowdfunding offering you’d like to share? Submit an offering for consideration using our Submit a Tip form and we may share it on our site!

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A Day in the Life of Entrepreneur Kelly MacPepple, CEO of Scents & Style

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Running your own business is no easy feat. It takes a healthy dose of passion, discipline, and commitment. Ever wondered what a day in the life of a business owner and founder is like? We’re here to give you a glimpse! This week, we shine the spotlight on UK-based entrepreneur Kelly MacPepple, an economist-turned-fashion entrepreneur, who recently launched an exciting campaign for her new line of eco-conscious hair perfumes Scents & Style.

Read on to see how she spends an entire day, running her popular crowdfunding campaign, and juggling it with her day-to-day tasks like managing her social media audience on YouTube and Instagram. Then scroll down for a brief Q&A to get to know her better and get inspired!

5 A.M. Usually I wake up 4:45 AM most days. I meditate for 10 minutes, write down 3 things I am grateful for, and journal for 20-30minutes. Then I dress up in my running kit and go for a 3km brisk walk or a 1km run if I am pressed for time. I use this time to set intentions, work on my mindset or listen to some self-motivation.

6 A.M. Drink my lemon + ACV + ginger or green tea unfailingly; I take a shower, dress up + makeup; review my plan for the morning and start my day.

7 A.M. Learn something for the day! I normally have a plethora of things I am learning so each week I focus on one area to strengthen. Send messages to members of my team to remind them of things we need for the day. Wake the kids up to get ready for school. Get the kids breakfast ready

8 A.M. Drop kids off at school and I am back to work.

9 A.M. This is crucial uninterrupted work time for me unplugged from social media and phone calls. Work may vary from Design to Content Strategy to Analytics. No one day is the same.

2 P.M. Respond to emails if I haven’t done so already. Prepare to pick kids up from school.

3 P.M. Pick kids up from school. Prep their meal. Go through their day and check their school bags for homework.

4 P.M. Most of my meetings usually fall around this time. I also take a little time to brainstorm and strategize.

5 P.M. I plan for the next day. I write down 1-3 things that I need to accomplish the next day. I try to be accountable to myself and review what I struggled with earlier in the day. 

6 P.M. Time with the kids and husband, relaxing, homework and preparing for the next day.

7 P.M. Dinner and bedtime for the kids.

8 P.M. Watch something fun on YouTube or Hayu if I accomplished the days work. Final wind down for the day. I like to end my day with a positive mindset and let go of any failures, disappointments or challenges of the day. I end my day with gratitude and sometimes inspirational content.

9 P.M. Off to bed. I aim to get 8 hours sleep daily.

10 P.M. Fast asleep in a faraway land….

Now that you’ve gotten a glimpse of what her day is like, get more inspiration in our exclusive Q&A with her below!

INDIEGOGO: How did you become an entrepreneur? 

KELLY MACPEPPLE: I was unfulfilled at work and after going through a low-point in my life on completion of my Ph.D., I decided to explore my creative side which I have ignored for years and only used in my leisure. I wanted to pursue and utilize my creativity in a way that inspires others and changes lives for the better. I stumbled on Perfumery as I was studying Hair and Skin care formulations for different hair and skin types. I thought to myself, this could be an opportunity to create a collection of Perfumes for women that helps set their day up for success.

I never saw myself as an entrepreneur for a long time because I am multi-passionate, very excited to learn new things and I thought I had to stick to one thing to be successful as an entrepreneur. Now I know that I am ideal for Entrepreneurship because my Creativity has an outlet, I am constantly learning which fuels me, and I can use my knowledge and experience of Economics to help me build a Business and Brand.

INDIEGOGO: What makes your Indiegogo project unique? 

KELLY: We are the first Hair Perfume crowdfunding campaign to launch on Indiegogo. Our Perfumes have a purpose. They are designed to beautify women’s bodies and mind and created to achieve just that. Most Perfumes are made using alcohols that are drying to the hair and skin and recent Hair Perfumes in the market still use alcohols in them. Our perfumes are 100% alcohol free so you avoid spilt ends, breakage and any damage to your hair and skin. We use a dry oil base that evaporates very quickly into the hair and skin while nourishing it. This means the perfumes last longer than other perfumes and you stay smelling amazing for longer. Our perfumes are also designed using essential oils that have mood-enhancing properties so that the wearer embodies the qualities of each perfume on a daily basis.

INDIEGOGO: What’s your biggest piece of advice for women who want to start their own business?

KELLY: Do it already! There is never a perfect time, there will always be something that requires your attention especially if you are juggling a family but remember ‘why’ you are starting your business. Get the right support system around you because you will need it. You need the right mindset for Entrepreneurship so learn as much as you can, get mentors and remember that you are investing in yourself as much as you are investing in your business. Think about how differently life would be for you and your family when you are doing something you love and are passionate about. It can help you through the difficult days. You are changing the world for the better by the products and services you offer so never belittle your contribution. You can do it!  Bet on YOU!

INDIEGOGO: What tools (i.e.gadgets, apps, books, podcasts) would you recommend to anyone starting their own business, crowdfunding campaign, or project? 

KELLY: Time management apps like Pomodoro. Scheduling apps like Google Calendar and Asana. Books like Blue Ocean Strategy by Renee Mauborgne and W.Chan Kim, 12 Months to $1 Million by Ryan Daniel Moran, and Three Simple Steps by Trevor Blake. I listen to the Crowdcrux podcast.

INDIEGOGO: What’s your favorite Indiegogo campaign, or a campaign you’ve recently supported?

KELLY: TOOYN – The One Charger for All Apple Devices. I use a lot of Apple products so it was a no brainer to support this campaign.

To support Scents & Style, check out the Indiegogo campaign page.

To learn more about Kelly MacPepple, follow on Instagram and YouTube.

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China: WeiyangX Fintech Review

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CBIRC: Increasing Efforts to Crack Down on New Types of Illegal Commercial Insurance Activities

Recently, the Anti-Illegal Financial Activities Bureau of China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) published an article entitled “Analysis of Illegal Commercial Insurance Activities and Regulatory Suggestions” in “Observation of Insurance Risk”.

As noted in the article, with the advancement of internet technology and third-party payment in recent years, the technical threshold for the establishment of related websites and APP platforms has been greatly reduced. This has led to the rapid development of illegal commercial insurance, and many third-party network platforms of information technology intermediary services are engaged in illegal insurance intermediary businesses. Therefore, in order to better protect the consumers, the article called for clarifying the regulatory body and regulatory standards for these new types of illegal online businesses in the future. (Source: Observation of Insurance Risk)

China’s Digital Economy Reaches ¥35.8 Trillion in 2019

On September 10th, the Cyberspace Administration of China released the “Report of Digital China Development (2019)”.

According to the report, China’s digital economy registered ¥35.8 trillion ($5.07 trillion) in 2019, accounting for 36.2% of China’s GDP and 67.7% of GDP growth.

The structure of the digital economy continues to be optimized and upgraded, and the added value of industrial digitalization accounts for 80.2% of the digital economy. (Source: Cyberspace Administration of China)

Jniu Technology Completes ¥35 million Pre-A Round of Financing

On September 11th, smart insurance brokerage service provider, Jniu Technology, was reported to have secured a ¥35 million Pre-A round of financing. The investment was provided by Sequoia Capital China and Eminence Ventures.

Established in 2019, Jniu empowers traditional life insurance companies’ personal insurance and insurance intermediary markets through agent operations, and help establish digital operating systems, distribution systems and supply-chain capabilities. (Source: ebrun)

Lithuania Plans to Establish Bilateral Fintech Cooperation with Hainan Province

On September 9th, an academic seminar themed “China-Europe Digital Securities and Open Finance” was held in Hainan Resort Software Community (RSC). Officers from Hainan RSC introduced the development of the park and related policies of Hainan Free Trade Port.

The Hainan FTP will offer zero tariffs, low tax rates, simplified taxation and other policy supports for trade, investment, cross-border capital flows, transportation, and safe and orderly flow of data.

Sankauskas Andrius, Senior Commercial Counselor of the Republic of Lithuania in China, said that this is in line with the EU’s policy and the cooperation between the two sides will have a more consistent policy environment.

In April 2021, Lithuania will lead global fintech companies to come to Hainan to participate in the “Hainan Fintech Week”, and plan to establish a bilateral fintech cooperation relationship between Lithuania and Hainan. (Source: Hainan Daily)

The above is a weekly synopsis of the biggest stories on Fintech in China provided by WeiyangX, part of Tsinghua University, in partnership with Crowdfund Insider.

WeiyangX is the most influential website focusing on Fintech in China. The site covers the latest news, industry data analysis, business practices, and in-depth Fintech cases in Fintech. WeiyangX is incubated by Fintech Lab. Founded by Tsinghua University’s People’s Bank of China (PBC) School of Finance in 2012, the Fintech Lab is the first and leading research entity dedicated to leading best practices, promoting interdisciplinary innovation, and encouraging entrepreneurship in the field of fintech through scientific research and innovative project incubation.

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