Navigating Capital As A Woman: Natalie Dolphin Of HLTH Communications On Top Strategies for Women Founders, CEOs and Leaders Seeking Institutional Investments
An Interview with Vanessa Ogle
Build a Resilient and Knowledgeable Team: Investors look for strong teams capable of executing the business plan. Highlight the skills and experiences of your team members to demonstrate your capacity for success.
Despite making remarkable strides in the business world, women continue to face unique challenges when seeking institutional investment. In this series we would like to discuss the process of securing capital from institutional investors, and provide actionable strategies to help women founders, CEOs, and leaders navigate this critical aspect of business growth successfully. I had the pleasure of interviewing Natalie Dolphin.
Natalie Dolphin, with over 15 years of experience in marketing, business development, and capital markets, has held key managerial roles at both private and public companies, including the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). As VP of Marketing & Investment Relations at Wellbeing Digital Sciences and former Director of Marketing at MagicMed Industries, she has proven her ability to raise capital, securing $6.7M USD for HLTH Communication clients in Q1 2024 alone. Her career highlights her strong expertise in driving business growth and investment through strategic marketing and financial stewardship.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
Absolutely! My journey in the healthcare communications field began with a deep interest in the intersection of healthcare innovation and strategic communications. I have over 15 years of experience in marketing, business development, and capital markets, and I’ve always been driven by a passion for helping biotech and health companies tell their stories effectively. My career path was shaped by roles that allowed me to bridge the gap between technical advancements and market opportunities, leading to the founding of HLTH Communications alongside my business partner Kristina Spionjak.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
One of the most fascinating experiences was working with a company that pioneered a groundbreaking treatment in neuropsychiatry. Seeing how our strategic communications helped bring their innovation to the forefront of industry conversations and led to significant investment was incredibly rewarding. It highlighted the power of effective storytelling in driving business success.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Early in my career, I once confused the names of two clients during a major presentation. It was a lighthearted moment, but it taught me the importance of preparation and attention to detail. Now, I double-check everything before any significant meeting or presentation.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
My very first job out of university was at a small boutique investment firm. At the time, I was unsure of what career path I wanted to pursue. However, the CEO of the firm recognized my potential and pushed me toward a career in finance. Their belief in my abilities and encouragement to take on challenging roles was pivotal in my development. This support not only boosted my confidence but also set me on the path that ultimately led me to co-found HLTH Communications. This early mentorship was instrumental in my growth and success.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
“The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries had a significant impact on me. It resonated with me because it emphasizes the importance of innovation and adaptability in building successful businesses. The principles of testing and iterating on ideas quickly have been fundamental in guiding how we approach projects at HLTH.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
At HLTH Communications, we are committed to promoting healthcare innovations that improve lives. By supporting companies focused on mental health, neuroscience, and longevity, we aim to advance public understanding and acceptance of groundbreaking treatments.
What do you think needs to change in the investment landscape to support more women entrepreneurs?
To support more women entrepreneurs, the investment landscape needs to embrace diversity and inclusivity more actively. This involves fostering environments that encourage women’s participation and ensuring equal access to funding opportunities. Probably the most important note: It’s absolutely essential for women to support each other, as collaboration and mutual encouragement can help overcome the competitive and sometimes critical dynamics that arise when individuals feel they have something to prove. Mentorship and networking platforms tailored to women can play a crucial role in building supportive communities that empower female entrepreneurs to succeed.
Can you share a defining moment in your journey to secure institutional investment? What was a key lesson you learned from that experience that other women can apply in their funding efforts?
A defining moment was when we secured $6.7M in investment for a client in Q1 2024. The key lesson was the importance of building strong relationships with investors and strategic partners through transparency and consistent communication. This experience underscored the value of being prepared and understanding not only investors’ needs but also the benefits of aligning with partners who can provide complementary strengths and opportunities for growth. Establishing these connections helps create a robust support network that can significantly enhance business success.
In your experience, what key factors do institutional investors look for in women-led startups that may differ from their general investment criteria?
Institutional investors often look for women-led startups that demonstrate resilience, a unique value proposition, and strong leadership. They also value startups that can articulate their impact and growth potential clearly. Being able to showcase these attributes can set women entrepreneurs apart.
How do you build and leverage networks to gain access to institutional investors interested in supporting women-led businesses?
Building and leveraging networks involves actively participating in industry events, engaging in thought leadership, and collaborating with organizations that support women in business. Creating a strong personal brand and demonstrating expertise through speaking engagements can also attract the right investors.
How have you navigated the negotiation process with institutional investors to ensure fair valuation and terms for your company?
During negotiations, it’s crucial to come prepared with data and insights that justify your valuation. I’ve found that being transparent about both the strengths and challenges of the business helps build trust with investors. Additionally, being clear about the terms that are non-negotiable ensures that both parties are aligned from the start.
Can you please share your “Top 5 Strategies for Women Founders, CEOs and Leaders Seeking Institutional Investments”?
1 . Develop a Strong Narrative: Craft a compelling story that highlights your unique value proposition and mission. For instance, we helped a mental health startup articulate its impact on patient outcomes, which attracted significant interest from investors.
2. Engage in Thought Leadership: Establish yourself as an expert in your field by contributing to industry discussions and publishing insights. This approach helped us gain visibility and credibility, leading to valuable investor connections.
3. Leverage Strategic Partnerships: Form alliances with other companies and organizations to expand your reach and resources. Collaborating with established players in the industry can enhance your credibility and attract investor attention.
4. Prepare Thoroughly for Pitches: Understand your audience and tailor your pitch to address their specific interests and concerns. Practice and refine your presentation to ensure clarity and confidence.
5. Build a Resilient and Knowledgeable Team: Investors look for strong teams capable of executing the business plan. Highlight the skills and experiences of your team members to demonstrate your capacity for success .
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I would inspire a movement focused on mental health awareness and acceptance by fostering open conversations and reducing stigma. This movement would encourage safe platforms for sharing personal experiences, backed by education campaigns to dispel myths and emphasize mental health as a key component of overall well-being. Policy advocacy would ensure increased access to mental health resources, while research support would drive innovation in treatments. By building empathy and compassion, we can create a culture where individuals feel empowered to seek help without fear of judgment, transforming how society views and addresses mental health issues.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
I would love to have a private breakfast with Melinda Gates. Her work in philanthropy and advocacy for women and girls around the world is incredibly inspiring. I admire her commitment to creating opportunities and improving lives through the Gates Foundation.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Readers can follow my work through HLTH Communications’ website and LinkedIn page, where we share updates on our latest projects and industry insights. Additionally, I occasionally contribute articles and participate in industry panels, which are featured on our social media channels.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children.
Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle.
Navigating Capital As A Woman: Natalie Dolphin Of HLTH Communications On Top Strategies for Women… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.