How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome & Build Your Self Confidence with Melanie Strong, Founding Partner at Next Ventures

Melanie Strong is a founding partner of Next Ventures, a VC firm she co-founded with Lance Armstrong that focuses on building the next generation of sports, health and wellness brands. 

Melanie has spent her entire life in the sports industry. She’s a lifelong runner and started her career as a journalist at Runner's World magazine. She then applied for a position at Nike despite not having the “right” pedigree, college background, and experience. 

Good thing she did because she ended up having an incredibly successful career at Nike, spending most of her time at Nike building high-performing teams all over the world and holding positions from the VP of Global Brand Marketing for Nike Women to the GM of Nike Skateboarding. 

After 18 years at Nike, Melanie had the opportunity to break into the world of venture capital. She left her very stable career to start from scratch and become a first-time investor AND fund founder. In our conversation, Melanie opens up about how she faced her fears when reinventing herself later in her career and overcoming the imposter syndrome she felt when breaking into a male-dominated industry.✨ 

You'll also hear some honest reflections on the founder-investor relationship and who is the right fit for VC funding, along with some empowering advice for founders seeking funding. We also discuss the importance of authentic relationships in life & business, how to build a unique brand in the environment we’re in today, and so much more!

In this episode, we’ll talk to Melanie about:

* Modeling other people's versions of success, and tips for being more comfortable in your own skin. [3:09] 

* Melanie shares about how her upbringing created her positive mindset. [7:10]

* Hear about her various interesting jobs leading up to Nike. [9:10]

* The story of who inspired her and how she got her starting role at Nike. [11:42]

* Speaking about the power of networking and mentorship. [18:23] 

* The power of people and true relationships. [19:34]

* What she looks for in a founder. [20:53]

* The importance of the right advisors and some of her mentors. [22:46]

* Melanie reflects on being an angel investor and why it took her so long to do. [25:15]

* Taking the leap to leave Nike and steps to overcome imposter syndrome. [29:11]

* How the feedback processes have changed and some companies that she feels confident in. [33:40]

* Some top advice for thinking about your company as a brand. [0:38:14]

* Melanie and Yasmin each share the hacks that keep them anchored into their purpose. [44:27]

* Diving into greater detail on traits she looks for in a founder and what a founder-investor relationship needs. [47:02]

* Talking about founders who are focussed on the exit and the impact of that. [49:30]

* Who she thinks is and isn't the right fit for VC funding, and comments on fundraising [52:51]

* Melanie's comments on due diligence plus some great advice to founders. [56:45]

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Follow Melanie: 

* Melanie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniestrong/

* Website: https://nextventures.com/

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

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