Ep 311 - The Hustle Behind M Squad

September 29, 2024 Hustleshare Podcast

EPISODE INTRODUCTION

Erika Aquino is the founder of M Squad, an organization dedicated to supporting women and minority-owned startups in the areas of sustainability, wellness, education and the future of work. Her career began with corporate roles at Shell, financial services, and as a PR manager at Mandarin Oriental before moving into the startup space with Lendo, where she played a key role in scaling the user base. Erika later took on leadership positions at Infinit-O, where she contributed to their foundation’s philanthropic efforts, and also founded Cebruery, Artisan Ales, a craft beer company in Cebu, which marked a major turning point in her career. The pandemic had a significant impact on her brewery, prompting her to shift focus toward startup investing. Today, she uses her extensive experience to mentor and guide startups globally, helping them achieve a balance between profit and purpose.

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Episode Timeline:

[00:04:52] - Erika’s Hustle: Angel Investing and Strategic Advising

[00:06:13] - Early Corporate Career

[00:11:49] - Transition to Startups: Lendo

[00:27:35] - Founding Cebruery, Artisan Ales

[00:33:38] - Involvement with Infinit-O

[00:45:52] - Transition to Angel Investing

[00:58:46] - Characteristics of Fundable Startups

[01:06:01] - Erika’s Involvement Post-Investment

"The biggest quality of a founder is their ability to bow out when necessary. Don’t tie your identity to your startup."

Links:
Erika Aquino (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/in/erika-aquino

Erika Aquino (Website): https://www.erika-aquino.com/