The Beginner's Guide to Investing Before It's Obvious

The Beginner's Guide to Investing Before It's Obvious

A seed isn't something you sprinkle on yogurt. It's the very first dollar that starts an empire. We went deep on seed nutrition last episode. Now we're making the pivot from your plate to your portfolio. Seed capital, early-stage investing, the seed mindset for personal finance, and the legendary bets that changed the world. This one is for every woman who's ready to start planting for her financial future. New here? Check out the first part of the series, all on The Power of Seeds [https://lamisawellnesscollective.substack.com/p/the-simplest-way-to-fix-your-gut?r=2whpd6] in the body (chia, flax, hemp, sunflower, etc.). Seed capital is the very first formal funding a startup receives. Like a seed in the ground. It takes a founder from an idea or prototype to a real operating business with a product, a team, and maybe even early customers.Startup funding moves through stages. Before seed, there's often pre-seed— the founder's own savings or money from friends and family. After seed comes Series A, B, C, and beyond. Each stage involves more money, more formal investors, and a more mature company. Seed is where the earliest believers show up. Seed Capital at a Glance * Seed capital is the very first formal funding a startup receives * Typical seed round size is $250,000 to $5 million (varies by industry and geography) * This money is used for: product development, early hiring, market research, and initial operations * Investors receive equity (ownership) in exchange for capital * Pre-seed is often informal; seed involves more formal term sheets and due diligence * Average seed investor holds equity for 7–10 years before a liquidity event What are Investors Looking For? At the seed stage, investors are primarily betting on the founder, not the product or the market. Do they (founder) have grit? Beyond the founder, they want: a large, addressable market (is this worth solving at scale?); evidence that you understand the problem deeply; and early signals, customer interviews, waitlists, beta users, any proof that real people want what you're building.Many investors prefer co-founding teams over solo founders because having a partner through the difficult moments matters. That said, exceptional solo founders get funding too! What Kills a Pitch? * Can't explain the problem you're solving within five minutes. If it's that hard to understand what you do, that's a signal. * Unrealistic financial projections with no basis in reality. Investors have seen real numbers — they'll know. * No clear understanding of who the customer actually is. * Arrogance. Investors at this stage are looking for coachable people willing to learn and pivot. The best founders are confident and humble at the same time. Can Everyday People Invest in Startups? Well, yes. Historically, early-stage investing was limited to accredited investors (people with a net worth over $1 million or income above $200,000). The JOBS Act of 2012 changed that significantly. Under Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF), anyone can now invest in startups through regulated platforms.Platforms to know: Wefunder, Republic, StartEngine, MainVest. Browse active campaigns, read disclosure documents, and invest from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars.But hear the risks clearly: Most startups fail. Most seed-stage companies will never return your investment. This is high-risk capital, money you should be genuinely prepared to lose entirely. But there is no public market for your shares until the company is acquired or goes public, which can take a decade.Best practice: Invest small amounts across many companies. Treat it like the high-risk slice of your portfolio. Diversification matters here just as much as anywhere else. You have to plant something before you can harvest anything. That’s a wrap on The Power of Seeds: From Your Plate to Your Portfolio. If something in this series landed for you, I want you to sit with it. Then I want you to do one thing. Plant one seed this week; in your kitchen, in your finances, or in yourself. And if you want more of these mind, body, and money conversations that actually meet you where you are, hit the subscribe button right now! Did you see part one of The Power of Seeds? Get full access to Lamisa Wellness Collective at lamisawellnesscollective.substack.com/subscribe [https://lamisawellnesscollective.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

The Simplest Way to Fix Your Gut, Mood, and Energy at Once

Seeds are nature’s original multivitamin. Inside every single seed is everything a plant needs to survive, and when we eat them, we tap into that same concentrated power. Every few years, seeds start trending (chia seed pudding, adding hemp seeds to açaí bowls, etc.), but the truth is, humans have been eating seeds for thousands of years. Seeds are packed with nutrients that include anti-inflammatory compounds, heart and brain health agents, fiber, protein, healthy fats, and so much more. Here are our favorites with science to back them up. Flaxseeds: The Omega-3 Powerhouse Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (ALA, alpha-linolenic acid), which are critical for brain and heart health and help reduce inflammation. Flax is also the number one dietary source of lignans, phytoestrogens studied for reducing cancer risk and supporting hormonal balance, especially during perimenopause. Flaxseed Facts: * One of the richest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) * Rich in lignans, among the highest of any food studied * High in soluble and insoluble fiber, excellent for gut health * Supports heart health, hormone balance, and inflammation reduction * Must be ground for optimal nutrient absorption * Daily suggested amount: 1–2 tablespoons of ground flax Reminder: grind the flaxseeds so you can absorb the nutrients inside their hard shells. Once ground, store them in the fridge. Chia Seeds: The Hydration Hero Chia seeds keep you full longer and slow digestion because they absorb up to 12x their weight in water. Two tablespoons deliver 10g of fiber and ~5g of protein, which naturally curbs appetite. One serving adds omega-3s, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus to your diet. Chia Seed Facts: * Absorbs up to 12x its weight in water, promotes satiety * ~10g fiber per 2 tablespoons, excellent for digestion and blood sugar * Complete source of omega-3 ALA * Rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus * No grinding required, easy to add to any meal * Fun fact: ancient Aztec warriors used chia as a primary fuel source Reminder: drink plenty of water with chia seeds. Sunflower Seeds: The Mood Booster Sunflower seeds are one of the best food sources of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects cells and supports immunity. They're rich in selenium, magnesium, and B6 for mood regulation. They also contain tryptophan, the amino acid precursor to serotonin, which can actually affect your mood. Sunflower Seed Facts: * One of the highest food sources of vitamin E * Rich in selenium, supports thyroid function and immune health * Contains tryptophan, precursor to serotonin (mood support) * High in magnesium, important for sleep, muscle function, and stress response * Great nut-free, high-protein snack option * Sunflower seed butter: excellent alternative for those with nut allergies Hack: Sunflower seed butter is a great, nut-allergy-friendly alternative to peanut butter. More Seeds to Know Pumpkin Seeds —A zinc powerhouse for immune function, wound healing & testosterone, and high in magnesium Hemp Seeds — Complete protein with all 9 essential amino acids Sesame seeds — Contains sesamin & sesamolin for blood pressure support and has more calcium than dairy Poppy seeds — Solid source of calcium, manganese & magnesium, plus healthy fiber and unsaturated fats Now that you know the facts, here is how to build the habit. * Start with the seed you like most and make it easy to access. Keep flax, chia, or a seed that you like in a visible spot on your counter. * Week one: Add one seed to one meal a day. * Week two: Add a second seed or a second meal. * Keep consistent. You could be consuming 3-4 seeds daily within the month of this exercise. If you, or someone you know, benefits from any of this information, please do not hesitate to subscribe for more episodes every single week! Oh, and send me a message if you try my smoothie recipe! Did you see last week’s post? Get full access to Lamisa Wellness Collective at lamisawellnesscollective.substack.com/subscribe [https://lamisawellnesscollective.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Your morning routine is a wealth strategy.

Mornings set your baseline Your mornings determine the feeling you carry throughout the day. Every meeting, meal, and money decision stems from this place. When you’re intentional about the way you nourish your body, even if it’s as small as starting your day with a warm glass of water, your cortisol levels stabilize faster. Your morning sets the trajectory for the entire day. It's about your baseline state. Try this four-minute practice to change the trajectory of your day completely: * Take two minutes to nourish your body intentionally ( warm water, tea, even fruit) * Take two minutes to look at your finances without judgment Meal planning is budgeting in disguise Meal planning is assessing what you have, anticipating what you need, and deciding in advance to avoid choosing from a place of hunger. That’s exactly what budgeting is. The muscle that keeps you from impulse buying is the same muscle that gives you the confidence to negotiate a raise. Don’t know where to start? Here is a challenge for you this week: * Decide on three dinners to make at home * Figure out the ingredients; only buy what you need * Watch other areas of your life change. Prioritize your sleep When you’re sleeping less than your body needs, your brain’s reward circuits become hypersensitive. You crave more, spend more, and take more shortcuts. Those who understand wealth know the significance of investing in their ability to think clearly. Three things to prioritize if you want to grow your wealth: * Sleep 7-9 hours every night * Add protein to your breakfast to aid in decision-making * Drink water before coffee Movement as a form of financial identity Committing to things, particularly movement, reminds your brain that you do what you say you’re going to do, even when things are difficult. Your financial identity is built the same way. Whenever you save money after telling yourself you’re going to save money, you reinforce the belief that you handle money well. The bridge between health and wealth is identity Remember: you have one nervous system, one set of habits, and one identity. All of your parts are integrated into your one life. A question to sit with: Where in my life am I feeding scarcity? Is it in my body, my bank account, or both? If you liked this information, this season of Lamisa Wellness Collective is all about diving deeper into the psychology of food and money, so please consider liking, sharing, subscribing, and joining the conversation by leaving a comment! Did you see last week’s post? This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Lamisa Wellness Collective at lamisawellnesscollective.substack.com/subscribe [https://lamisawellnesscollective.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

How What You Eat Shapes How You Earn Money

For my entire life, I‘ve operated from a logical standpoint. As the oldest child and daughter, I was not granted the same level of freedom as my younger brothers. So when I became a mother, it wasn’t too difficult to create routines and set boundaries that would shape my new life—a life of financial stability and raising healthy daughters. Last week, I spoke about my gastrointestinal issues [https://lamisawellnesscollective.substack.com/p/your-diet-may-be-why-you-have-chronic] and how I learned to correlate food with feelings, as well as the financial impact I picked up from watching my mom get a credit card at every major department store. I knew that what I did would directly impact my children, so I had to figure out healthy systems to model for them. While mastering finances took me a bit longer, once I got it… I got it. And one thing that really helped me connect the dots at the beginning of my journey was meal prepping. To meal prep, you must: * Assess what you have * Anticipate what you’ll need * Make decisions on meals in advance to avoid hunger * Use what’s in the fridge (or in the budget) * Eat the food you’ve prepared, even if you’d rather purchase a meal Budgeting/planning your financial future follows the same steps. The people who understand this and stick to this are not more disciplined or have more willpower than you. They live by this rule: I decide ahead of time, and I honor that decision. In this episode, I’m discussing: * How discipline at the table transfers everywhere else * The reason we spike, crash, and overspend * Why we eat the way we eat Next week, we’re going to talk about how these exact metrics correlate to your bank account! If you liked this information, this season of Lamisa Wellness Collective is all about diving deeper into the psychology of food and money, so please consider liking, sharing, subscribing, and joining the conversation by leaving a comment! Are you in the San Antonio and looking to attend some upcoming Lamisa Wellness Collective events? Check out Cowgirls Blings & Things [https://lamisawellnesscollective.com/store] on Saturday, May 9th. We hope to see you there! Did you see last week’s post? Get full access to Lamisa Wellness Collective at lamisawellnesscollective.substack.com/subscribe [https://lamisawellnesscollective.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Your Diet May Be Why You Have Chronic Pain...

For all of my childhood and much of my young adult life, I struggled with gastrointestinal issues and gut discomfort. My doctors and I couldn’t figure out why. At one point, I just assumed that would always be how my life would be. Until one day in 2017, I was introduced to the concept of plant-based dieting. I had no idea what that lifestyle entailed, nor did I expect any benefits. I just thought it’d be a fun, healthy thing to try—kind of like a juice cleanse. Within two days, my lifelong stomach issues began to subside. Within two weeks, my energy levels noticeably improved because my sleep quality had almost instantly improved. Within four weeks, my chronic aches and pains were completely gone, and I knew my fun little diet change was indefinite. What is a plant-based diet? A plant-based diet is a nutritional approach focusing on the consumption of fruits, vegetables, seeds, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and minimal to no animal products. Do you know what would happen to your body if you added 30% more vegetables to your diet? * Increased energy levels * Improved gut health, mood, and cardiovascular health * Better immune function * Reduced blood pressure and lower cholesterol In sharing this part of my life, I hope it resonates or gives a boost to others looking to improve their health through their diet. Please continue to do your research and consult with a medical professional before making any major dietary shifts. This week’s challenge: * Make or buy a plant-based meal this week * Take a photo * Follow and tag Lamisa Wellness Collective [https://www.facebook.com/LamisaWellnessCollective] on Facebook! Stay tuned for our post on Saturday! Did you see last week’s post? Get full access to Lamisa Wellness Collective at lamisawellnesscollective.substack.com/subscribe [https://lamisawellnesscollective.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]