Wealthing Podcast

Planet Over Profit: Inside Ecoplore's 1,500-Hotel Sustainable Network Ep. 64

In this episode, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Prerna Prasad, the founder of Ecoplore, a sustainable tourism company partnering with 1,500 eco-friendly hotels across India. Prerna details her transition from journalism and politics into environmental entrepreneurship in 2016. Driven by a philosophy that prioritizes environmental impact over commercial gain, she shares a raw, honest look at what it takes to build a truly green business from scratch. Beyond the logistics of eco-tourism, the conversation dives deep into the inner work of a founder. Prerna offers powerful advice on overcoming imposter syndrome, urging women specifically to break free from the trap of seeking external validation and to rely on their inner conscience. She also shares the story behind her sustainable mud house project in Delhi NCR, which serves as a living museum for eco-architecture. The episode culminates in Prerna's definition of wealth: true wealth isn't found in a bank account, but in a peaceful night's sleep free of regrets, leaving the planet better than we found it. About Prerna: Prerna Prasad is the Founder and CEO of Ecoplore, India's largest platform for eco-friendly hotels and experiences. Ecoplore has curated 1500+ eco-hotels across India. All the Ecoplore hotels are made of local architecture like Mud, Wood and Bamboo and they have at least 30% trees inside their campus. She is also the Curator for Van Bhoj which is a 30 year old Mud House located in Delhi NCR. Van Bhoj is a unique private sustainability museum open for day visits. Ecoplore also registered as a Sustainable Construction Company and builds Mud Houses and Sustainable buildings for other people. Ecoplore has been recognized by United Nations for fulfilling SDG 12. Connect with Prerna: https://linkedin.com/in/prerna-prasad-8bb49b19 [https://in.linkedin.com/in/prerna-prasad-8bb49b19] Learn more about Ecoplore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKqK5KlhPJU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKqK5KlhPJU] Learn more about Van Bhoj: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElASCalHwtU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElASCalHwtU] 🌐 Wealthing Club: www.wealthing.club [https://www.wealthing.club]

Focus is the New Currency: Justin Woodward on Psychology, Gaming, and Building Ecosystems Ep. 63

In this episode, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Justin Woodward, the founder of Interabang Entertainment and the The Media Indie Exchange (The MIX). Justin's path is a masterclass in skill-transfer, beginning as an autism specialist before leveraging his background in psychology to eventually navigate the complex social and technical landscape of the video game industry. Justin shares a candid look at the "founder's trap," the challenge of managing too many simultaneous projects, and explains why narrowing his focus has been the key to his recent success. He defines his version of "Wealthing" as value distribution, focusing on how to build infrastructure that helps an entire industry thrive rather than just a single company. The episode wraps with a look at Justin's legacy: a commitment to being the "connector" who helps the next generation of developers find their footing. About Justin: Justin Woodward is a highly driven entrepreneur and creative leader at the forefront of the independent gaming ecosystem. As the Co-founder and Creative Director of Interabang Entertainment and the Co-founder of The Media Indie Exchange (The MIX), he has dedicated his career to expanding the reach of indie titles through strategic collaboration and foundation building. With a Master's degree in Game Production and Management and a Bachelor's in Game Art and Design, Justin combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of business marketing and sustainable development. A prominent advocate for diversity and professional mentorship, Justin is the founder of the nonprofit Black Voices in Gaming and serves as the Lead Advisor for the Black Game Dev Fund. He is a frequent speaker at major industry summits, including GDC, PAX Prime, and Casual Connect, where he shares insights on leadership and game marketing. Through his work, Justin continues to evolve the traditional practices of the industry, focusing on adding long-term value and creating equitable opportunities for developers globally. Connect with Justin: www.linkedin.com/in/justinwoodward/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinwoodward/] 🌐 Wealthing Club: www.wealthing.club [https://www.wealthing.club]

Access is the New Asset: Vera Futorjanski on the Power of Inclusive Networks Ep. 62

In this episode, Alicia interviews Vera Futorjanski, the visionary behind Veritas Ventures and Beyond Global. Vera shares her fascinating, nonlinear trajectory, which began on the professional Argentine Tango stage. A life-altering accident forced her to find a new path, leading her to the London School of Economics, a career in the European Union, and eventually to the entrepreneurial landscape of Dubai. Vera defines her personal view on wealth, fousing on the act of creating access for others and ensuring diverse perspectives are present in the rooms where big decisions happen. She shares the trials of building a community for diverse women and offers a raw look at the resilience required to thrive in VC. The conversation ends with a moving reflection on legacy, focused on the human connections made through her global community-building efforts. About Vera: Vera Futorjanski is a serial entrepreneur and investor who currently serves as the Founder and CEO of Veritas Ventures, a global strategic advisory firm, and Beyond, a curated community for female leaders. Her extensive background in venture capital and innovation includes leading Middle East operations for 500 Global and serving on the founding team of the Dubai Future Foundation under the UAE Prime Minister's Office. She has also contributed to the startup ecosystem as a co-founder of a Rocket Internet venture in the UAE and gained policy experience working at the European Union in Brussels. Beyond her corporate leadership, Futorjanski holds several high-level advisory roles, including expert group positions with the World Economic Forum and innovation advisory for the United Nations. She is an active mentor and board member for organizations such as Techstars, The Founder Institute, and TEDx, and she serves as a Global Ambassador for Vital Voices. With experience living in ten countries and proficiency in five languages, she leverages her cross-sector perspective to drive global innovation and support women in the technology and investment sectors. Connect with Vera: www.linkedin.com/in/verafutorjanski/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/verafutorjanski/] 🌐 Wealthing Club: www.wealthing.club [https://www.wealthing.club]

Equity and Legacy: Kartik Sathappan on Building Funds and Families Ep. 61

In this episode, host Alicia Castillo Holley interviews Kartik Sathappan, the Founder and General Partner of Families Fund. Kartik shares his evolution from a small-town Ohio upbringing to becoming a patent-holding engineer at Apple. He recounts his "accidental" entry into venture capital, sparked by a curiosity for the business behind the tech he was building. The heart of the conversation focuses on Kartik's specific investment thesis: making America the premier destination for raising a family. He explains how he identifies high-growth opportunities in education and health that solve real-world "pain points" for parents. He and Alicia take a deep dive into two of his portfolio companies, Chalky and Pathfinder, which are revolutionizing literacy and educational funding. Beyond the numbers, Kartik discusses the spiritual and practical importance of equity ownership and shares his legacy goal: helping families spend more meaningful time together. About Kartik: Kartik Sathappan is the Founder and General Partner of Families Fund, an early-stage venture fund backing founders rebuilding the family stack, the products and services families rely on across education, health, nutrition, fertility, and domestic automation. Families Fund invests at pre-seed and seed in companies selling directly to parents and modern households, with a focus on founders shaping the future of how families live. Before launching Families Fund, Kartik was a founder and operator, and his own experience as a parent sharpened his conviction that family life remains one of the most important and most underserved areas in technology. His work sits at the intersection of venture, family formation, and long-term societal progress, with a belief that stronger families create stronger communities and a stronger future. He writes and speaks about entrepreneurship, parenthood, education, and the systems that shape everyday family life. Through Families Fund, he is building both an investment platform and a broader movement around backing the people and products helping families flourish. About Families Fund: Families Fund is an early-stage venture fund backing founders rebuilding the family stack, the products and services families rely on across education, health, and domestic automation. The fund invests at pre-seed and seed, typically leading or participating with $100K to $250K initial checks in companies selling directly to parents or modern households. Connect with Kartik: linkedin.com/in/kartiksathappan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartiksathappan/] Families Fund: www.families.fund [https://www.families.fund] 🌐 Wealthing Club: www.wealthing.club [https://www.wealthing.club]

From Musician to CEO: Sandra Velasquez on Building Nopalera Ep. 60

In this episode, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Sandra Velasquez, the founder and CEO of Nopalera, a high-end beauty brand inspired by the Nopal cactus. Sandra reflects on her non-linear path, starting with her 15-year career as a professional musician. When the music industry's economics shifted, Sandra didn't retreat. Instead, she channeled her creative energy into the beauty space, launching Nopalera in the middle of a pandemic. The conversation explores the intersection of culture and commerce. Sandra discusses the challenges of building a luxury Mexican brand and her refusal to settle for "budget" perceptions. Beyond the business, Sandra shares deeply personal advice on self-worth, explaining why her younger self needed to learn that "letting go" of certain things can be the ultimate superpower. For Sandra, "Wealthing" is the ability to use financial success to inspire others to reach their full potential and to reclaim their own cultural narratives. About Sandra: Sandra Velasquez is the Chicana founder of Nopalera, a modern Mexican beauty & lifestyle brand. She launched Nopalera in the middle of the pandemic from her Brooklyn apartment with no outside funding or savings while working three jobs and raising her daughter. The brand can be found in Ulta USA online, Ulta Mexico, Ulta Middle East, MECCA, Credo, and over 400 boutiques nationwide. She is the winner of six pitch competitions and has completed six business accelerators including Morgan Stanley and Stanford LBAN. In January 2023 she appeared on Shark Tank Season 14 where she infamously turned down two offers by standing in her worth. Velasquez released her first book VIVA LATINA on Quarto Books in September 2024. In 2026 , she closed a $4 million Series A led by Morgan Stanley. Prior to launching Nopalera, she was the leader of Latin band Pistolera which toured internationally opening for artists such as Los Lobos and had her music featured on hit TV shows like Breaking Bad and the NPR Tiny Desk Concert. Connect with Sandra: linkedin.com/in/sandraliliavelasquez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandraliliavelasquez] Nopalera: nopalera.co [http://www.nopalera.co] 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club [https://wealthing.club]