Creating a Luxury Brand, Raising Money, & Building a Family | Dani Kagan

Creating a Luxury Brand, Raising Money, & Building a Family | Dani Kagan

Building a consumer brand is one of the hardest things an entrepreneur can do.   Margins are tight. Inventory is expensive. Customer acquisition costs keep rising. And in Canada, raising venture capital for consumer products is almost impossible. In this episode of The Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Dani Kagan, co-founder of Mave & Chez [https://maveandchez.com/en-us?srsltid=AfmBOorYw0c0tfUK4naOwQq3tSusc2D6J5onKSuz22fanyPuK-JyBr-M], to discuss what it really takes to build a premium consumer brand from scratch. What started as frustration during pregnancy became a luxury slipper company backed by investors, featured on Dragons' Den (getting a deal with 2 Dragons), and built around premium manufacturing, thoughtful branding, and obsessive product design. We also discuss one of the most overlooked parts of fundraising: choosing the right investors. We cover: * Why consumer startups are so difficult to build * Why founders should be careful who they take money from * Dragon's Den behind the scenes * Building a luxury brand customers actually trust * Building a business while raising a family * Why Canada is such a difficult place to build startups Whether you're a founder, investor, or simply interested in how great brands are built, this episode offers an honest look at entrepreneurship beyond the headlines. THIS IS NOT SPONSORED by Mave & Chez but they graciously offered a promo code to our viewers: Mave & Chez slippers are available now - perfect for gifting or cozying up at home. Use the code PROFIT20 for 20% off your first order of MAVES.    _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  EPISODE PARTNER - pulsefx.com [http://pulsefx.com/]   PulseFX is a Canadian foreign exchange and global payments consultancy that helps private clients and small‑to‑medium businesses move money across borders more efficiently. The firm focuses on reducing hidden FX costs, improving exchange rates, and helping clients manage currency risk when dealing with international real estate, suppliers, or global revenues. PulseFX combines modern payment technology with hands‑on, human guidance so clients can make better decisions when moving large sums internationally   Get 25% off your FX today by visiting my link: www.thatfxguy.com [http://www.thatfxguy.com/]   _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _    ABOUT DANI KAGAN Dani Kagan is a serial entrepreneur, community builder, and mom of two. She’s the Co-Founder & CEO of Mave & Chez, a luxury lifestyle brand known for ergonomic slippers for women. Dani has raised $1M+ in venture capital, appeared on Dragons’ Den, and been featured in Vogue, The Globe & Mail, and more. Passionate about empowering women through business, she also hosts the podcast *Raise it Up*.   Website: www.maveandchez.com [https://www.maveandchez.com/] Instagram: @maveandchez [https://www.instagram.com/maveandchez] https://www.linkedin.com/in/danikagan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danikagan/]

Immigration, DEI & Economic Decline: Roman Baber's Warning for Canada

Roman Baber was excommunicated from the Conservative movement in Canada because he stood up to COVID related government tyranny in 2021. He was kicked out of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, and spent several years in the political wilderness. In hindsight, his stance was measured, appropriate, and necessary, during a time of fear, mass delusion, and government lies. And fortunately, his story doesn't end there. He was elected to the Federal Parliament in 2025 as the Member of Parliament for York Centre. Not only was York Centre the only Toronto riding won by the Conservative Party of Canada, but he also successfully flipped the seat from the Liberals. Roman is one of those rare politicians that acts from principal rather than political expediency. And in this conversation he doesn't hold back: * Carney's failed economic agenda * The rise of anti-Semitism * Immigration * DEI And many other important topics... Watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/yHbPYcOcTkA] _________________________________________________________ EPISODE PARTNER - pulsefx.com [https://www.pulsefx.com/] PulseFX is a Canadian foreign exchange and global payments consultancy that helps private clients and small‑to‑medium businesses move money across borders more efficiently. The firm focuses on reducing hidden FX costs, improving exchange rates, and helping clients manage currency risk when dealing with international real estate, suppliers, or global revenues. PulseFX combines modern payment technology with hands‑on, human guidance so clients can make better decisions when moving large sums internationally Get 25% off your FX today by visiting my link: www.thatfxguy.com [http://www.thatfxguy.com] _________________________________________________________ ABOUT ROMAN BABER Roman Baber is the Member of Parliament for York Centre, located in North York. He is a member of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Roman previously represented York Centre in the Provincial Legislature from 2018 to 2022. Roman is a lawyer, called to the Ontario Bar in 2006 and until his election to the Provincial Legislature in 2018, practiced commercial and insurance litigation. He attended high school at W.L. Mackenzie, obtained a B.A. from York University and graduated law school at Western. Roman was born and lived in the Soviet Union until age eight. He moved with his family and lived in Israel until age fifteen. In 1995 along with his family, Roman immigrated to Canada, directly to the heart of York Centre at Bathurst & Sheppard. Roman is an avid fan of the City of Toronto, subways and the Raptors. https://romanbabermp.ca/ [https://romanbabermp.ca/]

Hillel Fuld: The PR War, Rising Antisemitism, Trump & Why Jews Should Move to Israel

After October 7th, everything changed. Not just on the ground in Israel… But in the digital battlefield where narratives are shaped, distorted, and weaponized. In this episode of The Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with social media superstar Hillel Fuld to break down what’s really happening. Hillel built his career advising startups and telling stories in the tech world. But after October 7th, he shut it all down to focus entirely on Israel advocacy, bringing his understanding of media, distribution, and narrative to a much bigger fight. ⚔️ What We Get Into * Why Israel is losing the PR war * Why facts don’t change minds anymore (and what does) * Where criticism of Israel crosses into antisemitism * Why antisemitism keeps resurfacing across generations * Why Hillel believes things could get much worse for Jews in the West * His perspective on figures like Donald Trump and shifting global alliances * The story of being banned from Australia for 3 years * Why Israel punches far above its weight in startups * The cultural mindset that drives innovation * Lessons founders everywhere can learn: 🎧 Watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/IwhkFKxjo8s] EPISODE PARTNER - pulsefx.com [http://pulsefx.com] PulseFX is a Canadian foreign exchange and global payments consultancy that helps private clients and small‑to‑medium businesses move money across borders more efficiently. The firm focuses on reducing hidden FX costs, improving exchange rates, and helping clients manage currency risk when dealing with international real estate, suppliers, or global revenues. PulseFX combines modern payment technology with hands‑on, human guidance so clients can make better decisions when moving large sums internationally Get 25% off your FX today by visiting my link: www.thatfxguy.com [http://www.thatfxguy.com] _________________________________________________________ ABOUT HILLEL FULD Hillel is a technology journalist, global speaker, and startup marketing advisor. Forbes called Hillel, “The man transforming Startup Nation to Scale-up Nation”, and Hillel was also named Israel’s top marketer, and among the 100 most influential social media personalities worldwide. For over a decade, Hillel helped technology companies on their journey from idea to revenue and collaborated with leading companies including Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and many others. Hillel also wrote about the Israeli technology ecosystem for publications including TechCrunch, Inc Magazine, FastCompany, and more. On October 7th, all that changed, and Hillel made an immediate decision to shut down his consulting business and refocus his time and energy on defending Israel online given the atrocities of that day and the spike of antisemitism that followed. Since October 7th, Hillel’s content has reached several billion impressions across his various platforms on which he has hundreds of thousands of followers. Hillel has also spoken to audiences around the world about topics including Israeli innovation, marketing, entrepreneurship, and most recently, about the war and Israel’s ongoing military and geopolitical challenges. You can read more about Hillel at HillelFuld.com [http://HillelFuld.com] and follow him across social media at the screen name @Hilzfuld where he shares his take on various topics pertaining to Israel and the future of western civilization.

Understanding the 3,000+ year hatred of the Jews

Anti-Semitism is an evil and accelerating phenomenon around the world. I break down my thoughts on its root causes.

The Fundraising Advice Startup Founders Don’t Want to Hear | Jeffrey Fidelman

Every founder wants to raise money. But few understand what they’re actually competing against. In this episode of the Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Jeffrey Fidelman to break down what really happens behind the scenes in venture capital and why most founders never even get a shot. Here’s the reality: Top firms are reviewing thousands of deals every year. One fund alone can see 5,000 applications annually and only focuses on the top fraction. Most are rejected in minutes. Not because the idea is bad, but because the founder didn’t know how to present it. We get into the mechanics of fundraising, what actually gets an investor’s attention, and why most founders lose before the first meeting even happens. We go deep into: * What actually happens when your deck hits a VC inbox * Why first impressions (deck + outreach) decide everything * The 3-slide framework every pitch deck should follow (and why most get it wrong) * Why unrealistic market sizes instantly kill credibility * How VCs think about market size, growth, and scale * The biggest mistakes in cold outreach (and how to actually get responses) * The real reason most founders never get funded Jeff also breaks down something most people ignore: Fundraising isn’t a side task. It’s a full-time job. Done properly, it requires structure, consistency, and hundreds of touchpoints, not a few warm intros and a pitch deck. If you’re a founder trying to raise capital, break into VC, or just understand how competitive this game really is, this episode is a reality check. __________________________________________ EPISODE PARTNER - hiredonna.com/matan [http://hiredonna.com/matan] Find elite offshore executive assistants to help you grow your business or manage your increasingly busy life. Donna's assistants go through a 6-week paid intensive academy, ensuring that only the past are matched with employers. Only 1/400 applicants pass their filters, tests and academy. My listeners get 30% off for the 1st three months when you tell them I sent you (or use my link above). hiredonna.com [http://hiredonna.com] __________________________________________   About Jeffrey Fidelman  Jeffrey is an investment banker & entrepreneur with 10+ years of experience advising early-stage companies and emerging investment managers. He is the Founder & Managing Partner of Fidelman & Co., a strategic advisory firm launched in 2015 to help founders & fund managers prepare for & execute capital raises with discipline, clarity, & data-driven strategy. At Fidelman, Jeffrey has advised hundreds of startups & emerging managers across technology, fintech, healthcare, & consumer sectors. The firm specializes in fundraising strategy, investor targeting, financial modeling, valuation, and execution support through its Fundraise as a Service (FaaS) platform, which combines structured processes with real-time investor intelligence. Prior to Fidelman, Jeffrey held senior roles at Morgan Stanley and HSBC, where he gained experience across capital markets, portfolio management, & revenue strategy. Earlier in his career, he was involved with venture investing, providing him with an operator-level perspective on early-stage growth and capital formation. Jeffrey graduated cum laude from Harvard University & is frequently sought out by founders for his practical, execution-oriented approach to fundraising and investor readiness. Connect with Jeff: Linkedin [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyfidelman] Fidelman & Co Website [http://www.fidelmanco.com] Fundex [http://www.usefundex.com] Jeff's Services Fundraise as a Service (FaaS) is a structured, execution-driven approach to raising capital. It replaces ad-hoc outreach with a disciplined framework—covering investor targeting, messaging, materials, and follow-ups—so founders can run a repeatable, professional fundraise while staying focused on building their business. FundEx is a purpose-built fundraising operating system that powers modern capital raises. It centralizes investor intelligence, outreach workflows, pipeline tracking, and performance analytics into a single system of record. Designed to bring structure and accountability to fundraising, FundEx enables founders and fund managers to manage their raise with the same rigor as sales or operations—turning fundraising from a fragmented process into a measurable, scalable operating function.