Wealthing Podcast

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Henryk Dabrowski, entrepreneur and investor, to discuss the hard-won lessons from building multiple companies — from learning to be more analytical than intuitive, to continuing his formal education, to the ongoing challenge of prioritizing family over business. The conversation explores the pressure facing today's entrepreneurial community, especially in North America and Asia, and how that pressure shapes company-building and wealth creation. Henryk explains his view that wealth is created through added value across a chain of economic elements, and that investors carry a responsibility to grow wealth rather than destroy it. Alicia and Henryk also dig into why venture capital negotiation is fundamentally different from traditional deal-making — it requires an ongoing relationship long after the deal closes, something a purely transactional approach fails to account for. Throughout the interview, the dialogue moves between Henryk's framework for the three types of investors — confrontational, relational, and responsible. Henryk describes his own legacy as a builder and creator who makes things happen, emphasizing that the journey matters more than the destination, and closing with a Buddhist teaching on listening and learning. Together, they touch on themes of trust, family, and what it really means to build something that lasts. About Henryk:  Dr. Henryk Dabrowski is a veteran entrepreneur, investor, and executive with over 30 years of experience building and scaling high-growth ventures across fintech, blockchain, mobile payments, deep tech, and aerospace in both private and public markets. He has raised over $250M in capital, launched global IEOs and ICOs, and led complex mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructurings. He serves as CEO of Areca Financial Services and Managing Director at STX Aerospace and F3 Funds, a venture platform focused on biosciences and healthcare innovation. Henryk holds an MBA in Finance, an MSc in Space Economy, and a PhD in Innovation in Aerospace & Aeronautics. A licensed pilot and competitive sailor, he brings the same discipline and forward-thinking mindset to the cockpit, the racecourse, and the boardroom. Connect with Henryk: Website: www.arecafinancial.com

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Eric Dawson, founder of RIVET, to discuss his journey to becoming a lifelong advocate for young people — as a youth organizer at 14, the founder of Peace First (which reached young people in 166 countries over 30 years), and now the builder of the world's first microfinancing platform for young changemakers.    The conversation explores the massive gap RIVET was built to close: of the 2 billion young people worldwide, roughly 85% live in "capital deserts," with only 0.002% of the world's $700 billion in philanthropic capital reaching young people with innovative ideas. Eric explains how RIVET provides up to $1,000 in no-strings-attached grants, paired with mentorship from local and global partners across 190 countries and 50 states — building what he calls a "capital ladder" toward RIVET's goal of giving a million young people their first financial support over the next decade and a half.   Throughout the interview, the dialogue moves between Eric's philosophy that young people are powerful and brilliant in the present, not just the future, and Alicia's own reflections on mentorship, social capital, and what she calls the transformative power of feeling valued. Eric introduces the concept of "imagination capital" — the belief in possibilities — illustrated through the story of a young man in Lagos who pivoted from an after-school program to solar engineering after RIVET's initial support. Together, they touch on themes of presence, "holy listening," and what it means to invest not just in ideas, but in people.   About Eric: Eric Dawson is the founder of RIVET, the world's first microfinancing platform for young changemakers, providing capital and mentorship to help promising projects scale from a first grant to larger investment. He is also the founder of Peace First and the author of Putting Peace 1st. Eric's work centers on unlocking the potential of the world's 2 billion young people — believing they are powerful agents of change today, not just leaders of tomorrow.   Connect with Eric:   LinkedIn: Eric Dawson Website: https://rivet.org/

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo-Holley is joined by Lawrence "Chip" Dawson. Together, they explore his evolution from his early days as a volunteer firefighter in Lakewood, New York, and his training in fire protection at Oklahoma State University, to his distinguished 22-year career at Kodak. The conversation covers the leadership and tactical lessons Dawson applied as he rose to become the Director of Industrial Safety at Kodak, supervising 550 employees during the company's peak employment of 36,000 people. It delves into his supportive management philosophy, characterized by the constant question "how can I help?"—an approach that resonates with the host's view on human value in industry. Additionally, the episode examines life lessons on the importance of doing tasks well and thoroughly, alongside the value of partnership in raising children and family. The discussion addresses retirement planning challenges, contrasting the security provided by military benefits and a generous Kodak retirement plan with the uncertainty of international pensions, highlighting the importance of financial proactivity. The dialogue concludes with a reflection on legacy and the meaningful impact individuals can leave through their long-term actions and relationships. About Lawrence (Chip) Dawson: Lawrence Dawson had a distinguished career focused on safety, industrial safety, and fire protection. After serving in the U.S. Navy and teaching at the University of Illinois, he joined Kodak, where he spent over two decades leading the industrial safety department until his retirement.

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Marco Funk, founder of Enerlink, to discuss his unconventional path into clean energy — from Nielsen, to private banking in Dubai, to building the "Uber of home services" in Singapore, picking up nearly a dozen languages along the way before finding his true calling in solving one of the world's biggest infrastructure problems. The conversation explores Marco's deep passion for clean energy and why closing this gap matters at a global scale: local solar is already cheaper and cleaner than fossil energy, yet makes up less than 1% of global supply — a gap Marco argues isn't a technology problem, but a data problem. Marco and Alicia also dig into the importance of relationships in making projects succeed — how trust, partnerships, and the right network are often what separate a good idea from a bankable one, especially when working across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Throughout the interview, the dialogue moves between Marco's work building Enerlink's data infrastructure and Alicia's own reflections on capital, trust, and what it takes to move money toward the world's biggest problems. Together, they touch on themes of resilience, global impact, and what it means to make clean energy not just possible, but bankable.   Connect with Marco: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marcofunk Website: www.enerlink.ai

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Mitra Miller, Managing Director at Mill River Capital and President of the Houston Angel Network, to discuss her journey from a multicultural upbringing in Texas to becoming a driving force in early-stage investing. Raised by a Brazilian father and an American mother, Mitra shares how her multicultural upbringing shaped her own philosophy: that wealth is an opportunity for good, best realized through entrepreneurship and investing. The conversation explores what it takes to fuel innovation outside major tech hubs like Silicon Valley, and how the entrepreneurship community in cities like Houston remains welcoming and collaborative for investors and founders alike. Mitra also opens up about her personal growth journey — from being shy and reserved to finding confidence through genuine connection with others — and shares candid reflections on suicide prevention, purpose, and the importance of giving people "another day." Throughout the interview, the dialogue moves between Mitra's work building the next generation of investors and founders, including her nonprofit Eagle Investors, which teaches under-resourced high school students about entrepreneurship and investing, and Alicia's own reflections on imposter syndrome, mentorship, and legacy. Together, they touch on themes of resilience, community impact, and what it means to invest not just in companies, but in people. About Mitra: Mitra Miller is Managing Director at Mill River Capital and President of the Houston Angel Network, where she supports early-stage investment across energy, technology, life sciences, consumer, and aerospace. She is also the founder of Eagle Investors, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching entrepreneurship and investing to under-resourced high school students, helping the next generation build confidence and professional skills through direct interaction with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Connect with Mitra  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitram/ Mill River Capital: www.millriver.us Houston Angel Network: www.houstonangelnetwork.org