A Smarter System: Management Processes for Entrepreneurs

by Elle Kaplan | Feb 23, 2015 | Entrepreneurship, Leadership

When the crash rate for air travel shrank to 0.04% per 100 million miles, it was not because pilots became smarter—it was because smarter systems were put in place. Expectations placed on pilots became more realistic and training became more effective. The reasons...

A Common Entrepreneurial Mistake and Three Questions to Help Avoid It

by Elle Kaplan | Jan 22, 2015 | Entrepreneurship, Success

It’s a tripping point for many an entrepreneur: spurred by one initial success, you get so excited that you try to build the entire shopping mall instead of focusing on the boutique. An entrepreneur’s instinct is to look for new opportunities, chances to...

Bootstrapping vs VC Funding

by Elle Kaplan | Nov 17, 2014 | Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Success

When I founded LexION Capital, I received several offers to fund the firm. These ranged from an infusion of capital to partnership to part ownership in exchange for backing. I turned them all down in favor of funding the firm entirely on my own. In fact, this was...

Entrepreneurship Education: Lessons from A Gal’s Best Friend

by Elle Kaplan | Sep 17, 2014 | Entrepreneurship, Leadership

While preparing to launch LexION Capital several years ago, I decided that it was time to adopt a puppy. This sparked a chorus of “Are you insane?” I already heard that question plenty of times when I shared my business idea: build an independent,...

Entrepreneurship Question: When To Go Public With Your Personal Story?

by Elle Kaplan | Aug 25, 2014 | Entrepreneurship, Leadership

Soon after founding my independent wealth management firm LexION Capital, I met a New York Times reporter. He was interested in doing a feature on the firm, our mission-driven approach and fiduciary standard. I turned him down, much to his surprise. At that point,...