A Tale of Trial, Triumph, and Tacos: Stefanie Sample's Epic Journey

A story of business doom, resurrection, and mass production of chalupas, ladies and gentlemen, we bring you the saga of Stefanie Sample, erstwhile founder of Fundid.

A Victim of Rates and VCs

No, this isn't a murder mystery. It's the tale of a promising business startup that found itself under the merciless blade of interest rates, venture capitalists, and partners. All this, according to our wronged heroine Stefanie Sample.

Enter the Banks

So, here's a twist - our protagonist didn't just own Fundid. As it turns out, the Taco Bell tycoon had a decade-wide wrap of profitable franchises under her belt in Montana. With twelve Taco Bell and two Massage Envy locations just being the tip of the iceberg, she had three other profitable companies under her business armpit too.

A Problem Rears Its Ugly Head

Ugly problems have a habit of rearing their heads at the worst times. Sample faced her foe in the shape of a crippling lack of access to capital - the very lifeblood of any business.

The Genesis of Fundid

The phoenix from the ashes, or rather, the burrito from the taco shell, Fundid was born out of the struggle for much-needed capital. It promised to offer lending via a business-building credit card and funding resources like a resilience-boosting grant-matching tool. And the target audience? Women business owners - all hail!

The Debt Facility Debacle

Just when everything was hunky dory, the villain of our story, the dastardly Debt Facility, turned sides. The cause? The Federal Reserve decided to raise interest rates not once, not twice, but a whopping 11 times! And dear Fundid found itself facing a battle it couldn't possibly win.

The Unfortunate Fallout

Despite an optimistic soul and a will to fight back, Sample was forced to wind down Fundid in the summer of 2023. An uphill gruelling scenario of checkered investors, the prospect of losing more equity, and a brutal market environment forced her to bite the bullet.

Bitter-Sweet Endings

Unable to continue the fight, Sample had to let go of her team of five in November. She recalls the heart-wrenching scene in a coffee shop where tears were the order of the day.

Learning, Reflection, and Looking Ahead

After gathering her thoughts, and attempting to conquer the ukulele, Sample set her sights on a new mission - to return to 'real businesses.' Driven by her previous hurdles, she kickstarted Pailor Capital - an initiative committed to helping women finance their own ventures.

A Fresh Start - Pailor Capital

Instead of building new companies, Pailor Capital seeks to acquire existing profitable businesses. With seven successful investments under their belt, Pailor Capital is determined to change the narrative for women in business.

The Conclusion

It seems real phoenixes never stop trying to fly. Even after being scorched by the fires of the business world, Sample continues to rise, shining brighter with each new chapter. As it turns out, if you're looking to shake up gender equality in business, Sample's advice is straightforward - skip the ladder, buy an elevator!