💰Charge Your Worth (Then Add Tax) + 220k in grants

🏦 Finance Fix

Are You Undercharging?
 

Let’s talk pricing so how do you know if your prices are too low? Here’s a quick gut check:

• Am I consistently busy, but still not hitting my income goals?

• Do I feel resentful or exhausted delivering my service?

• Are people saying “yes” to my offers a little too quickly?

• After taxes, expenses, and time is this even profitable?

If you said yes to any of these, it’s time to reassess.
 

📊 Quick formula to know your real rate:
 

(Target Income + Annual Expenses + Estimated Taxes) ÷ Billable Hours = Your Minimum Hourly Rate
 

✨ Example: You want to earn $100K/year

• $20K expenses

• ~$30K in taxes
  ÷ ~1,300 billable hours/year
  = $115/hour minimum

Now ask yourself… does your pricing reflect that?

🎯 Grants for Solopreneurs & Small Businesses

🎯 $100K for Underrepresented Founders

The Black Ambition Prize is offering up to $150K for startups led by underrepresented founders in tech, healthcare, CPG, media, and AI. You must have raised less than $1M in dilutive funding.

📅 Apply here by May 2, 2025

🚀 $220K from Techstars New York City

Techstars NYC is investing in startups reimagining how people live, work, and thrive — from fintech to AI to climate.

📅 Apply here by June 11, 2025

🩺 $220K from Techstars Healthcare

In partnership with Permanente Medicine, this accelerator backs startups transforming how healthcare is delivered and experienced.

📅 Apply here by June 11, 2025

🏙️ $220K from Techstars Boston

Boston’s ecosystem is perfect for healthtech, climate, and future of work startups. If you’re early stage and ready to scale .

📅 Apply here by June 11, 2025

💳 $20K in Stripe Credits

Get $20K in Stripe credits through HubSpot for Startups.

📅 Rolling deadline apply here

✨ One of our top tips? Get into the accelerator pipeline early! Techstars just opened 13 new programs. If you think you’re a good fit, don’t wait (& if you need a second opinion on your application? Just reply to this email.)

📲 Don't miss a beat on events, grants and more! Join the WhatsApp community today.

How Marlow Made Period Talk Go Viral

 Born from a college project (yes, really), Marlow introduced the first tampon system made to be used with lubricant  and built a cult following by saying what everyone else was too embarrassed to admit: tampons can hurt.

They created The TMI Club, an educational, unfiltered community that made people feel seen, supported, and a little less alone in the period aisle.
 

💡 3 Lessons for Small Biz Owners:
 

✅ Solve the pain (literally): Marlow found a problem (tampon discomfort) and tackled it with a game changing product.

✅ Use TikTok like a pro: No ads. Just honest, scroll stopping content that sparked millions of views and thousands of DMs saying “omg this is me.”

✅ Build a community moat: Their “TMI Club” isn’t just cute branding it’s a feedback loop, a loyal fanbase, and free content gold.

You don’t need to invent something from scratch. You need to listen hard, say the quiet things out loud, and meet your people where they’re already scrolling.