Feb. 24, 2026

How Should Founders Handle Failed Deals with Investors?

How Should Founders Handle Failed Deals with Investors?
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What do you say when a deal fails — and how do you say it to your investors?

In this episode of The Investor Relations Podcast, Dr. Thomas J Powell shares how he approaches the hardest conversations in capital management: when things don’t go as planned. With over $3.2 billion raised across 500+ founder deals, Tom talks candidly about transparency, accountability, and why most investors respect honesty more than rosy projections. Learn why the best investor relationships are built on trust that goes beyond returns — and how the right approach to failure can actually build long-term alignment.

🎧 If you're navigating investor communication in uncertain times, this episode offers wisdom forged through real-world experience.

Connect with our Guest:
Dr. Thomas J Powell is the Founder of The Founder’s Office™, an elite advisory firm for founder-led businesses. Learn more at: www.founders-office.com
Listen to his show, The Powell Perspective Podcast: www.youtube.com/@ThePowellPerspectivePodcast

🔗 Explore more episodes or connect with us below:
Podcast Website: www.theinvestorrelationspodcast.com
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@TheInvestorRelationsPodcast
LinkedIn Page: www.linkedin.com/company/theinvestorrelationspodcast
Host Joshua B. Wilson: www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson
Contact: www.theinvestorrelationspodcast.com/contact/

#InvestorRelations #CapitalLoss #FounderAdvice #InvestorCommunication #FamilyOffice #PrivateEquity

Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let’s Connect on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

To Contact Us, Please Visit:

https://www.theinvestorrelationspodcast.com/contact/

Dr. Thomas J Powell Profile Photo

Founder

Imagine this: It’s 2 a.m. The screen from your laptop hums while your idea, your capital, and your team hang in the balance. You need the next step spelled out, a conversation with someone who can turn those uncertainties into clarity.

Dr. Thomas Powell is not just another voice in the capital game. He’s a founder’s founder. A strategist who’s been in the fire and still walks through it for the people he serves. Over the last three decades, he’s structured over $3.2 billion in capital, led global funds, shaped policy at the highest levels, and built a reputation for turning risk and regulation into opportunity and advantage.

Tom doesn’t play in the noise. He builds structure, clarity, and momentum, especially when everything feels like it’s about to come apart. He’s the man behind The Founder’s Office™, an elite advisory and advocacy firm helping founder-led businesses align their capital strategy with legal protection, leadership clarity, and long-term legacy.

What sets him apart? He’s not just fluent in finance, he speaks founder. He understands the isolation, the weight, the stakes. When you need more than just a lawyer, more than just a banker, more than just a coach, you call Tom.

He’s a Doctor of Law and Policy. A constitutional strategist. A real-estate developer. A global skier. A father and a grandfather. And perhaps most of all, an unwavering advocate for those still crazy enough to build.