gardyne realized many others had the same issues, so in 2014, she came up with the idea for oneva-- avice providing f.b.i.-background-checked care providers that customers can learn more about before they ever enter the home. >> hi, i'm zola. >> reporter: gardyne's business currently provides helpers for her parents, the santos' and 60 other clients. but being an african american woman entrepreneur is not without its challenges. >> our biggest challenge is cash. we have to turn stones that some folks don't have. i mean, in all candor, i don't have the hoodie and i'm not the 20-something that most people expect to see or would want to invest in, when you think about who in silicon valley is most likely to be able to secure that investment. >> reporter: at a 2015 startup competition, gardyne was about to make a pitch for oneva when a potential investor turned to her husband bob, oneva's chief technology officer, and another business partner. >> he just looked at them and the two men and said, "you're going to let the black girl pitch?" and that one floored me. >> reporter: what was goin