Business Savages (Olya Grovel)

In this episode of Business Savages, Olya Grovel sits down with Mouna Laaragat, founder of The Grit Makers and a trauma-informed mindset coach, to discuss her transformation from burnout and self-sabotage to a leader in resilience. Mouna candidly shares her journey, including how she overcame destructive habits tied to trauma and how these challenges shaped her personal and professional success. She reveals the strategies she uses to help individuals and leaders build sustainable resilience, transform their mindset, and find balance in high-pressure environments.

Join Olya and Mouna as they discuss key topics like breaking free from unhealthy patterns, embracing vulnerability, and turning adversity into strength.

Learning Takeaways:

1. Transforming Burnout into Growth:

Mouna emphasizes that burnout isn’t just exhaustion—it’s an opportunity to reevaluate what isn't working and create lasting change.

2. Harnessing Vulnerability for Growth:

Discover how embracing vulnerability, rather than seeing it as a weakness, can foster personal growth and stronger connections in business and life.

3. Overcoming Perfectionism:

Letting go of the need to be perfect allows for progress. Mouna shares how embracing imperfection has been key in her entrepreneurial journey.

4. Embracing Change and Self-Awareness:

Understand the power of self-awareness in identifying patterns that hold you back and how small, consistent changes lead to long-term transformation.

5. The Importance of Emotional Resilience:

Learn how building emotional resilience, through mindset shifts and healthy habits, can provide the foundation for success in all areas of life.

Homework:

1. Evaluate Your Routines:

Identify one habit that drains your energy or well-being and replace it with a positive one that supports your mental or physical health.

2. Embrace Vulnerability:

Reflect on an area of your life where you’ve been avoiding vulnerability. Take one small step this week to open up, either personally or professionally.

3. Start Before You’re Ready:

Challenge yourself to take action on a project or goal without waiting for perfection. Focus on progress over perfection.

4. Reclaim Your Joy:

List five activities you loved as a child. Make time to reintroduce one of these activities into your life to reconnect with your joy.

5. Build Emotional Resilience:

Each day this week, take five minutes to reflect on a challenge you faced. Acknowledge your emotions and consider what this experience has taught you.

Episode Highlights:

1. Breaking Free from Burnout (05:27 - 07:45):

Mouna shares her wake-up call moment when she realized that her habits were self-destructive and that change was necessary for long-term health and success.

2. Why We Wait for Crisis to Make Changes (06:12 - 07:45):

Mouna explains why most people only take action when they hit rock bottom and how discomfort becomes a catalyst for transformation.

3. Overcoming Perfectionism in Business (26:30 - 28:12):

Mouna reveals how letting go of the need to get everything right has allowed her to take bold actions and grow her business more effectively.

4. The Power of Inner Child Work (21:17 - 24:16):

Learn how Mouna used inner child work to break free from recurring patterns in relationships and career, and how it helped her develop empathy and emotional intelligence.

5. Mastering the Art of Small, Consistent Actions (37:42 - 39:34):

Mouna talks about the importance of small, daily habits in creating big, lasting changes and how consistency builds resilience over time.

This episode is a powerful exploration of how personal transformation can lead to professional success, offering listeners actionable insights on breaking free from burnout, embracing vulnerability, and achieving resilience.

Today's guest, Brennan Schlagbaum, former CPA and founder of Budget Dog Academy, shares his transformative journey from shouldering over $300,000 in debt to designing a blueprint for financial independence and hitting a 1M net worth by 30. This episode delves into the pivotal moments and strategic decisions that catalyzed his transition from financial chaos to clarity. Join us as Brennan unpacks the core principles of achieving true financial freedom, underscored by the vital distinction between merely managing finances and mastering them for a purpose-driven life.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Evolution of Financial Mindset: How Brennan shifted from overwhelming debt to a strategic wealth builder, and the lessons learned along the way.
• The Role of 'Why' in Financial Planning: Discover the importance of knowing your deep-seated motivations and how this awareness can radically alter your financial practices.
• Strategies to Avoid Common Financial Traps: Learn about the typical pitfalls that ensnare many individuals and how to navigate around them to maintain financial health.
• Practical Steps to Financial Mastery: Brennan shares actionable steps and homework to help listeners start their journey toward financial literacy and empowerment.

Homework:

1. Find Your Why: Dive deep into understanding your motivations by asking 'why' repeatedly. This exercise aims to uncover the real reasons behind your financial goals.
2. Identify What You Don't Want: Recognize what you're trying to avoid financially, helping you better understand what you actually want.
3. Financial Reality Check: Review the last three months of bank and credit card statements. Ask yourself if your spending aligns with your goals, providing a stark reality check on your financial habits.
4. Know Your Numbers: Define a clear financial goal in numbers. This task focuses on understanding exactly how much money you need to live the life you desire, setting a foundation for your financial plan.

Brennan's IG - https://www.instagram.com/budgetdog

Brennan's Book - https://www.budgetdogacademy.com/pre-order-now-1

In this episode, Olya Grovel sits down with Justin Williams, a seasoned recruiter who recently faced a significant layoff from Blizzard Entertainment. Justin shares his personal journey from handling the unexpected news to actively seeking new opportunities. He delves into the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, the role of networking, and the value of soft skills in the recruitment process. Together, they explore strategies for resilience, emotional intelligence, and the power of gratitude in overcoming professional setbacks.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Coping with Layoffs: Justin's approach to handling his layoff and reframing the experience as an opportunity.
• Networking Strategies: The importance of warm referrals and proactive networking in today's job market.
• Emotional Intelligence: Techniques for managing emotions, practicing empathy, and maintaining professionalism under pressure.
• Gratitude Practices: The benefits of daily gratitude routines and positive affirmations to foster a forward-moving mindset.

Homework:

1. Assume Positive Intent: Reflect on recent interactions where you may have assumed negative intent. Reframe these situations by assuming positive intent.
2. Does It Serve Me?: Analyze recent events or upcoming challenges with the question, "Does this serve me?" and let go of those that don't.
3. Practice Kindness: Make a conscious effort to be kind in your interactions and note down instances where this approach positively impacted your day.

Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinalanwilliams/

Justin's IG: https://www.instagram.com/justifyleo

Olya Grovel sits down with Maeva Cifuentes, the dynamic founder and CEO of FlyingCat, an SEO and content agency for B2B SaaS companies. Maeva shares her inspiring journey from freelance translation and bartending to leading a successful remote agency. She delves into the challenges of scaling her business, the importance of personal development, and the strategies she uses to maintain balance and productivity.

Join Olya and Maeva as they explore the evolution from freelancing to entrepreneurship, the impact of mindset on success, and the lessons learned from overcoming business obstacles.

In this episode, you will learn:

Transitioning from Freelancing to Running an Agency:

Maeva and Olya discuss the organic growth of Maeva's business from a one-person operation to a fully remote agency. Maeva shares her experiences of finding and managing a team and the importance of delegation in scaling her business.

Overcoming Mindset Blocks:

Maeva opens up about the mindset challenges she faced, including her relationship with money and dealing with imposter syndrome. She explains how personal development and coaching have played crucial roles in her entrepreneurial journey.

Managing Financial and Emotional Stress:

Maeva emphasizes the significance of understanding one's financial goals and the impact of financial stress on mental and physical health. She shares strategies for setting financial targets and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

The Role of Coaches and Mentors:

Maeva and Olya highlight the value of having coaches and mentors. Maeva recounts her experiences with different coaches and offers advice on finding the right mentor for your entrepreneurial journey.

Homework:

Explore Your Money Mindset:

Reflect on your relationship with money. Identify any limiting beliefs or blocks you may have and consider how they might be affecting your business decisions and financial health.

Find a Coach or Mentor:

If you don’t already have a coach or mentor, take steps to find one. Look for someone who has experience in your field and can provide valuable insights and guidance.

Prioritize Self-Care:

Establish a morning or evening routine that includes activities promoting personal efficacy. Whether it’s meditation, exercise, or a gratitude journal, find what works for you and stick to it.

Episode Highlights:

1. From Bartending to Business Owner (02:03 - 02:48) Maeva shares her journey from freelance translation and bartending to founding FlyingCat, illustrating the early challenges and motivations behind her transition.

2. Scaling the Team (04:46 - 05:19) Maeva discusses the organic growth of her team and the lessons learned from hiring and managing employees.

3. Dealing with Financial Stress (17:03 - 17:48) Olya and Maeva delve into the impact of financial stress on mental and physical health and share strategies for mitigating its effects.

4. The Importance of Coaching (09:30 - 10:20) Maeva highlights how having coaches and mentors has been instrumental in her growth and offers tips for finding the right support.

In this episode, we dive into the lessons learned by Charles Engelen, a seasoned product designer, facilitator, and innovation consultant from building 166 MVPs, exploring why failing in a startup can be a valuable experience, how creating new products is like fishing on Lake Geneva, and the best strategies for maintaining your composure while moving at breakneck speed. Join us for actionable insights and inspiring stories from an experienced innovator who knows the highs and lows of the startup journey.

In this episode, you will learn:

1. Understand Your Audience: Charles emphasizes the importance of knowing who you're building your product for. It's not just about having a great idea; it's about solving a problem for your target users.

2. Fail Fast, Fail Cheap: Adopting an iterative approach allows startups to learn quickly and pivot when necessary. Embrace failure as part of the learning process.

3. Balance Vision with Reality: Innovation is key, but it needs to be paced. Introducing radical changes too quickly can lead to resistance and failure. Incremental improvements can often be more effective.

4. Money Matters: While passion and purpose are crucial, financial stability and strategic funding are essential for sustaining a startup. Be frugal and strategic with funds. 

5. Work-Life Balance: Charles shares his routine of spending quality time with his children and taking breaks to reset his mind. It helps in reducing stress and gives you a fresh perspective on things.

Homework :

1. Talk to the Fish and Fishermen: Talk to people, talk to users, and conduct at least 100 user interviews to understand your audience deeply. This will help refine your idea and align it with real user needs.

2. Reset Routine: Plan regular breaks from your routine to reset and gain fresh perspectives. Whether it's a short trip or just changing your environment, breaking the routine can help you recharge and refocus.

Charles's LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-engelen/

In this episode, Olya sits down with Justyna CG, a solopreneur, marketing consultant, and creator. Justyna shares her journey of overcoming the unique challenges faced by women in the entrepreneurial world, discussing everything from the misconceptions she encountered to the empowerment she found in building her own lane. They delve into the importance of understanding your strengths, the power of community, and how personal and professional support systems can make or break your journey. Join us for an honest and motivating discussion about resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of creating your own path in business and life.

In this episode, you will learn:

1. Challenges for Female Entrepreneurs: Justyna and Olya discuss the gender biases and stereotypes that women often face in the entrepreneurial world. Justi shares personal stories of being underestimated and how she turned those experiences into a source of motivation.

2. Building a Supportive Network: Both Olya and Justyna highlight the importance of having a supportive partner or mentor. Justyna credits her husband for being a crucial part of her success, providing both emotional support and business advice.

3. Finding Your Unique Strengths: Justyna advises listeners to identify their unique strengths and skills, which she refers to as their "unfair advantage." She explains how understanding what comes naturally to you can help in building a successful business.

Homework:

1. Identify Your “Unfair Advantage”: Reflect on what comes naturally to you and what you excel at without much effort. This could be a skill, a unique perspective, or a particular approach that sets you apart.

2. Define the Reaction You Want to Elicit: Think about the kind of reaction you want from your clients or audience. Is it amazement, trust, excitement, or something else? Use this to guide your business strategy and content creation.

3. Seek a Mentor: If you don't already have one, look for a mentor who can provide guidance and support in your entrepreneurial journey. Use platforms like LinkedIn or growthmentor.com to find someone who aligns with your goals and values.

Justyna’s Linkedin profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/justyna-ciecierska/

Olya sits down with Sergio Borasino, a seasoned entrepreneur and head of a startup incubator. Sergio shares his journey from working in corporate marketing to becoming a successful entrepreneur startup mentor. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to leave the corporate world, the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with family life, and the importance of networking and maintaining a positive mindset.

Join Olya and Sergio as they explore the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the value of learning from failures, and the strategies for maintaining personal well-being while growing a business.

In this episode, you will learn:

1. Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurial Life: Sergio and Olya discuss the challenges and rewards of leaving a corporate job to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. Sergio shares his personal story of a pivotal moment that led to his decision.

2. Balancing Family and Business: Sergio emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between family responsibilities and business growth. He shares his strategies for managing time effectively and ensuring that family remains a priority.

3. The Power of Networking: Both Sergio and Olya highlight the significance of building and maintaining a strong network. Sergio shares anecdotes about how networking has opened doors and provided valuable opportunities throughout his career.

4. Learning from Failures: Sergio and Olya talk about the importance of reframing failures as learning experiences. They discuss cognitive reframing techniques and share personal stories of overcoming setbacks.

Homework:

1. Sharpen Your Ax: Identify activities that help you maintain a high level of productivity and ensure you make time for them. Reflect on how these activities save you time and improve your efficiency.

2. Reframe Failures as Learning Experiences: Look back at recent situations where you felt you failed and practice cognitive reframing to see them as learning opportunities. Reflect on what you learned and how it can guide your future actions.

3. Network Actively: Make a list of people in your industry or community who you would like to connect with. Reach out to them for coffee chats, informational interviews, or networking events to expand your professional network.

Olya Grovel sits down with Karlis Jonass, an empathetic product coach, to explore coaching and mentoring startup teams. Karlis shares his journey from participating in hackathons to facilitating the growth of early-stage startups. They delve into the challenges of giving feedback, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the role of commitment in entrepreneurial success.

Join Olya and Karlis as they discuss the significance of active listening, structured experimentation, and the impact of personal development on business growth.

In this episode, you will learn:

1. Transitioning from Coaching to Mentoring:

• Karlis and Olya discuss the differences between coaching and mentoring, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness and giving responsibility to startup teams.

2. Overcoming Mindset Blocks:

• Karlis opens up about the mindset challenges he faced, including dealing with different personalities and maintaining emotional intelligence.

3. Managing Financial and Emotional Stress:

• The significance of understanding financial goals and the impact of financial stress on mental and physical health.

4. The Role of Coaches and Mentors:

• Highlighting the value of having coaches and mentors, Karlis recounts his experiences and offers advice on finding the right support.

1. Explore Your Emotional Intelligence:

• Reflect on your emotional intelligence. Identify areas where you can improve your self-awareness and understanding of others.

2. Practice Active Listening:

• In your next conversation, try to listen actively and refer back to the person’s opinions, facts, and emotions. Observe the impact on the conversation.

3. Identify Your Talents:

• Think about your talents and how you can use them to self-actualize in your professional and personal life.

1. Starting Founders Club (03:14 - 04:31):

• Karlis describes his transition from participating in hackathons to coaching and mentoring startup teams.

2. Setting Boundaries and Expectations (10:37 - 12:53):

• Discussing the importance of giving feedback and raising awareness without imposing judgments.

3. Dealing with Financial Stress (17:03 - 17:48):

• Impact of financial stress on mental and physical health and strategies to manage it.

4. Commitment and Emotional Intelligence (24:45 - 27:27):

• The role of commitment and emotional intelligence in entrepreneurial success.

Homework:

1. Explore Your Emotional Intelligence:

• Reflect on your emotional intelligence. Identify areas where you can improve your self-awareness and understanding of others.

2. Practice Active Listening:

• In your next conversation, try to listen actively and refer back to the person’s opinions, facts, and emotions. Observe the impact on the conversation.

3. Identify Your Talents:

• Think about your talents and how you can use them to self-actualize in your professional and personal life.

Episode Highlights:

1. Starting Founders Club (03:14 - 04:31):

• Karlis describes his transition from participating in hackathons to coaching and mentoring startup teams.

2. Setting Boundaries and Expectations (10:37 - 12:53):

• Discussing the importance of giving feedback and raising awareness without imposing judgments.

3. Dealing with Financial Stress (17:03 - 17:48):

• Impact of financial stress on mental and physical health and strategies to manage it.

4. Commitment and Emotional Intelligence (24:45 - 27:27):

• The role of commitment and emotional intelligence in entrepreneurial success.

In this pilot episode, Olya and her guest guest Gleb Gordeev unfold the narrative of conquering the underdog mentality and imposter syndrome. They share powerful personal insights and strategies on how to face these common challenges head-on, transforming feedback from a source of fear to a foundation for growth. Listeners will gain invaluable lessons on overcoming self-doubt, utilizing feedback as a constructive tool, and effectively narrowing the distance between current skills and future ambitions. This episode is not just a conversation; it's a roadmap for anyone looking to turn their perceived weaknesses into stepping stones towards achieving their dreams.

Homework Summary:

1. Anti-self-doubt exercise: Sit down and reflect on instances where you've received negative feedback. Distinguish between actual feedback and perceptions possibly magnified in your head. This exercise aims to help you differentiate between constructive criticism and unfounded self-doubt.
2. Positive Feedback Repository: Create a collection of positive feedback and accomplishments to remind yourself of your strengths and achievements during moments of doubt.
3. "Follow the money" Exercise: Assess your current skills and identify how they can bridge the gap to your ambitions. This step encourages a strategic approach to leveraging your strengths effectively.

Olya - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olya-grovel-ryabinina/

Olya's upcoming product -

Gleb - https://www.linkedin.com/in/glebgordeev/

Gleb's product studio - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kodebusters/

In this episode of "Business Savages," Olya Grovel catches up with Bassam Shawl, a comedian and former communications professional, to discuss the highs and lows of working in Washington, D.C.'s cutthroat public affairs scene. They explore how toxic work environments can affect your confidence, the importance of perseverance in pursuing your passion, and the surprising lessons learned from stand-up comedy. Bassam shares his journey from feeling like an outsider in a corporate shark tank to finding his true calling on stage, providing valuable insights on resilience, authenticity, and the power of knowing your audience.

Learning Takeaways

1. Recognize Toxic Work Environments: Learn how to identify a toxic work culture and understand its impact on your mental health and career growth.

2. Importance of Self-Awareness and Authenticity: Discover how being true to oneself and finding the unique aspects that only you can bring to your work or performance can set you apart.

3. Resilience in the Face of Rejection: Understand the importance of perseverance, especially in creative fields like comedy, where rejection is part of the process.

4. Leveraging Unconventional Opportunities: Gain insight into how unconventional paths and opportunities can lead to significant breakthroughs in one’s career.

5. Networking with Intention: Learn the value of building a network that supports your growth, both professionally and personally, and how surrounding yourself with the right people can propel you forward.

   Homework

1. Audit Your Environment: Take time to reflect on your current work or social environment. Identify any toxic elements and plan actionable steps to create a healthier atmosphere, whether through setting boundaries or seeking new opportunities.

2. Personal SWOT Analysis: Conduct a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis on yourself. Focus particularly on what makes you unique in your field or what unique perspectives you can offer.

3. Take the Stage: If you’re interested in public speaking or performance, challenge yourself to an open mic night or a similar speaking engagement. Use this experience to learn more about how you present yourself and receive feedback.

4. Build Your Resilience Routine: Identify one small action you can take daily that helps build resilience. This could be a writing exercise, a stand-up practice, or even a daily reflection.

5. Reach Out with Kindness: Inspired by Tony Robbins' practice mentioned in the episode, reach out to someone in your network with a mindful message, acknowledging their strengths or achievements. This will help build a more supportive community around you.

In this episode of Business Savages, host Olya Grovel sits down with entrepreneur Andrew Ricci to explore how he turned the low point of being let go from his job into a thriving business. Andrew shares his journey of launching his company just days after his dismissal and discusses the personal growth that came from facing failure head-on. From learning to separate his personal and professional identity to embracing uncomfortable situations, Andrew reveals the secrets behind his seven years of entrepreneurial success. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or someone navigating career transitions, this episode is packed with insights on resilience, mental health, and business innovation.

Learning Takeaways:

1. The Power of Resilience: Andrew’s journey highlights the importance of bouncing back quickly after setbacks. Starting his business just days after losing his job shows how resilience and determination can lead to success.

2. Decouple Personal and Professional Identity: Andrew stresses the need to separate your worth from your career achievements. He explains how this mental shift helped him thrive as an entrepreneur.

3. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Success requires stepping into discomfort. Andrew shares how embracing failure and discomfort led to personal growth and business breakthroughs.

4. Small Changes Lead to Big Results: Andrew’s approach to making small, consistent adjustments in his routine, like minimizing distractions and scheduling focus time, is key to long-term success.

5. Prioritize Relationships Over Ego: Andrew emphasizes the importance of reliability and collaboration over ego, which has helped him retain clients and grow his business.

Homework:

1. Embrace Failure: Identify an area in your life where you're avoiding failure. Challenge yourself to actively engage with it this week, whether it's in your career, personal life, or a passion project.

2. Decouple Your Identity: Reflect on how much of your self-worth is tied to your job. Write down one thing outside of work that defines you, and spend time nurturing that part of your life.

3. Implement a Small Habit: Start by changing one small thing in your routine to boost productivity. It could be as simple as putting your phone away for 30 minutes during lunch to read or focus on creative work.

4. Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable: This week, take a small step outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s making a bold career move or trying something new, challenge yourself to embrace the discomfort and learn from it.

   
   

   Episode Highlights:

1. Starting a PR Firm After a Layoff (02:00 - 04:37):

• Andrew discusses how he quickly transitioned from being laid off to launching his own PR business and the steps he took to secure his first clients.

2. Navigating Mental Health in a Toxic Work Environment (11:14 - 12:28):

• The conversation shifts to how Andrew dealt with the mental strain of working in a toxic environment and the relief he felt upon leaving.

3. Overcoming the Fear of Business Development (07:46 - 09:57):

• Andrew shares his initial discomfort with client development and how he gradually built confidence in this area.

4. Managing Work-Life Balance with a Family (22:19 - 29:23):

• Learn how Andrew balances running a business with family life, including his unique work schedule that maximizes productivity while being present for his children.

5. The Importance of Consistency in Building New Habits (36:42 - 37:42):

• Andrew and Olya discuss the power of consistency in forming new habits and how small changes can lead to significant results over time.

Olya Grovel welcomes Justyna Kedra, founder of WeRule and host of Let's Talk Impact. Justyna shares her journey from fashion design to founding a community for female founders. She discusses the importance of knowing one's strengths, setting boundaries, and the lessons learned from managing relationships in business.

Join Olya and Justyna as they explore the impact of mindset on success, the role of mentors, and strategies for maintaining authenticity in a competitive environment.

In this episode, you will learn:

1. Transitioning Careers:

• Justyna recounts her journey from fashion design to founding WeRule, emphasizing the importance of not overthinking and starting with small steps.

2. Importance of Boundaries:

• She shares experiences on the necessity of setting boundaries early in one's career to avoid being taken advantage of.

3. Overcoming Perceptions:

• Justyna discusses the challenges of dealing with preconceived notions and how to maintain one's authenticity.

4. Value of Mentorship:

• Highlighting the impact of mentors and the importance of seeking guidance to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.

5. Navigating Feedback:

• Justyna’s unique approach to seeking constructive criticism and how it aids in refining business ideas.

1. Seek Honest Feedback:

• Ask peers or mentors to critique your business ideas without holding back to identify potential improvements.

2. Flip Negative Narratives:

• Identify areas where you feel less confident and actively tell yourself you are good at them to shift your mindset.

3. Distinguish Side Quests from Main Goals:

• Evaluate your current activities to ensure they align with your primary business objectives rather than just keeping you busy.

Homework:

1. Seek Honest Feedback:

• Ask peers or mentors to critique your business ideas without holding back to identify potential improvements.

2. Flip Negative Narratives:

• Identify areas where you feel less confident and actively tell yourself you are good at them to shift your mindset.

3. Distinguish Side Quests from Main Goals:

• Evaluate your current activities to ensure they align with your primary business objectives rather than just keeping you busy.

1. Starting WeRule (03:14 - 04:31):

• Justyna describes the organic growth of WeRule and the importance of taking initiative without overthinking.

2. Setting Boundaries (40:16 - 41:11):

• The significance of saying no and understanding your worth in professional settings.

3. Dealing with Perceptions (27:27 - 28:13):

• Overcoming judgments based on social media and maintaining authenticity.

4. Seeking Mentorship (16:01 - 16:20):

• The value of having mentors and learning from their experiences to navigate business challenges.

5. Navigating Feedback (24:10 - 25:27):

• Justyna’s strategy of seeking out negative feedback to improve her business ideas and execution.

Episode Highlights:

1. Starting WeRule (03:14 - 04:31):

• Justyna describes the organic growth of WeRule and the importance of taking initiative without overthinking.

2. Setting Boundaries (40:16 - 41:11):

• The significance of saying no and understanding your worth in professional settings.

3. Dealing with Perceptions (27:27 - 28:13):

• Overcoming judgments based on social media and maintaining authenticity.

4. Seeking Mentorship (16:01 - 16:20):

• The value of having mentors and learning from their experiences to navigate business challenges.

5. Navigating Feedback (24:10 - 25:27):

• Justyna’s strategy of seeking out negative feedback to improve her business ideas and execution.

Olya Grovel sits down with Jing Hu, a passionate entrepreneur, to discuss her journey from working in various business ventures to launching her own startup focused on helping entrepreneurs navigate the technical aspects of their businesses. Jing delves into the motivations behind her entrepreneurial pursuits, the critical moments of deciding when to pivot or quit, and the importance of finding balance and passion in her work.

Join Olya and Jing as they explore the intricacies of starting a business, the significance of taking customer feedback seriously, and strategies for maintaining personal well-being while growing a startup.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Transitioning from Multiple Ventures to a Focused Startup:

Jing and Olya discuss the challenges and motivations behind moving from one entrepreneurial venture to another. Jing shares her experiences of finding her true passion and aligning it with her skills and interests.

• Balancing Work and Personal Life:

Jing emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life. She shares her strategies for ensuring mental well-being and setting boundaries to avoid burnout.

• The Importance of Customer Feedback:

Both Jing and Olya highlight the value of listening to customer feedback. Jing shares stories of how being open to criticism and pivoting based on customer input has been crucial to her success.

• Learning from Failures:

Jing and Olya talk about the necessity of viewing failures as learning opportunities. They discuss techniques for cognitive reframing and share personal stories of overcoming setbacks and growing from them.

Homework:

Understand Your Quadrants:

Identify the intersection of what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. Reflect on how focusing on these areas can enhance your entrepreneurial journey.

Own Your Balance:

Determine what balance means for you personally. Create a plan to ensure that you maintain this balance, considering both work and personal life commitments.

Embrace Customer Feedback:

Make a habit of regularly seeking feedback from your customers. Reflect on recent feedback and consider how you can use it to improve your product or service.

Avoid Comparisons:

Limit your time on social media and focus on your personal and professional growth. Reflect on how this change impacts your mental well-being and productivity.