So many people featured on this podcast have been co-founders. But how do you know if you and your potential co-founder are the right fit? How can you test your working dynamic before making a MAJOR commitment?

Sam Safer Valentine suggests working on a project first. This way, you can see if you have complimentary communication skills. See how it feels to be vulnerable with them – and how you might handle potential conflict later on.

This is exactly what Sam did before she and her co-founders launched Norby, an AI-powered marketing intelligence platform. Knowing she could trust her business partners made ALL the difference while building the company.

From her early days curating fashion history at top museums to running a sales and marketing agency, then pivoting into tech, this conversation with Sam is filled with invaluable insights on co-founder dynamics, navigating pivots, and trusting your ability to figure things out, along with the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

You’ll also hear great advice about collaboration, being a generalist, and trusting your ability to find the answers.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Sam’s remarkable journey from being an assistant curator at London's Fashion and Textile Museum to co-founding Norby
• Why you should tackle a project with your potential co-founder first to test your compatibility, communication styles, and ability to handle conflict
• Norby's evolution from an all-in-one marketing platform to an AI-powered marketing intelligence platform
• The parallels between starting a company and being a parent, requiring adaptability, resilience, and the ability to handle unexpected challenges while maintaining composure

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Check out Sam’s company, Norby.

Sarina is a consultant who works with startup leaders and entrepreneurs. Connect with her on her website, on Instagram, and on LinkedIn, and check out more episodes of the Career Memos podcast.

Is your market not ready for your product? Here’s an idea: try a different market.

This is what Julia Belt and her co-founder, Margaret Hines did when their company, Mindly, a mental wellness platform focused on delivering digital single-session interventions, wasn’t taking off as fast as they expected it would.

The economy was doing poorly and mental health budgets were being cut. One advisor suggested waiting a few years and trying again. Instead, they floated the idea to the youth mental health network. It took off like wildfire.

So many founders think they need to find their market fit right away. The reality? You might need to try a few things before you get it right.

In this episode, Julia beautifully shares how her brother’s suicide inspired her to leave the chemical engineering industry to create innovative mental health solutions.

She shares thoughtful insights about the challenges of pivoting in business, mental resilience, and the importance of following your why, which she says will guide you no matter the obstacles you meet along the way.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Julia’s background in chemical engineering, and how the devastating loss of her brother inspired her to create BroglieBox, a mental health gifting company
• The genesis of Mindly, a mental health platform that delivers single-session interventions for youth
• The importance of letting go of ego, being willing to learn publicly, and continuously reaching out to experts and potential partners (even when it feels uncomfortable)
• The value of finding two types of mentors: one who has successfully built something similar to your goals, and another who is just a few steps ahead of where you are
• Julia’s advice for entrepreneurs, including scheduling focused work blocks, identifying your most productive hours, and maintaining clear boundaries between work/personal time

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Learn more about Mindly on their website and check out Julia’s favorite book, The Surrender Experiment: My Journey Into Life’s Perfection by Michael Singer.

Sarina is a consultant who works with startup leaders and entrepreneurs. Connect with her on her website, on Instagram, and on LinkedIn, and check out more episodes of the Career Memos podcast.

One of the most transformative steps Katy Marshall took in her leadership career was hiring an executive coach six years ago.

At the time, Katy was feeling fried and wasn’t getting what she needed out of her team. The bold first step her coach suggested? Gathering “360-degree feedback” from ALL angles: managers, peers, and direct reports. The impact and learnings were eye-opening and invaluable.

Katy’s career journey has landed her a variety of roles, including coveted C-Suite positions. Now the COO of Thesis, she takes us through her fascinating story from management consulting at BCG to making MAJOR moves at startups and transitioning from CMO to COO.

I’m so excited for Katy to be our guest today, even more so because we worked at a startup together previously. She has so much wisdom to share, and this episode is a must-listen if you’re a mid-career professional aiming for the C-Suite, or navigating a major career transition.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How management consulting at BCG shaped Katy’s versatile skill set and opened doors to her future roles at startups and major companies
• How to maintain and leverage career-long relationships for mutual learning and career progression, and following the people interested in your growth and development
• Insights on Katy's transition from CMO to COO, including the skills and strategic thinking involved
• The indispensable role of executive coaching, feedback audits, and structured problem-solving in Katy’s journey to being a more effective leader
• Creating structure around ambiguity and being open, comfortable, and proactive when it comes to receiving feedback

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Sarina is a consultant who works with startup leaders and entrepreneurs. Connect with her on her website, on Instagram, and on LinkedIn, and check out more episodes of the Career Memos podcast.