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.

What do venture capitalists ACTUALLY look for in the founders they take on?

For Nisha Dua, co-founder of BBG Ventures, it’s all about great storytelling. What problem are you trying to solve? Why is your team best positioned to solve it? Also: why now?

BBG Ventures’ superpower is in supporting “overlooked” founders, particularly women and diverse groups who are targeting untapped markets. In this episode, Nisha sheds light on how demographic shifts post-COVID are presenting new opportunities for innovation and investment.

Nisha has a fascinating story, too: she’s the daughter of immigrants and grew up in a small Australian town. She worked in corporate law, consulting, and even lead strategy at AOL before co-founding BBG Ventures, launching their first institutional fund of $50 million in 2019!

Today, she shares deep insights into the venture capital world and reveals the evolving priorities within venture capital, the key considerations for investments, and how to create the perfect VC pitch, no matter what stage you’re in.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Nisha Dua's journey from corporate law, to consulting at Bain, managing strategy at AOL, and co-founding BBG Ventures
• The value of storytelling and 3 key questions founders should ask themselves in a VC pitch: Why now? Why this product? Why this team?
• Why non-linear career paths are OK (and sometimes better!) – allowing for serendipity and surprise
• VC pitching advice for pre-seed and seed founders, including common mistakes and red flags
• Drawing in overlooked founders and the importance of understanding the shifting identities, values, and behaviors of the American people

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Learn more about BBG Ventures including their investments in the Polycultural Future of America.

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.