Podcasts about startup success

In this conversation, Stan Suchkov CEO and Co-founder of Evolve discusses his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of building diverse teams, navigating the challenges of startup funding, and the significance of hiring strategies. He shares insights on sales for both B2B and B2C markets, the impact of AI on learning, and the mindset required for long-term success in entrepreneurship. The discussion also touches on the value of connecting with influential entrepreneurs for guidance and inspiration.TakeawaysHire the person you don't like to balance your weaknesses.Building relationships with investors is crucial before fundraising.Actions speak louder than words when it comes to showing traction.Surround yourself with supportive people who can help you.Seek feedback from others to improve your product.Establish a clear company culture from the start.Start selling by yourself to gain valuable insights.Understand your market and budget for B2C products.Focus on one idea to avoid spreading yourself too thin.Connecting with experienced entrepreneurs can provide valuable insights.Interesting Topics00:00 The Importance of Diverse Teams02:54 Navigating the Startup Journey05:36 Building Relationships for Funding08:40 Hiring Strategies for Startups11:28 Sales Insights for B2B and B2C14:11 The Entrepreneurial Mindset17:20 Connecting with Influential EntrepreneursWhether you're launching your first startup, raising capital, or building a team around emerging AI technologies, this episode delivers real-world lessons you won't hear in a pitch deck.

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Snowy Nights and Startup Dreams: A Holiday Pitch to Success Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2025-12-16-23-34-02-nl Story Transcript:Nl: De sneeuw dwarrelde zachtjes neer op de straten van Amsterdam.En: The snow gently fell onto the streets of Amsterdam.Nl: De stad was versierd met fonkelende kerstlichtjes en er hing een warme geur van kaneel en dennennaalden in de lucht.En: The city was decorated with twinkling Christmas lights, and there was a warm scent of cinnamon and pine needles in the air.Nl: Midden in deze winterse sfeer bevond zich het Startup Incubatorgebouw, waar jonge ondernemers hard werkten aan hun dromen.En: Amidst this wintry atmosphere was the Startup Incubator building, where young entrepreneurs were hard at work on their dreams.Nl: Het was een plek vol met enthousiaste en gedreven mensen die hoopten op succes.En: It was a place full of enthusiastic and driven people hoping for success.Nl: Sven stond in een van de vergaderzalen, zijn handen trilden lichtjes.En: Sven stood in one of the meeting rooms, his hands trembling slightly.Nl: Het was een belangrijke dag voor hem.En: It was an important day for him.Nl: Hij zou zijn mobiele app presenteren aan een groep investeerders.En: He was going to present his mobile app to a group of investors.Nl: Het was zijn kans om de financiering binnen te halen die zijn startup zo hard nodig had.En: It was his chance to secure the funding his startup desperately needed.Nl: Hij wilde slagen voordat Kerstmis aanbrak, het perfecte cadeau voor zijn team en familie.En: He wanted to succeed before Christmas arrived, the perfect gift for his team and family.Nl: Aan de andere kant van de zaal zat Lotte met een geruststellende glimlach.En: On the other side of the room sat Lotte with a reassuring smile.Nl: Ze kende Sven al jaren en wist van de druk die op zijn schouders lag.En: She had known Sven for years and understood the pressure resting on his shoulders.Nl: Ze was zelf ook ondernemer, maar vandaag was zij hier om Sven te steunen.En: She was also an entrepreneur herself, but today she was there to support Sven.Nl: Toen het moment van zijn presentatie naderde, voelde Sven zijn hart sneller kloppen.En: As the moment of his presentation approached, Sven felt his heart beating faster.Nl: Terwijl hij begon te spreken, overviel een vlaag van paniek hem.En: As he began to speak, a wave of panic overwhelmed him.Nl: Zijn ademhaling werd oppervlakkig, en de ruimte leek plotseling kleiner.En: His breathing became shallow, and the room suddenly seemed smaller.Nl: De angst om te falen en zijn geliefden teleur te stellen overweldigde hem.En: The fear of failing and disappointing his loved ones engulfed him.Nl: Op dat moment stak Lotte haar hand op en glimlachte bemoedigend naar Sven.En: At that moment, Lotte raised her hand and smiled encouragingly at Sven.Nl: Zonder aarzeling stond ze op en begon met kalme zelfverzekerdheid te spreken.En: Without hesitation, she stood up and began to speak with calm confidence.Nl: "Dames en heren," zei ze, "laten we even pauzeren voor een kleine wijziging in de presentatie."En: "Ladies and gentlemen," she said, "let's pause for a slight change in the presentation."Nl: Haar charmante stijl trok de aandacht van de investeerders en gaf Sven tijd om tot rust te komen.En: Her charming style caught the investors' attention and gave Sven time to regain his composure.Nl: Buiten de zaal probeerde Sven zichzelf te kalmeren.En: Outside the room, Sven tried to calm himself.Nl: "Ik kan dit niet opgeven," fluisterde hij tegen zichzelf.En: "I can't give up," he whispered to himself.Nl: In gedachten zag hij het harde werk van zijn team en voelde hij hun vertrouwen.En: In his mind, he saw the hard work of his team and felt their trust.Nl: Hij ademde diep in en uit, en keerde terug naar de vergaderzaal.En: He took a deep breath and returned to the meeting room.Nl: Het was Lotte's signalering die Sven moed gaf.En: It was Lotte's signaling that gave Sven courage.Nl: Ze knikte hem bemoedigend toe.En: She nodded encouragingly at him.Nl: "Als je er klaar voor bent, zullen ze luisteren," zei haar blik.En: "When you're ready, they're going to listen," said her gaze.Nl: Met hernieuwde vastberadenheid hervatte Sven zijn presentatie.En: With renewed determination, Sven resumed his presentation.Nl: Hij sprak gepassioneerd over zijn app, zijn stem won aan kracht en overtuiging.En: He spoke passionately about his app, his voice gaining strength and conviction.Nl: Het was alsof de vreugdevolle kersttijd om de stad hen inspireerde.En: It was as if the joyful Christmas atmosphere around the city inspired them.Nl: De investeerders luisterden aandachtig en stelden vragen.En: The investors listened intently and asked questions.Nl: Sven beantwoorde elk van hen met zelfvertrouwen dat hij niet wist dat hij had.En: Sven answered each one with a confidence he didn't know he had.Nl: Na de presentatie stapten de investeerders op hem af.En: After the presentation, the investors approached him.Nl: Ze waren onder de indruk en wilden graag investeren.En: They were impressed and eager to invest.Nl: Sven kon zijn geluk niet geloven; zijn droom was binnen handbereik.En: Sven couldn't believe his luck; his dream was within reach.Nl: Lotte gaf hem een grote knuffel.En: Lotte gave him a big hug.Nl: "Je hebt het gedaan," zei ze.En: "You did it," she said.Nl: Die avond, terwijl de sneeuw bleef vallen, besefte Sven iets belangrijks.En: That evening, as the snow continued to fall, Sven realized something important.Nl: Hij realiseerde zich dat het omarmen van hulp en de steun van vrienden net zo belangrijk was als zijn eigen vastberadenheid.En: He realized that embracing help and the support of friends was just as crucial as his own determination.Nl: Samen hadden ze het onmogelijk ogende mogelijk gemaakt.En: Together, they had made what seemed impossible possible.Nl: En zo, op een koude maar betekenisvolle Amsterdamse winteravond, leerde Sven om niet alleen op zichzelf maar ook op zijn vrienden te vertrouwen.En: And so, on a cold but meaningful winter night in Amsterdam, Sven learned to rely not only on himself but also on his friends.Nl: Het was het beste kerstgeschenk dat hij zich kon wensen.En: It was the best Christmas gift he could have wished for. Vocabulary Words:gently: zachtjestwinkling: fonkelendecinnamon: kaneelpine needles: dennennaaldenatmosphere: sfeerincubator: incubatortrembling: trildendesperately: hard nodigreluctantly: met tegenzinreassuring: geruststellendepressure: drukapproached: naderdeoverwhelmed: overweldigdehesitation: aarzelingcomposure: rustencouragingly: bemoedigendconviction: overtuigingrenewed: hernieuwdeintently: aandachtigembracing: omarmencrucial: belangrijkdetermination: vastberadenheidimpressed: onder de indrukeager: graagmeaningful: betekenisvolleuncommon: onmogelijk ogendenthusiastic: enthousiastecharming: charmanteresumed: hervattepassionately: gepassioneerd

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Startup Dreams and Hanukkah Lights: A Pitch to Remember Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2025-12-16-08-38-20-he Story Transcript:He: היה זה יום קריר בחורף, בעיצומם של ימי חנוכה.En: It was a chilly winter day, in the midst of Hanukkah.He: אווירת חג שררה בחממת הסטארט-אפים, עם מנורות חנוכה מאירות וצליל טיגון לביבות מהמטבח הפתוח.En: The festive atmosphere prevailed in the startup incubator, with menorahs lighting up the space and the sound of latkes frying coming from the open kitchen.He: נועם ואליאנה התכוננו לרגע חשוב במיוחד.En: @Noam and Eliana were preparing for a particularly important moment.He: החלום שלהם היה להציג את הרעיון המהפכני שלהם בפני משקיעים, ולקוות שאת החנוכייה הזו יסיימו עם השקעה מוצקה.En: Their dream was to present their revolutionary idea to investors, hoping that this menorah season would end with a solid investment.He: "את מוכנה?" שאל נועם, קצת בעצבנות.En: “Are you ready?” @Noam asked, a bit nervously.He: אליאנה חייכה. "ברור. אתה יודע כמה אני מאמינה ברעיון שלנו. רק תהיה עצמך."En: Eliana smiled. "Of course. You know how much I believe in our idea. Just be yourself."He: נועם הסתכל סביבו בחדר המעוצב בסגנון מודרני – חלונות זכוכית ונוף של יזמים אחרים, כל אחד מהרהר בחלומו.En: @Noam looked around the modernly designed room – glass windows and a view of other entrepreneurs, each pondering their own dream.He: כל אלה לא הרגיעו את ליבו הפועם במהירות.En: None of this calmed his rapidly beating heart.He: אבל הוא ידע שאין דרך חזרה.En: But he knew there was no turning back.He: הם נכנסו לאולם שבו חיכו המשקיעים, יושבים סביב שולחן גדול.En: They entered the hall where the investors were waiting, sitting around a large table.He: האווירה הייתה מתוחה אך חמה, לאור החנוכיות הנוצצות.En: The atmosphere was tense yet warm, lit by the sparkling menorahs.He: צלחת עם לביבות חיכתה בצד, כמו להזכיר להם שגם בלחץ, יש לעיתים רגעי חג.En: A plate of latkes waited on the side, as if to remind them that even under pressure, there are sometimes moments of festivity.He: נועם התחיל להציג את הרעיון.En: @Noam began to present the idea.He: ראשיתו קצרה, כמה מחשבות נקטעו.En: His start was brief, with a few interrupted thoughts.He: אבל אז, מבט חרישי מאליאנה נתן לו כוח.En: But then a silent glance from Eliana gave him strength.He: עם כל מילה, הוא הרגיש שהבטחון חוזר אליו.En: With each word, he felt his confidence returning.He: הוא הסביר בבהירות על הפתרון שהם מציעים ועל ההזדמנות הגדולה שבפניהם.En: He clearly explained the solution they were offering and the great opportunity ahead of them.He: כשהגיע זמן השאלות, המשקיעים נראו מתרשמים.En: When it was time for questions, the investors seemed impressed.He: נועם, מלא עידוד, ענה בתשובות מושכות.En: Encouraged, @Noam answered with engaging responses.He: אליאנה תוספת פרט חשוב, והם היו צוות מושלם.En: Eliana added an important detail, and they were a perfect team.He: בסיום הפגישה, אחד המשקיעים קם והושיט את ידו. "אני בפנים," הוא אמר בחיוך.En: At the end of the meeting, one of the investors stood up and extended his hand. "I'm in," he said with a smile.He: והרגשת הקלה עברה בגופו של נועם.En: A feeling of relief washed over @Noam.He: באותו ערב, נועם ואליאנה מצאו עצמם חוגגים עם חברים ובני משפחה.En: That evening, @Noam and Eliana found themselves celebrating with friends and family.He: הם הדליקו נרות חנוכה, אכלו לביבות והודו בליבם על התמיכה שיש להם זה בזה.En: They lit Hanukkah candles, ate latkes, and silently thanked each other for the support they shared.He: נועם הבין שצעד גדול עשה היום.En: @Noam realized that he had taken a big step today.He: הוא לא רק ניצח את חרדת הבמה, אלא גם התחיל להאמין בכוח השותפות שלו עם אליאנה.En: Not only did he conquer his stage fright, but he also began to believe in the power of his partnership with Eliana.He: בקצה הערב, הוא לחש לאליאנה, "תודה לך. בלעדייך לא הייתי מצליח."En: At the end of the evening, he whispered to Eliana, "Thank you. Without you, I couldn't have succeeded."He: אליאנה חייכה, "אנחנו צוות. זה הכל אנחנו."En: Eliana smiled, "We're a team. It's all of us."He: האור של הנרות התמזג בריח המתוק של הסופגניות, והם ידעו שהעתיד שלהם מואר ומלא אפשרויות חדשות.En: The light of the candles blended with the sweet scent of sufganiyot, and they knew their future was bright and full of new possibilities. Vocabulary Words:chilly: קרירmidst: בעיצומםfestive: חגincubator: חממהmenorahs: מנורות חנוכהlatkes: לביבותrevolutionary: מהפכניinvestors: משקיעיםsolid: מוצקהnervously: בעצבנותpondering: מהרהרentrepreneurs: יזמיםconfidence: בטחוןopportunity: הזדמנותengaging: מושכותextend: הושיטrelief: הקלהconquer: ניצחfright: חרדהpartnership: שותפותwhispered: לחשblended: התמזגscent: ריחpossibilities: אפשרויותatmosphere: אווירהprevailed: שררהbravery: אומץsparkling: נוצצותlit: הדליקוmodernly: במודרניזםBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: From Fear to Fierce: Avi's Startup Spark in Tel Aviv Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2025-12-16-23-34-02-he Story Transcript:He: על גג בניין ברחוב הסואן של תל אביב, השתרעה עמדת הסטארטאפ, הומה רעיונות ואנשים.En: On the rooftop of a building in the bustling street of Tel Aviv, the startup's stand spread out, teeming with ideas and people.He: האוויר היה קריר, והשמיים התמלאו כוכבים.En: The air was cool, and the sky was filled with stars.He: מנורות קטנות נצצו מעל, מעניקות מקום מיוחד למפגש סוף השנה של יזמים ומשקיעים.En: Small lights twinkled above, giving a special place for the year's end meeting of entrepreneurs and investors.He: אבי עמד בצד, פניו מתוחים.En: Avi stood to the side, his face tense.He: הוא הבעלים הגאה של רעיון טכנולוגי חדשני, אבל עמד בפני אתגר אישי אדיר: הפחד לדבר מול קהל גדול.En: He was the proud owner of an innovative technological idea but was facing a tremendous personal challenge: the fear of speaking in front of a large audience.He: הוא יכל לשמוע את קולו המתוח של המשקיע מדבר עם טמר, שותפתו המסוגננת וכנראה גם כריזמטית יותר.En: He could hear the tense voice of the investor talking with Tamar, his stylish and apparently more charismatic partner.He: הילדותיות בבדיקת השם שלה ובשיחה קולחת קסמו לכל הסובבים.En: The playfulness in checking her name and the fluent conversation charmed everyone around.He: האירוע היה חגיגי במיוחד מכיוון שחל בחג החנוכה.En: The event was especially festive as it coincided with the holiday of Chanukah.He: כל אחד מהחוגגים קיבל סופגנייה זעירה, חמה ומתוקה, וסביבונים קטנים סבבו על השולחן.En: Each of the celebrants received a tiny, warm, and sweet sufganiyah, and small dreidels spun on the table.He: חלום של אבי היה להציג את הטכנולוגיה שלו.En: Avi's dream was to present his technology.He: אך הפחד משתק אותו.En: But fear paralyzed him.He: ידע כי זהו רגע מכריע.En: He knew this was a decisive moment.He: לידו עמדה המנורה, ממתינה להדלקה.En: Next to him stood the menorah, waiting to be lit.He: טמר התחילה לדבר איתו בעיניים טובות: "אבי, אתה מתכונן היטב.En: Tamar began to speak to him with kind eyes: "Avi, you are well-prepared.He: אתה יכול לעשות זאת.En: You can do this.He: זה הזמן שלך.En: It's your time."He: "הלילה הפך קר יותר.En: The night turned colder.He: אבי נאנח והדלק את נרות החנוכייה בידיים רועדות.En: Avi sighed and lit the Chanukah candles with trembling hands.He: האור הקטן הופץ בחשכה, ומיד משהו בליבו נדלק גם הוא.En: The small light spread in the darkness, and immediately something in his heart was also ignited.He: הוא נזכר למה הוא כאן - התשוקה לפרויקט שלו.En: He remembered why he was here—the passion for his project.He: בסופו של דבר, אבי עמד מול הקהל.En: In the end, Avi stood in front of the audience.He: הוא לקח נשימה עמוקה והתחיל לדבר.En: He took a deep breath and began to speak.He: מילותיו היו ברורות וחדות, מכוונות ישירות ללבם של המאזינים.En: His words were clear and sharp, aimed directly at the hearts of the listeners.He: כשהוא דיבר על הרעיון שלו, הלהט בקולו העלה חיוכים בפניהם של המשקיעים.En: As he spoke about his idea, the enthusiasm in his voice brought smiles to the faces of the investors.He: בתום ההצגה, החדר מלא במחיאות כפיים.En: At the end of the presentation, the room was filled with applause.He: אבי חייך לעבר טמר וגיל.En: Avi smiled at Tamar and Gil.He: רעיון שהחל כאוסף מחשבות בראשו הפך למשהו הרבה יותר גדול.En: An idea that began as a collection of thoughts in his head had turned into something much larger.He: וכן, הוא זכה באמון של לא מעט מהמשקיעים.En: And yes, he gained the trust of quite a few of the investors.He: עם הצלחה ראשונית בידו וביטחון מחודש בקולו, נשם אבי לרווחה, והרגיש את ההצלחה מציתה את הדרך קדימה.En: With an initial success in hand and renewed confidence in his voice, Avi breathed a sigh of relief and felt the success lighting the way forward.He: בחגיגה הקטנה של חנוכה, אבי גילה מחדש את האור הפנימי שבו.En: In the small Chanukah celebration, Avi rediscovered the inner light within him. Vocabulary Words:rooftop: גגbustling: סואןteeming: הומהinnovative: חדשניtremendous: אדירcharismatic: כריזמטיתplayfulness: הילדותיותcoincided: שחלparalyzed: משתקdecisive: מכריעtrembling: רועדותenthusiasm: הלהטapplause: מחיאות כפייםrenewed: מחודשconfidence: ביטחוןrelief: לרווחהrediscovered: גילה מחדשfaith: נאמנותamber: ענבריdeleterious: הרסניinvincible: בלתי מנוצחzeal: קנאותanecdote: אנקדוטהfacetious: מתלוצץquintessential: מהותיubiquitous: נמצא בכל מקוםtransient: חולףlit: הדליקsharp: חדותpassion: תשוקהBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Fluent Fiction - Norwegian: From Doubt to Triumph: Sofie's Journey to Innovation Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/no/episode/2025-12-16-23-34-02-no Story Transcript:No: Snøfnuggene dalte sakte ned fra den grå vinterhimmelen utenfor, mens Oslo Startup Lab var fylt med liv og forventning.En: The snowflakes drifted slowly down from the gray winter sky outside, while Oslo Startup Lab was filled with life and anticipation.No: Inne lyste radene av boder opp rommet med kreative ideer, og de små twinkling julelysene ga et varmt og koselig preg, til tross for kulden ute.En: Inside, rows of booths lit up the room with creative ideas, and the small twinkling Christmas lights gave a warm and cozy touch, despite the cold outside.No: Sofie sto ved sin bås, nervene løp løpsk og skuldrene stive av spenning.En: Sofie stood by her booth, her nerves running wild and her shoulders tense with excitement.No: Vennene hennes, Johan og Klara, sto ved siden av henne som støtte.En: Her friends, Johan and Klara, stood next to her for support.No: Johan så spent rundt og sa: ""Sofie, dette blir bra! Du har jobbet så hardt."En: Johan looked around excitedly and said, ""Sofie, this is going to be great! You've worked so hard."No: Klara nikket enig. ""Du har noe unikt å vise frem."En: Klara nodded in agreement, ""You have something unique to showcase."No: Sofie svellet stolt over vennenes støtte, men inni henne var tvilen sterk.En: Sofie swelled with pride over her friends' support, but inside her, doubt was strong.No: Hun visste at hun skulle presentere sitt prosjekt om bærekraftig teknologi for en gruppe investorer.En: She knew she was going to present her project on sustainable technology to a group of investors.No: Prosjektet hennes var et resultat av mange søvnløse netter og dype tanker om hvordan de kunne bruke ressurser på en smartere måte.En: Her project was the result of many sleepless nights and deep thoughts about how resources could be used in a smarter way.No: Men hun kjempet med tanken på hvordan hun, en enkel student, kunne skille seg ut blant erfarne gründere.En: But she wrestled with the thought of how she, a simple student, could stand out among experienced entrepreneurs.No: Da tiden kom for hennes presentasjon, tok Sofie et dypt pust.En: When the time came for her presentation, Sofie took a deep breath.No: Hun visste at hun måtte bruke det som gjorde henne spesiell: hennes friske perspektiv som student.En: She knew she had to use what made her special: her fresh perspective as a student.No: Med et lite smil til vennene sine gikk hun frem.En: With a small smile to her friends, she stepped forward.No: "Hei, alle sammen," begynte Sofie, stemmen hennes var klar men myk.En: "Hello, everyone," Sofie began, her voice clear but soft.No: "Jeg heter Sofie, og jeg vil fortelle dere om hvordan vi kan gjøre verden litt bedre."En: "My name is Sofie, and I want to tell you about how we can make the world a little better."No: Hun delte sin personlige historie, om en tur til familiens hytte hvor hun så naturen som gradvis ble ødelagt av menneskelig påvirkning.En: She shared her personal story about a trip to her family's cabin where she saw nature gradually being destroyed by human impact.No: Hun koblet dette til dataene hun hadde samlet, og viste hvordan hennes ideer kunne gi positive endringer.En: She connected this to the data she had collected and showed how her ideas could bring about positive changes.No: Etter hvert som Sofie snakket, ble stemmen hennes sterkere.En: As Sofie spoke, her voice grew stronger.No: Hun kunne se hvordan oppmerksomheten til publikum ble frosset, som om de hang på hvert ord.En: She could see how the audience's attention was fixed, as if they were hanging on her every word.No: Hennes passion for bærekraft og empati for miljøet skinte gjennom.En: Her passion for sustainability and empathy for the environment shone through.No: Da hun avsluttet presentasjonen, var rommet stille et øyeblikk, før det brøt ut i applaus.En: As she concluded her presentation, the room was silent for a moment before bursting into applause.No: Investorer kom bort for å snakke med henne, og hun kunne se ærligheten i interessen deres.En: Investors came over to speak with her, and she could see the genuineness in their interest.No: Noen tilbød kontaktkort, andre uttrykte direkte støtte til hennes prosjekt.En: Some offered contact cards, others expressed direct support for her project.No: Utfallet var mer enn Sofie noen gang hadde våget å håpe på.En: The outcome was more than Sofie had ever dared to hope for.No: Med nyvunnet selvtillit visste hun at hennes unike perspektiv som student ikke bare var en styrke, men også en gave.En: With newfound confidence, she knew that her unique perspective as a student was not just a strength but also a gift.No: Mens julebordene lystig fortsatte rundt henne, så Sofie en lysere fremtid for seg selv og sitt prosjekt, trygg på at dette var bare begynnelsen.En: As the Christmas celebrations continued cheerfully around her, Sofie saw a brighter future for herself and her project, confident that this was just the beginning. Vocabulary Words:drifted: dalteanticipation: forventningbooths: bodercozy: koseligtense: stiveswelled: svelletdoubt: tvilensustainable: bærekraftigsleepless: søvnløsewrestled: kjempetperspective: perspektivdestroyed: ødelagtimpact: påvirkningcollected: samletpositive: positivefrozen: frossetpassion: passionempathy: empatigenuine: ærligoutcome: utfalletconfidence: selvtillitdared: værtstrength: styrkegift: gavecelebrations: julebordenecheerfully: lystiggradually: gradvisentrepreneurs: gründereconcluded: avsluttetapplause: applaus

Fluent Fiction - Norwegian: From Snow to Solar: A Journey of Innovation in Oslo Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/no/episode/2025-12-16-08-38-20-no Story Transcript:No: Det var en kald vintermorgen i Oslo.En: It was a cold winter morning in Oslo.No: Snøen dekket gatene, og lysene fra juledekorasjonene skapte en lun atmosfære i byen.En: Snow covered the streets, and the lights from the Christmas decorations created a cozy atmosphere in the city.No: På Startup Inkubator var stemningen elektrisk.En: At Startup Inkubator, the mood was electric.No: Gründerne forberedte sine boder til Social Innovation Fair.En: The entrepreneurs were preparing their booths for the Social Innovation Fair.No: Lars justerte på plakaten sin.En: Lars adjusted his poster.No: Han hadde jobbet hardt med sin startup som spesialiserte seg på solcelledrevne løsninger for avsidesliggende områder.En: He had worked hard on his startup, which specialized in solar-powered solutions for remote areas.No: Til tross for entusiasmen han følte, klarte han ikke å riste av seg tvilen.En: Despite the enthusiasm he felt, he couldn't shake the doubt.No: Ville det være nok for å imponere Ingrid, investoren han så gjerne ville overbevise?En: Would it be enough to impress Ingrid, the investor he so desperately wanted to convince?No: Ingrid vandret mellom bodene med et analytisk blikk.En: Ingrid wandered between the booths with an analytical look.No: Hun lette etter prosjekter med reelle resultater – ikke bare gode ideer.En: She was searching for projects with real results—not just good ideas.No: Da hun kom til Lars' bod, hilste hun kort og lyttet til presentasjonen hans.En: When she came to Lars' booth, she greeted him briefly and listened to his presentation.No: Lars forklarte ivrig hvordan hans løsninger hadde hjulpet fjerntliggende samfunn.En: Lars eagerly explained how his solutions had helped remote communities.No: Men Ingrid var skeptisk.En: But Ingrid was skeptical.No: Hvordan kunne hun stole på at en liten startup kunne levere i kulden?En: How could she trust that a small startup could deliver in the cold?No: Lars visste han måtte være ærlig.En: Lars knew he had to be honest.No: "Vi hadde noen tekniske utfordringer nylig," sa han med et lite sukk.En: "We had some technical challenges recently," he said with a small sigh.No: "Vinteren har vært vanskelig for oss, men vi har gjort forbedringer.En: "Winter has been tough for us, but we've made improvements."No: " Ingrid så tankefull ut, fortsatt usikker.En: Ingrid looked thoughtful, still unsure.No: Da skjedde det uventede.En: Then something unexpected happened.No: Mens Lars gjorde seg klar til å avslutte, kom en gammel mann til scenen.En: As Lars was about to wrap up, an old man came to the stage.No: Det var Olav, leder av et samfunn oppe i Nord-Norge som brukte Lars' solcelleløsninger.En: It was Olav, leader of a community up in Nord-Norge that used Lars' solar solutions.No: "Takket være Lars' teknologi har vi lys og varme," ropte han begeistret.En: "Thanks to Lars' technology, we have light and warmth," he shouted enthusiastically.No: "Det har gjort vinteren mer utholdelig for oss!En: "It has made the winter more bearable for us!"No: " Ingrid kastet et blikk på Lars.En: Ingrid glanced at Lars.No: Hans ærlighet og Olavs vitnesbyrd hadde endret hennes oppfatning.En: His honesty and Olav's testimony had changed her perception.No: Hun så potensialet hans klarere nå.En: She saw his potential more clearly now.No: Etter messen nærmet Ingrid seg Lars.En: After the fair, Ingrid approached Lars.No: "Jeg ser potensialet ditt," sa hun.En: "I see your potential," she said.No: "Jeg vil investere, men ønsker klare mål og rapporteringer.En: "I want to invest, but I want clear goals and reports."No: " Lars nikket ivrig.En: Lars nodded eagerly.No: "Tusen takk!En: "Thank you so much!No: Jeg lover å holde deg oppdatert.En: I promise to keep you updated."No: "Lars følte en nyvunnen selvtillit.En: Lars felt a newfound confidence.No: Han lærte at ærlighet og kommunikasjon var like viktig som suksess.En: He learned that honesty and communication were as important as success.No: Ingrid følte også en forandring.En: Ingrid also felt a change.No: Hun innså verdien i å se utover tallene.En: She realized the value of looking beyond the numbers.No: Sammen, med snøen lett dalende utenfor, la de en plan for fremtiden.En: Together, with the snow lightly falling outside, they made a plan for the future.No: Oslo var fortsatt dekket i vinterens hvite teppe, men inne i inkubatoren vokste håp og nye ideer i takt med de lysende juledekorasjonene.En: Oslo was still covered in winter's white blanket, but inside the incubator, hope and new ideas grew in step with the shining Christmas decorations. Vocabulary Words:covered: dekketcozy: lunatmosphere: atmosfærebooth: bodentrepreneur: gründeradjusted: justertespecialized: spesialiserte segremote: avsidesliggendedoubt: tvilanalytical: analytiskskeptical: skeptiskchallenges: utfordringerbearable: utholdeligtestimony: vitnesbyrdperception: oppfatningpotential: potensialinvestor: investorenthusiastically: begeistretconvinced: overbeviseapproached: nærmet segconfidence: selvtillitimprovement: forbedringerdeliver: leveretrust: stole påbriefly: kortwandering: vandretleader: lederwrapped up: avsluttesucceeded: lyktesplan: plan

Fluent Fiction - Danish: Flickering Lights to Futures: A Startup Christmas Tale Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2025-12-16-23-34-02-da Story Transcript:Da: Inde i det travle rum i Københavns startup inkubator hang julelysene i loftet og klingede blidt mod hinanden.En: Inside the busy room of Københavns startup incubator, Christmas lights hung from the ceiling and gently clinked against each other.Da: Rummet var fyldt med ivrige iværksættere, der alle drømte om at blive den næste store succes i tech-branchen.En: The room was filled with eager entrepreneurs, all dreaming of becoming the next big success in the tech industry.Da: Silja stod nær et lille bord, hendes app på skærmen foran hende.En: Silja stood near a small table, her app displayed on the screen in front of her.Da: Hun tog en dyb indånding og rettede skuldrene.En: She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders.Da: Det var en vigtig dag.En: It was an important day.Da: Silja var ambitiøs.En: Silja was ambitious.Da: Hun drømte om at lancere sin app, som skulle forbinde lokale kunstnere med købere.En: She dreamed of launching her app, which aimed to connect local artists with buyers.Da: Hendes søster, Maja, havde besluttet sig for at tage med som støtte.En: Her sister, Maja, had decided to come along for support.Da: Maja, selv om hun var skeptisk, var der for Silja.En: Maja, although skeptical, was there for Silja.Da: “Jeg tror på dig, Silja,” sagde Maja blidt, mens hun holdt en kop varm gløgg.En: “I believe in you, Silja,” Maja said gently, while holding a cup of warm gløgg.Da: Et par meter derfra stod Erik med en tablet i hænderne.En: A few meters away stood Erik with a tablet in hand.Da: Han var en dygtig softwareudvikler, men skeptisk over for nye projekter, da han tidligere havde oplevet nogle fiaskoer.En: He was a skilled software developer but skeptical about new projects after experiencing some failures in the past.Da: Men der var alligevel noget ved arrangementet, der tiltalte ham.En: However, there was something appealing about the event.Da: Han lyttede til de forskellige pitches, mens han spekulerede på potentielle samarbejder.En: He listened to various pitches, pondering potential collaborations.Da: Da Erik nåede Siljas stand, fangede noget hendes opmærksomhed ved hans rolige og analytiske væsen.En: When Erik reached Silja's booth, something about his calm and analytical demeanor caught her attention.Da: Hun tog chancen.En: She seized the opportunity.Da: “Hej, jeg er Silja,” sagde hun og gav ham hånden.En: “Hi, I'm Silja,” she said, extending her hand to him.Da: “Jeg tror måske, du vil kunne lide min app.” Erik lyttede opmærksomt, mens Silja passioneret forklarede sin vision.En: “I think you might like my app.” Erik listened attentively as Silja passionately explained her vision.Da: Han kunne lide hendes entusiasme og den klare idé.En: He liked her enthusiasm and clear idea.Da: Men han tøvede stadig lidt.En: But he still hesitated a little.Da: Silja svarede ivrigt på hans spørgsmål, men hun mærkede frustrationen vokse.En: Silja eagerly answered his questions, but she could feel frustration growing.Da: De andre startups var stærke konkurrenter.En: The other startups were strong competitors.Da: Midt i deres diskussion blinkede lysene et par gange og gik derefter ud.En: In the middle of their discussion, the lights flickered a few times and then went out.Da: Pludselig stod de i halvmørke, kun oplyst af de julelys, der stadig glødede.En: Suddenly, they were in semi-darkness, only illuminated by the Christmas lights that still glowed.Da: “Det her komplicerer det,” sagde Silja med et grin, mens hun fiskede en kuglepen og et papir op fra tasken.En: “This complicates things,” Silja said with a laugh, fishing out a pen and paper from her bag.Da: “Lad os gøre det på gammeldags måde.” Under de glødende lys begyndte Erik og Silja at skitsere idéer.En: “Let's do this the old-fashioned way.” Under the glowing lights, Erik and Silja began sketching ideas.Da: Måske var det juleånden, men Erik begyndte at føle en ny optimisme vokse i sig.En: Perhaps it was the Christmas spirit, but Erik began to feel a new optimism growing within him.Da: “Du har virkelig noget her,” sagde han og smilede til Silja.En: “You really have something here,” he said, smiling at Silja.Da: Pludselig var strømmen tilbage.En: Suddenly, the power returned.Da: Skærmen foran dem blev lys igen, og deres noteside var en rodebunke af idéer.En: The screen in front of them lit up again, and their notes were a jumble of ideas.Da: Men de havde nået et gennembrud.En: But they had reached a breakthrough.Da: Silja strålede.En: Silja beamed.Da: “Vi gjorde det!” udbrød hun.En: “We did it!” she exclaimed.Da: Erik nikkede, lettere overrasket over at finde sig selv så begejstret for et nyt projekt.En: Erik nodded, somewhat surprised to find himself so excited about a new project.Da: "Vi skal fejre det her," foreslog han.En: "We should celebrate this," he proposed.Da: “Lad os tage en festlig middag.” Sammen gik de ud i den kolde, vinterbeklædte aften i København, med Maja ved deres side.En: “Let's have a festive dinner.” Together, they stepped out into the cold, winter-clad night in København, with Maja by their side.Da: Silja havde lært at lade andre hjælpe og stole på dem omkring hende.En: Silja had learned to let others help and trust those around her.Da: Erik havde fundet ny tro på nye muligheder.En: Erik had found new faith in new opportunities.Da: Snart sad de på en hyggelig restaurant, og med varme retter foran sig og smilene lysende, fejrede de begyndelsen på deres partnerskab og opdagelsen af tillid.En: Soon they were sitting in a cozy restaurant, with warm dishes in front of them and smiles shining, celebrating the beginning of their partnership and the discovery of trust.Da: Julelysene omkring dem spejlede en ny begyndelse og nærhed.En: The Christmas lights around them reflected a new beginning and closeness. Vocabulary Words:incubator: inkubatorceiling: loftetentrepreneur: iværksætterambitious: ambitiøsskeptical: skeptiskdeveloper: softwareudviklerfailures: fiaskoerdemeanor: væsenenthusiasm: entusiasmefrustration: frustrationsemi-darkness: halvmørkeilluminated: oplystflickered: blinkedebreakthrough: gennembrudexclaimed: udbrødopportunity: mulighedcelebrate: fejrepartnership: partnerskabtrust: tillidcloseness: nærhedgløgg: gløggarrangement: arrangementetcollaborations: samarbejderanalytical: analytiskpitch: pitchpotential: potentiellecompetitors: konkurrentercomplicates: komplicerersketching: skitsereoptimism: optimisme

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: Barcelona's High-Tech Hijinks Under Christmas Lights Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2025-12-16-08-38-20-ca Story Transcript:Ca: Amb el fred de l'hivern sobre Barcelona, el Tech Hub bullia amb activitat sota les llums de Nadal penjant pels carrers.En: With the winter cold over Barcelona, the Tech Hub buzzed with activity under the Christmas lights hanging in the streets.Ca: Jordi, un emprenedor apassionat, estava immers en els seus pensaments.En: Jordi, a passionate entrepreneur, was deep in thought.Ca: Un invent revolucionari havia desaparegut, i el temps corria abans que el Tech Expo obrís les portes.En: A revolutionary invention had disappeared, and time was ticking before the Tech Expo opened its doors.Ca: Era la seva oportunitat per impulsar la seva startup i demostrar el seu potencial.En: It was his chance to boost his startup and demonstrate its potential.Ca: Laia, una programadora brillant amb un desig secret de ser reconeguda, observava amb atenció els monitors del sistema de seguretat.En: Laia, a brilliant programmer with a secret desire to be recognized, was closely observing the security system monitors.Ca: Havia de guanyar-se la confiança de Jordi.En: She needed to earn Jordi's trust.Ca: Sabia que havia de demostrar la seva vàlua.En: She knew she had to prove her worth.Ca: El Tech Hub, ple de dispositius de tecnologia avançada i ordinaris elegants, vibrava amb creativitat.En: The Tech Hub, full of advanced technology devices and sleek gadgets, vibrated with creativity.Ca: Però també hi havia un aire de tensió entre els membres de l'equip.En: But there was also an air of tension among the team members.Ca: Jordi es va apropar a Laia, amb un aire ple de preocupació.En: Jordi approached Laia, with concern written all over his face.Ca: “Laia, necessito que encapçalis l'equip de recerca de l'invent.En: "Laia, I need you to lead the research team for the invention.Ca: Confio en el teu instint”.En: I trust your instincts."Ca: Laia, amb un somriure lleugerament nerviós, va acceptar el repte.En: Laia, with a slightly nervous smile, accepted the challenge.Ca: Era una decisió crítica.En: It was a critical decision.Ca: Laia va començar el seu treball amb diligència.En: Laia began her work diligently.Ca: Va analitzar el sistema de seguretat minuciosament, buscant pistes.En: She meticulously analyzed the security system, searching for clues.Ca: Finalment, mentre revisava arxius amagats, va descobrir una pista crucial: un document amb informació sospitosa sobre un possible traïdor dins de l'equip.En: Finally, while reviewing hidden files, she discovered a crucial hint: a document with suspicious information about a possible traitor within the team.Ca: Ella i Jordi van seguir els fils d'aquella pista.En: She and Jordi followed the leads from that clue.Ca: El traïdor era algú que coneixien.En: The traitor was someone they knew.Ca: Van enfrontar-lo amb determinació abans que pogués vendre l'invent.En: They confronted him with determination before he could sell the invention.Ca: Era una situació tensa, però van aconseguir recuperar l'invent just a temps.En: It was a tense situation, but they managed to recover the invention just in time.Ca: Al Tech Expo, la presentació va ser un èxit rotund.En: At the Tech Expo, the presentation was a resounding success.Ca: L'invent va captar l'atenció de tots, assegurant el futur de la startup.En: The invention captured everyone's attention, securing the future of the startup.Ca: La gent va aplaudir l'enginy de l'invent, però Jordi no va oblidar mencionar l'aportació vital de Laia.En: The crowd applauded the ingenuity of the invention, but Jordi did not forget to mention the vital contribution of Laia.Ca: Després, Jordi va mirar a Laia amb una nova apreciació.En: Afterward, Jordi looked at Laia with a newfound appreciation.Ca: “Sens dubte, has mostrat que ets una peça fonamental per a nosaltres.En: "Without a doubt, you have shown that you are a key player for us.Ca: Mereixes una posició on el teu talent brilli”.En: You deserve a position where your talent can shine."Ca: Laia va somriure, amb una confiança renovada i la satisfacció de ser reconeguda.En: Laia smiled, with renewed confidence and the satisfaction of being recognized.Ca: El Tech Hub de Barcelona brillava sota les llums de Nadal, amb una atmosfera d'acompliment i esperança.En: The Tech Hub of Barcelona glowed under the Christmas lights, with an atmosphere of achievement and hope.Ca: Amb el problema resolt i el futur assegurat, Jordi i Laia havien superat els seus reptes, canviant per a millor.En: With the problem solved and the future secured, Jordi and Laia had overcome their challenges, changing for the better. Vocabulary Words:the entrepreneur: l'emprenedorpassionate: apassionatrevolutionary: revolucionarithe invention: l'inventto boost: impulsarto demonstrate: demostrarbrilliant: brillantthe desire: el desigto trust: confiarthe team: l'equipsleek: elegantsthe tension: la tensióto approach: apropar-sethe concern: la preocupacióthe challenge: el reptecritical: críticdiligently: amb diligènciameticulously: minuciosamentthe clue: la pistasuspicious: sospitosathe traitor: el traïdorto confront: enfrontardetermination: determinacióresounding: rotundto capture: captaringenuity: l'enginyvital: vitalthe contribution: l'aportacióto appreciate: apreciarto renew: renovar

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: From Heartfelt Pitches to Festive Triumph: A Startup's Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2025-12-16-23-34-02-ca Story Transcript:Ca: Entre la remor del nou incubador de startups de Barcelona, ple de llums de Nadal i joves emprenedors apassionats, hi havia una energia palpable.En: Amidst the buzz of the new startup incubator in Barcelona, filled with Christmas lights and passionate young entrepreneurs, there was a palpable energy.Ca: Era hivern i la ciutat brillava amb la seva màgia festiva.En: It was winter, and the city shone with its festive magic.Ca: Al mig de l'espai de treball modern, envoltat de garlandes i boles de colors, Núria observava la seva obra mestra.En: In the middle of the modern workspace, surrounded by garlands and colorful baubles, Núria observed her masterpiece.Ca: Martí i Júlia, els seus socis fidels, estaven a prop, organitzant els darrers detalls per a la presentació crucial.En: Martí and Júlia, her loyal partners, were nearby, organizing the final details for the crucial presentation.Ca: El producte de Núria era alguna cosa especial, un invent ecològic destinat a canviar la manera com vivim de manera més sostenible.En: Núria's product was something special, an ecological invention destined to change the way we live more sustainably.Ca: Però la veritat pesava sobre ella; els diners s'esgotaven i la necessitat d'inversió era desesperada.En: But the truth weighed on her; the money was running out, and the need for investment was desperate.Ca: "Falten pocs minuts," va dir Martí, veient el rellotge.En: "Just a few minutes left," said Martí, glancing at the clock.Ca: Júlia muntava l'escenari, mentre Núria revisava el dispositiu.En: Júlia was setting up the stage, while Núria checked the device.Ca: Quan tot semblava en ordre, un sospir de preocupació va travessar el rostre de Núria.En: When everything seemed in order, a worried sigh crossed Núria's face.Ca: El producte no responia. "No pot ser! Precisament ara?"En: The product wasn't responding. "It can't be! Right now?"Ca: La tensió omplia l'aire.En: The tension filled the air.Ca: No quedava temps per a una correcció tècnica.En: There was no time for a technical correction.Ca: El nerviosisme es podia veure en els ulls dels seus companys.En: The nervousness was visible in her partners' eyes.Ca: Però Núria va recordar una cosa important: comunicar la seva passió.En: But Núria remembered something important: to communicate her passion.Ca: Els ulls d'ella van brillar amb determinació.En: Her eyes shone with determination.Ca: "Farem servir les nostres paraules i cor. Expliqueu la història, compartim la visió," va dir Núria als seus col·laboradors.En: "We will use our words and heart. Tell the story, share the vision," Núria said to her collaborators.Ca: Martí i Júlia van assentir, comprenent la faena que recauria en la seva líder.En: Martí and Júlia nodded, understanding the task that would fall on their leader.Ca: Quan els inversors van seure al seu davant, sota les llums parpellejants de Nadal, Núria va començar a parlar.En: When the investors sat down in front of them, under the twinkling Christmas lights, Núria began to speak.Ca: No hi havia imatges, però les seves paraules pintaven quadres vius.En: There were no images, but her words painted vivid pictures.Ca: Va parlar de la seva infantesa a la ciutat, de la passió per la sostenibilitat i de com el seu producte podia realment fer un canvi.En: She spoke of her childhood in the city, of her passion for sustainability, and how her product could truly make a change.Ca: Martí i Júlia van complementar la seva narrativa amb exemples i rèpliques animades, confiant que el seu esforç seria suficient.En: Martí and Júlia complemented her narrative with examples and animated replies, trusting that their effort would be enough.Ca: Les expressions dels inversors canviaven.En: The investors' expressions changed.Ca: Hi havia interès, admiració.En: There was interest, admiration.Ca: Al final de la presentació, quan les preguntes van acabar, un inversor amb un somriure amable va aixecar la mà.En: At the end of the presentation, when the questions ended, an investor with a kind smile raised their hand.Ca: "Estic impressionat, Núria. La vostra passió és evident. Ens agradaria parlar més. Ens poden fer una demostració la setmana vinent?"En: "I am impressed, Núria. Your passion is evident. We would like to talk more. Can you give us a demonstration next week?"Ca: Núria va somriure.En: Núria smiled.Ca: Ho havien aconseguit.En: They had done it.Ca: Per a ella, no només era un petit triomf.En: For her, it wasn't just a small triumph.Ca: Havia tret força de dins, adaptant-se als reptes inesperats.En: She had drawn strength from within, adapting to unexpected challenges.Ca: Havia après que el cor i les idees podien brillar més que qualsevol demostració tècnica perfectament executada.En: She had learned that the heart and ideas could shine more than any perfectly executed technical demonstration.Ca: L'equip va marxar, aplaudint-se els uns als altres.En: The team left, applauding each other.Ca: Fora, la ciutat estava freda, però els seus cors estaven plens de calidesa.En: Outside, the city was cold, but their hearts were full of warmth.Ca: Aquella nit de Nadal, el camí de l'èxit es va sentir un xic més proper.En: That Christmas night, the path to success felt a little closer. Vocabulary Words:the incubator: l'incubadorthe garland: la garlandathe partner: el socithe masterpiece: l'obra mestrathe investment: la inversióthe device: el dispositiuto sigh: sospirarthe tension: la tensióthe correction: la correccióto shine: brillarthe narrative: la narrativato complement: complementarto demonstrate: demostrarthe demonstration: la demostracióthe triumph: el triomfthe challenge: el repteto adapt: adaptar-sethe warmth: la calidesathe innovation: la innovacióthe sustainability: la sostenibilitatthe childhood: la infantesato observe: observarthe entrepreneur: l'emprenedorto organize: organitzarthe investor: l'inversorto communicate: comunicarthe passion: la passióthe expression: l'expressióthe admiration: l'admiracióthe magic: la màgia

Fluent Fiction - Hungarian: From Tech to Tradition: Katalin's Pitch Revolutionizes Culture Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hu/episode/2025-12-16-23-34-02-hu Story Transcript:Hu: A Budapest Startup Inkubátor telis-tele volt élettel.En: The Budapest Startup Inkubátor was bustling with life.Hu: A modern, technológiai stílusú berendezés tökéletesen ellensúlyozta a karácsonyi fények és díszek meleg hangulatát.En: The modern, tech-style furnishings perfectly balanced the warm atmosphere of Christmas lights and decorations.Hu: Az innováció és hagyomány itt kéz a kézben jártak.En: Innovation and tradition went hand in hand here.Hu: Katalin izgatottan érkezett meg az üzleti hálózati eseményre.En: Katalin arrived at the business networking event with excitement.Hu: Még a vastag télikabátja alatt is érezni lehetett, hogy minden mozdulatával határozottságot sugároz.En: Even under her thick winter coat, you could feel that every movement radiated determination.Hu: Elhatározta, hogy meggyőzi az egyik nagy befektetőt a projektjéről.En: She had resolved to convince one of the major investors about her project.Hu: Egy olyan startupot vezetett, amely a kiterjesztett valóságot használva akarta megőrizni a magyar kulturális örökséget.En: She led a startup that aimed to preserve Hungarian cultural heritage using augmented reality.Hu: Ez nem csak egy terv volt számára, hanem egy szenvedély.En: This wasn't just a plan for her; it was a passion.Hu: A teremben emberek barátságosan üdvözölték egymást, és a kávégépek folyamatosan zúgtak.En: In the room, people greeted each other warmly, and the coffee machines were buzzing nonstop.Hu: A sarkon Levente beszélgetett néhány ismerőssel, miközben Bence a büféasztalnál állt, színes süteményeket és meleg forralt bort kínáló asztalok mellett.En: In the corner, Levente was chatting with some acquaintances, while Bence stood by the buffet table, next to tables offering colorful pastries and hot mulled wine.Hu: Katalin mély levegőt vett és elindult a befektető felé.En: Katalin took a deep breath and headed towards the investor.Hu: Az asztalnál, ahol a befektető állt, már kisebb tömeg gyűlt össze.En: At the table where the investor stood, a small crowd had already gathered.Hu: Katalin tudta, hogy az ő ötlete más, nem a megszokott tech beruházás.En: Katalin knew her idea was different, not the usual tech investment.Hu: A befektető kedvelte a hagyományos megoldásokat, ezért Katalin stratégiát váltott.En: The investor liked traditional solutions, so Katalin changed her strategy.Hu: Az örökség megőrzése nem csupán kulturális, hanem gazdasági haszonnal is járhat, gondolta magában.En: Preserving heritage could not only be cultural but also economically beneficial, she thought to herself.Hu: Ahogy sorra került, határozottan mosolygott a befektetőre.En: As her turn came, she smiled confidently at the investor.Hu: Röviden bemutatta magát, majd elkezdte a prezentációját.En: She briefly introduced herself, then began her presentation.Hu: Beszélt a kiterjesztett valóság élményéről és annak jelentőségéről a kulturális örökségek megőrzésében.En: She spoke about the augmented reality experience and its significance in preserving cultural heritage.Hu: Majd jött a csúcspont: megmutatta a bemutató demóját, amely egy híres magyar történelmi helyszínt jelenített meg.En: Then came the highlight: she showed the demo presentation that depicted a famous Hungarian historical site.Hu: A közönség visszafojtott lélegzettel figyelte, ahogy a készülék életre kelt, a befektető pedig előrehajolt az érdeklődéstől.En: The audience watched with bated breath as the device came to life, and the investor leaned forward with interest.Hu: A bemutató vége után elismerő taps harsant fel, a befektető pedig bólintott.En: After the presentation ended, applause erupted, and the investor nodded.Hu: „Lássuk meg, mit tehetünk együtt a projekt érdekében,” mondta, majd hozzátette, „Karácsony után folytassuk a beszélgetést.En: "Let's see what we can do together for the project," he said, then added, "Let's continue the conversation after Christmas."Hu: ”Katalin arca ragyogott.En: Katalin's face was glowing.Hu: Egy újabb lehetőség nyílt meg előtte.En: A new opportunity had opened before her.Hu: Magabiztos lett, tudta, hogy a technológiát és a kultúrát mesterien képes egyesíteni.En: She became confident, knowing she could masterfully combine technology and culture.Hu: A siker íze édes volt, akárcsak a karácsonyi sütemények illata, amely a levegőben terjengett.En: The taste of success was as sweet as the scent of Christmas pastries wafting through the air. Vocabulary Words:inkubator: inkubátorbustling: telis-telefurnishings: berendezésbalanced: ellensúlyoztadecorations: díszektradition: hagyománydetermination: határozottságresolved: elhatároztapreserve: megőrizniheritage: örökségacquaintances: ismerősselmulled wine: forralt borbuffet: büféasztalshifted: váltotteconomically: gazdaságibeneficial: haszonnalaudience: közönségbated breath: visszafojtott lélegzetteldevice: készülékapplause: tapsnodded: bólintottopportunity: lehetőségconfident: magabiztosmasterfully: mesterienvanish: terjengettaugment: kiterjesztettpresentation: bemutatódepicted: jelenített megbreathed: élegettradiated: sugároz

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Luca's Leap: Embracing Innovation Over Tradition in Milan Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2025-12-16-23-34-02-it Story Transcript:It: Milan.En: Milan.It: È pieno inverno.En: It is the middle of winter.It: Fuori, i fiocchi di neve cadono leggeri, ma dentro l'incubatore di startup, l'atmosfera è calda e vivace.En: Outside, snowflakes fall gently, but inside the startup incubator, the atmosphere is warm and lively.It: Nell'aria c'è il profumo di caffè appena fatto, e sul tavolo della sala riunioni, tra documenti e laptop, ci sono anche pandori e panettoni decorati per il Natale.En: There is the aroma of freshly brewed coffee in the air, and on the meeting room table, among documents and laptops, there are even pandori and panettoni decorated for Christmas.It: Luca, il giovane venture capitalist, guarda fuori dalla finestra.En: Luca, the young venture capitalist, looks out the window.It: Nato in una famiglia di affermati uomini d'affari tradizionali, sente la pressione della loro approvazione.En: Born into a family of established traditional businessmen, he feels the pressure of their approval.It: Sa che devono essere convinti del suo prossimo investimento.En: He knows they must be convinced of his next investment.It: La sala è arredata in modo moderno-ma accogliente.En: The room is decorated in a modern yet cozy manner.It: I muri sono bianchi, ma le decorazioni natalizie portano gioia e colore.En: The walls are white, but the Christmas decorations bring joy and color.It: Luca, con un tailleur semplice ma elegante, è seduto accanto a Giulia.En: Luca, wearing a simple yet elegant suit, is seated next to Giulia.It: Lei è la collega pragmatica, brava con i conti.En: She is the pragmatic colleague, good with numbers.It: Sono lì per una presentazione importante.En: They are there for an important presentation.It: Marco, il giovane fondatore della startup, si prepara a presentare HeatWave, una tecnologia energetica rivoluzionaria che promette di ridurre le emissioni di carbonio.En: Marco, the young startup founder, is preparing to present HeatWave, a revolutionary energy technology that promises to reduce carbon emissions.It: Luca è emozionato.En: Luca is excited.It: Vede il potenziale, ma Giulia resta scettica.En: He sees the potential, but Giulia remains skeptical.It: "Marco, i tuoi numeri sono vaghi," dice Giulia, mentre Marco sfoglia le diapositive.En: "Marco, your numbers are vague," says Giulia, as Marco scrolls through the slides.It: Lui risponde con entusiasmo, spiegando la visione grandiosa dietro il progetto.En: He responds enthusiastically, explaining the grand vision behind the project.It: Luca è colpito dalla passione di Marco.En: Luca is impressed by Marco's passion.It: Ma sa che la sua decisione deve avere basi solide.En: But he knows his decision must be based on solid foundations.It: La presentazione continua.En: The presentation continues.It: Giulia alza un sopracciglio, mai convinta.En: Giulia raises an eyebrow, still unconvinced.It: È un momento cruciale.En: It's a crucial moment.It: Marco, notando il dubbio nella stanza, fa un passo in avanti e propone una dimostrazione pratica.En: Marco, noticing the doubt in the room, takes a step forward and proposes a practical demonstration.It: Mostra un prototipo funzionante di HeatWave.En: He shows a working prototype of HeatWave.It: La stanza si riempie di un'energia diversa, palpabile.En: The room fills with a different, palpable energy.It: Gli occhi di Luca brillano.En: Luca's eyes sparkle.It: In un attimo, vede quello che Marco racconta: un mondo più pulito, più verde.En: In an instant, he sees what Marco is describing: a cleaner, greener world.It: È un'immagine che non riesce più a ignorare.En: It is an image he can no longer ignore.It: Dopo l'incontro, Giulia e Luca discutono.En: After the meeting, Giulia and Luca discuss.It: Lei è cauta.En: She is cautious.It: "Non possiamo rischiare tanto," dice.En: "We can't risk so much," she says.It: Ma Luca ha già deciso.En: But Luca has already decided.It: Vuole credere nella promessa del cambiamento, della sostenibilità.En: He wants to believe in the promise of change, of sustainability.It: Pensa alla cena di Natale con la sua famiglia.En: He thinks of the Christmas dinner with his family.It: Vuole davvero la loro approvazione, ma sente anche un impulso profondo verso l'innovazione.En: He really wants their approval, but he also feels a deep drive toward innovation.It: Con cuore deciso, contatta Marco e conferma l'investimento.En: With a determined heart, he contacts Marco and confirms the investment.It: Giulia non è convinta, ma accetta la decisione del collega.En: Giulia is not convinced, but she accepts her colleague's decision.It: È un rischio, sì, ma Luca sente che è quello giusto.En: It is a risk, yes, but Luca feels it is the right one.It: Nei giorni successivi, l'energia pulsante dell'incubatore si accentua ancora di più.En: In the following days, the pulsing energy of the incubator intensifies even more.It: L'atmosfera festiva e la speranza per il futuro animano tutti.En: The festive atmosphere and hope for the future animate everyone.It: Arriva il Natale.En: Christmas arrives.It: Durante la cena, Luca parla della startup.En: During dinner, Luca talks about the startup.It: Descrive la passione di Marco e la dimostrazione che ha trasformato il suo scetticismo in convinzione.En: He describes Marco's passion and the demonstration that turned his skepticism into conviction.It: La sua famiglia lo ascolta, alcuni sorridono, altri annuiscono.En: His family listens, some smile, others nod.It: Per la prima volta, Luca non cerca più la loro completa approvazione.En: For the first time, Luca no longer seeks their full approval.It: È sicuro della sua scelta.En: He is confident in his choice.It: È sicuro di sé.En: He is confident in himself.It: Questo Natale, a Milano, nonostante la neve e il freddo, Luca sente il calore di una nuova fiducia.En: This Christmas, in Milan, despite the snow and the cold, Luca feels the warmth of newfound confidence.It: Ha intrapreso un percorso di cui non conosce ancora l'esito, ma è un percorso che ha scelto con il cuore e con la testa.En: He has embarked on a path the outcome of which he does not yet know, but it is a path he has chosen with both heart and mind.It: Questo è il suo regalo più grande.En: This is his greatest gift. Vocabulary Words:winter: l'invernosnowflakes: i fiocchi di nevearoma: l'aromaincubator: l'incubatorebrew: appena fattopressure: la pressioneapproval: l'approvazionecozy: accoglientepragmatic: pragmaticafounder: il fondatoreenergy: l'energiacarbon emissions: le emissioni di carboniopotential: il potenzialevague: vaghipassion: la passioneskepticism: lo scetticismoprototype: il prototipodemonstration: la dimostrazionefoundations: le basisolid: solidedoubt: il dubbioapproval: l'approvazionesustainability: la sostenibilitàinnovation: l'innovazionerisk: il rischioconfidence: la fiduciadecision: la decisionedetermination: il cuore decisoatmosphere: l'atmosferapath: il percorso

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: From Cat Meows to Startup Success: A Purrfect Serendipity Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-12-16-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 廊下から聞こえるカチャカチャというキーボードの音。En: The sound of keyboards clacking echoed from the hallway.Ja: 雪の降る高山市のスタートアップインキュベーターは活気に満ちていた。En: The startup incubator in snow-covered Takayama-shi was bustling with energy.Ja: ちょっとした手違いや雑談が聞こえる中で、はるとは真剣な表情でモニタを見つめている。En: Amidst the minor mix-ups and chatting, Haruto was staring intently at the monitor.Ja: 彼の目標は壮大だった。猫の鳴き声を人間の言葉に翻訳するアプリを作ることだ。En: His goal was ambitious: to create an app that translates cat meows into human language.Ja: 「ユキ、このコード、どう思う？」はるとは画面を指さしながら言った。En: "Yuki, what do you think of this code?" Haruto said, pointing at the screen.Ja: ユキはデザイナーであり、現実的な考えの持ち主だ。En: Yuki was a designer with a realistic mindset.Ja: 「見てみる」とユキは応じ、隣に座った。En: "Let me see," Yuki replied, sitting down next to him.Ja: 二人のそばにはテスト猫のミカンがいた。En: Beside them was their test cat, Mikan.Ja: ミカンは小さな毛布の上で丸くなり、アプリや人間には興味がなさそうだった。En: Mikan was curled up on a small blanket, seemingly uninterested in the app or the humans.Ja: はるとは頭をかきながら言った。「どうにかしてミカンに鳴いてもらわないと...」En: Scratching his head, Haruto said, "We need to find a way to make Mikan meow..."Ja: ユキは少し考えて、手に猫のおもちゃを持ってミカンに近づいた。En: Yuki pondered for a moment, then approached Mikan with a cat toy in hand.Ja: 「これで、どう？」でも、ミカンは見向きもしない。En: "How about this?" But Mikan didn't even glance at it.Ja: ユキはため息をつき、次に試したのは、ツナの香りがするおやつをネックレスにして首にかけることだった。En: Yuki sighed, and her next attempt was to wear a necklace made of tuna-scented treats.Ja: 「こんなのはどう？」En: "How about this?"Ja: その時、はるとはコードを書き進め、「ピン」と鳴るサウンドをパソコンにつけた。En: Just then, Haruto added a "ping" sound to the code on the computer.Ja: 「これがうまくいけば...」ユキは首を傾げ、「本当に大丈夫？」と半信半疑だった。En: "If this works..." Yuki tilted her head skeptically, "Are you sure about this?"Ja: 突然、ミカンが顔を上げてゆっくりと「にゃあ」と鳴いた。En: Suddenly, Mikan lifted its head and slowly meowed, "Meow."Ja: はるとはすぐにアプリを作動させ、翻訳したテキストを画面で確認した。En: Haruto quickly activated the app and checked the translated text on the screen.Ja: 「人間はちょっとめんどくさい」という文字が現れた。En: The words "Humans are a bit troublesome" appeared.Ja: ユキは思わず笑い出した。En: Yuki couldn't help but burst into laughter.Ja: 「これは...ちょっとおかしいかもね。でも、面白いわ！」En: "This is... kind of silly, but it's funny!"Ja: はるとは最初は困惑していたが、やがて微笑んで頷いた。En: Haruto, initially puzzled, soon smiled and nodded.Ja: 「それなら、コメディアプリとして売り出そうか？」En: "Then why not market it as a comedy app?"Ja: 二人はその道を選んだ。En: The two chose that path.Ja: はるとの壮大な夢は思わぬ方向に進み、ユキは意外なチャンスを掴んだ。En: Haruto's grand dream took an unexpected turn, and Yuki seized an unexpected opportunity.Ja: 数日後、投資家たちが興味を示し、ミカンの「にゃあ」はスタートアップの成功のきっかけとなった。En: A few days later, investors showed interest, and Mikan's "meow" became the catalyst for the startup's success.Ja: はるとは肩をすくめて笑った。En: Haruto shrugged and laughed.Ja: 「人生は予測不能だね、特に猫が関わると。」En: "Life is unpredictable, especially when cats are involved."Ja: ユキはにっこりして、「だからこそ面白いのよ！」と答えた。En: Yuki smiled broadly and replied, "That's what makes it fun!"Ja: こうして、二人は新たな道を歩み出すことになった。En: And so, the two set out on a new path. Vocabulary Words:clacking: カチャカチャincubator: インキュベーターbustling: 活気に満ちてambitious: 壮大intently: 真剣なmonitor: モニタrealistic: 現実的なmindset: 考えの持ち主curled: 丸くなりblanket: 毛布uninterested: 興味がないscratching: 頭をかきpondered: 考えてglance: 見向きsigh: ため息skeptically: 半信半疑meowed: 鳴いたtranslated: 翻訳したtroublesome: めんどくさいpuzzled: 困惑comedy: コメディunexpected: 思わぬopportunity: チャンスinvestors: 投資家たちcatalyst: きっかけshrugged: 肩をすくめてunpredictable: 予測不能especially: 特にbroadly: にっこりpath: 道

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Unleashing Potential: Arav's Journey from Self-Doubt to Success Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2025-12-16-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: मुंबई के ठंडी सुबह में, एक स्टार्टअप इनक्यूबेटर में हलचल मची हुई थी।En: On a chilly morning in Mumbai, there was hustle and bustle in a startup incubator.Hi: यह जगह युवा नवप्रवर्तकों से भरी थी, जहां हर तरफ सफेद बोर्ड और रंग-बिरंगे पोस्ट-इट्स लगे हुए थे।En: This place was filled with young innovators, where whiteboards and brightly colored post-its could be seen everywhere.Hi: हवा में उत्साह और समर्पण की सुगंध थी।En: There was an aroma of enthusiasm and dedication in the air.Hi: ऐसे ही माहौल में आरव, रिया, और देव अपने स्कूल प्रोजेक्ट की प्रस्तुति देने पहुंचे थे।En: In such an environment, Arav, Riya, and Dev came to present their school project.Hi: आरव में उद्यमिता का जोश था, लेकिन आत्म-संदेह उसके कदम रोक देता था।En: Arav was passionate about entrepreneurship, but self-doubt often held him back.Hi: आज स्कूल प्रोजेक्ट का दिन था और उसे अपनी टीम का आइडिया जजों के सामने पेश करना था।En: Today was the day for the school project, and he had to present his team's idea in front of the judges.Hi: रिया उसके साथ थी, जो संचार और डिजाइन में माहिर थी।En: Riya was with him, who was an expert in communication and design.Hi: और देव, जो आरव का सहपाठी और तकनीकी विशेषज्ञ था, आत्मविश्वास से भरा हुआ था।En: And Dev, who was Arav's classmate and a technical expert, was full of confidence.Hi: प्रस्तुति से कुछ ही समय पहले, आरव के मन में फिर से चिंता घर करने लगी।En: Just moments before the presentation, Arav began to feel anxious again.Hi: वह सोच में डूबा था कि क्या वह आत्मविश्वास दिखा पाएगा या किसी और की नकल करेगा।En: He was lost in thought about whether he could project confidence or would he just imitate someone else.Hi: तभी रिया ने उसके कंधे पर हाथ रखकर कहा, "आरव, तुम अपने आप में विश्वास रखो, बस अपनी कहानी सचाई से कहो।En: Just then, Riya placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Arav, believe in yourself, just tell your story truthfully."Hi: "आरव ने गहरी सांस ली और खुद पर विश्वास करने का निर्णय लिया।En: Arav took a deep breath and decided to believe in himself.Hi: आखिरकार, यह उसकी कहानी थी - उसे ही कहना था।En: After all, it was his story - he had to tell it.Hi: देव के साथ थोड़ी चर्चा के बाद, उन्होंने तय किया कि रिया अपनी संवाद कला का उपयोग करके दर्शकों को जोड़ने का काम करेगी, और देव तकनीकी विवरणों पर रोशनी डालेगा।En: After some discussion with Dev, they decided that Riya would use her communication skills to engage the audience, and Dev would highlight the technical details.Hi: आरव का काम था अपनी देखा-सीखी और अपने जुनून को साझा करना।En: Arav's task was to share his experiences and passion.Hi: जब आरव मंच पर आया, उसने अपने आत्म-संदेह को किनारे रखते हुए, दर्शकों से अपनी कहानी कहनी शुरू की।En: When Arav came on stage, he put aside his self-doubt and began to tell his story to the audience.Hi: उसकी आवाज साफ और आत्मीय थी।En: His voice was clear and heartfelt.Hi: उसने अपनी टीम के स्टार्टअप विचार और इससे समाज पर होने वाले संभावित प्रभाव को असरदार ढंग से व्यक्त किया।En: He effectively communicated his team's startup idea and the potential impact it could have on society.Hi: उसकी प्रस्तुति में जुनून की चमक और ईमानदारी की गहराई थी।En: His presentation glowed with passion and was deeply sincere.Hi: ऑडियंस में तालियों की गूंज उठी।En: Applause erupted in the audience.Hi: जजों में से एक ने प्रस्तुति के बाद आरव से मुलाकात की।En: After the presentation, one of the judges met with Arav.Hi: उन्होंने उसे भविष्य में मेंटरशिप और संभावित निवेशकों से मिलवाने का प्रस्ताव दिया।En: They offered to introduce him to mentorship and potential investors in the future.Hi: आरव के चेहरे पर मुस्कान थी, आत्मविश्वास की चमक थी।En: There was a smile on Arav's face, a shine of confidence.Hi: उसने महसूस किया कि सच्चाई और टीम वर्क की ताकत क्या होती है।En: He realized the power of truth and teamwork.Hi: वह न केवल अपनी प्रस्तुति में सफल हुआ, बल्कि खुद पर विश्वास करते हुए एक नए साहस की खोज भी की।En: Not only did he succeed in his presentation, but he also discovered a newfound courage by believing in himself.Hi: इस तरह आरव ने न केवल अपने स्कूल प्रोजेक्ट में सफलता पाई बल्कि अपनी व्यक्तिगत यात्रा में भी एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम बढ़ाया।En: In this way, Arav not only succeeded in his school project but also took a significant step in his personal journey.Hi: अब वह नए अवसरों के लिए तैयार था, और सोचता था, "अगर इरादों में सच्चाई हो, तो मंजिल दूर नहीं होती।En: Now he was ready for new opportunities and pondered, "If there is truth in intentions, then the destination is not far." Vocabulary Words:chilly: ठंडीhustle: हलचलincubator: इनक्यूबेटरinnovators: नवप्रवर्तकोंaroma: सुगंधenthusiasm: उत्साहdedication: समर्पणenvironment: माहौलentrepreneurship: उद्यमिताself-doubt: आत्म-संदेहpresentation: प्रस्तुतिexpert: विशेषज्ञanxious: चिंताimitate: नकलengage: जोड़ने काexperiences: देखा-सीखीeffective: असरदारheartfelt: आत्मीयsincere: ईमानदारीapplause: तालियोंmentorship: मेंटorshipinvestors: निवेशकrealized: समझाpotential: संभावितconfidence: आत्मविश्वासtruth: सच्चाईteamwork: टीम वर्कcourage: साहसsignificant: महत्वपूर्णopportunities: अवसरों

Fluent Fiction - French: From Snowflakes to Startups: Élise's Eco-Friendly Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2025-12-16-08-38-20-fr Story Transcript:Fr: C'était une froide soirée d'hiver.En: It was a cold winter evening.Fr: Le vent faisait tournoyer délicatement des flocons de neige devant les grandes fenêtres du Startup Incubator.En: The wind delicately swirled snowflakes in front of the large windows of the Startup Incubator.Fr: À l'intérieur, la chaleur et la lumière des guirlandes de Noël créaient une ambiance accueillante.En: Inside, the warmth and the light from the Christmas garlands created a welcoming atmosphere.Fr: Des stands improvisés accueillaient de jeunes entrepreneurs.En: Improvised stands welcomed young entrepreneurs.Fr: Élise était l'une d'entre eux.En: Élise was one of them.Fr: Élise avait consacré toute son énergie à son projet : une ligne de produits éco-responsables.En: Élise had devoted all her energy to her project: a line of eco-friendly products.Fr: Elle rêvait de changer le monde, un produit à la fois.En: She dreamed of changing the world, one product at a time.Fr: Mais pour réaliser son rêve, elle avait besoin d'investissements.En: But to realize her dream, she needed investments.Fr: Ce soir, elle espérait le convaincre.En: This evening, she hoped to convince someone.Fr: Elle savait que Vincent, un investisseur expérimenté à la recherche d'idées novatrices, serait présent.En: She knew that Vincent, an experienced investor looking for innovative ideas, would be present.Fr: Vincent était déjà dans la salle.En: Vincent was already inside the room.Fr: Avec son flair pour identifier les projets prometteurs, il était attentif aux présentations.En: With his knack for identifying promising projects, he paid close attention to the presentations.Fr: À ses côtés, Clara, sa partenaire d'affaires, regardait chaque pitch avec un œil critique.En: By his side, Clara, his business partner, watched each pitch with a critical eye.Fr: Élise prit une profonde inspiration avant d'approcher Vincent.En: Élise took a deep breath before approaching Vincent.Fr: Elle savait que Clara était sceptique envers de nombreux projets comme le sien.En: She knew that Clara was skeptical of many projects like hers.Fr: Mais Élise décida de suivre son instinct.En: But Élise decided to follow her instincts.Fr: Elle s'approcha de Vincent, le cœur battant.En: She approached Vincent, her heart pounding.Fr: "Bonsoir, Vincent," dit-elle avec un sourire chaleureux.En: "Good evening, Vincent," she said with a warm smile.Fr: "Je m'appelle Élise.En: "My name is Élise.Fr: J'aimerais vous parler de mon projet."En: I'd like to talk to you about my project."Fr: Vincent était captivé par la passion dans le regard d'Élise.En: Vincent was captivated by the passion in Élise's eyes.Fr: Elle lui parlait avec cœur de l'importance de préserver la planète pour les générations futures.En: She spoke to him sincerely about the importance of preserving the planet for future generations.Fr: Elle décrivait avec enthousiasme sa gamme de produits, expliquant comment ils pourraient réduire les déchets et encourager un mode de vie durable.En: She described her product line enthusiastically, explaining how it could reduce waste and encourage a sustainable lifestyle.Fr: Clara écoutait en arrière-plan, les bras croisés.En: Clara listened in the background, arms crossed.Fr: Elle semblait peu convaincue.En: She seemed unconvinced.Fr: Mais Vincent, lui, sentit une étincelle d'excitation.En: But Vincent felt a spark of excitement.Fr: Les idées d'Élise résonnaient en lui.En: Élise's ideas resonated with him.Fr: Il voyait en elles non seulement une opportunité d'affaires, mais aussi un projet qui avait du sens.En: He saw in them not only a business opportunity but also a project with meaningful purpose.Fr: Après la présentation d'Élise, Vincent s'éloigna avec Clara pour discuter.En: After Élise's presentation, Vincent stepped aside with Clara to discuss.Fr: Clara exprima ses doutes.En: Clara expressed her doubts.Fr: "C'est un risque," dit-elle.En: "It's a risk," she said.Fr: "Mais quelque part en lui, Vincent savait que cela valait la peine de prendre un risque pour le bien de la planète et de soutenir un esprit aussi passionné qu'Élise.En: But somewhere inside him, Vincent knew that it was worth taking a risk for the good of the planet and to support a spirit as passionate as Élise.Fr: Plus tard dans la soirée, Vincent fit part de sa décision à Élise.En: Later in the evening, Vincent shared his decision with Élise.Fr: "Je veux soutenir ton projet," dit-il.En: "I want to support your project," he said.Fr: "Mais Clara a raison sur certains points.En: "But Clara is right on some points.Fr: Nous devrons intégrer ses conseils pour solidifier le projet."En: We will need to integrate her advice to strengthen the project."Fr: Élise était ravie, et elle accepta avec gratitude.En: Élise was thrilled, and she accepted with gratitude.Fr: Elle se sentit plus confiante que jamais.En: She felt more confident than ever.Fr: C'est ainsi que commença leur collaboration.En: That's how their collaboration began.Fr: Avec le soutien de Vincent, Élise put lancer son projet à une plus grande échelle.En: With Vincent's support, Élise was able to launch her project on a larger scale.Fr: Et, au-delà du succès professionnel, une amitié particulière se développa entre Vincent et Élise, en semant peut-être les graines d'une future relation.En: And beyond professional success, a special friendship developed between Vincent and Élise, perhaps sowing the seeds of a future relationship.Fr: Dans la chaleur de l'incubateur, alors que la neige continuait de tomber dehors, Élise avait pris un grand pas vers la réalisation de ses rêves.En: In the warmth of the incubator, as the snow continued to fall outside, Élise had taken a big step towards realizing her dreams.Fr: Vincent, quant à lui, apprenait à écouter son cœur, autant qu'à suivre ses calculs d'investisseur.En: Vincent, meanwhile, was learning to listen to his heart, as much as to follow his investor's calculations.Fr: Une simple soirée d'hiver pleine de magie de Noël avait changé leur vie.En: A simple winter evening full of Christmas magic had changed their lives. Vocabulary Words:evening: la soiréesnowflakes: les flocons de neigewindows: les fenêtresgarlands: les guirlandesentrepreneurs: les entrepreneursenergy: l'énergieinvestments: les investissementsinvestor: l'investisseuridea: l'idéeknack: le flairpartner: la partenairebreath: la respirationinstinct: l'instinctheart: le cœurlook: le regardwaste: les déchetslifestyle: le mode de viebackground: l'arrière-planspark: l'étincelleopportunity: l'opportunitépurpose: le sensrisk: le risqueadvice: les conseilsgratitude: la gratitudestep: le pasdreams: les rêvescalculations: les calculsmagic: la magieproject: le projetsuccess: le succès

Fluent Fiction - Korean: Blueprint of Dreams: Navigating Trust in Seoul's Startups Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2025-12-16-08-38-20-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 서울의 비즈니스 중심가에 있는 스타트업 인큐베이터는 언제나 활기가 넘쳤다.En: The startup incubator located in the business center of Seoul was always bustling with activity.Ko: 겨울의 차가운 바람이 창문을 두드리고 있었다.En: The cold winter wind was knocking on the windows.Ko: 그 안에서는 크리스마스 조명이 따뜻한 빛을 발하며 반짝이고 있었다.En: Inside, Christmas lights were shining warmly, twinkling.Ko: 작은 창고 같은 사무실에서, 준은 깊은 고민에 빠져 있었다.En: In a small, warehouse-like office, Jun was deeply lost in thought.Ko: 그의 프로젝트, 혁신적인 에너지 솔루션의 설계도가 사라졌기 때문이었다.En: His project's blueprint for an innovative energy solution had disappeared.Ko: 준은 사무실 한쪽 구석에서 긴장한 표정으로 서 있었다.En: Jun stood in one corner of the office, looking tense.Ko: 그의 아버지가 남긴 이상을 이룰 중대한 순간이었다.En: It was a crucial moment to realize the ideals his father had left behind.Ko: 하지만 그 설계도가 없으면 중요한 투자자 회의에 나갈 수 없었다.En: However, without the blueprint, he couldn't attend the important investor meeting.Ko: 시간은 얼마 남지 않았다.En: Time was running out.Ko: 준의 곁에는 항상 그를 이끄는 친구 민지가 있었다.En: Beside him was his friend Minji, who always guided him.Ko: 그녀는 항상 침착하고 논리적인 사고로 문제를 해결했다.En: She always solved problems with calm and logical thinking.Ko: 민지는 준을 바라보며 말했다. "준, 우리가 설계도를 어디서 마지막으로 봤는지 다시 생각해보자."En: Minji looked at him and said, "Let's think again about where we last saw the blueprint, Jun."Ko: 둘은 함께 사무실의 구석구석을 뒤졌다.En: Together, they searched every corner of the office.Ko: 하지만 설계도는 어디에도 없었다.En: But the blueprint was nowhere to be found.Ko: 바로 그때, 매력적인 투자자 서진이 들어왔다.En: Just then, the charming investor Seojin entered.Ko: 그는 항상 그럴싸한 미소를 지으며 모든 상황을 꿰뚫어보는 것 같았다.En: He always seemed to be able to see through every situation with a plausible smile.Ko: "무슨 문제라도 있나요?" 서진이 물었다.En: "Is there a problem?" Seojin asked.Ko: 준은 잠시 망설이다가 말했다. "설계도가 사라졌어요. 준비가 안 되면 회의가 헛될 거예요."En: Jun hesitated for a moment before saying, "The blueprint is gone. If I'm not prepared, the meeting will be pointless."Ko: 서진은 묘한 미소를 지었다. "분명히 찾을 수 있을 겁니다. 가끔은 가까운 곳에 있는 것들을 놓치기도 합니다."En: Seojin gave a mysterious smile. "I'm sure it can be found. Sometimes we overlook things that are close by."Ko: 준의 머릿속은 혼란스러웠다.En: Jun's mind was in turmoil.Ko: 서진은 무언가를 숨기고 있는 듯했다.En: Seojin seemed to be hiding something.Ko: 그는 누구를 믿어야 할지 혼란스러웠다.En: He was confused about whom to trust.Ko: 크리스마스의 시간은 그들의 긴장을 날카롭게 만들었다.En: The time of Christmas sharpened their tension.Ko: 마지막으로 실마리를 찾기 위해 둘은 사무실의 크리스마스 장식을 하나씩 살폈다.En: For a last clue, they inspected the Christmas decorations in the office one by one.Ko: 그때 준은 나무 아래 쌓인 선물들 사이에서 익숙한 종이 질감을 느꼈다.En: Just then, Jun felt the familiar texture of paper among the gifts stacked under the tree.Ko: 거기에 있던 것은 다름 아닌 설계도였다.En: What was there but the blueprint itself.Ko: 설계도를 들고 준은 손을 부들부들 떨었다.En: Holding the blueprint, Jun's hands trembled.Ko: 그는 서진을 마주쳤다.En: He faced Seojin.Ko: 서진은 여유로운 미소를 지으며 말했다. "당신이 설계도를 찾을 줄 알았습니다. 정말 근성이 대단하군요, 준."En: Seojin smiled leisurely and said, "I knew you would find the blueprint. Your perseverance is truly remarkable, Jun."Ko: 준은 혼란스러웠지만 곧 이를 깨달았다. "이건 내가 프로젝트에 얼마나 열정을 가지고 있는지 시험하기 위한 거였나요?"En: Jun was confused but soon realized, "Was this a test to see how passionate I am about the project?"Ko: 서진은 고개를 끄덕였다. "당신은 정말 준비되었습니다. 이제 투자를 받을 수 있을 겁니다."En: Seojin nodded. "You are truly prepared. Now you can receive the investment."Ko: 이로 인해 준은 중요한 교훈을 얻었다.En: Through this, Jun learned an important lesson.Ko: 그는 자신의 직감을 믿어야 했다. 그리고 팀워크의 중요성을 깨달았다.En: He had to trust his intuition and realized the importance of teamwork.Ko: 결국, 그는 자기 안에 있는 잠재력과 팀의 지지를 통해 더 나은 미래를 위해 나아갈 수 있었다.En: Ultimately, he was able to move toward a better future through the potential within himself and the support of his team.Ko: 크리스마스의 눈 내리는 날, 준의 꿈은 새롭게 시작되고 있었다.En: On a snowy Christmas day, Jun's dream was beginning anew. Vocabulary Words:incubator: 인큐베이터bustling: 활기가 넘쳤다blueprint: 설계도crucial: 중대한realize: 이룰investor: 투자자plausible: 그럴싸한hesitated: 망설이다가overlook: 놓치기도turmoil: 혼란스러웠다mysterious: 묘한perseverance: 근성remarkable: 대단하군요intuition: 직감teamwork: 팀워크potential: 잠재력advent: 시작되고tensely: 긴장한 표정으로logical: 논리적인inspected: 살폈다texture: 질감familiar: 익숙한perspective: 꿰뚫어보는distraught: 혼란스러웠다amiss: 문제라도enigma: 묘한meticulous: 구석구석recognizing: 깨달았다guidance: 이끄는aspirations: 이상

What if everything you've been told about "success" is backwards? In this episode, Mark Suster shares a brutally honest guide to becoming successful for ambitious young people trying to break into startups, tech, and venture capital.Mark Suster, Managing Partner at Upfront Ventures, breaks down how young people actually make money and build meaningful careers: by believing in something almost no one else sees yet, developing a unique knowledge edge, and becoming one of the few people founders need to call. He explains why success is less about chasing status and more about owning your niche, doing the hard, unglamorous work, and playing a long-term game.In this conversation, Mark opens up about growing up with limited means, discovering programming, and turning ADHD into a genuine superpower for deep focus and creativity. He talks directly to students, recent grads, and early‑career builders who feel stuck at a crossroads: should you become a founder, join a startup, work at a big tech company, go into VC, or get an MBA?You'll learn how he thinks about luck versus skill, why the “burden of choice” is actually a gift, and how to make the best possible decision with imperfect information—then commit without looking back. He also shares practical advice on how young people can stand out to investors, build real relationships over time, and signal potential long before they have a big exit or fancy title.If you're in your teens, 20s, or early 30s and obsessed with startups, venture capital, or just becoming successful on your own terms, this episode will challenge how you think about money, career, and what really matters.Subscribe for more founder stories, startup tips, and VC insights.

When a significant amount of your net worth is tied to a single illiquid stock, you stand significantly exposed to multiple risks. In this episode, Saurabh and Manish discuss why true financial maturity is about recognising when to diversify.

On this episode of Greater Perimeter Business Radio, Lee Kantor and Adam Marx sit down with Adam Thompson, an IP attorney at Bradley Arant, to explore the critical—but often overlooked—role of intellectual property strategy in early-stage companies. Thompson breaks down how startups should think about trademarks, patents, branding, risk mitigation, and long-term legal planning, and […]

In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Andrew Ackerman shares his extensive experience in the startup ecosystem, discussing his journey from founder to investor and the lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of stepping out of comfort zones, understanding market dynamics, and the value of storytelling in entrepreneurship. Andrew also delves into the challenges faced during his two startups, the insights gained from writing his book 'Entrepreneur's Odyssey', and offers practical advice for aspiring founders. The conversation covers various themes including customer discovery, the startup ecosystem, and strategies for success, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the entrepreneurial journey.TakeawaysA lot of things in life are luck, intention, and being ready for luck.Founders often stay in their comfort zones instead of exploring necessary areas for growth.Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.Contracts keep honest people honest; clarity is crucial in partnerships.A startup is more of a chain; if one link fails, the startup fails.You need to test your cost to customer acquisition; it's vital for success.The startup journey is not as glamorous as portrayed in movies.It's important to understand the real day-to-day of running a startup.Building a strong network is essential for startup success.Customer discovery can be done effectively with simple prototypes. Chapters00:00 The Journey Begins: A Joke with a Lesson01:52 From Founder to Investor: Andrew's Startup Story07:49 Navigating Challenges: Lessons from Two Startups16:56 The Birth of 'Entrepreneurs Odyssey': Sharing Wisdom25:47 The Startup Landscape: Why and How to Start28:44 The Startup Decision: Is It Right for You?30:26 Understanding the Startup Ecosystem: Trends and Tides35:51 Strategies for Startup Success: Insights from Experience41:29 The Lightning Round: Quickfire Insights52:03 Personal Insights: Balancing Work and Life

Navigating the Future of Digital Connections with Jane KubryakIn this episode, host Josh Elledge interviews Jane Kubryak, venture capitalist and startup scout at Social Discovery Group, to explore the future of digital connection platforms, AI companions, and the shifting venture capital landscape. Jane shares her global journey from Russia to Montenegro, her role in scouting high-potential founders, and the unique market insights she's gained working with one of the largest digital-connection companies in the world. Her perspective offers invaluable guidance for founders navigating today's polarized funding environment and for investors looking to discover overlooked innovation.How Startup Founders Can Stand Out in a Polarized VC MarketJane explains that today's startup world is split between massively funded companies with elite networks and talented early-stage founders struggling for visibility. She emphasizes that traction—not hype—is what truly captures investor attention, and encourages founders to differentiate themselves through strategic storytelling, early user engagement, and clarity around the market problem they solve. For companies working in digital connection, AI companions, or mental health–focused tech, Jane notes that the strongest teams pair innovation with empathy, creating solutions that meet emotional as well as functional needs.She also highlights that many founders underestimate the importance of community and consistent visibility. Because attention is the scarcest resource in modern venture building, Jane recommends actively nurturing relationships with scouts, VCs, and accelerators, while leveraging newsletters, podcasts, and LinkedIn to stay top of mind. With Social Discovery Group's resources, she helps founders accelerate momentum once they demonstrate early traction, ensuring that promising teams don't get lost in the noise of the funding landscape.Finally, Jane encourages overlooked founders—especially those in Eastern Europe and emerging markets—to remain persistent despite systemic biases. She reminds listeners that SDG and other strategic investors actively seek founders who bring global perspectives, emotional intelligence, and long-term resilience. By focusing on authentic traction, crafting a compelling narrative, and leaning into ecosystems that champion under-the-radar founders, entrepreneurs can meaningfully improve their fundraising outcomes.About Jane KubryakJane Kubryak is a venture capitalist, startup scout, and ecosystem builder at Social Discovery Group, where she identifies and supports promising startups in digital connection, AI companions, and emerging social technologies. She also leads a growing founder-focused community through her writing and industry insights. Connect with Jane on LinkedIn.About Social Discovery GroupSocial Discovery Group is a global leader in digital connection platforms, AI-driven social technology, and online dating innovation. Through SDG Lab Venture Studio, the company invests in early-stage founders building the next generation of digital companionship, social engagement, and human-connection tools.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeJane Kubryak on LinkedInSocial Discovery Group (SDG Lab Venture Studio) WebsiteKey Episode HighlightsHow AI companions are...

Are introverts wired for startup success in their own unique way? In this episode of The Quiet And Strong Podcast, host David Hall sits down with Benjamin Friedman, founder and president of Build Scale Grow, to uncover how introverted strengths can be the foundation for authentic, high-impact leadership. If you've ever wondered whether you have to be the loudest voice in the room to launch a successful business, this conversation will inspire you to redefine what it means to be a powerful leader.You'll discover why embracing your introverted qualities—like deep thinking, meaningful one-on-one connections, and thoughtful planning—can lead to entrepreneurial success. Benjamin Friedman shares practical advice from his new book and discusses relatable stories of founders who harnessed quiet conviction to drive real results without compromising their authenticity.Listen in if you're an introvert ready to carve your own path in the fast-paced startup world—or if you lead introverts and want to better understand their superpowers. Tune in, learn how to harness your quiet strength, and be strong.Episode Link: QuietandStrong.com/253Benjamin Friedman helps founders build companies that balance ambition with authenticity. Known for turning quiet conviction into measurable impact, he guides introverted founders to lead with clarity, confidence, and conviction.As Founder and President of Build Scale Grow, Inc., Benjamin engages startups in social impact, education, and health tech to align metrics with mission. He balances hard data with human values. With two decades in finance and operations, he's helped raise tens of millions in funding and navigate five successful mergers and acquisitions.His new book, Silent Strength: The Introvert's Guide to Building Successful Startups, is a practical guide for introverted entrepreneurs who want to succeed in the high-energy, high-touch startup world without compromising who they are. Get Benjamin's book: Silent Strength: The Introvert's Guide to Building Successful StartupsConnect with Benjamin: Website | LinSend us a text- - -Contact the Host of the Quiet and Strong Podcast:David Hall Author, Speaker, Educator, Podcaster quietandstrong.comGobio.link/quietandstrongdavid [at] quietandstrong.com NOTE: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Take the FREE Personality Assessment: Typefinder Personality Assessment Follow David on your favorite social platform:Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Get David's book:Minding Your Time: Time Management, Productivity, and Success, Especially for Introverts Get Quiet & Strong Merchandise

Maged Harby, General Partner at VMS, joins Jeremy Au to share his journey from publishing to building one of the Middle East's earliest EdTech venture programs, explain how Egypt and Saudi Arabia differ as innovation ecosystems, and guide founders on how to enter the region with cultural fit and strong partnerships. They discuss how EdTech adoption accelerated during COVID, why parents still steer children toward traditional fields, and how Gen Z is shifting toward entrepreneurship. Their conversation explores the contrast between Egypt's talent depth and Saudi Arabia's purchasing power, the need for localization in pricing and UX, and why Middle Eastern markets must be treated as distinct rather than homogeneous. Maged also outlines what he hopes to see next in personalized learning and why teacher training remains the region's biggest unlock. 00:25 VMS: Corporate Venture studio based in Saudi Arabia and provide several program to help and support startup to grow such as Bridge program that support startups that need to expand their business to Saudi Arabia and other programs 03:00 Parents push traditional paths: Egypt's university admissions are rigid and most families still guide children toward engineering or medicine. 07:00 EdVentures built from zero: Maged grew EdVentures into a major EdTech incubator and accelerator with more than 90 graduated startups and 23 investments. 14:00 Gen Z shifts to entrepreneurship: Young people are increasingly drawn to building startups and solving real problems instead of following traditional job tracks. 16:00 Localization defines success: Middle Eastern markets differ in pricing, UX, language and regulation which makes adaptation essential for expansion. 19:00 Competition varies by country: FinTech is saturated in Saudi Arabia while EdTech and health tech remain more open in Egypt and the UAE. 27:00 Teacher quality is the bottleneck: Universities must modernize teacher training so classrooms can match Gen Z and Gen Alpha digital habits. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/maged-harby-middle-east-playbook Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #MiddleEastTech #EdTechInnovation #SaudiArabiaStartups #EgyptEcosystem #GenZEntrepreneurs #LocalizationStrategy #VentureStudios #GCCExpansion #PersonalizedLearning #BRAVEpodcast

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Ahmed Abubakar, Founder of Imagine Art - a Pakistan-built GenAI creative suite used by millions worldwide and competing for #1–#2 positions in global design app charts, right next to Canva. Today, Imagine does $30M+ ARR, with a major portion of revenue coming from the US and international markets - proving that world-class AI products can be built from Pakistan.We Explore:Early life, education, and family sacrificesBuilding Imagine and scaling GenAI to millionsWhy Pakistani app & gaming industry is bigger than India'sMonetization, profitability & $30M ARRESOPs, stock options & talent philosophyFuture of AI models, creativity, disruption & user context mappingMoving to the US, global talent, and Pakistan's role in 2050Socials:TBT's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT's TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT's Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠Ahmed's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-abubakar-9482127b/Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

This episode dives deep into the shifting landscape of SaaS growth, investment philosophy, and leadership with Klee Kleber, former Dell and Rackspace executive and co-founder at Build Group.Klee Kleber shares why he prefers the "long game" model over traditional VC, explains the math behind durable businesses, talks about the importance of relentless execution, and how empathy, self-awareness, and diversity drive lasting success. From stories of luck at Dell to building customer love at Rackspace and the bold ambition of Topwater, this episode is packed with pragmatic wisdom for SaaS founders, operators, and investors.Key Takeaways00:00 Building for Impact and Permanence03:12 "Strategic Investing and Growth Playbooks"06:40 "Efficient Growth Through Discipline"12:47 "Separate Division for Innovation"15:14 Apple's Strategy: Innovation & Adaptability19:21 "Scaling After Market Fit"20:32 Obsessed Founders: Numbers & Customers23:57 "Teamwork Drives Effective Leadership"27:49 "Commit, Focus, Scale Success"30:08 Exit Strategy Driven by Management34:24 "Growth Limits and Opportunities"39:31 "Customer Loyalty Drives Growth"40:16 Target Audience Traits Matter46:10 "Defining ICP: Human vs. MBA"49:45 AI vs Doctor: Diagnosis Revolution51:44 "Leadership, Innovation, Differentiation Challenges"54:29 "AI-Driven Growth with Topwater"Tweetable Quotes"You can't diversify your way to success—you can only retain your wealth through diversification. To build a company, you have to go all in." — Klee Kleber"Start with customer love—and radiate out from there. Obsess over the customers who love you, and the referrals will follow." — Klee Kleber"Relentless execution is what differentiates great companies from those that just do okay or even good." — Jeff Mains"Efficiency isn't boring—it's the secret to durable, compounding growth that actually lasts." — Klee Kleber"Most business to me is treading water, being disciplined, not burning, testing ideas, measuring like crazy, until you find the live wire." — Klee Kleber"Self-aware founders who build teams that compensate for their weaknesses are the ones who scale and thrive." — Klee KleberSaaS Leadership LessonsBuild for the Long Game – Focus on investments and company-building strategies that aim for durability and lasting impact, not just quick wins.Efficiency is a Competitive Advantage – Discipline in metrics like LTV/CAC and payback periods creates sustainable growth, instead of hoping for a lucky exit.Relentless Execution Beats Strategy Alone – Luck may start the journey, but relentless, focused execution is what converts opportunity into success.Balance Data with Customer Contact – Great founders marry spreadsheet discipline with real human customer feedback and empathy.Embrace Diverse Perspectives – Teams with varied backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints consistently outperform homogenous ones and spark true breakthroughs.Self-Awareness Multiplies Leadership Impact – Know your personal strengths and weaknesses; build teams that complement you and delegate accordingly.Guest Resourcesklee@buildgroup.comhttps://www.buildgroup.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kleekleber/Episode SponsorThe Captain's KeysSmall Fish, Big Pond –

  In this unforgettable episode of the Profitable Christian Business Podcast, Doug Greathouse sits down with Steven Pemberton, founder of Elevatum Digital and creator of The Capital Sprint, to talk about the intersection of faith, funding, and obedience in today's business world. Steven's journey is one of radical transformation — from burnout and brokenness to building multiple seven-figure businesses with his wife. He shares how faith, trust, and obedience to God's direction shaped not only his entrepreneurial success but his definition of it. They unpack how startup funding has changed, why investors now demand traction and clarity, and the mindset shift every founder must make to thrive in this new investment landscape. Steven also opens up about the spiritual side of entrepreneurship — learning that obedience doesn't always equal immediate blessing, and that success defined by faith looks very different from worldly success. If you're an entrepreneur navigating uncertainty, raising capital, or just trying to follow God's voice in your business decisions, this conversation will inspire and challenge you to lead with both strategy and surrender.

Too many founders and high-performers hit a wall when confidence doesn't match ambition. You know your idea has potential, but between rejection, resource scarcity, and self-doubt, it's hard to believe in yourself long enough to see success.Today's guest, Anya Cheng, went from leading global teams at Meta, McDonald's, and eBay to launching her own AI-powered fashion startup, Taelor, from scratch. She faced rejection after rejection, battled imposter syndrome as a female immigrant founder, and still raised millions from early investors behind YouTube, Spotify, and TSMC.In this episode, Anya reveals how to turn mindset into your biggest growth tool, so you can build conviction, attract investors, and grow even when no one's returning your calls.We'll unpack how she built belief before validation, how she turned “minority” into “majority,” and how logic, not luck, became her greatest asset in leading through uncertainty. Whether you're scaling a startup or reinventing your career, this conversation will help you grow ready from the inside out.----------About the Guest: Anya Cheng is the Founder & CEO of Taelor.AI, an AI-driven menswear rental platform helping ambitious men dress for confidence and success without the hassle of shopping or laundry. Before becoming a founder, Anya spent 15 years in leadership roles at Meta (Facebook/Instagram), McDonald's, eBay, and Target, building global digital products and teams. She's also a faculty member at Northwestern University and a passionate advocate for women and minority founders in tech.About the Episode: In this episode, host Steve Mellor sits down with Anya Cheng to uncover what it really takes to transition from corporate executive to confident founder.Anya opens up about battling imposter syndrome, learning to operate with limited resources, and how shifting her mindset helped her raise millions in venture funding, despite being told “no” again and again.She shares the behind-the-scenes of building Taelor.AI, lessons from her Big Tech years, and how believing in your own logic can turn rejection into redirection.This one's for every entrepreneur, leader, and creator trying to grow something great when no one else seems to see the vision yet.Takeaways:Overcoming imposter syndrome as a founderThe mindset shift from “employee” to “entrepreneur”How to grow with limited resources and connectionsTurning rejection into opportunity through generosityThe power of logic in building self-beliefUsing AI to empower human confidence (Taelor.AI's mission)Networking through “loose ties” for personal growthCircular fashion and sustainability in techLearning to define success on your own termsLinks & Resources Mentioned:Taelor.AI – https://taelor.styleContact Anya: anya@taelor.aiGet 25% off your first month at Taelor.style - just use promo code Podcast25 when you subscribe!Follow Anya on LinkedIn: https://www.liSend us a textSupport the showThis podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout Sign up for the monthly newsletter with Steve and GrowthReady (formerly known as Career Competitor) by providing your details here - Request to become part of our community Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

In this episode, David Friedman, Chief Information Officer at Abstrax Tech, shares insights on building tech-forward infrastructure, leveraging AI for immediate business impact, and guiding founders on using data effectively to create solutions with real commercial value.

In this episode, David Friedman, Chief Information Officer at Abstrax Tech, shares insights on building tech-forward infrastructure, leveraging AI for immediate business impact, and guiding founders on using data effectively to create solutions with real commercial value.

In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Vitaly Motuz, founder of Reviews On My Website. Vitaly shares his journey from high school side projects to building a successful SaaS business focused on reputation management for local businesses. The conversation dives deep into product simplicity, scaling challenges, client-centric growth, leadership mindset, the impact of reviews (good and bad), and how AI is reshaping the landscape. Whether you're a SaaS founder, leader, or just passionate about tech, this episode is packed with actionable insights!Key Takeaways00:00 "Sparked Idea for Review Tool"04:19 "Simple Reputation Management Software"06:36 "Expanding Tools for Market Growth"11:42 Focusing on Marketing and Growth13:11 Learning to Delegate as Founder17:16 Startup Success in 201722:43 "Leadership, Hiring, and Growth Blueprint"24:53 "Small Remote Team Challenges"28:39 "Simplicity Over Features Wins"32:18 Customer Request Prioritization Strategy37:10 "Prioritize Stability, Avoid Quick Fixes"38:51 "Testing Features for Usability"42:14 AI Transforming Business OperationsTweetable QuotesViral Simplicity in Reputation Management: "And that's kind of like one of the things that all our customers tell us is we're one of the most intuitive and simple reputation platforms out there." — Vitaly Motuz Viral Topic: The Secret to Expanding Market Reach Quote: "it wasn't so much I think there were new platforms that helped us expand but rather expanding the tools that we offer." — Vitaly Motuz Letting Go as a Founder: "So one of the struggles for me was letting go some of the control and be open to finding help, finding somebody to bring on board to help me with some of those stuff." — Vitaly Motuz "It's providing the simple, simplest reputation management software for local businesses and agencies that simply works." — Vitaly Motuz Startup Flexibility: "So at the beginning you gotta be nimble. You gotta kind of like try things and see what works." — Vitaly Motuz SaaS Leadership LessonsPlay Your Own Game: Focus on what makes your company unique instead of chasing competitors' features.Let Go to Grow: Delegate and release control, especially in areas where others can excel, freeing yourself for strategic work.Relentless Customer Focus: Listen to paying customers, and develop the roadmap based on their real needs and experience.Lead By Vision: Define and communicate your organization's purpose and direction so your team feels a part of the mission.Embrace the Learning Process: Experimentation and failure are part of the journey—analyze, learn, and adapt.Prioritize Simplicity Over Complexity: Resist bloated product features that distract from your core value.Guest Resourcesvitaly@reviewsonmywebsite.comhttps://reviewsonmywebsite.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalymotuz/Episode SponsorThe Captain's KeysSmall Fish, Big Pond –

You will learn the following: - There are patterns and challenges that companies commonly face at different stages of their growth. These challenges are not random. - Building a strong foundation and getting the basics right is essential for success in business. - Hiring the right people and aligning their values with the company's values is crucial, especially when making the first few hires. - Conflict resolution can vary from case to case, but there are usually patterns that can be recognized. Choosing the path that minimizes resentment and disappointment is often the best approach. - Businesses can be rated on a scale of one to ten, and understanding the size and shape of a business can help determine the type of experience and skills needed for hiring and growth.

Amanda Patterson, CEO of Rocket Fuel Labs, joins Measure Success Podcast to share how startups and high-growth companies can achieve predictable growth. She explains her Four P's framework—precision, process, positioning, and performance—and why knowing your LTV to CAC ratio matters. We discuss how AI is reshaping marketing, why human connection is still the key differentiator, and how founders can break through growth plateaus.

Crystal Phillips, former Olympic-level speed skater and co-founder of the Branch Out Foundation, joins Collisions YYC as the newly minted Senior Director at the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF). In this candid and future-forward episode, Crystal and host Tyler Chisholm explore how OCIF is fueling Calgary's transformation through strategic investments in high-potential sectors—from life sciences to agtech to creative industries. Crystal unpacks how OCIF evaluates projects for impact, fosters ecosystem “collisions,” and balances long-term vision with short-term execution. She also shares personal insights on leadership, navigating imposter syndrome, and why Calgary's culture of collaboration remains its greatest asset. This episode is a masterclass in economic development meets emotional intelligence. A must-listen for entrepreneurs, investors, and civic leaders alike.Topics Covered:What OCIF is and how it worksSector-focused economic development (Life Sciences, Agtech, Aerospace, etc.)Creating and funding hubs, nodes, and platformsThe balance of curiosity vs. decision-making in leadershipWhy creative industries are crucial to ecosystem storytellingNavigating imposter syndrome in new rolesCalgary's innovation ecosystem and its unique strengthsFor the extra curiousLinks & Mentions:Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) Branch Out Neurological Foundation Platform CalgaryThe Knowledge SocietyCreative Destruction LabSimilar episodes you might enjoyE515 – Justin Caskey, Transforming Service Business With Technology E512 – Chris Foster, AI Hype vs. Reality: Expert InsightsE500 – Deborah Yedlin, Brains, Business, and Belonging: Unpacking the Calgary AdvantageE513 – Rosa Twyman, Energy Markets, Renewables, and Consumer Impact E495 – Leah Sarich, Exploring the Human Side of Startup Success and ChallengesThis episode is brought to you by clearmotive marketing. When it comes to marketing that truly matters to your business, clearmotive is your go-to partner. With a proven track record of more than 15 years, they understand what makes your business tick. Learn more at https://www.clearmotive.ca and discover how clearmotive can help your marketing thrive.We're on social media! Follow us for episodes you might have missed and key insights on Western Canada directly on your feeds.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collisionsyycLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collisions-yycYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@collisionsyycWebsite: https://www.collisionsyyc.comThank you for tuning into Collisions YYC!Remember to subscribe and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.If you loved the episode, please leave us a 5-star review and share the show with your friends! These things really help us reach more potential fans and share everything that's amazing about Western Canada.We sincerely appreciate your support of our local podcast.Host links:Tyler's website: https://www.tylerchisholm.comTyler's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholmGuest links:Crystal Phillips' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-phillips-7296b932OCIF's Website: https://www.opportunitycalgary.com/Collisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing

Join host LeAura Luciano for a special re-release of “What's Your Skincare Routine” featuring Fazit Beauty co-founders Aliett Buttelman and Nina LaBruna.Discover the wild ride behind the viral faux freckle patches loved by Taylor Swift, including their latest appearance on Taylor's Instagram and during her chart-topping album release “Life of a Showgirl.”Find out how Aliett and Nina scaled from mixing batches in their kitchens to landing in major retailers like CVS, Target, and Walmart, and what it really takes to harness and sustain viral momentum in beauty. They share lessons in grit, planning, and leveraging “the Taylor Swift effect,” plus exclusive updates on new launches, sports collabs, and actionable advice for fellow beauty founders.Highlights include:How a single celebrity moment changed everything for FazitThe gritty reality behind meteoric growthBuilding a cult-favorite community on TikTok and InstagramBehind the scenes of their favorite beauty rituals, facials, and must-try products

Collin Stewart is the Founder and CEO of Predictable Revenue, a sales outsourcing company that helps B2B businesses build repeatable, scalable sales development teams. Under his leadership, Predictable Revenue has become a recognized leader in sales consulting, delivering over 10,000 booked meetings and scaling outbound sales for more than 55 companies. Recognized for his data-driven, practical approach to solving sales challenges, Collin also hosts the Predictable Revenue podcast, which boasts over 400 episodes.  In this episode… Rushing to scale before confirming real market demand is a common startup trap. Founders may hire sales leaders too soon, invest heavily in marketing, and burn through cash without a proven customer pull. How can entrepreneurs mitigate this risk and develop a sales process that truly meets customer needs? Collin Stewart, an expert in outbound sales and customer development, learned this lesson firsthand. In his early ventures, he invested heavily in building tools without confirming that buyers cared, which cost him years of effort. Over time, Collin discovered that the key was starting with customer development interviews, asking the right questions, and carefully transitioning from learning conversations into sales. He now advises founders to validate product-market fit themselves before handing sales off, to avoid what he calls “founder suicide.” In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Collin Stewart, Founder and CEO of Predictable Revenue, about bridging the gap between customer development and sales. Collin shares why premature scaling is a startup killer, his framework for running effective customer interviews, and lessons from working with companies like Uber. He also discusses best practices for cold email deliverability, targeting strategies, and his favorite tools for modern sales teams.

Fluent Fiction - Italian: High-Tech Hustle: Milano's Startup Success Story Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2025-09-30-22-34-02-it Story Transcript:It: In una frenetica giornata autunnale, il sole brillava sopra Milano, riflettendosi sui vetri dell'incubatore di startup.En: On a busy autumn day, the sun shone over Milano, reflecting off the windows of the startup incubator.It: Leonardo, un giovane imprenditore dal cervello digitale, guardava fuori dalla finestra.En: Leonardo, a young entrepreneur with a digital brain, was looking out the window.It: Il caffè sotto di lui emanava un invitante profumo di caffè tostato.En: The café below him emitted an inviting aroma of roasted coffee.It: Ma Leonardo non aveva tempo per il caffè oggi.En: But Leonardo had no time for coffee today.It: Mancavano solo poche ore alla presentazione che poteva trasformare i sogni della sua startup in realtà.En: Only a few hours were left before the presentation that could turn his startup dreams into reality.It: Accanto a lui, Giulia era immersa nel suo mondo di numeri e schermi.En: Next to him, Giulia was immersed in her world of numbers and screens.It: Lei era il cuore analitico del loro progetto.En: She was the analytical heart of their project.It: Vivace e precisa, Giulia desiderava che le sue capacità venissero riconosciute; spesso, però, l'ombra luminosa di Leonardo sembrava oscurarla.En: Lively and precise, Giulia wanted her skills to be recognized; often, however, Leonardo's bright shadow seemed to overshadow her.It: Nel mezzo dell'hub, un ronzio di creatività permeava l'aria.En: In the middle of the hub, a buzz of creativity permeated the air.It: Impiegati codificavano, stampanti 3D lavoravano incessantemente, e le idee scorrevano come fiumi invisibili.En: Employees were coding, 3D printers worked incessantly, and ideas flowed like invisible rivers.It: Ma oggi, un problema minacciava di sconvolgere quest'armonia: il prototipo, essenziale per il loro incontro con Marco, lo scettico investitore, era sparito.En: But today, a problem threatened to disrupt this harmony: the prototype, essential for their meeting with Marco, the skeptical investor, had disappeared.It: Leonardo aveva paura del fallimento.En: Leonardo feared failure.It: Tuttavia, mostrava al mondo solo un volto di determinazione.En: However, he showed the world only a face of determination.It: La sua mente correva veloce.En: His mind was racing.It: Non potevano permettersi di allarmare nessuno nell'incubatore, ma nelle prossime ore dovevano ritrovare il prototipo.En: They couldn't afford to alarm anyone in the incubator, but in the next few hours, they had to find the prototype.It: "Giulia," sussurrò, tentando di mantenere la calma.En: "Giulia," he whispered, attempting to stay calm.It: "Dobbiamo scoprirlo prima che sia troppo tardi."En: "We need to find it before it's too late."It: Decisero di cercare negli uffici, negli angoli più nascosti.En: They decided to search the offices, the most hidden corners.It: Giulia, con occhi aguzza, analizzava ogni dettaglio, anche il più insignificante.En: Giulia, with sharp eyes, analyzed every detail, even the most insignificant.It: Nel frattempo, Leonardo interrogava il team con domande apparentemente casuali.En: Meanwhile, Leonardo questioned the team with seemingly casual questions.It: Marco, il loro futuro potenziale finanziatore, era un uomo che dubitava sempre.En: Marco, their potential future financier, was a man who always doubted.It: La perdita del prototipo avrebbe destato la sua sfiducia e chiuso le possibilità di ottenere i fondi necessari.En: The loss of the prototype would have aroused his distrust and closed the doors to obtaining the necessary funds.It: Nel cuore della struttura, trovarono la risposta.En: In the heart of the structure, they found the answer.It: In una stanza buia, illuminata solo dal bagliore dei monitor del server, scoprirono che Giovanni, un collega, aveva preso il prototipo per errore.En: In a dark room, illuminated only by the glow of the server monitors, they discovered that Giovanni, a colleague, had taken the prototype by mistake.It: Giovanni lo aveva scambiato per un'unità di test.En: Giovanni had mistaken it for a test unit.It: "Pensavo fosse da controllare," si giustificava, imbarazzato.En: "I thought it needed to be checked," he justified, embarrassed.It: Leonardo trattenne un sospiro di sollievo.En: Leonardo held back a sigh of relief.It: Con il prototipo recuperato e la tensione dissipata, Leonardo e Giulia tornarono alla presentazione.En: With the prototype recovered and the tension dissipated, Leonardo and Giulia returned to the presentation.It: Il tempo scorreva veloce come un lampo.En: Time was flashing by like lightning.It: Davanti a Marco, mostrarono il loro progetto con fiducia ritrovata.En: In front of Marco, they showed their project with renewed confidence.It: L'entusiasmo di Leonardo e la meticolosa preparazione di Giulia portarono Marco a cambiare idea.En: Leonardo's enthusiasm and Giulia's meticulous preparation led Marco to change his mind.It: "Sì, investo," disse con decisione.En: "Yes, I'll invest," he said decisively.It: Le possibilità che il futuro sorrideva al team.En: The future was smiling at the team.It: Alla fine della giornata, mentre il sole tramontava, Leonardo capì quanto fosse importante la collaborazione.En: At the end of the day, as the sun set, Leonardo realized how important collaboration was.It: Giulia si sentì finalmente riconosciuta per il ruolo fondamentale che aveva giocato.En: Giulia finally felt recognized for the crucial role she had played.It: Nel cuore della vibrante Milano, un gruppo di giovani imprenditori aveva trovato la sua strada verso il futuro, insieme.En: In the heart of vibrant Milano, a group of young entrepreneurs had found their path to the future, together. Vocabulary Words:the incubator: l'incubatorethe entrepreneur: l'imprenditorethe aroma: l'aromathe shadow: l'ombrathe harmony: l'armoniathe prototype: il prototipothe failure: il fallimentothe face: il voltothe corner: l'angolothe doubt: il dubbiothe distrust: la sfiduciathe relief: il sollievothe tension: la tensionethe monitor: il monitorthe financier: il finanziatorethe glow: il bagliorethe screen: lo schermothe server: il serverthe preparation: la preparazionethe collaboration: la collaborazionethe skills: le capacitàthe investor: l'investitorethe corner: l'angolothe opportunity: le possibilitàthe future: il futurothe project: il progettothe idea: l'ideathe hesitation: l'esitazionethe justification: la giustificazionethe determination: la determinazione

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Heartfelt Choices: Balancing Family and Startup Dreams Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-09-30-22-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 渋谷のスタートアップインキュベータは、若い起業家たちの夢が詰まった場所です。En: The Shibuya startup incubator is a place filled with the dreams of young entrepreneurs.Ja: ガラス張りの壁の向こうでは、デジタルの創造が次々と形を作っています。En: Beyond the glass walls, digital creations are taking shape one after another.Ja: 秋の葉が青山通りをカラフルに彩る季節、ここで働く優秀な開発者たちの心も忙しく動いています。En: In the season when autumn leaves color Aoyama Street vividly, the minds of the talented developers working here are also busily active.Ja: 晴人は28歳のソフトウェア開発者で、彼のプロジェクト「アソビモ」の成功を目指しています。En: Haruto is a 28-year-old software developer aiming for the success of his project "Asobimo".Ja: しかし、彼にはもう一つの重要な責任があります。それは、高校生の妹、恵子の世話をすることです。En: However, he has another important responsibility: taking care of his high school-aged sister, Keiko.Ja: 両親を亡くした後、晴人が家族の支柱です。En: After losing their parents, Haruto has been the pillar of the family.Ja: 今日は敬老の日です。En: Today is Respect for the Aged Day.Ja: 晴人は起業家の夢を追うために忙しい中、祖父母のことを考えています。En: While busy chasing his entrepreneurial dreams, Haruto thinks about his grandparents.Ja: 彼は最近、彼らを訪れていません。En: He hasn't visited them recently.Ja: 夕方になると、彼は心がざわついていました。En: As evening falls, he feels a restlessness in his heart.Ja: このまま遅くまでインキュベーターに残るべきか、それとも妹の恵子と一緒に祖父母を訪ねるべきかという決断があります。En: He must decide whether to stay late at the incubator or visit his grandparents with his sister Keiko.Ja: 午後の終わり、晴人は決断します。「今日は家族を優先しよう」と。En: By the end of the afternoon, Haruto makes a decision: "Today, I'll prioritize family."Ja: プロジェクトの締め切りが迫る中、彼はスマートフォンを手に取り、チームメイトにメッセージを送ります。En: With a project deadline approaching, he picks up his smartphone and messages his teammates.Ja: 「プロジェクトは家から進めることができる」と彼は計画を立て、信頼できる仲間に進捗を任せることに決めました。En: He plans to work on the project from home and decides to entrust the progress to his reliable colleagues.Ja: 彼は急いでオフィスを出、恵子と一緒に祖父母の家へ向かいます。En: He hurriedly leaves the office and heads to his grandparents' house with Keiko.Ja: 久しぶりの再会に祖父母も喜び、ホームメイドの料理で彼らを迎えてくれました。En: His grandparents are delighted at the reunion after so long and welcome them with homemade cooking.Ja: 家で過ごす時間は、まるで時間がゆっくり流れるようでした。En: The time spent at home felt as if it flowed gently and slowly.Ja: 家族との時間を過ごした後で、晴人は心が軽くなり、前向きな気持ちになりました。En: After spending time with his family, Haruto's heart feels lighter, and he feels positive.Ja: 仕事と家庭のバランスを取ることで、より健康的な生活を実現できることを理解したのです。En: He realizes that by balancing work and family, he can achieve a healthier lifestyle.Ja: この経験を通じて、晴人は新たな決意を胸に抱きます。En: Through this experience, Haruto holds a new resolve in his heart.Ja: 彼は、個人的なつながりを大切にすることが、長期的に成功をもたらすことを学びました。En: He learned that cherishing personal connections leads to long-term success.Ja: どんなに忙しくても、家族を忘れない。En: No matter how busy he gets, he will not forget his family.Ja: 冷たいガラスの向こうの世界にも、温かい心が必要だったのです。En: Even in the world beyond the cold glass, a warm heart is needed. Vocabulary Words:incubator: インキュベータentrepreneurs: 起業家たちglass walls: ガラス張りの壁creations: 創造season: 季節vividly: カラフルにtalented: 優秀なdevelopers: 開発者たちresponsibility: 責任taking care: 世話をするpillar: 支柱restlessness: ざわつきdeadline: 締め切りentrust: 任せるhurriedly: 急いでreunion: 再会homemade: ホームメイドflows: 流れるresolve: 決意cherishing: 大切にするlong-term: 長期的にcold glass: 冷たいガラスwarm heart: 温かい心delighted: 喜びapproaching: 迫るreliable: 信頼できるgently: ゆっくりprogress: 進捗balance: バランスhealthier: 健康的な

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Solving Sustainability: A Startup's Journey to Innovation Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-09-30-07-38-20-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Stockholm vibrerade med höstens energi.En: Stockholm vibrated with the energy of autumn.Sv: Löven brann i rött och guld utanför de stora fönstren på Stockholm Startup Incubator.En: The leaves burned in red and gold outside the large windows of the Stockholm Startup Incubator.Sv: Inuti var lokalen fylld med unga hjärnor, alla med drömmar om att förändra världen.En: Inside, the space was filled with young minds, all with dreams of changing the world.Sv: Här, bland surrande samtal och klickande tangentbord, satt Astrid, Lars och Emil.En: Here, among buzzing conversations and clicking keyboards, sat Astrid, Lars, and Emil.Sv: De var här för att delta i ett seminarium om hållbar teknik.En: They were there to attend a seminar on sustainable technology.Sv: Det var en del av deras slutprojekt i skolan.En: It was part of their final project at school.Sv: Astrid, med sina gröna idéer, ville skapa något som kunde göra skillnad.En: Astrid, with her green ideas, wanted to create something that could make a difference.Sv: Lars var mer skeptisk.En: Lars was more skeptical.Sv: Han tyckte om att tänka praktiskt.En: He liked to think practically.Sv: Emil, med sitt breda leende och talang för att nätverka, drömde om stora affärer.En: Emil, with his broad smile and talent for networking, dreamed of big business deals.Sv: Trion hade en uppgift: att skapa en prototyp av en miljövänlig produkt.En: The trio had a task: to create a prototype of an environmentally friendly product.Sv: Men de kunde inte komma överens.En: But they couldn't agree.Sv: Astrid ville ha en vattenrenare som kunde fungera i alla världens floder, Lars tvivlade på att det var möjligt, och Emil undrade hur de skulle göra pengar på det.En: Astrid wanted a water purifier that could work in all the rivers of the world, Lars doubted it was possible, and Emil wondered how they would make money from it.Sv: "Vi måste hitta en kompromiss," sa Astrid plötsligt.En: "We need to find a compromise," Astrid suddenly said.Sv: Hennes röst var lugn men bestämd.En: Her voice was calm but determined.Sv: "Vi kan göra något lite mindre, men fortfarande innovativt."En: "We can make something a little smaller but still innovative."Sv: De började diskutera, och snart enades de om en prototyp - en bärbar solkraftsladdare.En: They started discussing, and soon they agreed on a prototype - a portable solar charger.Sv: Den skulle inte rädda alla världens problem, men det var en början.En: It wouldn't solve all the world's problems, but it was a start.Sv: När seminariet började, fyllde sorlet rummet.En: When the seminar began, the room was filled with chatter.Sv: Astrid stod framför publiken och presenterade deras prototyp.En: Astrid stood in front of the audience and presented their prototype.Sv: Hon förklarade hur den kunde användas i både städer och på landsbygden.En: She explained how it could be used in both cities and rural areas.Sv: Hon visade hur enkel och praktisk den var att använda.En: She showed how simple and practical it was to use.Sv: När hon slutade sin presentation tog en man i kostym ordet.En: When she finished her presentation, a man in a suit took the floor.Sv: Han var en känd riskkapitalist i branschen.En: He was a well-known venture capitalist in the industry.Sv: "Jag gillar idén," sa han.En: "I like the idea," he said.Sv: "Jag tror att vi kan utveckla detta vidare tillsammans."En: "I think we can develop this further together."Sv: Gruppen jublade i tysthet.En: The group quietly cheered.Sv: De hade gjort det.En: They had done it.Sv: Deras idé hade fått uppmärksamhet.En: Their idea had gained attention.Sv: De valdes ut för att få mentorskap från inkubatorn.En: They were selected to receive mentorship from the incubator.Sv: När de lämnade byggnaden den dagen var de tre mycket mer än bara ett skolprojekt.En: When they left the building that day, they were much more than just a school project.Sv: De insåg kraften i att balansera drömmar med verklighet.En: They realized the power of balancing dreams with reality.Sv: Astrid hade lärt sig vikten av att kombinera sin idealism med praktiska lösningar, och Lars och Emil såg potentialen i deras enhetliga vision.En: Astrid had learned the importance of combining her idealism with practical solutions, and Lars and Emil saw the potential in their unified vision.Sv: Hösten låg som ett löfte om förändring.En: Autumn lay like a promise of change.Sv: Och i den kyliga, fräscha luften kände de att det här bara var början på något stort.En: And in the crisp, fresh air, they felt that this was just the beginning of something big. Vocabulary Words:vibrated: vibreradeincubator: inkubatornskeptical: skeptiskprototype: prototyppurifier: vattenrenarecompromise: kompromissinnovative: innovativtportable: bärbarchatter: sorletpresentation: presentationsustainable: hållbarventure capitalist: riskkapitalistmentorship: mentorskapchallenge: utmaningdetermined: bestämdidealism: idealismnetworking: nätverkaagree: komma överensurban: städerrural: landsbygdenrealized: insågbalance: balanserapotential: potentialenpromise: löftechange: förändringcrisp: kyligaenergy: energitalent: talangbeginning: börjandreams: drömmar

Fluent Fiction - Spanish: Striking the Balance: A Startup's Path to Investor Success Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/es/episode/2025-09-30-22-34-02-es Story Transcript:Es: El sol de primavera entraba a raudales por las ventanas grandes del incubador de startups.En: The spring sun streamed abundantly through the large windows of the startup incubator.Es: El lugar era un hervidero de actividad.En: The place was a hive of activity.Es: En un rincón, Esteban movía nervioso papeles sobre una mesa llena de garabatos y esquemas.En: In one corner, Esteban nervously shuffled papers on a table full of scribbles and diagrams.Es: Luz, a su lado, ajustaba los últimos detalles de la presentación en su computador, una sonrisa confiada en su rostro.En: Luz, beside him, was adjusting the final details of the presentation on her computer, a confident smile on her face.Es: Al otro lado, Paloma revisaba cifras en su tablet, su ceño fruncido.En: Across the room, Paloma was reviewing figures on her tablet, her brow furrowed.Es: El grupo estaba a minutos de su gran presentación.En: The group was minutes away from their big presentation.Es: Esteban llevaba meses trabajando en esto.En: Esteban had been working on this for months.Es: Quería impresionar a los inversores con su producto innovador.En: He wanted to impress the investors with his innovative product.Es: Pero aún no sabía si debía ser audaz o comedido.En: But he still didn't know whether to be bold or measured.Es: Los consejos de Paloma y Luz eran opuestos.En: Paloma and Luz's advice were opposing.Es: "Esteban, necesitamos mostrar todo lo que podemos hacer," decía Luz con entusiasmo.En: "Esteban, we need to show everything we can do," said Luz enthusiastically.Es: "Nuestro producto es increíble.En: "Our product is incredible.Es: Los inversores deben ver su potencial completo."En: Investors need to see its full potential."Es: "Sí, pero no podemos prometer más de lo que podemos cumplir," replicó Paloma, firme pero tranquila.En: "Yes, but we can't promise more than we can deliver," Paloma replied, firm but calm.Es: "Queremos que confíen en nosotros, no que se desilusionen."En: "We want them to trust us, not be disappointed."Es: Esteban escuchaba a las dos, asintiendo.En: Esteban listened to both, nodding.Es: Sabía que la decisión final era suya.En: He knew the final decision was his.Es: Tomó aire y dijo: "Encontraremos el equilibrio.En: He took a breath and said, "We'll find the balance.Es: Luz, destacaremos las funciones más llamativas.En: Luz, we'll highlight the most striking features.Es: Paloma, seremos claros con los límites actuales."En: Paloma, we'll be clear about the current limitations."Es: Llegó el momento.En: The moment arrived.Es: Caminaron hacia la sala de reuniones, donde varios inversores ya estaban sentados.En: They walked to the meeting room, where several investors were already seated.Es: El clima era tenso, pero había una energía positiva en el aire.En: The atmosphere was tense, but there was a positive energy in the air.Es: Esteban comenzó con seguridad, introduciendo el producto y resaltando sus beneficios.En: Esteban began confidently, introducing the product and highlighting its benefits.Es: Luz explicó las características emocionantes con pasión, ganando la atención del público.En: Luz explained the exciting features with passion, capturing the audience's attention.Es: Todo iba bien hasta que uno de los inversores, un hombre calvo con gafas, levantó su mano.En: Everything was going well until one of the investors, a bald man with glasses, raised his hand.Es: "¿Y qué pasa con la escalabilidad a largo plazo?"En: "And what about long-term scalability?"Es: preguntó, con un tono inquisitivo.En: he asked, in an inquisitive tone.Es: Este era el momento crítico.En: This was the critical moment.Es: Esteban sintió una punzada de nervios, pero con la energía optimista de Luz en mente, y la precaución de Paloma, respondió.En: Esteban felt a pang of nerves, but with Luz's optimistic energy in mind, and Paloma's caution, he responded.Es: "Nuestro enfoque inicial está en la calidad y satisfacción del usuario.En: "Our initial focus is on quality and user satisfaction.Es: A medida que avancemos, planeamos ampliar gradualmente, asegurando que cada etapa de crecimiento esté bien estructurada."En: As we progress, we plan to expand gradually, ensuring that each stage of growth is well-structured."Es: El lugar quedó en silencio por un segundo eterno.En: The room went silent for an eternal second.Es: Luego, el inversor asintió, satisfecho.En: Then, the investor nodded, satisfied.Es: Esteban sintió una ola de alivio.En: Esteban felt a wave of relief.Es: Había logrado encontrar el balance correcto.En: He had managed to find the right balance.Es: Al salir de la sala, Luz le dio una palmada en la espalda.En: As they left the room, Luz patted him on the back.Es: "¡Lo hiciste genial!"En: "You were great!"Es: Paloma sonrió, más relajada.En: Paloma smiled, more relaxed.Es: "Ese fue un buen equilibrio de visión y realidad."En: "That was a good balance of vision and reality."Es: Esteban sonrió también, sintiéndose más confiado que nunca.En: Esteban smiled too, feeling more confident than ever.Es: Había aprendido a valorar tanto la ambición como la realidad.En: He had learned to value both ambition and reality.Es: Sabía que su equipo estaba en el camino correcto, liderando con determinación y equilibrio hacia un futuro brillante.En: He knew his team was on the right path, leading with determination and balance towards a bright future. Vocabulary Words:the incubator: el incubadorthe hive: el herviderothe scribbles: los garabatosthe diagrams: los esquemasthe brow: el ceñothe figures: las cifrasto impress: impresionarbold: audazmeasured: comedidostriking features: funciones llamativaslimitations: los límitesthe atmosphere: el climathe benefits: los beneficiosthe features: las característicasscalability: la escalabilidadlong-term: a largo plazoinquisitive: inquisitivothe focus: el enfoquethe stage: la etapastructured: estructuradathe balance: el equilibriorelief: el aliviothe vision: la visiónreality: la realidadambition: la ambiciónthe team: el equipodetermination: la determinaciónthe effort: el esfuerzoto expand: ampliarto highlight: resaltar

New MIT study reveals 95% of corporate led AI pilots are failing these days, potentially wasting billions in AI investments made by those companies. While only a rare 5% are said to be succeeding in the market. As reported in Forbes, the companies innovating new AI models and those using those innovations are largely failing to make it all work. Here are some insights and tips for entrepreneurs looking to make a move into the space. Number one, young founders are winning the startup race with companies based on AI technologies. Some of the biggest business success stories today are startups led by entrepreneurs just 19 or 20 years old. It seems this is because they are able to think in ways not impacted by legacy laden thinking traditional in the corporate environment. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

S6 Ep4 – Hanim Dogan-Jain is a partner at Prime Advantage Capital Partners, as well as an  advisor, board member and passionate advocate for female founders. She has a rich international background spanning Europe, Africa, and Asia. In this compelling episode, Hanim shares her journey from humble beginnings in Turkey to entrepreneurial success and venture capital leadership. The conversation dives deep into the harsh realities of fundraising in today's climate, the unique challenges faced by female founders, and the importance of impact-driven investment. Hanim offers candid insights, practical advice, and heartfelt anecdotes that highlight both the obstacles and opportunities in the startup ecosystem.

What does it really mean to “succeed” as a founder or a VC? In this episode of Demo Day, we sit down with Mark Mullen, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Bonfire Ventures, to explore the realities behind startup success, venture capital, and what it takes to build a high-performing team in today's market.Mark opens up about the unrealistic expectations in venture capital, why selling a company for $11M can be celebrated in some industries but deemed a failure in VC, and how the focus on founder personalities has shifted startup culture. He also shares the lessons he's learned growing Bonfire from a solo GP to a team of 11 managing over a billion dollars, and the strategies behind picking founders, understanding their motivations, and making early-stage investments.In this conversation, we cover:- The evolution of Bonfire Ventures and its $245M fundraise- The difference between founder wins vs. VC wins- How capital markets, interest rates, and M&A affect venture returns- Why intuition matters — and how to back it up with real metrics -The qualities Mark looks for in founders and early-stage companies- Lessons from market downturns, COVID, and AI's rise in venture capital- The Palisades fire and how that affected Mark and his familyIf you're a founder, investor, or curious about venture capital, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the decisions, mindset, and strategies that shape startup and VC success today.Mark Mullen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mamullen Website: https://www.bonfirevc.com/Sean Goldfaden LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-goldfaden Website: https://www.coefficientlabs.com/

SummaryIn this week's episode of Startup Junkies, host Caleb Talley and Grace Gill are joined by Permjot Valia, co-founder of Nava Develop Inc., who offers listeners a masterclass in entrepreneurship and investment. Permjot, known for his keen business acumen and international venture capital experience, shares his unique perspectives on what it takes to build successful companies and thrive in today's fast-paced business landscape.Throughout the conversation, Permjot discusses the importance of adaptability for founders, referencing real-world challenges that startups often face. He emphasizes that resilient entrepreneurs are those who not only adapt quickly but also learn from setbacks, turning failure into an opportunity for growth.Caleb and Grace steer the conversation into practical territory, asking Permjot how aspiring founders can attract the attention of investors. Permjot highlights the need for clarity by having a strong pitch and a clear understanding of your business model and target market.Listeners will appreciate the actionable advice sprinkled throughout the episode, as well as Permjot's candid reflections on the delicate balance between passion and pragmatism in entrepreneurship. Whether you're an early-stage founder or just curious about what makes startups succeed, this episode offers valuable lessons and an inspiring look behind the scenes of venture capital!Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(03:41) Cultural Differences in Business Pitches(09:05) Redefining Strategy with New Terms(13:19) How Bentonville Is a Gateway to Global Opportunities(16:06) Scaling Success Through Talent Pools(22:26) Business Model Transition Challenges(27:01) Reflecting on Self-Identity(28:29) Closing ThoughtsLinksCaleb TalleyGrace GillStartup JunkieStartup Junkie YouTubeFuel AcceleratorPermjot ValiaNava Develop Inc.

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Innovative Dreams: Mei Lin's Journey at the Tech Expo Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-09-19-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 高科技城市在秋天显得格外繁忙。En: The high-tech city looks particularly busy in the autumn.Zh: 城市中心的科技博览会上，最新的创新产品在展出，各路创业者在寻找机遇。En: At the tech expo in the city center, the latest innovative products are on display, and all kinds of entrepreneurs are seeking opportunities.Zh: 秋风轻拂，街道上挂满了温暖的灯笼，节日的气氛伴随着科技的活力正弥漫开来。En: The autumn breeze gently blows, and warm lanterns hang all over the streets.Zh: 美琳站在博览会的一个角落，心里七上八下。En: The festive atmosphere, coupled with the vitality of technology, is spreading.Zh: 她是一位有抱负的技术创业者，这次带来了自己研发的智能设备。En: Mei Lin stood in a corner of the expo, feeling anxious.Zh: 她想打动这里的投资者，为自己的创业项目获得资金。En: She is an aspiring tech entrepreneur, and this time she brought her self-developed smart device.Zh: 她的内心却充满不安，害怕自己不如其他创业者。En: She wanted to impress the investors here and secure funding for her startup project.Zh: 锦海是此次比赛的投资评委，他以严厉著称。En: However, her heart was full of unease, fearing she might not measure up to other entrepreneurs.Zh: 然而，在他的严肃外表下，他一直在寻找新鲜的点子和有才华的人。En: Jin Hai is a judge for this competition and is known for his strictness.Zh: 他希望能帮助他们成功。En: Yet, beneath his stern appearance, he is always seeking fresh ideas and talented individuals.Zh: 紫萱是美琳的朋友，也是她的同事，一直在鼓励和支持她。En: He hopes to help them succeed.Zh: 紫萱虽然希望美琳成功，但也对自己的职业生涯有些疑虑。En: Zi Xuan is Mei Lin's friend and colleague, always encouraging and supporting her.Zh: “美琳，加油！En: While Zi Xuan hopes for Mei Lin's success, she also has some doubts about her own career.Zh: ”紫萱微笑着说道，她递给美琳一份准备好的演讲稿。En: "Mei Lin, go for it!"Zh: “谢谢你，紫萱。En: Zi Xuan said with a smile, handing Mei Lin a prepared speech script.Zh: ”美琳感激地说。En: “Thank you, Zi Xuan,” Mei Lin said gratefully.Zh: 比赛开始了，美琳的心跳加速。En: The competition began, and Mei Lin's heart raced.Zh: 上台后，面对众多评委和观众，她感到无比紧张。En: After going on stage, facing many judges and the audience, she felt incredibly nervous.Zh: 她知道必须做出决定：是坚持原来的演讲，还是冒险加入一个关于中秋节的个人故事。En: She knew she had to make a decision: stick to her original speech or take the risk of adding a personal story about the Mid-Autumn Festival.Zh: 她想起中秋节的团圆和希望的象征。En: She remembered the Mid-Autumn Festival's symbol of reunion and hope.Zh: 终于，美琳深深吸了口气，决定冒险分享她的故事。En: Finally, Mei Lin took a deep breath and decided to take the risk and share her story.Zh: 她的声音略微颤抖，却充满真诚。En: Her voice trembled slightly, yet it was filled with sincerity.Zh: “我的产品，不仅是一件科技产品，也承载着家庭的故事。En: "My product is not just a piece of technology; it also carries a family story.Zh: 在我小时候，和家人一起过中秋，总让我感到温暖。En: When I was little, spending the Mid-Autumn Festival with my family always made me feel warm.Zh: 我希望这个设备也能带给人们这样的温暖和连接。En: I hope this device can also bring such warmth and connection to people."Zh: ”故事打动了观众，吸引了锦海的注意。En: The story moved the audience and caught Jin Hai's attention.Zh: 他看到了美琳对产品的热情和诚意。En: He saw Mei Lin's passion and sincerity for the product.Zh: 在比赛结束后，他主动找到了美琳，表达了投资的兴趣。En: After the competition ended, he actively sought out Mei Lin to express his interest in investing.Zh: 那天晚上，美琳和紫萱走在节日的长街上，抬头望着满街的灯笼。En: That evening, Mei Lin and Zi Xuan walked down the festive streets, looking up at the lanterns lining the way.Zh: 紫萱笑着说：“看，你做到了！En: Zi Xuan smiled and said, "See, you did it!"Zh: ”美琳点点头，微笑着。En: Mei Lin nodded, smiling.Zh: 她终于明白，真实的故事和情感能够连接人心，带来机会。En: She finally understood that real stories and emotions could connect hearts and bring opportunities.Zh: 她的自信心因这次经历而大大增强。En: Her confidence was greatly boosted by this experience.Zh: 这场比赛，不仅是为了创业，更是一次内心的成长。En: This competition was not only about entrepreneurship but also a journey of personal growth.Zh: 灯笼的光辉照亮了美琳的心，也映衬出科技与传统交织的城市风景。En: The glow of the lanterns illuminated Mei Lin's heart, highlighting a cityscape where technology and tradition are intertwined. Vocabulary Words:entrepreneurs: 创业者innovation: 创新opportunities: 机遇autumn breeze: 秋风lanterns: 灯笼festive atmosphere: 节日的气氛vitality: 活力aspiring: 有抱负smart device: 智能设备secure funding: 获得资金strictness: 严厉stern appearance: 严肃外表talented: 有才华encouraging: 鼓励prepared speech script: 准备好的演讲稿gratefully: 感激地heart raced: 心跳加速trembled: 颤抖sincerity: 真诚symbol of reunion: 团圆的象征unease: 不安highlighting: 映衬tech expo: 科技博览会investors: 投资者judge: 评委competition: 比赛personal growth: 内心的成长reunion: 团圆illuminated: 照亮cityscape: 城市风景

Dr. Matthew Jones is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in working with co-founders to help manage critical conflicts that threaten their success. He is the author of the book, "The Cofounder Effect: How to Diagnose, Fix, and Scale Healthy Communication for Startup Success." Matt has worked with hundreds of bootstrapped and VC-funded co-founder teams to help them repair and manage their relationships in the context of their growing business. In this episode, we discuss a wide range of co-founder relationship topics, including: Why co-founder alignment sets the floor and ceiling for entire company culture and employee performance. How most co-founder conflicts aren't about surface issues but deeper psychological needs for recognition and power. Why research shows companies founded by friends are more unstable than those started by strangers. The three communication languages of cofounders: operational (business), psychological (feelings), and archetypal (the vibe). Quote from Dr. Matthew Jones, a clinical psychologist “And those differences can start off and be quite positive. If we can manage that tension effectively. That's the magic of co-founders, right? Is the complementary skills and ways of operating that allows you to land somewhere even more effective than you could have individually.  “But those same differences that give you that magic sauce also can be sources of friction, like an arthritic knee that just aches every now and then, and sometimes gets worse and worse, right? And so that's where the tensions really have to be managed. And so that's why I advocate for making those differences as conscious and explicit as possible.” Links Dr. Matthew Jones on LinkedIn Cofounder Clarity website  Book: “The Cofounder Effect: How to Diagnose Fix and Scale Healthy Communication for Startup Success”   The Practical Founders Podcast Tune into the Practical Founders Podcast for weekly in-depth interviews with founders who have built valuable software companies without big funding. Subscribe to the Practical Founders Podcast using your favorite podcast app or view on our YouTube channel. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com.

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Adriana Brusi, founder of Crowds Now, takes us through her entrepreneurial journey from restaurants and a chocolate franchise to creating an innovative app with over 500K users. Crowds Now empowers everyday people to earn as brand ambassadors, redefining influencer marketing while helping businesses grow and communities thrive. In this episode, Adriana shares her insights on resilience, scaling ventures, and building lasting impact through innovation and people-first leadership. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.   Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Adriana Brusi shared that the hardest thing in growing a small business is managing people. She explained that even one toxic hire can destabilize a company, making recruitment, culture protection, and team management the most challenging aspects of scaling successfully. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Adriana Brusi shared that her favorite business book, which has helped her the most, is Unreasonable Hospitality. She recommends it even for those outside the hospitality industry, as it offers powerful lessons on service, leadership, and creating exceptional customer experiences. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Adriana Brusi shared that one of the great podcasts she recommends for professional development is Diary of a CEO. She values its diverse topics and practical insights, noting that it provides a wide range of perspectives useful for entrepreneurs looking to grow a small business. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Adriana Brusi shared that a key tool she recommends for growing a small business is a CRM system. She emphasized that it doesn't need to be complex – platforms like Constant Contact, Campaign Monitor, or Mailchimp are enough – as long as they help maintain data integrity, manage customer relationships, and drive growth effectively. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Adriana Brusi shared that the advice she would give herself on day one of starting out in business is to “just keep going.” She explained that the journey will be hard and messy, with moments of doubt and setbacks, but persistence and resilience are what ultimately lead to success. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Hire the person, not the resume – skills can be taught, values cannot – Adriana Brusi In business, resilience turns obstacles into stepping stones – Adriana Brusi Your people are your greatest asset—or your biggest liability – Adriana Brusi      

In this episode of the Predictable Revenue podcast, Collin Stewart interviews Sriharsha “Sai” Guduguntla, co-founder of Hyperbound. They delve into what it truly takes to achieve product-market fit, from conducting 2,000 user interviews to leveraging AI for enhanced sales productivity. This post highlights the key lessons every early-stage founder needs to hear. Highlights include: The Journey of User Interviews (01:35), The Mechanics of Virality (09:22), Building a Sustainable Inbound Strategy (10:14), Avoiding the GPT Wrapper Trap (12:56), AI in Sales: Enhancing, Not Replacing Human Coaches (14:40), And more... Stay updated with our podcast and the latest insights in Outbound Sales and Go-to-Market Strategies!

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Steven Puri—film executive turned tech founder, productivity expert, and remote work evangelist. Steven's career path has taken him from producing blockbuster hits like Die Hard and The Wolverine to raising millions in venture capital and building tools that help people focus better, work smarter, and reclaim their time.Steven shares fascinating behind-the-scenes lessons from Hollywood—how storytelling principles apply to business—and the practical strategies he's developed for managing dopamine, achieving flow states, and structuring your day for maximum productivity. Whether you're a leader managing a remote team or an entrepreneur trying to get more done without burning out, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

Today, we talk about the difference between Entrepreneur Brain and Normal Brain. Normal Brain is out to sabotage your startup. We teach you Entrepreneur Brain to make sure that doesn't happen. Tacklebox 10-Day Customer Interview WorkshopAli Abdaal - The Good Student vs. The Good Entrepreneur Mindset (text, Ali's email signup)Graham Weaver - How to Design a Winnable GameDaina Trout EpisodeTimestamps:00:30 Entrepreneur Brain vs. Normal Brain01:50 The $2 Million Dollar House05:30 Customer Interviews Workshop6:06 Situation #1: The Overwhelming To Do LIst10:57 Situation #2: When Things Don't Work13:09 Situation #3: When You Feel Unprepared15:48 Situation #4: When You Are Low On Resources18:17 The End: Lotto Tickets

Welcome to another riveting episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, hosted by the ever-curious and seasoned entrepreneur Don Williams. With nearly four decades of entrepreneurial grit under his belt, Don brings listeners into the minds of those who've not only dared to dream but dared to do — and do it exceptionally well.In this episode, Don sits down with a guest whose resume reads like a startup fairy tale — but with all the grit, grind, and gut-wrenching moments that make it real. Meet Gregory Shepard: Fulbright Scholar, TEDx speaker, author of The Startup Lifecycle, and the rare entrepreneur who's built and sold 12 companies — each one a success story in its own right.But this isn't just a highlight reel. Gregory opens up about the soul-crushing detour into politics, the sleepless nights wondering how to make payroll, and the raw truth behind why most startups fail — even when they have a great product. He shares how a five-year, $500,000 research project led to the creation of Startup Science, a platform designed to fix the fragmented startup ecosystem and help founders avoid the very pitfalls he once faced.As the conversation unfolds, listeners are taken on a journey through the startup lifecycle — not the one you read in textbooks, but the one forged in the trenches. Gregory challenges conventional wisdom, especially the advice founders often receive from investors. He introduces the concept of the Ideal Acquirer Profile (IAP), a game-changing strategy that flips the traditional startup model on its head: build your company with the buyer in mind from day one.From the dangers of overvaluation to the hidden costs of premature scaling, Gregory breaks down the anatomy of failure — and more importantly, how to avoid it. He speaks candidly about being neurodivergent, growing up in poverty, and how those experiences shaped his resilience and perspective as a founder.This episode isn't just for entrepreneurs — it's for anyone who's ever faced a mountain and wondered if they had what it takes to climb it. Gregory Shepard doesn't just offer advice; he offers a roadmap, forged in fire, for how to build something that lasts — and how to walk away from it with your head held high.So grab your headphones, settle in, and prepare to rethink everything you thought you knew about startups. Because this isn't just another business podcast — it's a masterclass in entrepreneurial survival.