Neda Sahebelm’s Post

First-time founders have ZERO challenges. That would have been nice, wouldn't it? I'm interviewing VCs and angel investors what they observe in terms of challenges first-time founders have. Especially more technical founders, with less business or leadership experience. I'm also interviewing VC-backed first-time founders (pre/seed/series A). Every week I will be publishing here: - my insights from the interviews - my insights from my own work as a fractional COO for startups Who would you like me to talk to about this? Tag them! I will make it happen.

Episode 5 | Zackary & Chris from Dragonfly were awesome to have on - truly talent specialists. Both have experience across big tech, startups & VC's. We talk everything from hiring at early stage startups, the Web3 talent market & how candidates can set themselves up for success. Tune in if you want to hear the expert insights & views from both Zack & Chris. #staycurious https://lnkd.in/eniDjYjN

Amidst the daily grind, a company’s true enchantment lies in its culture—the unique vibes, core values, and meaningful connections that distinguish it. 👥 It’s the magnet that draws in talent and sparks passion. Infuse your culture with genuine values, a strong team spirit, and authenticity! 🌈 Are you ready to create some magic? ✨ https://hubs.ly/Q02WLsZv0 #CompanyCulture #BusinessCommunity #WorkplaceWellbeing #BusinessGrowthTips #StartupSuccess #EntrepreneurJourney

🚀 Big things in the works! 🚀 Exciting times ahead—our team is working on some major projects that will make a real impact. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes, and I can’t wait to share more soon! But enough about me—what about you? I know a lot of you out there are making moves, too. Whether you're launching a new venture, closing a big deal, or simply leveling up, let’s celebrate those wins together! 🔗 Who else is making big moves right now? Drop a comment below, share your journey, and let’s cheer each other on. After all, success is even sweeter when we support one another! #BigMoves #Teamwork #Success #SupportNetwork #InThisTogether

“We often just talk about the cool part of being a founding CEO, and we don’t often talk about this other part.” This was such a refreshing conversation with Ben Carcio. Those who know the Founder Connect project know that I’m passionate about making the startup journey feel more human, including the less celebrated moments, like the exit. In our latest episode, Ben shares his decision to shut down Trevr and highlights the importance of having a community that supports founding CEOs through exits and their next steps. What other aspects of the founder experience deserve more attention?

Well, this was a conversation that went places! Working in a startup is exhilarating, but let’s be real—it’s also a bit terrifying. Every day, we’re navigating new territory, solving problems we’ve never encountered before, and constantly finding ourselves at the edge of what we know (and sometimes, at the edge of what we think we know). Ron Heifetz’s idea of adaptive leadership feels like a lifeline here. He talks about how true leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being open to learning, adapting, and evolving—especially when you’re in situations that don’t come with a clear roadmap. I’ll be honest: some days, I worry that I’m not equipped for the journey. Am I leading us in the right direction? Do I have the skills to guide my team through this? And can I make peace with not having all the answers? Here’s what I keep coming back to: managing the unknown is really about embracing it. Instead of striving for certainty, I’ve started to focus on staying curious, welcoming questions (even the really hard ones!), and fostering a culture where it’s okay not to know everything. If you’re also feeling that tug between excitement and uncertainty, remember: you’re not alone. Growth is uncomfortable, and the discomfort is usually a sign we’re on the right path. Let’s keep supporting each other as we take on the unknown together. Here's to staying open, learning every day, and knowing that we’re exactly where we need to be—even when the way forward feels a bit blurry. If I had to name this episode, it would be: Lessons from Life on the Edge of My Comfort Zone 😁 🤣 Thank you Kim Kerton for the opportunity to be part of your poddie. You are a brilliant host, and you really drew a lot out of this convo! Love your work to support those growing businesses. 👏 #startuplife #womenfounders #techleaders #innovation #ambiguity #adaptiveleadership

Key Lessons on Team Building from Star Hofer In a compelling episode of "Spotlight CS In Focus," Star Hofer, COO of AKA New Media Inc., shared her formula for developing high-performance teams in tech startups. Here's a snapshot of her insights: 1. Strategic Development: Star integrates team growth with the product lifecycle, ensuring that as the product evolves, so does the team’s capability. 2. Long-term Vision: A structured three-year roadmap is crucial, starting with a disruptive first year, followed by strategy evaluation and result optimization. 3. Beyond Numbers: Moving past traditional metrics, Star’s strategy focuses on delivering real value to customers, emphasizing the importance of understanding client needs. 4. Leadership that Adapts: Success in customer management means working closely with product teams to adapt services that meet real customer needs. 5. Competency-based Hiring: Star values unique strengths over conventional criteria, promoting a diverse and vibrant team culture. 7. Transparent Communication: Openness and clarity are the backbone of team trust and morale. ---------------------- Star's strategies offer invaluable lessons for building adaptable, client-focused teams in today's dynamic market. Tune into the full episode here: https://buff.ly/4afeRO9 #Leadership #Innovation #CustomerSuccess

🌟 Are You Ready To SHINE? 🌟 Have you ever noticed how some of the biggest leaps in business come from joining forces with others? There's truly something magical about moving forward together. That’s why I’ve created the **Season to Shine Summer Incubator**. 🌈 What’s This? ✨A six-week journey to transform your big dreams into real, profitable projects. Interested? Let’s chat more about it! 🌟 DM SHINE for all the details. Let’s turn those big dreams into reality, together. 💪✨ #SeasonToShine #WomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessGrowth #JoinUs

Fundraising these days is an uphill battle ⛰ On this week's episode of Founders from Product, Chet Lamba highlights how his team at Enceladus Ventures is breaking the traditional VC mold. They go 'beyond the check' with a co-investment model, providing strategic advice, hands-on consultation, and end-to-end product & technology services for the early stage #founders they support. Insightful conversation, thanks Chet! Key Takeaways ~ 🤖 Startups need a strong foundation in technology to set them up for long-term success. 💰 The fundraising environment for early companies is challenging, but good businesses with a solid future and outlook can still secure funding. 🤝 Being a true partner to startups and providing support in various areas can help build credibility and make fundraising conversations easier. 🧠 Continuous learning, staying relevant, and making a deep impact in the industry are key factors for success in the startup ecosystem. #podcast #venture #startups Riverside - https://lnkd.in/gWczsGhw Spotify - https://lnkd.in/gYQR58Vj

"The day I hired my first C-suite exec team, I felt more inadequate than ever," my founder coaching client said to me. Two years after bootstrapping her company from nothing, she now had to lead seasoned professionals who'd managed teams larger than her entire company. Imposter syndrome hit her like a ton of bricks. She was at the the point of questioning her self-worth. This intimidating feeling is common among founders once they raise growth stage funding. There's a new team, often more accomplished and experienced than the founder. HERE'S HOW SHE WORKED HER WAY THROUGH IT: - She first acknowledged that the feeling was normal. - She started reframing it as a sign of growth. - The execs were there to complement her vision, not replace it. I reminded her that her strength was the founder's perspective from her zero-to-one journey that only she understands. She didn't have to be the best at everything. She hired them. She built this. She wasn't an imposter - she was just evolving and so were they. TAKEAWAY: Her discomfort was actually the feeling of your company leveling up.