Advertise on podcast: Confessions of a Conscious CEO

This is the anti highlight reel. The raw, unfiltered conversations nobody else is having - about failures, pivots, and the lessons that only come from getting it wrong. Because the mess is where the good stuff lives 🤍

I sat down with Daisy Harvey, the founder of LOOM to unpack how she closed her first business, rebuilt her confidence, and raised £300K to launch an upcycling app that matches your wardrobe with designers.We overview: How she knew it was time to close her first businessThe most valuable lessons from her first ventureWhat makes a marketplace work and how to prevent leakageBuilding a simple no-code MVP before an appHer path to fundraising £300K RESOURCE MENTIONED → Free GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ CONNECT WITH DAISY Loom App: https://www.theloomapp.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloomapp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisyharvey TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 02:02 Daisy's Entrepreneurship Journey 03:18 First Business Challenges 05:18 Lessons Learned from First Business 07:31 Transition to Loom 10:27 Launching Loom 13:46 Building the MVP 17:39 Marketplace Dynamics 19:23 Balancing Designers and Customers 21:38 Fundraising Journey 22:31 Pitching Your Business to Investors 23:11 Learning About Fundraising 24:13 Building Confidence in Fundraising 25:42 Evaluating Potential Investors 26:29 Advice for Pitch Competitions 29:10 Full-Time Fundraising Challenges 32:43 Balancing Fundraising and Business Operations 33:40 Press and Marketing Strategies 35:40 Current Challenges and Future Plans 39:29 Quick Fire Round

Here’s the truth: you don’t need a massive budget or a big team to launch. In this episode, I break down how to validate, market, and sell in a way that protects both your cash and your capacity. I share the lessons I learned from my first business, why perfectionism and control led me to burnout, and the practical systems I now use to go to market sustainably. I share: What I would do differently to avoid burning cash and burnoutWhy you must validate before you build and how to do it fastThe exact survey and interview approach to co-create with your ideal customerWhen to avoid paid ads and the signals that you are ready to use themA simple, sustainable sales funnel from traffic to nurture to conversionHow to automate parts of your funnel so sales are not dependent on youMy daily burnout thermometer and how I intervene before I hit the wallThe self-care menu I use with low, medium, and high effort options RESOURCE MENTIONED  → Free GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials START YOUR BUSINESS → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap SCALE YOUR BUSINESS → Free GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_  → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting  LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho   → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_  TIMESTAMPS 00:18 My First Business 00:36 The Perfectionist Trap 01:11 Wasting Money on Ads and PR 01:41 Validate Before You Build 02:46 How to Validate Your Idea 03:48 The Costly Mistake of Not Validating 04:46 Focus on One Social Media Platform 06:39 The Importance of Email Marketing 06:59 Avoiding Premature Paid Ads 08:25 Building a Sustainable Sales Funnel 11:22 How to Prevent Burnout 13:09 Daily Check-ins and Self-Care Menu

I’m joined by Natalie Barbu, CEO and co-founder of Rella, to unpack how her team went from 200 no’s to raising $1M and reaching $1M ARR. We get into the unfiltered truths of starting a tech company without a coding background, nearly running out of money, and the viral video that turned it around!We discuss: How Natalie spotted the gap in creator/social workflow toolsThe step-by-step path from creator to tech founder (without writing code)How she found, tested, and committed to the right co-foundersSurviving 200 investor rejections and landing the first yesThe storytelling pitch that resonated with early-stage VCsWhy Rella pivoted to businesses, and how they executed the rebuildThe viral video that spiked trials (and what they did next)How to balance fundraising with running the companyTactical resources for first-time fundraisers and operatorsRESOURCES MENTIONED → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → Try Rella: https://getrella.com/ Use our code "CONFESSIONS" for 15% off → The Startup Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startup-podcast/id913805339 → The Pitch Podcast: https://www.thepitch.show/ LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ CONNECT WITH NATALIE → YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieBarbu → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliebarbu TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Highlights 02:33 Welcome and Introduction 02:52 Starting Rella 04:55 The Journey to Becoming a Tech Founder 05:53 Finding the Right Development Team 06:47 Co-Founder Dynamics 09:38 Balancing Content Creation and Startup Life 10:36 Consistency in Content Creation 13:35 Fundraising Journey 14:30 Learning the Fundraising Process 15:54 Resources for Aspiring Founders 17:52 Friends and Family Round 19:18 Navigating the VC Round 22:00 The Power of Networking and Persistence 27:30 Handling Closed Rounds Respectfully 28:22 The Importance of Storytelling in Fundraising 29:11 Crafting a Compelling Pitch 31:42 The Decision to Pivot 32:52 Rebuilding and Relaunching Rella 33:55 The Viral Video That Changed Everything 37:10 Managing Growth After Going Viral 39:11 The Power of Content Creation for Founders 40:20 Balancing Personal and Business Content 42:12 Navigating Transparency and Privacy 43:30 Revamping the Podcast45:08 Daily Routines and Personal Insights 46:47 Best and Worst Advice for Founders

Most founders think a go-to-market strategy is just a launch plan or a marketing campaign — but it’s so much more than that. In this episode, I break down what a true GTM strategy is, why it’s the difference between a product that flops and one that takes off, and how you can create a winning plan that drives real traction. I share: What a go-to-market strategy actually includes (beyond marketing)The key lessons I learned from launching a multimillion-dollar product in corporateHow to identify your ideal customer and their biggest pain pointsWhy you shouldn’t overbuild your product before launchHow to nail your positioning, distribution, and sales funnel for success RESOURCE MENTIONED  → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials START YOUR BUSINESS → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap SCALE YOUR BUSINESS → Free GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_  → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting  LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho   → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_  TIMESTAMPS 00:28 Common Misconceptions 01:26 Importance of Pre-Launch Work 01:47 Corporate GTM Story 02:05 Understanding Your Target Customer 03:07 Strategic Distribution Plan 05:06 Defining GTM 05:46 Identifying Your Ideal Customer 07:24 Market Research Essentials 10:03 Prototyping and Testing 10:49 The 80/20 Rule in Product Development 13:29 Importance of Positioning 14:27 Effective Distribution Strategies 15:14 Sales Funnel

I interview Daniel Samosir Botcherby, the Co-Founder & CEO of Kalda, a digital mental health platform created to support the LGBTQIA+ community in this episode. We dive into the personal story that inspired Kalda, the challenges of building a mission-driven startup, and the realities of raising capital while staying true to social impact values.We discuss: His personal experiences that led to the creation of KaldaThe tension between social impact and the traditional VC fundraising modelHow to decide how much to raise and avoid over-dilution in early roundsKey lessons on finding product-market fit and balancing growth with careRESOURCES → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → GTM Consulting: https://selinaho.com/consulting → Client Session With Dan: https://youtu.be/kiRVGvtLE8I LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 01:32 Free GTM Essentials Course 03:35 Dan's Journey 07:33 The Importance of Safe Spaces 07:43 Building a Business Builds You 08:21 Fundraising for Kalda 09:19 Balancing VC Ambitions with Social Impact 09:58 Navigating the VC Model 10:32 Finding the Right Investors 11:26 Laying the Foundation for Growth 11:54 The Importance of Product Market Fit 11:58 Deciding How Much to Raise 14:12 Avoiding Overvaluation and Dilution 16:37 UK vs. US Fundraising Markets 17:50 The Challenge of Fundraising and Building 18:24 Getting Your First Investors 20:08 The Role of Accelerators and Community 21:06 Choosing the Right Investors 24:56 Guiding Principles for Fundraising 26:10 The Importance of Speed in Fundraising 26:51 Setting Your Terms and Valuation 27:36 Creating Urgency to Close the Round 27:51 The Power of Walking Away 28:22 Maintaining Confidence as a Founder 28:59 The Journey of a First-Time Founder 29:27 The Role of a CEO in a Venture-Backed Startup 30:12 Balancing Personal Challenges and Fundraising 30:35 Support from Investors and Friends 31:36 Navigating Grief and Fundraising 32:08 The Importance of Clear Goals 33:11 Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout 33:34 Creating Systems for Fundraising 33:55 The Challenge of Fundraising Alone 35:40 Prioritizing Business Goals 37:52 The Problem Kalda is Solving 39:31 The Cost of Private Therapy 41:48 The Importance of a Scalable Solution 42:21 Simplifying the Product 43:02 Lessons in Marketing and Branding 43:45 Reevaluating the Business Model 47:32 Final Reflections and Advice

In this episode, I take you inside a real GTM strategy session I ran for my client Dan, the Founder of Kalda. We unpacked his monetization options, refined his sales funnel, and aligned his brand so everything works together to drive sustainable growth. You’ll hear how we balanced big-picture strategy with tactical execution, and how I built him a roadmap to follow for the next year.I share: How to identify and validate different monetization modelsA simple but powerful sales funnel framework you can useWhy branding and positioning are just as important as revenue strategies RESOURCES MENTIONED → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting START YOUR BUSINESS → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap SCALE YOUR BUSINESS → Free GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ TIMESTAMPS 00:26 Sales and Marketing Strategy 00:42 Understanding the Customer and End User 01:07 Monetization Strategies 01:45 Privacy and Safety Concerns 02:11 Balancing Accessibility and Sustainability 02:26 Charging the End User 02:41 Exploring Gifting and Sponsorship 03:02 Community Support 05:26 The Importance of Community 05:41 Building a Strong Community 06:05 Offline Touchpoints and Meetups 07:40 Sales Funnel Overview 09:39 Traffic and Lead Gen 10:12 Optimizing SEO and Website Visits 11:07 Social Media and Referrals 11:41 Trusted Authority Referrals 13:29 Nurturing and Building Trust 14:13 Digital and In-Person Engagement 15:02 Conversion Strategies 18:09 Brand Building

Ever wonder what it really takes to become an “overnight success”? In this candid conversation with Stephanie Melodia, we unpack the truth behind the myth — from the years of work no one sees, to the role of money, luck, and confidence in building a thriving business. Steph shares her personal journey, powerful money mindset shifts, and the resilience it takes to keep showing up, even when the results aren’t instant. We share: Why “overnight success” is a misleading myth (and what’s actually behind it)The role money plays in creating freedom and opportunitiesHow luck really works — and how to stack the odds in your favourBuilding lasting confidence through action and evidenceThe hidden long game behind public speaking and big opportunitiesPractical tips for women to shift from scarcity to abundance with money RESOURCES MENTIONED  → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki → The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel → The Curve https://thecurveplatform.com/  → Female Invest https://www.femaleinvest.com/  → Vestpod https://www.vestpod.com/  LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho   → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_  CONNECT WITH STEPH → Podcast: Strategy & Tragedy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltJMUZ7C5_A&list=PLlV8JoK2z-iiFOW5Gw-FISA6rvBdR853z  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia  → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmelodia-keynotespeaker  TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Podcast Intro 02:11 Free Course GTM Essentials 03:34 Welcome Stephanie 04:16 Defining Success 05:52 Early Money Memories 08:58 First Job Struggles  13:28 Money Mindset 28:47 The Power of Compound Interest 30:48 Creativity Meets Market Need 32:23 Building Her First Business 33:10 The Unexpected Career Shift 33:56 The Role of Luck in Success 34:34 Effort vs. Talent 35:03 Hacking Luck and Taking Risks 37:14 The Reality Behind Success Stories 37:41 The Behind-The-Scenes of Public Speaking 39:22 First Public Speaking Experience 41:17 The Business of Public Speaking 42:28 Taking Risks for Opportunities 46:22 The Long Road to a Keynote 48:59 Managing Expectations 49:39 Building Resilience 52:19 The Importance of Consistency 01:03:26 LinkedIn Strategies 01:07:57 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this impactful interview, I sit down with Dr. Stasa Stankovic, the co-founder & CEO of OvartiX. She's a powerhouse that's leveraging her PhD from Cambridge to pioneer therapeutic solutions to transform women’s reproductive health We dive into the real statistics and science behind fertility, IVF, and early menopause — including why ovaries are the fastest-aging organ, how 90% of your eggs may be gone by age 30, and why IVF has only a 25% success rate per cycle. We also discuss the challenges of fundraising as a female founder in women’s health, and how Stasa is building a supportive ecosystem for women through her community, Wealth. Whether you're navigating your own fertility journey or want to better understand the science behind reproductive health, this is a must-listen. We cover: Why ovaries age faster than any other organWhat egg quantity & quality really meansThe limitations of IVF and egg freezingHow stress, sleep, and lifestyle affect your fertilityHormone testing (FSH, LH, AMH) and what to ask forWhat most investors get wrong about women’s healthHow to build community and raise capital as a female founder RESOURCES MENTIONED  → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials  LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho   → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_  CONNECT WITH STASA → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stasa-stankovic-93723a137 → WEALTH: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealth-women-in-health TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro to Women's Health Issues 02:02 Stasa's Journey into Healthcare 03:34 From Serbia to Cambridge 06:01 Understanding Genomic Medicine 07:06 The Impact of Genetic Mutations 08:41 Reproductive Aging and Women's Health 09:42 The Reality of Menopause and Infertility 12:56 Preventative Measures for Women's Health 14:33 The Role of Hormone Testing 18:12 Myths and Realities of IVF & Egg Freezing 20:37 The Reality of IVF 20:52 The Emotional and Physical Toll of Fertility Treatments 21:08 Improving Fertility Solutions 21:35 The Importance of Awareness in Fertility 21:43 Empowering Women Through Information 22:59 The Role of Male Partners in the Fertility Journey 24:44 The Power of Advocacy and Support 25:19 Perimenopause and Menopause 27:46 The Impact of Lifestyle on Menopause Timing 28:47 Transgenerational Effects of Diet and Lifestyle 30:16 Balancing Stress and Wellness 31:14 The Challenges of Fundraising for Women's Health 34:03 Building Wealth: Empowering Female Leaders 36:52 A Promising Future for Women's Health

Let’s talk about how to sustainably execute everything you’ve planned. Because your strategy is only as strong as your ability to carry it out… without burning out in the process. This GTM Essentials lesson serves as a reminder that you are your business’s greatest asset, and protecting your energy is crucial for long-term growth. I cover: Why “doing more” doesn’t equal progressHow to shift from reactive to intentional executionWhat it looks like to lead your business like a high-performance athleteHow to implement CEO strategy days, build a self-care menu, and prevent burnoutThe 3Ds framework: Delete, Delay, or Delegate ADDITIONAL RESOURCES  → Download the GTM Essentials Notion Workbook: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → The Complete GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-01GTm7NWQ&list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho   → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_  P.S. Learning a lot from this free GTM Essentials course? It would mean the world to me if you shared it with a fellow entrepreneur 🤍

A successful launch isn’t just a single moment — it’s a carefully planned strategy. In this GTM Essentials lesson, I’m walking you through how to launch a new product, feature, or category with intention, from pre-launch hype to post-launch analysis. You’ll learn how to set clear goals, track the right metrics, and avoid the “one-and-done” launch mistake most founders make. We’ll cover: The difference between a launch and a full go-to-market strategyHow to plan your pre-launch, launch week, and post-launch phasesThe key KPIs to track for successWhy you need a centralized launch plan (and what to include in it)How to avoid burnout and ensure you have the right resources to execute ADDITIONAL RESOURCES → Download the GTM Essentials Notion Workbook: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → The Complete GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-01GTm7NWQ&list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ P.S. Learning a lot from this free GTM Essentials course? It would mean the world to me if you shared it with a fellow entrepreneur 🤍

Your business doesn’t need more followers — it needs a community. In this GTM Essentials lesson, you’ll learn how to turn passive followers into an engaged, loyal community that buys from you, tells their friends, and sticks around for the long haul. I cover: The difference between an audience and a true communityWhy engagement matters more than follower countHow to build a loyal community without spending a dime on adsReal examples of unscalable but powerful community-building tacticsA challenge to help you build deeper relationships with your audience this week ADDITIONAL RESOURCES  → Download the GTM Essentials Notion Workbook: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → The Complete GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-01GTm7NWQ&list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho   → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_  P.S. Learning a lot from this free GTM Essentials course? It would mean the world to me if you shared it with a fellow entrepreneur 🤍

Relying on paid ads to grow? You might be skipping your most powerful growth lever: organic marketing.  In this GTM Essentials lesson, I’ll show you how to build a sustainable, $0 marketing strategy that consistently drives traffic, nurtures leads, and converts them into loyal customers. I cover: Why organic marketing is the foundation for long-term growthHow to pick the right platforms for your audience (without burning out)Building a simple content strategy using content pillarsA 3-step content repurposing framework (1 idea → 5 pieces of content)How to grow and monetize your email list ADDITIONAL RESOURCES  → Download the GTM Essentials Notion Workbook: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → The Complete GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-01GTm7NWQ&list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho   → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_  P.S. Learning a lot from this free GTM Essentials course? It would mean the world to me if you shared it with a fellow entrepreneur 🤍

If you nail your branding, you can literally charge double — and your customers will happily pay for it.  In this GTM Essentials lesson, I’ll show you how to build a brand that stands out, creates trust, and allows you to command premium pricing. I discuss: What branding really is (hint: it’s not just logos and colors!)How to create strong brand associations that stickWhy clarity beats cleverness when crafting your messageA simple exercise to define your brand’s personality, values, and toneHow top brands like Nike and IKEA build long-lasting recognition ADDITIONAL RESOURCES  → Download the GTM Essentials Notion Workbook: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → The Complete GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-01GTm7NWQ&list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho   → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_  P.S. Learning a lot from this free GTM Essentials course? It would mean the world to me if you shared it with a fellow entrepreneur 🤍

Without sales, you don’t have a business — you have an expensive hobby. In this GTM Essentials lesson, I’ll show you how to build a sustainable sales funnel that drives consistent revenue without the constant stress of wondering where your next sale is coming from. I cover: The 3 key stages of every sales funnel: Traffic → Nurture → ConversionHow to identify and fix bottlenecks that block your sales flowOrganic and paid traffic strategies that actually workProven tactics to build trust, nurture leads, and convert dream clientsHow to track and optimize your funnel for long-term success ADDITIONAL RESOURCES  → Download the GTM Essentials Notion Workbook: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → The Complete GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-01GTm7NWQ&list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ LET’S CONNECT → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho   → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_  P.S. Learning a lot from this free GTM Essentials course? It would mean the world to me if you shared it with a fellow entrepreneur 🤍