Anouck Gotlib’s Post

I co-founded a company on my day off. Literally. 😶 Friday, the 15th of December 2023, was arguably one of the most stressful, insightful and exciting days I had last year. A day, that would even rival the intensity of my Matura (high school finals 😥), which I just had a few months prior. At the time, I was still stuck doing my mandatory community service and essentially had a normal 40-hour work week. Similarly to my fellow co-founders (Simon Eliskases & Jonathan Macher), I’d work on Flavourfox at quite unusual times. After community service in the evening, at night or on the weekends—whenever I could steal a moment 🌙. I don’t really mind working after hours, but something that did pose issues every once in a while: Scheduling conflicts. As you can imagine, a meeting at 19:00 on a Sunday isn’t exactly an ideal timeframe for most external people. Glad to have a more flexible schedule, now that I’m at university. 😎 So, when it came to sealing the deal with contracts and legalities, we needed a weekday slot for all parties involved (lawyers, the notary etc.). Naturally, I had to use one of my precious vacation days (you get a measly 10 days over a period of 9 Months when in community service) to get the day off. The countdown to our company's birth was a rollercoaster of nerves and exhilaration. Thankfully, with the team spread across Austria, we could handle everything online, from verifying our identities to digitally signing documents. Talk about a modern startup birth! 💪 To top it all off, me and some of my friends had a trip to Vienna planned for the very same day, we left in the evening. Starting a company is similar to the commitment of marriage—it's a thrilling, nerve-wracking endeavor that formalizes what has long been brewing behind the scenes. I can’t wait to see where my journey takes me next! ✨ How did you feel when starting your own company, if you've taken that leap, or what emotions overwhelmed you after reaching a significant milestone in your journey🧐? Share your story below! 😁 #StartupJourney #FoundersLife #Entrepreneurship #CompanyLaunch #ModernStartup #TeamWork #MilestoneMoment #Flavourfox

And with that sunrise is over 😔 It was so good catching up with new founders, old friends and just feeling the buzz and optimism coming back into startup land! Here are my takeaways from the past two days: ❤️ the optimism and vibe is back - it’s felt like a little bit of a tech winter the past year but the energy and optimism seems to be coming back which I’m so excited to see!! 🫶 There are so many cool ideas that are currently incubating and are in their early stages - it was awesome to meet with founders who are solving problems in areas like making divorce a more cheaper and amicable process (Angela Harbinson!), different takes on the concept of financial wellness (Ryan Nolan, Jane Mason) and using data to help create a healthier planet by reducing food waste and dietary based illnesses (Daniel Alexander-Head) 🙌 it was good to see old friends and old clients and see how much their startups and businesses have grown and matured - it makes me feel proud to see it! Sam Bricknell Stuart Reynolds 💰it was also great catching up and bumping into 😱 Rayn 🍇 Ong, Alan Jones, & Sophie Robertson getting their tips and views on the ecosystem and advice on angel investing For me, sunrise was about getting back into the thick of it and just meeting new people, understanding new perspectives and learning about new solutions people are building around problems they’re thinking about. It's was about the people - as much as startups is an ideas business, it’s also a people industry at its heart. All in all I think it was an awesome conference and I hope to be back next year 😊

Intrigued by Ciara's insights? Dive deeper into the Vision to Venture Workshop and download the PDF for a complete outline of the workshop and additional resources. https://lnkd.in/e-xecnh9

Are you in your first year or two of business? You still aren't quite sure what you’re doing but feel you should know. Things are not quite what you thought they would be, or wanted them to be, and you feel like you’ve been giving it socks but it’s falling short? That’s ok, we were there too. That feeling of knowing what you know and thinking it ‘should’ be enough, but the results not being apparent in the real world. We get that feeling. We have had that feeling. Usually, there is a step or a couple of steps that have been missed or forgotten, OR … someone just never taught you they were necessary! Sometimes it's because the message you want to put out, and the message you’re putting out are two different things, just because you haven’t asked for some feedback from a person you can genuinely trust. Sometimes it’s because you haven’t fully owned what you want to do and are one foot in, one foot out, and hopeful something happens. That’s just a confidence thing, and we’ve got you for that too. There are so many reasons why things don’t happen in reality when we think they should, and the only way to understand what your reasons are, is to get some eyes on from people who genuinely care about your success. Who want to see you put all your ducks in a row and hear them all quack in harmony. Because that feels like fun. That feels like easy breathing and no stress. And we love those feelings. So … let us help you get to those places, and see what it feels like to hear your ducks quacking. On April 13th in Mullingar Park Hotel, we will be taking you on a journey from VISION TO VENTURE, where you will clarify your idea, put your dream into action, and launch, or relaunch, your business with enthusiasm, passion, and excitement AND a support system that you've never had before. We are the 'Brain-Storm Troopers', and with our powers combined, you will have done in a day what most couldn't imagine doing in months. Drop us a message to get yourself booked into VISION TO VENTURE. See you there! Vicki McGowan #visiontoventure #womeninireland #entrepreneursunited #letsgo

Five years ago, I embarked on a thrilling adventure to start my own business, armed with nothing but the confidence of a 22-year-old who believed they could conquer the world. I had zero knowledge of what lay ahead, but that youthful naivety pushed me to take the leap. Fast forward to today, and the journey has been a rollercoaster ride. There were highs, lows, unexpected turns, and a fair share of uncertainty. Somewhere along the way, I lost a bit of that initial confidence. But here's the thing – that's okay. This phase in my entrepreneurial journey is a new chapter. It's about rediscovering my confidence and rekindling the same fire that drove me to start this venture. Uncertainty is part of the game, but it's a powerful motivator for self-discovery. Through it all, I've learned that having confidence in your craft is the compass that guides you. It's the unwavering belief in your ability to adapt, learn, and grow. It's the fuel that propels you forward when the path is unclear. Right now, things might be uncertain, but I know I have the confidence in my craft to navigate this uncharted territory. It's about embracing this new wave of discovery and finding excitement in the unknown. It's about realising that this journey isn't about where you are but how far you've come and how much further you can go.

🌟 Reflecting on the Journey: January 2024 🚀 As I take a moment to pause and reflect on the initial stretch of 2024, I'm filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. The canvas of the new year unfolded with both familiar challenges and unexpected victories. 💡 Navigating Challenges: January brought its share of challenges, each providing a unique opportunity to learn and grow. The ability to navigate these hurdles has been a testament to resilience and a commitment to continuous improvement. 🚀 New Territories Explored: For Curi Point of Sale, the canvas of success expanded as we ventured into new territories. The strategic expansion to Saint Vincent and Dominica marks not only a geographical milestone but a testament to the platform's resonance across diverse markets. 🌈 Software Brilliance: Region Designs Inc., rooted in Saint Lucia, continued to shine in the software development landscape. The success echoes not only in achievements but in the impact of innovative solutions crafted by a dedicated team. 🚀 New Ventures and Collaborations: The month also saw the inception of new ventures and exciting collaborations. Every connection made, every idea explored, has added vibrant strokes to the entrepreneurial canvas. 🌈 Personal Growth: On a personal note, the month has been a journey of self-discovery and growth. Embracing the discomfort of uncertainty and emerging stronger on the other side is a reminder of the transformative power of entrepreneurship. 🌟 Community and Gratitude: To the incredible community that surrounds this journey, your support has been a beacon of strength. The shared experiences and collective wisdom have been instrumental in overcoming challenges and celebrating victories. 🎉 Looking Forward: As we step into February and beyond, the excitement for what lies ahead is palpable. The unwritten chapters of 2024 promise innovation, collaboration, and the thrill of exploring uncharted territories. 🚀 Here's to a February filled with inspiration, meaningful connections, and the courage to embrace the unknown. The journey continues, and I can't wait to see what unfolds. 🌟 #ReflectAndRecharge #EntrepreneurialJourney #2024Adventures #MonthInReview

🚀 Just returned from the OCEAN Programs accelerator event with my amazing co-founders Joe Brown and Mike Hillenmeyer, and I couldn’t be more excited. Diving headfirst into this new project was exhilarating, but meeting other motivated co-founders at OCEAN has taken my excitement to a whole new level. Even though I’ve been immersed in the startup world for most of my career, there’s always so much more to learn and experience. One of the unique aspects of the OCEAN program is their focus on the human behind the founder as well as building a extraordinary culture and team. They share a belief that I hold deeply: hustle culture is a myth. Yes, we work hard (very hard!), but we are so much more than our work. Fulfillment in your purpose at work has a direct impact on your life at home - you can be a better mother, wife, friend, and person. I cannot wait to share more about what we are building at SMB.co. It’s going to be a fun and rewarding ride, and I couldn’t be more thankful to be collaborating with these two special humans. At SMB.co, we're launching the Zillow for small businesses, aiming to make small business deals simple, transparent, and profitable, fostering a trustworthy marketplace for everyone involved. Follow us on LinkedIn (SMB.co) and join us on this journey! #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #Innovation #Teamwork #OCEANAccelerator #BusinessGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #SMBCo

🌨️ Day 3: Navigating Through Turbulence: Every venture has its fair share of tempests. Whether it's a sudden twist in market trends, a team disagreement, or unforeseen obstacles, these storms test our mettle and resilience. In these moments, our adaptability shines and we evolve. 🌪️ What tempests has your startup sailed through? Share your stories of weathering these storms. By pooling our experiences, we forge stronger ships for future voyages. 🚢 #StartupStorms #ChallengesFaced #WeatheringTogether

🚀 Embracing the #Startup Weekend Grind! 🚀 To all the dedicated founders out there burning the midnight oil and putting in the weekend hours – this one's for you! 💼🌟 Startup life is a thrilling journey, but it comes with sacrifices. Working on weekends is often the norm, fueled by passion, determination, and the unwavering belief in our vision. 🌐💪 🌈 The hustle doesn't take a break, and neither do we! Whether it's refining strategies, diving into coding marathons, or fine-tuning that investor pitch – every weekend effort is a step closer to our dreams. 🚀🔧 👊 Shout out to all the weekend warriors who understand that building something extraordinary requires extraordinary dedication. Your resilience is what sets our community apart! 🌟🌐 Remember, it's not just about the destination, but the journey we're crafting, one weekend at a time. 💼✨ Tag your fellow founders who are in the weekend grind with you! Let's celebrate the collective spirit that propels us forward. 💙👥 #founder #StartupLife #WeekendWarriors #FoundersJourney #PassionDriven #EntrepreneurialSpirit #Dedication #BuildingDreams #LinkedInCommunity 🚀💼 Shankar Sahai

𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙉𝙊𝙏 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙙𝙤.... is back down from a challenge. ✋🏽 Especially one as fun as 𝐉𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝟓-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞! I mean, unless you DON'T want to SOAR into SUCCESS after the Summer lull? 👀 Next week - Monday, August 7th, until Friday, August 11th, I'm calling all the side hustle womxn who took a break to enjoy Summer and now want to get back into the swing of things and stay consistent with their side hustles. 📊 But Why join? I mean, you get to hang out with me LIVE daily! 😁 By the end of the 5 days, you'll feel empowered to show up authentically in your side hustle! This challenge will guide you to: 💡 Rediscover your passion and drive. 💡 Overcome obstacles and maintain momentum. 💡 Craft a personalized action plan for success. 💡 Build a powerful online presence. 💡 Connect wjth your Ideal Client. To participate, START HERE ➡️ [https://lnkd.in/gdD2f9jj]. 🏆 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 for those who actively participate throughout the challenge! 🎉 🏆 1️⃣ ALL-EXPENSES COVERED MEMBERSHIP into The Shine to FIVE Movement to BEING A BOSS Program for Sept-Nov. 🏆 1️⃣ “PICK CJ’s BRAIN“ Session (90-min). Woot! Mark your calendars and remember to invite your Side-Hustler friends! The more the merrier! 🚀 #onlinebusinesscoach #sidehustlesuccess #fromemployeetoentrepreneur #womenstartups #womeninentrepreneurship