In this episode, we sit down with a seasoned entrepreneur Alexandra Satine Co-Founder and Fractional COO/CFO at Your-Cohort. She shares her journey from building her first business in her 20s to gaining two decades of experience working with Fortune 500 companies and VC-backed startups. She discusses the importance of betting on yourself, managing time, and balancing operations, finance, and people in business. Tune in to learn about her unique perspective on startup infrastructure, the differences between self-funded and VC-backed companies, and how founders can set themselves up for success by building strong teams and financial models.
Takeaways:
- Betting on Yourself: Building your cohort and company begins with believing in yourself, as no one will be more invested in your success than you.
- The Value of Time: Time is the most valuable resource, and entrepreneurs should focus on making the most of it while also giving back to others.
- The Entrepreneur's Journey: Moving from Venezuela to the U.S. at 20, the guest shares her experiences working in retail, manufacturing, and finance, ultimately leading her to build her own business.
- Operations, Finance, and People: The importance of these three pillars in any business, and how balancing them is crucial for growth and sustainability.
- VC vs. Self-Funded: The guest dives into the differences between VC-backed companies and self-funded ventures, highlighting the expectations, timelines, and pressures associated with each.
- Building the Right Team: Hiring the right talent early on is key for success, as mistakes in this area can lead to a costly waste of time and resources.
- Financial Literacy: Entrepreneurs must educate themselves on finance, from understanding a P&L to knowing how to structure their business and hire the right professionals, such as bookkeepers, to guide them.
Quote of the Show:
"At the end of the day, it's about betting on yourself, and not waiting for someone's approval. No one will ever believe in you like you believe in yourself." - Alexandra Santine
Links:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-satine-78907020/
- Website: https://www.yourcohort.co/
Ways to Tune In:
