Hey there Risers & Thrivers,
In this episode of On the Up & Up, host Janine sits down with Agnieszka Walorska, a two-time founder, Ironman finisher, and the visionary behind Mika—an AI co-pilot designed to simplify accounting and tax management for entrepreneurs. Together, they tackle the profound impact of socioeconomic privilege on entrepreneurial journeys, drawing from Agnieszka's personal experiences overcoming significant financial and bureaucratic hurdles in Germany.
The conversation explores:
The resilience required to overcome financial and bureaucratic barriers
The challenges of starting a business in Germany
The realities of navigating without a financial safety net
Agnieszka also shares her unique perspective on fundraising as a solo, migrant, and female founder, offering valuable insights for underprivileged entrepreneurs and advocating for a more inclusive startup ecosystem.
This episode is a must-listen for aspiring founders, particularly those starting with limited resources, as it sheds light on the grit and strategies needed to succeed against the odds.
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Acknowledgments
Intro/Outro & Interlude Music: Music by oussama arichi from Pixabay
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Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome
00:58 Guest Introduction: Agnieszka Walorska
02:09 Challenges of Socioeconomic Privilege in Founding
05:21 Personal Background and Early Struggles
07:40 Starting the First Company
11:38 Navigating Bureaucracy and Taxation
19:41 Building Mika: An AI Co-Pilot for Accounting
24:41 Fundraising as a Solo Founder
30:11 Challenges of Funding for Founders
30:49 The Reality of Entrepreneurial Risks
32:24 Navigating Health Insurance as an Entrepreneur
33:40 Personal Experiences and Coping Mechanisms
39:46 The Importance of Conviction in Founding
41:27 Addressing Privilege and Diverse Founders
52:21 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Founders