Found(H)er Mind

28. I can't believe this is what selling my startup looks like!

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 21:18:46 GMT

A sneak peek into what starting the M&A process of your startup looks like. Is anyone taking my calls? Who is helping me? And how do I feel about it all?! This and other reflections from the first few weeks.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27. Don't tell me you're sorry

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 22:38:30 GMT

Not in New York and definitely not crying. Here's how I'm feeling in the aftermath of the big decision to sell my startup. And here's what some people are saying to me about it!

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26. I'm selling my startup!

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 23:10:15 GMT

Big decisions! A new city (sort of) and a whole new chapter for me as a founder. Super excited about both. Here are some reasons for why I made these decisions and what happens now.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25. Exciting news for Zvook!

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 05:58:39 GMT

Spent 2 weeks in LA. Got back to Phoenix. Took an important step with my startup. Also had some less exciting developments. If you're a startup founder, you can relate.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24. The one time I had $200 on my bank account

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 03:07:16 GMT

I've never talked about it publicly. $200 on my account. No savings. My visa running out in 3 weeks. My rent late. They say it's darkest just before the dawn. That's what it felt like. And that's when I learned to get comfortable with chaos.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23. How I vet a VC fund in 10 minutes

Sun, 07 May 2023 07:27:02 GMT

Fundraising isn't about quantity as much as it is about quality. Instead of "spray and pray", I spend 10 minutes vetting each fund. Here's how I decide who to talk to - and who not to waste time on.

Shoutout to Eniac Ventures that I used as an example.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22. When an investor dreams with you

Wed, 03 May 2023 05:42:17 GMT

In their hearts and on their websites they want to invest in visionary startups. But in reality, few investors can identify one. The masses see the reality only after you've built it. But how do you recognize an investor that can actually dream with you?

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21. Things about Phoenix that blew me away

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 15:14:07 GMT

Two months in the fifth biggest city of America. Getting to know the startup ecosystem, getting surprised by so many things. Phoenix reminds me of another city I know very well..

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20. See you later, LA!

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 16:41:37 GMT

Apparently two months is a long time to stay in one place. For me. So when an opportunity knocks, you bet I pack my bags and go! Definitely returning back to LA but first a little more adventuring.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19. Most successful founders have moved cities and countries

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 02:58:27 GMT

I've lived in five different countries across three continents. I have beaten the odds of a cold start over and over again. So when I build a startup, you bet I will succeed.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18. My founder frustrations

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 01:04:39 GMT

You know that feeling when you scream to yourself "I f*cking know how to solve this" and then just go back to not doing it because you don't have time, money or human resources? Yeah, those frustrations.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17. Women supporting women is a myth

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 01:03:34 GMT

Sharing some personal experiences, and knowing I am not the only one. This false narrative may end up hurting women more than helping us.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16. Three early observations about LA as a founder

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 23:29:49 GMT

All events start early and end early. A lot of people are into wellness. And a few other learnings based on my very social week out in LA!

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15. A faulty idea of a great CEO

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 20:32:47 GMT

I have not always played to my strengths because I was ashamed to admit that there were things I just wasn't great at. I tried to convince myself that I will learn to love process flows and Excel sheets. But nope. I won't. And I shouldn't.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14. First two weeks in LA

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:23:58 GMT

Who would have thought I won't miss NYC after two weeks in LA! I've found my rhythm in LA but I've got to be honest, I can't wait to get social. So that's exactly what I'm going to do this week.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13. Not my American dream

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 03:00:11 GMT

I never had an American dream. But here I am, building a startup as an immigrant in the United States. My journey from NYC to LA has not been a smooth one but it's been worth it.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12. From disaster in Copenhagen to home in LA

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 03:03:43 GMT

Spending Christmas alone in Copenhagen, then coming "back" to a city that I have never lived in. And suddenly I feel like home. Life is wild!

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#11 Founder bestie

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 12:37:55 GMT

I sat down with my founder bestie today. Truthfully, without her I would not be a sane person by this point of the founder journey!

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#10 First day in Copenhagen

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 21:16:53 GMT

My world tour has taken me to the cute capital of Denmark. From the airport to the office and to our first meeting with the new advisor. Not loving the weather.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#9 Why investors lack empathy

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 12:49:09 GMT

Do you feel that investors should have founder experience? I do. Sharing in this update the biggest problem I see in the startup investor world. Do you agree?

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#8 A founder's day in Spain

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 21:55:47 GMT

A quick glimpse into my Tuesday as a remote founder working in Spain. Not your average nine-to-five, let me tell you that!

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#7 Life update

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 23:13:41 GMT

A lot is going on but productivity has been high! Three quick updates on what is going on and what to expect next. Life is wild but I am grateful for it.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#6 Investor story

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 13:33:28 GMT

Dodged the bullet with a disrespectful VC. We've all been there but here's what I learned from my recent experience.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#5 December fatigue

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 22:06:29 GMT

Not sure about you guys but I've always had a little December fatigue. Especially this year. After a challenging 2022 and ahead of a massive 2023, I'm not going to lie, I'm looking forward to a little Christmas break!

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#4 Zvook has a new advisor!

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 13:52:10 GMT

My strategy for building an advisory board has been very different from most founders. Signing our first one was worth the wait!

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#3 Can I be truly honest?

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 16:58:26 GMT

The first recording that kicks off my real-time audio entries. Thinking out loud about my promise to be authentic and the perception that might create about me as a founder & CEO.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#2 Stories from Slush side events

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 09:31:27 GMT

The stuff they don't talk about but I will. My night at Slush side events. Get ready for some story time!

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#1 Living out of a suitcase

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 09:20:31 GMT

With 6 hours of sleep before my investor meeting, I present to you: an overview of my life out of a suitcase over the next month. Buckle up, it's going to be a wild ride!

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Intro: It's never been done so I had to!

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 08:36:36 GMT

It's never been done before. So I had to do it. My unfiltered, daily audio journal about the life of an early stage startup founder. Highs, lows, f*ck-ups and frustrations. We all have them. Nobody shares them. That's about to change. LFG.

Follow me on Instagram: @annaratala

Connect with me on LinkedIn: /annaratala

Special thanks to Ryan Hays for the original podcast music!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.