From Scientist to Small Business Owner: What Trial, Error, and Patience Teach You About Growth with Dr. Nivedita Lahiri

S6:E4 Starting a business can feel overwhelming, especially when the rules keep changing and the pressure never lets up. This conversation is a reminder that growth doesn't come from shortcuts, it comes from patience, learning, and staying human. 👤 Guest: Nivedita Lahiri, PhD Founder, Counsel Academy STEM educator and small business owner helping students build strong foundations in science, math, and critical thinking ⚠️ Core Problems Discussed Transitioning from academia into entrepreneurship Losing money on marketing that doesn't deliver results Trying to do everything alone and burning out 🥡 Practical Takeaways Why trial and error is not failure, but progress How to protect limited budgets from cookie-cutter marketing The importance of building a trusted team instead of doing it all yourself ⏱️ Timestamps 05:42 – The steep reality of moving from science into business 07:25 – "I was crying:" facing overwhelm as a founder 09:31 – When marketing finally started to work 14:35 – The hidden cost of generic marketing services 27:18 – Why slowing down helped everything fall into place 🔖 Who This Episode Is For Small business owners who need a little help Consultants and coaches building trust online Solopreneurs who feel stuck and overwhelmed Invisible brands don't make money. At STEERus, we help small businesses get seen and get paid without losing their voice or their values. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on visibility, leadership, and growth 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard   #EntrepreneurJourney #WomenInSTEM #tech #STEM #smallbusiness