Go Girl! with Japnit Ahuja

Meet Carla, a young female founder who’s making waves in the food world by turning waste into opportunity. As the CEO of Chomp and one of Forbes 30 Under 30, Carla opens up about her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of being a woman in the startup space, and how she’s building a brand that’s both sustainable and snack-worthy.Send me a text for feedback or just to chat :)

From humble beginnings in Ayodhya, a small town in rural India, to leading a Y Combinator-backed startup in the United States. In this episode of the Go Girl Podcast, Akanksha Singh, founder of Backdrop, shares her journey from working in big tech to starting her own company focused on expense management for the entertainment industry. She discusses the importance of founder and product market fit, the challenges of transitioning from corporate life to the unpredictable world of startups, and her experience with Y Combinator. Akanksha also addresses the unique challenges faced by female founders in fundraising and emphasizes the importance of persistence and building relationships in the startup ecosystem.Send me a text for feedback or just to chat :)

I chat with Mariella, a trailblazing entrepreneur who founded a startup for the deaf community while still in high school. After seeing the powerful impact of her work, she took a gap year from Stanford to focus entirely on growing her company, which has since raised $1M in pre-seed funding. Recently featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, Mariella shares her incredible journey of building a mission-driven startup, her experiences navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, and her vision for making the world more accessible. This is a must-listen for anyone inspired by young leaders making waves!Host: https://www.instagram.com/japnitahujaGo Girl Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/gogirlpodcast/Guest: https://www.instagram.com/signupcaptions/Chapters00:00 Intro01:06 Founding Story03:01 Overnight Success03:52 Not being taken seriously cause of young age06:04 Raising Funds07:54 Built by the deaf community for the deaf community08:58 The Importance of Accessibility11:31 Business Model14:38 AI: Threat or Opportunity17:45 Success Stories23:07 Time management as a student and entrepreneur27:44 Building the MVP30:01 How to look for startup ideas?32:52 thank you outroSend me a text for feedback or just to chat :)

Tanjulia's journey from growing up in Bangladesh to becoming a senior software engineer in Canada is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite facing challenging circumstances, she embraced every opportunity to learn and grow. Her parents' resilience and hard work inspired her to strive for a better life. Tanjulia's mindset of fighting her way through obstacles and her ability to adapt and make the most of her circumstances played a significant role in her success. She emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself and finding a balance between pushing forward and giving oneself grace. In this conversation, Tanjulia shares her insights and experiences in the gaming industry, as well as advice for those interested in pursuing a career in technology. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and motivation, highlighting the need to relax and take a step back when facing setbacks. Tanjulia also discusses her journey in obtaining internships during university and provides tips for building a strong resume. She encourages women to pursue careers in gaming and technology, emphasizing the value of diversity in the industry. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the incorporation of AI in the gaming industry and the future of technology.Keywordsresilience, determination, opportunity, learning, growth, hard work, mindset, adaptability, balance, gaming industry, technology, resilience, motivation, setbacks, internships, resume building, women in tech, diversity, AI, future of technologyKey Takeaways1. Resilience can be learned and developed through mindset and experiences.2. Adapting to circumstances and making the most of opportunities is crucial for success.3. Taking care of oneself and finding a balance between pushing forward and self-care is important.4. Parents' resilience and hard work can inspire and shape a child's mindset.5. Career progression is not always linear, and it's okay to make horizontal moves to find what aligns with one's values and aspirations. Resilience and motivation are key in overcoming setbacks and challenges.6. When applying for internships, highlight your strengths and accomplishments, even if they are from high school or first-year university.7. Don't be discouraged by rejections; keep applying and believe in your abilities.8. Women should not be deterred from pursuing careers in the gaming industry; diversity is important for innovation and representation.10. AI is being incorporated in the gaming industry to enhance graphics, animation, and accessibility.Send me a text for feedback or just to chat :)

In this conversation, Japnit and Amanda Petrik-Gardner discuss OCD and anxiety. Amanda explains that OCD is not just about being clean and organized, but rather it involves obsessions and compulsions that individuals do not like. They also discuss the relationship between anxiety and OCD, as well as the different treatment options available. They then explore the impact of technology and social media on mental health, and how to find a balance in using these platforms. They also touch on the increase in mental health issues among young people and the importance of destigmatizing mental health. Finally, they provide tips for being more mindful and in control of one's life.KeywordsOCD, anxiety, obsessions, compulsions, treatment options, technology, social media, mental health, balance, mindfulnessSend me a text for feedback or just to chat :)

Lottie, a Forbes 30 under 30 entrepreneur, shares her journey of starting a sustainable company and the challenges she faced as a young female founder. She emphasizes reducing waste and living sustainably, highlighting the impact of plastics and urging individuals to make small changes for collective environmental impact. Lottie also shares her learnings as an entrepreneur, including the importance of continuous learning and progress over perfection.Keywordssustainability, waste reduction, microplastics, individual impact, female entrepreneurship, challenges, progress over perfectionTakeawaysTake actionable steps to reduce waste and live more sustainably.Plastic pollution is a significant environmental issue, with microplastics found in the air, food, and water.Individual actions can make a collective impact on sustainability.Continuous learning and progress over perfection are key for entrepreneurs.Stepping back and taking time to think can lead to innovative solutions.Listen to podcasts and learn from other leaders in various industries.Send me a text for feedback or just to chat :)

In this conversation, Alyssa shares her insights on emergency funds, investment journey, multiple income streams, and improving one's relationship with money. Alyssa shares her personal journey of overcoming debt and building financial stability. She emphasizes the importance of breaking the taboo around money and creating judgment-free spaces for women to discuss their finances. She explains the need for women to take control of their finances and achieve financial independence. Everyone needs to zoom out and consider their long-term goals when managing their finances.Keywordspersonal finance, debt, financial anxiety, financial guilt, taboo, money conversations, financial independence, budgeting, negotiating expenses, emergency fund, emergency funds, investment journey, multiple income streams, relationship with money, investing, retirement, financial securitySend me a text for feedback or just to chat :)

Jennifer Chou, the unhinged productivity influencer, tracks her entire life building healthy habits. Jennifer started by journaling daily and soon expanded her tracking to all aspects of her life, from her poop count to dating stats. Inspired by a Tumblr post about writing daily memories, she transitioned to digital journaling using voice-to-text technology to streamline the process.Jennifer utilizes tools like the Toggl app to track her time, regularly reflecting on her activities to prioritize her goals. She also keeps tabs on her mood and energy levels, making intentional changes based on her reflections.  Jennifer attributes her success to openness, self-trust, and reframing negative thoughts, highlighting the importance of auditing daily tasks and incorporating self-care to prevent burnoutKeywordslife tracking, habit tracking, productivity, journaling, time tracking, reflection, intentional living, productivity, burnout, guilt, mindset, self-care, auditing tasksSend me a text for feedback or just to chat :)

Jocee shares her inspiring journey into the world of STEM, highlighting the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field and as someone coming from a high-demand religion. JoCee discusses the impact of a supportive math teacher, her experiences with subtle sexism at the workplace, and the importance of logging these incidents. She also sheds light on the true meaning of feminism and the necessity of education to combat its negative connotations. Listen in as JoCee delves into imposter syndrome, the value of mentors, and breaking down societal expectations to empower women in tech.KeywordsSTEM, women in tech, sexism, microaggressions, workplace, feminism, generational change, women in STEM, societal constructs, stereotypes, challenges, supportive parents, mentors, imposter syndrome, representation, mentorshipSend me a text for feedback or just to chat :)