Mentor Up

Have you ever had a business idea but felt stuck because you didn't have the technical skills to build it? That feeling is about to change. In this episode, I sit down with Katja Rubin, AI educator and strategist, who has made it her mission to make AI genuinely accessible to everyone — not just developers and tech people. We talk about vibe coding, why right now is actually the perfect moment to start building with AI, and why confidence doesn't come before you start — it comes after. Whether you're a founder, a business owner, or just someone who's been watching from the sidelines wondering if AI is for you — this episode is your sign to just try. What we cover: What vibe coding actually is and why it's a game changer for non-technical people Why you're not too late — and why now is the perfect window How to find the right problem to solve with AI Real examples of people building products without writing a single line of code Where to start if you want to build confidence with AI this week   LINKS More Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur on Instagram and LinkedIn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/    Connect with Katja:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katja-rubin/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aiwithkatja Vibe Coding Day: https://vibeandcode.online      

In this solo episode, Anja shares a candid update on what's really going on behind the scenes of running a business for over a decade. First, she talks about one of the most common founder traps: being too involved in operations. Anja opens up about how she became the bottleneck in her own company and what she's actively doing to change that — from giving her team more ownership to learning the difference between reacting and responding. Then she shares what she's been building with vibe coding. In Q1 of 2026, Anja discovered how AI tools are transforming the way she runs her company — from dashboards that pull data from multiple platforms into one place, to AI agents that take over tasks so she can focus on what actually matters. She also shares why she believes every business leader needs to be personally in the game when it comes to AI — not just their team. Finally, real talk on health. Using her Whoop tracker, Anja shares what happened to her biological age during one of the most stressful periods she's had in years — and why she believes sustainable businesses are not built by burning out their leaders. Anja is also looking for a co-host for future solo episodes — reach out via the show notes if that sounds like you! Topics: founder delegation, AI tools for business, vibe coding, entrepreneur health, nervous system regulation   LINKS Survey (and the chance of winning a free business mentoring session with Anja) https://forms.gle/936nzZwq58BNeG3F6   Send an email if you would like to co-host a Mentor Up episode with Anja: [email protected]    Vibeprenuese - Retreat for female entrepreneurs who want to learn vibecoding, build AI tools, and reconnect with themselves in nature: https://vibepreneuse-retreat.lovable.app/    More Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur on Instagram and LinkedIn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/ 

In this episode Anja sits down with AI expert Fabrício Carraro to talk about how to get the most out of AI — both in your business and your personal life. They cover the prompting mistakes almost everyone makes, how to use tools like NotebookLM to learn any topic faster, and what it really takes to build something with AI in 2026. Fabrício also shares his take on which businesses and skills will thrive as AI keeps evolving — and how to use AI as your own personal mentor. Whether you're just getting started or already experimenting, this one is packed with practical advice you can use straight away.   LINKS Survey (and the chance of winning a free business mentoring session with Anja) https://forms.gle/936nzZwq58BNeG3F6   More Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur on Instagram and LinkedIn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/    Connect with Fabrício LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabriciocarraro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabriciocarraro/  X: https://x.com/fabriciocarraro  Website: https://fabriciocarraro.com.br/   

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of one of the world’s most international language events — the Polyglot Conference — and talk about something most people never see: the business reality behind it. My guest is Richard Simcott — known for speaking dozens of languages, but in this episode, we focus on something deeper. What does it actually take to carry a global event on your shoulders for more than 13 years? The pressure, the pivots, the financial risks, the emotional weight — and the resilience to keep going.   LINKS Survey (and the chance of winning a free business mentoring session with Anja) https://forms.gle/936nzZwq58BNeG3F6   More Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur on Instagram and LinkedIn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/     Connect with Richard & The Polyglot Conference  Richard Simcott: https://speakingfluently.com/ Connect with Richard on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakingfluently   Polyglot Conference: https://polyglotconference.com/

Most New Year’s resolutions don’t fail because of a lack of discipline — they fail because change is often approached in the wrong way. In this episode, I reflect on a deeply honest New Year’s Eve dinner with entrepreneur friends in Barcelona, where we had the kind of conversations founders rarely have out loud. Instead of talking about goals and resolutions, we asked each other better questions — questions that create clarity, alignment, and sustainable success. I’m bringing those questions into today’s episode so you can reflect on your own direction, decisions, and priorities for 2026. If you’re tired of setting goals that don’t stick and want a more intentional, grounded way to shape the year ahead, this episode is for you. Grab a notebook, take a breath, and let’s mentor up for a successful 2026.   LINKS Survey (and the chance of winning a free business mentoring session with Anja) https://forms.gle/936nzZwq58BNeG3F6   More Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur on Instagram and LinkedIn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/

In this episode of Mentor Up, I sit down with Hyunwoo Sun, one of the most respected entrepreneurs in the global language-learning industry. Hyunwoo has spent over 16 years building a brand that became #1 in its niche worldwide, publishing 50+ books and 80+ courses, all while staying deeply present as a father and leader. But this conversation isn’t about hustle, shortcuts, or overnight success. We talk about what it really takes to build something that lasts: calm leadership, long-term thinking, knowing when to step back as a founder, and why impact matters more than metrics. Hyunwoo shares why he never started with a traditional business plan, how his definition of success has evolved, and what most founders misunderstand about growth, business models, and freedom. We also explore the future of language learning, the role of AI, and what will remain deeply human no matter how advanced technology becomes. This episode was recorded in Taiwan, right after our first Language Business Retreat, making it both a strategic deep dive and a reflection on what happens when experienced entrepreneurs come together to mentor, learn, and zoom out from day-to-day operations.   Interested in joining the next Language Business Retreat in November 2026 in Italy? Add your name to the waitlist, and we’ll let you know as soon as spots open: https://tally.so/r/ob6LxN   OTHER LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/   Connect with Hyunwoo and his brand Talk to me in Korean LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hyunwoosun/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyunwoosun_ttmik/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talktomeinkorean

REAL TALK: After 10 years of building ZALOA, I’m sharing 10 things I would actually do differently if I had to start over.  From thinking bigger and raising capital earlier to hiring smarter, avoiding shiny-object syndrome, setting clearer expectations, and finally listening to my body — this is the real talk I wish I had heard a decade ago. Number 10 is a special one: It's the only thing I wouldn’t change. I would choose it again, exactly the same way, every single time.   LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/

In this episode of Mentor Up, international investor and AI expert Herby Marchetti joins us for a candid conversation about what truly makes a business successful. From the wild early days of Germany’s startup scene to global mergers and acquisitions, Herby shares insights from 17 years of investing, advising, and building startups — and how trust, clarity, and courage remain the most valuable capital of all.   LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/   Connect with Herby: https://herbertmarchetti.com/

What happens when everything you’ve built is taken from you? In this raw and powerful episode, serial entrepreneurs Laura and Ray Blakney open up about losing their company, facing betrayal, and navigating the darkness of depression. They share the unfiltered truth of hitting rock bottom — and the hard but transformative journey of finding resilience, rebuilding trust, and redefining success. For entrepreneurs and leaders, this is more than a story: it’s a reminder that failure only happens when you stop trying. ✨ Whether you’re in the middle of your own struggle or preparing for the challenges ahead, the lessons in this conversation will stay with you.     LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/   Connect with Laura and Ray on LinkedIn Laura: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laublakney/ Ray: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymondblakney/  

In this episode of Mentor Up, I’m sharing the recording of a live talk I gave at the SIBB Female Founder Event in Berlin. It’s not a how-to guide or a glorified success story. It’s real talk about what it actually means to be a nomadic founder:  9 years of bootstrapping my company ZALOA Languages — until forming a strategic partnership with one of our biggest clients who later became our investor.  I also reflect on my own path — from being born in Germany to living in different countries since 2007 — and what it feels like to come full circle, speaking as a founder in my home country again. 📝 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it really helps others discover Mentor Up. LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/   Come to a Female Founder Talk in Berlin at the SIBB:  https://sibb.de/en/sibb-eventseries/    

What does it take to scale a business to $100 million — and what if the biggest thing holding you back is you? In this episode, I sit down with Dan Roitman, the entrepreneur who turned Pimsleur into a $100 million product and the #2 language learning brand in the U.S. We talk about the mindset shifts needed to grow past $1M, why most founders never manage to scale, and what it really takes to build a business in the era of AI. Dan shares practical insights, bold decisions, and the unfiltered truth about what drives companies to high growth. And at the end of the episode, in the Real Talk segment, I open up about why I believe I’m currently the bottleneck in my own company — and why I’ve decided to take time this summer to go deep and work on that.   LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/   More about Dan:  Follow Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danroitman/ Dan's company to empower human innovation creating a brighter future for kids: https://mindfinity.com/  

Launching something new is never easy — but launching a completely new product while running an already successful business? That’s a whole different game. In this solo episode, I’m sharing the honest, behind-the-scenes story of the launch of our new technology last week. From rebuilding our platform while still supporting thousands of users, to navigating shifting timelines, stretched teams, and tough decisions — I take you inside the chaos, the clarity, and the lessons. You’ll hear: What made this launch so uniquely challenging The biggest mistakes and turning points along the way Why staying the same became riskier than starting over And 5 practical tips for founders preparing to launch (or relaunch) their own product If you're building something new — or thinking about it — this episode is for you. No filters. Just real talk.   LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/

In this episode of Mentor Up, we dive deep into a topic that is relevant to all of us money. In the Spotlight, we look at why financial education is still one of the most overlooked tools for personal and professional growth—and why it matters not just for investors, but for everyone who wants to build a sustainable life and business. For the Real Advice segment, I’m joined by Cristina Jaeger, a finance expert with over 14 years of experience in wealth management and founder of herFinancialFreedom, a platform that has helped over 2,000 women gain confidence in investing and planning their financial futures. She shares clear, practical advice on how to take control of your money and get started with investing—no matter your income or experience level. The advice she gives in this episode applies equally to men and women! And in the Real Talk, I open up about the financial structure of my own company—what’s worked, what’s nearly broken us, and the lessons I’ve learned about cash flow, risk, and trust over the past 10 years as a founder. If you are enjoying this podcast, make sure to subscribe and leave a quick review—it helps more people discover the podcast and supports us in keeping Mentor Up going strong!   LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/   Discover Cristina's program HerFinancialFreedom Website: https://www.herfinancialfreedom.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/her.financialfreedom/ Connect with Cristina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-jaeger/  

Today’s spotlight is on a big question: should you have a co-founder? In the category Real Talk, I open up about how I chose my business partner back in 2017.  And in Real Advice, things get personal – I’ve invited my former business partner to join me as we publicly talk, for the first time, about why we’re no longer working together as business partners, what actually worked between us, and what we would do differently if we had the chance to start over. If you like this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe to it and share it with everyone interested in business, innovation and personal development!    LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/

In this episode of the Mentor App, we dive deep into the harsh realities of the startup world, exploring why most startups fail and more importantly, how to avoid becoming part of that statistic. Join us as we introduce revolutionary founder, Rava A. Zaki, who delves into the future of mobility with his Flying Houses, and shares his visionary take on sustainable innovation. As we journey through real stories and personal experiences, we uncover the critical lessons learned from failed startups, explore the importance of flexibility, and discuss the necessity of finding your true purpose as an entrepreneur. Tune in for a candid conversation full of insights and tips on how to thrive in business, innovation, and personal development.

Success isn’t a solo journey—it’s built on the wisdom of the right mentors. In this episode of Mentor Up, I sit down with Jeannie Edmunds to explore how to build your own personal advisory board and find the mentors who can help you thrive in both business and life.  We discuss: ✅ Why everyone needs mentors ✅ How to identify and approach the right mentors ✅ The biggest challenges in business—and how mentorship can help overcome them ✅ Real-life mentorship stories and lessons from Jeannie’s experience   LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/   Jeannie's Travel Company Next Tribe for Women 45+: https://nexttribe.com/ Book "Start me Up" - by Jeannie Edmunds: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B095Q1747C