Startup Confessions Podcast

NOTE* In the podcast, we mention Unique Payments. However, as of April 2025, Unique Payments has rebranded to Delfyn.In this episode of the Startup Confessions podcast, host Yssamae Abdon speaks with guest speaker, Ceren Danis, CEO and co-founder of Delfyn, about her journey in finance and entrepreneurship, her expertise and what led her to where she is now. They discuss the importance of co-founders, the challenges women face in a male-dominated industry, the impact of AI on financial services, and the qualities that lead to entrepreneurial success. AI is transforming financial services by standardizing data across platforms. Ceren talks about preparing for the future of work requires flexibility and a willingness to learn and understanding the realities of entrepreneurship is vital before taking the leap. She shares the importance of persistence in achieving entrepreneurial success and how mindfulness practices like meditation helped her be more resilience. Delfyn is a fintech startup company that helps B2B companies get paid faster with the focus on AI.Please see links to Delfyn, and Ceren's mentorship club:​https://www.mentoring-club.com/the-mentors/ceren-danis2. https://app.growthmentor.com/mentors/ceren-danis 3. www.delfyn.co - Delfyn websiteLinkedIn Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ceren-danis/ - Ceren Danis https://www.linkedin.com/company/delfyn/- Delfyn

In the 3rd episode of the Startup Confessions podcast, host Yssamae interviews Arielle Loupos, founder of Flower Girl, a sustainable period underwear brand. Arielle shares her journey from working in e-commerce to launching her own brand, emphasizing the importance of using natural materials and creating a community around menstrual health. She discusses the challenges of product development, the significance of self-care, and the need to break the stigma surrounding female reproductive health. Arielle's passion for education and community building shines through as she discusses her vision for changing the narrative around periods and empowering women. In this episode, Arielle Loupos discusses the journey of building her sustainable period underwear brand, focusing on the balance between creative vision and business practicality. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, understanding one's purpose, and the habits that contribute to success. The discussion also touches on gender dynamics in business and the significance of community support.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Flower Girl and Its Mission01:32 Arielle's Journey into E-commerce and Product Development05:35 The Challenges of Product Development and Learning11:03 Overcoming Failure and Embracing Self-Care14:57 Building Community and Breaking Stigmas20:30 Celebrating Female Cycles and Changing Narratives24:05 Balancing Creative Vision and Business Decisions27:28 Authenticity and Openness in Branding31:58 Preparing to Start a Brand34:41 Habits for Success36:15 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Business39:40 Following Your Why and Brand IdentityCheck out Arielle and Flower Girl Co on social media!Arielle - https://www.instagram.com/ariellelouposFlower Girl Co - https://www.instagram.com/flowergirl.co_/Flower Girl Co website

In Season 2, episode 2 of the Startup Confessions podcast, Aiden, founder of No Boring Brands, shares his journey in the creator economy and the establishment of his creative humor agency. He discusses the importance of authenticity in social media, the art of humor in content creation, and the challenges of navigating perceptions around social media careers. Aiden emphasizes the significance of consistency, networking, and defining personal success while addressing the realities of cancel culture and online criticism. The conversation concludes with insights on maintaining passion and discipline in one's career.TakeawaysAidan founded No Boring Brands to help B2B brands use humor in marketing.Perceptions of social media careers often clash with reality.Authenticity is key to building an online presence.Humor in content should be relatable and not demeaning.Understanding audience and brand voice is crucial for effective content.Cancel culture shouldn't deter creativity.Consistency and discipline are vital for success in any field.Networking is essential and you should seize every opportunity to connect.Defining personal success is more important than societal expectations.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Aiden and No Boring Brands02:55 The Journey of Building a Creative Humor Agency06:02 Navigating Perceptions of Social Media Careers09:10 The Value of Authenticity in Online Presence11:51 The Art of Humor in Content Creation14:57 Understanding Audience and Brand Voice18:02 Dealing with Cancel Culture and Online Criticism20:58 The Importance of Consistency and Discipline24:03 Networking and Seizing Opportunities27:04 Defining Success and Career Paths30:00 Closing Thoughts and Future AspirationsLinks to Aidan Brannigan x No Boring Brands:LinkedIn - Aidan Brannigan No Boring Brands website - https://www.noboringbrands.co/

Summary In this episode of the Startup Confessions Podcast, host Yssamae reflects on her journey of launching and running a podcast focused on entrepreneurship. She shares insights on the challenges she faced as a young host, the importance of consistency, and how she connects with her guests. Yssa also discusses the technical aspects of podcasting, her personal growth through the experience, and offers advice for aspiring podcasters. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Startup Confessions Podcast 03:12 Challenges of Podcasting and Imposter Syndrome 06:06 Finding Guests and Building Connections 08:34 Technical Setup and Equipment for Podcasting 11:11 Navigating Conversations and Authenticity 12:59 Advice for Aspiring Podcasters 14:53 Balancing Podcasting with Personal Life 16:46 Lessons Learned and Overcoming Doubts Thank you for listening to our podcast. You can follow us on social media: Instagram: https://instagram.com/startupconfessionspod TikTok: @startupconfessionspod

In this episode, Sonia-Michelle de Souza (or SM), marketing manager at Porsche Center London Ontario and founder of Ruby Sky Events shares her passion with creating, and sharing memorable experiences through events. Sonia-Michelle shares her experience in the automotive industry as a marketing manager and her passion for events led to the recent launch of Ruby Sky Events. Ruby Sky Events focuses on providing unique experiences through events serving exclusive wine and food.  In this episode, we discuss how SM balances many roles including being a marketing manager, and founder of her own small-business, her advice to young aspiring professionals and entrepreneurs, staying creative, and important habits to stay on top of your game. With her experience in the marketing industry and the automotive industry, she has combined her professional skills with her passion for events and food, creating her newly launched Ruby Sky Events. Thank you for listening to this episode and stay tuned for the next episode on the Startup Confessions Podcast.  You can find Ruby Sky Events on: Facebook link - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556915732031&mibextid=LQQJ4d  Keep update on the Startup Confessions Podcast on: ● Instagram @thestartupconfessionspod

In episode 8 of the Startup Confessions Podcast, we have our new guest Brandie Grace Wong, founder and CEO of Totally Brand It. Brandie is a young and ambitious entrepreneur who has started her journey at the age of 15years old and is now running her own agency. In this episode, we talk about simplifying processes for business success, the challenges of running a business, how to vet team members and cultivating work culture, and advice on trusting yourself in decision making as an entrepreneur. Totally Brand It is a fractional COO agency focusing on business operations, and innovation helping clients, generally in B2B simplify process and scaling for success. Totally Brand It is on: Website: ⁠https://www.totallybrandit.com/first-welcome⁠ Instagram ⁠@totally.brand.it⁠ Brandie Grace Wong is on: Instagram ⁠⁠@brandiegracewong YouTube @BrandieGrace Linktree @BrandieGrace Keywords: Entrepreneurship, imposter syndrome, simplifying processes, team members, trust, self-belief, books, sacrifices, challenges, advice

In this episode of the Startup Confessions podcast, host Yssamae invites Leoles, co-founder of TopTier barber shop, offering one of the best fades and kicks in Oakville.  Leo and his team’s passion for barbering and offering excellent grooming experiences for every client that comes into TopTier makes a barbershop stand out amongst the rest. They also have a unique twist and sell kicks for passionate collectors.  Follow Leoles Melegrito on instagram @lefades  He is also part of the @cuttingdealspod podcast. You can follow Top Tier on: Instagram @toptiercompany Tiktok @toptiercompany   Book an appointment or get some kicks on toptier website:  TopTier  TopTier Kicks Make sure to check out our social media accounts on Instagram ● Instagram @thestartupconfessionspod

Guest Speaker: Marwan (Maro) Al Chamaa - Chef and Restaurant owner of Maro’s Bistro, Bohemian Beirut and co-owner of Narenj Oakville.  Welcome to this episode of the Startup Confessions Podcast. In this episode, we speak with Marwan (Maro) Al Chamaa, a chef who has made a name for himself by blending the traditional flavors of his Lebanese background with innovative culinary techniques. From working alone 15 years ago as a new immigrant to Canada to now owning a top-rated restaurant in Oakville Maro shares his philosophy on food and the importance of authenticity in business. Maro is a passionate chef and restaurant owner of Maro’s Bistro, co-owner of Narenj Oakville, and soon to be Bohemian Beirut all located in Oakville, Canada. Maro’s journey started in Lebanon where he brings his culture and knowledge to enhance the dining experience in one of Canada’s wealthiest cities. He shares his unique approach to reinventing dishes that enhances the Lebanese culture as he transitions to the Canadian culinary scene. Maro shares his journey with authenticity and a no bullsh*t attitude. If you love food, curious about the unique art of expressing culture through cuisine, you will love this episode.  Chapters: 00:00 The Journey Begins: From Immigrant to Restaurateur 02:56 Lessons from the First Five Years 05:55 Creativity vs. Authenticity in Cuisine 08:56 Building a Unique Restaurant Experience 12:10 The Philosophy of Customer Relations 15:08 Community Over Customers 18:11 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Takeaways: Maro's journey began as an immigrant working in the restaurant industry. The first five years of running her restaurant were filled with challenges and learning experiences. Good food is just the baseline; a restaurant must offer more than that. Authenticity in cuisine is crucial; it's about being genuine to one's culture. Customer relations should focus on respect and community rather than just transactions. Building a community around the restaurant enhances the overall experience. Mistakes are essential for growth; the more you make, the better you become. Patience is key in business; money will follow if you focus on your craft. Maro believes in filtering customers to maintain a positive environment. The advice to focus on quick money is misleading; true success takes time. Visit Maro's restaurant Maro’s Bistro and Narenj Oakville in [Oakville, Ontario, Canada]. Follow Maro on social media for culinary tips and updates. Subscribe to our podcast for more inspiring stories from entrepreneurs and startup owners.  Maro’s Bistro is on: Website: https://www.marosbistro.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maros_bistro/  Thank you for joining us in this episode with Marwan (Maro) Al Chamaa. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with your friends and family. Stay tuned for more episodes.  Make sure to check out our social media accounts on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok: ● Instagram @thestartupconfessionspod ● TikTok @thestartupconfessionspod Keywords restaurant, entrepreneurship, creativity, community, customer relations, immigrant experience, business lessons, authenticity, food culture, success

Summary In this episode of the Spirit of Confession podcast, host Yssamae Abdon interviews Kenzie Masse, a 21-year-old digital marketer and entrepreneur. Kenzie shares her journey from a small town in Ontario to discovering her passion for entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and trading. She discusses the importance of following the heart, overcoming self-doubt, and the unique challenges women face in the entrepreneurial space. Kenzie emphasizes the significance of surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals and the necessity of self-love and self-worth in achieving personal and professional goals. We also explore the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of overcoming fear, empowering others, and following one's heart. They discuss the realities of traditional career paths versus entrepreneurial journeys, the significance of having a strong 'why' to motivate oneself through challenges, and the necessity of maintaining personal connections while working online. Kenzie shares her experiences, successes, and sacrifices, encouraging young people to trust themselves and pursue their passions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kenzie Masse 05:55 Kenzie’s Entrepreneurial Journey 11:56 Navigating Peer Relationships 17:56 Overcoming Self-Judgment as Women 24:01 Challenges of Growing Up in a Small Town 26:17 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Opportunities 28:18 Success in Empowering Others 29:17 Navigating Advice: The Good and the Bad 30:11 The Illusion of Stability in Traditional Paths 33:10 Following Your Heart in Entrepreneurship 36:12 The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Highs and Lows 39:32 Finding Your Why: Motivation in Challenges 42:51 Future Aspirations: Travel and Growth 44:57 Balancing Online Work with Real-Life Connections 46:53 Sacrifices Made for Entrepreneurship 48:17 Final Thoughts: Trust Yourself and Follow Your Heart You can follow Kenzie Masse on: Instagram @kenziemasse Tiktok @kenziemasse Make sure to check out our social media accounts on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok: ● Instagram @thestartupconfessionspod ● TikTok @thestartupconfessionspod ● YouTube: The StartUp Confessions Podcast   Keywords: Entrepreneurship, women empowerment, self-discovery, digital marketing, trading, overcoming fear, personal growth, small town challenges, peer relationships, self-worth, entrepreneurship, empowerment, overcoming fear, personal growth, success, advice, stability, following your heart, motivation, sacrifices.

Valeria Emanuel, the co-founder with ⁠Rebecca Caputo⁠ of Riff Care, a period care brand, shares her entrepreneurial journey and the message behind her company. Rif Care is an organic and sustainability focused period care brand based in Los Angeles began with a shared passion between Val and her best-friend, Rebecca for making an impact with reproductive health care products. Val discusses the importance of sustainability and the challenges of balancing ethics and costs. Val also talks about breaking the stigma around periods and reproductive health, and how she navigates negative comments and stays authentic. She shares her experience as a natural entrepreneur and the financial realities of starting a business. Valerie discusses the financial challenges of being a founder and the importance of managing money wisely. She emphasizes the difference between running a small business and a startup, highlighting the need for rapid growth and raising capital in the startup world. Val shares her motivation to keep going despite setbacks and failures, attributing it to her faith, healthy lifestyle, and positive mindset. She also addresses the misconception that desiring wealth is selfish, explaining that money can be used to make a positive impact and help others. Val talks about the sacrifices she has made, including giving up a higher income and prioritizing the business over personal relationships. She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to gain experience in their desired field and save money before starting a business. Takeaways: Building a sustainable brand requires making ethical decisions, even if they come at a higher cost. Breaking the stigma around periods and reproductive health is important for creating a supportive community. Navigating negative comments and staying authentic is crucial for building a genuine connection with an audience. Being an entrepreneur involves being an action taker and overcoming fears of being seen or judged. Financial challenges, such as high startup costs and fluctuating expenses, are part of the entrepreneurial journey. Being a founder comes with financial challenges, and it's important to manage money wisely. Running a small business is different from running a startup, which requires rapid growth and raising capital. Motivation to keep going despite setbacks and failures can come from faith, a healthy lifestyle, and a positive mindset. Desiring wealth is not inherently selfish; money can be used to make a positive impact and help others. Sacrifices may need to be made, such as giving up a higher income and prioritizing the business over personal relationships. Gaining experience in the desired field and saving money before starting a business can be beneficial for aspiring entrepreneurs. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 07:21 Overcoming Stigma and Talking Openly 16:25 Balancing Ethics and Making Money 33:47 Redefining Wealth: Making an Impact 41:15 The Sacrifices and Priorities of an Entrepreneur You can find Rif Care on their website and social media pages: ● Website, ⁠https://rifcare.com/ ● ⁠⁠Insta, https://www.instagram.com/rifcare You can also follow Valeria on: ● Instagram ⁠@malibumama⁠__ Make sure to check out our social media accounts on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok: ● Instagram ⁠@thestartupconfessionspod⁠ ● TikTok @thestartupconfessionspod ● YouTube: The StartUp Confessions Podcast

Summary In this conversation, Steve Odai, the founder of Nizz, shares the origin and concept of his chore app. He shares his background in computer science and how he came up with the idea for Nizz while living with roommates. Steve talks about the social impact of the app and the challenges of building a team. He also discusses the importance of delegating and letting go of control as a founder. The biggest challenge for Steve is time management, as he balances his full-time job as a software engineer with working on Nizz. He plans to transition to working on Nizz full-time in the future. Steve also shares his experience with shiny object syndrome and the importance of staying focused on his goals. In this conversation, Steve Odai shares his journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges he faced while building his startup, Nizz. He discusses the sacrifices he had to make, the importance of decision-making and prioritization, and the most rewarding aspects of his entrepreneurial journey. Steve also talks about his future goals and vision, as well as the advice he would give to software engineers looking to start their own businesses. He emphasizes the significance of networking and mentorship in the entrepreneurial world. Takeaways Nizz is a chore app founded by Steve Odai, who came up with the idea while living with roommates. The app aims to simplify household tasks and improve communication among roommates. Building a team is crucial for the success of a startup, and Steve looks for creative individuals who are willing to experiment and try new things. Delegating and letting go of control is important for a founder, as it allows them to focus on more important tasks. Time management is a major challenge for Steve, as he balances his full-time job with working on Nizz. Steve plans to transition to working on Nizz full-time in the future. Building a startup requires sacrifices, including time, social life, and personal interests. Successful entrepreneurs understand the importance of prioritizing decisions and focusing on goals that align with their vision. Validation and feedback from users are crucial in determining the success of an idea or product. Having a mentor and building a network of supportive individuals can provide guidance, accountability, and valuable insights. Success is subjective and can be defined differently by each individual. It is important to set personal goals and work towards them. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:05 The Origin of Nizz & Founding of Nizz 08:32 The Concept and Social Impact of Nizz 09:47 Building the Team 15:14 Recruiting and Onboarding 19:36 The Biggest Challenge: Time 21:25 Transitioning to Full-Time 23:35 Combining Interests and Skills 27:54 Choosing Computer Science 30:41 Dealing with Shiny Object Syndrome 32:06 Introduction and Background 35:15 Sacrifices and Challenges 38:12 Decision Making and Prioritization 42:01 Most Rewarding and Biggest Success 45:26 Future Goals and Vision 49:57 Definition of Success 51:07 Advice for Software Engineers 01:05:04 Importance of Networking and Mentorship 01:05:29 Conclusion Check out Nizz on their website, or the App Store: ● https://nizz.app/ ● App store You can follow Afotey Odai on: ● Instagram @afotey_o ● LinkedIn at Afotey Odai Make sure to check out our social media accounts on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok: ● Instagram @thestartupconfessionspod ● TikTok @thestartupconfessionspod ● YouTube: The StartUp Confessions Podcast

In episode 2 of the Startup Confessions Podcast, host Yssamae Abdon sits down with Nina Simone, the founder of Pappus Agency and co-founder of SheSapiens. Nina shares her journey from journalism to entrepreneurship and explores the importance of community in the entrepreneurial world. Nina was born in Germany and has lived in many places including Greece, Italy, Romania, Indonesia, and currently in Portugal. Nina highlights her passion for community building and desire to create an impact on society through Pappus and SheSapiens. Nina has always been an entrepreneur at heart, driven by her desire to challenge the status quo and address social issues around her. She also shares her dissatisfaction with traditional corporate roles and how they led her into entrepreneurship. Nina emphasizes the importance of community in her entrepreneurial journey and encourages entrepreneurs to seek community as they are an essential support system in building confidence and personal growth. Host Yssamae and Nina also discuss the importance of horizontal leadership and collaboration in creating a supportive and enjoyable work environment. Nina's approach to leadership emphasizes collaboration, empowerment, and enabling those around her to thrive and be authentic. However, Nina also discusses the challenges of maintaining a horizontal leadership structure at a larger-scale company. Nina acknowledges the complexities that come with scaling a business and maintaining a culture centred on empathy and respect. Yssamae and Nina also explore the prevalence of impostor syndrome as a consequence of societal expectations and ingrained cultural norms, particularly among female entrepreneurs. In this episode, Nina emphasizes the need for authenticity and self-acceptance in overcoming feelings of inadequacy. Nina reflects on the sacrifices and rewards of entrepreneurship, highlighting the instability inherent in the early stages of building a business. She finds fulfillment in witnessing the growth and success of others within her community. Nina shares valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, urging them to embrace their authenticity, prioritize financial stability, and focus on personal and professional development. Empowering Women Through She Sapiens: Yssamae and Nina discuss the mission of She Sapiens in empowering female entrepreneurs through community-building initiatives and educational resources. Nina emphasizes the importance of supporting women in their entrepreneurial journey and creating a safe space for growth and collaboration. This episode of the Startup Confessions podcast concludes with a call to action for listeners to continue their self-development, and learning journey, and encouragement from Nina to keep putting people and community first. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Startup Confessions podcast with our guest, Nina Simone. Be sure to check out Nina Simone’s social media, and website pages for Pappus Agency and SheSapiens. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll continue to explore the journeys and insights of inspiring entrepreneurs with our next guest, Afotey Odai, a software engineer based in London, UK and founder of a chore-tracking app called Nizz. Check out Nina Simone on: ● Instagram @nina.simone_franke ● YouTube: Nina Simone ● Pappus Agency website https://pappus.agency/ ● SheSapiens website https://shesapiens.com/ Make sure to check out our social media accounts on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok: ● Instagram @thestartupconfessionspod ● TikTok @thestartupconfessionspod ● YouTube: The StartUp Confessions Podcast

In the launch of the first episode of Start-Up Confessions, host Yssamae Abdon discusses the concept of entrepreneurship and how a summer in Lisbon inspired her interest in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship has been around for decades but what does it mean to be one? Based on her research, she will briefly discuss some historical aspects of entrepreneurship based on Austrian political economist Joseph Schumpeter’s concept of entrepreneurship in the 1930s (Driessen, 2010). Schumpeter describes an entrepreneur as someone who transforms new ideas and inventions into new innovations. Entrepreneurship is also closely associated with the term start-up, which generally seeks to innovate and scale through a growing company team, and through international growth. Yssamae also recalls how her internship influenced her perception of entrepreneurship and describes the experience after shadowing a female founder, Nina Simone, founder of two-start up companies based in Lisbon. Nina is founder of Pappus Agency, and co-founder of SheSapiens. With both a focus on community, Pappus is a consulting agency that helps companies scale through community while Shesapiens is a global female network supporting and empowering female entrepreneurs and business owners. Yssamae shares her experience interning for a start-up company in Lisbon, and discussing eye-opening realizations about the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Reality check. It is not always glamorous. You will learn about what she observed being around entrepreneurs including the freedom and flexibility that entrepreneurship offers but the self-accountability, hard-work, and discipline it requires. The first episode sets the tone for the podcast. The StartUp Confessions podcast aims to serve as a source for transparency and appreciation for the beauty and the less glamorous aspects of the entrepreneurial path. The goal is to break the perception that becoming an entrepreneur is unattainable and impossible. Instead, inspiring listeners to start through relatable and accessible stories from guest speakers. Thank you for tuning in, and get ready for more candid confessions in the episodes to come! Make sure to check out our social media accounts on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok: ● Instagram @startupconfessionspod ● TikTok @startupconfessionspod ● YouTube: The StartUp Confessions Podcast References: Driessen, Martyn P.; Zwart, Peter S. (2010) Nina Simone, linkedIn ● Pappus Agency website https://pappus.agency/ ● SheSapiens website https://shesapiens.com/

Host Yssamae Abdon invites guests on the Startup Confessions Podcast to share their challenges and triumphs as entrepreneurs. The path to entrepreneurship will look different to each person. The Startup Confessions Podcast is where authenticity meets ambition. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, this podcast is a source of insight and inspiration that can empower and encourage you in your business or self-development journey.