The Leap Podcast: Real stories of women who built something of their own.

Uma Thana Basalingam built a 7-figure corporate career across Asia as a senior tech executive. She walked away to build something of her own. The bravest part? Leaving her ‘successful’ identity behind to create a new one. But this time, she built from the inside out. This is a story in three acts:1 – The Hustler.From blue-collar beginnings to becoming the most certified person in the room. Negotiating a 50% salary raise at 21. Earning 7 figures. Success meant status, titles, and never checking price tags.2 – The Collapse.The “careerquake.” When the universe stops knocking politely. When the business card stops working. When arrogance meets Year 1 of entrepreneurship – and ego takes a hit.3 – The Reconstruction.Redefining what a rich life really means. Learning that sponsorship is reputation currency. Realising that selling is leadership. Understanding that relevance is earned - and that if you haven’t invested in yourself in three years, you may already be falling behind.We talk about:Why embarrassment is the cost of entryThe tug of war with moneyWhy experience does NOT equal relevanceCorporate arrogance meeting Year 1 in entrepreneurshipWhat it really feels like to not be ‘important’  anymoreAnd why the real leap is from caring what they think… to caring what you thinkReinvention from the inside out. From caring what they think… to caring what you think. And that, I believe, is the real brave part.If you’re navigating a second act – or feeling the early tremors of your own careerquake – you might enjoy this episode and get inspired.Explore The Leap Studio - from Experienced Professional to Confident Entrepreneur:Join The Leap Collective here - https://shorturl.at/Q0n5DExploring Entrepreneurship, free 1hr workshop - https://luma.com/hesterscalendar 5 Masterclasses to Shape you Idea - https://luma.com/rg7c9e66Ladies who Launch: 12 week Accelerator for pivoting professionals (cohort-based) - https://luma.com/33m3feae Follow Hester - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hesterspiegelvandensteenhoven/Get the book ‘Thinking Big and Small: A Guide To activating your Entrepreneurial Mindset’ - https://a.co/d/0eUQrFcX www.theleapstudio.co

What really happens after you take the leap into entrepreneurship?In this episode of The Leap Stories, I sit down with Chandrima Das for a candid conversation about what building companies actually demands - emotionally, professionally, and personally.Chandrima has lived both ends of the entrepreneurial spectrum. She built Bento, which was acquired by Grab, and later founded Teleskop, a venture in a new space, that she ultimately had to wind down. Along the way, she experienced the highs of rapid growth and acquisition, and the far less discussed but so relevant reality of shutting a company down.We talk about:The illusion of freedom when leaving corporate, and why founders often become their own worst bossesWhy working for yourself doesn’t automatically mean more time, especially as a parentThe emotional weight of closing a startup - and why we need more honest stories about failureWhy innovation rarely comes from incumbents, and why true customer centricity mattersPractical lessons for women founders on delegation, guilt, and letting go of the 'superhero' mythWhy community often matters more than capitalThis is a grounded, honest episode for anyone navigating a second act, considering entrepreneurship, or already in the deep end and wondering if what they’re experiencing is normal.If you’re looking for inspiration and raw truth, this conversation is for you.www.theleapstudio.co

In this opening episode of The Leap, we bring together three women who each built their own venture in completely different ways—a startup founder, a brand owner, and a corporate venture builder. Together, we explore how their founder’s flame began, what held them back, and what finally pushed them to take the leap.We talk about choosing the right entrepreneurial path for your life stage, navigating self-doubt, building support systems, designing a sustainable lifestyle, and what the journey really looks like behind the scenes. Their stories offer clarity, courage, and a fresh perspective for anyone considering a second act beyond corporate.Featuring:Kopal Agarwal — the ex-banker turned teacher who returned to banking to build breakthrough ideas backed by corporate.Anumeha Bisaria — former Googler who took the high-risk, high-reward path into startup founding in learning and education.Cissy Kang — entrepreneur who bought a brand and is now shaping a new market around it.Hosted by Hester Spiegel-van den Steenhoven.If this conversation sparks something in you, explore Ladies Who Launch, The Leap Collective, or Epic Angels to take your next step.www.theleapstudio.co