Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Change with Colton Episode #14, Sara Schmitt, Co-founder & COO of Adro
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Change with Colton Episode #14, Sara Schmitt, Co-founder & COO of Adro
In this episode of Change with Colton, Colton Kaplan sits down with Sara Schmitt, co-founder and COO of Adro, a startup focused on simplifying the financial journey for international students in the U.S.
Sara shares her inspiring story of building Adro from the ground up, tackling challenges like hiring the right people, managing stress as a founder, and navigating the complexities of scaling a startup.
Sara discusses the crucial role financial independence plays for international students, specifically the importance of building U.S. credit and accessing essential financial products before even stepping foot on American soil.
She emphasizes the need for founders to prioritize the customer’s pain points, be open to feedback, and maintain flexibility in the face of limited resources.
Key Takeaways:
• Customer-Centric Innovation: How asking the right questions and listening deeply to customers' experiences can validate your product and reveal hidden pain points.
• Hiring in Early-Stage Startups: The value of hiring generalists who are adaptable and ready to contribute in multiple areas of the business.
• Managing Stress as a Founder: Practical tips for managing self-doubt and avoiding burnout in high-pressure startup environments, like setting small achievable goals and focusing on routines.
• The Importance of Financial Literacy for International Students: Sara’s mission to make it easier for international students to establish U.S. credit and financial accounts before arriving, leveling the playing field for newcomers.
• Balancing Teaching and Entrepreneurship: How Sara continues to teach while running a growing startup, using real-world startup challenges to inspire students and stay connected to her community.
• From Corporate to Startup: Sara’s advice for transitioning from a traditional career to entrepreneurship, stressing the value of industry experience and having a strong network.
__________________
Connect with Sara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraschmitt/
Join Adro: https://www.joinadro.com/
_________________
Connect with Colton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colton-kaplan/
Coyax: https://www.coyax.ai/
View all episodes
By Colton Kaplan
5
11 ratings
In this episode of Change with Colton, Colton Kaplan sits down with Sara Schmitt, co-founder and COO of Adro, a startup focused on simplifying the financial journey for international students in the U.S.
Sara shares her inspiring story of building Adro from the ground up, tackling challenges like hiring the right people, managing stress as a founder, and navigating the complexities of scaling a startup.
Sara discusses the crucial role financial independence plays for international students, specifically the importance of building U.S. credit and accessing essential financial products before even stepping foot on American soil.
She emphasizes the need for founders to prioritize the customer’s pain points, be open to feedback, and maintain flexibility in the face of limited resources.
Key Takeaways:
• Customer-Centric Innovation: How asking the right questions and listening deeply to customers' experiences can validate your product and reveal hidden pain points.
• Hiring in Early-Stage Startups: The value of hiring generalists who are adaptable and ready to contribute in multiple areas of the business.
• Managing Stress as a Founder: Practical tips for managing self-doubt and avoiding burnout in high-pressure startup environments, like setting small achievable goals and focusing on routines.
• The Importance of Financial Literacy for International Students: Sara’s mission to make it easier for international students to establish U.S. credit and financial accounts before arriving, leveling the playing field for newcomers.
• Balancing Teaching and Entrepreneurship: How Sara continues to teach while running a growing startup, using real-world startup challenges to inspire students and stay connected to her community.
• From Corporate to Startup: Sara’s advice for transitioning from a traditional career to entrepreneurship, stressing the value of industry experience and having a strong network.
__________________
Connect with Sara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraschmitt/
Join Adro: https://www.joinadro.com/
_________________
Connect with Colton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colton-kaplan/
Coyax: https://www.coyax.ai/