Never Been Promoted Podcast with Thomas Helfrich

Donnie SC Lygonis, an innovation expert from Sweden, shares his insights on the intersection of entrepreneurship and innovation. As a mentor at KTH Innovation, Donnie has worked with countless startups, helping them navigate the complex journey of turning ideas into viable businesses. His practical advice on grit, persistence, and the importance of showing up resonates with entrepreneurs at all stages.

About Donnie SC Lygonis:

Donnie SC Lygonis is a leader in innovation with decades of experience guiding startups through their early stages. At KTH Innovation, he supports students and researchers in developing their ideas into scalable, sustainable businesses. Donnie’s expertise lies in the intricacies of innovation, from understanding market timing to overcoming common entrepreneurial roadblocks.

In this episode Thomas and Donnie discuss:

• The Importance of Showing Up: Donnie emphasizes that 80% of success is simply showing up. The willingness to keep going, even when things are tough, is often what separates successful entrepreneurs from those who give up too soon.
• Innovation Is More Than an Idea: Innovation isn’t just about having a good idea; it’s about creating value for others. Donnie highlights the four main reasons innovations fail: they don’t work, they don’t scale, they aren’t profitable, or no one wants them.
• Starting Small with Big Vision: Entrepreneurs often struggle with balancing the size of their ideas and their capacity to execute. Donnie advises starting with small, actionable steps while keeping the bigger vision in mind.
• Grit and Perseverance Over Funding: Donnie dismisses the myth that most startups fail due to a lack of funding. Instead, he argues that it’s the lack of perseverance and grit that causes entrepreneurs to give up before they succeed.
• Building Networks and Trust: Trust is essential in business. Donnie shares his experience of building relationships with potential clients over several years before landing major deals. Networking and trust-building are key components of entrepreneurial success.

Key Takeaways:

• Showing Up Is Half the Battle

Donnie reinforces that consistently showing up and sticking with your entrepreneurial journey is critical to success.

• Start Small, Think Big

While having a big vision is important, Donnie encourages entrepreneurs to start small and prove they can make a business work before taking on larger risks.

• Innovation Takes Time and Persistence

Donnie underscores the importance of testing ideas early, learning from the market, and being patient as innovation often requires time to succeed.

• Success Comes from Grit, Not Just Money

The ability to persevere and continue pushing forward, even when faced with challenges, is what ultimately leads to success.

"The only loser is the person who is so afraid of not making it that they don’t even try." — Donnie SC Lygonis

CONNECT WITH DONNIE SC LYGONIS:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnie-lygonis/


CONNECT WITH THOMAS:

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/thelfrich | https://twitter.com/nevbeenpromoted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hovienko |

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