“Time is the only finite resource you have as a founder.”

Ariana’s career arc runs from Juice Press to angel investing, with a deep love for food, wellness and the founders behind them. In this episode, she shares what she looks for in early-stage investments, how to spot a great founder, and why trusting your gut is sometimes better than over-analysing a spreadsheet.

We talk about:

• What separates a “nice-to-have” from a “need-to-have” product
• How great founders manage ego, feedback and growth
• Angel investing realities - why most projections are meaningless
• Protecting your time (and your health) as a founder
• The “better-for-you” shift from optimisation to enjoyment
• Why sometimes the best advice is simple: eat the cake.

Listen if: You’re a founder, investor, or operator trying to balance ambition, wellness and com