In this episode we hear from Dora Palfi, founder of Imagilabs, the all-female founded Stockholm-based startup that aims to make coding more accessible to teenage girls.

Dora shares how being determined to solve a problem she had identified, ended up in her creating her business idea. She also shares strategies around how to measure your own success as it is important to get job satisfaction and validation for your work when you’re boss-less.

Dora’s advice:

• Asking for help is a strength not a weakness
• Consult other founders, including ones who are just a little further on than you are
• Re-read your old notes; it’s not just about new knowledge
• If you really want to solve a problem, you’ll find a way; you’ve done it before and you’ll do it again
• Allow yourself to make mistakes; learn from them and move on
• To keep inspired, remain passionate about the problems you set out to solve; to be problem-focussed is motivating
• Always keep your eyes on your mission
• Being part of a strong team will give you support that can be invaluable
• Enjoy your responsibility and lead by example
• Being self-employed means you have to evaluate your own work, so make a framework, set goals and hold yourself accountable
• Good communication is vital: don’t make assumptions that your teams or clients have heard what you’re trying to say
• Find your own style
• Be prepared to adapt; what works for a while may need to change
• Test your product with target users so that you can get feedback
• If you’re not embarrassed about your product at launch, you’ve launched too late
• Be open about what you do; being secretive won’t help you progress and it is unlikely someone will steal your idea 

You can reach Dora on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
https://imagilabs.com/

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

Links:

• LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices. 
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening.  I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company as it helps other people find it. Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, edited by Juliet Fallowfield in December 2020 & published in January 2021.

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