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Summary:

In this episode of Driving Impact, host Katheline reconnects with former Google colleague Ivana Tay, who has transformed from a sales professional in the trenches to the CEO and founder of Playfield (https://ourplayfield.com/), a pet gear company. Ivana shares her unconventional journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges she faced as a first-generation college graduate and daughter of immigrants in finding her voice in corporate America.

She shares that participating in Katheline's leadership program has helped increase her Executive Presence and take BOLD steps in her career. The conversation explores her early entrepreneurial spirit, the pivotal moments that gave her the courage to leave her eight-year career at Google, and how she built a six-figure business in just one year. From discussing executive presence and career reinvention to the practical realities of running a product business, Ivana offers candid insights about taking bold career leaps and building something from scratch.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Cash Flow Challenges in Product Businesses 03:00 From Corporate to Entrepreneur: Ivana's Journey 06:09 Overcoming Cultural Barriers in Corporate America 09:11 The Power of Authentic Networking 11:49 Turning Adversity into Opportunity: The Bike Incident 14:49 Launching Playfield: The Birth of a Brand 17:57 Designing for Pet Owners: The Bailey Kit 21:05 Understanding Customer Pain Points 24:07 The Intersection of Lifestyle and Pet Care 27:57 Navigating Career Transitions 30:06 The Journey to Entrepreneurship 32:49 Financial Planning for Startups 34:03 Understanding Product Margins and Supply Chain 36:14 Cash Flow Management in Product Businesses 38:45 Scaling and Distribution Strategies 40:13 Building Confidence and Executive Presence 46:00 Radical Career Advice and Finding Your Voice