Sarah Kerin shares her journey from Apple operator to healthcare startup founder.

What does it actually take to leave a 6-figure job as a non-technical founder? Hit subscribe to join our community of builders!

In this episode, we dig into the reality of building efficientSC. From operator frustration to a $1B hospital supply chain solution, we cover:

→ Customer Discovery: How to validate a $1B problem.

→ Finding a CTO: Building as a non-technical founder.

→ Techstars & Accelerators: Is the advice worth it?

→ Willingness-to-Pay: Testing if people will actually buy.Chapters:00:00 - Intro: Solving Hospital Supply Chain Burnout 14:15 - Validating the Problem & Customer Discovery 17:11 - Building a "Circle of Trust" as a Solo Founder 24:08 - Navigating Technical Challenges as a CEO 45:46 - Founder Mindset: Protecting Your EnergySubscribe for more stories from founder, leaders, and experts! Host:Dar Patel, Founder of Little PursuitsConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/Join Our Founder Circle: https://luma.com/84tq1a6cNewsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/Guests:Sarah Kerin, Founder & CEO, efficientSCConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-kerin-mba-67487059/

In this episode, I’m joined by Mona Jawad and Ayesha Kazi, co-founders of ASL Aspire, a gamified STEM platform for deaf students and the educators who support them.We trace their story from early STEM curiosity to launching during lockdown, then dig into what they learned through customer discovery, why vocabulary wasn’t the real problem, and why context and adoption matter.We also cover the founder stuff people skip: building an inclusive Deaf/hearing team, hiring for respect over “brilliance,” and protecting the co-founder relationship through slow B2B cycles.If you’re building in education, accessibility, or any long-cycle industry, this one will hit. This episode covers→ The "1% vs. 99% Rule" for instantly delegating decisions (without fear!).→ How to build a "Decision Filter" that automates 80% of your work.→ The secret to removing emotional paralysis and making faster choices for your team.→ The two mindset shifts that move you from founder to CEO.Chapters:0:00 The Truth About Zero Experience3:21 Why We Ignored Industry Advice8:45 The "Hire for the Gaps" Framework15:02 Turning Weakness into a Superpower21:10 Final Actionable StepsSubscribe to @littlepursuits for more stories from founder, leaders, and experts: https://www.youtube.com/@littlepursuitsWatch Next: https://youtu.be/y9lQ0QzLna8Host:Dar Patel, Founder of Little PursuitsConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/ Join Our Founder Circle: https://98sg03uup7d.typeform.com/to/T...Upcoming Events: https://luma.com/calendar/manage/cal-...Newsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/Guests:Mona Jawad, Co-Founder & CEO, ASL Aspire Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mona-jawad-6b7606186/Ayesha Kazi, Co-Founder & COO, ASL Aspire Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mona-jawad-6b7606186/ASL Aspire, founders, startup podcast, edtech, accessibility, deaf community, customer discovery, cofounder, startup culture, product market fit

Every founder knows the feeling: every decision feels like a make-or-break moment. But that mindset is precisely what prevents true scaling. In this 72-minute masterclass, we break down the mental framework and systems founders need to stop burning out on small decisions and start focusing on growth. This is the exact playbook for scaling your decision-making.This episode covers:→ The **"1% vs. 99% Rule"** for instantly delegating decisions (without fear!).→ How to build a **"Decision Filter"** that automates 80% of your work.→ The secret to removing emotional paralysis and making faster choices for your team.→ The two mindset shifts that move you from **founder** to **CEO**.CHAPTERS0:00 The "Life or Death" Founder Mindset2:15 The 1% vs. 99% Decision Rule12:40 The 3 Decision Filters Explained25:05 Automating Decisions & Delegation38:10 How to Recover From a Bad ChoiceJoin the Conversation: Which of the 3 Decision Filters will you implement first? Let me know in the comments below!Subscribe to  @littlepursuits  for more stories from founder, leaders, and experts: https://www.youtube.com/@littlepursuitsWatch Next: My most popular video on career pivoting: Don't Quit Your Job! Build a Portfolio Career Risk-Free #careerpivot (https://studio.youtube.com/video/B2iXHA-5_h0)Host:Dar Patel, Founder of Little PursuitsConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/ Join Our Founder Circle: https://98sg03uup7d.typeform.com/to/T...Upcoming Events: https://luma.com/calendar/manage/cal-...Newsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/Guest:Katrina Purcell, Entrepreneur & Host of Managed Chaos podcast,Connect: linkedin.com/in/katrina-purcellKeywords: startups, founders, leadership, bootstrapping, decision making, operations, chief of staff, career pivot, entrepreneurship, coaching#founders #scaling #businessgrowth #decisionmaking #entrepreneurship #leadership

Maggie is a former Deloitte consultant and Slack product marketer who walked away from the “good on paper” path to build a portfolio career—mixing retreats + events, marketing work, and community-building on her own terms.In this episode, we unpack the high-achiever pattern that quietly keeps people stuck: chasing the next title, the next company, the next “safe” move—until burnout forces a reset. Maggie shares how she used internal pivots, side experiments, and strategic networking to find clarity, build confidence, and finally make the leap (even without income lined up).In this candid conversation, Maggie explains:→ The high-achiever trap: consulting looked “right” until loneliness + burnout exposed the cost.→ The Slack leap: one LinkedIn message + referral changed her trajectory.→ The pivot playbook: curiosity, relationships, and win-win projects to move internally (and externally).→ The real unlock: coaching + side experiments to rebuild self-trust and find what actually fits.→ The new model: portfolio career + long-game money mindset + boundaries for sustainability.Chapters00:00 Early influences: practical path vs creative pull03:45 Chasing the “best” internship + the consulting path04:10 Deloitte reality + travel and exposure08:20 The pivot trigger: lonely + bored + “do I want this forever?”09:45 Jump to Slack: new role + learning curve11:10 Imposter syndrome + what helped over time14:15 Product marketing + internal pivots16:00 How to switch teams: curiosity + “what’s in it for them?”17:35 COVID wake-up + burnout + “same problems”19:40 Career coaching + mindset + future self visualization25:00 Using a job as runway: Pilates + first client + networking31:05 Financial fear + long-term game55:40 Redefining success: external → internalHost:Dar Patel, Founder of Little PursuitsConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/Join Our Founder Circle: https://98sg03uup7d.typeform.com/to/TP6a3FC9?utm_source=xxxxxUpcoming Events: https://luma.com/calendar/manage/cal-vl0jykAMmvgoTiANewsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/Guest:Maggie Blackburn, Experience Designer & Career Strategist,Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggieblackburn/

Alyssa Kushner, LCSW is a licensed therapist based in NYC and has her own private practice (AK Psychotherapy) seeing clients in NY, NJ, MD, and DC. Alyssa brings a trauma-informed, holistic, and relational approach with her clients, specializing in trauma, codependency, anxiety, burn out, people pleasing, and perfectionism. She loves empowering her clients to become their most authentic, confident selves, develop healthier relationships with others, and more importantly compassion with themselves! In addition to individual work, Alyssa created and leads Women's Support Groups and supervises other therapists. For fun and self care, Alyssa loves to lift weights, spend time in nature, practice yoga and breathwork, cook, and hike.

Takeaways

Alyssa's childhood in musical theater influenced her path to therapy.

Mental health was normalized in Alyssa's family.

Perfectionism often ties self-worth to external achievements.

High-achieving women may struggle with anxiety and perfectionism.

Family dynamics can shape one's sense of worthiness.

Identifying perfectionism involves recognizing high expectations and self-criticism.

Self-compassion is crucial for mental well-being.

Rest is essential and should be viewed as productive.

Setting boundaries is important for mental health professionals.

Growth and healing are non-linear processes.

Chapters

00:00 Alyssa's Journey: From Musical Theater to Therapy

02:55 Navigating Perfectionism: The High Achieving Woman's Struggle

05:46 Identifying Perfectionism: Signs and Symptoms

08:56 The Impact of Gender: Perfectionism in Men vs. Women

12:03 Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Self-Judgment and Compassion

14:48 Finding Balance: Productivity vs. Presence

17:52 Building a Business: Alyssa's Entrepreneurial Journey

20:59 Overcoming Self-Doubt: The Challenges of Starting a Practice

30:34 Navigating Transitions with Self-Compassion

34:22 Understanding Ideal Clients

37:27 Mind-Body Connection in Wellness

40:33 Overcoming Motivation Challenges

45:19 Business Advice for Aspiring Therapists

48:23 Balancing Expertise and Humanity

50:26 Embracing Non-Linear Growth

52:09 Living with Anxiety and Self-Trust

53:21 The Importance of Self-Compassion

54:21 Resources for Growth and Support

56:53 Finding Safety and Support

57:49 Messages to My Younger Self

Host:

Dar Patel, Founder of Little Pursuits

⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Substack⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Email⁠

Guest:

Alyssa Kushner, Founder of AK Psychotherapy

LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

Julie Mollo is a Brooklyn-based designer known for her retro-inspired, playful accessories that don’t take themselves too seriously! From designing Katy Perry’s iconic fruit-themed stage looks while still in college (yep, the watermelon and banana rompers are hers!) to creating sparkly clutches that have taken the world by storm, Julie’s journey has been anything but ordinary. What started with leftover zippers and glitter fabric in her home studio has grown into a line carried everywhere from Macys, Neimans & Nordstrom to indie boutiques—and yes, even pet and sex stores! With bold shapes, quirky prints, shiny vinyl and a whole lot of sparkle, Julie’s designs are made to make you smile and spread joy. She’s spent nearly two decades soaking up inspiration from NYC, and she’s just getting started.

Chapters

00:00 The Spark of Inspiration

02:50 From Dorm Room to Designer

05:33 The Journey to New York

08:25 Katy Perry and the Breakthrough Moment

11:01 Building a Brand in College

13:42 The Transition to Clutches

16:43 Navigating Growth and Challenges

19:25 Finding Joy in the Process

22:12 The Impact of Personal Life on Business

25:11 Defining Success

27:47 Lessons Learned and Advice for Entrepreneurs

30:51 The Importance of Community

33:35 Future Aspirations and Changes

36:27 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Takeaways

Julie Mollo's journey began with a passion for crafting and design.

Her breakthrough came when Katy Perry wore her designs, launching her career.

Building a brand requires hard work, creativity, and resilience.

The transition from custom clothing to clutches was a pivotal moment.

Networking and community support are crucial for entrepreneurs.

Success is now defined by happiness and fulfillment, not just sales.

Reading the fine print in business agreements is essential.

Finding joy in the creative process is vital for sustainability.

Personal challenges can impact business decisions and direction.

Embracing change and being open to new opportunities is important.

Host:

Dar Patel, Founder of Little Pursuits

LinkedIn | Instagram | Substack | Website | Email

Guest:

Julie Mollo, Founder of Julie Mollo LLC

LinkedIn | Instagram | Website