We spoke with Marina, an experienced product designer and active mentor for startups at various stages of product development. Currently, Marina serves as a part-time mentor within a startup accelerator, and prior to this role, she helped several startups successfully reach the market.

The importance of having a designer as a mentor or part-time contributor to a startup is often underestimated. Marina offers a fresh perspective on the value a designer brings: a designer’s role goes beyond just shaping the interface—it’s about deepening customer understanding and refining the product to meet real needs.

For more of Marina's insights, listen to our recent podcast.

Recently, Masha's business Quinky underwent a pivot, shifting from sex education to gamified dating. What is a pivot, how to navigate such transitions, and is there any advice on how to survive financially and mentally? In this episode, Masha shares everything that is happening in Quinky right now for the first time in her life, helping you to understand where to go next when it feels like the end.

Uncertainty is the norm in the startup world, but an advisor could provide clarity and support. Does your startup really need one, and how do you attract them without funds? In this episode, Masha shares her experience and offers practical advice for future entrepreneurs. She is joined by two seasoned entrepreneurs with firsthand experience in attracting advisors to their startups. Meet Soum Rakshit, CEO of Mysteryvibe, and Nara Moripen, CEO of Pal.

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariia-plotkina/ru

Insta https://www.instagram.com/masha_quinky

Twitter https://twitter.com/masha_plotkina

Congrats, you received the investments! The next step is building a team. How do you attract one when the budget is limited? How do you achieve creative branding for free? Masha managed to do both! In this episode, she shares insights into the challenges of building a dream team and offers tips on hiring, organizing work processes, and providing benefits. The CEO of Kidults agency, an advisor with a scientific background, and an intern share their stories of cooperation with early-stage startups.

LinkedIn ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariia-plotkina/ru⁠

Insta ⁠https://www.instagram.com/masha_quinky⁠

Twitter ⁠https://twitter.com/masha_plotkina⁠

I raised investments only after the 8-week program in Antler, early-stage VC. Discover why Antler beats Y Combinator, learn how to spot a winning idea, and find out if coming from another field affects your chances. I share tips for building your dream team and reveal what founder's life looks like after the program.

LinkedIn ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariia-plotkina/ru⁠⁠

Insta ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/masha_quinky⁠⁠

Twitter ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/masha_plotkina⁠⁠

Greetings, I’m Masha! Before I founded my first business, I taught kids computer science. Did I really know nothing about business when I started one? When is it too late for drastic changes in your life? How to deal with imposter syndrome if you come from another industry?

LinkedIn ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariia-plotkina/ru⁠⁠

Insta ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/masha_quinky⁠⁠

Twitter ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/masha_plotkina⁠⁠