Startup Confessions Podcast

NOTE* In the podcast, we mention Unique Payments. However, as of April 2025, Unique Payments has rebranded to Delfyn.

In this episode of the Startup Confessions podcast, host Yssamae Abdon speaks with guest speaker, Ceren Danis, CEO and co-founder of Delfyn, about her journey in finance and entrepreneurship, her expertise and what led her to where she is now. They discuss the importance of co-founders, the challenges women face in a male-dominated industry, the impact of AI on financial services, and the qualities that lead to entrepreneurial success.

AI is transforming financial services by standardizing data across platforms. Ceren talks about preparing for the future of work requires flexibility and a willingness to learn and understanding the realities of entrepreneurship is vital before taking the leap. She shares the importance of persistence in achieving entrepreneurial success and how mindfulness practices like meditation helped her be more resilience.

Delfyn is a fintech startup company that helps B2B companies get paid faster with the focus on AI.

Please see links to Delfyn, and Ceren's mentorship club:

1. ​https://www.mentoring-club.com/the-mentors/ceren-danis2. https://app.growthmentor.com/mentors/ceren-danis 3. www.delfyn.co - Delfyn website

LinkedIn Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceren-danis/ - Ceren Danis

https://www.linkedin.com/company/delfyn/- Delfyn

In the 3rd episode of the Startup Confessions podcast, host Yssamae interviews Arielle Loupos, founder of Flower Girl, a sustainable period underwear brand. Arielle shares her journey from working in e-commerce to launching her own brand, emphasizing the importance of using natural materials and creating a community around menstrual health. She discusses the challenges of product development, the significance of self-care, and the need to break the stigma surrounding female reproductive health. Arielle's passion for education and community building shines through as she discusses her vision for changing the narrative around periods and empowering women. In this episode, Arielle Loupos discusses the journey of building her sustainable period underwear brand, focusing on the balance between creative vision and business practicality. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, understanding one's purpose, and the habits that contribute to success. The discussion also touches on gender dynamics in business and the significance of community support.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Flower Girl and Its Mission

01:32 Arielle's Journey into E-commerce and Product Development

05:35 The Challenges of Product Development and Learning

11:03 Overcoming Failure and Embracing Self-Care

14:57 Building Community and Breaking Stigmas

20:30 Celebrating Female Cycles and Changing Narratives

24:05 Balancing Creative Vision and Business Decisions

27:28 Authenticity and Openness in Branding

31:58 Preparing to Start a Brand

34:41 Habits for Success

36:15 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Business

39:40 Following Your Why and Brand Identity

Check out Arielle and Flower Girl Co on social media!

Arielle - https://www.instagram.com/arielleloupos

Flower Girl Co - https://www.instagram.com/flowergirl.co_/

Flower Girl Co website

In Season 2, episode 2 of the Startup Confessions podcast, Aiden, founder of No Boring Brands, shares his journey in the creator economy and the establishment of his creative humor agency. He discusses the importance of authenticity in social media, the art of humor in content creation, and the challenges of navigating perceptions around social media careers. Aiden emphasizes the significance of consistency, networking, and defining personal success while addressing the realities of cancel culture and online criticism. The conversation concludes with insights on maintaining passion and discipline in one's career.

Takeaways

Aidan founded No Boring Brands to help B2B brands use humor in marketing.

Perceptions of social media careers often clash with reality.

Authenticity is key to building an online presence.

Humor in content should be relatable and not demeaning.

Understanding audience and brand voice is crucial for effective content.

Cancel culture shouldn't deter creativity.

Consistency and discipline are vital for success in any field.

Networking is essential and you should seize every opportunity to connect.

Defining personal success is more important than societal expectations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Aiden and No Boring Brands

02:55 The Journey of Building a Creative Humor Agency

06:02 Navigating Perceptions of Social Media Careers

09:10 The Value of Authenticity in Online Presence

11:51 The Art of Humor in Content Creation

14:57 Understanding Audience and Brand Voice

18:02 Dealing with Cancel Culture and Online Criticism

20:58 The Importance of Consistency and Discipline

24:03 Networking and Seizing Opportunities

27:04 Defining Success and Career Paths

30:00 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

Links to Aidan Brannigan x No Boring Brands:

LinkedIn - Aidan Brannigan

No Boring Brands website - https://www.noboringbrands.co/

Summary

In this episode of the Startup Confessions Podcast, host Yssamae reflects on her journey of launching and running a podcast focused on entrepreneurship. She shares insights on the challenges she faced as a young host, the importance of consistency, and how she connects with her guests. Yssa also discusses the technical aspects of podcasting, her personal growth through the experience, and offers advice for aspiring podcasters.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Startup Confessions Podcast

03:12 Challenges of Podcasting and Imposter Syndrome

06:06 Finding Guests and Building Connections

08:34 Technical Setup and Equipment for Podcasting

11:11 Navigating Conversations and Authenticity

12:59 Advice for Aspiring Podcasters

14:53 Balancing Podcasting with Personal Life

16:46 Lessons Learned and Overcoming Doubts

Thank you for listening to our podcast.

You can follow us on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/startupconfessionspod

TikTok: @startupconfessionspod

In this episode, Sonia-Michelle de Souza (or SM), marketing manager at Porsche Center London Ontario and founder of Ruby Sky Events shares her passion with creating, and sharing memorable experiences through events. Sonia-Michelle shares her experience in the automotive industry as a marketing manager and her passion for events led to the recent launch of Ruby Sky Events. Ruby Sky Events focuses on providing unique experiences through events serving exclusive wine and food. 

In this episode, we discuss how SM balances many roles including being a marketing manager, and founder of her own small-business, her advice to young aspiring professionals and entrepreneurs, staying creative, and important habits to stay on top of your game. With her experience in the marketing industry and the automotive industry, she has combined her professional skills with her passion for events and food, creating her newly launched Ruby Sky Events.

Thank you for listening to this episode and stay tuned for the next episode on the Startup Confessions Podcast. 

You can find Ruby Sky Events on:

Facebook link - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556915732031&mibextid=LQQJ4d 

Keep update on the Startup Confessions Podcast on:

● Instagram @thestartupconfessionspod

In episode 8 of the Startup Confessions Podcast, we have our new guest Brandie Grace Wong, founder and CEO of Totally Brand It.

Brandie is a young and ambitious entrepreneur who has started her journey at the age of 15years old and is now running her own agency. In this episode, we talk about simplifying processes for business success, the challenges of running a business, how to vet team members and cultivating work culture, and advice on trusting yourself in decision making as an entrepreneur.

Totally Brand It is a fractional COO agency focusing on business operations, and innovation helping clients, generally in B2B simplify process and scaling for success.

Totally Brand It is on:

Website: ⁠https://www.totallybrandit.com/first-welcome⁠

Instagram ⁠@totally.brand.it⁠

Brandie Grace Wong is on:

Instagram ⁠⁠@brandiegracewong

YouTube @BrandieGrace

Linktree @BrandieGrace

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, imposter syndrome, simplifying processes, team members, trust, self-belief, books, sacrifices, challenges, advice

In this episode of the Startup Confessions podcast, host Yssamae invites Leoles, co-founder of TopTier barber shop, offering one of the best fades and kicks in Oakville. 

Leo and his team’s passion for barbering and offering excellent grooming experiences for every client that comes into TopTier makes a barbershop stand out amongst the rest. They also have a unique twist and sell kicks for passionate collectors. 

Follow Leoles Melegrito on instagram @lefades 

He is also part of the @cuttingdealspod podcast.

You can follow Top Tier on:

Book an appointment or get some kicks on toptier website: 

Make sure to check out our social media accounts on Instagram

● Instagram @thestartupconfessionspod

Guest Speaker: Marwan (Maro) Al Chamaa - Chef and Restaurant owner of Maro’s Bistro, Bohemian Beirut and co-owner of Narenj Oakville. 

Welcome to this episode of the Startup Confessions Podcast. In this episode, we speak with Marwan (Maro) Al Chamaa, a chef who has made a name for himself by blending the traditional flavors of his Lebanese background with innovative culinary techniques. From working alone 15 years ago as a new immigrant to Canada to now owning a top-rated restaurant in Oakville Maro shares his philosophy on food and the importance of authenticity in business.

Maro is a passionate chef and restaurant owner of Maro’s Bistro, co-owner of Narenj Oakville, and soon to be Bohemian Beirut all located in Oakville, Canada. Maro’s journey started in Lebanon where he brings his culture and knowledge to enhance the dining experience in one of Canada’s wealthiest cities. He shares his unique approach to reinventing dishes that enhances the Lebanese culture as he transitions to the Canadian culinary scene. Maro shares his journey with authenticity and a no bullsh*t attitude. If you love food, curious about the unique art of expressing culture through cuisine, you will love this episode. 

Chapters:

00:00 The Journey Begins: From Immigrant to Restaurateur

02:56 Lessons from the First Five Years

05:55 Creativity vs. Authenticity in Cuisine

08:56 Building a Unique Restaurant Experience

12:10 The Philosophy of Customer Relations

15:08 Community Over Customers

18:11 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Takeaways:

Maro's journey began as an immigrant working in the restaurant industry.

The first five years of running her restaurant were filled with challenges and learning experiences.

Good food is just the baseline; a restaurant must offer more than that.

Authenticity in cuisine is crucial; it's about being genuine to one's culture.

Customer relations should focus on respect and community rather than just transactions.

Building a community around the restaurant enhances the overall experience.

Mistakes are essential for growth; the more you make, the better you become.

Patience is key in business; money will follow if you focus on your craft.

Maro believes in filtering customers to maintain a positive environment.

The advice to focus on quick money is misleading; true success takes time.

Visit Maro's restaurant Maro’s Bistro and Narenj Oakville in [Oakville, Ontario, Canada].

Follow Maro on social media for culinary tips and updates.

Subscribe to our podcast for more inspiring stories from entrepreneurs and startup owners. 

Maro’s Bistro is on:

Website: https://www.marosbistro.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maros_bistro/ 

Thank you for joining us in this episode with Marwan (Maro) Al Chamaa. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with your friends and family. Stay tuned for more episodes. 

Make sure to check out our social media accounts on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok:

● Instagram @thestartupconfessionspod

● TikTok @thestartupconfessionspod

Keywords

restaurant, entrepreneurship, creativity, community, customer relations, immigrant experience, business lessons, authenticity, food culture, success

Summary

In this episode of the Spirit of Confession podcast, host Yssamae Abdon interviews Kenzie Masse, a 21-year-old digital marketer and entrepreneur. Kenzie shares her journey from a small town in Ontario to discovering her passion for entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and trading. She discusses the importance of following the heart, overcoming self-doubt, and the unique challenges women face in the entrepreneurial space. Kenzie emphasizes the significance of surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals and the necessity of self-love and self-worth in achieving personal and professional goals. We also explore the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of overcoming fear, empowering others, and following one's heart. They discuss the realities of traditional career paths versus entrepreneurial journeys, the significance of having a strong 'why' to motivate oneself through challenges, and the necessity of maintaining personal connections while working online. Kenzie shares her experiences, successes, and sacrifices, encouraging young people to trust themselves and pursue their passions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kenzie Masse

05:55 Kenzie’s Entrepreneurial Journey

11:56 Navigating Peer Relationships

17:56 Overcoming Self-Judgment as Women

24:01 Challenges of Growing Up in a Small Town

26:17 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Opportunities

28:18 Success in Empowering Others

29:17 Navigating Advice: The Good and the Bad

30:11 The Illusion of Stability in Traditional Paths

33:10 Following Your Heart in Entrepreneurship

36:12 The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Highs and Lows

39:32 Finding Your Why: Motivation in Challenges

42:51 Future Aspirations: Travel and Growth

44:57 Balancing Online Work with Real-Life Connections

46:53 Sacrifices Made for Entrepreneurship

48:17 Final Thoughts: Trust Yourself and Follow Your Heart

You can follow Kenzie Masse on:

Make sure to check out our social media accounts on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok:

● Instagram @thestartupconfessionspod

● TikTok @thestartupconfessionspod

● YouTube: The StartUp Confessions Podcast

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, women empowerment, self-discovery, digital marketing, trading, overcoming fear, personal growth, small town challenges, peer relationships, self-worth, entrepreneurship, empowerment, overcoming fear, personal growth, success, advice, stability, following your heart, motivation, sacrifices.

Valeria Emanuel, the co-founder with ⁠Rebecca Caputo⁠ of Riff Care, a period care brand, shares her entrepreneurial journey and the message behind her company.

Rif Care is an organic and sustainability focused period care brand based in Los Angeles began with a shared passion between Val and her best-friend, Rebecca for making an impact with reproductive health care products.

Val discusses the importance of sustainability and the challenges of balancing ethics and costs. Val also talks about breaking the stigma around periods and reproductive health, and how she navigates negative comments and stays authentic. She shares her experience as a natural entrepreneur and the financial realities of starting a business. Valerie discusses the financial challenges of being a founder and the importance of managing money wisely. She emphasizes the difference between running a small business and a startup, highlighting the need for rapid growth and raising capital in the startup world.

Val shares her motivation to keep going despite setbacks and failures, attributing it to her faith, healthy lifestyle, and positive mindset. She also addresses the misconception that desiring wealth is selfish, explaining that money can be used to make a positive impact and help others. Val talks about the sacrifices she has made, including giving up a higher income and prioritizing the business over personal relationships. She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to gain experience in their desired field and save money before starting a business.

Takeaways:

Building a sustainable brand requires making ethical decisions, even if they come at a higher cost.

Breaking the stigma around periods and reproductive health is important for creating a supportive community.

Navigating negative comments and staying authentic is crucial for building a genuine connection with an audience.

Being an entrepreneur involves being an action taker and overcoming fears of being seen or judged.

Financial challenges, such as high startup costs and fluctuating expenses, are part of the entrepreneurial journey. Being a founder comes with financial challenges, and it's important to manage money wisely.

Running a small business is different from running a startup, which requires rapid growth and raising capital.

Motivation to keep going despite setbacks and failures can come from faith, a healthy lifestyle, and a positive mindset.

Desiring wealth is not inherently selfish; money can be used to make a positive impact and help others.

Sacrifices may need to be made, such as giving up a higher income and prioritizing the business over personal relationships.

Gaining experience in the desired field and saving money before starting a business can be beneficial for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

07:21 Overcoming Stigma and Talking Openly

16:25 Balancing Ethics and Making Money

33:47 Redefining Wealth: Making an Impact

41:15 The Sacrifices and Priorities of an Entrepreneur

You can find Rif Care on their website and social media pages:

● ⁠⁠Insta, https://www.instagram.com/rifcare