Summary

In this conversation, Steve Odai, the founder of Nizz, shares the origin and concept of his chore app. He shares his background in computer science and how he came up with the idea for Nizz while living with roommates. Steve talks about the social impact of the app and the challenges of building a team. He also discusses the importance of delegating and letting go of control as a founder. The biggest challenge for Steve is time management, as he balances his full-time job as a software engineer with working on Nizz. He plans to transition to working on Nizz full-time in the future. Steve also shares his experience with shiny object syndrome and the importance of staying focused on his goals. In this conversation, Steve Odai shares his journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges he faced while building his startup, Nizz. He discusses the sacrifices he had to make, the importance of decision-making and prioritization, and the most rewarding aspects of his entrepreneurial journey. Steve also talks about his future goals and vision, as well as the advice he would give to software engineers looking to start their own businesses. He emphasizes the significance of networking and mentorship in the entrepreneurial world.

Takeaways

Nizz is a chore app founded by Steve Odai, who came up with the idea while living with roommates.

The app aims to simplify household tasks and improve communication among roommates.

Building a team is crucial for the success of a startup, and Steve looks for creative individuals who are willing to experiment and try new things.

Delegating and letting go of control is important for a founder, as it allows them to focus on more important tasks.

Time management is a major challenge for Steve, as he balances his full-time job with working on Nizz.

Steve plans to transition to working on Nizz full-time in the future. Building a startup requires sacrifices, including time, social life, and personal interests.

Successful entrepreneurs understand the importance of prioritizing decisions and focusing on goals that align with their vision.

Validation and feedback from users are crucial in determining the success of an idea or product.

Having a mentor and building a network of supportive individuals can provide guidance, accountability, and valuable insights.

Success is subjective and can be defined differently by each individual. It is important to set personal goals and work towards them.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:05 The Origin of Nizz & Founding of Nizz

08:32 The Concept and Social Impact of Nizz

09:47 Building the Team

15:14 Recruiting and Onboarding

19:36 The Biggest Challenge: Time

21:25 Transitioning to Full-Time

23:35 Combining Interests and Skills

27:54 Choosing Computer Science

30:41 Dealing with Shiny Object Syndrome

32:06 Introduction and Background

35:15 Sacrifices and Challenges

38:12 Decision Making and Prioritization

42:01 Most Rewarding and Biggest Success

45:26 Future Goals and Vision

49:57 Definition of Success

51:07 Advice for Software Engineers

01:05:04 Importance of Networking and Mentorship

01:05:29 Conclusion

In episode 2 of the Startup Confessions Podcast, host Yssamae Abdon sits down with Nina Simone, the founder of Pappus Agency and co-founder of SheSapiens. Nina shares her journey from journalism to entrepreneurship and explores the importance of community in the entrepreneurial world.

Nina was born in Germany and has lived in many places including Greece, Italy, Romania, Indonesia, and currently in Portugal. Nina highlights her passion for community building and desire to create an impact on society through Pappus and SheSapiens. Nina has always been an entrepreneur at heart, driven by her desire to challenge the status quo and address social issues around her. She also shares her dissatisfaction with traditional corporate roles and how they led her into entrepreneurship. Nina emphasizes the importance of community in her entrepreneurial journey and encourages entrepreneurs to seek community as they are an essential support system in building confidence and personal growth.

Host Yssamae and Nina also discuss the importance of horizontal leadership and collaboration in creating a supportive and enjoyable work environment. Nina's approach to leadership emphasizes collaboration, empowerment, and enabling those around her to thrive and be authentic.

However, Nina also discusses the challenges of maintaining a horizontal leadership structure at a larger-scale company. Nina acknowledges the complexities that come with scaling a business and maintaining a culture centred on empathy and respect.

Yssamae and Nina also explore the prevalence of impostor syndrome as a consequence of societal expectations and ingrained cultural norms, particularly among female entrepreneurs. In this episode, Nina emphasizes the need for authenticity and self-acceptance in overcoming

Nina reflects on the sacrifices and rewards of entrepreneurship, highlighting the instability inherent in the early stages of building a business. She finds fulfillment in witnessing the growth and success of others within her community.

Nina shares valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, urging them to embrace their authenticity, prioritize financial stability, and focus on personal and professional development.

Empowering Women Through She Sapiens:

This episode of the Startup Confessions podcast concludes with a call to action for listeners to continue their self-development, and learning journey, and encouragement from Nina to keep putting people and community first.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Startup Confessions podcast with our guest, Nina Simone. Be sure to check out Nina Simone’s social media, and website pages for Pappus Agency and SheSapiens.

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll continue to explore the journeys and insights of inspiring entrepreneurs with our next guest, Afotey Odai, a software engineer based in London, UK and founder of a chore-tracking app called Nizz.

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In the launch of the first episode of Start-Up Confessions, host Yssamae Abdon discusses the

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Host Yssamae Abdon invites guests on the Startup Confessions Podcast to share their challenges and triumphs as entrepreneurs. The path to entrepreneurship will look different to each person. The Startup Confessions Podcast is where authenticity meets ambition. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, this podcast is a source of insight and inspiration that can empower and encourage you in your business or self-development journey.