🎙️In this episode of Inside Story, I talk to Imeshi Weerasinghe, co-founder and CEO of WEO, a Luxembourg-based startup transforming satellite data into climate resilience tools.

🤔 Imeshi shares the journey of founding WEO with a clear mission: to create real-world environmental impact, not just chase profits. She opens up about the challenges of long sales cycles, resisting pressure to scale at all costs, and the financial balancing act of working with both grant funding and paying clients.

🤓 We also dive into the experience of being a woman founder, why WEO is committed to a family-friendly work culture, and what “balance” truly looks like when you're building a startup and raising a family.

‼️ This episode is a must-listen for anyone building purpose-led businesses, especially in climate, tech, or impact-driven sectors.

Chapters:

00:00 | Intro: WEO’s Mission and Vision

06:33 | Making Satellite Data Actionable for Clients

08:23 | Choosing the Right Clients in the Early Days

11:21 | Navigating Long Sales Cycles Without Burning Out

14:07 | Expanding WEO’s Work into the Humanitarian Sector

17:22 | Grants vs. Paid Projects: Finding the Right Funding Mix

21:37 | Why WEO Chose Not to Chase Exponential Growth

25:10 | Staying True to Your Mission While Scaling

30:05 | Being a Female Founder in the Climate Tech Space

33:29 | Building a Family-First, Flexible Startup Culture

35:46 | The Ongoing Challenge of Balancing Life and Leadership

What do investors really look for in startups?

And why do so many promising ventures still fail to scale?

In this episode of Inside Story, I speak with Daniel Biedermann, Investment Partner at NewSpace Capital and seasoned startup coach, about what it takes to grow and fund high-impact companies, especially in the fast-changing space industry. 🌍🛰️

From spotting the right investment opportunities to understanding why so many startups struggle with turning tech innovation into market value, Daniel brings an insider’s view into both entrepreneurship and early-stage investing.

We cover:

✨ Why innovation alone isn’t enough - founders must understand market demand

✨ What are the real deal-breakers and red flags for investors ✨ How public funding can sometimes make startups too comfortable

✨ Why failure is normal and should be encouraged, especially in Europe

✨ And how the space sector is becoming more open to smaller, agile companies.

This episode is packed with lessons for anyone building or backing early-stage ventures — in space or here on Earth.

🎧 Listen now and let me know:

👉 Which of these takeaways resonates most with your own journey?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Inside Story Podcast

03:17 The Biggest Opportunities Emerging in the Space Sector

09:18 How Investors Evaluate Scaleups in the Space Industry

14:24 What Makes or Breaks a Deal: Investment Red Flags

18:09 Investor Expectations: Where There’s Flexibility (and Where There Isn’t)

21:52 Common Startup Struggles: From Tech-Driven to Demand-Driven

27:59 The Startup Ecosystem in Europe: Optimism Meets Reality

34:13 Innovation vs. Market Need: Finding the Right Balance

🎙️In this episode of Inside Story, I sit down with Dorothy Germain, Managing Director of Spa Escape in Luxembourg.

Dorothy shares her inspiring journey from launching a home-based wellness business in Canada to building a successful spa in Luxembourg. Along the way, she opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship—navigating financial hurdles, adapting to a new market, and building strong customer relationships that fuel business growth.

💪 If you're a current or aspiring entrepreneur, especially in the wellness space, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons on resilience, adaptability, and turning passion into purpose.

🎧 Tune in to learn how Dorothy turned her basement into a business—and her business into a brand.

Chapters

00:00 | Starting with Passion: Dorothy’s Entrepreneurial Beginnings

03:00 | Leaving the 9–5: Taking the Leap into Business

06:02 | From Basement Studio to First Wellness Brand

07:20 | A New Chapter: Relocating to Luxembourg

09:36 | Launching Spa Escape in a Foreign Market

14:10 | Tackling Financial and Administrative Hurdles

22:38 | Becoming Profitable: Turning the Spa into a Sustainable Business

29:26 | What I Didn’t Expect: Hard Truths of Entrepreneurship

31:41 | Building Loyalty: How Spa Escape Keeps Clients Coming Back

The fashion industry is evolving — and Vestis Labs is leading the charge. My guest, Fonny Bunjamin, founder & CEO of Vestis Labs, is on a mission to revolutionize how small and medium-sized fashion brands operate through technology, sustainability, and digital transformation.

🎙️ In this episode, we dive into:

✅ The biggest challenges fashion brands face — and how tech can solve them

✅ Why resilience, adaptability, and trusting your instincts are key to success

✅ The reality of startup life: co-founder struggles, pivots, and learning from failure

✅ How startup programs can provide structure and mentorship for founders

✅ The balance between passion and building a financially sustainable business

💭 Whether you're in fashion, tech, or building your own startup, this episode is packed with insights on innovation, entrepreneurship, and making bold moves.

🔔 Follow and listen to the full episode!

Chapters

00:00 – The Vision Behind VESTIS LABS: Transforming Fashion with Technology

07:32 – From Finance to Fashion: Fonny’s Unconventional Journey

10:54 – Lessons Learned from Past Business Ventures

15:45 – Pivoting vs. Staying the Course: Finding the Right Balance

18:04 – Choosing the Best Startup Incubator: What Founders Need to Know

22:20 – The Co-Founder Dilemma: Challenges and Misaligned Visions

24:56 – The Unexpected Hurdles of Building a Startup

26:59 – The Mindset and Skills Every Entrepreneur Needs to Succeed

What does it really take to build a business while managing family, life, and all the doubts that come with it?

In this inspiring episode of Inside Story Podcast, I sit down with Katy Dyzewska, Founder of AMC Services, to talk about the real entrepreneurial journey — the highs, the lows, and the mindset shifts that make success possible.

Katy shares her personal story of starting a business in Luxembourg, navigating motherhood and entrepreneurship, and the inner work needed to grow a business when confidence is low and challenges are high.

💡 If you're an entrepreneur (or thinking of starting something on your own), this episode will remind you that:

✔️ Confidence is built, not given.

✔️ Failure is part of growth.

✔️ Planning and patience are your secret weapons.

✔️ A positive mindset can change everything.

Whether you're struggling to believe in yourself or balancing a million roles, Katy's story will give you practical insights and motivation to keep going.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Personal Growth

02:22 What is AMC Services and How It Helps Others

04:30 How to Balance Multiple Roles: Entrepreneur, Mother, Woman

07:23 From Employee to Entrepreneur: Katy’s Leap into Business

11:20 Motherhood Meets Business: Challenges of Raising a Family While Building a Company

16:02 The Shift from Employee Mindset to Consultant Mindset

20:22 Empowering Women: Why Confidence Coaching Matters

25:59 The Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship: Highs and Lows

27:32 The Power of Mindset and Gratitude in Business Success

What does it take to build a thriving marketing consultancy after working with global brands like LinkedIn and Nokia? 🤔

In this episode of Inside Story of Building Businesses, I sit down with Emi Orbán-Agg, founder of Do It Right Marketing, to uncover the realities of entrepreneurship, growth marketing, and making smart business decisions.

🔥 Key Takeaways:

✅ Growth marketing is about revenue, not just reach – A multi-channel approach is key.

✅ Selling is a must-have skill – Whether you're a founder or a marketer, you need to sell.

✅ Don't spread too thin – Small businesses should focus on channels that truly matter.

✅ Success takes time – Marketing isn’t an overnight win; patience and strategy are everything.

🚀 Whether you’re a solopreneur, startup founder, or marketing enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you scale smarter.

🎧 Tune in now & let me know: What’s your biggest marketing challenge? ⬇️

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Entrepreneurship & Growth Marketing

02:37 From Corporate to Consultancy: Emi’s Journey

03:55 What Is Growth Marketing & Why It Matters

05:33 Leaving LinkedIn & Nokia: The Leap Into Entrepreneurship

08:43 How to Set Up a Marketing Consultancy

12:40 Learning to Sell: A Critical Business Skill

14:06 Biggest Challenges of Entrepreneurship

19:01 Why Solopreneurs Need a Support System

22:23 Marketing Strategies Big Brands Use (That Small Biz Can Too)

24:19 The Most Common Marketing Mistakes Small Businesses Make

26:52 Marketing Tips That Actually Work for Small Businesses

28:54 Lessons from Running a Marketing Consultancy

🎙️I sat down with Chanukya Patnaik, founder of AI Planet, to explore the journey of making AI accessible to all.

From launching an AI marketplace and open-sourcing powerful LLMs to fostering a 300K+ global community, AI Planet is reshaping how AI is developed, learned, and adopted.

💡 What we cover in this episode:

✅ The challenges of building an AI-driven startup

✅ Why education & community are key to AI’s future

✅ How AI Planet is making AI more private, secure, and accessible

✅ The hard truths of fundraising & building a sustainable business

✅ Must-have vs. nice-to-have AI solutions: what really matters?

In a world where 85% of AI projects fail, AI Planet is changing the narrative—paving the way for AI to be a tool for everyone, not just a luxury for a few.

🎧 Tune in to hear Chanukya’s insights on entrepreneurship, AI, and building a business with impact.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Entrepreneurial Journey

04:01 The Inception of AI Planet

06:54 Community and Education in AI

10:03 AI Kitchen: Simplifying AI Solutions

12:31 Learning from Failures and Market Validation

15:15 Fundraising Journey and Business Sustainability

25:07 Building Autonomous Human-like Agents

30:49 Must-Have vs Nice-to-Have Innovations

🎙 In this episode of Inside Story of Building Businesses, I spoke with Monica Serban-Mantero, an environmental economist turned screenwriter, who’s on a mission to change how we think about climate change - through comedy!

Monica is the creative mind behind "Ten to Midnight," an environmental sitcom set to be filmed in Romania. In this episode, she shares her inspiring journey of turning her passion for sustainability into an award-winning screenplay.

💡 We dive deep into:

✅ The challenges of blending humor and science in storytelling

✅ Overcoming naysayers and staying motivated

✅ How to write characters that spark laughter while addressing real-life global issues

✅ Why ordinary people, not superheroes, are the key to saving the world

Monica’s story is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit in the creative arts and how storytelling can spark change.

🎧 Don’t miss this fascinating conversation!

#EnvironmentalComedy #InsideStoryPodcast #Entrepreneurship #ClimateChange #StorytellingForImpact

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction: From Environmental Economist to Screenwriter

03:44 - What Inspired Ten to Midnight and Its Goals

06:26 - Writing the Screenplay and Overcoming Naysayers

09:53 - The Journey of Rewriting and Improving the Script

12:50 - Why Comedy is a Powerful Tool for Serious Topics

15:25 - Monica’s Most Difficult Challenge in This Process

17:01 - The Voices and Characters That Stay with Her

19:05 - Creating Relatable Characters and Balancing Perspectives

20:54 - Blending Environmentalism and Humor in the Sitcom

25:48 - Tackling Climate Change Deniers with Comedy

29:07 - Realizing the Potential of the Project

31:08 - Expectations vs. Reality: Lessons from Monica’s Journey

33:30 - Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Ten to Midnight

🌿 Can businesses change the world for the better?

🎙️In this episode of Inside Story of Building Businesses, host Dursun Halimova speaks with Virginie Ducommun, founder of Indoor Forest, about the journey of creating impactful and sustainable businesses. Virginie shares her insights on how smart technologies can transform buildings, the importance of sustainability, and the unique challenges of running a social impact company.

Key Takeaways:

✓ The importance of a solid business model for impact companies.

✓ Steps to start a social impact business.

✓ How social enterprises can collaborate with traditional businesses.

✓ The growing but still-small landscape of impact entrepreneurship in Luxembourg.

‼️ Don’t miss Virginie’s advice on how to combine purpose and profit to create a better future. 🌍

📌 Watch now and subscribe for more inspiring stories!

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Meet Virginie Ducommun and Indoor Forest
04:06 Case Study: Transforming a School for Energy Efficiency
07:48 Social Impact vs. Regular Companies: Key Differences
09:45 Pros and Cons of Running a Social Impact Business
14:14 Exploring the Social Impact Landscape in Luxembourg
17:04 Why Business Models Are Vital for Social Impact Companies
21:33 How to Start a Social Impact Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
24:57 Social Impact or Traditional Business? Making the Choice
26:39 The Future Vision for Social Impact Entrepreneurship
30:51 Virginie's Favorite Song: A Soundtrack for Tough Times

#SocialImpact #SustainableBusiness #Entrepreneurship #InsideStoryPodcast #socialimpactbusiness #luxembourg

🎙️In this episode of the Inside Story podcast, Dursun interviews Keith Amoss, an experienced career coach and entrepreneur, to uncover the profound role values play in entrepreneurship and career decisions.

⚡️Keith shares his unique perspective as someone who transitioned from a stable public sector role to starting his own coaching business. Together, they explore the importance of self-awareness, fulfillment over fleeting happiness, and the value of mentorship when navigating professional changes. Keith provides actionable insights for anyone embarking on their own career or business journey.

Key Takeaways:

💡Know yourself before starting a business or career shift.

💡Fulfillment matters more than fleeting passion or happiness

💡Bravery, self-awareness, and trust are essential for success

💡The future of work is evolving with AI - stay prepared!

👉 Tune in to discover how values can unlock clarity, confidence, and fulfillment in your entrepreneurial journey.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Keith Amoss, a Career Coach

01:15 Why Values Are the Foundation of Entrepreneurship

06:26 What Career Coaching Really Entails

08:04 The Loneliness of Entrepreneurship and the Role of a Coach

11:13 From Public Sector to Entrepreneur: Keith's Transition

14:56 Guiding High Achievers Toward Continuous Growth

18:14 Navigating the Challenges of Leaving the Public Sector

20:08 Networking and Building Trust as an Entrepreneur

21:20 Why Integrity Matters in Business

22:20 Finding Your Niche and Defining Your Focus

25:20 How to Discover What Truly Fulfils You

29:24 The Future of Work: AI’s Impact on Jobs and Businesses

30:53 Staying Ahead of Technological Changes