Episode 166: For ambitious and career-oriented people, starting one's own business is often the ultimate goal. But today's guest Ashley Merrill, founder of Lunya Sleepwear, chats with Natalie about how this can be a detriment to many people's happiness and success. Ashley started Lunya 10 years ago and has built the company to its now $25M per year revenue, numerous accolades, and countless super fans, but she explains why being a founder should not be anyone's automatic goal, and instead why we should all look deeper on what brings us joy in our work and our lives.  
 
Today's episode dives into: 

Finding balance over the course of your life instead of in a moment - there are seasons for work and seasons for play 

The misconceptions of what a CEO actually does 

Why the timing of a business is everything when it comes to approach and strategy  

The resilience and determination needed to get started as an entrepreneur  

Why you shouldn't necessarily want to be a founder and how to find the best path for your own life and happiness 


Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Follow Ashley @ashley__merrill 
 
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Why entrepreneurship isn't - and shouldn't be - for everyone with Lunya founder Ashley Merrill

Let’s face it, we are all living in a digital age where we're constantly bombarded with comparisons and perfect highlight reels. Enter the Real Reel Podcast—a one-stop shop for some genuine, unfiltered realness. Join your host, influencer, YouTuber, and entrepreneur, Natalie Barbu, as she dives headfirst into the raw reality of adulthood. No more filters; Natalie’s on a mission to uncover the real struggles and triumphs that come with navigating the dating scene, relationships, friendships, finances, business, and everything in between. Tune in for some Reel talk every Monday as Natalie engages in raw and authentic conversations with Real people, including entrepreneurs, reality stars, content creators, and anyone who fits the "real deal" bill. Say goodbye to the Instagram facade, and let's embrace the beautiful (and almost always messy) journey of adulthood and growth together because, let’s be real, nobody really knows what they’re doing.

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Nat's turning 28!! On this special birthday episode, Nat reflects on turning 28 and shares 28 life lessons she's learned along the way. She gets candid about everything, from the importance of female friendships to the impact of faith and embracing independence. Nat also touches on personal growth, overcoming challenges, the power of contentment, and so much more. This episode is an emotional and grateful look at her journey so far and the blessings that come with growing older! 

Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.  

Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  
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A Real (Reel) Birthday Special: 28 Lessons from 28 Years

This week, Nat sits down with Rella’s co-founder and developer, Connor Boyce! Nat and Connor dig deep into Connor’s background, talking about how he went from graduating with an electrical engineering degree to becoming a self-taught software engineer. Connor explains how he never really saw himself working in electrical engineering and instead decided to start his own software consulting company. This decision led him to meet Natalie and start Rella, and, well, the rest is history! Connor walks us through the first step to learning a new skill and how reaching out and talking to people you admire who are already in the field is ultimately more valuable than just about anything. Oh, and Connor’s words of wisdom when learning a new skill? Fake it ‘til you make it, and confidence is key! Nat asks Connor for tips and tricks on how to create a work-life balance and how nurturing a working relationship is pretty similar to nurturing a real-life human relationship. Finally, Connor discusses what he thinks he’d be doing if he never met Nat and began his journey with Rella (and trust me, it is not what you think he’d be doing). If you’ve been considering a new skill but don’t know where to start, this episode is for you.

Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.  
  
Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  

OUAI - Get on your OUAI to save for the holiday. Go to theouai.com for 15% off sitewide and enter promo code REALREEL. 

Use code CONNOR at getrella.com for 51% off an annual plan!
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Fake it 'til You Make it with Rella Co-Founder Connor Boyce

This week, Nat is back with another solo episode! She starts the pod off with the realization that she’s been in Miami for (almost) the entire month of March, which is the longest stretch she has been home in months. Then, she dives right into the topic for today: staying motivated! We’ve all been there, and it’s totally normal to have periods of your life where you are not motivated. Luckily, Nat walks us through tips and tricks she uses to stay motivated, such as consuming content, recognizing things that make her excited on a daily basis, and the importance of taking time to step away from work (because rest is important!). Nat talks about how she and her friends keep each other motivated and inspired and how surrounding yourself with like-minded people provides validation, motivation, and encouragement to continue pursuing your goals. Finally, Nat talks about “reverse engineering” to accomplish your goals, how to take that first step, and the importance of “finding your why.” If you’ve been struggling with staying motivated or just need a few extra tips to keep in your back pocket, today’s episode is for you!

Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.  
  
Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  

OUAI - Get on your OUAI to save for the holiday. Go to theouai.com for 15% off sitewide and enter promo code REALREEL. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tips and Life Hacks for Staying Motivated

Nat is back with another solo episode! She starts off the pod with a realization that she’s been in Miami for (almost) the entire month of March, which is the longest stretch she has been home in months. Then, she dives right into the topic for today: staying motivated! We’ve all been there; it’s totally normal to have periods of your life when you are not feeling it. Luckily, Nat walks us through tips and tricks she uses to stay motivated, such as consuming content, recognizing things that make her excited on a daily basis, and the importance of taking time to step away from work (because rest is important!!). Nat talks about how she and her friends keep each other motivated and inspired, and how surrounding yourself with like-minded people provides validation, motivation, and encouragement to continue pursuing your goals. Finally, Nat talks about “reverse engineering” to accomplish your goals, how to take that first step, and the importance of “finding your why.” If you’ve been struggling with staying motivated or just need a few extra tips to keep in your back pocket, today’s episode is for you!
 
Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.  
  
Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  

OUAI - Get on your OUAI to save for the holiday. Go to theouai.com for 15% off sitewide and enter promo code REALREEL. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Impulsivity Can Change Your Life

Feeling Hungry? You've come to the right place. This week, Nat's sitting down with George Arango, the creative force behind Mr. Eats 305, a food blog that's become a staple in Miami's dining scene and beyond. George gets candid about how his passion for Miami's cuisine transformed Mr. Eats 305 from a simple idea into a full-time career. With the introduction of Instagram Reels, George's platform exploded, allowing him to transition from a law school graduate to a celebrated food blogger. He shares the journey of growing his brand, the strategy behind his content, and how he's managed to keep his reviews positive, honest, and curated. George highlights the importance of authenticity, the impact of social media on food discovery, and offers advice to those looking to make their mark in the food blogging world.  
 
Follow George on Instagram @mr.eats305 and visit their website at www.mreats305.com   
 
Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.  
 
 
Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  
 
OUAI - Get on your OUAI to save for the holiday. Go to theouai.com for 15% off sitewide and enter promo code REALREEL. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why entrepreneurship isn't - and shouldn't be - for everyone with Lunya founder Ashley Merrill

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