In this episode, Cheryl Sew Hoy, founder and CEO of Tiny Health, shares her entrepreneurial journey and the challenges she faced in building her startups. She discusses her experience as a first-time founder and the lessons she learned from her first company and its acquisition process. In a conversation focused on both Cheryl's trajectory and her experience building Tiny Health, a microbiome testing the episode reveals the challenges and opportunities for female entrepreneurs and how they can approach growth and expansion for their ventures.

Key takeaways: 

• Adapting the startup ecosystem to the local culture is crucial for success.
• Passion and a mission-driven approach are key to overcoming challenges and building a successful company.
• Raising funds from a position of strength and being disciplined with spending can lead to better outcomes.
• Building credibility and partnerships are critical for ventures in the healthcare industry.

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Cheryl Sew Hoy (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylyeoh/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Amy Divaraniya, Founder & CEO of Oova, shares her unexpected journey to becoming a founder of a data-first, at-home hormone-tracking solution. She shares the ins and outs of building a multi-sided marketplace and how she turned her own struggles with fertility and the medical system into Oova. Throughout the conversation, Zoia and Amy touch on the challenges of the medical system that are specific to women and women's health and how data can be used to empower women to ensure that they are advocating for themselves.

Key takeaways: 

• Imposter syndrome can be overcome by surrounding yourself with mentors and being open to asking questions.
• Women's health care needs better solutions that empower women with data and enable them to advocate for their own health.
• Building a strong network and relationships with investors and mentors is crucial for success as a founder.
• The future of women's health care lies in data-driven approaches and conversations prioritizing women's needs.

Learn more:

• Get 10% off an Oova product - URL: oova.life/win OR use "WINOOVA" on the site
• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Amy Divaraniya (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparna-amy-divaraniya/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Amruta Moktali, Chief Product Officer at Skyflow, shares her journey in product management and discusses the challenges and decisions she has faced throughout her career. Amruta also explains the role of a Chief Product Officer at a Series B company and the need for a strong partnership between product and engineering. Amruta encourages women to overcome imposter syndrome and seek feedback to grow their careers.

Key takeaways: 

• Surround yourself with intelligent people who challenge and inspire you.
• Believe in yourself and your ability to learn and grow.
• Build a strong partnership between product and engineering for successful innovation.
• Protect and use sensitive data while preserving privacy.

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Amruta Moktali (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrutamoktali/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Nisreen Hasib, CEO and founder of Signoff, shares her journey from being the COO of Unbound to starting her own company that focuses on solving the housing crisis. Nisreen challenges the traditional definition of success in the startup world and shares insights on getting into Techstars.

Key takeaways: 

• Align your career choices with your foundational values.
• Trust your intuition and take risks when making career decisions.
• Challenge the traditional definition of success and choose your path.
• Focus on building a scalable impact rather than solely raising venture capital.

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Nisreen Hasib (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisreen-hasib/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores Betsy Cohen and Amanda Abrams’ journey and experiences in the finance and investment industry. They discuss the skills and qualities they seek in founders, the vision for Cohen Circle and Radiate Capital, and their role in innovation in fintech. Through a discussion of their personal and professional experiences, Zoia, Amanda, and Betsy touch on what diversity means to them and conclude with a discussion on gender dynamics in the workplace and the industry.

Listen for advice on: 

• How thinking outside the box and reinventing oneself plays a unique role in the financial and investment industries
• Why financial inclusion and impact investing are essential areas of focus for innovation in fintech
• How diversity can drive innovation and success
• The challenges and opportunities within fintech and the future outlook on its next phase

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Cohen Circle: http://cohencircle.com
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Zoia Kozakov shares her personal experience with elective egg freezing and interviews Dr. Fahimeh Sasan, Chief Innovation Officer and Founding Physician at KindBody. They discuss the importance of proactive fertility care, the challenges and barriers in the industry, and the need for accessibility and equity in women's health. They also provide an overview of the egg-freezing process, debunk misconceptions, and highlight the benefits of being proactive about fertility. The episode emphasizes the importance of empowering women to make choices about their bodies and the future of reproductive health.

Listen for advice on:

• Egg freezing is a proactive and preventative approach to fertility care, allowing women to preserve their eggs for future use.
• Access to fertility care and egg freezing should be improved to ensure equity and empower women to make choices about their bodies.
• The egg-freezing process takes about two weeks, with minimal disruption to daily life and a short recovery period.
• KindBody is leading the way in innovation and accessibility in the fertility care industry, focusing on improving the patient experience and providing transparent pricing.

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Dr. Fahimeh Sasan (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-fahimeh-sasan-b18408169/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Zoia chats with Riddhima Yadav, Vice President of Strategy, Renewable Power, and Transition at Brookfield Asset Management. In this inspiring episode, Riddhima shares her insights into sustainability, innovation, and the role of large financial institutions in driving positive change. Tune in to hear how Riddhima's passion for the environment and her determination to make a difference are shaping the future of climate finance.

Listen for advice on:

• Transparency and trust in sustainability initiatives
• Financial innovation and scaling technological solutions for sustainability
• Importance of framing sustainability initiatives to align with stakeholders' goals
• The role of public-private partnerships in mobilizing climate finance

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Riddhima Yadav(Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/riddhima-yadav-35a44290
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, join Zoia as she interviews Patrice Meagher, CEO and founder of Milkmate, a revolutionary breast-pumping solution for the workplace. Milkmate’s solution is comprised of modular furniture components, including a multi-user breast pump, and single-use parts that are all ready for immediate use. Patrice shares her journey, from her career in commercial real estate to developing and running her own company. They also discuss the importance of inclusive workplaces and the power of advocating for yourself.

Listen for advice on:

• Navigating the nuances of being a working parent in the workplace
• Inclusive workplaces and the need for better maternal benefits and wellness solutions
• The power of advocating for yourself and creating change as a minority or as a ‘first’

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Patrice Meagher (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrice-hayden-meagher-268a7a19/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, join Zoia as she delves into the world of brand building and direct-to-consumer (D2C) innovation with Suze Dowling, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at Pattern Brands. Discover how Suze and her team are revolutionizing the D2C industry by combining acquisitions and in-house incubations to create a family of home brands. Gain valuable insights into their approach to building successful brands, overcoming challenges, and the importance of staying customer-centric in a rapidly evolving landscape. 

Listen for advice on:

• The key feature of a winning team is 
• How to approach equity as a founder
• Going from being a brand builder to a product builder
• Re-thinking consumer brands and D2C’s business models

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Suze Dowling (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzedowling/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Zoia and Emi Neitfeld, writer of “Acceptance: a Memoir,” have a captivating conversation as they delve into the gripping story of navigating workplace challenges, transitioning from engineering to writing, and challenging societal expectations. Explore the power of personal narratives, resilience beyond traditional narratives, and the future of innovation in journalism. 

Listen for advice on:

• Transitioning from engineering to full-time writing
• Challenging resilience narratives and embracing honest conversations
• Re-thinking validation from others vs. self-importance
• Navigating workplace challenges and gray areas for women

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Emi Nietfeld (Guest): https://www.eminietfeld.com/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.