In this episode, David talks with Kateryna about how she went from her beginnings as the "Girl from the Internet" with printed paper mockups to becoming a serial tech founder and university lecturer. Kateryna shares her key lessons on monetizing technical ideas, explains why you don't need to be a math genius for an IT career, and reveals her proven method for effectively overcoming Impostor Syndrome. She also speaks openly about starting over after the war broke out in Ukraine and the transformative power of mentoring.
She started her career in the IT and digital sector around 20 years ago, long before digital careers became mainstream. Today, she combines her experience in technology, digital marketing, education, and entrepreneurship to help organisations and professionals develop innovative digital products, business models, and growth strategies.
👤 Guest Profile
Name: Kateryna (Kate) Ilchenko
Role: Business Strategist, University Lecturer for Digital Marketing & Sales at Arden University in Berlin, 5x Founder, and Executive MBA Candidate in AI.
⏱️ Key Takeaways & Chapter Overview- Introduction & Guest Intro: Who is Kateryna, and how does her brain automatically spot business models in every conversation?
- Starting Out in 2007: The birth of the "Girl from the Internet" with printed paper designs and her first ad subscriptions in Ukraine.
- The €100,000 Lesson: Why poor task delegation to developers gets expensive and how to stay sustainably profitable as a bootstrapper.
- Outbreak of War & New Beginnings: The abrupt end of her businesses in Ukraine, gratitude for her reception in Germany, and social commitment.
- Mentoring & Seeking Advice: Why successful people gladly give 30 minutes of their time when you actively ask for it.
- Breaking Stereotypes: Why top performance in mathematics isn't a strict prerequisite for financial success in tech.
- Impostor Syndrome & the Hypothesis Method: How to stop hesitating using time-bound goals and clear KPIs.
- Soft Skills & Passion: Why self-presentation, content creation, and genuine enthusiasm are irreplaceable in the AI age.
💬 Memorable Quotes"Everything might be ruined in one day, but continue building."
"No one is ready enough. You become ready while you are doing."
"You can be the smartest person in the world, but if you cannot sell yourself, you will earn nothing."
"Everything might be ruined in one day, but continue building."
"Once you will be with a full plate, you have to continue spreading kindness in the world."
🔗 Mentioned Resources & Links- SMART Criteria & Hypothesis Method: Applying specific, measurable, and time-bound goals to career testing phases.
- Forbes Magazine: Feature on Kateryna as a successful bootstrapper.
- Interface Skills in IT: Product management, agile project leadership, and sales as keys to software monetization.
- Kateryna on YouTube: YouTube: Monetisation Educator https://www.youtube.com/@monetisation-educator
- Kateryna's Website: www.monetisation.org
- Kateryna on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kats-ilchenko/
- David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kaselow/
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Willkommen zum neuen Podcast „Women in Tech Wisdom“ von David Kaselow.
Es erwarten erwarten euch Realtalk und Inspiration mit spannenden Frauen aus der IT- und Tech-Branche!
Mit tollen Stories über ihren Werdegang, Vorbilder und alles, was sie Mädchen und jungen Frauen mitgeben wollen. Damit sich noch mehr Mädchen und Frauen für MINT-Berufe entscheiden. Hört rein und abonniert den Kanal!
Zum Host: David Kaselow ist der "IT-Dolmetscher", der hauptberuflich als IT-Berater für seine Kunden zwischen Business und IT "übersetzt" und auf Social Media und in seinem Buch "IT für Anfänger" wirklich Informatik-Themen sehr anschaulich und einfach für jedermann und jede Frau erklärt!
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- Kontakt: [email protected]