Co-Founder of Social Startup Athena Founders Shares Their Top Insights

“My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to just get started. It's never going to be the perfect time, so don't wait for it. Just start taking action and learning as you go. Also, don't be afraid to fail. Failure is part of the journey, and it's how you learn and grow. Embrace it, and use it to your advantage.

Finally, always be learning. There are so many resources available, whether it's books, podcasts, or online courses. never stop learning and expanding your knowledge, as it will help you to grow as an entrepreneur.”

“Athena Founders are known for having a work hard, play hard mentality. We like to mix educational webinars and mentoring sessions with fun social events and retreats. This helps to keep us motivated and inspired while also preventing burnout. We also make sure to take time for ourselves, whether it's going for a run or taking a yoga class. It's important to find a balance between work and play. We've been lucky enough to find some really amazing partners who provide our members with discounted services, so we take advantage of that as well.”

“There's no one formula for coming up with a unique startup idea. It could come from your personal experiences, from a problem you see in the world, or from something you're passionate about. The important thing is to validate your idea and make sure there's a market for it. Once you've done that, the sky's the limit!”

“My advice for overcoming challenges and failure is to always keep moving forward. Don't dwell on your mistakes, but learn from them and use them to make better decisions in the future. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. A support network is essential for entrepreneurs, so reach out to your friends, family, and mentors when things get tough. Finally, remember that failure is part of the journey. Embrace it and use it to your advantage.”

“I think one of the biggest lessons I've learned is to surround yourself with the right people. This includes a supportive network of family and friends but also mentors, advisors, and investors who believe in you and your vision. These people will help you to overcome challenges and achieve success.

So my advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to build a strong support network of people who believe in you and your vision. These people will help you to overcome challenges and achieve success.”

“There are three pieces of advice that have always stuck with me. The first is "master the art of sales." This is something that I'm constantly working on, and it's essential for entrepreneurs. From pitching your business to closing a deal, sales is an essential skill. 

The second piece of advice is "love what you do" I always say, if I can spend 90% of my time doing things that I love and 10% of my time doing things that I should be doing, then I will be successful. So my advice is to find something that you're passionate about and make it your business.

Finally, an ex-boss once said: ‘Don't try to please everyone; focus on your niche.’ And that's what I've done with Athena. We focus on working with female entrepreneurs, and we've been able to build a strong community as a result.”

Next Steps: 

• Check out Athena Founder’s company profile!
• Hear startup stories from real founders on the Startup Savants podcast.
• Keep up with more startup companies by visiting our list of the top startups to watch.
• Form your own startup by reading our review of the best online incorporation services.