Episode 20: Are We Romanticising Ambition and Avoiding Responsibility?

Feeling like you’re stuck chasing the next number instead of building something that actually matters?What if money wasn’t the goal... but just the compass 👀This week on the Self Startup Podcast, Hafsa and Zaynab unpack the real tension between purpose and profit, and what it means to build something meaningful without burning yourself out in the process.We talk about things like:- why money matters, but shouldn’t overshadow your purpose- how the obsession with maximising earnings can lead to burnout- defining your own “enough” number for clarity and peace- why entrepreneurship is about solving problems, not just making money- focusing on value creation before profitWhether you’re a self-starter, building a business, or rethinking what success really means, this episode will help you zoom out and realign.SSU Links: https://linktr.ee/selfstartup

Fear of success. Fear of failure. Fear of looking cringe.In this episode, we talk about fear and how it quietly becomes one of the biggest roadblocks to building anything meaningful.We also touch on:ambition, and whether it’s actually enough to carry you to successwhether embarrassment is really the price of successwhy our obsession with being “original” stops us from startingwhy inaction often hurts more than trying ever willIf any of this hit a nerve, come try and debunk it with us on the podcast.Email us: [email protected] links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/selfstartup

What if you didn’t have to follow the traditional route — and could build your own instead 👀This week, Hafsa and Zaynab read and unpack the gems from The Pathless Path and explore what it really means to question the default path and design a career around your curiosity, creativity, and values.We talk about things like:embracing uncertainty instead of fearing ittaking breaks to reflect and reconnect with yourselfexperimenting with ideas before locking into one pathbuilding meaningful networks and being generous with your workWhether you’re rethinking your direction, exploring new interests, or carving your own lane - this episode will give you the mindset shift you didn’t know you needed.Email us: [email protected] links: https://linktr.ee/selfstartup

Feeling like you’re stuck in a loop where you’re living to work?In 2026, challenge yourself to dedicate a little time after work to try new things like:practicing public speakingattending a networking eventexploring that hobby you’ve always wanted to tryThis week, Hafsa and Zaynab share tips on how to use your 9–5 to get ahead in 2026.Whether it’s building a network beyond just your colleagues, leveling up your skills, or exploring a side hustle, these small moves can help you live a more fulfilling life.Links:Follow Self Startup: https://linktr.ee/selfstartupEmail us at [email protected]

NEW EPISODE – Shiny Object Syndrome Is Ruining Your ProgressNew ideas feel exciting.But if you’re constantly chasing the next thing, this episode might explain why nothing’s sticking.In this episode of the Self Startup Podcast, we reflect on a year of growth, consistency, and what actually moves the needle — especially as everyone starts thinking about “resetting” for the new year.🎙️ We get into:• Why shiny object syndrome quietly kills progress• Asking ChatGPT to do our 2025 wrap-up (and what surprised us)• Whether moodboarding actually works or is just aesthetic procrastination• The difference between planning that builds momentum vs planning that stalls it• Why starting before January is the real advantageThis one’s for anyone feeling the pull to start something new — when the real work might be staying with what you’ve already begun.Prompt: Tiktok --> @Eva_Meena_: Here’s the prompt: Make me a Spotify Wrapped-style year-end summary of all my conversations with you this year, highlighting my top recurring topics, most-discussed hobbies or projects, any memorable conversations, and quirky patterns in what I ask or how I talk. Present it in a fun, Spotify Wrapped-style format with headings like “Top 5 Topics,” “Most Unexpected Question,” “Biggest Obsession,” and “Signature Style,” and include a month-by-month recap that notes my biggest hyperfixation, favorite topic, or mood shift for each month. Keep the tone playful and witty, with bold headings, emojis, and short punchy commentary like Spotify does.Self Startup Links

Sorry to catch you offguard but…are you even PMFing rn?This week Zaynab and Hafsa break down the buzzword we’re all guilty of throwing around: Product Market Fit.What actually is PMF?How do you know when you’ve hit it or when you’re miles off?And what can we learn from the brands that nailed it and the ones that definitely didn’t?On the podcast, the team even try to invent a competitor to ice-cream trucks live on the call and debate whether it would ever find PMF 🤣------All SSU Links: https://linktr.ee/selfstartupPodcast References:Find Product Market Fit Video, that Zaynab referenced: https://youtu.be/rgaP-tMkJaw?si=80wcqbi8PEyvsXGt Paul Graham’s How to Do Great Work Essay: https://paulgraham.com/greatwork.html

Anyone else feel like their spark is fading lately?You are not alone.This week, Zaynab and Hafsa dive into how your words, the way you carry yourself, and your own self-image shapes the way the world sees and reacts to you.They also explore the reality of being a founder: success is often about having relentless confidence.Hear about lucky mindsets and serendipity, why acting like the person you want to become is the ultimate cheatcode to success.------All SSU Links: https://linktr.ee/selfstartupPodcast References:Sunrise Lamp - https://healf.com/collections/sleep-qualityThe Courage to Be Disliked are Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake KogaLamide Elizabeth - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lamideelizabeth_this-year-marks-five-years-since-i-started-activity-7298250127083802625-sxLO/

Is the grass really greener outside a 9–5?
 Are we glamorising the founder path without understanding the real risks?This week, Hafsa and Zaynab talk about the parts of entrepreneurship most people never talk about. The moments where the dream feels more like a trap.---Share your own dilemma: https://tally.so/r/3yd0eXFollow Self Startup: https://linktr.ee/selfstartup Email us at [email protected]

You don’t need to be an influencer to have a personal brand 👀This week on the Self Startup Podcast, Hafsa and Zaynab dive into what it really means to be visible — both online and offline — and how that visibility shapes your opportunities, confidence, and career growth.🎙️ We get into:* Why visibility is the foundation of your personal brand* How to be intentional with what you share online* The power of vulnerability and authenticity in building connections* Creating opportunities through your presence and digital identity

Is work your identity?Have schools made us risk averse?In this episode, we unpack the key differences between the employee mindset and the entrepreneur mindset.Can the habits that make you thrive in a 9–5 could actually hold you back when building a business or side hustle…?We also dive into:- How the education system might be shaping us to avoid risk and follow rules- Why your identity isn’t defined by your job title- The myth of the “one right path” unconventional careers and defining success your way- Why Y Combinator prefers new grads to start companies? We discuss if the employee mindset holding people back?Tune in for an honest conversation about mindset, identity, and the courage to carve your own path.Follow us: https://linktr.ee/selfstartupShare your dilemmas: ⁠https://tally.so/r/3yd0eX⁠