Building a Business: Grit & Grace

Leficomp
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Entrepreneurial journeys and practical lessons from around the world Building a Business: Grit & Grace spotlights the real stories of small- and mid-sized business owners. People building meaningful companies that serve their communities, create impact, and support their families. From a branding studio in Canada to entrepreneurs across the US, Europe, and beyond, we uncover the grit it takes to push through challenges and the grace it takes to lead with purpose. Now with an expanded format, each week brings you two types of episodes: Founder Stories: in-depth interviews with business owners from around the world sharing their journeys, lessons, and defining moments. Building Conversations: honest discussions between hosts Anna Angelova and Jores Minasvand on what it really takes to build a visionary business, covering leadership, clarity, marketing, sales, systems, and performance. Authentic conversations, practical lessons, and inspiration for anyone who’s building a business that matters. Because building a business is about profit, people, purpose, and progress.

  1. The Business Fundamentals That Still Matter

    Apr 9

    The Business Fundamentals That Still Matter

    In this episode of Building a Business: Grit & Grace, Anna Angelova and Jores Minasvand return to a conversation every business owner needs, especially in times of rapid change: going back to the fundamentals. With AI evolving quickly and new tools appearing every day, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s changing. But as Anna and Jores explore, long-term success in business comes from staying grounded in what has always worked, not from chasing every new trend. In this conversation, they break down the core principles that remain true regardless of technology, market shifts, or economic uncertainty: Why every business exists to solve a problem or fulfill a desire Why cash flow is still king and how to think about financial stability The simple three-step path of every business: marketing, sales, and delivery The importance of protecting trust once it’s built The correct order for building a strong business: people, processes, then technology Anna and Jores also share real examples of how businesses are navigating the pressure to adopt AI, and why those who win are not the fastest adopters, but the ones who use it with intention, grounded in strong fundamentals. Because while tools will change, the principles of building a business that lasts do not. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by everything that’s changing, this episode will help you refocus on what actually matters and where to direct your energy next. Don't forget to subscribe, so you don't miss any future episodes.

    31 min
  2. The Power of Caring in Business (Without Burning Yourself Out)

    Mar 5

    The Power of Caring in Business (Without Burning Yourself Out)

    In this episode of Building a Business: Grit & Grace, Anna Angelova and Jores Minasvand explore a topic that is often overlooked in business conversations: the power of genuinely caring about people. Inspired by the book Read Your Mind by mentalist Oz Pearlman, Anna reflects on a powerful idea from the book’s chapter Focus on Others, and how shifting our attention from ourselves to others can completely change the way we show up in business. When we focus only on numbers, strategy, and logic, we often forget two critical drivers of leadership and connection: our heart and our intuition. In this conversation, Anna and Jores discuss: Why focusing on helping others reduces anxiety in sales and networking How genuine care builds stronger and longer business relationships The difference between authentic care and manipulative sales tactics Why caring leaders create stronger teams and cultures The hidden danger of over-caring and how it leads to burnout Why boundaries and self-care are essential for sustainable leadership A simple relationship-building habit that helps you remember what matters to people They also share practical ways to bring more humanity into business conversations while still maintaining clear boundaries and expectations. Because in the end, successful businesses are built on relationships, trust, and genuine care for the people you serve. Reflection question: What is one small way you can show genuine care for someone in your business this week? P.S. Gift yourself the gift awareness with the ELI Assessment: https://leficomp.com/eli

    27 min
  3. Three Business Lessons from a Novel: Money, Culture, and Accountability

    Feb 26

    Three Business Lessons from a Novel: Money, Culture, and Accountability

    In this episode of Building a Business: Grit & Grace, Anna Angelova and Jores Minasvand introduce a new format for 2026, sharing business insights inspired by books Anna is reading. This week’s reflection comes from The Story of Us by Catherine Hernandez. While the novel follows the journey of a Filipino overseas worker navigating family, money, migration, and marriage, Anna explores three powerful lessons that directly apply to building a business. In this conversation, you’ll hear about: Why chasing money without remembering your “why” can quietly cost you what matters most The role culture plays not only in countries, but also inside your business The difference between constructive and destructive environments Why accountability and responsibility are non-negotiable leadership traits How victim mentality and blame culture destroy teams Why leaders must model the standards they expect This is a practical reflection on how stories reveal patterns we see every day in business: ambition without alignment, growth without culture, and success without ownership. If you’re building a business and want it to support your life, not replace it, this episode will challenge you to rethink your priorities, your leadership, and the standards you tolerate. As always, we’d love to hear from you: 1. What was your biggest takeaway? 2. How will you apply it in your business? P.S. We also highly recommend the ELI assessment: http://leficomp.com/eli

    30 min
  4. Leading Through Conflict with Sarah Albo

    Feb 3

    Leading Through Conflict with Sarah Albo

    In this episode of Building a Business: Grit & Grace, host Anna Angelova sits down with Sarah Albo, a certified workplace mediator, conflict coach, and psychological health and safety consultant, to explore one of the most overlooked leadership skills in business: how we handle conflict. Sarah shares her winding career journey from training as a psychotherapist, to working in her family business, to completing an MBA, and ultimately building her own solo practice supporting organizations and leaders through conflict, mediation, and healthier workplace systems. This conversation goes beyond theory. Sarah opens up about what it’s really like to build a service-based business in a field people often avoid until things escalate. She talks honestly about the challenges of getting traction early on, leaning into networks and volunteering, building credibility over time, and growing confidence through years of showing up, speaking, and doing the work. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The difference between constructive and destructive conflict and why conflict itself isn’t the problem Why many leaders are promoted without being taught how to manage people How psychological health and safety plays a critical role in business performance What it’s like to run a solo consulting business: the freedom and the isolation How Sarah uses AI as a practical support system in her business Why proactive leadership saves far more time, money, and stress than reactive fixes The importance of giving yourself time when starting a business What grit and grace really look like when building something on your own Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a solopreneur, or a small business owner leading a team, this episode will challenge the way you think about leadership, conflict, and responsibility, and offer practical insights you can apply immediately. Because conflict isn’t going anywhere but how you lead through it makes all the difference. Connect with Sarah here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahalbo/ https://novelhr.ca/

    46 min
  5. Becoming a Visionary Business Leader

    Jan 16

    Becoming a Visionary Business Leader

    In this solo training episode of Building a Business: Grit & Grace, Anna Angelova explores what it truly means to become a visionary business leader and why this isn’t something reserved for famous founders or “special” people. This episode is about leadership from the inside out. Anna breaks down the idea that businesses don’t grow first, people do. And becoming a stronger, more intentional leader is the real path to building a business that lasts. Using the 7 Levels of Energy Leadership framework, Anna walks through the different mindsets leaders operate from. From fear, frustration, and control, to responsibility, service, collaboration, and intuition. You’ll learn how destructive leadership patterns keep businesses stuck, and how constructive, visionary leadership creates trust, growth, and momentum. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The difference between destructive and constructive leadership styles Why taking full responsibility is a turning point for every business owner How shifting from “How can I help?” to “How can everyone win?” changes results What truly defines a visionary leader, and why you already have it within you How intuition, reflection, and reducing judgment unlock clarity and creativity Why leadership is a choice you make in every situation, not a personality trait This episode is a powerful reminder that becoming a visionary leader is about remembering who you already are and choosing how you show up. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a solopreneur, or leading a growing small or mid-sized business, this training will help you rethink leadership, mindset, and the role you play in your company’s future. Want to connect with other visionary founders? Join our free community now: https://leficomp.com/vfc  Curious to learn what your predominant energy level really is? Grab your ELI Assessment today: https://leficomp.com/eli-assessment-page/

    32 min
  6. From Employment to Independence with Jores Minasvand

    Jan 13

    From Employment to Independence with Jores Minasvand

    In this episode of Building a Business: Grit & Grace, host Anna Angelova sits down with Jores Minasvand (longtime independent consultant, co-host of the podcast, and co-founder of Leficomp) to unpack what it really means to build a business as an independent contractor. With over 30 years of experience across technology, finance, energy, healthcare, education, and manufacturing, Jores shares how he transitioned from a traditional tech career into contracting early on and why he believes independence, adaptability, and marketability offer more security than a traditional full-time job ever could. In this honest and practical conversation, you’ll hear about: How Jores started as an independent consultant (and why mentorship mattered early on) The importance of money management, taxes, and having the right advisors Why networking is the real engine behind long-term success How delivering results and protecting your reputation creates repeat opportunities The difference between perceived job security and real career resilience What it takes to stay marketable across industries and economic cycles The freedom and responsibility that comes with being your own business Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a freelancer considering your next step, or a seasoned professional thinking about independence, this episode offers real-world lessons on building a sustainable consulting business with intention, grit, and grace. Because building a business isn’t always about scaling a team. Sometimes it’s about building yourself. If you’re exploring independent work or want to build a business that gives you more control, flexibility, and alignment, this conversation will give you plenty to think about. And if you want to connect with Jores, LinkedIn is the best place: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jores-minasvand/ Looking for more inspiration and help to build your business? Join our free community here: https://leficomp.com/vfc

    42 min
  7. Setting Goals That Actually Stick in 2026

    Jan 8

    Setting Goals That Actually Stick in 2026

    In this first episode of 2026, Anna Angelova and Jores Minasvand kick off the year with a grounded, honest conversation about goal setting and why most goals fail long before February. This isn’t about ambitious resolutions or pressure-filled plans. It’s about setting goals that actually support the business and life you want to live and knowing how to adjust them as the year unfolds. In this episode, Anna and Jores break down: Why setting goals is easy, but sticking to them is the real work How to set one meaningful business goal that matches your stage of growth Why every business owner needs a personal well-being goal, not as a “nice to have,” but as a foundation How to approach growth differently if you’re just starting vs. already generating revenue The difference between dreams and realistic, achievable goals Why belief, emotions, and intuition matter just as much as logic when setting goals How to review and recalibrate your goals regularly instead of setting and forgetting them Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a solopreneur, or running a small or mid-sized business, this episode will help you start 2026 with clarity, intention, and momentum without burning out by March. Because the goal isn’t to set more goals. It’s to set the right ones and build the habits to support them. If you’d like to join these conversations live and work through your goals alongside other founders, check out the Visionary Founders Club, our free community for entrepreneurs building businesses with grit and grace: https://leficomp.com/vfc

    26 min
  8. Mapping Your Customer Journey

    11/20/2025

    Mapping Your Customer Journey

    In this solo episode of Building a Business: Grit & Grace, Anna Angelova breaks down one of the most important, yet often ignored, foundations of every successful business: your customer journey. Drawing from her work with founders inside Launch360 and the Visionary Founders Club, Anna explains that when people don’t know what to do next, they do nothing. And that’s why mapping your customer journey is essential from day one. In this episode, you’ll learn: The three core stages every business must define: Marketing, Sales, and Delivery Why a confused mind doesn’t buy and how clarity boosts trust and action The simplest way to design your first customer journey when you’re just starting out How to identify where your real customers are coming from When to add steps like lead magnets, freebies, or nurture content How to keep your journey consistent, simple, and aligned Why referrals and testimonials should be built into your process from the very beginning Anna also shares practical examples across product and service businesses, explains what customers expect at every touch point, and shows you how to build the know–like–trust factor that leads to long-term success. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or already running a small or mid-sized business, this episode will help you simplify your processes, make smarter decisions, and create a customer experience that actually works. Want to join these trainings live? Become part of our Visionary Founders Club, a free community for new and established founders who want clarity, support, and real conversations about building a business that lasts: https://leficomp.com/vfc

    28 min
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About

Entrepreneurial journeys and practical lessons from around the world Building a Business: Grit & Grace spotlights the real stories of small- and mid-sized business owners. People building meaningful companies that serve their communities, create impact, and support their families. From a branding studio in Canada to entrepreneurs across the US, Europe, and beyond, we uncover the grit it takes to push through challenges and the grace it takes to lead with purpose. Now with an expanded format, each week brings you two types of episodes: Founder Stories: in-depth interviews with business owners from around the world sharing their journeys, lessons, and defining moments. Building Conversations: honest discussions between hosts Anna Angelova and Jores Minasvand on what it really takes to build a visionary business, covering leadership, clarity, marketing, sales, systems, and performance. Authentic conversations, practical lessons, and inspiration for anyone who’s building a business that matters. Because building a business is about profit, people, purpose, and progress.

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