Business Savages

Olya Grovel
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Business Savages

Olya Grovel, startup scaling expert, top rated coach & mentor, and aspiring author, hosts Business Savages, where relatable, everyday entrepreneurs share their raw, down-to-earth journeys of growth, resilience, and success. Unlike typical shows, Business Savages spotlights stories from outside the usual "hall of fame." Each episode delivers actionable strategies for escaping the grind—whether it's a 9-5 or your own hustle—so you can optimize your talents without burning out. Plus, a unique “homework” segment helps you apply these insights to your own journey.

  1. #21 Turning Struggles into Strength: A Journey to Success and Fulfillment with Gary Rankin

    5 DAYS AGO

    #21 Turning Struggles into Strength: A Journey to Success and Fulfillment with Gary Rankin

    In this episode of Business Savages, Olya Grovel interviews Gary Rankin, a life and mindset coach, about his transformative journey from depression and self-doubt to becoming a thriving entrepreneur. Gary shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, from hitting rock bottom after a breakup to finding his calling through a self-help book. They discuss the importance of physical health, emotional resilience, and living in alignment with core personal values. Tune in to hear Gary’s honest and inspiring story, as well as actionable tips for designing a fulfilling life and business. Learning Takeaways: The Power of Rock Bottom as a Catalyst:Understand how hitting rock bottom can ignite a journey of self-discovery and change. Physical Health as a Foundation for Success:Explore how prioritizing physical well-being impacts mental clarity, energy, and overall resilience. Discovering Your Core Values:Learn how identifying personal values helps shape a meaningful and fulfilling life and career. The Importance of Flexibility and Self-Care:Recognize how self-discipline balanced with self-compassion leads to sustainable progress. Overcoming Challenges as an Entrepreneur:Gain insights into navigating self-doubt, societal expectations, and personal struggles while growing a business. Homework: Define Your Core Values:Spend 20–30 minutes reflecting on what matters most to you. Write down your top five core values and consider how they align with your current lifestyle and goals. Create a Vision Aligned with Your Values:Envision a fulfilling life centered around your core values. Outline specific steps to integrate these values into your daily habits and professional goals. Reframe Priorities:Reassess your time management by replacing the phrase “I don’t have time for this” with “I’m not prioritizing this.” Notice how it shifts your perspective and decision-making. Introduce Flexibility to Your Routine:Identify one habit or routine where you can adopt a more balanced and flexible approach. For example, adjust your dietary habits to focus on sustainability rather than strict perfection. Reach Out for Support:If coaching interests you, research or connect with a coach who aligns with your goals. Use the opportunity to gain clarity and actionable steps toward your vision. Follow Gary on IG @garyrankin_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-rankin/ Follow me on IG @olyagrovelofficial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olya-grovel-ryabinina/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessSavages Website: https://olyagrovel.com/

    50 min
  2. #20 From Chaos to Control: How Systems Can Transform Your Business with Olga Zippa

    DEC 4

    #20 From Chaos to Control: How Systems Can Transform Your Business with Olga Zippa

    In this episode of Business Savages, Olya Grovel is joined by Olga Zippa, founder of Next Day Executive, who shares her transformative journey from aspiring actress to a globetrotting entrepreneur specializing in business operations and systems. Olga delves into the lessons she learned from years of resilience-building, overcoming rejection, and finding clarity in chaos. She provides actionable strategies for solopreneurs and business owners to create efficient systems, reduce overwhelm, and achieve true work-life balance. Discover how Olga has helped businesses save time, boost efficiency, and regain control of their lives without sacrificing success. Learning Takeaways: Building Resilience through Rejection: Olga shares how years of rejection in her acting career built the resilience that drives her success in business today. Efficient Systems for Business Growth: Learn how implementing project and client management systems can save hours each week and improve work-life balance. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Understand the role of preparation and mindset shifts in battling imposter syndrome and regaining confidence. Delegation and Automation: Olga explains the importance of identifying tasks you dislike and either automating or delegating them to focus on impactful work. The Power of Intentionality: Discover how being intentional with time and resources leads to sustainable growth and personal fulfillment. Homework: Audit Your Tasks: Write down your weekly tasks and identify what brings you joy and what doesn’t. For tasks you dislike, brainstorm ways to automate or delegate them. Track Your Time: For one week, track how you spend your working hours. At the end of the week, identify areas where time could be used more efficiently. Plan Ahead: Set aside 30 minutes to outline your tasks for the next week, ensuring you prioritize impactful activities and prepare adequately for upcoming challenges. Reflect on Resilience: Recall a recent challenge you overcame and write about how it has strengthened your ability to face future obstacles. Start with One System: Choose one area of your business (e.g., client onboarding, email responses, or project tracking) and research a tool or system to simplify it. Implement it this week. Follow Olga on IG @nextday.executive LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgazippa/ IG: @olyagrovelofficial Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessSavages Website: https://olyagrovel.com/

    54 min
  3. #19 Why the Straight Path Might Be Holding You Back: How to Establish Emotional Runway and Build Unshakable Commitment as an Entrepreneur with Pavlo Pedenko

    NOV 20

    #19 Why the Straight Path Might Be Holding You Back: How to Establish Emotional Runway and Build Unshakable Commitment as an Entrepreneur with Pavlo Pedenko

    In this episode of Business Savages, host Olya Grovel welcomes Pavlo Pedenko, co-founder of the STEM tutoring platform Mathema.me. Pavlo shares his journey from Ukraine to building a thriving ed-tech startup, revealing the unexpected hurdles of scaling a business in different cultural and economic landscapes. They discuss the importance of emotional and financial runway for entrepreneurs, the highs and lows of startup life, and the lessons learned from navigating crises like the war in Ukraine. Pavlo also explores his nonlinear career path and how his diverse experiences shaped his resilience as a founder. Learning Takeaways: Understanding Your Runway: Learn why maintaining a personal and emotional runway is as critical as securing a financial runway for your business. Scaling Across Cultures: Pavlo shares lessons from expanding into new markets and the unexpected challenges of addressing local needs. Impact over Busyness: Discover why true progress matters more than appearing busy in both corporate and entrepreneurial settings. The Value of Gratitude: Pavlo’s exercise of daily gratitude offers a mental reset, even amidst high-stress environments. Commitment as a Superpower: The importance of persevering through the tough moments without searching for shortcuts. Homework: Emotional Check-In: Assess your personal and emotional runway. Write down what’s fueling your energy and what’s draining it, then make one change to prioritize your well-being. Gratitude Practice: For the next week, write down three things you’re grateful for each day. Reflect on how this shifts your mindset. Impact Audit: Track your daily activities and assess if they’re leading to meaningful progress or just keeping you busy. Eliminate at least one task that doesn’t contribute to your goals. Cultural Exploration: Research a market or audience you’re unfamiliar with and write down three unique characteristics or needs that could shape your approach. Follow Pavlo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlo-pedenko-7a02061b/ Follow Us: olyagrovel.com https://www.instagram.com/olyagrovelofficial/https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessSavages

    51 min
  4. #18 The Hard Truths of Building a Hospitality Empire: Lessons on Failure, Family, and Finding Purpose with Alberto Zandi

    NOV 13

    #18 The Hard Truths of Building a Hospitality Empire: Lessons on Failure, Family, and Finding Purpose with Alberto Zandi

    In this episode of Business Savages, Olya sits down with Alberto Zandi, co-founder of Emerald Hospitality Group, to discuss his journey from a young strategy consultant to establishing a thriving hospitality business with his twin brother. Alberto opens up about the unexpected hurdles of the restaurant industry, the importance of adaptability, and the unique dynamics of co-founding a business with family. He also shares key insights into finding purpose, embracing failures as learning experiences, and building resilience in a high-stakes environment. This conversation uncovers the gritty realities of scaling a hospitality group while staying true to personal happiness and purpose. Learning Takeaways: Family as Business Partners: Working with a family member, especially a twin, can streamline decision-making but requires clear role separation to avoid conflicts that may affect both business and personal relationships. Balancing Stubbornness and Open-mindedness: Alberto shares the importance of striking a balance between perseverance and flexibility to respond to market feedback, which he views as crucial for any entrepreneur. Failing Forward: Early failures, from missteps in business model alignment to underperforming locations, taught him invaluable lessons about customer psychology and market adaptability. Embracing these failures paved the way for long-term success. Building Confidence for Resilience: Alberto emphasizes that self-confidence is key, especially in challenging industries, and that physical exercise is a practical method to cultivate this mindset. Focus on Core Strengths: Success doesn’t come from doing everything. Zandi advises prioritizing tasks that truly drive growth rather than simply staying busy—a lesson he believes every founder should internalize. Homework: Start Small with Exercise for Confidence: Dedicate a few days a week to consistent physical exercise to build confidence, which can translate into business resilience. List Your Interests and Potential Market Gaps: Spend 30 minutes jotting down personal interests, then brainstorm how these could fill a market gap. Choose one idea to explore further. Empower Someone on Your Team: If you manage others, identify a person who may benefit from more responsibility. Grant them creative freedom on a small project and offer supportive guidance. Practice Focused Efforts: Choose one task or project to pursue deeply this week rather than multitasking. Track its progress and assess how focusing impacts quality and results. Assess Purpose in Your Projects: Evaluate whether current projects or goals are genuinely fulfilling. If they aren’t, consider ways to pivot towards work that aligns better with your sense of purpose. Closing Reflection Question:Reflect on this: Are you mistaking movement for progress? Remember to focus on quality and meaningful results over mere activity to avoid burnout and achieve true growth. Follow Alberto's here: https://www.instagram.com/30tofficial/ Follow Us: https://olyagrovel.com/ https://www.instagram.com/olyagrovelofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessSavages

    51 min
  5. #17 Breaking Barriers: Redefining Success and Confidence in Male-Dominated Industries with Neyla Merheb

    NOV 1

    #17 Breaking Barriers: Redefining Success and Confidence in Male-Dominated Industries with Neyla Merheb

    In this episode of Business Savages, Olya Grovel hosts Neyla Merheb, a venture capitalist with global experience across New York, Dubai, and Paris, to discuss navigating the male-dominated finance and investment industries. Neyla shares her journey from trading floors to venture capital, emphasizing the importance of confidence, boundary-setting, and resilience. She dives into the unique dynamics women face in the workplace, the need for empathy in leadership, and the thin line between confidence and ego in founders. This insightful conversation offers an honest look at the challenges and advantages of being a woman in high-stakes finance, with practical advice for all entrepreneurs. Learning Takeaways: Confidence vs. Ego in Leadership: Neyla explains the importance of discerning between confidence and ego, especially in founders, as a predictor of sustainable business growth and team cohesion. Boundary-Setting in Professional Relationships: Neyla highlights how setting personal and professional boundaries, such as limiting personal contact through work platforms, can protect one’s peace and maintain professionalism. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: Learn how women in leadership can leverage empathy to create healthier workplaces and foster constructive feedback dynamics. Self-Evaluation in Gender Dynamics: Neyla challenges listeners to examine whether the challenges they experience are truly external or if internalized narratives may be holding them back, urging listeners to adopt an empowered mindset. Workplace Competition and Empowerment: Neyla and Olya discuss intra-gender competition, highlighting the need to shift from a competitive to a collaborative mindset in women-dominated spaces. Homework: Confidence Check: Assess your recent professional interactions. Are you displaying confidence or leaning into ego? Make a note of any recurring themes and identify areas where you can foster genuine self-confidence. Set a New Boundary: Identify one boundary you could set in your work life, whether it’s time, communication, or interaction-related. Implement this boundary to protect your mental well-being and maintain professionalism. Reflect on Empowerment: Write down how you see yourself in male-dominated settings or any other challenging environment. Are there areas where you feel victimized, and if so, is it an internalized belief or an actual external barrier? Aim to adopt an empowered, resilient mindset. Celebrate Diversity in the Workplace: Observe the different strengths in your team or professional environment this week. Write down three unique qualities your colleagues bring to the table and see how these can complement your strengths to create a collaborative work atmosphere.

    51 min
  6. #16 The Real Truth About Startup Success: What No One Tells You About Failing First with Tom Cullen

    OCT 24

    #16 The Real Truth About Startup Success: What No One Tells You About Failing First with Tom Cullen

    In this episode of Business Savages, I interview Tom Cullen, founder of Zoplo, a Gen Z opinion-sharing app. Tom candidly shares his path from a career in investment banking to launching a startup, highlighting the crucial lessons from failure that no one talks about. He opens up about the personal challenges of being an entrepreneur, the fear of quitting his stable job, and how embracing failure helped him find success. Tom also dives into his growth strategies, including leveraging humor in branding and organic growth through TikTok, as well as how personal relationships shaped his entrepreneurial mindset. This episode sheds light on what it really takes to build a successful business, emphasizing the importance of learning from failures. Learning Takeaways: 1. Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone: Tom emphasizes that failure isn’t the end, but a critical part of the journey to success. Learn why failing first can often be the best lesson. 2. Finding Success Through Authenticity: Discover how Tom uses humor and authentic communication in his marketing to build a connection with his Gen Z audience. 3. The Fear Factor: Learn how to overcome the fear of leaving security behind and taking risks for your startup dreams. 4. Building Without Burnout: Tom shares how focusing on personal relationships and balance is key to long-term success and fulfillment in the startup world. 5. Organic Growth on a Budget: Get insights into how Tom grew his app to 76,000 downloads without a marketing budget Homework: 1. Take Action on an Intimidating Goal:    Identify a big goal that feels overwhelming. Break it down into small, achievable steps, and commit to taking action on the first step this week. 2. Post a Piece of Content:    Whether it's on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok, post something you've been hesitant to share. Don't worry about perfection—focus on getting it out there. 3. Call Your Parents:    Take time today to call your parents or someone close to you and thank them for their support. Let them know how much you appreciate their presence in your life. 4. Help a Fellow Entrepreneur:    Find a small business or startup you admire and support them in a tangible way. Whether it’s by purchasing a product, sharing their work on social media, or offering advice, your support can make a big difference. 5. Reflect on Fear of Failure:    Take a few minutes to write down one of your biggest fears when it comes to pursuing your goals. Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Then list reasons why that fear might not be as scary as it seems.

    1 hr
  7. #15 Resilience and Discipline in Business: From Athlete to Entrepreneur with Gabija Adele

    OCT 17

    #15 Resilience and Discipline in Business: From Athlete to Entrepreneur with Gabija Adele

    In this episode of Business Savages, Olya Grovel sits down with Gabija Adele, a former professional swimmer turned entrepreneur, to discuss her journey from the pool to founding a tech-based sales agency, Capital Boost. Gabija shares how her experience as an athlete taught her resilience, discipline, and stress management, all of which she applies in her entrepreneurial ventures. The conversation touches on the importance of setting goals, using visualization techniques, and staying consistent to succeed in business. Gabija also opens up about the challenges of negotiating as a young female entrepreneur and the pressures of building a business in a competitive market. Learning Takeaways: 1. Resilience and Discipline in Business:    Gabija explains how the lessons from her athletic career—discipline, resilience, and stress management—are key to thriving as an entrepreneur. 2. Visualization and Goal Setting:    Visualization isn’t just for athletes. Gabija discusses how imagining future business success, down to the smallest details, can help you reach your goals. 3. Overcoming Entrepreneurial Loneliness:    Gabija shares candid insights into the isolation that comes with entrepreneurship and how joining communities or co-working spaces can help. 4. Strategic Negotiation as a Female Entrepreneur:    Gabija talks about the difficulties of negotiating with clients, especially as a young woman, and how she is working to develop stronger negotiation skills. 5. Building on Strengths:    Identifying your core strengths in business and life is crucial to success. Gabija advises focusing on these strengths to build a solid foundation for growth. Homework: 1. Practice Visualization:    Spend five minutes each day visualizing your business or career success. Imagine where you want to be a year from now and visualize the steps you’ll need to take to get there. 2. Stay Consistent:    Pick one small task related to your business or personal development and commit to doing it daily for the next week. Track your progress and reflect on the results. 3. Identify Your Strengths:    Make a list of your top three strengths in both your business and personal life. Reflect on how you can build on these strengths to reach your goals. 4. Learn Negotiation Skills:    Research and read one resource (book, article, or podcast) on negotiation strategies. Practice using one of these strategies in your next business interaction. 5. Join a Community:    Whether it’s a co-working space or an online group, find a community of like-minded individuals to help combat the isolation of entrepreneurship and gain support.

    45 min
  8. #14 Building Your Free(lance) Future: From Side Gig to Full-Time Entrepreneur with Sara Uzer

    OCT 9

    #14 Building Your Free(lance) Future: From Side Gig to Full-Time Entrepreneur with Sara Uzer

    In this episode of Business Savages, Olya Grovel chats with Sara Uzer, a freelance writer and editor, about her journey from a corporate career to full-time freelance entrepreneurship. Sara shares how she balanced a demanding full-time job while developing a side hustle that allowed her to eventually break free. They discuss the importance of long-term vision, setting boundaries with clients, and managing anxiety as an entrepreneur. Sara provides candid insights into her struggles with confidence, handling slow periods, and maintaining a sense of control in the often unpredictable freelance world. Learning Takeaways: Building a Freelance Career Alongside a Full-Time Job: Sara explains how starting small, like finding work through online communities, can pave the way for long-term success without risking immediate financial stability. Setting Boundaries with Clients: Learn how Sara transitioned from a corporate mindset to setting clear expectations with her freelance clients, avoiding burnout, and maintaining control over her workload. Dealing with Anxiety as an Entrepreneur: Sara shares strategies for managing anxiety, including stepping away from work, leaning on supportive relationships, and practicing mindfulness. Embracing Discomfort and Uncertainty: Sara emphasizes the importance of getting comfortable with the inevitable uncertainty and discomfort that come with freelancing and entrepreneurship. The Importance of Long-Term Vision: Understand the value of having a clear vision for where you want your freelance career to go and how to stay aligned with your goals despite short-term setbacks. Homework: Define Your Long-Term Vision: Write down what you see for your freelance or entrepreneurial career in the next five years. Where do you want to be, and what steps can you take to get there? Set Clear Boundaries: Reflect on your current boundaries with clients. Identify one area where you can set clearer expectations (e.g., turnaround times, communication hours) and put it into practice with your next client. Practice Self-Kindness: Write down three accomplishments from the past week, no matter how small, to remind yourself that you are making progress. Be kind to yourself as you grow. Recognize What You Love Doing: List out the tasks or types of projects that bring you the most joy in your work. Evaluate whether you're doing enough of these tasks and brainstorm ways to shift your focus more toward them. Step Away to Recharge: Commit to stepping away from your computer at least once a day this week for 15-30 minutes. Use that time to walk, meditate, or engage in a non-work-related activity to reset your mind.

    49 min
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About

Olya Grovel, startup scaling expert, top rated coach & mentor, and aspiring author, hosts Business Savages, where relatable, everyday entrepreneurs share their raw, down-to-earth journeys of growth, resilience, and success. Unlike typical shows, Business Savages spotlights stories from outside the usual "hall of fame." Each episode delivers actionable strategies for escaping the grind—whether it's a 9-5 or your own hustle—so you can optimize your talents without burning out. Plus, a unique “homework” segment helps you apply these insights to your own journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Olya Grovel
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Olya Grovel
  • Show Website
    Business Savages

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