Confessions of a Conscious CEO

Selina Ho
  • 5.0 (6)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED DAILY

Confessions of a Conscious CEO pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a purpose-driven business that aligns with your values, sustains your lifestyle, and actually makes money. Join business advisor Selina Ho for unfiltered insights, behind-the-scenes lessons, and honest conversations with visionary founders who are redefining success. From profitable product development to intentional scaling and funding — it’s the real talk every conscious entrepreneur needs. Tune in weekly to get inspired, sustainably grow, and achieve your version of success!

  1. 10/29/2025

    From Closing Her First Business to Raising £300K With Daisy Harvey

    I sat down with Daisy Harvey, the founder of LOOM to unpack how she closed her first business, rebuilt her confidence, and raised £300K to launch an upcycling app that matches your wardrobe with designers.We overview: How she knew it was time to close her first businessThe most valuable lessons from her first ventureWhat makes a marketplace work and how to prevent leakageBuilding a simple no-code MVP before an appHer path to fundraising £300KRESOURCE MENTIONED → Free GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentialsLET’S CONNECT→ Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ CONNECT WITH DAISY Loom App: https://www.theloomapp.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloomapp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisyharvey START YOUR BUSINESS→ Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb→ Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmapSCALE YOUR BUSINESS→ Free GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction 02:02 Daisy's Entrepreneurship Journey03:18 First Business Challenges05:18 Lessons Learned from First Business07:31 Transition to Loom10:27 Launching Loom13:46 Building the MVP17:39 Marketplace Dynamics19:23 Balancing Designers and Customers21:38 Fundraising Journey22:31 Pitching Your Business to Investors23:11 Learning About Fundraising24:13 Building Confidence in Fundraising25:42 Evaluating Potential Investors26:29 Advice for Pitch Competitions29:10 Full-Time Fundraising Challenges32:43 Balancing Fundraising and Business Operations33:40 Press and Marketing Strategies35:40 Current Challenges and Future Plans39:29 Quick Fire Round

    42 min

  2. 10/22/2025

    How to Go from Idea to Market Without Burning Out or Burning Cash

    Here’s the truth: you don’t need a massive budget or a big team to launch. In this episode, I break down how to validate, market, and sell in a way that protects both your cash and your capacity. I share the lessons I learned from my first business, why perfectionism and control led me to burnout, and the practical systems I now use to go to market sustainably. I share: What I would do differently to avoid burning cash and burnoutWhy you must validate before you build and how to do it fastThe exact survey and interview approach to co-create with your ideal customerWhen to avoid paid ads and the signals that you are ready to use themA simple, sustainable sales funnel from traffic to nurture to conversionHow to automate parts of your funnel so sales are not dependent on youMy daily burnout thermometer and how I intervene before I hit the wallThe self-care menu I use with low, medium, and high effort options RESOURCE MENTIONED  → Free GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials START YOUR BUSINESS → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap SCALE YOUR BUSINESS → Free GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_  → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting  LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com   → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho   → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_  TIMESTAMPS 00:18 My First Business 00:36 The Perfectionist Trap 01:11 Wasting Money on Ads and PR 01:41 Validate Before You Build 02:46 How to Validate Your Idea 03:48 The Costly Mistake of Not Validating 04:46 Focus on One Social Media Platform 06:39 The Importance of Email Marketing 06:59 Avoiding Premature Paid Ads 08:25 Building a Sustainable Sales Funnel 11:22 How to Prevent Burnout 13:09 Daily Check-ins and Self-Care Menu

    16 min

  3. 10/15/2025

    From 200 No's to $1M ARR: Natalie Barbu on Rella's Pivot, Fundraising, and Growth

    I’m joined by Natalie Barbu, CEO and co-founder of Rella, to unpack how her team went from 200 no’s to raising $1M and reaching $1M ARR. We get into the unfiltered truths of starting a tech company without a coding background, nearly running out of money, and the viral video that turned it around!We discuss: How Natalie spotted the gap in creator/social workflow toolsThe step-by-step path from creator to tech founder (without writing code)How she found, tested, and committed to the right co-foundersSurviving 200 investor rejections and landing the first yesThe storytelling pitch that resonated with early-stage VCsWhy Rella pivoted to businesses, and how they executed the rebuildThe viral video that spiked trials (and what they did next)How to balance fundraising with running the companyTactical resources for first-time fundraisers and operatorsRESOURCES MENTIONED → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials→ Try Rella: https://getrella.com/ Use our code "CONFESSIONS" for 15% off → The Startup Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startup-podcast/id913805339→ The Pitch Podcast: https://www.thepitch.show/LET’S CONNECT→ Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ CONNECT WITH NATALIE→ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieBarbu→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliebarbuSTART YOUR BUSINESS→ Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb→ Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmapSCALE YOUR BUSINESS→ Free GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting TIMESTAMPS00:00 Highlights02:33 Welcome and Introduction02:52 Starting Rella04:55 The Journey to Becoming a Tech Founder05:53 Finding the Right Development Team06:47 Co-Founder Dynamics09:38 Balancing Content Creation and Startup Life10:36 Consistency in Content Creation13:35 Fundraising Journey14:30 Learning the Fundraising Process15:54 Resources for Aspiring Founders17:52 Friends and Family Round19:18 Navigating the VC Round22:00 The Power of Networking and Persistence27:30 Handling Closed Rounds Respectfully28:22 The Importance of Storytelling in Fundraising29:11 Crafting a Compelling Pitch31:42 The Decision to Pivot32:52 Rebuilding and Relaunching Rella33:55 The Viral Video That Changed Everything37:10 Managing Growth After Going Viral39:11 The Power of Content Creation for Founders40:20 Balancing Personal and Business Content42:12 Navigating Transparency and Privacy43:30 Revamping the Podcast45:08 Daily Routines and Personal Insights46:47 Best and Worst Advice for Founders

    49 min

  4. 10/08/2025

    Why Your Startup Isn’t Growing... The Go-To-Market Strategy Mistakes Founders Make

    Most founders think a go-to-market strategy is just a launch plan or a marketing campaign — but it’s so much more than that. In this episode, I break down what a true GTM strategy is, why it’s the difference between a product that flops and one that takes off, and how you can create a winning plan that drives real traction. I share: What a go-to-market strategy actually includes (beyond marketing)The key lessons I learned from launching a multimillion-dollar product in corporateHow to identify your ideal customer and their biggest pain pointsWhy you shouldn’t overbuild your product before launchHow to nail your positioning, distribution, and sales funnel for success RESOURCE MENTIONED  → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials START YOUR BUSINESS → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap SCALE YOUR BUSINESS → Free GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_  → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting  LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com   → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho   → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_  TIMESTAMPS 00:28 Common Misconceptions 01:26 Importance of Pre-Launch Work 01:47 Corporate GTM Story 02:05 Understanding Your Target Customer 03:07 Strategic Distribution Plan 05:06 Defining GTM 05:46 Identifying Your Ideal Customer 07:24 Market Research Essentials 10:03 Prototyping and Testing 10:49 The 80/20 Rule in Product Development 13:29 Importance of Positioning 14:27 Effective Distribution Strategies 15:14 Sales Funnel

    17 min

  5. 10/01/2025

    Raising Capital for a Social Impact Startup With Daniel Samosir Botcherby

    I interview Daniel Samosir Botcherby, the Co-Founder & CEO of Kalda, a digital mental health platform created to support the LGBTQIA+ community in this episode. We dive into the personal story that inspired Kalda, the challenges of building a mission-driven startup, and the realities of raising capital while staying true to social impact values.We discuss: His personal experiences that led to the creation of KaldaThe tension between social impact and the traditional VC fundraising modelHow to decide how much to raise and avoid over-dilution in early roundsKey lessons on finding product-market fit and balancing growth with careRESOURCES → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials→ GTM Consulting: https://selinaho.com/consulting→ Client Session With Dan: https://youtu.be/kiRVGvtLE8ILET’S CONNECT→ Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ CONNECT WITH DAN→ Kalda: https://www.kalda.co → Dan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbotcherby START YOUR BUSINESS→ Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb→ Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmapSCALE YOUR BUSINESS→ Free GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction01:32 Free GTM Essentials Course03:35 Dan's Journey07:33 The Importance of Safe Spaces07:43 Building a Business Builds You08:21 Fundraising for Kalda09:19 Balancing VC Ambitions with Social Impact09:58 Navigating the VC Model10:32 Finding the Right Investors11:26 Laying the Foundation for Growth11:54 The Importance of Product Market Fit11:58 Deciding How Much to Raise14:12 Avoiding Overvaluation and Dilution16:37 UK vs. US Fundraising Markets17:50 The Challenge of Fundraising and Building18:24 Getting Your First Investors20:08 The Role of Accelerators and Community21:06 Choosing the Right Investors24:56 Guiding Principles for Fundraising26:10 The Importance of Speed in Fundraising26:51 Setting Your Terms and Valuation27:36 Creating Urgency to Close the Round27:51 The Power of Walking Away28:22 Maintaining Confidence as a Founder28:59 The Journey of a First-Time Founder29:27 The Role of a CEO in a Venture-Backed Startup30:12 Balancing Personal Challenges and Fundraising30:35 Support from Investors and Friends31:36 Navigating Grief and Fundraising32:08 The Importance of Clear Goals33:11 Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout33:34 Creating Systems for Fundraising33:55 The Challenge of Fundraising Alone35:40 Prioritizing Business Goals37:52 The Problem Kalda is Solving39:31 The Cost of Private Therapy41:48 The Importance of a Scalable Solution42:21 Simplifying the Product43:02 Lessons in Marketing and Branding43:45 Reevaluating the Business Model47:32 Final Reflections and Advice

    51 min

  6. 08/27/2025

    Client's GTM Strategy Session: Monetization, Sales Funnels & Branding Secrets

    In this episode, I take you inside a real GTM strategy session I ran for my client Dan, the Founder of Kalda. We unpacked his monetization options, refined his sales funnel, and aligned his brand so everything works together to drive sustainable growth. You’ll hear how we balanced big-picture strategy with tactical execution, and how I built him a roadmap to follow for the next year.I share: How to identify and validate different monetization modelsA simple but powerful sales funnel framework you can useWhy branding and positioning are just as important as revenue strategies RESOURCES MENTIONED → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting START YOUR BUSINESS → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap SCALE YOUR BUSINESS → Free GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ TIMESTAMPS 00:26 Sales and Marketing Strategy 00:42 Understanding the Customer and End User 01:07 Monetization Strategies 01:45 Privacy and Safety Concerns 02:11 Balancing Accessibility and Sustainability 02:26 Charging the End User 02:41 Exploring Gifting and Sponsorship 03:02 Community Support 05:26 The Importance of Community 05:41 Building a Strong Community 06:05 Offline Touchpoints and Meetups 07:40 Sales Funnel Overview 09:39 Traffic and Lead Gen 10:12 Optimizing SEO and Website Visits 11:07 Social Media and Referrals 11:41 Trusted Authority Referrals 13:29 Nurturing and Building Trust 14:13 Digital and In-Person Engagement 15:02 Conversion Strategies 18:09 Brand Building

    25 min

  7. 08/21/2025

    Welcome to Confessions of a Conscious CEO ✨

    This podcast pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a purpose-driven business that aligns with your values, sustains your lifestyle, and actually makes money. Join business advisor Selina Ho for unfiltered insights, behind-the-scenes lessons, and honest conversations with visionary founders who are redefining success. From profitable product development to intentional scaling and funding — it’s the real talk every conscious entrepreneur needs. Tune in weekly to get inspired, sustainably grow, and achieve your version of success!

    1 min

  8. 08/13/2025

    What It Really Takes to Be an "Overnight Success" with Stephanie Melodia

    Ever wonder what it really takes to become an “overnight success”? In this candid conversation with Stephanie Melodia, we unpack the truth behind the myth — from the years of work no one sees, to the role of money, luck, and confidence in building a thriving business. Steph shares her personal journey, powerful money mindset shifts, and the resilience it takes to keep showing up, even when the results aren’t instant. We share: Why “overnight success” is a misleading myth (and what’s actually behind it)The role money plays in creating freedom and opportunitiesHow luck really works — and how to stack the odds in your favourBuilding lasting confidence through action and evidenceThe hidden long game behind public speaking and big opportunitiesPractical tips for women to shift from scarcity to abundance with money RESOURCES MENTIONED  → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki → The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel → The Curve https://thecurveplatform.com/  → Female Invest https://www.femaleinvest.com/  → Vestpod https://www.vestpod.com/  LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com   → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho   → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_  CONNECT WITH STEPH → Podcast: Strategy & Tragedy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltJMUZ7C5_A&list=PLlV8JoK2z-iiFOW5Gw-FISA6rvBdR853z  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia  → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmelodia-keynotespeaker  START YOUR BUSINESS → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap SCALE YOUR BUSINESS → Free GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_  → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Podcast Intro 02:11 Free Course GTM Essentials 03:34 Welcome Stephanie 04:16 Defining Success 05:52 Early Money Memories 08:58 First Job Struggles  13:28 Money Mindset 28:47 The Power of Compound Interest 30:48 Creativity Meets Market Need 32:23 Building Her First Business 33:10 The Unexpected Career Shift 33:56 The Role of Luck in Success 34:34 Effort vs. Talent 35:03 Hacking Luck and Taking Risks 37:14 The Reality Behind Success Stories 37:41 The Behind-The-Scenes of Public Speaking 39:22 First Public Speaking Experience 41:17 The Business of Public Speaking 42:28 Taking Risks for Opportunities 46:22 The Long Road to a Keynote 48:59 Managing Expectations 49:39 Building Resilience 52:19 The Importance of Consistency 01:03:26 LinkedIn Strategies 01:07:57 Final Thoughts and Advice

    1h 9m
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Confessions of a Conscious CEO pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a purpose-driven business that aligns with your values, sustains your lifestyle, and actually makes money. Join business advisor Selina Ho for unfiltered insights, behind-the-scenes lessons, and honest conversations with visionary founders who are redefining success. From profitable product development to intentional scaling and funding — it’s the real talk every conscious entrepreneur needs. Tune in weekly to get inspired, sustainably grow, and achieve your version of success!

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