Welcome back to the Baltic Boss Babes blog! Today, we had the pleasure of chatting with the incredible Liva Pērkone, co-founder of Helve, an innovation agency based in the Baltic region. Liva shared her valuable insights on entrepreneurship, navigating stereotypes, work-life balance, and the current startup landscape. So, grab your favourite cup of coffee and get ready to be inspired by Liva's journey!
Unboxing Stereotypes and Embracing Entrepreneurship:
"Don't let yourself be put in a box. There is no right way to be a woman CEO or a woman founder. You just need to find the road that works best for you." Līva
Liva highlighted the cultural context of the Baltic region, where the history of entrepreneurship, especially among women, is relatively new. Due to a lack of generational role models, women entrepreneurs face unique challenges. However, Liva emphasises the importance of not letting stereotypes define one's path. By rejecting the notion of having to choose between different roles or conforming to societal expectations, women can carve their own unique paths in business and life.
Finding Work-Life Balance:
As a mother of three, Liva understands the struggles of juggling career aspirations and family responsibilities. She encourages women to challenge the traditional narrative that suggests they must choose between being a professional or a mom. Liva shares her own experiences of incorporating her children into her entrepreneurial journey, stressing the importance of partnership with one's significant other in finding a balance that works for both personal and professional aspects of life.
Overcoming Challenges in Entrepreneurship:
Liva candidly acknowledges that entrepreneurship is a challenging journey. She humorously describes it as "eating glass every day" but somehow finding the joy in it. She emphasises that while challenges are inevitable, it's essential to enjoy the small successes along the way, celebrate milestones, and appreciate the journey itself. Liva also highlights the significance of building sustainable growth, taking care of oneself physically and mentally, and surrounding oneself with a supportive team.
Navigating Fundraising and Investor Landscape:
"Great ideas and committed teams will still get funded. If you have seen a niche or opportunity and you are committed to building a product and can prove that you can sell it, there will always be investors who want to fund you." Liva
Being an angel investor herself, Liva provides insights into the current market situation for startups seeking funding. While investors may be more conservative and cautious during uncertain times, she emphasizes that great ideas and committed teams will always find funding. Liva advises early-stage startups to focus on finding their niche, proving their ability to execute, and building strong relationships based on trust with potential investors.
Uncomfortable Conversations and Honest Culture:
Liva shares her experiences with uncomfortable conversations, particularly in making tough decisions such as laying off employees. She emphasises the importance of being brutally honest and transparent in business relationships, both with clients and team members. By fostering a culture of difficult conversations and radical candor, Liva believes in building trust and delivering results.
Liva's Productivity Hack - The Rule of Three:
To tackle productivity challenges, Liva suggests implementing the "Rule of Three." This simple yet powerful concept involves intentionally identifying three goals to accomplish each day, both personally and professionally. By prioritising and focusing on these three tasks, individuals can stay proactive and ensure their actions align with their intended outcomes. Liva also emphasises the need to say no to tasks that don't align with one's priorities, allowing for a more focused approach.
Glossy Send-Off:
Our conversation with Liva Pērkone has been nothing short of inspiring. Her insights shed light on the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, the importance of work-life balance, navigating funding landscapes, fostering honest conversations, and finding productivity hacks. Liva's journey exemplifies the resilience and determination required to thrive in the entrepreneurial world while challenging stereotypes along the way.
As Baltic Boss Babes, let's take Liva's wisdom to heart and remember that we don't have to fit into predefined boxes. We can create our own paths, embrace the challenges, celebrate the wins, and build a supportive community that uplifts and empowers all of us.
Cheers and have a blooming spring as radiant as your Baltic Boss Babe energy! Remember, you've got the wit, the charm, and the confidence to conquer any challenge that comes your way. So go out there, make your mark, and let the world feel the power of your fierce femininity. So go ahead, darling, spring into action and let the world marvel at your brilliance. Happy spring, fabulous Baltic Boss Babe! winks and blows a flirty spring breeze your way Go get 'em, gorgeous!
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