Episode 14 of Growing For It with Jannik Olander

Jannik Olander, CEO and founder of Nialaya, discusses his entrepreneurial journey from Denmark to Los Angeles. He emphasizes the importance of hard work, ambition, and resilience in entrepreneurship. Jannik's early experiences included working on a farm in Denmark and being inspired by fashion magazines. He moved to London at 18, worked in various roles, and eventually returned to Denmark to manage Ralph Lauren stores. He later expanded to Tommy Hilfiger and Polo Jeans, managing many stores in Illum's department store. Jannik also ventured into outlet stores and a T-shirt business, highlighting the challenges and successes in his diverse entrepreneurial endeavors. Jannik also underwent near bankruptcy, moved to the states, and began a jewelry fashion brand. His brand Nialaya gained traction, particularly after meeting P. Diddy and other celebrities although the brand faced legal challenges from a competitor but survived. Jannik emphasizes the importance of hard work, leading to significant growth and a shift from celebrity-focused to influencer-focused marketing. Today, the brand is internationally recognized, with a strong online presence and a vision for future expansion. Jannik discusses his vision of expanding his business to Copenhagen or London. He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, crediting his 27-year-old wife for her influence. He reflects on past financial mistakes, advocating for savings and cautious spending. Yannick contrasts the social dynamics in Denmark and the US, noting the openness and networking opportunities in LA. He expresses concerns about the current economic climate, comparing it to 2008. Lastly, he contemplates the challenges of raising children in LA, considering a move to Malibu for a safer environment.

If you wanna learn more about our "Elite Founders Fundraising" program, DM us on our socials listed here:

Mikkel on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili

Travis on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali

Mikkel on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel

Travis on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis

Be sure to check out Jannik on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannikolander/

Thanks to our sponsors:

Shaping New Tomorrow

State Energy

Vestermark Consult

Chapters

[0:00 - 10:00] Jannik's Entrepreneurial Journey Begins

[10:00 - 20:00] From the Countryside to the City

[20:00 - 30:00] Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit

[30:00 - 40:00] Building a Retail Empire in Copenhagen

[40:00 - 50:00] Expanding Through Outlet Stores and New Ventures

[50:00 - 1:00:00] Lessons Learned: Challenges and Resilience

[1:00:00 - 1:10:00] Selling Stores and Pursuing New Opportunities

[1:10:00 - 1:20:00] A Fresh Start in New York and the Breakup

[1:20:00 - 1:30:00] Launching the Nialaya Jewelry Brand in Los Angeles

[1:30:00 - 1:40:00] Nialaya's Rise: Celebrity...

Episode 13 of Growing For It with Iris Isabella Engelund.

In this episode we welcome Iris Isabella Engelund, CEO of Play Your Talent. Engelund discusses her mission to help organizations identify and leverage employee talents to boost performance and satisfaction. Play Your Talent is an innovative app that identifies top and non-talents in 12 minutes, enabling leaders to optimize team roles. Iris emphasizes the importance of using talents that align with personal interests, which can increase performance up to six times. She shares her personal journey of discovering her strategic talent and the challenges of fundraising and managing IT development. Iris highlights the need for leaders to understand and manage team dynamics effectively, using Play Your Talent's tools and programs to enhance motivation and productivity. Iris Isabella Engelund discusses her journey from a fitness instructor to a successful keynote speaker and entrepreneur. She emphasizes the importance of persistence, strategic planning, and leveraging personal networks. Iris shares her approach to overcoming rejection by seeking solutions and maintaining a positive mindset. She highlights the significance of discovering and utilizing one's talents, balancing work with personal life, and the value of breath work and physical activities. Iris also touches on the challenges women face in entrepreneurship and advises against self-doubt, encouraging entrepreneurs to embrace their unique strengths and seek support when needed.

Key take-aways:

1. Identifying and leveraging individual talents is crucial for both personal and organizational success. The Play Your Talent tool provides a practical way to do this.
2. Managing diversity and different working styles within a team requires understanding each person's "cookie structure" and finding ways to bridge the gaps.
3. Entrepreneurship requires persistence, strategic thinking, and the willingness to take calculated risks and seek help when needed.
4. Finding meaning and fulfillment in one's work, rather than just focusing on weaknesses, is a more effective path to high performance.
5. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance through activities, routines, and a supportive network is important for entrepreneurs to avoid burnout and sustain their drive.

If you wanna learn more about our "Elite Founders Fundraising" program, DM us on our socials listed here:

Mikkel on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili

Travis on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali

Mikkel on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel

Travis on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis

Be sure to check out Iris on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/irisengelund

Thanks to our sponsors:

Shaping New Tomorrow

State Energy

Vestermark Consult

Chapters:

[0:00 - 5:00] Introduction to Play Your Talent and Iris Engelund

[5:01 - 10:00] Understanding Talents and Non-Talents

[10:01 - 15:00] Bridging the Talent Divide in...

Episode 12 of Growing For It with Peter Sorgenfrei.

Peter Sorgenfrei, a serial entrepreneur, multiple CEO, turned CEO coach, discusses his journey from founding six companies to helping other CEOs navigate stress and burnout. He emphasizes the importance of mental health, transparency, and trust in leadership. Peter shares his method of coaching, which involves asking the right questions to help clients find their own solutions. He also highlights the significance of personal relationships, advocating for radical transparency and regular check-ins with partners. Peter's approach includes creating a supportive environment for CEOs and founders, ensuring they can balance personal and professional lives effectively. Peter Sorgenfrei emphasizes the importance of taking action and being transparent in both personal and professional relationships. He advises founders to be candid with investors, ensuring a good fit and transparency. For fundraising, he suggests a structured approach, focusing on clear communication and understanding investor remits. He also highlights the significance of maintaining regular communication with board members and investors. On personal resilience, Peter stresses the importance of routines like cold plunges, meditation, and napping. He shares his experiences with overcoming stress and the impact of his upbringing, advocating for open communication and understanding in both personal and professional settings.

Key Take-Aways:

• Prioritize mental health and well-being for founders and CEOs - Boards and investors should actively support the mental health of company leaders, as their personal struggles can significantly impact the business.
• Build trust and transparency with your board - Maintain regular communication with board members outside of formal meetings, and be open about both successes and challenges to avoid surprises.
• Focus on hiring the right people, not just filling roles - Take the time to ensure new hires are the right fit, as they can make or break a fast-growing company.
• Integrate work and life, don't just balance them - Establish routines and boundaries that allow you to be present in both your personal and professional life.
• Be radically candid in your communication - Embrace honesty and vulnerability to build stronger relationships, even if it means having difficult conversations.

If you wanna learn more about our "Elite Founders Fundraising" program, DM us on our socials listed here:

Mikkel on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili

Travis on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali

Mikkel on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel

Travis on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis

Be sure to check out Peter Sorgenfrei on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sorgenfrei/

Thanks to our sponsors:

Shaping New Tomorrow

State Energy

Vestermark Consult

Chapters:

[00:05:00] From Successful CEO to Burned Out

[00:10:00] Discovering a New Calling