1. The Untold Stories of How Founders Affect Culture | SOPHIE THEEN | START-UP ADVISOR & FOUNDER COACH OF CHIEF OF STORIES | Inter:views 114 Laurent Notin 31:30

Entrepreneurs are bold and risk-takers. They do not allow themselves to be held back by the fear of the unknown. They pull the trigger, make mistakes, fail, learn and bounce back better and bigger. Though most of them face a lot of challenges, they never give up. However, the better they get informed before going into the startup space, the easier they will navigate the murky waters. Sometimes, they will be compelled to make hard decisions, and their business culture is one of the key skills that will help them.

Successful businesses have a strong culture, and the founders have the greatest influence. Culture is important to a business because that makes it different and unique from others. Culture is the go-to method they apply to handle customers and solve problems when they arise. But how do you develop a sound business culture? How do you measure if the culture of your business is correct, and what do you need to do to pivot?

Join this conversation with Sophie Theen and get all your questions answered and the entrepreneurial motivation you need to push forward as a startup founder. Sophie Theen is an award-winning HR and diversity & inclusion professional. In this episode, she delivers an insightful and eye-opening discussion of the importance of culture in the vibrant and, sometimes, chaotic world of startup enterprises.

Let’s jump in!

Key Highlights From The Show:

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Sophie Theen

[01:40] Sophie’s backstory and how she got into her space

[03:15] The untold stories of how founders affect culture

[05:14] Why startup founders need to be informed before embarking on the journey

[06:16] Why did you start the journey?

[07:18] Things that are common among all founders

[08:29] Why startup founders need to have a high level of Emotional Intelligence

[09:32] The importance of a business culture

[12:07] How to know if you are in the correct culture as an entrepreneur

[14:28] Vulnerability among founders and where to draw the line

[18:22] What motivates Sophie to wake up in the morning to do what she does

[19:33] What she discovered about herself through the entrepreneurship journey

[22:17] Why it’s important to have a coach as a business owner

[26:59] What it means to be an entrepreneur to Sophie

[28:10] Sophie’s favorite question to clients as a coach

[29:37] The number one recommendation to entrepreneurs from Sophie

[30:42] Best ways to reach out and connect with Sophie Theen

[30:55] Ending the show and call to action

Notable Quotes:

  • There’s always light at the end of the tunnel on your decision. 
  • Entrepreneurs are bold and risk-takers. 
  • Culture is what makes a business different and unique from others. 
  • Business culture is the DNA behind a business logo.
  • Everybody has a bad day at some point in their life, and that’s why the presence of a mentor or coach is imperative.
  • People always have answers in them. All they need is someone to help them uncover.
  • Learning to ask for help goes a long way.

Get Sophie’s Book:

The Soul of Startups: The Untold Stories of How Founders Affect Culture: https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Startups-Stories-Founders-Culture/dp/1119885590

Connect With Sophie Theen:

Website: https://www.sophietheen.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophietheen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophietheen/

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Laurent Notin The Bottleneck Coach : Getting Entrepreneurs Unstuck; Podcast Host

I am a French national who left France at 23, and spent 20 years in South-East Asia, before relocating to Finland in the summer of 2019.

​My professional background is in market research and advertising, where I ran small businesses of up to 150 people across 3 countries.

I've always cared more about others than about myself. I've developed a passion for coaching, mentoring, advising, and training people throughout the years. Combined with my entrepreneurial mindset, becoming a coach to entrepreneurs just made sense.

Today, I combine my experience and expertise to unlock entrepreneurs from situations they create when they become the bottleneck in their business.