After being attacked on her way home at night, Ina set out to help everyone walk home safely and built a team to create the first protection badge with eNOugh. Ina shares the ways that she keeps resilient for the twists and turns of founderhood.

The pressure is always there. I feel under pressure all the time, everyday. Even when I take time off, it never feels like I am putting the pressure away. It would be easy to give up every day, and that is ultimately why resilience becomes the main requirement, since we get tested on it every single day. 

The founder’s journey without resilience would be impossible, every single thing can trigger emotional doubt. So in those tough moments, I think about all the successful people that had to survive the tough times to make it. It then gives me clarity that the only way forward is right through the middle of it or I am not up for the job. 

I always think about the fact that these are the defining moments, the real test. Acknowledging it makes me see it with a different perspective. It takes the focus away from how low I am feeling and puts the focus on, this is a test and I will pass. 

I have a playlist called “founders life” with super motivational songs. Playing that loud in my earphones sometimes does help. And then I remind myself to take it “day by day”, as long as it’s forward. 

Past experiences! I look back and see (now, with perspective) how I thought that I wouldn’t be able to overcome that moment and then knowing that I did, always reassures me that it is possible. 

Workout is my go-to. I also like to make time to see friends – especially friends that are the opposite of career-driven to gain some perspective. I get a boost from watching interviews of successful people, which pushes me to do better, and it might sound weird but I like to watch videos of Kobe Bryant talking about the Mamba mentality. It transcends sport, and is applicable in all aspects of life.   

Right now, I justify it by knowing that If I burn out, it will hurt the business more than If I look over myself more regularly.

Since joining Founder Circles, my resilience has improved significantly. Going through the journey with others (and sharing it) makes it much easier. 

Investors should demand from founders 1 full day per month of detox, the founders need to report back to investors that they have completed it (so it becomes a compulsory metric). That gives permission to founders to make the change and improved founder health.