Interview with Natalyn Lewis
Natalyn Lewis
DECEMBER 4, 2024 | 00:38 | Episode 48
The Necessity of a Clear Vision for Startup Success
Natalyn “Natty” Lewis emphasizes the importance of having a crystal clear vision when starting a business, arguing that many entrepreneurs begin their journeys with half-baked ideas that lack direction. Drawing from her extensive experience in both the corporate world and entrepreneurship, she illustrates how self-doubt and imposter syndrome can derail founders if they don’t fully understand their passion and purpose. With a background as an NCAA Division 1 athlete and over 25 years in business, Natty combines insights from sports and personal challenges to guide startup founders in building successful ventures. She highlights that those who take the time to define their vision can avoid common pitfalls and make sound decisions that align with their ultimate goals. The conversation delves into her personal journey, including her struggles with anxiety and the pivotal moments that led her to become a coach for entrepreneurs seeking growth and clarity.
ABOUT MY GUEST
Natalyn “Natty” Lewis
Natalyn O. Lewis, or Natty as everyone knows her, is a wife and mother of 4 beautiful children. As a former NCAA Division 1 athlete, she learned quickly the power of the mind on human achievement and has taken her drive and passion for sports and brought it into coaching and the business world. Natty has 25 years of business and entrepreneurial background. She's studied human behavior for years - why people start, but don't finish... what makes a high achieving person successful. What is the difference between someone that seems to have it all together and someone that can’t get out of their own way? After her own personal struggle with anxiety, she became a woman on a mission to understand thoughts, emotions, and their impact on the physical body and ultimately the impact on our lives.
In 2020, Natty partnered with a nonprofit and combined her knowledge and experience and combined it with their 14 years of research, development, science and evidence of human behavior from working with over 10,000 people to create and implement a new approach to emotional intelligence. She's built companies, worked with professionals from every area including athletes, business owners and influencers. With each person she has worked with she discovered the power of raising your EQ. Everything else raises with it- increased revenue, productivity, purpose, better relationships, more intention and In short, a better life.
Summary
Jothy Rosenberg engages in a profound conversation with Natty Lewis, a seasoned entrepreneur and coach, who shares valuable insights into the complexities of starting and scaling a business. The dialogue revolves around the common pitfalls faced by many entrepreneurs, particularly the tendency to embark on ventures with half-baked ideas lacking a clear destination. Lewis likens this to driving a car without a destination in mind, emphasizing the importance of having a well-defined vision. She argues that passion is essential but must be coupled with a strategic understanding of the market and the specific needs of potential customers. The discussion highlights the psychological challenges that entrepreneurs face, such as anxiety and imposter syndrome, which can hinder decision-making and lead to costly mistakes. Lewis’s experiences and frameworks provide listeners with actionable advice on how to embrace their unique journeys, maintain focus, and cultivate resilience in the face of adversity. By grounding their ventures in a clear vision and purpose, entrepreneurs can navigate the uncertain terrain of startup life more effectively, aligning their actions with their ultimate goals and values.
Takeaways
Entrepreneurs often start with half-baked ideas, leading to confusion and wasted resources.
A clear vision is essential for guiding startup decisions and preventing aimless actions.
Anxiety can severely impact decision-making, causing poor choices in business ventures.
Imposter syndrome is common among first-time founders, affecting their confidence and performance.
Identifying your passion and purpose is critical to building a successful startup.
Instead of focusing on detailed business plans, prioritize understanding the core mission of your venture.
Links
Natty's Ascend EQ: https://ascendeq.com/
Please leave us a review: https://podchaser.com/DesigningSuccessfulStartups
Tech Startup Toolkit (book): https://www.manning.com/books/tech-startup-toolkit
Jothy’s website: https://jothyrosenberg.com
Who Says I Can’t Foundation: https://whosaysicant.org
Jothy’s TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNtOawXAx5A
Chapters
00:04 - Introduction to Natalyn Lewis
00:10 - The Importance of Clarity in Entrepreneurship
00:37 - The Journey of a Former NCAA Athlete
04:58 - Building Successful Companies: Madeline's Experience
18:25 - The Role of Anxiety in Entrepreneurship
26:02 - Understanding Grit and Resilience in Startups
31:19 - The Power of Vision for Entrepreneurs