
Building a Startup, Navigating Imposter Syndrome & The Power of Trust | Hayden, Co-Founder of Ontago
With Hayden, Co-Founder of Ontago
·29 min
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About this conversation
What does it really take to build a startup from the ground up, make tough decisions and create something that genuinely solves a problem?
In this episode of Look At You Now, we sit down with Hayden, Co-Founder of Ontago, to explore his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons he's learnt along the way.
From bootstrapping a business in the data privacy and compliance space to finding product-market fit, Hayden shares his experiences of building a startup, navigating imposter syndrome and learning to trust the process.
We dive into the importance of having an open and honest relationship with your co-founder, making better decisions under pressure and knowing when it's time to grow your team.
Hayden also shares why he believes great businesses are built by focusing on solving real problems rather than chasing profits, and how taking time to reflect can completely change the way you approach business and life.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why data privacy and compliance matter for startups
- Bootstrapping a business versus seeking external investment
- Finding product-market fit and learning from customer feedback
- Overcoming imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur
- Building trust and aligning values with your co-founder
- Making smarter decisions and focusing on what actually moves the needle
- Balancing business ambitions with personal relationships
- Growing a team while protecting your company culture
- Why solving problems should always come before chasing profit
Whether you're building your first startup, already running a business or simply interested in entrepreneurship, this conversation offers valuable insights into the realities of building something from scratch.
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Chapters
- 00:00Introduction to Hayden and Ontago
- 01:28What Ontago Does and Its Value to Startups
- 02:51Why Data Privacy Matters for Startups
- 04:48Bootstrapping vs Funding in Compliance Solutions
- 08:32Evolving Product-Market Fit Through Customer Feedback
- 11:00Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a Founder
- 12:35Decision-Making and Focusing on Levers
- 14:13Aligning Vision and Values in Business
- 16:16Reflecting and Gaining Insights from Focused Moments
- 18:13Balancing Personal and Business Relationships
- 19:53Roles, Responsibilities, and Growth Strategies
- 21:20Deciding When to Expand the Team
- 23:58Setting Standards and Company Values
- 26:06Differentiating Ontago in the Market
- 27:07Proving Value Through Testimonials and Data
- 28:51Where to Find Hayden and Ontago