She started

Hosted by Masha Plotkina

Business Entrepreneurship

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Feb 2025

Language

About the show

"She started" is all about startups down to reality. Tech founder Maria explores peaks and valleys while building a successful business. Each week, top industry experts share their first-hand knowledge and hints about startups. Masha Plotkina is a serial founder, Antler VC alumni, and CITI award winner 2020 (Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year). She made it from teacher to Ed Tech company founder and pivoted her startup into gamified dating. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariia-plotkina/ru Insta https://www.instagram.com/masha_quinky Twitter https://twitter.com/masha_plotkina

Listen to episodes

6 recent

February 19, 202521 min

Does a Startup Need a Designer?

We spoke with Marina, an experienced product designer and active mentor for startups at various stages of product development. Currently, Marina serves as a part-time mentor within a startup accelerator, and prior to this role, she helped several startups successfully reach the market.The importance of having a designer as a mentor or part-time contributor to a startup is often underestimated. Marina offers a fresh perspective on the value a designer brings: a designer’s role goes beyond just shaping the interface—it’s about deepening customer understanding and refining the product to meet real needs.For more of Marina's insights, listen to our recent podcast.

May 18, 202417 min

To die or to pivot? How to revive your startup with no team and no investments

Recently, Masha's business Quinky underwent a pivot, shifting from sex education to gamified dating. What is a pivot, how to navigate such transitions, and is there any advice on how to survive financially and mentally? In this episode, Masha shares everything that is happening in Quinky right now for the first time in her life, helping you to understand where to go next when it feels like the end.

May 6, 202414 min

Advisors with 0 budget for your early-stage startup

Uncertainty is the norm in the startup world, but an advisor could provide clarity and support. Does your startup really need one, and how do you attract them without funds? In this episode, Masha shares her experience and offers practical advice for future entrepreneurs. She is joined by two seasoned entrepreneurs with firsthand experience in attracting advisors to their startups. Meet Soum Rakshit, CEO of Mysteryvibe, and Nara Moripen, CEO of Pal. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariia-plotkina/ru Insta https://www.instagram.com/masha_quinky Twitter https://twitter.com/masha_plotkina

April 27, 202417 min

How do early-stage startups build teams if no big money is involved yet?

Congrats, you received the investments! The next step is building a team. How do you attract one when the budget is limited? How do you achieve creative branding for free? Masha managed to do both! In this episode, she shares insights into the challenges of building a dream team and offers tips on hiring, organizing work processes, and providing benefits. The CEO of Kidults agency, an advisor with a scientific background, and an intern share their stories of cooperation with early-stage startups. LinkedIn ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariia-plotkina/ru⁠ Insta ⁠https://www.instagram.com/masha_quinky⁠ Twitter ⁠https://twitter.com/masha_plotkina⁠

March 29, 2024Episode 224 min

Why is Antler better than Y Combinator? My successful journey in the accelerator

I raised investments only after the 8-week program in Antler, early-stage VC. Discover why Antler beats Y Combinator, learn how to spot a winning idea, and find out if coming from another field affects your chances. I share tips for building your dream team and reveal what founder's life looks like after the program. LinkedIn ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariia-plotkina/ru⁠⁠ Insta ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/masha_quinky⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/masha_plotkina⁠⁠

March 15, 20245 min

From school teacher to sex tech founder. How my life changed 360 degrees and what you should know before you start a business

Greetings, I’m Masha! Before I founded my first business, I taught kids computer science. Did I really know nothing about business when I started one? When is it too late for drastic changes in your life? How to deal with imposter syndrome if you come from another industry? LinkedIn ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariia-plotkina/ru⁠⁠ Insta ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/masha_quinky⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/masha_plotkina⁠⁠