The Self Startup Show with Zaynab and Hafsa

Fear of success. Fear of failure. Fear of looking cringe.In this episode, we talk about fear and how it quietly becomes one of the biggest roadblocks to building anything meaningful.We also touch on:ambition, and whether it’s actually enough to carry you to successwhether embarrassment is really the price of successwhy our obsession with being “original” stops us from startingwhy inaction often hurts more than trying ever willIf any of this hit a nerve, come try and debunk it with us on the podcast.Email us: selfstartup.business@gmail.comOur links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/selfstartup

What if you didn’t have to follow the traditional route — and could build your own instead 👀This week, Hafsa and Zaynab read and unpack the gems from The Pathless Path and explore what it really means to question the default path and design a career around your curiosity, creativity, and values.We talk about things like:embracing uncertainty instead of fearing ittaking breaks to reflect and reconnect with yourselfexperimenting with ideas before locking into one pathbuilding meaningful networks and being generous with your workWhether you’re rethinking your direction, exploring new interests, or carving your own lane - this episode will give you the mindset shift you didn’t know you needed.Email us: selfstartup.business@gmail.comOur links: https://linktr.ee/selfstartup

Feeling like you’re stuck in a loop where you’re living to work?In 2026, challenge yourself to dedicate a little time after work to try new things like:practicing public speakingattending a networking eventexploring that hobby you’ve always wanted to tryThis week, Hafsa and Zaynab share tips on how to use your 9–5 to get ahead in 2026.Whether it’s building a network beyond just your colleagues, leveling up your skills, or exploring a side hustle, these small moves can help you live a more fulfilling life.Links:Follow Self Startup: https://linktr.ee/selfstartupEmail us at selfstartup.business@gmail.com

NEW EPISODE – Shiny Object Syndrome Is Ruining Your ProgressNew ideas feel exciting.But if you’re constantly chasing the next thing, this episode might explain why nothing’s sticking.In this episode of the Self Startup Podcast, we reflect on a year of growth, consistency, and what actually moves the needle — especially as everyone starts thinking about “resetting” for the new year.🎙️ We get into:• Why shiny object syndrome quietly kills progress• Asking ChatGPT to do our 2025 wrap-up (and what surprised us)• Whether moodboarding actually works or is just aesthetic procrastination• The difference between planning that builds momentum vs planning that stalls it• Why starting before January is the real advantageThis one’s for anyone feeling the pull to start something new — when the real work might be staying with what you’ve already begun.Prompt: Tiktok --> @Eva_Meena_: Here’s the prompt: Make me a Spotify Wrapped-style year-end summary of all my conversations with you this year, highlighting my top recurring topics, most-discussed hobbies or projects, any memorable conversations, and quirky patterns in what I ask or how I talk. Present it in a fun, Spotify Wrapped-style format with headings like “Top 5 Topics,” “Most Unexpected Question,” “Biggest Obsession,” and “Signature Style,” and include a month-by-month recap that notes my biggest hyperfixation, favorite topic, or mood shift for each month. Keep the tone playful and witty, with bold headings, emojis, and short punchy commentary like Spotify does.Self Startup Links

Sorry to catch you offguard but…are you even PMFing rn?This week Zaynab and Hafsa break down the buzzword we’re all guilty of throwing around: Product Market Fit.What actually is PMF?How do you know when you’ve hit it or when you’re miles off?And what can we learn from the brands that nailed it and the ones that definitely didn’t?On the podcast, the team even try to invent a competitor to ice-cream trucks live on the call and debate whether it would ever find PMF 🤣------All SSU Links: https://linktr.ee/selfstartupPodcast References:Find Product Market Fit Video, that Zaynab referenced: https://youtu.be/rgaP-tMkJaw?si=80wcqbi8PEyvsXGt Paul Graham’s How to Do Great Work Essay: https://paulgraham.com/greatwork.html

Anyone else feel like their spark is fading lately?You are not alone.This week, Zaynab and Hafsa dive into how your words, the way you carry yourself, and your own self-image shapes the way the world sees and reacts to you.They also explore the reality of being a founder: success is often about having relentless confidence.Hear about lucky mindsets and serendipity, why acting like the person you want to become is the ultimate cheatcode to success.------All SSU Links: https://linktr.ee/selfstartupPodcast References:Sunrise Lamp - https://healf.com/collections/sleep-qualityThe Courage to Be Disliked are Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake KogaLamide Elizabeth - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lamideelizabeth_this-year-marks-five-years-since-i-started-activity-7298250127083802625-sxLO/

Is the grass really greener outside a 9–5?
 Are we glamorising the founder path without understanding the real risks?This week, Hafsa and Zaynab talk about the parts of entrepreneurship most people never talk about. The moments where the dream feels more like a trap.---Share your own dilemma: https://tally.so/r/3yd0eXFollow Self Startup: https://linktr.ee/selfstartup Email us at selfstartup.business@gmail.com

You don’t need to be an influencer to have a personal brand 👀This week on the Self Startup Podcast, Hafsa and Zaynab dive into what it really means to be visible — both online and offline — and how that visibility shapes your opportunities, confidence, and career growth.🎙️ We get into:* Why visibility is the foundation of your personal brand* How to be intentional with what you share online* The power of vulnerability and authenticity in building connections* Creating opportunities through your presence and digital identity

Is work your identity?Have schools made us risk averse?In this episode, we unpack the key differences between the employee mindset and the entrepreneur mindset.Can the habits that make you thrive in a 9–5 could actually hold you back when building a business or side hustle…?We also dive into:- How the education system might be shaping us to avoid risk and follow rules- Why your identity isn’t defined by your job title- The myth of the “one right path” unconventional careers and defining success your way- Why Y Combinator prefers new grads to start companies? We discuss if the employee mindset holding people back?Tune in for an honest conversation about mindset, identity, and the courage to carve your own path.Follow us: https://linktr.ee/selfstartupShare your dilemmas: ⁠https://tally.so/r/3yd0eX⁠

Ever feel like you’ve planned your life to death… but haven’t actually done the thing? Same.This one’s for anyone caught in the loop of overthinking, endless journaling, and “perfect plans” that never quite leave the page.🎙️ We get into:• Why planning feels productive (but isn’t).• The sneaky way analysis paralysis kills progress.• Journaling and finding balance between action + reflection.• Letting go of self-doubt and just doing the thing.• Why community + shared accountability beat solo overthinking every time.✨ Plus: some raw stories of us crashing out of over-planning mode, and what actually worked to get moving again.If you’ve been saying “I’ll start once I’ve planned it properly” … this one’s your sign to just start.

September is basically the real New Year, and TikTok’s Great Lock-In trend is proof 👀This week, Hafsa & Zaynab dive into why the last four months of the year are the perfect time to reset, reflect, and get intentional .🎙️ We get into:Why September energy hits harder than January resolutionsHow to plan your life without losing spontaneity (yes, free will is still a thing)Work-life balance hacks that don’t involve hustle-culture nonsenseThe grace you need when you “drop the ball” on your goals✨ If you’re craving a reset or curious about joining the Great Lock-In…this one’s for you.Resources:Dr. Tara Swart’s podcast on Change Your Brain with Ali Abdaal: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/change-your-brain-the-power-of-neuroplasticity/id1587142091?i=1000583255775Mohammed Faris / Productive Muslim: https://barakaheffectbook.com/Follow us: https://linktr.ee/selfstartup Share your dilemmas: ⁠https://tally.so/r/3yd0eX⁠

We’ve all been there – stuck, overwhelmed, or pretending we’ve got it together when really… we don’t. 👀This week, Hafsa & Zaynab are breaking down one of the most underrated startup + life skills: asking for help.🎙️ We get into:* Why asking for help is actually a strength, not a weakness* The secret “board of advisors” most successful people have (and how to build yours)* How to make requests that people want to say yes to* The myth of the “self-made” founder (spoiler: they don’t exist)* Stories from our own lives where help made all the difference✨ If you’ve ever worried about being a burden, struggled with where to start, or want to get better at both asking and giving – this one’s for you.💌 Send us your dilemmas: https://tally.so/r/3yd0eXFollow us on our socials: click here

Feeling the grind of your side project AFTER your 9-to-5? You're not alone.In this unfiltered episode, we get raw and real about the challenges not many highlight.Hafsa shares a voice note from the Self Startup founder chat of her crash out, when she realises the road to success can be a long, uncertain one.We deep dive into:• The conflict between grind culture and slow living for 9-to-5 professionals.• Why instant gratification makes delayed gratification so hard in business.• The crucial realisation that something has to give if your goals and actions are misaligned.💌 Share your own dilemma: https://tally.so/r/3yd0eXJoin our slack & follow us on Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/selfstartup

We’re back (again 😅) – and this time, we’ve got stories, reflections and real talk from our wildest months yet.🎙️ In this one, we get into:• The real tea from our first ever live event – how did we find it?• Zaynab’s last-minute trip to Dubai – spontaneous founder dinners, business insights & why the UK might be lagging• Are we using AI... or is it using us? From “AI besties” to influencer bots, we talk what’s exciting – and what’s straight up terrifying• The myth of “no time” – how we’re rethinking our calendars and designing a life that actually works✨ From spontaneous dinners in Dubai to why your brain might be suffering from “information obesity”… this one’s a full-circle reflection on building something real — in a world that’s becoming increasingly artificial.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by tech, disconnected from people, or like you’re running out of time – this one’s for you.Resources:The Social Dilemma: Documentary on Netflix about social media addiction. 💌 Share your own dilemma: https://tally.so/r/3yd0eXJoin our slack & follow us on Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/selfstartup

This one’s for anyone thinking about building with a friend, choosing a cofounder, or navigating the “wait… are we still friends?” stage of starting up.🎙️ We get into:* How we “stress-tested” our friendship before becoming cofounders.* The group chat system that saved our relationship 😂* Conflict hacks, red flags, and when to walk away* Reddit drama (one cofounder tried to cash out on round 1 🫠)* 65% of startups fail due to cofounder drama - we unpack why✨ Plus: lessons from our own working relationship. What works, what’s still weird, and how we make space for both friendship and business.If you're thinking of saying “Will you be my cofounder?” to someone- listen to this first.References:The Founder Dating Playbook10 Questions to Discuss with a Potential Co-founderArticle: Co-founders are fighting so much that nearly half are forced to leave the startupArticle: Why Cofounder Partnerships Fail — and How to Make Them LastReddit Thread: Co-founder Breakups💌 Share your own dilemma: https://tally.so/r/3yd0eXJoin our slack & follow us on Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/selfstartup

We’re peeling back the layers on a conversation that everyone in the creator/business world needs to have:Do you really need to build a startup—or is a small business more your vibe?And what if success isn’t about scaling fast... but about building a life you actually enjoy?🎙️ In this episode, we get into:- Startups vs. small biz: the real differences in mindset, money & lifestyle- Why the “Company of One” model might be the freedom you're craving- The hidden costs of hustle culture no one talks about- A juicy listener dilemma: Should I post my side hustle on LinkedIn? 👀Whether you're dreaming of building the next unicorn 🦄 or just want a solid side hustle that funds your freedom, this one’s for you.References:Work-life Graph - https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/p/Cx-y1cNL8_H/?img_index=8Book - Company of One by Paul Jarvis💌 Share your own dilemma: https://tally.so/r/3yd0eXJoin our slack & follow us on Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/selfstartup

Uncomfortable? Good. You’re Growing.We’re BACK after a looong break (life was life-ing, the sun came out, and we needed it🤣). This time, we’re switching it up – recording on video for the first time ever!🎙️ We talk about:- Why comfort feels good – but can secretly hold you back- Balancing rest vs. growth (and when each is actually productive)- The myth of the “fearless” entrepreneur – and why everyone feels cringe- Building willpower like a muscle (shoutout to the anterior mid-cingulate cortex iykyk😝)- Dilemma Time: How do you pick a niche without boxing yourself in?This one’s for anyone chasing growth but unsure if the discomfort is worth it. (It is.)✉️Submit your dilemma: https://lnkd.in/eYdyHsmPJoin out Slack Community: https://linktr.ee/selfstartup🖇️ References:How to Make $10k/Month as a Writer - Nicolas Cole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB8Rw147Xwg&ab_channel=DeepDivewithAliAbdaalThe Dip by Deya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7blrkYeNo4&t=26s&ab_channel=Deya Andrew Huberman on Willpower and the brain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwakOgHIT0E&ab_channel=AndrewHuberman📚 Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff📚 The One Thing by Gary W. Keller, Jay Papasan

We are back with a slightly longer episode! Join us as we unpack the real consequences of being a self-starter. When “locking in” turns into burnout, how strict calendars kill spontaneity, and why balance is key to long-term success. 🎙️ Tune in for a deep dive into: - Does the UK weather really mess with our mood and productivity? Is moving out actually worth it? - The pressure to always be in grind mode and how it affects relationships - Ramadan and why we’re stepping back in March to prioritise it - Dilemma Discussion: What to do when you feel stuck at work, lose consistency, and struggle to find directionJoin the community and submit dilemmas through here: https://linktr.ee/selfstartupWe are taking a short break and will be back with more episodes after Ramadan!

In this episode, Hafsa and Zaynab reflect on their spontaneous trip to San Francisco for the Muslim Tech Fest back and the differences between the UK and US startup mindsets.Tune in for a deep dive into:- Risk-taking and stepping into new environments- The UK’s experience-first mindset vs. San Francisco’s “just start” approach- the benefits of narrowing down your target audience- The power of marketing, data, and storytelling in startup growthThe trip reshaped their thinking on startups, risk, and ambition—including a spontaneous visit to Y Combinator.See you in two weeks for our next episode!!🪁

Ever feel stuck in a routine or wonder, "What am I even passionate about?" This episode is for YOU!Join Hafsa and Zaynab as they debunk the myth that you don’t have passions and share why exploring your interests (no matter how small) can transform your life.Discover:✨ How to uncover what truly lights you up✨ The cost of saying no to yourself✨ Why passions are more than just hobbies🔗 Join the Self Startup community and find your accountability crew.Links mentioned in the episode: Dr Gabor Maté podcast episode. Oscar Wilde quote. Ali Abdaal, video on design your dream life.See you in two weeks for our next episode!!🪁