Hey there Risers & Thrivers,

In this episode of On the Up & Up, host Janine sits down with Agnieszka Walorska, a two-time founder, Ironman finisher, and the visionary behind Mika—an AI co-pilot designed to simplify accounting and tax management for entrepreneurs. Together, they tackle the profound impact of socioeconomic privilege on entrepreneurial journeys, drawing from Agnieszka's personal experiences overcoming significant financial and bureaucratic hurdles in Germany. 

The conversation explores: 

• The resilience required to overcome financial and bureaucratic barriers

  
  



• The challenges of starting a business in Germany

  
  



• The realities of navigating without a financial safety net 

  
  

Agnieszka also shares her unique perspective on fundraising as a solo, migrant, and female founder, offering valuable insights for underprivileged entrepreneurs and advocating for a more inclusive startup ecosystem.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring founders, particularly those starting with limited resources, as it sheds light on the grit and strategies needed to succeed against the odds.

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Acknowledgments

Intro/Outro & Interlude Music: Music by ⁠⁠oussama arichi⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠

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Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome

00:58 Guest Introduction: Agnieszka Walorska

02:09 Challenges of Socioeconomic Privilege in Founding

05:21 Personal Background and Early Struggles

07:40 Starting the First Company

11:38 Navigating Bureaucracy and Taxation

19:41 Building Mika: An AI Co-Pilot for Accounting

24:41 Fundraising as a Solo Founder

30:11 Challenges of Funding for Founders

30:49 The Reality of Entrepreneurial Risks

32:24 Navigating Health Insurance as an Entrepreneur

33:40 Personal Experiences and Coping Mechanisms

39:46 The Importance of Conviction in Founding

41:27 Addressing Privilege and Diverse Founders

52:21 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Founders