When your company starts scaling, it’s not the product that breaks — it’s the people.

In this episode of Perception Paradox, host Zivile Einikyte sits down with Jarek Owczarek, co-founder of Contractbook and now Head of Contract Management & AI at Scrive, to unpack the untold truths behind building, merging, and evolving startups.

From co-founder dynamics to product obsession, from cultural clashes to the emotional toll of growth — Jarek opens up about what technology can’t fix: people, culture, and the constant reinvention required to lead.

Together, they explore:

• How to build companies that grow without losing their soul
• The paradox of automation vs. authenticity in leadership
• Why company culture is both a product and a process
• What happens when startups merge — and founders must merge too
• How mentorship and curiosity keep founders sane during chaos

Whether you’re building your first MVP or navigating post-acquisition integration, this conversation reveals the human operating system behind every great startup story.

Perception Paradox — where innovation meets introspection.

🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: 

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🎵 Music by Luca Nioi: 

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Chapters

00:00 The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins

03:53 Finding Co-Founders and Building Teams

06:12 Values and Conflict Resolution in Entrepreneurship

08:38 Navigating Growth and Challenges

11:04 The Evolution of Product Development

13:30 Leveraging Technology in Product Building

16:16 The Role of AI in Business Processes

18:45 The Importance of Obsession in Product Development

21:29 Coping with Challenges and Burnout

24:00 The Drive Behind Entrepreneurship

32:16 Understanding Customer Needs in Product Development

38:05 Strategic Mergers and Their Impact

44:37 The Importance of Mentorship and Coaching

53:11 The Overlooked Aspects of Entrepreneurship

56:11 Navigating Cultural Integration Post-Merger