The Self Startup Show with Zaynab and Hafsa

Feeling like you’re stuck chasing the next number instead of building something that actually matters? What if money wasn’t the goal... but just the compass 👀 This week on the Self Startup Podcast, Hafsa and Zaynab unpack the real tension between purpose and profit, and what it means to build something meaningful without burning yourself out in the process. We talk about things like: - why money...

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 success whether embarrassment is really the price of success why our obsession with being “original” stops us from starting why inaction of...

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 it taking breaks to reflect and r...

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 speaking attending a networking event exploring that hobby you’ve always wanted to try This 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 colleagu...

NEW EPISODE – Shiny Object Syndrome Is Ruining Your Progress New 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 in...

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 ic...

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 y...

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/3yd0eX Follow Self Startup: https://linktr.ee/selfstartup Email us at selfstartup.bu...

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 *...

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’...

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. •...

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 resolutions How to plan your life without losing spontaneity (yes, free will is still a thing) Work-life balance...

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 req...

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 profe...

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 influence...

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...

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 th...

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 wh...

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 gri...

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...

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 🔗 Joi...

WELCOME! We started this podcast because there’s a conversation we ALL need to have more often: how to regain control of your future, embrace entrepreneurship, and make your passion projects a reality. Too often, the idea of taking the leap and starting something of your own feels like an afterthought—but not anymore. 🎙️ In our pilot episode, we’re bringing this conversation front and center, divi...

Too often, the discussion about taking the leap and starting something of your own feels like an afterthought—but not anymore ‼️ 🎙️ We’re bringing it front and center, starting with our pilot episode! 👀 Sneak Peek: “The master has failed more times than the beginner has ever tried.” This episode will dive into: 💭 Why failure is the foundation of success 💭 The mindset shifts needed to own your j...