Just Grow With It with Natalie Barbu

How to RESET Your Life for 2026: The Real Goal Setting Playbook 🚀🎯

Welcome to Just Grow With It! In this episode, I reveal my honest approach to goal setting for 2026, what’s changed, and how you can finally make your goals happen. 0:00 – Introduction & Resetting for 2026 1:51 – Lessons Learned & Honest Reflections 3:42 – Why Goals Fail & The Need for a Framework 5:33 – Setting Realistic and Inspiring Goals 7:24 – Focusing on What You Can Control 9:15 – Building Habits & Structuring Your Day 11:06 – Monthly Check-Ins & Staying Accountable 12:57 – Conclusion & Final Inspiration Share your 2026 goals in the comments and let’s grow together! Subscribe to my newsletter: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inside Forbes 30 Under 30: The Truth About Making the List

Ever wondered what it really takes to make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list? In this candid conversation, we sit down with Zoya Hasan, Forbes editor and curator of the iconic list, to uncover the real process, the myths, and the hustle behind the headlines. From her journey as a chemistry major to leading one of the most competitive lists in the world, Soya shares insider stories, the importance of resilience, and why not everything you hear about Forbes 30 Under 30 is true. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a young professional, or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this episode is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, hustle culture, and the power of networking. We also dive into the infamous “under 30 to prison pipeline,” the role of diversity, and what makes a founder truly stand out. 00:00 Intro 02:39 Interview Begins: Zoya's Journey to Forbes 06:39 The Real Forbes 30 Under 30 Selection Process 14:39 Debunking Myths: Can You Pay to Get on the List? 22:39 What Makes a Standout Founder & The Role of Hustle Culture 32:39 Zoya's Advice for Aspiring Founders & Closing Thoughts Follow Zoya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byzoyahasan/ Thanks to Squarespace for sponsoring todays video. Use code NATALIEBARBU or go to https://squarespace.com/nataliebarbu to get 10% off your domain or first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Businesses You Should AVOID Starting in 2026 (And Why!)

Thinking of starting a business in 2026? In this episode, I break down the business models I’d avoid, from influencer marketplaces to novelty AI startups. Learn from my experience, discover what makes a business sustainable, and get tips for success in the new year. Share your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe for more founder insights every week! Subscribe to my substack: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com 00:00 - Intro: 2026, Year of the Entrepreneur 01:17 - Why I Wouldn’t Start an Influencer Marketplace 03:45 - The Problem with Targeting Enterprise First 06:52 - Recurring Revenue: Why It’s Essential 08:58 - The Harsh Truth About Social Media Startups 12:00 - Novelty AI Startups: A Cautionary Tale 13:45 - Final Thoughts & Community Q&A Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Lessons That SAVED My Business in 18 Minutes 💡📈🚀

In this episode, I reflect on the monumental lessons learned in 2025 as a founder and creator. Get 10% off your Squarespace purchase using code NATALIEBARBU or go to https://squarespace.com/nataliebarbu From nearly shutting down to hitting $2M ARR, I share the real, raw journey of building Rella, the power of niching down, why customer obsession is more than a buzzword, and how staying small can be your biggest advantage. Plus, I reveal the #1 trait every founder needs to succeed (hint: it’s not what you think). Sign up for my substack: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com/ If you’re ready to grow, learn, and get inspired for the year ahead, hit subscribe and join the community. Share your biggest lessons from this year in the comments! Timestamps and key takeaways below 👇 00:00 – Intro & Year-End Reflections 02:00 – The Turning Point: From Near Shutdown to $2M ARR 04:24 – Lesson 1: Niching Down Saved Us 07:15 – Saying No to Grow 09:07 – Sponsor: Squarespace 10:21 – Lesson 2: Customer Obsession in Action 13:20 – Lesson 3: Small Teams, Big Results 16:00 – Stop Comparing Your Journey 18:30 – The Power of Consistency 20:30 – Final Thoughts & What’s Next Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We Spent 2 Years (and $1 Million) Building the Wrong Product! - Here's What We Learned

What does product-market fit really look like? In this episode, I share the raw, unfiltered story of how we spent two years building the wrong product, the painful lessons we learned, and how we finally found true product-market fit with Rella. You’ll hear about the metrics that fooled us, the pivots that saved us, and the real signals that your product is actually working. If you’re a founder, creator, or just curious about the startup journey, this episode is for you. Timestamps and chapters below! 00:00 – What is Product-Market Fit, Really? 02:34 – The Early Days: Rella 1.0 and False Signals 06:26 – The Slack & Figma Stories: Real Product-Market Fit 10:20 – Vanity Metrics That Fooled Us 14:21 – The Pivot: Rebuilding from Scratch 18:07 – How to Know When to Pivot vs. Persevere 21:00 – Metrics That Actually Matter 23:41 – What to Do After You Find Product-Market Fit 25:38 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Me Subscribe for more honest founder stories and business growth tips. Subscribe to my Substack: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices