Anna & Vlad – 3 Reasons Entrepreneurs Fail & Lessons for Startups

Welcome to another episode of In The ARENA with Dariush Soudi, where I’m joined by two inspiring young entrepreneurs, Anna and Vlad. Understanding that people pursue entrepreneurship for different reasons — some sustainable, some not — Anna and Vlad have made it their mission to help guide others on the path to long-term success.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The 3 reasons most entrepreneurs fail

• The importance of prioritizing process over people (and when to flip that)

• Key lessons for young entrepreneurs and startups

Anna & Vlad’s Biography

Both originally from Ukraine, Anna and Vlad are driven by a shared desire to educate and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. After meeting at a networking event and discovering a common work ethic and vision, they teamed up to launch their own business ventures — bringing experience, mentorship, and practical tools to startups and aspiring business owners.

Podcast Highlights

• 0:00 – Introduction

• 2:41 – Ukraine and Russia

• 4:23 – Why Vlad didn’t join the family business

• 7:32 – Reflections on Vlad’s father

• 10:06 – Personal relationships and expectations

• 11:30 – How Anna and Vlad met

• 15:14 – Gender roles in business

• 18:27 – 3 reasons most entrepreneurs fail

• 25:26 – 3 essential lessons for young entrepreneurs

• 28:23 – Vlad’s journey and lessons from his father

• 31:23 – Why many salons fail

• 42:30 – The balance of people vs. process

• 46:31 – Tough decisions in business

• 55:05 – How to thrive as a young entrepreneur

• 59:03 – The F&B industry insights

• 1:00:57 – Thoughts on the younger generation’s work ethic

• 1:04:55 – What’s next for Anna and Vlad

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