In this episode of Mentor Up, I sit down with Hyunwoo Sun, one of the most respected entrepreneurs in the global language-learning industry. Hyunwoo has spent over 16 years building a brand that became #1 in its niche worldwide, publishing 50+ books and 80+ courses, all while staying deeply present as a father and leader. But this conversation isn’t about hustle, shortcuts, or overnight success. We talk about what it really takes to build something that lasts: calm leadership, long-term thinking, knowing when to step back as a founder, and why impact matters more than metrics. Hyunwoo shares why he never started with a traditional business plan, how his definition of success has evolved, and what most founders misunderstand about growth, business models, and freedom. We also explore the future of language learning, the role of AI, and what will remain deeply human no matter how advanced technology becomes. This episode was recorded in Taiwan, right after our first Language Business Retreat, making it both a strategic deep dive and a reflection on what happens when experienced entrepreneurs come together to mentor, learn, and zoom out from day-to-day operations.   Interested in joining the next Language Business Retreat in November 2026 in Italy?Add your name to the waitlist, and we’ll let you know as soon as spots open: https://tally.so/r/ob6LxN   OTHER LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/   Connect with Hyunwoo and his brand Talk to me in Korean LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hyunwoosun/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyunwoosun_ttmik/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talktomeinkorean

REAL TALK: After 10 years of building ZALOA, I’m sharing 10 things I would actually do differently if I had to start over. From thinking bigger and raising capital earlier to hiring smarter, avoiding shiny-object syndrome, setting clearer expectations, and finally listening to my body — this is the real talk I wish I had heard a decade ago. Number 10 is a special one: It's the only thing I wouldn’t change. I would choose it again, exactly the same way, every single time.   LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/

In this episode of Mentor Up, international investor and AI expert Herby Marchetti joins us for a candid conversation about what truly makes a business successful. From the wild early days of Germany’s startup scene to global mergers and acquisitions, Herby shares insights from 17 years of investing, advising, and building startups — and how trust, clarity, and courage remain the most valuable capital of all.   LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/   Connect with Herby: https://herbertmarchetti.com/

What happens when everything you’ve built is taken from you? In this raw and powerful episode, serial entrepreneurs Laura and Ray Blakney open up about losing their company, facing betrayal, and navigating the darkness of depression. They share the unfiltered truth of hitting rock bottom — and the hard but transformative journey of finding resilience, rebuilding trust, and redefining success. For entrepreneurs and leaders, this is more than a story: it’s a reminder that failure only happens when you stop trying. ✨ Whether you’re in the middle of your own struggle or preparing for the challenges ahead, the lessons in this conversation will stay with you.     LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/   Connect with Laura and Ray on LinkedIn Laura: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laublakney/ Ray: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymondblakney/  

In this episode of Mentor Up, I’m sharing the recording of a live talk I gave at the SIBB Female Founder Event in Berlin. It’s not a how-to guide or a glorified success story. It’s real talk about what it actually means to be a nomadic founder:  9 years of bootstrapping my company ZALOA Languages — until forming a strategic partnership with one of our biggest clients who later became our investor.  I also reflect on my own path — from being born in Germany to living in different countries since 2007 — and what it feels like to come full circle, speaking as a founder in my home country again. 📝 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it really helps others discover Mentor Up. LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/   Come to a Female Founder Talk in Berlin at the SIBB:  https://sibb.de/en/sibb-eventseries/    

What does it take to scale a business to $100 million — and what if the biggest thing holding you back is you? In this episode, I sit down with Dan Roitman, the entrepreneur who turned Pimsleur into a $100 million product and the #2 language learning brand in the U.S. We talk about the mindset shifts needed to grow past $1M, why most founders never manage to scale, and what it really takes to build a business in the era of AI. Dan shares practical insights, bold decisions, and the unfiltered truth about what drives companies to high growth. And at the end of the episode, in the Real Talk segment, I open up about why I believe I’m currently the bottleneck in my own company — and why I’ve decided to take time this summer to go deep and work on that.   LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/   More about Dan:  Follow Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danroitman/ Dan's company to empower human innovation creating a brighter future for kids: https://mindfinity.com/  

Launching something new is never easy — but launching a completely new product while running an already successful business? That’s a whole different game. In this solo episode, I’m sharing the honest, behind-the-scenes story of the launch of our new technology last week. From rebuilding our platform while still supporting thousands of users, to navigating shifting timelines, stretched teams, and tough decisions — I take you inside the chaos, the clarity, and the lessons. You’ll hear: What made this launch so uniquely challenging The biggest mistakes and turning points along the way Why staying the same became riskier than starting over And 5 practical tips for founders preparing to launch (or relaunch) their own product If you're building something new — or thinking about it — this episode is for you. No filters. Just real talk.   LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/

In this episode of Mentor Up, we dive deep into a topic that is relevant to all of us money. In the Spotlight, we look at why financial education is still one of the most overlooked tools for personal and professional growth—and why it matters not just for investors, but for everyone who wants to build a sustainable life and business. For the Real Advice segment, I’m joined by Cristina Jaeger, a finance expert with over 14 years of experience in wealth management and founder of herFinancialFreedom, a platform that has helped over 2,000 women gain confidence in investing and planning their financial futures. She shares clear, practical advice on how to take control of your money and get started with investing—no matter your income or experience level. The advice she gives in this episode applies equally to men and women! And in the Real Talk, I open up about the financial structure of my own company—what’s worked, what’s nearly broken us, and the lessons I’ve learned about cash flow, risk, and trust over the past 10 years as a founder. If you are enjoying this podcast, make sure to subscribe and leave a quick review—it helps more people discover the podcast and supports us in keeping Mentor Up going strong!   LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/   Discover Cristina's program HerFinancialFreedom Website: https://www.herfinancialfreedom.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/her.financialfreedom/ Connect with Cristina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-jaeger/  

Today’s spotlight is on a big question: should you have a co-founder? In the category Real Talk, I open up about how I chose my business partner back in 2017.  And in Real Advice, things get personal – I’ve invited my former business partner to join me as we publicly talk, for the first time, about why we’re no longer working together as business partners, what actually worked between us, and what we would do differently if we had the chance to start over. If you like this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe to it and share it with everyone interested in business, innovation and personal development!    LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/

In this episode of the Mentor App, we dive deep into the harsh realities of the startup world, exploring why most startups fail and more importantly, how to avoid becoming part of that statistic. Join us as we introduce revolutionary founder, Rava A. Zaki, who delves into the future of mobility with his Flying Houses, and shares his visionary take on sustainable innovation. As we journey through real stories and personal experiences, we uncover the critical lessons learned from failed startups, explore the importance of flexibility, and discuss the necessity of finding your true purpose as an entrepreneur. Tune in for a candid conversation full of insights and tips on how to thrive in business, innovation, and personal development.

Success isn’t a solo journey—it’s built on the wisdom of the right mentors. In this episode of Mentor Up, I sit down with Jeannie Edmunds to explore how to build your own personal advisory board and find the mentors who can help you thrive in both business and life.  We discuss:✅ Why everyone needs mentors✅ How to identify and approach the right mentors✅ The biggest challenges in business—and how mentorship can help overcome them✅ Real-life mentorship stories and lessons from Jeannie’s experience   LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/   Jeannie's Travel Company Next Tribe for Women 45+: https://nexttribe.com/ Book "Start me Up" - by Jeannie Edmunds: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B095Q1747C