In this episode, Ross Drakes speaks to Marina Byezhanova, co-founder of Brand of a Leader and member of EO’s Global Products Portfolio. Marina shares how she lost her first business and rebuilt from the ground up. They unpack the realities of partnership, the pull of golden handcuffs, and what it takes to start again. Marina reflects on launching EO Ukraine during a war and how courage, curiosity, and humanity keep entrepreneurs moving forward. This episode is about resilience, clarity, and the guts to go again.
Key Takeaways:
Pick partners who complement, not clone you
Golden handcuffs and how comfort kills fire
Turning your lived practice into a business
Courage under pressure creates calm in chaos
Keep the human edge in an AI world
Recognising choice as a modern luxury
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More About Marina Byezhanova
Marina Byezhanova is the co-founder of Brand of a Leader, a personal branding agency for entrepreneurs and CEOs. Her work has been featured in Inc.com, Forbes, Fast Company, Success Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and The Financial Post. She has spoken across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Marina is a proud EO member and serves in EO’s Global Products Portfolio.