What happens when the glossy promise of an event collides with the gritty truth of reality? In this deeply honest episode, Joanna Trojak takes us to Ericeira, Portugal, where she pitched her startup Heart Renew—not with perfect slides, but with a clear why.

What began as a retreat that looked stunning online but fell short in real life became an unexpected masterclass in clarity, resilience, and authenticity. Joanna reflects on how imperfect experiences can sharpen your purpose, why honesty beats polish every time, and how founders can extract value even when the container is flawed.

If you’ve ever been disappointed by an accelerator, retreat, or “empowerment” event that didn’t live up to its promise, this episode is your reminder that growth doesn’t require perfection—it requires presence.

You’ll learn:

• How to extract value from spaces that don’t match their marketing
• Why your why matters more than your slides or polish
• How to hold gratitude and disappointment at the same time
• Why your real, unfiltered story is your most powerful strategy

Keywords: founder resilience, authenticity, startup lessons, entrepreneurship, solo founder, self-awareness, startup storytelling, female founders, self-dating app, Portugal retreat, founder mindset.

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https://www.blissfulheartrenew.com/

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https://www.instagram.com/heart.renew/