Hello everyone and welcome to a special year-end episode of Off To The Valley! I'm your host, Prateek Panda, and before we wrap up the year, we're hitting pause to look back on a season that broke patterns and reminded us why we started.

We revisit game-changing insights, from Peter Loving's essential advice on design to Yang Cheung's strategy of generating revenue pre-product. Hear again why you should "focus on your personal brand" as a new entrepreneur (Nida Ateeq) and why you should always find a network of the kind of people you're trying to become (Arjita Sethi).

And as we head into 2026, Prateek shares an exclusive look at Season 3 where we will dive deep into the stories behind every founder's first $1 Million in ARR - the chase, the chaos, and the clarity.

Thank you for tuning in. Until then, stay curious, and keep chasing the stories that move you!

Are you struggling to hit the $1M ARR mark because your customer growth is constantly offset by high churn? You have a leaky bucket, and that's a problem we're solving today!

I’m joined by the incredible Anika Zubair, a former immigrant to Europe and a global Customer Success leader, to discuss the critical shift founders need to make. We tackle the common misunderstanding that Customer Success is just support, not a revenue engine.

Listen to this episode and learn:

• Why the second you're too busy to have recurring meetings with customers, you need to hire your first CSM.
• How to segment users beyond the early stage and build different CS motions for Enterprise, Mid-Market, and SMB.
• Anika's two quick tips to get better visibility into your retention problem this week.
• The personal journey of moving from California to Europe and how different cultures shape a founder's perspective.

When Hila Lauterbach moved from Israel to the U.S. with a six-week-old baby, she didn’t have an office, a network, or a roadmap. For months, her desk was a restroom at a small restaurant, and from that space, she built teams, launched startups, and led go-to-market strategy for some of the most exciting SaaS companies in tech.

Today, Hila is the Co-Founder of 10XGTM, a consultancy that helps high-growth startups find their voice, scale their revenue, and navigate the fast-changing world of AI and SaaS. She’s also a global advocate for women and immigrant founders through her work with Femigrants, driving awareness and opportunity in an industry where less than 2% of funding reaches female-led startups.

In this episode, Hila opens up about the real story behind the highlight reel, the failures, the reinvention, and the lessons she’s learned while helping companies grow from zero to multimillion-dollar ARR. She also breaks down her 5A GTM framework, explains what most founders get wrong about scaling, and shares how she’s helping redefine what success looks like in Silicon Valley.

It’s raw, inspiring, and packed with practical lessons for founders, leaders, and anyone carving their own path.

Embark on a deeply moving journey with Sara Powell in this heartfelt episode of 'Off To The Valley.' Discover Sara's transformative story, from overcoming personal challenges to founding Impactury, where she empowers women executives to find fulfillment and balance. Dive into the essence of creating the support system she wished for and the profound impact of addressing deep-rooted beliefs for a purposeful life. This is not just an episode; it's a beacon of hope and inspiration for anyone seeking to rediscover their identity and values while striving for success. Join us as we explore the path to genuine fulfillment and the power of taking control of your life's narrative.

In this episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of a Danish startup that scaled to $4.5 million ARR with just a three-person team. Esben Friis-Jensen, co-founder and CGO of UserFlow, shares the power of product-led growth and the strategic decisions that led to their lean success. From Silicon Valley insights to the importance of thinking big and charging accordingly, Esben's story is a masterclass in efficient, impactful startup growth. Learn how this trio defied traditional startup norms to build a thriving business on their own terms. A must-listen for anyone looking to scale smartly and sustainably.

Off to the Valley celebrates the tales of intrepid individuals who've ventured beyond their comfort zones to seek new horizons. Inspired by the spirit of Silicon Valley, our podcast sheds light on the global community of founders who’ve courageously treaded the uncharted.

Welcome to a special year-end episode of Off to the Valley! In 2024, we journeyed across borders, cultures, and industries to uncover the inspiring stories of founders and innovators who left the familiar to create something extraordinary.

In this episode, we’re looking back at the most unforgettable moments from our first season. From Melissa Kwan’s bold leap with $600 in NYC to Esben Friis-Jensen’s journey scaling a 3-person startup to $4.5M ARR, and Lloyed Lobo’s game-changing community-led growth strategies—this year has been packed with lessons, resilience, and inspiration.

As we welcome the new year 2025, I’m delighted to share that Season 2 will launch in January 2025. I can’t wait to bring you even more incredible stories of those who left the familiarity of home for new horizons.

Be part of Season 2 - Subscribe now to discover more courageous stories packed with practical lessons to elevate your professional growth and help you build a thriving business overseas.

In this uplifting episode of Off to the Valley, host Prateek Panda hosts an insightful conversation with Melissa Kwan, the Co-founder and CEO of eWebinar. Melissa openly discusses her personal journey of courage and determination and how stepping out of her comfort zone led her to great success. She emphasizes the importance of self-defined success over societal expectations and shares valuable advice for those grappling with the very same issues. They also delve into eWebinar's unique journey as a bootstrapped SaaS platform designed to automate webinars, discussing the challenges and joys of maintaining profitable growth and delivering services across borders thanks to digital transformation.