Three Business Lessons from a Novel: Money, Culture, and Accountability

The Business Fundamentals That Still Matter

In this episode of Building a Business: Grit & Grace, Anna Angelova and Jores Minasvand return to a conversation every business owner needs, especially in times of rapid change: going back to the fundamentals. With AI evolving quickly and new tools appearing every day, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s changing. But as Anna and Jores explore, long-term success in business comes from staying grounded in what has always worked, not from chasing every new trend. In this conversation, they break down the core principles that remain true regardless of technology, market shifts, or economic uncertainty: * Why every business exists to solve a problem or fulfill a desire * Why cash flow is still king and how to think about financial stability * The simple three-step path of every business: marketing, sales, and delivery * The importance of protecting trust once it’s built * The correct order for building a strong business: people, processes, then technology Anna and Jores also share real examples of how businesses are navigating the pressure to adopt AI, and why those who win are not the fastest adopters, but the ones who use it with intention, grounded in strong fundamentals. Because while tools will change, the principles of building a business that lasts do not. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by everything that’s changing, this episode will help you refocus on what actually matters and where to direct your energy next. Don't forget to subscribe, so you don't miss any future episodes.

The Power of Caring in Business (Without Burning Yourself Out)

In this episode of Building a Business: Grit & Grace, Anna Angelova and Jores Minasvand explore a topic that is often overlooked in business conversations: the power of genuinely caring about people. Inspired by the book Read Your Mind by mentalist Oz Pearlman, Anna reflects on a powerful idea from the book’s chapter Focus on Others, and how shifting our attention from ourselves to others can completely change the way we show up in business. When we focus only on numbers, strategy, and logic, we often forget two critical drivers of leadership and connection: our heart and our intuition. In this conversation, Anna and Jores discuss: * Why focusing on helping others reduces anxiety in sales and networking * How genuine care builds stronger and longer business relationships * The difference between authentic care and manipulative sales tactics * Why caring leaders create stronger teams and cultures * The hidden danger of over-caring and how it leads to burnout * Why boundaries and self-care are essential for sustainable leadership * A simple relationship-building habit that helps you remember what matters to people They also share practical ways to bring more humanity into business conversations while still maintaining clear boundaries and expectations. Because in the end, successful businesses are built on relationships, trust, and genuine care for the people you serve. Reflection question: What is one small way you can show genuine care for someone in your business this week? P.S. Gift yourself the gift awareness with the ELI Assessment: https://leficomp.com/eli [https://leficomp.com/eli]

Three Business Lessons from a Novel: Money, Culture, and Accountability

In this episode of Building a Business: Grit & Grace, Anna Angelova and Jores Minasvand introduce a new format for 2026, sharing business insights inspired by books Anna is reading. This week’s reflection comes from The Story of Us by Catherine Hernandez. While the novel follows the journey of a Filipino overseas worker navigating family, money, migration, and marriage, Anna explores three powerful lessons that directly apply to building a business. In this conversation, you’ll hear about: * Why chasing money without remembering your “why” can quietly cost you what matters most * The role culture plays not only in countries, but also inside your business * The difference between constructive and destructive environments * Why accountability and responsibility are non-negotiable leadership traits * How victim mentality and blame culture destroy teams * Why leaders must model the standards they expect This is a practical reflection on how stories reveal patterns we see every day in business: ambition without alignment, growth without culture, and success without ownership. If you’re building a business and want it to support your life, not replace it, this episode will challenge you to rethink your priorities, your leadership, and the standards you tolerate. As always, we’d love to hear from you: 1. What was your biggest takeaway? 2. How will you apply it in your business? P.S. We also highly recommend the ELI assessment: http://leficomp.com/eli [http://leficomp.com/eli]

Leading Through Conflict with Sarah Albo

In this episode of Building a Business: Grit & Grace, host Anna Angelova sits down with Sarah Albo, a certified workplace mediator, conflict coach, and psychological health and safety consultant, to explore one of the most overlooked leadership skills in business: how we handle conflict. Sarah shares her winding career journey from training as a psychotherapist, to working in her family business, to completing an MBA, and ultimately building her own solo practice supporting organizations and leaders through conflict, mediation, and healthier workplace systems. This conversation goes beyond theory. Sarah opens up about what it’s really like to build a service-based business in a field people often avoid until things escalate. She talks honestly about the challenges of getting traction early on, leaning into networks and volunteering, building credibility over time, and growing confidence through years of showing up, speaking, and doing the work. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * The difference between constructive and destructive conflict and why conflict itself isn’t the problem * Why many leaders are promoted without being taught how to manage people * How psychological health and safety plays a critical role in business performance * What it’s like to run a solo consulting business: the freedom and the isolation * How Sarah uses AI as a practical support system in her business * Why proactive leadership saves far more time, money, and stress than reactive fixes * The importance of giving yourself time when starting a business * What grit and grace really look like when building something on your own Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a solopreneur, or a small business owner leading a team, this episode will challenge the way you think about leadership, conflict, and responsibility, and offer practical insights you can apply immediately. Because conflict isn’t going anywhere but how you lead through it makes all the difference. Connect with Sarah here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahalbo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahalbo/] https://novelhr.ca/ [https://novelhr.ca/]

Becoming a Visionary Business Leader

In this solo training episode of Building a Business: Grit & Grace, Anna Angelova explores what it truly means to become a visionary business leader and why this isn’t something reserved for famous founders or “special” people. This episode is about leadership from the inside out. Anna breaks down the idea that businesses don’t grow first, people do. And becoming a stronger, more intentional leader is the real path to building a business that lasts. Using the 7 Levels of Energy Leadership framework, Anna walks through the different mindsets leaders operate from. From fear, frustration, and control, to responsibility, service, collaboration, and intuition. You’ll learn how destructive leadership patterns keep businesses stuck, and how constructive, visionary leadership creates trust, growth, and momentum. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * The difference between destructive and constructive leadership styles * Why taking full responsibility is a turning point for every business owner * How shifting from “How can I help?” to “How can everyone win?” changes results * What truly defines a visionary leader, and why you already have it within you * How intuition, reflection, and reducing judgment unlock clarity and creativity * Why leadership is a choice you make in every situation, not a personality trait This episode is a powerful reminder that becoming a visionary leader is about remembering who you already are and choosing how you show up. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a solopreneur, or leading a growing small or mid-sized business, this training will help you rethink leadership, mindset, and the role you play in your company’s future. Want to connect with other visionary founders? Join our free community now: https://leficomp.com/vfc [https://leficomp.com/vfc]  Curious to learn what your predominant energy level really is? Grab your ELI Assessment today: https://leficomp.com/eli-assessment-page/ [https://leficomp.com/eli-assessment-page/]