Breaking Into Steel: Kinga Strogoff on Owning Her Place in a Man’s World

Kinga Strogoff is the President & CEO of Second Street Iron & Metal, Chairman & Creative Director of Balmoral Defender, and a Board Member at Basalt International. She runs a third-generation scrap metal business, reshapes luxury automotive design, and drives innovation in sustainable materials, all while raising her son as a single mother.

In this episode, Kinga shares how she moved to the U.S. from Poland as an au pair, eventually took over her husband’s steel business, and led it through collapse and revival. She talks openly about loss, building resilience, and why she believes obsession, not balance, is key to building anything meaningful. Her story spans legacy, grief, and the discipline it takes to keep moving forward.

Chapters:
 02:23 – From Polish Village to the American Dream
 04:32 – The Power of Dreaming Beyond Logic
 06:00 – When Manifestation Goes Wrong
 07:44 – Leaving Home Against All Odds
 08:40 – Becoming an Au Pair to Escape Limitations
 09:47 – The Family That Waited a Year for Her
 10:26 – Feeling Called to America at Age 6
 12:28 – Entering the Workforce and Loving Money
 13:24 – Childhood Hustle: Scrap Metal and Sneakers
 15:31 – Her Grandfather’s Influence and Deep Bond
 17:04 – The Story Behind the Name “Kinga”
 19:51 – Building Kinga Steel from the Ground Up
 21:42 – Visualizing Life as a Painting
 22:37 – No Plan B: Betting on Herself
 23:13 – Meeting Her Husband and Building a Life
 25:53 – Taking Over the Business During Crisis
 27:25 – 24 Months of Full Obsession
 28:38 – Earning Respect in a Male-Dominated Industry
 32:39 – Advice to Women in Male-Dominated Fields
 34:34 – When She Knew the Business Would Thrive
 35:59 – Leading Through Legacy and Empowering Her Team
 36:56 – The Loss of Her Husband and the Aftermath
 39:12 – Rebuilding While Raising Her Son Alone
 41:44 – Jump Rope Therapy: Turning Pain Into Purpose
 42:51 – Fitness, Discipline, and Mental Strength
 46:06 – Obsession Over Balance: Her Success Philosophy
 47:51 – What’s Next? Learning to Sit in the Unknown
 49:12 – What She’d Tell Her 6-Year-Old Self
 52:32 – Creating Heaven on Earth, Every Day
 54:40 – The Role of Social Media and Building Brand Authentically
 56:03 – Protecting Her Son and Living in Silence
 56:45 – Sharing Her Story to Help Others Heal

Guest Links
Instagram: @kingasteel @ssimrecycle

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