storytelling with data podcast: #85 what founders can teach us about storytelling & resilience
Feb 20, 2025
auto_awesome
In this engaging discussion, Donny Priliandi, founder of HappyFive—an employee engagement platform from Indonesia—shares his remarkable journey into the U.S. market. He reveals how storytelling has been his superpower, helping to attract support and navigate challenges. Donny discusses the importance of compassion and listening in business negotiations, along with effective time management strategies to balance intense work demands with personal life. His insights on resilience and the emotional toll of entrepreneurship make this conversation both relatable and inspiring.
Founders should leverage their personal narratives and resilience to connect authentically with audiences and potential investors.
Actively listening to customer feedback is vital for startups to innovate and create solutions that meet specific market needs.
Deep dives
The Power of Founder's Stories
Founders play a crucial role in shaping the narrative of their companies, as their personal journeys often embody themes of resilience, vision, and overcoming challenges. In the podcast, one founder shares his experience of rapidly flying from Jakarta to San Francisco on short notice to pitch his innovative product to influential figures in Silicon Valley. This story illustrates how founders can leverage their unique backstories to connect with their audiences and potential investors, ultimately highlighting the importance of personal narratives in entrepreneurship. By sharing such experiences, founders can inspire others and foster deeper connections with stakeholders, emphasizing that great ideas can emerge from anywhere.
Navigating Market Challenges
Competing in foreign markets poses significant challenges, particularly for startups based outside traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley. The founder describes the hurdles of breaking into the U.S. market from Indonesia, facing skepticism from local venture capitalists who doubt his chances of success due to his geographical background. However, he views these challenges as motivating fuel, pushing him to innovate and adapt his product to meet the needs of potential U.S. clients. This adaptability, combined with a unique value proposition rooted in understanding customer pain points, ultimately contributes to his growing success in securing international customers.
The Importance of Storytelling in Business
Storytelling emerges as a fundamental skill for founders, as it helps them capture interest and foster supportive relationships. The founder reflects on how sharing vulnerabilities and struggles can resonate with audiences, creating a narrative that attracts help and investment. This approach contrasts with traditional pitches that focus solely on product features, illustrating the significance of emotional connection in entrepreneurship. By framing their journeys as compelling stories, founders can significantly enhance their ability to engage stakeholders, leading to collaborative opportunities and support.
Building a Product that Listens
The founder emphasizes the importance of actively listening to customer feedback to create a product that truly meets their needs. By engaging with potential clients and understanding their frustrations with existing solutions, he has successfully tailored his performance management tool to address specific market demands. Despite facing initial doubts, he has managed to secure significant clients by offering a unique approach that sets his product apart from established competition. This commitment to listening and adapting solutions has proven essential for building credibility and trust with customers in a competitive landscape.
NEW SERIES: The Founder’s Journey – Stories of Building, Scaling & Storytelling
We’re launching something new on thestorytelling with data podcast! In this special series, we’ll sit down with founders who are building something remarkable—diving into their journeys, the lessons they’ve learned, and the storytelling strategies that fuel their success.
In this episode, Randy is joined by Doni Priliandi, founder of HappyFive, an employee engagement and performance management platform. Doni’s path is one of persistence, risk-taking, and strategic storytelling. From cold-emailing Google’s Laszlo Bock to hopping on a last-minute flight from Jakarta to Silicon Valley, Doni’s story is filled with bold moves and valuable insights. He shares how being an underdog can be a superpower, why storytelling is crucial for founders, and the lessons he’s learned while expanding into the U.S. market.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or simply someone looking for inspiration, this episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of data, storytelling, and startup success.
Related Links:
Check out Happy5's performance management software platform