What’s Holding Back 98% of Women Founders from $1M Revenue? ft. Nomiki Petrolla

In this episode, Nomiki Petrolla founder of Theanna, a groundbreaking platform empowering women tech founders, unpacks the realities of startup success few talk about. She reveals why crossing major business milestones remains elusive for most founders and how a combination of grit, knowing your product inside out, and embracing rejection can transform your journey. What’s inside: • The systemic challenges and gaps women founders face in tech and funding • How to own your product vision without losing control • “Rejection therapy” - why being comfortable with failure is a superpower • The obsession and rapid experimentation mindset every entrepreneur needs • Building a supportive community that fuels growth and accountability • How to validate ideas efficiently and avoid costly missteps • Balancing cutting-edge AI tools with genuine human connection • Practical wisdom from someone leading a women-first startup revolution If you’re on the path to scaling your business, breaking barriers, or fueling unstoppable growth, this episode offers a raw yet hopeful blueprint for owning your vision and reaching new heights. 📌 Perfect for: Entrepreneurs, women founders, startup enthusiasts, and changemakers committed to making an impact. Connect with Nomiki Petrolla(Guest): LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nomikipetrolla/ Website: https://theanna.io/v2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About the host: I’m Abhinav Sinha, host of “Funds & Founders”, a podcast for Austin entrepreneurs navigating early-stage startups. I explore the highs, lows, and breakthrough moments of local founders through candid conversations. I also sit down with VCs to uncover how they evaluate early-stage companies and share practical insights. I create an intimate space for guests to share authentic stories, inspiring aspiring founders along their journey. Contact me here, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhinavbsinha/ Newsletter: https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00 - Trailer 0:58 - Intro 1:23 - Why do only 2% of VC funds go to women? What’s Ana’s mission to change that? 1:42 - What inspired you to build Ana? What was the defining moment? 5:00 - Why does a business fundamentals skill gap exist for women founders? 7:40 - What top 2–3 skills should women focus on when starting a business? 12:30 - What did day one of building Ana look like, from idea to first revenue? 17:35 - What goals or KPIs drive Ana’s growth journey? 18:22 - How do you measure the real impact, are members actually launching? 20:11 - What key skills do founders need at each stage, launch, grow, scale? 23:08 - Why do so many founders overbuild before validating their idea? 26:20 - How do you decide when to ship or scrap an idea within 48 hours? 27:54 - What’s the 60-second version of your six-step founder framework? 28:43 - How easily can founders turn your framework into action? 30:28 - Why do most productivity or milestone tools fail to feel personalized? 34:13 - What tool or system gives you back the most focus hours each week? 35:36 - What are your most-used tools for productivity and growth? 38:05 - What happens when everyone uses AI for cold outreach? 39:21 - Will authentic voices get drowned out in the AI outreach era? 40:07 - What kind of merch should Theanna create for its community? 44:20 - Beyond funding, what hidden barrier slows women founders the most? 45:41 - What mindset cues reveal if a founder will stay the course or quit early? 46:16 - How important is a risk-taking attitude in overcoming rejection and failure? 48:24 - What was your experience hitting 10K MRR and dealing with investors? 49:40 - How do you approach fundraising, safe notes, valuation, or waiting it out? 50:21 - What should founders understand about investor incentives and FOMO? 53:12 - If you could send a 60-second voice note to your past self, what would it say? 53:39 - What’s the first validation step for someone with an idea in their notes app? 53:57 - Fast forward 3 years, what headline do you want to read about yourself and Theanna? 54:21 - Who’s your dream podcast guest to interview next? #WomenInTech #FemaleFounders #WomenEntrepreneurs #StartupJourney #ProductLeadership #WomenWhoBuild #Entrepreneurship #TechInnovation