Some founders wait for the perfect conditions before launching. Marleen Somohardjo jumped in during the 2008 financial crisis. That choice defined her approach to business: prepare for the unknown, lead with purpose, and keep a steady hand when the waters turn rough.
Key takeaways
Preparedness is not something you switch on when trouble arrives. It is a mindset and a set of habits you build into your business from day one. Marleen’s own journey, starting her consultancy during a financial crisis, is proof that this approach pays off.
Preparedness is a daily discipline, not a panic button.
Marleen’s career shows that embedding preparedness into daily operations makes you far more effective when real challenges hit. It is about anticipating risks and redesigning processes before you are forced to.
A stable balance sheet is the foundation for growth and risk-taking.
Having solid financials gives you the freedom to take calculated risks without jeopardising your business. For Marleen, stability is not about being overly cautious, but about creating the confidence to innovate.
Profit means more when it serves a long-term purpose.
Profitability without vision can be short-lived. Aligning profit with a clear purpose builds resilience and creates value beyond the bottom line.
To discover how you can build a business that is both resilient and purpose-driven, listen to episode 115 of Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
Know someone who should hear what Marleen has to say? Pass it on when you're done.
The Magic Moments
Marleen provides insights into how resilience works and why it matters, particularly for founders. These parts of our conversation capture the essence of how Marleen thinks and works. They stand out because they link vision to action in ways founders can apply right away.
The courage to launch during the 2008 financial crisis.
Starting a business at a time when others were retreating shows her willingness to take strategic risks and her confidence in her own capabilities. And, it shows that there’s no wrong moment to start one.
“Your passion needs to be monetised in such a way that you understand the value you bring to the market.”
This was a turning point in the discussion. You can’t separate passion from profit. Marleen sees passion as essential but insists that it must be tied to a viable business model to have a lasting impact.
Connecting delegation with diversity: different approaches can still deliver excellence.
Letting go of perfectionism is not just about efficiency. For Marleen, it also means embracing diverse ways of working, which can strengthen the business and improve preparedness.
Want more magic from the episode? Tune into episode 115 of Women Disrupting Tech, and follow us for more magical episodes.
The Quote From the Episode
“Your passion needs to be monetised in such a way that you understand the value you bring to the market” - Marleen Somohardjo
The Practical Tips for Entrepreneurs
One of the main reasons I loved having Marleen on is that she speaks not only to the traditional finance metrics like profit and loss. She shows that running a business is about resilience and understanding the practice of risk management.
Marleen’s advice is grounded in both corporate expertise and entrepreneurial experience.
Corporate years can be the perfect training ground for entrepreneurship.
As Marian Spier also said in episode 110, a “normal” job can teach you leadership, systems, and delivery skills you later adapt for your own venture.
Use technology to free your time for the work that matters most.
Marleen embraces technology as a multiplier, freeing up her time by handling routine tasks so she can focus on high-value work. Her advice to founders: choose tech tools that multiply your impact.
Anchor every decision in financial stability and your “why.”
Clear financial goals paired with a strong sense of purpose create a steady course, even in turbulent markets.
What’s the practical tip from the episode that you feel others need to hear? Leave a comment to share it.
Coming up on Women Disrupting Tech
Next week, we’ll travel to the land of confusion that AI is in. Marili ‘t Hooft-Bolle is our guide as we discover how to navigate growth in the age of AI. Let me share a little nugget of wisdom from the episode to get you warmed up.
It’s a must-listen episode for founders who want to know how they can benefit from the seemingly endless opportunities that AI is generating without running into too many problems.
Have a friend who should hear that? Share this newsletter so they can hit subscribe in time for this episode to hit the airwaves.
And until then, as always, keep being awesome!
Dirkjan
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