E495 – Current & Critical – Leah Sarich, Exploring the Human Side of Startup Success and Challenges
“I measure success on the [ability] to create a space where people feel comfortable, where they feel open and ready to share some of the genuine feelings they have about being a founder.”
Leah Sarich shares her five-year journey at Thin Air Labs, where she’s helped craft the stories of over 20 startups while witnessing Calgary’s innovation ecosystem grow into a nationally recognized force. Leah opens up about what founders really need beyond capital, why storytelling builds trust in early-stage ventures, and how she’s using The Founder Mindset podcast to humanize entrepreneurship. She also unpacks the myth of the always-resilient founder, the emotional toll of building something from nothing, and how creating space for reflection can actually make teams stronger. This episode is a masterclass in why brand, story, and culture matter just as much as strategy.