In this special episode of Tech Startup Stories, host Natalie Binns is joined by marketing leader and long time mentor Donna St. John for a behind the scenes reflection on the podcast’s first year. Natalie shares why she started the show, what has surprised her most about the founders she’s interviewed, and how the conversations have shaped her thinking as both a founder and a marketer. The episode explores common challenges across startups, the realities of funding and growth, the tension between short term results and long term brand building, and why curiosity and discomfort play such an important role in building resilient businesses.