Ilana

was, this is not going to happen to me. I'm going to be the best version that I can be. Okay, so my daughter is five months old, and I'm zooming up, because that was the fuel. So I founded Israeli companies in the U.S. It was an incredible opportunity, from buying the printer and the router to... five sites, $15 million in yearly revenue, like we were just like taking off.

was, this is not going to happen to me. I'm going to be the best version that I can be. Okay, so my daughter is five months old, and I'm zooming up, because that was the fuel. So I founded Israeli companies in the U.S. It was an incredible opportunity, from buying the printer and the router to... five sites, $15 million in yearly revenue, like we were just like taking off.

And, you know, so I was in this uphill trajectory. But five years after that, I look at myself, I fly every single week or every two weeks. My amazing husband, who is right here, is the most supportive husband on the planet because he literally had the kids all on his own for the first five years. I was not around.

And, you know, so I was in this uphill trajectory. But five years after that, I look at myself, I fly every single week or every two weeks. My amazing husband, who is right here, is the most supportive husband on the planet because he literally had the kids all on his own for the first five years. I was not around.

And at some point, I'm catching myself, and I'm like, is this really what I was meant to do? Like, not being present at all? And Sean here, by the way, he was part of this. Hey, Sean, you boy. So, and I was like, is this really, is this what I was meant to do? Like, to just fly all the time and not be with the family? Did I, you know, the pendulum flew a little too much, right?

And at some point, I'm catching myself, and I'm like, is this really what I was meant to do? Like, not being present at all? And Sean here, by the way, he was part of this. Hey, Sean, you boy. So, and I was like, is this really, is this what I was meant to do? Like, to just fly all the time and not be with the family? Did I, you know, the pendulum flew a little too much, right?

So how do I even it out? So when a friend of mine, somebody I knew for probably two decades, wanted to start a company together, I was like, oh my God, yes, that's it. This is what I was meant to do. But I worked every second on this startup that we had. I was so excited. We raised capital. It was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life. And I thought, oh my God, how did I get this lucky?

So how do I even it out? So when a friend of mine, somebody I knew for probably two decades, wanted to start a company together, I was like, oh my God, yes, that's it. This is what I was meant to do. But I worked every second on this startup that we had. I was so excited. We raised capital. It was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life. And I thought, oh my God, how did I get this lucky?

So when I left that VP role, it was like a big party. I wanted to tell everybody about the money that we raised. It was really cool. And little did I know that it's going to blow up in my face. It was like amazing. It was like within 24 hours, I lost my job. I lost my salary. I lost my startup. I lost the investment.

So when I left that VP role, it was like a big party. I wanted to tell everybody about the money that we raised. It was really cool. And little did I know that it's going to blow up in my face. It was like amazing. It was like within 24 hours, I lost my job. I lost my salary. I lost my startup. I lost the investment.

And again, I can't tell you like the ego comes crushing down in a way that it's like, oh, And I think for me, it all came about with my promise that I'm not gonna be that person that does nothing. And here I am. What I didn't realize is that my identity was attached to my title. It was attached to the company that I was with. I never built my own identity. It never occurred to me.

And again, I can't tell you like the ego comes crushing down in a way that it's like, oh, And I think for me, it all came about with my promise that I'm not gonna be that person that does nothing. And here I am. What I didn't realize is that my identity was attached to my title. It was attached to the company that I was with. I never built my own identity. It never occurred to me.

So suddenly when I didn't have those, I felt like a complete nobody. And that was a hard realization. And to make it even worse, I didn't know where I was going. But I'm not the type of person that is all confused. Like, come on, I got my things together. Like, why do I know where I'm going? Not knowing what I want to do was one of the hardest times in my life.

So suddenly when I didn't have those, I felt like a complete nobody. And that was a hard realization. And to make it even worse, I didn't know where I was going. But I'm not the type of person that is all confused. Like, come on, I got my things together. Like, why do I know where I'm going? Not knowing what I want to do was one of the hardest times in my life.

Does anybody resonate with that, with not knowing what you want to do? Okay. Thank you for being honest. I started spiraling down. I couldn't sleep at night. I couldn't wake up in the morning. I was snappy at everybody around me. My health deteriorated. I was like, why can't I figure this out? I think I'm a smart human being. Why can't I figure this out? I Googled everything.

Does anybody resonate with that, with not knowing what you want to do? Okay. Thank you for being honest. I started spiraling down. I couldn't sleep at night. I couldn't wake up in the morning. I was snappy at everybody around me. My health deteriorated. I was like, why can't I figure this out? I think I'm a smart human being. Why can't I figure this out? I Googled everything.

I found either very motivational, who you can do it, or people that live and inspire me. I'm like, this can't be it. So at that point, I did make a promise that if I ever figured this out, I have to tell the world how. And I think this is part of why this weekend is so emotional, because just seeing all of you in the room is just incredible. So first of all, thank you for being here.

I found either very motivational, who you can do it, or people that live and inspire me. I'm like, this can't be it. So at that point, I did make a promise that if I ever figured this out, I have to tell the world how. And I think this is part of why this weekend is so emotional, because just seeing all of you in the room is just incredible. So first of all, thank you for being here.

Eventually, I did leap again and again. You know, I talked a little bit about it. You saw it in the video. I started a company. I sold the company. I stood on boards. I've been on stages. I've been an advisor. And again, I realized that I was leaping again and again. I was just getting a little better at it so I can leap faster and higher.

Eventually, I did leap again and again. You know, I talked a little bit about it. You saw it in the video. I started a company. I sold the company. I stood on boards. I've been on stages. I've been an advisor. And again, I realized that I was leaping again and again. I was just getting a little better at it so I can leap faster and higher.