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Mother. Startup founder. Banker. Coffee maker. Baker. Investor. What do they have in common? 

They're heartfelt entrepreneurs. Well, certainly the speakers we had at our last Piazza of Entrepreneurship event in London certainly were. There's something about wearing our Dots that makes you wear your heart on your sleeve too as they spoke with incredible openness and courage. So here's a handy event recap, and a checklist to help you figure out if you're ready for your own life's Piazza of Entrepreneurship or if someone around you needs your encouragement. 

1. Are you ready to take action now? 

Nora Lee Notzon shared she got the “Herculean” courage to start her dating app VieLoco when her boss chose to fire her to propel her to action. The beautiful irony? This man became her actual husband. But don't be fooled, the app is launching soon and it hasn't made Nora Lee stop in any way!  

2. Do you need to liberate someone?  

Kerim Derhalli, that very husband, then took to the stage and shared his side of the story. Apparently, firing Nora Lee was just the start. “Soon, I wanted to fire everyone! In fact, I wanted to liberate all the talented people trapped in the financial industry, who had lost their way.” Can you grant someone freedom like Karin? We urge you to release them! (Terms and conditions apply.)  

3. Do you have a huge hunger to feed? 

For Iamyiam founder Lorena Puica, who has grown up with Asperger’s, her entrepreneurial spirit came from a personal need. “I left home with €300 and a strong hunger for knowledge and a desire to enhance people’s quality of life.” With her work, her goal is to improve the wellbeing of 1 billion people by 2025. That's one huge hunger to wake up to every day! 

4. Do you have a legacy to pass on? 

For coffee maker extraordinaire Iley Ozerlat it was “that inner voice telling me to hold on to my family history” which spurred her on. Her family's business dates back to her great grandfather in 1917; with her father taking over the coffee business aged just 14. The entrepreneur in you is often rooted at the heart of what makes your DNA. Embrace it.

5. Are you ready to fight?  

What does it take for a gal to make it as an entrepreneur? “Establishing the values of what you’re fighting for,” according to Camford 1209 founder Jacqueline Gilbert. When you find something bigger than yourself, you're ready to fight for it. And trust us, amazing things start happening.

6. Are you solving a problem? 

CEO of 2to3days.com Juliet Turnbull shared “there are millions of us across the world. We are bright, educated and highly talented and we want to use our brains. Mothers.” She advocated for mothers being able to work flexible, part-time working hours and that's exactly what her matchmaking company helps mothers and companies to do. We applaud her for solving such a potent reality for so many of us. 

7. Can you stand adversity? 

Tears were shed when Ruth Tavares sang about her personal hardships. She showed us that being an artist is an entrepreneur too: “It’s about continuing on your path against all adversities.” Her beautiful song devoted to her family and husband have tugged on the heart strings of us all and rightly so; we all need someone to stand by in challenging times. 

8. Are you going to have fun? 

Serena Whitefield shared the diamonds of what makes the day to day worthwhile: "If we haven't had a good laugh during the day, something has gone horribly wrong. After all, it's cake!" It's difficult to deny the fun in Pearl & Groove bakery, and so shouldn't you in your venture! 

9. Have you got a cofounder? 

Kristin Olafsdottir of Klikk Productions made a good point about collaboration. Not only does she make films by women, about women and financed by women, she also highlighted just how beneficial it is to work as co-director - especially with another woman. Sharing is caring, right? 

10. What's your calling?  

Leila Rastegar Zegna of Spring Partners let slip a powerful secret. "Great founders don’t start a company because they want to start a company. They do it to solve a problem. They do it because they have no other option. It’s not a choice. It’s a calling." 

We hope you've shouted YES! out loud to our checklist and that the last question had you pumped! 

What's your calling and how can we help you fulfill it with Dot Alchemy? Do share it with us on our Piazza and don't forget to connect with these amazing people to help you get there! The right Dot is waiting for you right around the corner. Log in or click here to create an account and join us on the Piazza.