Entrepreneurship inside out: Sara Al Madani’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs

In a keynote at SiGMA East Europe´s Budapest conference, Sara Al Madani, a successful entrepreneur, shared a raw and insightful perspective on entrepreneurship. Her journey isn’t just about business strategies and market trends; it’s deeply rooted in personal growth and self-awareness. Sara emphasizes the profound impact of internal work on external success, offering valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

The inside-out approach to entrepreneurship

Sara believes that the foundation of true entrepreneurial success lies within. “I believe when you do the work inside, it ripples on the outside,” she says. Too often, leaders fail to introspect, focusing only on external solutions to their problems. This can lead to a cycle of deflection and projection—firing employees, changing strategies, or blaming others—without addressing the core issues. “You might be the problem,” Sara candidly points out. Many entrepreneurs don’t realize the impact of their emotional baggage and past traumas on their work. These unresolved issues can manifest in the workplace, affecting decision-making and leadership style.

Recognizing your own patterns

Sara shares that early in her career, she often reacted impulsively to business challenges by firing people or making sudden changes. It took time for her to recognize that these actions were often about deflecting blame rather than addressing the root cause of the problem. “Subconsciously programmed to react in certain ways, you don’t even know you have a problem,” she explains. When others tried to provide feedback, it triggered her defensiveness, preventing growth. By looking inward and doing the work on herself, Sara was able to break free from these limiting patterns. She emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and the willingness to acknowledge that sometimes, we are our own biggest obstacles.

Breaking free from limiting beliefs

The turning point for Sara was the realization that she was a prisoner of her own thoughts. Her success is not a result of innate talent or luck, but rather the product of breaking down limiting beliefs and embracing self-improvement. “The moment you remove these, you realize you’re a prisoner of your own thoughts,” she states. Challenges in business aren’t just typical entrepreneurial hurdles; often, they are reflections of internal conflicts. Sara highlights the mind’s tendency to provide unsolicited answers, convincing us to accept certain difficulties as normal or unchangeable. For her, breaking free from these mental traps required laser-focused determination and a deep belief in her own potential. She stresses that manifestation isn’t about writing in a journal or simply hoping for the best. “Manifestation is what you believe you deserve and what you believe you can get,” she asserts. Your true beliefs, not just your surface-level thoughts, shape your reality.

Common emotional blocks and how to overcome them

Sara lists several emotional barriers that many entrepreneurs face – including herself, often without realizing their impact:

• Trust Issues and Safety in business 
• People Pleasing
• Conflict Avoidance
• Feeling Stuck
• Fear of Being Creative or Failing

Sara emphasizes that these emotions are often normalized, but recognizing their impact is the first step towards overcoming them. She encourages entrepreneurs to examine how these patterns show up not only in their business lives but also in their personal lives. For her, the key was to approach these issues with curiosity and self-compassion, removing ego and embracing vulnerability.

The path to self-awareness and success

To aspiring entrepreneurs, Sara’s message is clear: put in the work on yourself first. Success in business is not just about strategy and execution; it’s about self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to grow from within. “Be open and remove your ego, and recognize that you might be the problem,” she advises. Sara’s journey is a powerful reminder that the most significant challenges we face as entrepreneurs often lie within. By doing the inner work, embracing self-awareness, and challenging our limiting beliefs, we can unlock our full potential and build businesses that truly reflect our values and aspirations.