17. The Neuroscience of Business: Why Women Wait While Men Take Action with Olenka Cullinan
Why do women wait until their plans are perfect to take the leap, while men charge ahead with half-baked ideas?
I sat down with powerhouse entrepreneur Olenka Cullinan for a mind-bending conversation about the science behind why women and men approach business completely differently. From accidentally landing a Costco deal through a viral video to running multiple successful ventures while prioritizing family time, Olenka breaks down how our brain chemistry shapes everything from networking to negotiation.
What fascinates me most? The revelation that women have double the neural connections between brain hemispheres compared to men – explaining why we excel at team leadership but often hold ourselves back from taking big swings. Olenka shares how her journey from Eastern European "good girl" to boundary-setting business leader required completely rewiring deeply ingrained patterns.
You'll discover why men pitch ideas on napkins while women wait for perfection, how to identify childhood patterns blocking your growth, and practical strategies for building a thriving business without sacrificing balance. This conversation goes way beyond typical business advice to explore the psychology and neuroscience of success.
In this episode, we discuss:
How brain structure differences impact male vs female business approaches
Why women wait for "perfect" while men pitch on napkins
Strategies for breaking free from "good girl" syndrome
The psychology behind finding true work-life balance
Navigating major retail partnerships as a startup
👉Listen to the episode How to Balance Masculine and Feminine Energy in Business and Life
Watch on YouTube
Key Takeaways
Women in Business and Entrepreneurship (00:00–11:06)
Women often hesitate to seek funding until their business plan is nearly complete
Men are more likely to seek funding with just an idea
Women are better at teamwork due to nurturing qualities
Olenka Cullinan introduced as an entrepreneur and mom
Olenka's businesses: I Start First (women empowerment), Red Shark USA (water bike company), and a consulting company
Red Shark USA got a trial run with Costco
Serendipitous meetings led to business opportunities
Importance of networking and pitching ideas
Product-Based Business and Distribution (11:07 - 21:45)
Differences between product-based and service-based businesses
Challenges of working with Costco: multiple logistics partners, outsourcing
Importance of delegating and building teams in business growth
Balance in business and personal life is crucial
Olenka's approach to scheduling: prioritizing family and being ruthless with time management
Discussion on work-life balance and its importance for entrepreneurs
Psychological aspects of business: fears and insecurities affecting balance
Gender Differences in Business (21:45 - 33:23)
Brain development differences between men and women
Women have double the neurons connecting the right and left brain hemispheres
Men tend to be more focused on single tasks, and women are better at multitasking
Gender differences in networking: men network to progress, women network to socialize
Women's tendency to undervalue themselves in business
Importance of self-reflection and journaling to identify limiting beliefs
Childhood experiences and cultural upbringing influence business behaviors
Encouraging women to change limiting beliefs for personal and professional growth
About your host: Samantha Fackler is an Executive Leadership Coach and Marketing Advisor who transforms how women entrepreneurs grow a freedom-based business. After scaling 100+ companies over 12+ years with both Fortune 500 companies (think Apple, PayPal, LinkedIn) and early-stage founders, she brings a rare blend of corporate strategy and holistic leadership to help you scale intentionally. Her approach? Building aligned, profitable businesses without the burnout narrative. Because success shouldn't cost you your wellbeing.
Watch: HOW TO SCALE Masterclass Replay (FREE for a limited time)
Free Guide: Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make in Marketing (& How to Fix Them)
Join Sam's Mastermind Group for Women Entrepreneurs: Apply here
Connect with Sam:
Instagram: @growwith_sam
TikTok: @sidenotepod
Website: www.growwithsam.com
YouTube: @sidenotepod
Have a transformation story worth sharing? Top-tier women entrepreneurs can apply to be a guest at sidenotepod.com.
About Olenka Cullinan the CEO of iStartFirst, C-suite global consultant, business development strategist, and renowned speaker. With over 15 years of experience in scale strategy and operations, Olenka has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Business Coaches to Watch (Yahoo News, 2021), among the Top 100 Women to Watch (Women’s Business Journal, 2019). Since 2010, Olenka has pioneered the “GPS of Success”™ methodology, empowering over 500 C-Suite leaders and Founders to elevate their business and mindset, while achieving scalable growth. Her impact spans 22 countries, guiding brands and executives worldwide. She is a TEDx speaker, a two-time Amazon best-selling author, and has delivered over 750 workshops and keynotes for top companies and CEO-focused organizations worldwide.
Website: https://istartfirst.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olenka-cullinan-7872b657/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olenkacullinan/
