Sara Tavasolian
@saratavasolian.bsky.social
Host of This Is Creating Podcast 🫶🎙️
https://linktw.in/ACtjFa
🔬🗂️ Research driven podcast about how we build and create businesses.
https://linktw.in/ACtjFa
🔬🗂️ Research driven podcast about how we build and create businesses.
Why do we only celebrate the wins and hide the failures?
Some places treat failure as part of the process. You tried, it didn't work, you move on.
Others treat it like something to be ashamed of.
And that creates a problem.
Some places treat failure as part of the process. You tried, it didn't work, you move on.
Others treat it like something to be ashamed of.
And that creates a problem.
February 6, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Why do we only celebrate the wins and hide the failures?
Some places treat failure as part of the process. You tried, it didn't work, you move on.
Others treat it like something to be ashamed of.
And that creates a problem.
Some places treat failure as part of the process. You tried, it didn't work, you move on.
Others treat it like something to be ashamed of.
And that creates a problem.
What happens when your generosity runs into a broken system?
We talk a lot about donating...giving back and doing good. But most of us don't really know where our money goes, how it moves, or what actually changes because of it.
We talk a lot about donating...giving back and doing good. But most of us don't really know where our money goes, how it moves, or what actually changes because of it.
February 5, 2026 at 3:32 PM
What happens when your generosity runs into a broken system?
We talk a lot about donating...giving back and doing good. But most of us don't really know where our money goes, how it moves, or what actually changes because of it.
We talk a lot about donating...giving back and doing good. But most of us don't really know where our money goes, how it moves, or what actually changes because of it.
“My job is not to pick the winner. My job is to help make the winner.”
Patrik Kägu reminds us that success isn’t about waiting for the “right” person or opportunity — it’s about showing up, supporting, and helping people grow.
Who could you help make a winner today?
Patrik Kägu reminds us that success isn’t about waiting for the “right” person or opportunity — it’s about showing up, supporting, and helping people grow.
Who could you help make a winner today?
February 5, 2026 at 2:32 PM
“My job is not to pick the winner. My job is to help make the winner.”
Patrik Kägu reminds us that success isn’t about waiting for the “right” person or opportunity — it’s about showing up, supporting, and helping people grow.
Who could you help make a winner today?
Patrik Kägu reminds us that success isn’t about waiting for the “right” person or opportunity — it’s about showing up, supporting, and helping people grow.
Who could you help make a winner today?
Real estate's old playbook? Shred it.
Roger Tofft says everything you think you know about real estate—rip it up, break it, put it in the shredder. Right now.
Why? The data and AI capabilities exploding today (unbelievable compared to just two years ago) are rewriting industries overnight.
Roger Tofft says everything you think you know about real estate—rip it up, break it, put it in the shredder. Right now.
Why? The data and AI capabilities exploding today (unbelievable compared to just two years ago) are rewriting industries overnight.
February 5, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Real estate's old playbook? Shred it.
Roger Tofft says everything you think you know about real estate—rip it up, break it, put it in the shredder. Right now.
Why? The data and AI capabilities exploding today (unbelievable compared to just two years ago) are rewriting industries overnight.
Roger Tofft says everything you think you know about real estate—rip it up, break it, put it in the shredder. Right now.
Why? The data and AI capabilities exploding today (unbelievable compared to just two years ago) are rewriting industries overnight.
I asked Patrik how he defines innovation and this is what he said:
“An innovation is an unexpected idea or solution that has reached the market. Before that it's an interesting concept it's an idea, it's a solution. But the innovation part comes from the market accepting it.
“An innovation is an unexpected idea or solution that has reached the market. Before that it's an interesting concept it's an idea, it's a solution. But the innovation part comes from the market accepting it.
February 5, 2026 at 9:27 AM
I asked Patrik how he defines innovation and this is what he said:
“An innovation is an unexpected idea or solution that has reached the market. Before that it's an interesting concept it's an idea, it's a solution. But the innovation part comes from the market accepting it.
“An innovation is an unexpected idea or solution that has reached the market. Before that it's an interesting concept it's an idea, it's a solution. But the innovation part comes from the market accepting it.
Worrying won't build your dreams—action will.
Stop overthinking and start creating, even if it's messy.
Progress beats perfection every time.
Save this for when you need the push 💛
Stop overthinking and start creating, even if it's messy.
Progress beats perfection every time.
Save this for when you need the push 💛
February 3, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Worrying won't build your dreams—action will.
Stop overthinking and start creating, even if it's messy.
Progress beats perfection every time.
Save this for when you need the push 💛
Stop overthinking and start creating, even if it's messy.
Progress beats perfection every time.
Save this for when you need the push 💛
1/6:
Roger Tofft and I were talking about this and it made a lot of sense.
Universities open their doors to international students. Cities often do not have the systems or policies ready to support them properly.
Roger Tofft and I were talking about this and it made a lot of sense.
Universities open their doors to international students. Cities often do not have the systems or policies ready to support them properly.
February 1, 2026 at 1:37 PM
1/6:
Roger Tofft and I were talking about this and it made a lot of sense.
Universities open their doors to international students. Cities often do not have the systems or policies ready to support them properly.
Roger Tofft and I were talking about this and it made a lot of sense.
Universities open their doors to international students. Cities often do not have the systems or policies ready to support them properly.
Listening to Roger Tofft talk about affordable housing hit me hard.
20+ years later…we still haven’t solved it.
Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep, cook, live, yet the system keeps failing us.
Spain’s 50°C summers. Sweden’s brutal winters.
20+ years later…we still haven’t solved it.
Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep, cook, live, yet the system keeps failing us.
Spain’s 50°C summers. Sweden’s brutal winters.
January 30, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Listening to Roger Tofft talk about affordable housing hit me hard.
20+ years later…we still haven’t solved it.
Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep, cook, live, yet the system keeps failing us.
Spain’s 50°C summers. Sweden’s brutal winters.
20+ years later…we still haven’t solved it.
Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep, cook, live, yet the system keeps failing us.
Spain’s 50°C summers. Sweden’s brutal winters.
The hardest part isn’t doing it perfectly
It’s starting at all.
Starting beats perfecting
Feedback beats assumptions
You don’t need to know every step
You don’t need the ideal moment.
It’s starting at all.
Starting beats perfecting
Feedback beats assumptions
You don’t need to know every step
You don’t need the ideal moment.
January 30, 2026 at 4:19 PM
The hardest part isn’t doing it perfectly
It’s starting at all.
Starting beats perfecting
Feedback beats assumptions
You don’t need to know every step
You don’t need the ideal moment.
It’s starting at all.
Starting beats perfecting
Feedback beats assumptions
You don’t need to know every step
You don’t need the ideal moment.
Tweet 1/8
Most people think the future of real estate & cities comes from bigger budgets, flashier designs, or faster construction...
What if the real game-changer is questioning the hidden systems no one sees?
Thread on my chat with Roger Tofft 👇 #PropTech
Most people think the future of real estate & cities comes from bigger budgets, flashier designs, or faster construction...
What if the real game-changer is questioning the hidden systems no one sees?
Thread on my chat with Roger Tofft 👇 #PropTech
January 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Tweet 1/8
Most people think the future of real estate & cities comes from bigger budgets, flashier designs, or faster construction...
What if the real game-changer is questioning the hidden systems no one sees?
Thread on my chat with Roger Tofft 👇 #PropTech
Most people think the future of real estate & cities comes from bigger budgets, flashier designs, or faster construction...
What if the real game-changer is questioning the hidden systems no one sees?
Thread on my chat with Roger Tofft 👇 #PropTech
If you've ever held back from creating bigger pieces or aiming higher in jewelry because you thought, "I don't have the budget for big stones or fancy materials"...
I get it. That doubt feels so real.
But here's what one industry insider shared with me:
I get it. That doubt feels so real.
But here's what one industry insider shared with me:
January 28, 2026 at 3:32 PM
If you've ever held back from creating bigger pieces or aiming higher in jewelry because you thought, "I don't have the budget for big stones or fancy materials"...
I get it. That doubt feels so real.
But here's what one industry insider shared with me:
I get it. That doubt feels so real.
But here's what one industry insider shared with me:
Fear of failure stops you from trying.
But here's what you need to understand, failure isn't a verdict on who you are, it's DATA.
It's information.
It's feedback.
But here's what you need to understand, failure isn't a verdict on who you are, it's DATA.
It's information.
It's feedback.
January 27, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Fear of failure stops you from trying.
But here's what you need to understand, failure isn't a verdict on who you are, it's DATA.
It's information.
It's feedback.
But here's what you need to understand, failure isn't a verdict on who you are, it's DATA.
It's information.
It's feedback.
Ever wonder what it takes to build a jewelry brand?
When you see a brand you’re seeing the finished piece.
You don’t see the long nights, the prototypes, the sizing fixes or the upfront cost just to bring a small collection to life.
Handcraft starts long before anyone buys a thing.
When you see a brand you’re seeing the finished piece.
You don’t see the long nights, the prototypes, the sizing fixes or the upfront cost just to bring a small collection to life.
Handcraft starts long before anyone buys a thing.
January 26, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Ever wonder what it takes to build a jewelry brand?
When you see a brand you’re seeing the finished piece.
You don’t see the long nights, the prototypes, the sizing fixes or the upfront cost just to bring a small collection to life.
Handcraft starts long before anyone buys a thing.
When you see a brand you’re seeing the finished piece.
You don’t see the long nights, the prototypes, the sizing fixes or the upfront cost just to bring a small collection to life.
Handcraft starts long before anyone buys a thing.
If you've ever wondered how designers actually break into the jewelry industry… it's messier than you think.
Nobody tells you this, but there's no single path that works for everyone.
Some go to design school.
Some teach themselves. Others apprentice with artisans.
Nobody tells you this, but there's no single path that works for everyone.
Some go to design school.
Some teach themselves. Others apprentice with artisans.
January 25, 2026 at 12:18 PM
If you've ever wondered how designers actually break into the jewelry industry… it's messier than you think.
Nobody tells you this, but there's no single path that works for everyone.
Some go to design school.
Some teach themselves. Others apprentice with artisans.
Nobody tells you this, but there's no single path that works for everyone.
Some go to design school.
Some teach themselves. Others apprentice with artisans.
You don't need to know the industry before you enter it.
You learn by entering.
Insiders protect how things are.
Beginners ask why it works that way at all.
New eyes notice what others stopped seeing.
New voices are the ones that push things forward.
You learn by entering.
Insiders protect how things are.
Beginners ask why it works that way at all.
New eyes notice what others stopped seeing.
New voices are the ones that push things forward.
January 24, 2026 at 2:57 PM
You don't need to know the industry before you enter it.
You learn by entering.
Insiders protect how things are.
Beginners ask why it works that way at all.
New eyes notice what others stopped seeing.
New voices are the ones that push things forward.
You learn by entering.
Insiders protect how things are.
Beginners ask why it works that way at all.
New eyes notice what others stopped seeing.
New voices are the ones that push things forward.
Why do so many talented jewelry designers never make it in 💎
It isn’t skill
It’s access
There’s no clear path into the jewelry world unless you already have capital or connections
Trade shows are expensive
Inventory comes before demand
It isn’t skill
It’s access
There’s no clear path into the jewelry world unless you already have capital or connections
Trade shows are expensive
Inventory comes before demand
January 24, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Why do so many talented jewelry designers never make it in 💎
It isn’t skill
It’s access
There’s no clear path into the jewelry world unless you already have capital or connections
Trade shows are expensive
Inventory comes before demand
It isn’t skill
It’s access
There’s no clear path into the jewelry world unless you already have capital or connections
Trade shows are expensive
Inventory comes before demand
Feeling stuck is just that, a feeling, not your reality. Every moment is a chance to choose differently.
The pause you’re in right now? It’s not permanent. It’s preparation.
The pause you’re in right now? It’s not permanent. It’s preparation.
January 23, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Feeling stuck is just that, a feeling, not your reality. Every moment is a chance to choose differently.
The pause you’re in right now? It’s not permanent. It’s preparation.
The pause you’re in right now? It’s not permanent. It’s preparation.
Everyone says they “do AI”... but companies don’t all mean the same thing.
There are AI users who plug into existing tools to work faster. And there are AI enablers who help others adopt AI or build on their own data.
Both matter.
There are AI users who plug into existing tools to work faster. And there are AI enablers who help others adopt AI or build on their own data.
Both matter.
January 23, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Everyone says they “do AI”... but companies don’t all mean the same thing.
There are AI users who plug into existing tools to work faster. And there are AI enablers who help others adopt AI or build on their own data.
Both matter.
There are AI users who plug into existing tools to work faster. And there are AI enablers who help others adopt AI or build on their own data.
Both matter.
Don’t let mediocre opinions pollute your vision.
Not every piece of feedback deserves space in your head. Not every criticism is valid. And definitely not everyone understands what you’re trying to build.
Not every piece of feedback deserves space in your head. Not every criticism is valid. And definitely not everyone understands what you’re trying to build.
January 23, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Don’t let mediocre opinions pollute your vision.
Not every piece of feedback deserves space in your head. Not every criticism is valid. And definitely not everyone understands what you’re trying to build.
Not every piece of feedback deserves space in your head. Not every criticism is valid. And definitely not everyone understands what you’re trying to build.
Founders misalign more than people realise and that is very normal.
Not everyone wants the same kind of success. Some want speed, capital and scale.
Others want a profitable, calm business they like running.
Both versions are valid.
Not everyone wants the same kind of success. Some want speed, capital and scale.
Others want a profitable, calm business they like running.
Both versions are valid.
January 23, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Founders misalign more than people realise and that is very normal.
Not everyone wants the same kind of success. Some want speed, capital and scale.
Others want a profitable, calm business they like running.
Both versions are valid.
Not everyone wants the same kind of success. Some want speed, capital and scale.
Others want a profitable, calm business they like running.
Both versions are valid.
Startups don’t fail from lack of effort, they fail from misaligned visions of success.
Success means different things to different people….and that’s okay.
If you’re seeing this, it’s your reminder:
Talk about what success means…early.
Alignment builds strong teams.
Keep building.
Success means different things to different people….and that’s okay.
If you’re seeing this, it’s your reminder:
Talk about what success means…early.
Alignment builds strong teams.
Keep building.
January 23, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Startups don’t fail from lack of effort, they fail from misaligned visions of success.
Success means different things to different people….and that’s okay.
If you’re seeing this, it’s your reminder:
Talk about what success means…early.
Alignment builds strong teams.
Keep building.
Success means different things to different people….and that’s okay.
If you’re seeing this, it’s your reminder:
Talk about what success means…early.
Alignment builds strong teams.
Keep building.
"Do you charge for the pilots? No? Okay, come back when you do."
That's what Patrik Kägu told me, and it completely reframes how founders should think about early customers.
Most founders think traction means users and lots of pilots in the wild.
That's what Patrik Kägu told me, and it completely reframes how founders should think about early customers.
Most founders think traction means users and lots of pilots in the wild.
January 23, 2026 at 2:06 PM
"Do you charge for the pilots? No? Okay, come back when you do."
That's what Patrik Kägu told me, and it completely reframes how founders should think about early customers.
Most founders think traction means users and lots of pilots in the wild.
That's what Patrik Kägu told me, and it completely reframes how founders should think about early customers.
Most founders think traction means users and lots of pilots in the wild.
Innovation doesn't have to be revolutionary.
Sometimes it's just 10% different… but done with real intention.
Stop chasing 'never been done before' and start building what actually moves the needle. 💡✨
Sometimes it's just 10% different… but done with real intention.
Stop chasing 'never been done before' and start building what actually moves the needle. 💡✨
January 23, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Innovation doesn't have to be revolutionary.
Sometimes it's just 10% different… but done with real intention.
Stop chasing 'never been done before' and start building what actually moves the needle. 💡✨
Sometimes it's just 10% different… but done with real intention.
Stop chasing 'never been done before' and start building what actually moves the needle. 💡✨
True innovation isn't just a brilliant idea, it's when the market accepts it and says 'yes' with their wallets. 💡
This gem from my conversation with innovation advisor Patrik Kägu felt like a wake up call.
This gem from my conversation with innovation advisor Patrik Kägu felt like a wake up call.
January 23, 2026 at 2:03 PM
True innovation isn't just a brilliant idea, it's when the market accepts it and says 'yes' with their wallets. 💡
This gem from my conversation with innovation advisor Patrik Kägu felt like a wake up call.
This gem from my conversation with innovation advisor Patrik Kägu felt like a wake up call.