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🌀 Career lessons from Physicist turned Entrepreneur

🌀 Career lessons from Physicist turned Entrepreneur

Listen now (42 mins).

Milly Tamati
November 07, 2025

I took the liberty of trying ALL the vibe-coding platforms and this is my TOP choice… 🏆

If you’re a nerdy tinkerer like me.. you’re probs looking for the best vibe-coding tool so you can build MVPs and ship internal tools. I’ve tested them all and Lovable easily came out on top! (especially as someone who can’t code!)

So far I’ve made:

my personal website
a calendar that syncs to my cycle (it went viral!)
an events website to run International Generalist Day

click to see them

It’s wild!! If you haven’t tried Lovable yet, highly recommend! Even if you don’t ship something publicly, it’s 110% worth it to start building the muscle of how to use these tools.

🔔 Use code GW20 to save $5 off the Pro Plan 🔔

Hey, welcome back 👋

Let’s get into today’s episode.

Karolina Sarna is a physicist-turned strategy coach and founder. Originally trained in atmospheric physics, she moved from research to applied space systems, then into data science and product leadership roles. Her work has ranged from building satellite mission components to designing end-to-end data pipelines to leading product and strategic initiatives for emerging tech teams. Karolina is also the founder of Rebel Strategy Lab, where she coaches mid-career “rebel leaders” and helps companies build strategy that aligns people, planet, and profit.

Spotify // Apple

What you'll learn:

How to pivot your career using “A-to-B” moves—shifting just one variable at a time to evolve instead of start over
Why uncertainty can sometimes feel safer than certainty, and how to use that awareness to keep your options open
A simple “hell yes or no” filter to choose which projects to say yes to when you have many possible paths
How to give clear, timely, non-personal feedback that builds trust and helps people improve quickly
A method for tracking your energy and attention to figure out which direction your career actually wants to go
Why generalists often thrive when they work across systems, and how to articulate that value in strategy roles
How to build a consulting practice gradually, including setting a realistic 12–18 month runway and fallback criteria
Why investing in tools that improve understanding of AI-generated output (like code visualizers) builds confidence and quality

Some takeaways:

Purposeful pivots work best when you change one thing at a time: Karolina avoids “A-to-Z” reinventions because they require rebuilding reputation, context, and identity all at once. Instead, she changes one element—industry, role, or problem space—while keeping others stable. These smaller pivots stack, creating significant career movement without destabilizing your confidence or momentum. Over time, the throughline becomes obvious in hindsight.

Systems thinking makes strategy tangible: Her scientific training taught her to see whole systems, not isolated parts. In organizations, this means mapping how decisions, data, incentives, and users interact end-to-end. Strategy becomes easier when you locate the highest-leverage point—what single shift improves everything downstream. Leaders who can explain systems clearly build alignment faster and make better bets.

Tough love feedback is clarity, not criticism: Feedback is not personal—it’s a reflection of one person’s perception in a shared working context. Effective feedback is specific (“when you… on slide 6”), timely (shared close to the moment), and neutral (“thank you,” not “amazing”). Separating identity from behavior makes growth feel safe and actionable. Positive reinforcement is equally powerful for scaling what already works.

Portfolio careers require focus, not chaos: Having many interests is a strength—but acting on all of them at once leads to diluted performance. Karolina limits her “active projects” to two things she can do well, then time-boxes exploration for the rest. If it’s not a clear yes, it’s a no (for now). This keeps her work energizing instead of draining.

A consulting runway should be planned, not assumed: It usually takes 12–18 months to replace salary income with consulting revenue. Setting a financial runway, defining the revenue checkpoint where you reassess, and deciding on a fallback scenario reduces stress dramatically. The first client isn’t about the money—it’s about proof of value and message clarity.

Rejecting “executive presence” opens more authentic leadership: Early in her career, Karolina tried to shape herself to vague expectations like “gravitas.” Real growth came when she stopped shrinking to fit these norms and instead centered clarity, directness, and thoughtful questioning. Leadership becomes more inclusive when we value communication that is useful—not performative.

Hiring for coachability matters more than pedigree: Candidates who can receive, process, and integrate feedback create healthier, higher-performing teams. Look for people who can explain their reasoning, reflect on missteps, and stay curious. These qualities reduce friction across product, data, and strategy work.

AI still requires human understanding: The app Karolina is building—a visualizer for AI-generated code—exists because speed without comprehension is fragile. Tools that help people see what systems are doing enable better reasoning, better ownership, and better outcomes. AI changes workflows—but it increases the need for human judgment.

Purpose-driven strategy is about clear trade-offs, not slogans: Building for “people, planet, and profit” only works when you’re explicit about which dimension leads in which context. Strategy is choosing—not trying to please everything at once. Trade-offs create clarity, and clarity creates teams that move.