Pitching With Heart: What I Learned About Self-Trust in Ericeira

There’s something surreal about circling back—especially when that full circle includes shaky beginnings, deep self-doubt, and years of growth that happened mostly in the dark.

In 2020, I gave my first startup pitch from a tiny studio room, speaking to a camera, praying the connection wouldn’t drop. That moment, at Shesnovation, was my introduction to the world of building publicly. My voice trembled. My eyes darted everywhere but at the lens. When it ended, I wasn’t sure I belonged in the room—or any room like it.

Flash forward to a few months ago: I found myself clutching notes in a hotel room in Ericeira, Portugal. Still solo. Still a little nervous. But also—still building.

The Setting: Aethos Ericeira, A Temple by the Sea

Let’s talk about the place for a second. Because Aethos Ericeira isn’t just a hotel. It’s a quiet kind of temple. A place that invites you to take up space—not with loudness, but with presence.

• Tiny lizards scurry through lush gardens.

• The wine? It literally tastes like the ocean.

• Every detail—from the materials to the scent in the air—whispers sustainability and thoughtfulness.

It was a place, that I felt that I can breathe for the first time in my life. I felt the safety and the spaciousness of the place. I loved falling asleep into the sound of the ocean, listening to the music coming from the restaurant below me. I was laughing that I am close to the food.

Imperfect Deck. Clear "Why."

This time around, I didn’t show up with a perfect pitch deck. I showed up with a clear purpose.

I pitched Heart Renew, a self-dating app that helps people reconnect—not with someone else—but with themselves. It’s not about swiping or matching. It’s about reflection, honesty, and inner healing. It’s a space to date your own soul.

I pitched solo. Scared. But I showed up. And this time, instead of just nods, I got real feedback.

Even better? I was embraced into a community of female founders building in wellness, beauty, and everything in between. These were women who got it—who saw past the polish and into the power of raw clarity.

Retreat Reflections: The Shadow Side

But—and this is a big “but”—the experience wasn’t all grounding rituals and empowering connections.

Some parts of the retreat fell short. Others? They simply felt wrong.

• Sponsorships were promised—but didn't really exist. I was told an investor had sponsored me, but no such investor ever appeared.

• One participant was initially denied a room and left without a place to stay—something that, thankfully, was eventually resolved but shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

• The first group dinner, held outside of Aethos, was… let’s just say far from nourishing, in more ways than one.

• And the panels? They lacked substance—feeling more performative than practical.

This was a hard pill to swallow, especially considering the emotional labor, time, and vulnerability it takes to even attend something like this as a solo founder.

The retreat was presented as a space for women founders to be supported, seen, and possibly funded—but in practice, it leaned more into optics than outcomes. The photos from the retreat were amazing but in majority of cases they were staged.

Honest > Polished

Even in that imperfection, I found something valuable. Because that mismatch—the glossy brochure vs. the gritty reality—made my own clarity even sharper.

You don’t have to be polished to be taken seriously.You have to be honest.Your "why" has to hit harder than your slides.

And that was my lesson, too. Even when the setting isn’t perfect. Even when expectations crumble a bit. You can still speak your truth. You can still grow. I cherish the memory of that amazing hotel, delicious food, breathtaking views. Those are the memories I am going to carry. Plus the bag of products, including RealPassionates notebook, Ayuna Terra Eterna creme and Calling Beauty FaceFog.

From Tiny Pivots to Big Convictions

I didn’t leave with a new co-founder or a giant investment. I left with something even rarer: clarity. And trust in the process.

Tiny pivots. Bigger conviction.Still solo. Still self-funded. Still in love with the vision.

To Anyone Still Building...

If you’re reading this and you’ve been let down by a retreat, a program, or an organization that didn’t live up to what it sold—know this:

You’re not naïve.You’re not overreacting.You’re not alone.

It’s okay to take the good while calling out the bad. It’s okay to grow in spite of the space—not because of it. And it’s more than okay to keep showing up with your full truth, even if it makes others uncomfortable. You don't need to perform in a space that already feels performative.

What’s Next for Heart Renew?

Heart Renew is still evolving—but the vision is solid.

I’m working on:

• Deepening the core features around reflection & self-intimacy

• Exploring partnerships in the wellness space

• Sharing more behind-the-scenes as I go

Wanna stay in the loop? Subscribe to updates here or follow along on LinkedIn.

If you've ever felt called to date yourself first—Heart Renew is for you. 💗

Not a Conclusion—Just a Continuation

Sometimes growth comes from beautiful spaces.Other times, it comes from broken ones.

Either way, we keep building.With eyes open. With hearts intact. And with our “why” leading the way.