Paulina Walkowiak

Paulina Walkowiak is CEO & co-founder of cux.io – UX & Analytics Automation Tool that helps eliminate conversion blockages in e-commerce.
She helps companies translate knowledge about users into specific business decisions. She supports enterprises in data-driven transformations and developing analytical strategies. Worked, among others, with TVN Media, Prisjakt and EFL.

TEDx speaker, academic lecturer. Strong Women in IT. Winner of the ranking of 50 Most Creative People in Business. Proudly calls herself mompreneur.

Where did the idea for cux.io come from?

The story behind cux.io comes from the combination of my experience as an ex-Kantar marketing & customer experience researcher and my partner’s as an entrepreneur and software engineer. We decided to start a boutique software house, but needed a tool that would enable us to understand how the product we develop works for the end-users. And, of course, how to increase its performance for our customers. The next thing we knew, we were full-time-invested in cux.io development.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I live by this rule: don’t work hours, work efficiently. I’m always trying to plan my days so there’s room for focus time or for meetings. If certain topics require my undivided attention, I start the day at 5 AM. This way I have the time I need even before the rest of the world wakes up.
It can be an unpopular opinion, but my children help me a lot with making the day as productive as can be. They’re constantly reminding me that in fact, I have less time than I assumed, so have to do everything as quickly as possible 😉

How do you bring ideas to life?

I’ve built an amazing team for that! If you give people space to grow and won’t disturb them too much, they can help you to shape your vision and make it happen. In the beginning, my partner and I were responsible for absolutely everything, obviously. For now, my work focuses more on the bigger picture, plans the future, and making sure that my team knows where are we going.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Surprisingly, it is not something related to technology development. Sustainable work and civil economy trends are the most interesting and exciting to me.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Wake up early.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Making things happen and good use of intuition are your superpowers – don’t be afraid to use them.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

The World is not ready for the truth.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

“The change is the only constant” I’m changing my plans constantly and don’t cry over it. Always looking for the flow to go with.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Trusting my gut feeling, but looking closely at the data. Metrics are not the definitive answer to everything. But they sure as hell can help you to keep traction and face the (business) truth.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Hiring the wrong people. Luckily, I’m much more careful with my judgments now. We work really hard to assure a sustainable working environment for our employees. As employers, we value and provide trust, freedom, and unlimited holidays. But frankly, this model is not well-suited for everyone. We don’t find it difficult to trust specialists that are smarter and more qualified in their fields than we are. Unfortunately, some people have used that against us, and that was probably the hardest entrepreneurship-related obstacle to overcome.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Polish food restaurant chain 😉 Living abroad, I miss Polish cuisine a lot!

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

In both professional and personal case – it was the money spend for travelling! Personally, we invested in living abroad and supporting our children in becoming multilinguists. They are already speaking 4 languages and are 6 and 3yo. Professionally, it is money sped on our presence at conferences like I-COM Global Summit and South Summit Madrid the same week. Eye-opening experience and great investment in our international visibility.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Turing off the notification. It’s a myth you have to always be up-to-date with everything. To be more productive, I reserve the right to have a time without the email/Slack notification, without picking up the phone after first ring, and just focusing on my current tasks.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

In times of uncertainty, I recommend “The Happiest Man on Earth” by Eddie Jaku. This one made me realize what really matters in life and that there is never a no-win situation.

What is your favorite quote?

Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t – William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Key Learnings:

• Trust your gut feeling, but always seek its approval in data.
• Not everything is about business – sustainable work is the future.
• Being watchful, and open to change but focused and calm is the best strategy for success.