Most startup advice is written for people who are already on the other side of the leap.

What gets ignored is the in-between phase- when you’re building conviction quietly, without a "founder" title, traction, or permission.

In my coaching work, I saw how often women stalled here. Not because they lacked ability, but because they lacked emotionally supportive spaces where it felt safe to ask for help.

Noticing that gap is what led me to build Maibel. If you’re based in Hong Kong and in that in-between phase of building, join us next Monday.

Grateful to Tina L. for creating Entrepreneurship Roundtable as a space for honest, no-performance conversations for women navigating this part of their journey.

Originally published 16 January 2026 on LinkedIn. Republished here on 4 October 2026. This piece reflects the work and perspective at the time it was written.
Mabel Loh

Hi, I’m Mabel.

I’m the founder of Maibel. I write about emotional AI, women’s wellness and learning to build the things I wish existed.

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