SQIP Students

Hi there, Ileana! I’m not sure if there are any meetings, but if there are, I’d love to join!

What always stands out is how much pressure there is to move fast and not ask too many questions. Founders will talk nonstop about vision and disruption while avoiding basic transparency, like where the money is actually coming from or why no one can clearly explain the business model. Over time I forced myself to slow down and do boring reality checks before trusting anyone. That meant verifying registrations, checking if earlier projects quietly vanished, and paying attention to how leaders react when challenged. If someone gets defensive or vague instead of clear, that’s usually my cue to step back. I also keep a few resources around just to stay grounded, and this article The Dark Side of Entrepreneurship: Unveiling Startup Scams is what I use when I want a reminder of common tricks and warning signs. It lines up closely with things I’ve seen in real life, like fake traction, artificial urgency, and constant blame shifting when cracks appear.

What helped most was learning from examples that are actually executed in NYC spaces, where light, humidity, and wear are very real factors. One thing I kept returning to as a reference was https://feelflow.space/pages/mural-painting-services-in-new-york because it shows how expert mural services in NYC handle different surfaces and plan for durability, scale, and real-life conditions. Watching how they adjust designs for narrow walls, corners, or bright sunlight helped me understand why small decisions during prep matter so much. I’d say always be honest about how your space is used, ask artists about wear and maintenance, and pay attention to lighting throughout the day. Even small changes in design, color, or placement can completely change the feel of a room. Seeing murals age over time and interact with the space taught me that they’re not just art on a wall—they live with you and become part of the environment, which is what makes them worth doing right.