Innovation X Ecosystems @Topian, the NEOM Food Company

TL;DR
I turn bold ideas into sustainable reality. I fuse technology, sustainability, and food systems to shape a resilient, future-ready world. With a PhD in Applied Mathematics and a track record spanning research, entrepreneurship, and global partnerships, I’m passionate about driving transformative projects that advance Vision 2030.

Speaker bio:
Dr. Andrew Yip is dedicated to curating sustainable innovations and strategic partnerships that will help the food sector reach its full potential. With his extensive experience in technology, innovation, and data governance, Dr. Yip is committed to driving positive change and creating innovative solutions for the industry, supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to promote economic diversification, job creation, and social and cultural development.

Dr. Yip holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and Computational Science from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and has been a NEOM pioneer since 2019. When he's not working, he enjoys tabletop gaming with friends and strangers alike.

Andrew Yip, PhD

Just launched Halal Yalla — a web-app to help Muslim travelers find halal restaurants, mosques, and grocery stores worldwide.

The plan was to build it during a solo "Startup Weekend." It ended up taking two.

Here’s how it unfolded:

First weekend, I rushed an MVP with maps and a basic UI. By Sunday, it worked — but felt more like a prototype than a real product.

Second weekend, I started over, focusing on useful experience over features. I rethought how people research trips on desktop, designed helpful dietary cards for use at restaurants, and added offline mode for areas with poor internet. Everything is powered by real OpenStreetMap data across three pilot cities.

What’s inside:
• An interactive map with community-recommended halal places
• Dietary cards in multiple languages
• Offline access & saved favorites
• Mobile and desktop optimized

All free. No sign-up. No ads.

What I learned:
Quality beats speed — most of weekend one’s code was replaced.
Design matters more than feature count.
Build what you need (I made this for my own travels).
Ship early, listen, then iterate.

I’d love your help:
If you travel or know someone who does, please try it and share your thoughts. It’s new — so expect bugs and missing features. I truly want to hear from you.
DM me or email: feedback@halalyalla.app

What’s next?
More cities, community reviews, deeper integrations — but first, I want to listen.
This came from my own need to find halal food while traveling in China with friends. If it helps even one person explore more confidently, it’s a win.

Special thanks to Usman Bashir for the honest critique and being the first reviewer over coffee.

Link in first comment.

Saudi Premium Resident | Turning bold ideas into sustainable reality | Tech × Sustainability × Future Food Systems

Hong Kong felt like the right next city for Halal Yalla because two things clicked at once: a quietly growing halal scene, and people generous enough to map it for others.

I read a 2025 SCMP feature on how Hong Kong is expanding halal food options but still leaves many Muslim travelers guessing where they can actually eat with confidence. I also discovered Maryam's work documenting halal-friendly spots across the city. Together, they showed me what travelers really want: context, clarity, and lived experience, not just lists.

That's when Hong Kong became the next city on Halal Yalla.

What's new:
190+ halal places across Hong Kong, from TST to Lantau. I cross-checked the Hong Kong Tourism Board data against the latest halal certification list and kept only the ones where certifications are active and valid. (Big thank you to HKTB for the excellent foundation.)
Two levels of confidence: Halal Certified/Kitchen (120+ places) and Halal Friendly (60+). A mix of cuisines: Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Japanese, Korean, Mediterranean, and more.
Hong Kong now opens by default when you launch the app.

I also had the good fortune of Jana reviewing the UI/UX and pushing back on what wasn't working. Most of her feedback is now baked into this version. Thank you, Jana.

If you live in Hong Kong, have visited, or are planning a trip, your feedback will shape what comes next: what's missing, what's confusing, what actually helped.

Free, no sign-up, no ads — just a tool I wish existed when I was standing in a new city with Muslim friends, hungry, and unsure where we could eat.

Try it, share it, and tell me honestly what you think.
DM or email: feedback@halalyalla.app
Link in first comment.

Photo credit: The Charm of the Bright City from discoverhongkong.com

In the past weekends, I've solo-built production apps like HalalYalla.app using prompt-driven workflows, and v0 by Vercel is part of my arsenal.

It worked so well that I've asked my friend Usman Bashir who's a master-builder to host a virtual "Prompt to Production" session for builders in Riyadh as part of v0 by Vercel global hackathon week.

We'll run a virtual sprint on Jan 31 (KSA time) where you'll go from idea to deployed app in hours, focused on Saudi priorities—tourism, edtech, trade, and really any vertical of your choice.

If you're a developer, founder, PM, or student ready to ship fast, this is for you. Solo builders or small teams thrive in this format.

Spots are limited for Jan 31, 2026. Reply "Interested" or DM for more details and how you can get prepped. Looking forward to building together.

Register here:

Open article: v0 Prompt to Production — Riyadh · Luma by luma.com

v0 Prompt to Production — Riyadh · Luma

Jeremy's book on Gulf culture is a classic for a reason. It’s even updated to a fourth edition now. And after 15 years on the ground here in Saudi Arabia, I’ve realized the real secret isn’t in the latest rules or etiquette tips. It’s in the mindset. Times change, but how people value connection, respect, and shared understanding? That stays.

For me, it boils down to three guiding thoughts:

1. Relationship over transaction.
2. Respect over efficiency.
3. Context over assumption.

So when you wonder, “What should I wear?” filter it through Respect & Context.
When you think, “How do I negotiate here?” lean on Relationship.

Try it. Look at one of the questions in his post below and run it through those three ideas. What comes up?

The shift isn’t really about what you do differently. It’s how you see differently, and stay anchored.

RRC:
Relationship 
Respect 
Context

Thank you Jeremy for inspiring generations of expats.

If you or your colleagues have business and other interests with Arabs from the Gulf countries of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE (Abu Dhabi and Dubai etc.) and Oman you may be interested in the 2-hour in-person lecture I'm giving in the afternoon of Tuesday 20 January 2026 in London.
This will be given at the Victory Services Club near Marble Arch from 1400 to 1600, followed by networking and a cash bar.
 
I'm the author of the best-selling cross-cultural guide for business and life in the Gulf 'Don't They Know It's Friday'  now in in its 4th edition since 1998. 
Copies will be available for sale, signed if requested.

The Saudi Ambassador in London wrote: “A fascinating read; even I learned something about our culture. Essential reading for the visitor to the region”
If you or your colleagues ask the type of questions listed below I encourage attendance.

To attend please see the EventBrite link:

https://lnkd.in/ePQNaHtS

 
Best wishes
Jeremy Williams OBE
www.handshaikh.com
--------------

·        I’m a businesswoman – what should I wear in the Gulf? What should I not wear?
·        What are the basics of Islam?
·        What’s the difference between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims?
·        How can I understand Gulf protocol and personal etiquette? ·
·        How should I behave and what should I wear?
·        What should I not wear?
·        What do ‘GCC’, ‘Maghreb’ and ‘Levant’ mean?
·        What do Wasta, Fatwa and Jehaad mean?
·        How do I address and write to an Arab business leader?
·        I’m giving a presentation in the Gulf; what’s important to a Gulf Arab audience?
·        Why do meetings with Arabs often fail to take place?
·        What about race, gender, same-sex and safety issues?
·        Why are Muslim names so confusing?
·        Can I serve wine if Arabs/Muslims are present?
·        How do I negotiate?
·        How will they negotiate?
·        How do I chase Arab debtors?
·        How should I select the right people for work in or with the Gulf? – what are the main attributes needed – and to be avoided?
·        Should Ms Smith offer her hand for Mr Abdullah to shake?

Ever notice how often people quote “Confucius” online — and you can’t quite tell if he actually said that or if it’s just another internet myth?

I’ve been seeing that a lot lately. So, in one of those “what if I build it?” moments, I created a small web app called Confucius or Not (guess you already figured where the inspiration came from).

It’s a simple game: you’re shown a quote, and you guess whether it’s a genuine Confucius saying or a modern imposter. Behind the humor, there’s something deeper — an appreciation for how ideas travel (and mutate) across cultures and centuries.

Building it was a fun blend of history, philosophy, and a bit of mischief — and I hope it sparks the same curiosity in others.

If you’d like to test your inner sage (or just want a laugh at how confident you think you are about Confucius), give it a try.

Link on first comment.

Every pattern in your life repeats until you learn the lesson. The moment you choose differently, the loop ends and growth begins - Chérie Carter-Scott

This is predominantly online with an on the ground component for precise match making. You will gain both the flexibility and real market exposure (plus a nice trip to the beautiful Xiamen). 

If you are in KSA and working in one of the 4 focus areas and are interested, let me know.

CHINA-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park for the New Era

View company: CHINA-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park for the New Era

🚀 BRICS Cross-Border Innovation: Your Gateway to China's Dynamic Market

We're thrilled to share the official opening of global applications for the BRICS Cross-Border Innovation Acceleration Program at the CHINA-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park for the New Era in Xiamen, China.

This groundbreaking initiative is designed to empower innovative startups from BRICS countries and partner nations to successfully scale into the huge Chinese market. Selected participants will receive comprehensive support, including market access strategies, financing connections, and local landing services tailored to navigate China's unique business landscape.

🎯 Priority Tech. Sectors: 

✅ Biomedicine 
✅ New Energy & Intelligent Vehicles 
✅ New Materials 
✅ Digital Economy

📅 Program Highlights: 

✅ Application Deadline: February 28, 2026 
✅ Format: Two-month hybrid acceleration (online activities + two-week on-site intensive in Xiamen, May 2026) 
✅ Benefits: Direct access to leading Chinese corporates, investors, policy networks, and essential landing resources

This is more than an acceleration program; it's a strategic bridge connecting global innovation with one of the world's most influential markets. Whether you're developing cutting-edge biomedical solutions or driving the digital economy forward, this program provides the ecosystem support needed to accelerate your growth in China.

🔗 Ready to expand? Register now: https://lnkd.in/gaDJRB8S  

Mohsin, Sylvia, 林志强, Regal, Sam, Krish, Mozhgan, Adriana, Lamiaa, Bangani, Luís, Oleg, Mehdi, Rodrigo, Wafa, Felix, Mitslal, Monica, Ahmed, Abdulaziz, Albabtain, Hussain, Zainab, Fayez, Abusharifah, Hebah, Reem, Reem Philby, Ahmed, Ghaida, Ali.

#ChinaBRICSSIIP #BRICSInnovation #CrossBorderAcceleration #ChinaMarketEntry #StartupGrowth #GlobalInnovation #PlugAndPlayChina #Xiamen #InnovationEcosystem #TechAccelerator

Entrepreneurs, Tech & Sales: Own Your Voice on LinkedIn | Social Selling and Personal Branding —> Increase Pipeline & Brand Awareness | LEGO Flower Power 🌻

You're not a content creator. (Phew!!) 

You're a business owner leveraging content to grow your business.

2 very different ways to approaching LinkedIn.

You don't need to post daily. 
Chase the algorithm. 
Or become someone you're not.

You need conversations that turn into relationships that turn into revenue.

I'm on LinkedIn to help you get off LinkedIn.
The platform isn't the point. The relationships are.

That's what fills my cup AND my bank account.

---

Hi, I'm Natasha. 🙌

New mom. Breadwinner. Introvert who hates cold outreach.

I built my business to half a million in 2 years. All because of how I show up on LinkedIn.

Not by being loud. Not by gaming the algorithm. Not by sending soul-destroying pitch slaps in the DMs.

By building real relationships.

I've been "doing LinkedIn" for 10 years - as a scrappy sales rep who hated cold calling, running sales at Forbes Books, to now growing my own business exclusively through this platform.

I teach founders and executives to do the same.

---

Who is this for?

6-figure founders who've built something real.

You're good at what you do. Clients stay, refer, and thank you.

But on LinkedIn? Oddly invisible.

Your competitors aren't better. They're just louder.

The issue isn't confidence. It's knowing what to say and who to say it to.

---

Through my REALationship Growth Method I help founders go from respected offline to recognized online - without becoming someone they're not.

No hacks. No volume tactics. No influencer cosplay. 👀

Real outcomes:

→ Josie closed 3x 12 month contracts from one event
→ Michelle landed two $30k speaking engagements in three months
→ Dr. Ashley secured two speaking gigs in two weeks plus a five-figure client

If LinkedIn feels like noise, performance, or a mild existential crisis...

You're exactly who this is for.

DM me "LFG" and let's chat. 💜

Natasha Walstra

It's LinkedIn official: I'm the Founder of the REALationship Growth Method.

After a decade of learning LinkedIn - as an SDR, sales leader, and now business owner - it turns out there's a method to my madness.

It's the REAL way to grow on LinkedIn.

I never set out to build a cohort + community. But that's exactly what this is.

I'm excited for what's to come. The doors that will open. The connections that will be made.

Endless opportunities are waiting for everyone who joins.

You just have to raise your hand and say, "I'm in!" 

DM me "LFG" for deets!

You’re not a content creator. Good. You don’t need to be | LinkedIn strategy for business owners, not influencers | Filling February cohort - ask me about it! 🙌

Hey LinkedIn... I'm one of the good guys! 

I just spent the weekend in LinkedIn jail for "automated activity." 

I'm a LinkedIn strategist who teaches people to show up authentically and build real relationships. 

Anti-automation is literally my thing.

And I’m getting flagged?!

Did I have too many tabs open because I actually view profiles before accepting connection requests? 

Did I send too many DM’s from the post I was tagged in with a bunch of other people?

No explanation. No appeal process. 
Just a 24-hour lockout and a vague warning.

Meanwhile, my DMs are flooded daily with actual bots, fake profiles, and automated sequences.

I'm all for enforcing the rules.

Go after the spammers.
Get rid of the fake engagement pods. 

But kicking someone out who's bringing more people TO this platform and teaching them to use it the right way? While the real offenders run wild? 

What in the actual pitch slap is happening here?

This is my business - how I provide for my family...

Make it make sense! (AND what I need to do to make sure this doesn't happen again?!)

P.S. This made me realize it's probably time I start paying attention to other platforms. Where else are y’all hanging out? Threads? Substack? Please don’t say Tik Tok….

You’re not a content creator. Good. You don’t need to be | LinkedIn strategy for business owners, not influencers | Filling APRIL cohort - ask me about it! 🙌

From 0 to a multi-6-figure business in 2 years.

That journey started with one Entreprenista meeting.

And today, I'm excited to host their Office Hours to share how members can turn LinkedIn into their best business growth tool, just like I did, just like dozens of my clients have.

When I joined Entreprenista in October 2023, I didn't even have a business yet. 
I was planning to maybe launch "someday."

But after my first Member Connect, I was so inspired by the incredible women I met, I started wondering:

"Why am I working for these idiots? I could totally do this on my own!"

A week later, literally, I signed my first client and never looked back.

This community has been everything and more:

— Professionally: I've 100+x'd my investment
— Personally: Made the best of friends

(And the only ones who truly get me and the crazy entrepreneurial + mamahood journey I'm on!)

Office Hours is member-only - so if you've been thinking about joining, today's the day! 🥳 

Here's the link to join: https://lnkd.in/ePXMQWXY

Would love to see you there! 

___

P.S. Last time I hosted this in March, I was SO nervous I had a migraine days before and days afterwards. This time? I'm just excited  (even though I just saw 319 people RSVP'd!! 🙈) - It's going to be FUN! Woop! Woop!

I had a vulnerability hangover after my last personal post/newsletter.

You know the feeling. Hit publish. 
Immediately think, "Sh!t. I can't believe I said that."
Wonder if you shared too much.

But, I'm glad I did.

→ Top performing post with 103 Profile views?!
→ More comments than ever
→ DMs from people I hadn't heard from in months
→ 20+ Email responses from my newsletter

Saying things like: how they feel seen, gave them hope, are in the thick of the same thing and now feel like they can get through it, too...strengthening those relationships. 

→ Oh, and I closed 2 clients directly from it..over the holidays..when I wasn't working.

Personal stories are essential to showing up on LinkedIn.

Even when it's hard.
𝘌𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 when it's hard.

My filter?

I always ask: Why should they care?

It doesn't have to relate to my business. But there has to be a reason for them to care.

If I can't answer that question, it probably does belong on Facebook (or more likely not on the internet at all!)

That's the difference.

Personal doesn't mean random life updates.
Personal means human connection with purpose.

___

This year, I'm really going to embrace this even more. I started to share more stories in the last few months and it's made such an impact on my business and relationships. 

In a 'sea of ai-generated sameness' your story is what makes you uniquely YOU.💜

Your "Great event!" post is a participation trophy.

And nobody cares about those.🙊

They care about what you learned. Who you met. 
What's changing because you were there.

But most people treat events like this:
Show up. Take photos. Post "So inspired!" Move on.

That's not a content strategy. 
That's proof of attendance.

What actually works?
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁.

Your network doesn't need to know you attended.
They need to know what they missed.

That's the difference between "look at me" and "let me share something valuable."

One gets scrolled past.
The other starts conversations.


P.S. The # has died on here...except for events!  Tip: search the event # days before the event to connect with other attendees, speakers, exhibitors etc. You'll go to the event and people will already know who you are.

P.S.2 Yes, I used to write about 3d printed digital dentures. #TalkDentureToMe 🦷 2018 baby.

You’re not a content creator. Good. You don’t need to be | LinkedIn personal branding & social selling for business owners & executives (not influencers) | Filling APRIL cohort - ask me about it! 🙌

This might sound bad.

But Tuesday was the first time I was excited for my cohort workshop. 🫣

Until this week, it's been: "I know I'll enjoy this once it starts!" 

This time, though?
An hour before the call, I caught myself thinking:
"𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘸!"

Wait. What?! 👀

Some context:
I've already run a full cohort.
Started my second one.
And love this work.

But every single time before a call, I get nervous.
That tiny voice: "𝘐'𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵."

And then EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. afterwards?
"Oh right! This is why I do this!"
Energized. Pumped. 
Already looking forward to the next one.

My pre-call brain was lying to me. For months.
The nervous feelings were never the truth.

The post-call energy was.
It just took my brain a while to catch up.

So if you're dreading something you know you actually love once you're in it?

Keep showing up.
Your brain will eventually get the memo.

P.S. This applies to posting on LinkedIn, too. 
The dread before hitting publish? Probably a lie. 
The feeling after you do it? That's the truth.

I did it - I took the holiday break off LinkedIn.

And it was actually really hard.

Which probably sounds crazy to most of you, right?

(It does to me even, honestly).

But, how cool would it be to get to a point where instead of it being a challenge to post once a week...

You actually have to force yourself NOT to post?

Despite having days of content ready to go?
Despite being available to post?

I don't even consider myself a content creator. (I know, I'm in denial.)

But that's kind of my point.

With the right mindset, systems, and strategy - LinkedIn becomes second nature.

You stop dreading it.
You start craving it. (or for sure have major fomo)

And then you build a pipeline of people who already know, like, and trust you.

That's when the real magic happens.

Not when you post more.
When posting stops feeling like work.
That's when LinkedIn actually starts working for you.
___

P.S. If you’re ready to stop forcing your LinkedIn strategy, I’ll show you how to make it flow...I've got just a few spots left for my February cohort... wHaT sAy YoU? 👀

I've made 11 introductions in the last two weeks.

(want to be next? see below👇)

Those 11 intros don't even include: 

→ The ones still in "asking both parties" mode
→ The 2 podcast guest referrals I made
→ The connections happening organically in my community

Every single one is a trust deposit.  

This is what building a business actually looks like.

Not more followers.
Not more impressions.

→ Relationships.

"Your net worth is your network" isn't just a catchy phrase.
In this trust recession, I'd go as far as saying it's essential for business survival.

People don't trust ads anymore.
They don't trust cold outreach.
AI has made it hard to know what’s real. 

But they do trust referrals from people they already trust.

So I've got a challenge for you:
Make 5 introductions this month.
Be intentional about it. 

Think about:

→ Who in your network needs a service you know someone provides?
→ Who would genuinely vibe if they met?
→ Who's looking for exactly what someone else offers?

You probably already know these people.
You're just not connecting the dots for them.
So...start · connecting · those · dots...

Your network gets stronger. 
Their networks get stronger. 
Everyone wins.

That's the compound effect of real relationships.

And if you don't know the right person? Let's start here...

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼?

Drop it in the comments. ⬇️

Let's start this week by expanding our networks right here!


_____

P.S. Seriously..do it! Tell us about yourself. 
Maybe you're exactly the person someone needs right now!

103 profile views from 1 post.

It wasn't a how-to.
It wasn't a framework.
It wasn't professional at all.

Why your "safe" content is holding you back.

(This is how you stand out in 2026 and bring new people into your orbit. 👇 )

AI killed the generic "5 Steps to do X" posts. Everyone can write professional content now. Which means no one stands out with it. So as I've been thi

Open article: 103 profile views from 1 post by Natasha Walstra • 2 min read

Before I post 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨, I ask myself:

"Could AI have written this?"

If yes, I delete it.

Everyone has access to the same AI tools now.
ChatGPT can "write" a "good" post in 30 seconds.
Your competitor used it this morning.

The how-to post is dead.
"5 ways to be more productive" 
"3 secrets to better leadership" 
"The framework that changed everything"

AI can generate those all day long.

What AI can't do:

Write about the time you hung up on a prospect twice and ran out of the office.
Describe the exact moment your brain went blank on a client call.
Share why you almost didn't show up to your own workshop.

Your mess is your message.
Your real experience is the only thing AI can't replicate.
That's your competitive advantage.

So here's the new rule:
If your content could have been written by someone who's never met you, it's not personal enough yet.

Use AI to amplify your voice, not replace it.

____

P.S. The posts I'm most scared to publish? Those are usually the ones that perform best. 

Fear is a signal you're onto something real.

4 months ago I was terrified to launch a group program.

(I launched anyway.)

Initially though, I couldn't stop the thoughts:

Who am I to lead a cohort?
What if no one signs up?
What if I mess it up?

(Got a 4-day migraine from the nerves.)

But, it rocked! 🪨

And today? Cohort 2 kicks off.

This time? Just excitement.

Funny what happens when you stop waiting to feel ready.

You build the thing. 
You learn as you go. 
You watch it become something you never expected.

I set out to teach LinkedIn strategy.

Turns out I accidentally built a community.

Business owners connecting. Referring each other. Celebrating wins together.

That's the part I didn't plan for.

And it's the part I love most.

I’ve got 2 spots left for my February cohort. 

Last round at founding member pricing (and the next cohort won’t be until April).

If I’ve peeked your curiosity even slightly, might be time we talked. 

What say you!? 👀

Let's chat: https://lnkd.in/ecAKhTAq

You're not a content creator.

You're a business owner leveraging content to grow your business.

These are two very different approaches to LinkedIn.

One will drain you.
The other will energize and empower you.

Content creators focus on:
→ The algorithm
→ Posting daily
→ Going viral
→ Impressions and reach
→ Likes and comments
→ Growing followers

Business owners leveraging content focus on:
→ Starting conversations
→ Building relationships
→ Attracting the right people
→ Turning visibility into revenue
→ Getting OFF LinkedIn and into real conversations

One is a hamster wheel.
The other is a growth engine.

One leaves you wondering "is this even working?"
The other fills your calendar with people who already trust you.

You don't need to go viral.
You don't need to post every day.
You don't need to chase the algorithm.

You need content that starts conversations.
And conversations that turn into clients.

That's it.

Don't force yourself into being a content creator.
Focus on building your business.


___

P.S. Phewww we made it through  the first real Friday of January! Great week but, TGIF, amiright!? 

How are y'all feeling about the start of the year so far?!

Don't expect inbounds on LinkedIn.
 
But with the right system? They'll come. 
 
My client was skeptical of all this. 

And honestly, I get it - he's in construction. 
Not exactly the industry you'd expect to crush it on LinkedIn.
 
But here's what we did:
 
1. We optimized his profile 
→ to speak directly to his ideal clients. 

2. He started creating content 
→ that showcases expertise, social proof, and a little personal touch. 

3. He began engaging with the right people 
→ to build relationships and get visibility.
 
It's chef's kiss.
 
Now he's becoming "the guy to talk to" in his space.
 
This is what good looks like. 
 
The crazy part? He just got started. 
He's only posted a few times AND 1-2x/week.
 
Imagine what happens when he's been doing this consistently for a year.
 
How many more opportunities do you think will come his way then?
 
The system works. 
Even in construction. 
Even when you're skeptical.
(𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘐 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭, 𝘴𝘰 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨! ;)
 
You just have to trust the process long enough to see it.

____

P.S. This is exactly what I mean by, "I'm on LinkedIn to get off LinkedIn." 

When you embrace that, real magic happens here, just like it did for my client.

Want help building YOUR system?

DM me "Skeptic" for deets.

Feeling skeptical about LinkedIn?

You're not alone.

"I don't have time to post every day."
"I hate social media."
"LinkedIn doesn't work for my industry."
"I've tried it. Nothing happened."

Most of my clients said the exact same thing.

Now they're booking calls, closing deals, and getting speaking engagements.

Same people. Same skepticism. Different results.

The difference? The right system.

Today's newsletter breaks down:

→ The 4 biggest objections I hear (and why they're wrong)
→ Real results from real clients who didn't believe it either
→ The 3 P's that make LinkedIn actually work

Check out this week's, Own Your Voice! 

P.S. A little skepticism is good...we're in a trust recession! People are getting burned left and right. I get it. Good luck trying to sell me something right now 🙊. But what gets me trusting people more? Real stories, real results. Take a peak for those wins! 😎

(So do 99% of my clients) Most of my clients are skeptical when we start working together. Last week I had three calls where I could literally see the

Open article: Feeling skeptical about LinkedIn? by Natasha Walstra • 3 min read

On Wed, we had our first guest speaker at the REALationship Growth Method 

(Yep, we're having experts come in now.)

Melissa Glick joined us to talk about her ACED method for sales conversations.
And let me tell you - the energy in that room!

We had a full house, I invited cohorts 1, 2, AND 3 (which doesn't even kick off until next month!).
Plus my 1:1 clients.

Yes, sales is my background.
But my 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘦 is business development and personal branding.

So bringing in someone like Melissa who lives and breathes sales conversations?
20+ years in sales. $50 million closed in her lifetime.
Built and sold a multi-million dollar tech company.

I'm not holding that back from my people.

There was so much good stuff, I almost feel like it's a crime to share it publicly.
(So you should maybe check out her next cohort kicking off in March!)

But what I 1000% agree on:
Sales shouldn't feel like sales. It should feel like coffee with a friend.

Can sales actually be fun?
Yes. Yes, it can.

Oh, and guess where I met Melissa?
LinkedIn. In the comments. 2 years ago.
That led to DMs. Then a call. Then my podcast. Then collaborations.
Now she's teaching my community.

This is what building real relationships looks like.

_____

P.S. Curious to learn more about the REALationship Growth Method?

DM me "LFG" for deets.

There's no playbook for building relationships through screens.

We're the first generation doing this. 
It's no wonder it feels awkward.
But, fortunately, you might not actually need new skills. 
You just need to translate the ones you already have.

We're writing the playbook now. 
This week's newsletter is a chapter.

Check it out 😎

Before we dive in, I have a favor to ask. This past weekend I was thrown in LinkedIn jail. (Read more here.) It was unsettling for a lot of reasons - 

Open article: The skill you need to not feel salesy on LinkedIn (+ a favor to ask!) by Natasha Walstra • 3 min read

The skill you need to not feel salesy on LinkedIn (+ a favor to ask!)

Have you found your LinkedIn QR code yet? 

I found it once. Then took weeks to find again.

It's not intuitive...at all. (like most things on here ; )

But if you're going to any event, conference, or networking thing, you should have this handy! 

Because idk about you, but I don't even have a business card. 

Hasn't been an issue because everybody just asks for your LinkedIn
(and that way you connect on the spot!)

Here's how to find it (*from your phone app):

1. Open the LinkedIn app
2. Tap the search bar at the top (don't type anything)
3. Look to the right, below the search. Bam! There's your QR code

That's it. Two taps.

But nobody knows it's there.

Pro tip for when you're going to an event:
Screenshot your QR code and set it as your lock screen.

Now when someone asks to connect, you just flip your phone around.
No fumbling. No spelling out your name. 
No "I'll find you later."

And then when you connect, screenshot their profile so you save their 'business card," too.

You're welcome. 😇


____

P.S. I'm thinking about my next workshop...something around maximizing event ROI through LinkedIn personal branding. Who'd be interested in this??

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Natasha Walstra

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The Battle

Andrew Yip, PhD

Natasha Walstra

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Andrew Yip, PhD's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreAndrew Yip, PhD's LinkedIn Performance