15 | Halli Ueno / Ueno: Exiting brings challenges that nobody talks about — until now!

Founders-Meeting

🎙️ Founders-Meeting with Haraldur Thorleifsson aka... Halli Ueno

Come for the branding wisdom, stay for the existential honesty. In this soulful, funny, and deeply human conversation, Halli (founder of Ueno, builder of things, Icelandic legend) joins Helga for this extended podcasts episode inspired by Hallis own "walking podcast" even though it was recorded in an online studio who knows if we'll take a walk on the wild side sooner than later. Nobody knows what the future holds, or do we?

They wander through agency life, workaholism, healing, client love languages, the magic of walking, and why success can sometimes feel... empty. It's a story of a creative genius who’s learning to draw again, building for inclusion, and redefining what it means to be truly successful.

This one’s for the dreamers, the doers, and the people who’ve ever hit a wall and asked, "Now what?"

🧠 Themes We Explore:

• 🎯 The myth of success — and why it doesn’t always feel like it should
• 💥 Workaholism, pain tolerance & unlearning hustle culture
• 🎭 Therapy, self-reflection, and the masks we wear at work
• 🧩 Building brands that feel (and work) better — inside & out
• 🫶 How personal relationships shape professional wins
• 🌿 Walking, presence, and the power of doing less
• 🛠️ Designing teams, not just logos
• 🤖 What AI can’t replace — and maybe never will
• 🏛️ Legacy, impact, and living a values-led life

🧩 Mini Takeaways:

• Design affects how we feel — emotionally and culturally.
• Great branding saves time, money, and anxiety.
• Values aren’t just internal strategy; they’re cultural glue.
• Failure is not a detour — it’s the road.
• Authenticity beats aesthetics, every time.
• Workaholism is an addiction we reward. That needs to change.
• Passion and purpose are fuel; balance is the steering wheel.
• The best teams are built with ruthless clarity and deep empathy.

🌱 Halli Is Currently:

• Learning to draw daily — because it’s never too late to start over.
• Working on accessibility through nonprofit initiatives in Iceland and beyond.
• Reflecting on success, failure, and the weird in-between.
• Building meaning beyond profit.
• Making a music comeback
• Taking a walk with friends, recording it and turning it into podcasts

🌀 For Listeners Who Love:

• Honest founder stories without the fluff
• Late-night walks with deep thoughts
• Conversations that blend creativity, therapy, and tech
• A bit of Nordic wisdom with their business advice

🎧 Tune in for a reminder that:

Success is complicated. Failure is essential. And walking might just be your most underrated business tool even if you’re wheelchair bound.

Keep up and follow Halli on...

Halli's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haraldurthorleifsson/

Halli's Website: https://www.haraldurthorleifsson.com/

Halli's Podcast Labbitúr (in Icelandic, soon in English as well): https://open.spotify.com/show/45yOC0UswrzBrb20lcrIqx?si=6b185812f22843e9

Halli's Music:

https://onnujonuson.com/the-artist

https: //open.spotify.com/artist/1hSwmbp2UKVDWIKRaLQhgT?si=WB_FiwFSRg27x8Y0j1fkIw

Halli's philanthropy project Ramping up Iceland (and the world): https://www.rampur.is/

In hope that those stories 🔥 up your ass as much as it did to ours. This podcast is brought to you by SERIOUS.BUSINESS and if you struggle, rubbing off that "startup stamp" to become a market leader with head-turning branding and jaw-dropping website. Apply here for a FREE brand audit: https://serious-k9ipl8ey.scoreapp.com/questions