Quickfire Questions with Anna Bilych
Anna is the CEO of Les Amis, a member group for ambitious women like herself to connect, enjoy time together, and support each other. Although rooted in Barcelona, they’ve recently expanded to Amsterdam and hope to continue growing to Madrid, Paris, Rome, and more. Â
Q: Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? If so, how did you overcome it?
Anna: Yes, I’ve experienced imposter syndrome multiple times throughout my career, particularly when I transitioned from a Product Manager role at PayPal to founding Les Amis, a women-only app. It felt like I was moving from a space where I had clear metrics of success to one where I had to define my own. The way I overcame it was by focusing on my why. Why did I start Les Amis? Why do I believe in this vision? Centering my thoughts on the purpose behind my work helped me reframe those self-doubts and recognize that the feeling of not being “enough” is just that—a feeling, not a fact. Surrounding myself with a network of other women who had similar experiences also helped me realize I wasn’t alone, and that was empowering.Â
Q: 75% of female executives across industries have experienced imposter syndrome in their careers. As the founder of a women-only community, have you seen this first-hand?
Anna: Definitely. I’ve witnessed this firsthand in the Les Amis community. Women from all industries and at various stages in their careers talk about imposter syndrome as a recurring challenge. What’s surprising is that it’s not just entry-level professionals—it’s women at the executive and C-suite levels, too. They’re often grappling with the feeling of not belonging, even after years of proven success. It’s something I address head-on in our community by fostering open conversations about self-worth, celebrating each other’s wins, and organising different professional talks where women can learn something new, get the feedback and insights from experts and uplift one another. When you hear others share similar struggles, it normalizes the experience and makes it easier to combat those feelings.
Q: Have you ever received a negative comment at work that set you back?
Anna: Yes, I vividly remember being told early in my career, “You’re too young to be a Product Manager” or “You’re too young to be a CEO” It shook me at the time because I had worked hard to get to this point, and I felt like it instantly invalidated my capabilities. I started my career quite early, and became a CEO at the age of 24, and that comment made me feel as if my age, combined with being a woman in a male-dominated space, disqualified me from contributing meaningfully.
Breaking into the tech industry as a woman and securing a Product Manager role wasn’t easy, especially when the position requires leading an engineering team, which is often predominantly male. There’s an unspoken challenge where you’re expected to prove yourself more than your male counterparts, simply because you don’t fit the traditional mold of leadership in these spaces.
But looking back, that moment fueled my drive to prove not only that I deserved to be there, but that I also had value to add. Instead of letting it set me back, I turned that comment into motivation to double down on my skills, learn as much as I could, and demonstrate that I belonged—not just because of my position, but because of my insights and leadership. That negative feedback helped build my resilience, which has been crucial in my journey as an entrepreneur and a leader in tech.
Q: You recently spoke at the central stage of Web Summit in front of 30,000 people. How did you build up the confidence to do so?
Anna: Speaking in front of 30,000 people at Web Summit was an exhilarating experience, but it wasn’t something I felt fully prepared for on my own. To ensure I could bring my best self to the stage, I decided to get help from a professional and worked with a public speaking coach. This was a game-changer. My coach helped me fine-tune not only the content of my speech but also my delivery, body language, and mindset. We focused on how to channel my nervous energy into excitement and how to connect with the audience on a deeper level.
The preparation process went beyond rehearsing the words—I learned how to feel confident in my presence on stage. Visualising success and having the tools to manage any unexpected moments gave me the mental framework to step on stage with confidence. Knowing I had put in the work and had support made all the difference in turning nerves into positive energy.
Q: What role has self-belief played in getting Les Amis to where it is today?
Anna: Self-belief has been the foundation of Les Amis, especially during the first year of building the company. When I first started, many people questioned the idea of a women-only community, doubting if it’s scalable. But I believed in the vision and the importance of creating a space where women could thrive together and as we can see now – it’s scalable, and now Les Amis operates in 6 countries across Europe.
In the beginning, self-belief was my biggest driver, especially because the process of creating a company is incredibly hard. You don’t always know how to do things, you may not have enough employees, and sometimes, you don’t have users yet. The uncertainty can feel overwhelming, and there are no more “happy salary days” like I was used to from my previous corporate roles. Instead, you’re facing the reality of building something from scratch, and that can bring a lot of self-doubt.
However, self-belief kept me persistent through those early struggles, reminding me that success doesn’t happen overnight. Even when growth was slow or setbacks appeared, I knew the long-term impact would be worth the struggle. It allowed me to push through the tough moments, knowing that I was building something important for the future.
Q: Has there ever been a moment in your life when your confidence helped you achieve something you thought you couldn’t?
Anna: Yes, one that stands out is when I decided to leave PayPal and start Les Amis. The idea of leaving a secure role in a large, established company to venture into entrepreneurship was daunting. I had plenty of doubts about whether I could make it work. But there was a moment when I realized that if I didn’t take that leap, I would always wonder “what if.” That confidence to bet on myself, even when the outcome was uncertain, was what allowed me to start something that has now grown into a thriving community. It showed me that sometimes you have to trust yourself enough to take a risk.
Q: What advice would you give to female leaders to believe in their abilities and professional decisions?
Anna: My biggest advice to female leaders is this: trust your intuition and own your expertise. You don’t need permission from anyone to succeed or to make bold decisions. Sometimes we wait for external validation before believing in ourselves, but that validation comes from within. Know that it’s okay to not have all the answers; no one does. But the key is to act decisively and learn as you go. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and a support network that encourages growth, and don’t shy away from asking for help. Lastly, remember that you’ve already made it this far because of your abilities. Own your journey, and don’t let anyone else define your worth.
