Incubator Blogs — Coach Polina Vishnia: "Always Keep Pushing Your Boundaries"

Vishnia’s career has been anything but linear. Now a marketing specialist at Smartom Oy —a startup specialising in automation solutions and cybersecurity for the industrial and energy sectors—she describes her role as both demanding and exhilarating. “It’s a new field for me, challenging but highly rewarding. I love the growth curve, and since it's a startup, there’s a lot of opportunity for learning and innovation.”

Her journey in Finland began in 2016, when she started college, eventually earning a BA in International Business. That degree led her into the startup world, where she spent three years at Crowd for Impact, a B2B marketplace connecting mission-driven startups with companies looking to make a difference.

“It was an interesting journey—I started as an intern, then moved into a full-time role where I had real responsibilities. I worked closely with a mentor, our Chief Marketing Officer, who helped me grow professionally. Eventually, I ended up working directly with the founder, which was a unique and transformative experience. It made me realize how important a strong teamand teamwork are to me.” The company, like many in the sustainability sector, had to pause its operations. “That’s the startup world,” she adds.

Her resume reads like a crash course in impact-driven work—startups, nonprofits, community-building, marketing, product development. But at the core of it all is her commitment to systemic change. “Currently, I'm also researching ecological economic models that challenge the idea of unlimited profit growth. In the startup world, return on investment has no cap: companies are expected to grow indefinitely. But I believe in exploring economic models that prioritize planetary health and human well-being over endless financial expansion.”

Her passion for sustainability first surfaced in an unexpected setting: hackathons and incubator programmes. It was during the Cambridge Venture Camp, where she worked on digital and biodegradable receipt solutions, that she found herself drawn to sustainable innovation. “Back then, I didn’t fully realize that my interests aligned with sustainability, I was just following my instincts.”

That instinct guided her to the Wicked Community, a network exploring concepts like Doughnut Economics and post-growth models. “I was deeply involved in those conversations, but it took me a year before I fully internalized those ideas. That realization—truly understanding the importance of ecological economics—was another defining moment for me.”

Another pivotal moment was her decision to join Pathways as a coach. “I believe in the power of grassroots initiatives, but I also think systemic change is necessary. Programmes like Pathways help bridge the gap between individual action and broader structural transformation.”

She candidly discusses career transitions, emphasising the need to embrace uncertainty. “Starting a new chapter requires open-mindedness and curiosity, even if it sounds cliché. At my previous startup, I eventually felt stuck—like I had outgrown my role. I had learned a lot and given my best, but things weren’t quite coming together. The concept itself faced challenges, and it was time for something new. Still, I hesitated until circumstances pushed me forward. Looking back, I see that my growth had run its course, and stepping outside my comfort zone was essential to keep evolving.”

It’s a lesson she brings into her work with Pathways participants. “Always keep pushing your boundaries. If you stay in the same role, in the same place, doing the same thing, there's no way to discover new opportunities.”

She has also discovered her own strengths through coaching. Initially, public speaking was a personal hurdle. “I wasn’t good at it. But I saw this opportunity to practice. At first, I didn’t want to do it. You know that feeling? Like bungee jumping: you kind of want to jump, but you also don’t want to jump. Maybe that’s what future Pathways participants have to face – fear before the jump and then they take a leap of faith,” she says, laughing. “I think I just looked nervous, so everyone could relate!”

With each new cohort, Vishnia refines her approach. “In the last batch, I focused mostly on lectures and workshops. But now, I want to continue developing my ability to create content, whether it’s presentations, PDFs, or something else, and structure it clearly. Because communication is a skill that can always be improved.”

She is quick to note that coaching is a two-way street. “I’m still far from where I want to be. My path is still a work in progress,” she admits. “But that makes me a relatable and resourceful support person. If you touch on the right feelings or experiences, people get involved, and that internal discussion starts. Then you can introduce new thoughts and perspectives. And honestly, I learned a lot from the Pathways participants, too."

Many participants come to her with practical questions: how to refine an idea, conduct market research, or develop a concept. But she realises her own introduction sometimes narrows their perception of her expertise. “I tend to focus on impact and sustainability when introducing myself. Because of that, I think some participants didn’t realise I also have experience in marketing, entrepreneurship, sales, networking, event organising—all the things an entrepreneur does.” She continues,  “I think some assumed that’s all I could talk about, but there’s so much more I can bring to the table.”

When asked what makes Pathways a welcoming space, she doesn’t hesitate. “It’s a really cozy and open space where you can ask any question, approach anyone, and just explore your ideas, without pressure or expectations.”

That openness fosters a unique kind of growth. “At last year’s Waves Forum for Changemakers, a conference for changemakers, Emma Stenström, the author of Bubble Hopping (originally published in Swedish), was one of the speakers. She talked about the importance of stepping out of your own bubble and into new ones. When different fields—like urban architecture, art, sustainability, and performance, collide— it creates something exceptional. That’s why I love the diversity in Pathways. People from totally different backgrounds can learn from each other, and maybe even collaborate.”

For Vishnia, that combination of ideas is what makes Pathways so powerful. And as she helps others navigate their next steps, she continues to evolve herself, always questioning, always learning, and always searching for ways to turn impact into action.