151. Building A Successful Business At The Rock Bottom Of My Life - with Subina Kiani

7 factors of success for game studios

Download the full report, share with your team: DOWNLOAD REPORT

Grab your FREE TRIAL with our partner PlaytestCloud: https://start.playtestcloud.com/rise

---

In this heartfelt and deeply inspiring episode,

Sophie Vo

sits down with Subina Kiani, founder of the global recruitment company Eleven Eleven, to unpack the story behind building a people-first business from the ground up — starting from personal rock bottom.

Subina shares her journey of rebuilding her life as a single mother, finding meaning in synchronicities like Eleven Eleven, and challenging the transactional nature of traditional recruitment.

We cover in this episode:

• 🌱 The power of starting from where you are — no grand plan needed

• 🧭 Leading with intuition, alignment, and authenticity in a tech-driven world

• 💼 Why recruitment is not just about jobs, but about identity, dreams, and human connection

• 💡 The myth of work-life balance and how to intentionally design a fulfilling life

• 🤖 How AI is shifting leadership and recruitment — and why emotional intelligence is the future

Whether you're navigating a career pivot, launching a purpose-led business, or rethinking leadership in the age of AI, this episode will give you the courage to trust your gut and just start.

💡 Leadership Takeaways:

• Breakdowns can lead to breakthroughs — especially when aligned with purpose.

• Recruitment isn’t about transactions; it’s about transformation.

• Emotional intelligence and human connection are rising in value in an AI-heavy future.

• Real leadership starts with self-trust and the courage to be visible.

• Building a life that aligns with your values is not only possible — it’s necessary.

Eleven Eleven is a global recruitment firm trusted by 40+ gaming and tech studios. With over 15 years of experience, Subina is redefining recruitment through intuition, bringing humanity back to hiring. Learn more here: https://eleven-eleven.io/

---

💫 WOMEN LEADERSHIP CIRCLE: LEADING WITH YOUR INTUITION

I am hosting a free intimate online circle for women leaders who are interested in learning more about ORIN and the magical spaces I create: a space where you don’t have to perform, to feel safe in a group, to ‘be’, and discover who you are beneath the mask when you give yourself permission to.