Say Yes First, Figure It Out Later: Jana Budkovskaja on Cleantech, Courage & Cold Plunges into Leadership

If there’s one thing Jana Budkovskaja wants you to do, it’s this: say yes, even when you have no idea what you’re doing. Especially then.

On the latest episode of Baltic Boss Babes, we sit down with this Estonian powerhouse, cleantech champion, and CEO of Beamline Accelerator, and let us tell you—she delivers. With a background that spans strategic finance, public innovation, and a deep love for startup chaos, Jana’s journey is anything but conventional. Spoiler alert: she started out in a university ecology institute and now funds climate game-changers.

Her secret? Saying yes to opportunities, even the wild ones. Especially the wild ones.

💬 “You never know how it’ll turn out. But a bad decision is always better than no decision. Status quo is the real killer.” — Jana Budkovskaja

When Women Lead, the Rules Change

The cleantech and startup world isn’t exactly bursting with female energy (yet). But Jana? She’s never let that stop her. Surrounded by a tribe of powerful women—like Sandra from Baltic Sandbox Ventures and Lela from the Better Fund—she learned one of the most powerful lessons of all: how not to give a f*ck.

That doesn’t mean ignorance. It means freedom.

Jana learned to lead with empathy and edge. She’s faced down hard decisions and messy emotions—often all in the same Monday morning. But what makes her leadership style magnetic is her ability to include others without handing over the wheel.

💬 “Good leadership isn’t about being right. It’s about making the decision—especially when it’s uncomfortable.”

Whether she’s rallying a team or navigating high-stakes negotiations (with her Labrador by her side, no less), Jana brings clarity to chaos.

Pain, Power & the Balcony Strategy

We’re not going to lie. Some of Jana’s strategies for decision-making are next-level iconic. Our favorite? When a major decision loomed and the stakes were sky-high, she took her laptop to the freezing Estonian seaside balcony and stayed there until it was done. Wind, snow, subzero vibes—total boss energy.

Why? Because discomfort keeps you real. It cuts through the noise and forces clarity.

💬 “Pain can’t be a habit—but it can be a signal. It tells you something needs to change.”

If that’s not the most Baltic Boss Babe thing we’ve ever heard…

Building Teams That Get You

For Jana, productivity isn’t about 4 AM wake-ups or color-coded Notion boards. It’s about alignment—with your energy, your people, and your values. She’s upfront with her team (and her kid, for that matter) about what she needs to function. Clean kitchen, calm mind. Delegation with purpose. Emotional transparency over corporate fluff.

💬 “You don’t dump tasks. You invite people to grow into them.”

Let that sink in.

Her Go-To Reset? Italy. And Jazz. And Sci-Fi.

Behind all the spreadsheets, negotiations, and climate impact KPIs, Jana is just a girl who loves longboarding, drawing, and a good Pratchett book. If all else fails? She books a trip to Italy, taps the “buy” button, and gives herself a reason to smile.

Because being a boss babe doesn’t mean burning out. It means knowing when to pause—and when to press play.

Final Advice for Aspiring Boss Babes

Just. Do. It.

Start the thing. Say yes before you're ready. Stop asking for permission to take up space.

💬 “Maybe your first startup won’t work. But you’ll learn. And maybe your fifth one will  be the next unicorn.”

Jana’s advice is a love letter to all the women wondering if they’re enough, ready, or too much—yes, you are. Yes, you can. No, you’re not.

So go on. Say yes.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Buzzsprout →https://www.buzzsprout.com/2163954/episodes/16944031