Episode #52 Elijah Szasz Breaks Down the Story-First Framework for Startup Success

In this episode of The Queen of Automation, I had the chance to sit down with Elijah Szasz, and wow, it was such a ride. Elijah’s energy is palpable, and honestly, we could’ve talked for hours. He’s not just an innovative entrepreneur, he’s got this wildly creative brain that blends tech innovation with storytelling and lifestyle design in a way that makes you want to toss out every business rulebook you’ve ever read.

We dug into his journey from Silicon Valley to Salt Lake City, how he launched his tech agency 14 years ago (with roots in supporting eBay, no less), and how he evolved from just delivering software into building entire brand experiences. But what really makes Elijah’s story stand out is this unconventional CPG venture he co-founded, think energy potions inspired by World of Warcraft, complete with vampire-themed drinks in IV bags. It's as bonkers as it sounds—and it worked. He scaled it to 4,500 shelves. The way he tells the story? Gold.

What struck me the most was how he's always thinking in systems, human-centered design, user journey mapping, and product-market fit all wrapped in creativity. It’s no surprise he’s now helping early-stage founders build from scratch with deep strategy, clickable prototypes, and UI/UX systems that get them funded. It's startup building with soul.

We also hit a nerve that a lot of entrepreneurs will feel: the raw, real tension between building a business that runs you versus building one you actually enjoy running. Elijah’s take on designing a lifestyle alongside your tech stack was so aligned with everything I preach: don’t just build a business, build a life you actually want to live.

If you want to keep up with Elijah or explore more of his unconventional genius, connect with him on LinkedIn. Seriously, if you’re into bold ideas, brand building, or just need some fresh inspiration for how tech and creativity can coexist in a business that actually feels good to run, he’s one to follow.