Lya Yibirin’s success at TechStars Startup Weekend Orlando

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When dog trainer Lya Yibirin joined TechStars Startup Weekend Orlando with her husband during her university years, she wasn’t just testing a business idea — she was testing herself. The result? A second-place finish that highlighted her leadership, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

How it all began

“My husband and I have always been passionate about entrepreneurship, growing our companies and helping others build theirs,” Yibirin recalls. “When we saw the opportunity to participate in TechStars, we knew it was a chance to challenge ourselves, try something new and show what we were capable of.”

The idea: Smart hydration tracker

The team developed a smart hydration tracker, designed to raise awareness about the importance of water in daily life and help users stay hydrated.

“We love water, and we know how essential it is. The tracker was a way to bring that awareness into people’s everyday lifestyle,” she explains.

Building a team in 48 hours

With just two days to launch a concept, Yibirin and her husband recruited four teammates they had never met before.“We had clear communication from the start,” Yibirin says. “Everyone felt heard, and people chose to join our idea. We divided roles quickly, and each person gave their best.”

Challenges under pressure

The toughest obstacle? Time. “Forty-eight hours goes by so fast. There were tense moments, but we stayed calm,” Yibirin reflects.

Her role was to keep morale high and maintain focus: “I made sure everyone felt included, valued, and seen. We stayed positive, organized and focused on the essentials. That kept us from getting lost in the chaos.”

Leadership lessons that last

What Yibirin learned about leadership continues to shape her approach at her dog training company, Lifestyle K9: Listen first, then lead. Organize ideas clearly. Build trust so the team feels capable.

“A good leader doesn’t always command,” she notes. “A good leader listens, builds confidence and helps others perform.”

Recognition and results

The judges and mentors were impressed by the team’s execution. They interviewed more than 50 people for customer discovery, gathered meaningful data and even built a working prototype with sensors — an unusual accomplishment for such a short time frame.

“The feedback was that our dedication and teamwork really stood out. Having a fully functioning prototype gave us credibility.”

The result was a proud second-place win among a field of strong, innovative competitors.

From startups to dog training

The parallels between the startup world and Yibirin’s current role as a dog trainer are surprisingly clear.

“In both cases, you have to build trust quickly, organize a team — whether it’s humans or families with their dogs — and stay calm under pressure,” she says.

Lasting Impact

Winning at TechStars Startup Weekend Orlando wasn’t just a milestone for Yibirin’s entrepreneurial journey — it became a proving ground for the leadership philosophy she now applies every day at Lifestyle K9.

“It was incredible to place second,” she concludes. “But more than that, it taught me how to lead with trust, calm and focus — skills I use with every family and every dog I work with today.”