Irvin Gómez, a determined and ambitious professional, has always sought autonomy and responsibility and has a strong desire to succeed in his career. During his MBA internship, he realized that a consulting role did not align with his values and passions. Inspired by his love for selling, building teams, and having control over his own destiny, Irvin recognized that being a CEO would encompass all these aspects. However, he discovered that traditional routes to becoming a CEO would take too long or require exceptional brilliance. During this time, a classmate introduced him to the concept of a search fund, which seemed like the perfect opportunity to expedite his journey to CEO. While interning at BCG, Irvin diligently researched and considered this avenue, leading him to boldly launch his search in July 2022 after concluding his internship in August 2021. Irvin Gómez embarked on the path to becoming a successful CEO with his unwavering determination and clear vision in mind. https://duenorthfe.com/ Connect Interested in learning about entrepreneurship and innovation from thought leaders around the world? Consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter and checking out our other content: https://horizonsearch.beehiiv.com/subscribe Recommended Resources (Affiliate) Castmagic (https://get.castmagic.io/horizonsearch) has helped me prepare the show notes. It provides summaries, timestamps, key quotes and a lot more, including custom prompts. Experience seamless recording with Riverside.fm, (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=horizon-search) where high-quality audio and video are recorded locally on each participant's computer, eliminating the common issues of internet connectivity. Say goodbye to stutters and delays, and enjoy a smooth recording experience.

Shehryar Akhtar, also known as Sherry, is the founder and CEO of Pronto, a tech startup specializing in video creation for small businesses. With over 15 years of experience in the tech industry, Sherry initially started with his company, Cloutel, which provided AI-focused tech solutions for Fortune 500 clients. However, his desire to build something of his own led to the creation of Pronto during the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaborating with two other founders, Ash Shehryar and Will Feldman, they aimed to provide affordable and quick video creation services for small businesses. Sherry now leads Pronto as the CEO, fulfilling his dream of bringing his own product to the market. Timestamps [00:02:34] AI disruption, job security concerns, evolving technology. [00:07:26] Game-changing generative AI creates efficient videos. [00:11:39] Learn from mistakes - key to success. [00:15:29] Challenges included: learning curve, small business focus. [00:18:38] AI enables efficiency, but human touch is unique. [00:24:11] AI technology speeds up processes, saves costs, and creates new jobs. [00:27:31] Language models will disrupt AI; ethics important. [00:30:18] AI can change the world, but with risks. [00:33:10] Social media: amazing but causing disruption. Key Quote The Importance of Making Mistakes: "There is no successful entrepreneur on the planet who was only successful he or she was built on failure. The problem with the people is, and it's a fantasy, you look at Facebook, you look at Apple, you just see successes. You look at Elon Musk; you see successes. There are a lot of failures before those successes. And what set them apart, apart from luck, is their resilience to learn and to excel with those mistakes, right?" — 00:11:39-00:12:16 Connect Interested in learning about entrepreneurship and innovation from thought leaders around the world? Consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter and checking out our other content: https://horizonsearch.beehiiv.com/subscribe Recommended Resources (Affiliate) Castmagic (https://get.castmagic.io/horizonsearch) has helped me prepare the show notes. It provides summaries, timestamps, key quotes and a lot more, including custom prompts. Experience seamless recording with Riverside.fm, (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=horizon-search) where high-quality audio and video are recorded locally on each participant's computer, eliminating the common issues of internet connectivity. Say goodbye to stutters and delays, and enjoy a smooth recording experience.

Julie Piatt is a Renaissance-minded life artist and creative expression enthusiast. Her life has been filled with various roles, including being a mother, an entrepreneur, creator, painter, and musician. One of her latest ventures is SriMu, a plant-based food company that she describes as the next evolution of cheese. SriMu offers artisanal, handcrafted, and delicious high-vibrational nourishment. Julie's diverse range of interests and passions makes her an inspiring and innovative figure in the world today. She vividly speaks on her ties to spiritual communities such as Damanhur in Italy and the ambitious Parliament of the Peoples project promoting universal unity and awareness. She recounts transformative experiences in Egypt and explores the vital connections between sound, food, and personal energy frequencies. Julie openly shares her personal journey, detailing struggles with physical pain and relational complexities. Her insights on life's sacred moments illuminate her steadfast journey toward personal growth and spiritual evolution. juliepiatt.com Key quotes "And when I was given the name Ma Ananda SriMati, this guru said to me, this name means blissful, beautiful and fortunate. And he said, now be that." — 00:03:36-00:03:47 "So traveling to these power points allows you to be this physical acupuncture point that is maybe the ground crew you could imagine for your spirit and soul to retrieve memories, talents, abilities, codings, activations that can allow you to expand and amplify your experience of living a human life." — 00:07:30-00:07:57 "And yes, I mean, isn't it true that we as a humanity really evolve through the challenges of our life. The painful times of our life, the times when we're on our knees, the times of death, of loss, of divorce, of collapse. It's in this complete crumbling of what we thought was real that we are able to access the really beautiful, deeper, constant, everlasting eternal aspects of what it means to be a spiritual being, having a human experience, or a multidimensional being, having a simultaneous experience." — 00:09:52-00:10:27 "And I told him, Dad, you know how to go on an expedition. Like, better than anyone. You're going on the biggest expedition." — 00:20:28-00:20:35 Connect Interested in learning about entrepreneurship and innovation from thought leaders around the world? Consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter and checking out our other content: https://horizonsearch.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠ Recommended Resources (Affiliate) Castmagic (https://get.castmagic.io/horizonsearch) has helped me prepare the show notes. It provides summaries, timestamps, key quotes and a lot more, including custom prompts. Experience seamless recording with Riverside.fm, (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=horizon-search) where high-quality audio and video are recorded locally on each participant's computer, eliminating the common issues of internet connectivity. Say goodbye to stutters and delays, and enjoy a smooth recording experience.

Cyrus Johnson and Trey Scott share their journey from childhood friends to business partners, as well as their experiences in scaling their clothing brand, Johnson and Scott, and navigating the ever-changing world of fashion. Discover how their friendship and complementary skillsets have fueled their success, and gain insights into the challenges they have faced along the way. Their entrepreneurial spirit and vision for the future of Johnson and Scott is inspiring. Key quotes Friendship and Business: "We kind of built our friendship not just around the business, but we kind of incorporated, had intentions, like, oh, let's see if we can build a business together." — Trey Scott 00:03:40-00:03:51 Cyrus Johnson and Trey Scott are owners of the clothing brand Johnson and Scott Cyrus handles website building, marketing, and business growth, while Trey focuses on design, social media, and aesthetics They met in middle school and became friends in high school, bonding over their shared interests and ideas They started Johnson and Scott as a project for an entrepreneurship class and decided to turn it into a real business after Cyrus graduated from college They discuss the benefits and challenges of mixing friendship and business Their vision for Johnson and Scott includes both brick-and-mortar stores and online sales They faced challenges with inventory management due to their rapid growth and high demand https://www.instagram.com/johnsonandscott/ Connect Interested in learning about entrepreneurship and innovation from thought leaders around the world? Consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter and checking out our other content: https://horizonsearch.beehiiv.com/subscribe Recommended Resources (Affiliate) Castmagic (https://get.castmagic.io/horizonsearch) has helped me prepare the show notes. It provides summaries, timestamps, key quotes and a lot more, including custom prompts. Experience seamless recording with Riverside.fm, (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=horizon-search) where high-quality audio and video are recorded locally on each participant's computer, eliminating the common issues of internet connectivity. Say goodbye to stutters and delays, and enjoy a smooth recording experience.

Rob LeBlanc is the managing partner of ambit partners, an international search fund investor that focuses on introducing traditional search strategies into new and emerging markets. Originally from Vancouver, Rob graduated from McGill in Montreal, then transitioned to management consulting in Toronto with Oliver Wyman. After broadening his private equity portfolio across North America, he earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. In 2012, motivated by past experiences, Rob moved to South Africa to join a private equity firm aiding in business succession from older to younger operators. After a successful exit in 2018-2019, he shifted his investment focus towards search ventures in North America, but soon expanded to untapped opportunities in emerging markets, influenced by his work experience in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. This led to the inception of Ambit Partners in 2019 with two ex-colleagues. Now, Rob devotes himself entirely to its flourishing trajectory. Key Quotes The Potential of Search Fund in Emerging Markets: "So we definitely see that as like a second or third order opportunity, like as the career opportunity itself is better known, and it proliferates, so too the pool of talent that great people will emerge from will broaden and deepen." — 00:20:34-00:20:48 The Future of Directorship in the Era of AI: "I actually don't think it's a ceiling as much as it is. I don't think it's a binding constraint. I think it's going to actually become a catalyst of diluted returns." — 00:24:04-00:24:10 Regional Opportunities in Search: "I mean, there's no trade secrets in it. I think one of the unique and wonderful things about search is how it flourishes on collaborative minority investors and searchers, and so if we think something's interesting, we hope others do too and crowd in on it. So, in that sense, I guess a regional comment is we think that just Asia, in general, is on the cusp of search being a real thing. There's such encouraging and early seeds being planted there that we just think it's ripe for a huge boom regionally."— 00:33:55-00:34:22 Connect Interested in learning about entrepreneurship and innovation from thought leaders around the world? Consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter and checking out our other content: https://horizonsearch.beehiiv.com/subscribe Recommended Resources (Affiliate) Castmagic (https://get.castmagic.io/horizonsearch) has helped me prepare the show notes. It provides summaries, timestamps, key quotes and a lot more, including custom prompts. Experience seamless recording with Riverside.fm, (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=horizon-search) where high-quality audio and video are recorded locally on each participant's computer, eliminating the common issues of internet connectivity. Say goodbye to stutters and delays, and enjoy a smooth recording experience.

Simon Webster was the fifth person in the world to launch a traditional search fund and is currently a lecturer at London Business School and the University of Cambridge. Simon sheds light on the challenges and nuances of building businesses, such as the underwhelming rewards when selling a small business to corporates and the perils of private equity's price downgrades. Listen in as he articulates the difficulty of recruiting someone for a venture when the original entrepreneur exits and the quest to find not just any company to buy but one ripe for value addition and meaningful impact. Drawing upon experiences from notable names like Bill Egan and Rob Johnson, who've invested in search funds, Simon details the two-fold conversation challenge—introducing the uninitiated to the search fund model and honing presentation skills to persuade potential investors. The episode delves deep into the making of a CEO, from the early days of grappling with challenges to evolving into a mentor, guiding the next wave of entrepreneurs. As we discuss entrepreneurship through acquisition, Simon highlights its rising prominence in the curriculum of renowned business schools like INSEAD, IESE, and Oxford. The global nature of business today underscores the importance of geographic diversification, the role of local investors, and the invaluable contributions of international search fund investors. Their unique commercial mindset, adaptability, and in-depth cultural understanding infuse startups and turnarounds with a refreshing perspective. But entrepreneurship is no walk in the park, as Simon reveals. From the rigorous demands of being a first-time CEO to the nuanced skills startups require versus turnarounds, every challenge mandates thorough research, unwavering tenacity, and a dash of determination. Connect Interested in learning about entrepreneurship and innovation from thought leaders around the world? Consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter and checking out our other content: https://horizonsearch.beehiiv.com/subscribe Recommended Resources (Affiliate) Castmagic (https://get.castmagic.io/horizonsearch) has helped me prepare the show notes. It provides summaries, timestamps, key quotes and a lot more, including custom prompts. Experience seamless recording with Riverside.fm, (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=horizon-search) where high-quality audio and video are recorded locally on each participant's computer, eliminating the common issues of internet connectivity. Say goodbye to stutters and delays, and enjoy a smooth recording experience.

Matt Fullbrook has dedicated a significant portion of his life to the study and analysis of boards of directors and senior executives across various sectors. From charities to listed companies, cooperatives to government agencies, Matt's expertise knows no bounds. Currently, he actively provides hands-on advisory services to organizations at that level while also creating thought-provoking content such as podcasts, articles, and blogs. In addition to his passion for organizational leadership, Matt leads a dual life as a professional musician. https://www.mattfullbrook.com/ https://groundupgovernance.substack.com Key Quotes The Power of Music in Community Building: "If I find myself in the elevator spontaneously with anyone from this building, and I have a conversation about music, I build a connection way better than if I talk about what's coming up in the next class or what are we working on on our next project, or how's your job search going."—00:03:31-00:03:48 Why Boards Shouldn't Be Boring: "Boards are boring. They are bureaucratic. If you think about it from the perspective of an entrepreneur, when you bring up the term governance, the first thing they think of is boards. And when they think of boards, they think that this is going to be really time-consuming and bureaucratic and slow. It's going to cost me a lot of money, and most importantly, I'm going to lose control."—00:06:52-00:09:50 Breaking Free from the Status Quo: "So the real spirit of what I'm hoping to do is to help people realize that it's optional, right? So that we can say, okay, well, what's better? And the answer is, we have to experiment."—00:13:07-00:13:23 Connect Interested in learning about entrepreneurship and innovation from thought leaders around the world? Consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter and checking out our other content: https://horizonsearch.beehiiv.com/subscribe Recommended Resources (Affiliate) Castmagic (https://get.castmagic.io/horizonsearch) has helped me prepare the show notes. It provides summaries, timestamps, key quotes and a lot more, including custom prompts. Experience seamless recording with Riverside.fm, (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=horizon-search) where high-quality audio and video are recorded locally on each participant's computer, eliminating the common issues of internet connectivity. Say goodbye to stutters and delays, and enjoy a smooth recording experience.

Mark Cowne, a seasoned expert in the talent management industry, shares his insights on product awareness, celebrity activism, and the art of reinvention. Join us as we explore the fascinating journey of managing talent, the challenges of staying relevant in the digital age, and the unexpected encounters with world leaders and iconic celebrities. TL;DL Highlights The transformational rebranding of a musician into a global leader. Raising nearly $2.5 million in fundraising efforts for earthquake victims. The profound impact of electronic media on the dynamics of celebrity and activism. The speaker's unique journey from graphic design to managing BBC personalities and expanding internationally. Collaboration with Cher on a charity focused on saving abused wildlife. Insights into the power and limits of social media in awareness creation versus hands-on efforts. Personal anecdotes of interactions with George W. Bush and experiences in professional racing. Timestamps [00:02:14] Successful branding led to unexpected business growth. [00:06:52] Branding knowledge led to unexpected opportunities. [00:11:57] Company focuses on talent management, not services. [00:15:31] Leadership requires integration and mentorship for success. [00:19:04] Me a leader, run business, meet Bush. [00:23:52] Media impact, celebrity culture, and changing dynamics. [00:27:07] Weird journey from wedding to gentleman racing. [00:31:34] Porsche GT3 Cup is favourite. Thrilling on the racetrack, distracting from life. [00:33:45] Porsche on Nürburgring, Ferrari in mountains. Thrilling! Connect Interested in learning about entrepreneurship and innovation from thought leaders around the world? Consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter and checking out our other content: https://horizonsearch.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠ Recommended Resources (Affiliate) Castmagic (https://get.castmagic.io/horizonsearch) has helped me prepare the show notes. It provides summaries, timestamps, key quotes and a lot more, including custom prompts. Experience seamless recording with Riverside.fm, (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=horizon-search) where high-quality audio and video are recorded locally on each participant's computer, eliminating the common issues of internet connectivity. Say goodbye to stutters and delays, and enjoy a smooth recording experience.

Walker Deibel, an expert in acquisition entrepreneurship, discusses the game-changing strategy of acquisition. Only 4% of companies hit the 1 million revenue mark, with a mere 0.5% reaching 5 million. Baby boomers dominate the business landscape, and 48% of US companies face a transition due to owner retirements. The ETA model needs revamping to handle these massive transitions. Tech advancements influence ETA's trajectory, and decisiveness is key with determining acquisition potential within 48 hours. Stability is assured with pay and benefits remaining unchanged post-acquisition. Deibel shares his pivot from starting businesses to acquiring them and mentoring through Acquisition Lab.

Deniz Tuncalp is an associate professor of management and entrepreneurship at Istanbul Technical University (ITU). With over 20 years of experience in the technology and telecom industry, he decided to transition to academia to make a greater impact. Currently teaching organization theory at the business school, Deniz remains highly involved in the startup ecosystem, drawing from his own experience in founding and exiting a technology company. Just as Turkey is a bridge between East and West, Deniz serves as a bridge between different domains of life, bringing together theory and practice to create valuable insights for both academia and enterprises. TL;DL Highlights Big enterprises are dissolving and being replaced by startups and innovation environments. Companies are transforming into platforms and relying on smaller entities to work for them. The trend is shifting towards creating a marketplace of different startups rather than organizing people in large hierarchies. Turkey has over 100 science parks affiliated with universities, offering tax advantages and attracting companies. Istanbul is a vibrant business hub with diverse industries and a large population, making it a good test market for startups. Turkey has significant advantages in terms of diversity and creativity compared to Northern European countries. Deniz's Science Park aims to operate like a startup and collaborates with existing startups. The shift towards small-scale entrepreneurial companies is revolutionizing industries. Generative AI is being used in the medical industry and may lead to changes in patent registration and open-source models. Establishing a science park involves different phases, from constructing the physical environment to collaboration and contribution to businesses. Connect Interested in learning about entrepreneurship and innovation from thought leaders around the world? Consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter and checking out our other content: https://horizonsearch.beehiiv.com/subscribe Recommended Resources (Affiliate) Castmagic (https://get.castmagic.io/horizonsearch) has helped me prepare the show notes. It provides summaries, timestamps, key quotes and a lot more, including custom prompts. Experience seamless recording with Riverside.fm, (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=horizon-search) where high-quality audio and video are recorded locally on each participant's computer, eliminating the common issues of internet connectivity. Say goodbye to stutters and delays, and enjoy a smooth recording experience.