Builders

Mahmoud Khodor
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In-depth conversations with top product leaders and entrepreneurs uncovering practical insights, strategies, and real-world experiences to help you build better products and businesses.

  1. 23h ago

    He Built a $1B Unicorn and Says "People Are Not Numbers" | Ahmet Bahadir

    In this episode, I sit down with Ahmet Bahadir, founder and CEO of Airalo, the company that pioneered the global eSIM revolution and became the world's first eSIM unicorn. We explore his extraordinary journey—from supplying groceries to cargo ships in Turkey to building a global technology company used by millions of travelers.Bahadir shares the unbelievable story of creating a fake multinational company with 60 different identities, the terrifying moment Airalo had only $36,000 left in the bank during COVID, and why he believes people are not KPIs. We also discuss startup culture, product-market fit, leadership, company culture, fundraising, AI, and why founders shouldn't treat building a business like going to war.If you're interested in startups, entrepreneurship, product management, company culture, SaaS, AI, venture capital, or building category-defining companies, this conversation is packed with timeless lessons.Topics covered: Airalo, eSIM, entrepreneurship, startup strategy, product-market fit, company culture, leadership, founder mindset, venture capital, AI startups, product management, and building billion-dollar businesses.00:00 Intro00:43 Airalo Almost Died: $36,000 Left in the Bank02:51 From Selling Groceries to Ships to Building Airalo07:00 The Birth of the Global eSIM Revolution10:10 The Hardest Part of Building a Unicorn13:28 Why Company Culture Matters More Than Growth16:37 "People Are Not KPIs"26:59 Why He Rejects Silicon Valley Hustle Culture35:03 The Biggest Founder Delusion: Product-Market Fit38:14 What Building Airalo Taught Ahmet Bahadir41:04 Outro

  2. Jun 20

    Turning Overstock into a Billion-Dollar Empire — Toufic Kreidieh

    What if you could build a billion-dollar empire from what everyone else ignored?In this episode, Toufic Kreidieh, Founder and Executive Chairman of Brands For Less Group (BFL Group), reveals how he transformed overstock and unsold goods into one of the Middle East’s most powerful retail empires, now valued at over $1.2 billion.Toufic shares his raw lessons on building resilience, leadership through chaos, and redefining value in an industry built on perception. This conversation goes far beyond retail — it’s about vision, risk, and what it really takes to win.If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or product leader, this episode is packed with practical insights on scaling, branding, and building enduring companies.Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.mahmoudkhodor.comConnect with Toufic on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toufic-kreidieh-1103433b/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toufic.kreidiehTicktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toufic.kreidiehBrands For Less Website: https://www.brandsforless.com🕒 Timeline00:00 – Intro & Toufic’s early drive03:45 – How Brands For Less began10:30 – Turning “unsold” into opportunity17:10 – Scaling across the Middle East23:55 – The mindset behind a billion-dollar empire31:40 – Why success can destroy you faster than failure39:20 – The TJX deal and the future of retail46:00 – Toufic’s advice to ambitious founders

  3. Jun 4

    Why Giving 100% is a Mistake - Greg Mckeown

    In this episode, we sit down with Greg McKeown, the bestselling author of Essentialism and Effortless. Greg explains why "insecure overachievers" often fail by pushing too hard and introduces the 85% Rule to sustain peak performance. We discuss his 1-2-3 Method for daily priority setting and his new mission to train "Signalists"—people who can cut through emotional noise to build shared meaning in a polarized world.Learn more with : https://gregmckeown.com/Condensed YouTube Chapters0:00 - The Overachiever’s Mistake: Why maximum effort fails2:55 - The 85% Rule: Sustaining consistency over intensity4:55 - Low Standards, High Results: The secret to daily streaks8:20 - Survival Lessons: Why the Norwegian team beat the British to the Pole15:30 - The Effortless Equation: Why "Easy" is not "Lazy"18:20 - Warren Buffett’s Strategy: High trust and "one-foot fences"28:30 - The Power Half-Hour: The "What? So What? Now What?" protocol30:20 - The 1-2-3 Method: Defining your actual daily priority34:50 - Digital Disorientation: Managing information and emotion overload46:35 - The Rogerian Rule: An antidote to polarization and conflict54:20 - Becoming a Signalist: Solving the "Understanding Gap"1:06:10 - Leadership Insights: Satya Nadella’s symbolic move at Microsoft1:11:00 - Greg’s Essential Reading List: Books to free your mind

  4. May 9

    The Choice to Die Before Your Body Does | Dan Ariely

    In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with world-renowned behavioral scientist and bestselling author Dan Ariely. While Dan is famous for his work on rational (and irrational) decision-making, our conversation takes an unexpected and profound turn into the psychology of the end of life.Dan shares his unique perspective as both a scientist and an end-of-life doula, reflecting on how our final chapters color the entirety of our existence. We discuss the "unexamined life," why we are so risk-averse in our romantic relationships, and the powerful legacy left behind by his mother. Whether you are looking to live more intentionally or seeking comfort in the face of life’s biggest questions, this episode offers a freeing look at what it means to be human.Learn more about Dan: https://danariely.com/Chapters0:00 - Emotional Opening: The difficulty of the unexamined life0:18 - Redefining Quality of Life: Palliative care and the 5-year study9:30 - The End-of-Life Doula: The 5 pillars of a "good death"11:55 - The Marriage Metaphor: Why the end colors everything16:15 - Personal Stories: Choosing dignity and stopping treatment27:50 - Legacy and Parents: Lessons from Dan’s mother42:10 - The Psychology of Risk: Why we are afraid to change46:40 - The Romantic Gap: Why we underperform in love51:45 - 4 Tools for an Examined Life: Yearly audits and artistic outlets1:00:15 - Final Thoughts and Where to Find Dan

  5. Apr 23

    Why Explaining Your Position is the Fastest Way to Lose | Chris Voss

    "If you’re explaining, you’re losing." In this episode, we sit down with legendary FBI hostage negotiator and author of Never Split the Difference, Chris Voss. He reveals why your "elevator pitch" is likely failing, how to use the power of "No" to get what you want, and the neuroscience-backed secrets to winning any business deal or fixing any relationship.Chris shares his "Accusations Audit" technique and explains why emotional intelligence—not logic—is the true key to human persuasion. If you've ever felt like you were "vomiting words" in a high-pressure meeting, this conversation is your antidote.Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.mahmoudkhodor.comConnect with Chris Voss:🌐 Website: blackswanltd.com📘 Book: Never Split the DifferenceIn this episode, you’ll learn:Why silence is your most powerful diagnostic tool.How to disarm an adversary by letting them "mentor" you.The "HALT" method for knowing exactly when to walk away from a deal.🕒 Episode Chapters00:00 – The 6-Second Rule: Why Explaining is Losing01:24 – The Sequencing Secret: Listening vs. Explaining02:41 – The Power of "That’s Right" and Being Corrected03:52 – Logic vs. Emotion: What Actually Drives Decisions?05:51 – The Academic Trap: Why Being "Eloquent" Fails06:30 – How to Fix Your Elevator Pitch (The Accusations Audit)07:43 – The Inoculation Effect: Warning People of "Harsh" News10:19 – How Chris Voss Disarmed Kevin O’Leary at a Staircase13:00 – Lessons from the Philippines: The "Team" on the Other Side16:34 – The Power of the Obvious Question18:52 – Why You Should Start with "No" (The Autonomy Principle)21:23 – Case Study: Using "No" to Save an FBI Career23:37 – What Emotions Are People Most Blind To?25:20 – 3 Steps to Becoming a Better Negotiator Tomorrow28:14 – Weaponizing Your Name: The "I'm Chris" Technique30:06 – Labeling: The Neuroscience of Diminishing Fear34:02 – Influence vs. Manipulation: What’s the Difference?35:20 – When to Walk Away: Identifying "H.A.L.F." Clients38:58 – How Negotiation Skills Can Take You to Private Jets

  6. Apr 14

    Is MENA VC Entering a Market Reset? | Philip Bahoshy

    In this episode, I sit down with Philip Bahoshy, founder & CEO of Magnitt, to break down what’s really happening to venture capital in MENA amid rising geopolitical tensions.We’re recording this at a critical moment, and the big question is:Are we on the verge of losing an entire generation of startups?Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.mahmoudkhodor.comGet reports from https://magnitt.com/Follow Philip for more insights on MENA VC https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipbahoshy/We go deep into:- Why late-stage funding gets hit first in every crisis- The hidden cracks in the MENA startup ecosystem- What founders should do in the next 30–90 days- Where the real opportunities are (AI, infrastructure, defense, and more)- Whether sovereign funds can replace international capitalIf you’re a founder, investor, or operator in MENA, this is essential listening.00:00 Are we entering a funding freeze?02:30 What actually breaks during a crisis06:10 Why late-stage funding collapses first07:20 What founders should do now09:20 The risk of losing a generation of startups21:20 Where the real opportunities are (AI & infrastructure)24:20 Why exits and liquidity will slow down30:20 Can sovereign capital save MENA VC?

  7. Apr 5

    Why Most Leaders Become the Bottleneck - Alain Bejjani

    In this episode, I sit down with Alain Bejjani, former Group CEO of Majid Al Futtaim, one of the largest conglomerates in the Middle East operating multi-billion dollar businesses across retail, real estate, and entertainment.We break down what actually happens when companies scale — and why most leaders unknowingly become the biggest bottleneck in their own organization.This is not theory. This is how leadership, decision-making, culture, and power really work inside a $10B+ company.We cover: Why founders and executives become bottlenecksThe real role of leadership vs governanceCentralization vs decentralization (and when each fails)Why office politics are unavoidableHow great CEOs think about talent, performance, and potentialWhat actually destroys large companiesIf you're a founder, product leader, or operator — this will change how you think about leadership.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro: Leading at $10B scale01:00 – Startups vs conglomerates: what really changes04:30 – The leadership bottleneck problem07:30 – “Your business is not your baby”10:30 – Incentives: salary vs equity13:15 – The reality of office politics15:10 – Centralization vs empowerment20:20 – How CEOs allocate capital29:20 – Hiring, promotion & CEO judgment32:45 – What destroys companies

  8. Apr 1

    From Family Legacy to Fintech Leader - Gaurav Dhar

    Join me on this episode of Future Money as I sit down with Gaurav Dhar, Group CEO of Marshall Fintech Partners and early backer of Tabby—MENA’s first fintech unicorn. We dive into how he transformed a 40-year family payments business into a regional tech powerhouse across 18 countries, why Dubai’s rise to global fintech hub has also made it a target for fraud, and his bold predictions on AI “cannibalizing” entire industries. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or tech enthusiast, you’ll walk away with actionable insights on building unfair advantages, spotting emerging trends 6-12 months early, and navigating the next wave of disruption.🔑 Key Takeaways & SEO Keywords:- Fintech ecosystem in MENA- Family business transformation- AI disruption in finance- Angel investing & Tabby insights- Dubai as a global tech hub👍 Enjoyed this deep dive?• Smash that Like button• Subscribe for weekly expert interviews• Drop your questions in the Comments• Connect with Gaurav on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaurav-dhar00:00 Intro & Welcome 01:05 Who Is Gaurav Dhar & His Fintech Journey 04:20 Origins: Marshall Fintech Partners in the ’80s 08:15 Transforming a Legacy Family Business 12:30 Scaling Across 18 Countries 16:10 Dubai’s Evolution into a Global Fintech Hub 19:45 Why Fraud Is Now a Major Threat 23:20 Angel Investing 600+ Startups 27:50 Early Lessons from Tabby’s Unicorn Path 32:10 How to Spot 6-Month Market Leads 35:30 Predictions: M&A Trends Next 3–5 Years 38:45 The Future of Fintech Layers by Industry 42:10 AI Cannibalizing Entire Industries 45:50 Building an Unfair Advantage in Fintech 49:05 How to Get Involved with Angel Spark & Mina Fintech 52:15 Closing Thoughts & Next Steps

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About

In-depth conversations with top product leaders and entrepreneurs uncovering practical insights, strategies, and real-world experiences to help you build better products and businesses.

Information

  • Creator
    Mahmoud Khodor
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mahmoud Khodor
  • Show Website
    Builders

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