Podcasts about Feras

Feras Ahlou shares the five most important strategies Gen Z job seekers and early-career professionals can use to gain career traction, while also revealing how getting laid off led him to a life-changing entrepreneurial journey.Key TakeawaysOver 50% of Gen Z graduates are underemployed a year after graduation—Feras outlines practical steps to overcome this, including leveraging AI, acquiring certifications, and reframing work-life balance.Being laid off can become a pivot point; Feras explains how rejection in 2003 led him to co-found multiple successful startups, eventually selling one for eight figures.Build your network early and often—it's one of your most powerful, underutilized career assets.Work-life balance is not one-size-fits-all; identify what season of life you're in and work accordingly, especially when you have time and energy to invest.Resilience, continuous skill-building, and giving back are essential long-term career strategies.Connect with Feras here:https://www.startupwithferas.com/ https://moveupcareers.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-job-interview-experience/id1538223546https://moveupcareers.com/survey

Conversación con Rosa Barasoain, escritora, poeta, apasionada de la naturaleza y el arte. Junto a Fernando López, Rosa es el motor de la Editorial navarra La fertilidad de la tierra que acaba de publicar un libro de gran formato titulado "Abejas melíferas. Su vida secreta en el bosque'". Se trata de la versión en castellano del trabajo realizado por el fotógrafo de fauna salvaje Ingo Arndt junto al investigador de abejas silvestres Jürgen Tautz....

Na fábula Os Pássaros, as Feras e o Morcego, vamos descobrir juntos que tentar agradar a todos é um caminho perigoso. Será que vale a pena abandonar quem somos só para sermos aceitos pelos outros? Prepare-se para uma história cheia de reflexões importantes, perfeita para conversar com as crianças sobre caráter, coragem e autenticidade. Vamos nessa? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine landing a large contract with a Fortune 500 company without having to pitch for the business. That's what happened to Feras Alhlou when Google referred Salesforce to his company.  In this episode of How to Sell More, Mark Drager and seasoned entrepreneur and business advisor Feras Alhlou explore how strategic partnerships can unlock higher-quality leads, increase deal size, and create premium positioning to differentiate your company from competitors. In Episode 102, you'll learn: ✅ The power of starting small and persisting through difficult times ✅ How a growth mindset helps you continuously move upmarket to larger, more profitable clients ✅ Why niching down your business can drive massive growth ✅ Why you must treat partnerships like a primary marketing channel  ✅ The power of becoming an evangelist of your partner's products or services ✅ How to build valuable and strategic relationships so partners refer qualified leads ✅ The crucial difference between passion and skill and why passion isn't enough Meet Today's Guest: In 2004, Feras Alhlou drained his 401(k) to start a digital marketing company. In 2019, he sold that same company for eight figures to Dentsu, one of the world's largest marketing firms. His company's success didn't come down to luck—growth came from making strategic decisions, taking consistent action, and building lasting relationships. Are you ready to build and leverage partnerships to get high-quality referrals and sell more? Listen to the full episode now! 

We Know Global Survivor host Shannon Guss is back for this week's feedback show with Australian Survivor Rebel Feras Basal as they look at this whole week of the swap from Brains V Brawn II, over week 3 (episodes 7-9). They check out who's leading the Chissy charts, analyse who can win based on the edit and answer your questions about this week's audacious moves.

GregMMA est un combattant hors norme, à la croisée du MMA et de la philosophie de vie. Dans cet échange intense et inspirant, Greg nous dévoile ce qui le pousse à dépasser ses limites, à affronter la peur et à toujours viser plus grand. Un épisode inspirant pour tous ceux qui veulent progresser et se surpasser dans tous les domaines de la vie !

Feras Basal! Winner of Australian Survivor Titans vs Rebels joins the boys to discuss week 2 of Brains vs Brawn 2! We breakdown the madness of the brains tribe, the non elimination twist, Max's advantage, all things Ally, we get an insight into Nash from his close friend and Buckles tells a joke!

Feras Alfuqaha's LIFELINE stars Josh Stewart as Steven Thomas. Steven's spending his New Year's Eve volunteering at a suicide hotline during the graveyard shift. He's the only guy in the office during a time of year in which folks tend to really feel their pain. The holidays can be rough on some of us.Steven handles a series of calls but one stands out: a college-aged kid who says he's gone to a motel with a gun with plans to kill himself at midnight. The kid's name? Steven Thomas.What's initially perceived as a prank reveals itself to extend beyond any wealth of coincidences. Steven knows he's talking to a younger self. As memories of his own abusive childhood begin to seep through repression, Steven knows he only has a few hours to A) figure out how this phenomenon is even occurring and B) convince his younger self to stay alive for the promise of a better day and life.The strength of this movie lies mainly in Stewart's performance. In his exhaustion, I see a man willing to carry the emotional burden of those to whom he extends a helping hand, regardless of the toll on his own body. As his younger, emotionally fraught self launches into self-destructive, nihilistic rants, Stewart's hesitation and expressions reveal that instinctual connection: Once upon a time, he did believe a version of this way of thinking. If you were to really crack the shell, I think he realizes he still believes in some of it, but also recognizes the need to adjust this perspective based on wisdom derived from experience. Older Steven isn't an easy role to bear and Stewart plays it thoughtfully and empathetically.Genres blend and the mystery unfurls in enticing fashion. Once all is revealed, I found myself seeing LIFELINE as poignant, hopeful even. It's an entertaining and heartfelt ode to one's desire to pursue hope against seemingly insurmountable pain. And it's less than 90 minutes? What a win!LIFELINE is currently playing in select theaters in L.A. & available to rent on VOD.---Please rate, review & subscribe to The Movies wherever you listen to podcasts!Follow The Movies on Instagram & Bluesky: linktr.ee/themovies_pod

Feras Alfuqaha loves to gab about moviemaking. His directorial debut, LIFELINE, premieres in select theatres and VOD on February 21st. It's the story of a suicide hotline volunteer (Josh Stewart) who receives a call from someone he believes to be his younger self (Judah Lewis). The caller says they're at a motel with gun in hand; they'll kill themselves at midnight. Clock's ticking.Based on my interview with Alfuqaha, if I had to associate a word with him, it'd be preparation. He discusses the research needed to understand his main character's work, the decisions finalized before ever stepping onto a set in order to maximize his indie budget's potential, the discovery of characters and their intents done months ahead of time, the amount of effort required before the shoot in order to earn the luxury of on-set flexibility and so. much. more.This interview's got grins and tangents aplenty, one of my favorites in recent memory.Watch LIFELINE here: https://linktr.ee/lifelinemovie---Please rate, review & subscribe to The Movies wherever you listen to podcasts!Follow The Movies on Instagram & Bluesky: linktr.ee/themovies_pod

¿Te da miedo el parto? ¡Tranquila, es normal! Pero si algo nos faltó en educación sexual, fue una clase sincera sobre cómo es realmente gestar, dar a luz y convertirse en mamá sin perderse en el intento. Por eso, en Escuela de Calor nos ponemos al día de la mano de Weleda y Rocío García Viso (@rocio.matrona), matrona y recién estrenada mamá. Hablamos de todo lo que nadie te cuenta del embarazo, el parto y el posparto, con esa mezcla de experiencia y realidad que solo alguien en plena maternidad puede compartir. Bonus track: si estás metida en harina, o mejor dicho, entre pañales, te recomendamos la línea Caléndula Baby de Weleda, con productos naturales para cuidar la piel del bebé ( pst! su crema de pañal es un must).Este episodio es imprescindible para futuras mamás (y papás). ¡Dale al play y cuéntanos qué te parece!#EscuelaDeCalor, el podcast de Bloom, (@bebloomers) abre sus puertas para ofrecer la educación sexual que nunca tuvimos. Con la participación especial de Victoria de Diego (⁠⁠@SerMujer⁠⁠). Escucha todos nuestros episodios y síguenos para no perderte ninguna novedad. Puedes descubrir más sobre nosotras en redes sociales buscando @bebloomers y en bebloomers.com

Feras Alhlou is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur with extensive experience in startups. He co-authored the acclaimed book Google Analytics Breakthrough: From Zero to Business Impact and sold his web and marketing analytics consultancy to dentsu in 2019. A sought-after speaker and mentor to over 150 businesses, Feras serves on various boards and actively supports non-profits. Through his platform, Start Up With Feras, he guides aspiring entrepreneurs in starting and scaling their ventures. CONNECT WITH HIM https://www.startupwithferas.com/ Subscribe to this channel now!  https://www.youtube.com/user/lunidelouis/?sub_confirmation=1    ---------------------------------------------------- Join our exclusive Facebook group @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/339709559955223  --------------------------------------------------- Looking for accountability to do your morning routine -- join us tomorrow morning, it's FREE:   https://bestmorningroutineever.com/  ----------------------------------------­­­­­­­-------------

Jacob Gettins chats with Pro Spec newcomer Feras Qartoumy, a time attack legend making the jump to Formula Drift. They discuss his transition into drifting, his accolades in the grip world, and how he plans to manage as a one-man show. https://www.instagram.com/feras_qartoumy/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/@ferasqartoumy https://www.facebook.com/Feras.Qartoumy/   Discount Codes Save $5 on tickets OZLB OZATL OZORL OZNJ OZSTL OZSEA OZSLC Save 20% off merch https://shopfd.com/ Code -  PODCAST25 Produced by    Jacob Gettins https://linktr.ee/jako13 Formula DRIFT - https://www.formulad.com/  Edited by Kyle Mayhew - https://www.instagram.com/kaywhy_85/  Audio Engineering by J-One Audio Services -https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090486859184 Intro Song by Legna - https://www.tiktok.com/@originallegna  Track Signs Provided by - https://www.instagram.com/style.driven/ Get Your Hat - https://shopfdgarage.com/products/the-teal-beanie Original Concept - Frank Maguire Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_outerzone/ TikTok: https://bit.ly/TikTok-FD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Outerzone/61572435346956/ Shop FD: https://bit.ly/Shop-FD

Fala Jovem, TATU do belo? O episódio 94 do TATUDAFRUTAPodcast já está no ar! Nesse episódio falo sobre como cultivar frutíferas em vaso.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#agriculturasustentável⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#agronomia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#fruticultura⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Siga o Tatu:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatudafrutaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tatudafrutaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedro-maranha-pecheYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/pedmpeche/

Do you have an idea in your head but you're struggling to lay the foundation for it? Or better yet, have you started a business but a certain aspect has proven to be more difficult than expected? Entering his 7th venture with his business consulting company, Feras has the utmost confidence that he can bring your vision to life on top of helping you scale and elevate to new heights.  But are you willing to step up to the challenges at hand? Tune in to episode 208 as Feras explains how being laid off propelled him to where he is today, breaks down his Black Belt Principles and much more!  For more information about Start Up With Feras: Instagram: @startupferas Website: startupwithferas.com LinkedIn: Feras Alhlou ; Start Up With Feras YouTube: @StartUpWithFeras Facebook: Start Up With Feras

Tatiana Antonelli-Abella is joined by Feras Ziadat, who is currently a Land and Water Officer with a specific focus on land resource management and planning at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. Mr. Ziadat played a pivotal role in coordinating the FAO flagship report titled The State of the World's Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture, SOLO, and he also updating the FAO Guide on integrated land use planning. In this episode, he talks about fostering participatory and integrated land use planning, combating land degradation and desertification, and the dangers of sand and dust storms.  Prior to this role, Mr. Ziadat held the position of Senior Scientist at ICARDA and served as an Associate Professor at the University of Jordan. He has also served as the chair of the United Nations Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms. This episode is part of Our Land, Our Future, a special mini-series of Forward Talks by Goumbook focused on land restoration and combating desertification. This special series is brought to you in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank. Find out more at: https://www.sab.com/esg/.

¡Queridíchimos!Seguimos en la saga venenosa de Luli, su era de herbolaria mortal ajajajaEn este cortillo, aprenderemos cuántas almendras hay que comprar para… ehm… “hacer jabón”…Hiii hiii

Survivor Global host Shannon Guss talks to Australian Survivor Rebel and winner Feras Basal about episode 9 of Survivor 47. The duo discuss the pros and cons of Genevieve's move, the many decisions of who to tell and what to do with that information in the episode, the production choices and more!

Survivor Global host Shannon Guss talks to Australian Survivor Rebel and winner Feras Basal about episode 9 of Survivor 47. The duo discuss the pros and cons of Genevieve's move, the many decisions of who to tell and what to do with that information in the episode, the production choices and more!

A surgeon at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, made history by performing the world's first robotic heart transplant, an achievement that highlighted both the advancement of technology in the medical field showcasing the surgeon's technical brilliance but also the intense pressures faced by the medical team. Dr. Feras and Mo dive heavily into the subject of medications and how easily they are prescribed these days, particularly in the relationship between big pharmaceutical companies and the medical field that is driven by profits raising questions about whether patient health is always the primary focus. 0:00 Kicking Off3:35 Trusting Robotic Surgery14:10 The 16-Year-Old Patient's Miraculous Recovery17:04 The Efficiency of Robotic Heart Surgery25:00 Managing Burnout as a Surgeon30:05 The Power of Meditation42:23 Balancing Surgery, Teaching Family47:03 Overprescription in Saudi Arabia50:00 Combating Drug Addiction with Compassion55:00 Saudi Arabia's Crackdown on Drugs57:00 The Reward of Heart Surgery1:08:02 Following Passion Despite Expectations1:10:53 Pioneering Artificial Hearts1:12:04 Vision 2030: A Momentum for Innovation1:15:09 Contacting Dr. Feras

Mastering Entrepreneurship: Overcoming Challenges and Building Success with Feras Alhlou Startupwithferris.com blackbeltstartup.com About the Guest(s): Feras Alhlou is a seasoned entrepreneur, author, and business mentor. He is the founder of Startup with Feras Alhlou, where he helps entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses to reach seven and eight figures. Feras Alhlou has an extensive background in the consulting and analytics space, having successfully sold a business to Dentsu, a global marketing giant. He is also the author of "Google Analytics Breakthrough: From Zero to Business Impact," published by Wiley in 2016. Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of The Chris Voss Show, host Chris Voss sits down with Feras Alhlou to delve into the world of entrepreneurship, sharing invaluable insights from Feras Alhlou's journey. From the early days of adjusting to a layoff to building successful businesses, Ferris uncovers the challenges and rewards of the entrepreneurial path. Listeners are treated to a wealth of information on how to develop a resilient entrepreneurial mindset, the importance of networking, and practical strategies to navigate through the common pitfalls faced by early-stage startups. Feras Alhlou discusses the significance of bridging the gap for those new to business, emphasizing the need to cultivate sales and marketing skills. He shares his personal experiences of overcoming setbacks, underlining the essential role of resilience and adaptability in business success. Both Feras Alhlou and Chris explore themes such as leveraging the talents of team members and advisors, the modern challenges faced by executives entering entrepreneurship, and effective problem-solving as a CEO. As Ferris states, "With the help of others, you can get through challenges much more efficiently." Key Takeaways: Networking is crucial: Engage in local networking events to enhance sales and marketing skills. Transitioning executives often need support in adapting their skills to entrepreneurial ventures. Resilience is key: Approach failures as opportunities to learn and grow. Surround yourself with a supportive team and leverage their diverse skills for business growth. There's an abundance of resources available to entrepreneurs today—don't hesitate to seek help. Notable Quotes: "Sales and marketing are just muscles that you have to build gradually." "Passion is optional, but skills and sacrifice are not." "With the help of others, you can get through challenges much more efficiently." "The resilience in business is the ability to fail, learn, and not repeat the same mistakes." "If you have the skills and you're willing to sacrifice, your chances of making it increase significantly." Resources: Ferris Al Hulu's book: "Google Analytics Breakthrough: From Zero to Business Impact" Follow on YouTube: Startup with Ferris

In their book Women, Households, and the Hereafter in the Qur'an: A Patronage of Piety (Oxford UP/Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2024), Karen Bauer and Feras Hamza make a compelling and thought-provoking argument about the role of everyday life in the Qur'an. They aptly demonstrate that the idea of households and women is integral to the salvific message of the Qur'an, to the Qur'an's understanding of piety and morality, and to Islamic theology. By doing this, the book also makes an important case for the limitations of applying modern ideals and frameworks to the Qur'an, given the 7th century context that sets the stage for the social structures in the text. For instance, the social arrangement of the 7th century community, of the broader society, was reciprocal and inherently set up certain people to be disadvantaged. But that set-up necessitated a focus on piety and morality that would ensure that the privileged protect the marginalized. Yet, the equality component is significant: as Feras Hamza explains in this interview, in the patronage of piety, currency is piety “and the payout is the reward in the afterlife, and once the currency is piety, not material, then everyone can participate.” In other words, since piety is available to everyone, it becomes emancipatory for everyone. What's unique about this book isn't simply that the authors make discoveries about the Qur'an's transformative and emancipatory message about people and communities who are marginalized and vulnerable, which many other scholars have already highlighted; but the main contribution of this book is the way that it shows the equal moral agency of women and men by narrating the developmental story of the Qur'an. Women aren't simply a separate subject, aside from the Qur'an, but are integral to the developmental story of the Qur'an. For instance, the authors highlight some of the major developments from the early to later Meccan surahs, where women become pious subjects in their own right, to early and later Medinan surahs, where women's moral agency comes to its fruition, as seen in linguistics shifts. This idea of the developmental narrative of the Qur'an is a key point in the book and in the interview: Bauer and Hamza consistently show that the moral thread of the Qur'an stays the same, which is that life is a moral test, but its specifics change, evolving from being less nuanced in early Meccan surahs to more so in Medinan ones. Women are related to the theology, to Muhammad, to morality, to ethics, to law. As the authors point out, the Qur'an's purpose of including so many verses on marriage and women is that these issues are clearly connected to larger questions of morality and especially moral agency. The subject of women and the everyday life therefore cannot be isolated from these other categories. The Qur'an is all daily life, and daily life is connected to the hereafter. In this interview, we discuss dissonances between the tradition and the Qur'an and the harms of taking Qur'anic verses in isolation. The authors explain why they believe that households and daily life haven't really been associated with Qur'anic piety and the sacred realm in the study of the Qur'an before. They discuss in detail the idea of the developmental narrative that emerges from their study. We end with the authors' idea that, to quote them, “women's agency did not undermine the Qur'anic patriarchy but was constructed from within it” (p 359), as they explain what this might mean for our world today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In their book Women, Households, and the Hereafter in the Qur'an: A Patronage of Piety (Oxford UP/Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2024), Karen Bauer and Feras Hamza make a compelling and thought-provoking argument about the role of everyday life in the Qur'an. They aptly demonstrate that the idea of households and women is integral to the salvific message of the Qur'an, to the Qur'an's understanding of piety and morality, and to Islamic theology. By doing this, the book also makes an important case for the limitations of applying modern ideals and frameworks to the Qur'an, given the 7th century context that sets the stage for the social structures in the text. For instance, the social arrangement of the 7th century community, of the broader society, was reciprocal and inherently set up certain people to be disadvantaged. But that set-up necessitated a focus on piety and morality that would ensure that the privileged protect the marginalized. Yet, the equality component is significant: as Feras Hamza explains in this interview, in the patronage of piety, currency is piety “and the payout is the reward in the afterlife, and once the currency is piety, not material, then everyone can participate.” In other words, since piety is available to everyone, it becomes emancipatory for everyone. What's unique about this book isn't simply that the authors make discoveries about the Qur'an's transformative and emancipatory message about people and communities who are marginalized and vulnerable, which many other scholars have already highlighted; but the main contribution of this book is the way that it shows the equal moral agency of women and men by narrating the developmental story of the Qur'an. Women aren't simply a separate subject, aside from the Qur'an, but are integral to the developmental story of the Qur'an. For instance, the authors highlight some of the major developments from the early to later Meccan surahs, where women become pious subjects in their own right, to early and later Medinan surahs, where women's moral agency comes to its fruition, as seen in linguistics shifts. This idea of the developmental narrative of the Qur'an is a key point in the book and in the interview: Bauer and Hamza consistently show that the moral thread of the Qur'an stays the same, which is that life is a moral test, but its specifics change, evolving from being less nuanced in early Meccan surahs to more so in Medinan ones. Women are related to the theology, to Muhammad, to morality, to ethics, to law. As the authors point out, the Qur'an's purpose of including so many verses on marriage and women is that these issues are clearly connected to larger questions of morality and especially moral agency. The subject of women and the everyday life therefore cannot be isolated from these other categories. The Qur'an is all daily life, and daily life is connected to the hereafter. In this interview, we discuss dissonances between the tradition and the Qur'an and the harms of taking Qur'anic verses in isolation. The authors explain why they believe that households and daily life haven't really been associated with Qur'anic piety and the sacred realm in the study of the Qur'an before. They discuss in detail the idea of the developmental narrative that emerges from their study. We end with the authors' idea that, to quote them, “women's agency did not undermine the Qur'anic patriarchy but was constructed from within it” (p 359), as they explain what this might mean for our world today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies

In their book Women, Households, and the Hereafter in the Qur'an: A Patronage of Piety (Oxford UP/Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2024), Karen Bauer and Feras Hamza make a compelling and thought-provoking argument about the role of everyday life in the Qur'an. They aptly demonstrate that the idea of households and women is integral to the salvific message of the Qur'an, to the Qur'an's understanding of piety and morality, and to Islamic theology. By doing this, the book also makes an important case for the limitations of applying modern ideals and frameworks to the Qur'an, given the 7th century context that sets the stage for the social structures in the text. For instance, the social arrangement of the 7th century community, of the broader society, was reciprocal and inherently set up certain people to be disadvantaged. But that set-up necessitated a focus on piety and morality that would ensure that the privileged protect the marginalized. Yet, the equality component is significant: as Feras Hamza explains in this interview, in the patronage of piety, currency is piety “and the payout is the reward in the afterlife, and once the currency is piety, not material, then everyone can participate.” In other words, since piety is available to everyone, it becomes emancipatory for everyone. What's unique about this book isn't simply that the authors make discoveries about the Qur'an's transformative and emancipatory message about people and communities who are marginalized and vulnerable, which many other scholars have already highlighted; but the main contribution of this book is the way that it shows the equal moral agency of women and men by narrating the developmental story of the Qur'an. Women aren't simply a separate subject, aside from the Qur'an, but are integral to the developmental story of the Qur'an. For instance, the authors highlight some of the major developments from the early to later Meccan surahs, where women become pious subjects in their own right, to early and later Medinan surahs, where women's moral agency comes to its fruition, as seen in linguistics shifts. This idea of the developmental narrative of the Qur'an is a key point in the book and in the interview: Bauer and Hamza consistently show that the moral thread of the Qur'an stays the same, which is that life is a moral test, but its specifics change, evolving from being less nuanced in early Meccan surahs to more so in Medinan ones. Women are related to the theology, to Muhammad, to morality, to ethics, to law. As the authors point out, the Qur'an's purpose of including so many verses on marriage and women is that these issues are clearly connected to larger questions of morality and especially moral agency. The subject of women and the everyday life therefore cannot be isolated from these other categories. The Qur'an is all daily life, and daily life is connected to the hereafter. In this interview, we discuss dissonances between the tradition and the Qur'an and the harms of taking Qur'anic verses in isolation. The authors explain why they believe that households and daily life haven't really been associated with Qur'anic piety and the sacred realm in the study of the Qur'an before. They discuss in detail the idea of the developmental narrative that emerges from their study. We end with the authors' idea that, to quote them, “women's agency did not undermine the Qur'anic patriarchy but was constructed from within it” (p 359), as they explain what this might mean for our world today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/islamic-studies

In their book Women, Households, and the Hereafter in the Qur'an: A Patronage of Piety (Oxford UP/Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2024), Karen Bauer and Feras Hamza make a compelling and thought-provoking argument about the role of everyday life in the Qur'an. They aptly demonstrate that the idea of households and women is integral to the salvific message of the Qur'an, to the Qur'an's understanding of piety and morality, and to Islamic theology. By doing this, the book also makes an important case for the limitations of applying modern ideals and frameworks to the Qur'an, given the 7th century context that sets the stage for the social structures in the text. For instance, the social arrangement of the 7th century community, of the broader society, was reciprocal and inherently set up certain people to be disadvantaged. But that set-up necessitated a focus on piety and morality that would ensure that the privileged protect the marginalized. Yet, the equality component is significant: as Feras Hamza explains in this interview, in the patronage of piety, currency is piety “and the payout is the reward in the afterlife, and once the currency is piety, not material, then everyone can participate.” In other words, since piety is available to everyone, it becomes emancipatory for everyone. What's unique about this book isn't simply that the authors make discoveries about the Qur'an's transformative and emancipatory message about people and communities who are marginalized and vulnerable, which many other scholars have already highlighted; but the main contribution of this book is the way that it shows the equal moral agency of women and men by narrating the developmental story of the Qur'an. Women aren't simply a separate subject, aside from the Qur'an, but are integral to the developmental story of the Qur'an. For instance, the authors highlight some of the major developments from the early to later Meccan surahs, where women become pious subjects in their own right, to early and later Medinan surahs, where women's moral agency comes to its fruition, as seen in linguistics shifts. This idea of the developmental narrative of the Qur'an is a key point in the book and in the interview: Bauer and Hamza consistently show that the moral thread of the Qur'an stays the same, which is that life is a moral test, but its specifics change, evolving from being less nuanced in early Meccan surahs to more so in Medinan ones. Women are related to the theology, to Muhammad, to morality, to ethics, to law. As the authors point out, the Qur'an's purpose of including so many verses on marriage and women is that these issues are clearly connected to larger questions of morality and especially moral agency. The subject of women and the everyday life therefore cannot be isolated from these other categories. The Qur'an is all daily life, and daily life is connected to the hereafter. In this interview, we discuss dissonances between the tradition and the Qur'an and the harms of taking Qur'anic verses in isolation. The authors explain why they believe that households and daily life haven't really been associated with Qur'anic piety and the sacred realm in the study of the Qur'an before. They discuss in detail the idea of the developmental narrative that emerges from their study. We end with the authors' idea that, to quote them, “women's agency did not undermine the Qur'anic patriarchy but was constructed from within it” (p 359), as they explain what this might mean for our world today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/middle-eastern-studies

In their book Women, Households, and the Hereafter in the Qur'an: A Patronage of Piety (Oxford UP/Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2024), Karen Bauer and Feras Hamza make a compelling and thought-provoking argument about the role of everyday life in the Qur'an. They aptly demonstrate that the idea of households and women is integral to the salvific message of the Qur'an, to the Qur'an's understanding of piety and morality, and to Islamic theology. By doing this, the book also makes an important case for the limitations of applying modern ideals and frameworks to the Qur'an, given the 7th century context that sets the stage for the social structures in the text. For instance, the social arrangement of the 7th century community, of the broader society, was reciprocal and inherently set up certain people to be disadvantaged. But that set-up necessitated a focus on piety and morality that would ensure that the privileged protect the marginalized. Yet, the equality component is significant: as Feras Hamza explains in this interview, in the patronage of piety, currency is piety “and the payout is the reward in the afterlife, and once the currency is piety, not material, then everyone can participate.” In other words, since piety is available to everyone, it becomes emancipatory for everyone. What's unique about this book isn't simply that the authors make discoveries about the Qur'an's transformative and emancipatory message about people and communities who are marginalized and vulnerable, which many other scholars have already highlighted; but the main contribution of this book is the way that it shows the equal moral agency of women and men by narrating the developmental story of the Qur'an. Women aren't simply a separate subject, aside from the Qur'an, but are integral to the developmental story of the Qur'an. For instance, the authors highlight some of the major developments from the early to later Meccan surahs, where women become pious subjects in their own right, to early and later Medinan surahs, where women's moral agency comes to its fruition, as seen in linguistics shifts. This idea of the developmental narrative of the Qur'an is a key point in the book and in the interview: Bauer and Hamza consistently show that the moral thread of the Qur'an stays the same, which is that life is a moral test, but its specifics change, evolving from being less nuanced in early Meccan surahs to more so in Medinan ones. Women are related to the theology, to Muhammad, to morality, to ethics, to law. As the authors point out, the Qur'an's purpose of including so many verses on marriage and women is that these issues are clearly connected to larger questions of morality and especially moral agency. The subject of women and the everyday life therefore cannot be isolated from these other categories. The Qur'an is all daily life, and daily life is connected to the hereafter. In this interview, we discuss dissonances between the tradition and the Qur'an and the harms of taking Qur'anic verses in isolation. The authors explain why they believe that households and daily life haven't really been associated with Qur'anic piety and the sacred realm in the study of the Qur'an before. They discuss in detail the idea of the developmental narrative that emerges from their study. We end with the authors' idea that, to quote them, “women's agency did not undermine the Qur'anic patriarchy but was constructed from within it” (p 359), as they explain what this might mean for our world today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In their book Women, Households, and the Hereafter in the Qur'an: A Patronage of Piety (Oxford UP/Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2024), Karen Bauer and Feras Hamza make a compelling and thought-provoking argument about the role of everyday life in the Qur'an. They aptly demonstrate that the idea of households and women is integral to the salvific message of the Qur'an, to the Qur'an's understanding of piety and morality, and to Islamic theology. By doing this, the book also makes an important case for the limitations of applying modern ideals and frameworks to the Qur'an, given the 7th century context that sets the stage for the social structures in the text. For instance, the social arrangement of the 7th century community, of the broader society, was reciprocal and inherently set up certain people to be disadvantaged. But that set-up necessitated a focus on piety and morality that would ensure that the privileged protect the marginalized. Yet, the equality component is significant: as Feras Hamza explains in this interview, in the patronage of piety, currency is piety “and the payout is the reward in the afterlife, and once the currency is piety, not material, then everyone can participate.” In other words, since piety is available to everyone, it becomes emancipatory for everyone. What's unique about this book isn't simply that the authors make discoveries about the Qur'an's transformative and emancipatory message about people and communities who are marginalized and vulnerable, which many other scholars have already highlighted; but the main contribution of this book is the way that it shows the equal moral agency of women and men by narrating the developmental story of the Qur'an. Women aren't simply a separate subject, aside from the Qur'an, but are integral to the developmental story of the Qur'an. For instance, the authors highlight some of the major developments from the early to later Meccan surahs, where women become pious subjects in their own right, to early and later Medinan surahs, where women's moral agency comes to its fruition, as seen in linguistics shifts. This idea of the developmental narrative of the Qur'an is a key point in the book and in the interview: Bauer and Hamza consistently show that the moral thread of the Qur'an stays the same, which is that life is a moral test, but its specifics change, evolving from being less nuanced in early Meccan surahs to more so in Medinan ones. Women are related to the theology, to Muhammad, to morality, to ethics, to law. As the authors point out, the Qur'an's purpose of including so many verses on marriage and women is that these issues are clearly connected to larger questions of morality and especially moral agency. The subject of women and the everyday life therefore cannot be isolated from these other categories. The Qur'an is all daily life, and daily life is connected to the hereafter. In this interview, we discuss dissonances between the tradition and the Qur'an and the harms of taking Qur'anic verses in isolation. The authors explain why they believe that households and daily life haven't really been associated with Qur'anic piety and the sacred realm in the study of the Qur'an before. They discuss in detail the idea of the developmental narrative that emerges from their study. We end with the authors' idea that, to quote them, “women's agency did not undermine the Qur'anic patriarchy but was constructed from within it” (p 359), as they explain what this might mean for our world today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

In this episode of the Business Growth Talks podcast, host Mark Hayward welcomes Feras Alhlou, a seasoned entrepreneur and business mentor, to discuss his extensive journey in entrepreneurship and business growth. Feras Alhlou shares his insightful experiences from starting as a hardware engineer to transitioning into the business world, founding multiple companies, and ultimately selling his digital marketing firm to a major global player, Dentsu. Mark and Feras delve into the intricacies of developing a business mindset, emphasizing execution and the importance of balancing planning with action.Feras offers practical advice on scaling businesses, focusing on the transition from small business services to high-revenue corporate clients. The conversation also highlights the critical facets of financial management, talent retention, and building a growth-oriented company culture. Feras stresses the significance of doing thorough market research, maintaining profitability, and being ready to pivot when necessary. Throughout the episode, Feras's passion for giving back to the community through mentoring and supporting nonprofits is evident, reflecting his belief in the value of service and generosity.Key Takeaways:Execution Over Ideas: Feras underscores the importance of execution, stating, "I'm big on getting stuff done. I'm big on execution."Risk and Growth: Emphasizing calculated risk-taking, Feras shares, "You have to take some bold action. You got to go and explore the market, talk to maybe bigger companies than you're used to."Delegation for Scalability: Discussing growth, Feras mentions, "If you want to scale, you got to delegate, you got to hire, you got to bring others to do the things that you were doing."Importance of Market Research: Feras points out, "Do your due diligence. Do some market research. Look who else is offering this service."How To Come Up With A $19M Skincare Idea In A WeekThe unobvious benefits of having no experience in business when setting up a new startup Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showDo you want to be a guest on multiple podcasts as a service go to:www.podcastintroduction.comFind more details about the podcast and my coaching business on:www.businessgrowthtalks.comDo you want to be a podcaster? Sign up onwww.abmpodcastcourse.co.ukFind me onLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hayw...Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/markjhayward​

Para entender las diferencias entre el pino, el cedro, el abeto y la picea, es fundamental considerar sus características botánicas y morfológicas. Por eso en este episodio te las cuento y además he elegido 5 coníferas de porte pequeño o rastrero para contarte sobre ellas por si tienes un espacio reducido de jardín. PATROCINADOR: ⁠https://personalgardenshoper.es⁠ ACADEMIA: ⁠https://jardingpt.com⁠ WEBS SÚPER IMPORTANTES ⁠https://claudiodoratto.com⁠ ⁠https://jardinesinclusivos.ar⁠ CANAL IMPERDIBLE DE TELEGRAM Jardinería y Paisajismo: ⁠https://t.me/jardineros⁠

Feras Alhlou is a serial entrepreneur, growth strategist, and startup advisor with a proven track record of scaling ventures from zero to eight figures. With decades of experience in the digital marketing and consulting space, Feras has successfully founded and exited multiple companies, serving high-profile clients like Google, Salesforce, and Johnson & Johnson. Known for his hands-on approach, he combines strategic insights with the discipline of martial arts, where he holds a third-degree black belt in Aikido. Feras is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to build smarter, stronger businesses through his latest venture, Black Belt Start Up, where he provides practical coaching and business training to help others achieve their entrepreneurial goals. More of Feras: Website: www.startupwithferas.com  Start Growing Your Business: Enroll to Black Belt Startups LinkedIn: @ferasalhlou Instagram: @StartUpFeras Facebook: @StartUpFeras

Discover how to close deals faster with these expert tips from the Sales Genius Podcast!

Por Larissa Cardoso. https://bbcst.net/R9002T2

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Feras Alhlou, co-founder of Startup With Feras, sharing insights from 21 years of experience. He discusses scaling strategies for managing a 60-member team and cultivating a thriving business culture. With revenue generated exceeding $10 million, Feras offers practical advice on overcoming entrepreneurial challenges. To connect with Feras, feel free to reach out via LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Other Resources: The Ultimate Recruitment Toolkit Online Short CourseThe 4 by 2 rule when growing a small business Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Feras Alhlou, the hardest thing in growing a small business is managing the mindset needed to handle unknowns and challenges. Entrepreneurs often underestimate the demands and difficulties, including financial constraints and the need to pivot or adapt. It's crucial to remain resilient and persistent, even when facing unexpected obstacles and uncertainties. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Feras Alhlou's favourite business book that has helped him the most is "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. He found it foundational in understanding how to build and sustain a successful business. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Feras Alhlou recommends "The Startup of You" by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, as a great book to help grow a small business. He also finds value in various YouTube videos and podcasts, such as Professor Scott Galloway's "Prof G Podcast," for insightful perspectives on business and entrepreneurship. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Feras Alhlou recommends investing in a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool as a crucial resource for growing a small business. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of implementing systems and processes, using tools like Asana or Basecamp, to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Feras Alhlou advises that on day one of starting out in business, you should "Don't quit." He emphasizes persistence and learning from mistakes, stating that no one can guarantee success, but having a good team, being smart, and putting in the effort greatly increase the chances of success. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: You have to lead by example and live the culture you want to see – Feras Alhlou Don't quit; persistence and learning from mistakes are key to success – Feras Alhlou Manage the imbalance of work and life with resilience and hard work – Feras Alhlou      

Building Success from Adversity: Feras Alhlou's Insights This episode is brought to you by my favorite productivity and well-being app, Brain.fm* and my book on how to become a stellar speaker, Speak From Within.  Discover the secrets to unlock your inner leader! Download the free confidence-building tip sheet now! Grab a complimentary 15-minute consultation with me. Leave me a voice message. Feras Alhlou is an inspiring entrepreneur whose journey from layoff to leadership will motivate you to take charge of your future. Discover how Feras turned a career setback into an opportunity, mastering new skills and persevering through challenges to build an eight-figure business. As the co-author of "Google Analytics Breakthrough" and a sought-after industry speaker, Feras shares invaluable insights on business growth, resilience, and the power of community service. We also explore how martial arts informs personal and professional success for both of us. Tune in to hear his story and learn how you too can transform obstacles into opportunities for success! Connect with Feras Website: www.StartUpWithFeras.com/daily-advisor YouTube: www.youtube.com/@StartUpWithFeras LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/FerasAlhlou Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartUpFeras Instagram: instagram.com/StartUpFeras Twitter: https://twitter.com/ferasa Connect with Izolda This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm. I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link) URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset It's also brought to you by my podcast host, Podbean! I love how simple Podbean is to use. If you've been thinking of starting your own podcast, Podbean is the way to go!**    Support the show. Buy me a coffee. Listen on These Channels Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | Podbean | MyTuner | iHeart Radio | TuneIn | Deezer | Overcast | PodChaser | Listen Notes | Player FM | Podcast Addict | Podcast Republic | Transcript The Creative Solutions podcast features interviews with innovative creative artists and entrepreneurs >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: You'd be a better leader, you'd be a better business owner, a better manager if you have an appreciation of what's involved. If you are more hands on. >> Izolda: Hi and welcome to the Creative Solutions podcast. I'm, your host, Isolde Trachtenberg. On the show, you'll hear interviews with innovative creative artists, entrepreneurs, business executives, and thought leaders. You'll have a front row seat as they explore their internal uncharted waters about what inspires them to grow, achieve, and innovation, innovate. Get their insights and realizations as I tease out answers to questions they've never pondered before. You'll also learn how to supercharge your innovative drive, mindfulness, and communication skills so you can succeed. This episode is brought to you by my favorite productivity hack, the Brain FM app. This podcast's host, Podbean, as well as my book, speak from within, Engage, inspire, and motivate any audience. Hello. Hello and welcome to the Creative Solutions podcast. I'm, your host, Isolde Trachtenberg. Thank you so much for taking the time to be here. I am super excited to bring you this week's guest. Let me tell you about Ferris Al Hulu. Faris is driven to support your success, and I love that it's right up front. He's, that's, that's the mission. And let me tell you why. A layoff in 2003 propelled him into entrepreneurship, where he acquired diverse skills really outside his comfort zone. He learned to persevere through challenges and adapted his vision when needed with dedication and learning. He became a top earner within a franchise, authored respected publications like Google Analytics Breakthrough, and spoke at tons of industry conferences. In 2019, he sold his own consultancy to Dentsu and committed to giving back. Ferris mentors new businesses, engages in community service, and offers expert guidance through startup with Ferris. Now, here's another thing that you don't know about him that is obviously very close to my heart. Ferris is also an aikido player. He is a, third don, which means he's a third degree black belt. And that's something that's part of my own journey that I love to talk about. And don't be surprised if in this conversation, we touch a little bit on how aikido relates to business and, heck, to all of life. Ferris, thank you so much for being here. Welcome. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Zola, thank you so much. I appreciate the kind introduction and really looking forward to our conversation. >> Izolda: I'm, I'm thrilled that you're here. Rena Friedman Watts talks about how she pivoted after being laid off And as always, I need to shout out Rena Friedman Watts, who is the person who introduced us. I am so excited to talk to you because you're a real, I mean, it's one of those true to life success stories. I would love for you, if you don't mind, to talk a little bit about how you went from I'm laid off to I've built an eight figure business. What were the pivotal moments or the decisions that led to this kind of decision to, to go and do and make something of it after a layoff? How did you manage that? What are your thoughts? What are your tips? What are your routines? Let's just go. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Sure, sure. A lot to cover there. But, you know, you're a martial artist. So this concept of pivoting, you avoid an attack. You pivot, you move m around, and it feels like after all these years, as we get older, you reflect on life, you reflect on business, and there were just a lot of pivots in my life, and I think in most people's lives, and some of them are intentional. Like, you want to get out of the way, and sometimes you have to pivot because something is coming at you like a ton of bricks. So the layoff, I mean, so we moved to the Bay area, to the Silicon Valley back in 1998. I got into, I moved with my employer at the time, got into the startup scene, and then I was a vp of a cutting edge tech company in 2003. We raised a lot of money. We raised $96 million as a company. And then, we could not sell, fast enough. We couldn't deploy. He run out of money. And then layoffs ensued. I was part of, I think, the one before last, before the company folded. So here I go. From a vp of a cutting edge tech company to a layoff husband, and a father of a young family. At the time, the job market was very dry, similar to what we're seeing today with the waves of layoffs around us. And I, you know, it took me, it took me. Sometimes I get emotional here. I mean, it took me a few days to recover, I m guess, emotionally, psychologically, you know, I'm this vp now I'm out of work. What is it that people are going to think about me? Why me? What did I do wrong? but, you know, two, three days into it, a couple of days into it, I gotta do something about it. So I updated my resume and I started to reach out. Six, seven weeks into this, trying to get an interview, nothing, zilch. so I ran across, I ran into a friend of mine who wanted to do his own business. We chatted for about a week, and we decided that, you know what? Let's join resources, let's join forces. Let's start a business. And that's how it all started. Ferris says layoffs make you question your sense of self I'm happy to go into more details, but let me pause and see if you have a question on that or you want me to dive into a specific part of this, initial recovery, after the layoff. >> Izolda: You know, it's funny that you paused where you did that moment of self doubt, really. It makes you question who you are. It, makes you question what you're capable of. And there are lots of people who would sort of let it bow them down and not really recover their sense of self. Can you talk a little bit about what had to happen inside you to be able to go, you know what? This is something I can recover from. This is something I can do something about. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Yeah. So I remember, I mean, I remember till this day when the CEO walked, in to my office and he said, ferris, tomorrow we have layoffs. And I had anticipated that that was about to happen. What I did not anticipate is that what he said next. And Ferris, you're part of it. You're impacted as well. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: And, my stomach dropped, my heart was racing. I felt like the blood's going to flow out of my skin and explode. All these feelings. And then, oh, my goodness, no way. How did I not see that? What did I do? We were about to deploy, like, go and do a major deployment for a major telco at the time, and I was part of this, so. But you know, at the end of this, in a way, like, business is business. When I went back home and I got home, I used to, you know, I was in a startup. This was one of those 1213 hours day startups. So I went home that afternoon and spoke with my amazing wife and she said, why are you here early? I said, well, let me share with you. I remember sitting on the couch there in the living room where at the time we rented. And, I said, yeah, that's what happened. I mean, she was extremely supportive. of course, we have three kids, young kids, and financials, the financial side of things. Always sort of top of mind. But that wasn't. I knew I'll figure something out. I knew that things will work out financially. But it was more to your point, like, oh, my goodness, like my self worth here, my reputation, like, it's the shame, all those feelings, all these emotions run through you. David Frum: Layoffs are hard on everybody, even strong men And I want to mention to if your listeners, some of your listeners or maybe someone in their family. If you're impacted by layoff today, it's hard. And I had to lay off people later when I was a manager and a business owner. Not a whole lot of times, but it's hard on everybody. So don't, I mean, take. It's okay to mourn. I always say that's okay. Even for strong men out there. It's okay to cry. If you can't cry in public, cry at night. get these emotions, let them flow. Let them go through these emotions. And I think the logical thing to do, which is really hard to do in the first few days, maybe the first couple of weeks. But at one point, you have to sit down and do an honest assessment of what led to this sometimes. And I always say there are two hard truths about layoffs. At times, top performers are let go because a whole branch is closed or a whole vertical or a whole product is discontinued, and everybody is let go. And a lot of times, and this is, maybe hard to say, and I say it with a lot of compassion, but a lot of time, and a lot of times, companies lay off the underperforming 5%, 10%, whatever it is. So I think after that emotional kind of struggle or those feelings that you go through, I think, do an objective assessment. Ask people. Look at your last performance review. This is going to be really hard. But if you're honest with yourself, if you want to move on and learn from that failure, if you want to call it as such, you got to do an assessment and see what is it that you could have done better. Not to dwell on the past, but to learn from it for the next time. Whether you go back into the work workforce for your next job and be better at it, or if you want to start your own business, you have to know your strength and your areas for improvement so you can build a solid business. So that all of that was sort of going on in my mind in the first couple of weeks. >> Izolda: I love that. And it's so funny how I had almost an identical story, back in. This would be 19, I want to say, 1990, 1989, similar thing happened to me where my boss, who was the president of a company, said to me, he took me, it was 03:00 on a Thursday. I'll never forget it. And, David, I'm shouting out you if you're listening to this. Cause he. He held it together to say, the company's going under completely. I'm not even legally allowed to tell you this. It's gonna happen tomorrow. We're all out of jobs. And what's interesting to me about that is, you know, he, he did cry. It was his baby, and it was just terribly sad. But what was interesting for me is my mindset went to, okay, I'm going to take a week, and I'm just going to party. I'm just going to go and I'm going to have all the fun in the world because I'm going to give myself a week to, you know, you mentioned morning, and I went the exact opposite way. I celebrated. I went, okay, I have freedom for a week to do whatever I want. I traveled. I had fun with my friends. And then exactly at 03:00 p.m. the following Thursday, I got a to work. You almost got fired for not working hard enough at a startup And the question I asked myself, and I would like you touched on it, and I'm very curious to see your thoughts on this. I looked at it as a lesson. It wasn't my fault. It was, I was not the president. I was not the decision maker for the company. But I still asked myself, what do I want to do differently next time? And so this is the question that I have for you, and I'm going to relate it a little bit to aikido, because when I, when I'm working with my sensei, for example, and she's amazing, shout out to Roma. She's an incredible, she's an 8th don, she's incredible. And she'll throw you 10ft and not blink an eye. But one of the things that she says every time we do it is how do you want to behave differently next time? How do you want to behave differently the next time you attack me? How do you want to do things differently so that you see a different result? So that's my question to you. When you were going through this, how did you do things differently? What kind of, not just mindset, but what kind of actions did you take to allow yourself to, again, pick yourself up and start something new that was different than what you had done before? >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Yeah. And amazing example there with, you know, I think I might have been to that dojo. is it in Brooklyn or where's the dojo at? >> Izolda: No, it's in college park, Maryland. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Okay. Okay. I'm, maybe I'm confusing names, but no. So, I mean, one thing that I learned in that startup is I've always worked hard. I think after, well, the first couple years in my career, I almost got fired for not working hard enough. And I learned my lesson early on. But in that startup, it was true Silicon Valley. Again, I slept there a couple times. And so I learned that the value and the momentum and ah, the amazing things you can do with lower resources. So I learned that from that startup and then from the incident, from the layoff incident, I could have been a bit more hands on. So in your case, it sounded like the whole company folded. Right. And so everybody's gone. So they're not just picking on you. In my case there was told people I was let go and then the company was still around for I think like another six months or so. So it was me like what, why did they have not lay off this director and why it's me? And again, you go into, I don't want to, like, I never wanted to sort of blame others or say they're picking on me, not the other, but I was thinking in my mind which like, if had I been more hands on, because I started my career, career, being technical, and then I moved to people management, project management, account management, I love that stuff. But I stayed very, I think, very m far away from sort of the ins and outs of what my team that I manage was doing. And for me that was a very important lesson is that you'd be a better leader, you'd be a better business owner, a better manager, if you have an appreciation of what's involved. If you are a bit more hands on, at one point you have the delegate, you can't be doing the same thing over and over to grow your business. But if you don't have, I think, the hands on experience and you have some area where you really dig deep into and understand and be an expert at, in a way you could be replaceable. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: So that is, that was more of a, again, a, you know, just career, lesson, if you will, is no matter what, what, what you do, small company, big company, whatever department you work in, learning and staying close to your area of expertise and kind of mastering that domain, that was a very, very important lesson that I learned. again, not the mindset stuff, but on the technical field that I'm in. >> Izolda: It's interesting to me, in listening to what you're saying that it, because I think to me, mindset is so much of even the technical aspects, because how you approach problem solving, how you approach the decisions you make, is going to have to come from whether or not you have a mindset that is ready for them. You talk about being willing to learn about becoming an entrepreneur And so I'd love to ask you a little bit about the challenges you face during those initial stages of becoming an entrepreneur. How did they, how did those challenges shape your approach and contribute to your eventual success? >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: So this might sound as a cliche, but without that failure, without that layoff, that was sort of wake up call, that, hey, you gotta continue to learn and be an expert in something. I don't think I would have been able to succeed in that very first business because we got into that business and this is 2003, and you remember those days, that was sort of the dawn of the Internet. >> Izolda: Oh, yes. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: And convincing a business owner, a small business owner to pay us money, so we built a website for them. That was hard. People might not relate to today, but, so learning, and I didn't know how to do websites, I don't know how to sell, I don't know how to market because I worked in a company for all those years, other people did that. I was good in terms of delivering a project once a project was sold. So, so I had to learn sales, I had to learn how to do online marketing, SEO, pay per click, all that Google stuff at the time and the Yahoo stuff at the time, and those skills or the habits that I learned from the previous, startup that I was laid off from exploring, learning on your own, having to wear multiple hats, all of those were very, very transferable to the new business that we started. So without that failure, without knowing that I have to learn and have that learning mindset and exploration and trying new things, there's no way that I would have been able to, sustain and grow that first business that we started. >> Izolda: Ah, failure, you know, I mean, it's very true. We, without, without those previous experiences, you don't have as good a blueprint, but also, you talk about being willing to learn, right? You said you had to learn marketing, you had to learn how to do all of this stuff at the same time, though, you still have to have, it's not an eye on the bottom line, it's almost like an eye on the strategy, an eye on the long term. And I'm going to go back to Aikido because I usually do, when I am grappling with someone or when we're doing any kind of work together, there is a give and take. There is this knowing sort of where you are in space, but also knowing where the other person is in space and making those transitions successfully. Who's giving, who's taking, who's taking, who's balance, what's happening. So you were going through all of this in this timeframe, the early aughts and the mid aughts. When you're doing these transitions and you were starting to get more successful. Can you talk a little bit about how you implemented those transitions? How did you need to pivot, how did you need to change how you were doing things as you went from serving some of those smaller companies to catering to like, let's say, Fortune 1000 or Fortune 500 companies. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Yes. In terms of mindset. >> Izolda: No, no, no, it doesn't have to be mindset. No, no. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: I was saying in terms of mindset, like, adaptability is another thing, flexibility is another thing. Because in the startup that before I was laid off, we were selling to Fortune five, we were selling to Fortune 100 with major telcos, the AT and T's of the world. And it was an infrastructure system. So imagine leaving that pitching and speaking with c suite CEO's and chief marketing officers, and chief technology officers, and then going, and now selling to small business owners, the local restaurants, the local dentists, the local, I don't know, dry cleaning. And that's what we did. We were knocking door, we're going door to door, knocking on doors to tell them about all this amazing thing called Google. You can get leads through Google, right? So that was a huge mind shift in terms of being ready to accept that. Yes. I used to sell to c level, now got to humble myself and learn and understand the pains and the pain points of these small business owners and be able to relate to them. So that was like, that was a big shift for me. Now, you can always examine what you did in the past and see how you can maybe repurpose it, repackage it for the present. So one thing that these business owners, the small business owners, they consistently told us that when my partner, business partner, I would go and meet with them, said, you both are so professional. You show up on time, well dressed, you do a follow up, you always meet your deadlines. Like all those skills that we had, we couldn't have sold or even spoke with Fortune 500 if we were not very polished on time. All the professional things you do with Fortune 500. So those habits, I would say, and those business skills did actually give us an advantage when we were selling small business owners. So that was really positive. Of course, other things don't apply to small businesses. So we had to learn those and learn the hard way and through the rejections. I mean, I never sold a thing, Zelda, before, before we started our first business. So learning how to, you know, how to follow up, you email them. Well, you call them. At the time, we had to do a lot of, things in person and going to a restaurant and waiting for the business owner to be done with him or her taking care of their clients. I mean, a sales pitch could take 3 hours just waiting for them to be available. We had nothing else to do. We got to sell. So then, as we grew, back to your question, as we grew and we started to specialize and we niched down on analytics within digital marketing, we really got into this analytics thing, and there was a wave of all these, big companies, Google and Microsoft and others, they were acquiring small analytics firms and repackaging those products and then offering them to the masses. So we, in a way, rode that wave. And as we became Google certified partners and got listed on their portal, the bigger leads started to come our way. So yet another pivot, another sort of reorientation, because what used to work with the small and mid sized business owners and we had to figure out how to sell and how to deliver to them. Now we're getting these leads from Fortune 500. So I had this amazing sense of excitement. Oh, my God, look at this lead we got. And then, oh, my God, how do I pitch to them? How do I sell to them? and we fumbled the first couple of leads and then we figured out that we have to, you know, do things differently. But, yeah, it's, it's, it's sort of, you have to roll with the punches in a way, and, and learn, you know, like, learn, learn from these days. There's a lot of resources. In the old days, we had to go and attend courses and read books and, and kind of talk to peers and people in the industry. That was a bit, I think that we had less access to resources. So that was, that was one of the challenges. >> Izolda: Yeah, it's, it is. How did you change your approach to talking to smaller businesses when developing skills I'm fascinated by this because I, in, in my own sales, I tend to want to ask all the, say, all the stuff early instead of asking questions. And so I want to ask you, when, you were doing this, when you were developing your skills, were there any creative ways that you implemented to talk to some of these smaller businesses as you were growing into the media business, how did you change your approach? How did you, what kind of innovations did you make in your own skillset in addition to, like, reading books, but on the fly, were there times or do you have a specific memory of something that you did that was just creative and out of the box in order to either make a connection or close a sale? >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: You know, what's that saying? Good, artist borrow and great artists steal. I think it was Picasso said that. So maybe not the most creative person in that way, but I'm a sponge. and I think the sponge was the only species that survived, the massive mass distinction, way back then, because, it absorbs good things and fights off bacteria. But literally, I remember I would go to a networking event, which were very hard for me to do because I didn't know how to do that. But m, after you do a few, you get comfortable at it and tell people what you do. And then I would take notes, like on the back of the business card of, let's say I spoke with a lady who does x, y and z, and I would take notes. I'm like, oh, she's doing that. Let me, I can try it. I would talk to the other person and this gentleman is doing, this one guy told me that he would print a design, because we were selling graphic design and website design, and he would take two templates and show the business owner, because you're selling design, so you want to show them something visual. And he said, people really like that approach. So we implemented that the next day before we went and pitched. So, learning from others, people who are maybe in a similar phase in their journey, similar stage, people who, or maybe people who have been, I always say people who have been to where you want to go, learning from them, I think it's important. And then it's. I think learning, is education and application. So it's not about just reading books or talking to others. How do I take that and implement it in my business? And that stayed with me for the longest time. Even today, we hear a lot about AI. Some people are skeptical, others are using it. There are definitely ways for you to implement AI in the way you run your business, and there are ways to actually incorporate AI in the services that you're offering. So always I think that learning and applying what I learned, stayed with me till to this point is you don't have to figure things out on your own. Ah, tap into your network, into the resources, into even your competitors. I've had gracious competitors who had shared with me some amazing tips that helped a lot in our, in our business. >> Izolda: Ah, that's great. And I love that you said that, because the informational interview is king as far as I'm concerned. This notion of communication, of being willing to share. But also, I say this to prospective, the perspective clients in that they're in the field, for example, of where I'm aiming my business. But, I've said these very words to people. I've said, I'm not trying to pitch you, I'm trying to figure out how to pitch you. And it just puts people at ease. And I'm not trying to pitch them. I'm not trying to get their business. I'm trying to figure out how people who are like them want to be pitched right. And so there's nothing wrong with that. And interestingly, it has gotten me business with some of those people, but that's not my intent. So communication, to me is very key in any form of business and coming up with those innovations that allow you to do that. How do you ensure effective communication among team members when they're remote But you have, sort of multiple locations for your business now. And so I would love to talk to you about that notion of communication. How do you work within the team members, especially if they're in different geographical locations? How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration with all these folks? >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Yeah. So I'll tell you one thing is that we, so after, when we started that first business, once we figured out sales again, it took us some time, not days, not weeks. I hear you. And then we started to use leverage contractors and, and part timers. And then we figured, you know what, we can also build a team, an offshore team who would support our businesses and then also potentially sell their services to, other companies. And we ended up, I think around 2008, 2009, building a company, offshore company. We grew it to 45 people. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: And in terms of communicating, this is way before Zoom, this is way before COVID and the whole remote culture. So we figure, again, we learned the hard way, you can't just build a team, even if they're an amazing team in a different geography. And if it's in a different country now, you have different culture, different business culture. You have to be close to the team. So we made a commitment, my business partners and I, we had four partners in that venture that we would commit this one year where we still maintained the business here in the US, and we had to sell and grow and deliver and also build that unit or that its own entity, overseas. And it took us, we know we got the go ahead from the folks at home, the bosses at home, and a lot of travel to stay with the team, especially in the formation phase. is still the values, the business culture that we wanted. and then we would work at night when we were there to catch up on us work. And then when we were back in the US, we were working early mornings and nice to communicate with the team over there. So constant. I think as a founder as a business owner, as a manager, you lead by example. You can give a lecture on whatever value, whether it's transparency or honesty or customer satisfaction. Yeah, you can preach on that all day long. But if you don't model it, if you don't show it, if you don't show your team how it's done by, your actions, then no one is going to really. It's not. It's just. It's just going to be, you know, like a slogan that no one really m applies. So. So I think what we've learned, from that first experience is that you have to be close to the team. It requires some sacrifices if they're in a different time zone. but that stayed with us. So. So even that analytics company that we ended up growing and selling to, Densu, the global media giant, we built a remote workforce by design. The whole entire company, the 40 plus people here in the US, we were hiring people remotely by design. This is 2013, 2014, way before this, thing became a commonplace. So we learned that you have to be intentional about it. You have to hire people on board them, have a whole lot of communication, have your one on ones with them on a weekly, bi weekly basis. You have to get together maybe once a year. We used to have an annual summit that everybody looked forward to attend. So you can't just hire people remotely and sort of leave them their own devices. You have to be very intentional about it. >> Izolda: Intentionality is so important. And to me, and coming back to Aikido, intentionality is part of it, but also receptivity. Roma says martial arts principles can apply to the business world So I would love to ask you about that aspect of identifying potential partners, identifying potential clients, nurturing those fruitful collaborations. Can you talk a little bit about, your process for doing that? >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Yeah. And since you mentioned Aikido, we published a video on eight principles, eight martial arts principles for business. And one of them, I think the first one was, knowing, or know your opponent's mind. So, in aikido, and you train and you know that, you know, when someone is attacking, you know, you don't wait till you get hit, you react. You want. >> Izolda: Hopefully not exactly. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: I mean, you want to. You want to be this. This concept of. Of alertness, right? You're alert. not in a stiff way, and I. And sort of mechanical way, but you want to focus on the attacker and be aware of the surroundings, because there might be another attacker behind you, or they might have a wall behind you. You can't move. So knowing your opponent's mind and knowing what's going on? Are they coming in fast? Are they coming in slow? Do they have something in their hand, maybe like a knife? why are they attacking you in the first place? So that I think also knowing in the business, if you translate that to the business world, people are not opponents. But you have team players, you have your team, you have vendors, partners, you have customers, you have competitors. So I think here, consider the confrontations or these interactions from the opponents, from the other person's perspective. If you have an unhappy customer, like, why are they unhappy? Is it something maybe you did? Are they reasonable? Are they, are they just, are they unreasonable? Did they, did we m m miss a major deliverable for them? Did we not? Maybe, maybe it was just a bad day, you know, that the client had a bad day at home, and they're just frustrated. And so I think what I learned from all these years in martial arts is what she called the receptivity, or, like, really understand what could be behind this without judging and then receive it, like in aikido, this concept of harmony. I'm not necessarily going to block something. I'm going to blend with it. I'm going to receive it and then redirect it, re channel it. And that, I think people talk about empathy, people talk about Stephen Covey, one of my favorite books, the seven habits of highly effective Paul, he talked about, seek to be, seek to understand before you seek to be understood. So those concepts apply really well, I think, in life, in your relationships, your marriage, with your children, at work. Just understand where people are coming from. There's just so much going on these days, and there are mental issues, mental health issues, a lot of pressure. People sometimes are having difficulties. You just make ends meet. So understand, where people are coming from and why they're behaving in a certain way, and then apply the proper proportionate response. >> Izolda: Oh, that's beautiful. Understand where they're coming from, and then apply the proper proportionate response. I think that is a, an absolutely phenomenal way of looking at it. And what's interesting to me about that, again, I'll go back to my sensei. I'm talking a lot about Aikido with you. That's very interesting. but my sensei says, you know, meet them where they are. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Yes. >> Izolda: And then, and then join with them as they're going. Where they're going. And then help them go just a little further than they meant to. And that's, that's, that's how roman, spot on. The, that's how Roma does it. And so. You say entrepreneurship is five times harder than you think But you said something that struck me. You said that we're meeting all of these difficulties, and there are certainly challenges that we have from everything from mental health to the economy and all of that. But you work with entrepreneurs, you work with people who have decided, for whatever reason, that they want to strike out on their own. But you also talk about the fact that it's harder than you think. So can you talk a little bit about that? What are some specific aspects or challenges of being an entrepreneur that aspiring entrepreneurs kind of don't know about or underestimate? >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: So I say, we have a bunch of black belt principles at startup with Ferris that we use. and one of them is entrepreneurship is five times harder than you think. So don't quote me on the number. It could be four times, six times, it doesn't matter. But it is much harder. >> Izolda: It's harder. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: I mean, if you think about it, you have to, let's say you've taken the leap and you started a business, so you've made that decision. So you have your domain. Let's say you want to do HR consulting or financial consultant or whatever the case might be. You know, that space. That's an assumption. But you haven't sold this thing. You haven't done marketing, you haven't done payroll or hr if you now are hiring people. So there's these other aspects of the business that you don't know. So there's a lot of learning going on, so you have to accommodate for it. Also, once you sell, you have to deliver. And if you're on your own, initially, most likely it's going to take you few times to really understand how to scope things properly, how to give the right estimate in terms of timeline and budgets. So there's just a whole lot of learning, learnings and a lot of, I think, entrepreneurs, they, there's maybe there's some romanticism about, about entrepreneurship, and they want to make it big and build a seven or an eight figure business. But initially, there's a lot of foundation building that is required, similar to anything martial arts. Of course, when you start, you know, white belt, you don't know how to move around, you don't know how to move your hands, your arms, your legs, your feet, all that same thing. I always remind entrepreneurs, look at the very first time, remember the very first time you swam or you rode the bike or you put your hands on the steering wheel. When you drove the first time, you were very stiff, you were very nervous, you were clunky, like you didn't know what to do. And then fast forward a year from then, and you were much comfortable, much natural at riding the bike or I rolling in aikido or maybe playing an instrument. So these systems, these things around us, art or science, business is the same way. You just got to put the hours, you got to put the reps, you got to pitch many times, and then it becomes natural. You got to deliver many times, and then you become better at it. You got to hire and learn how to be a good manager. So it just, it's a matter of, I think, understanding that it's going to be hard and getting ready to just get the reps. That's sort of one of the main messages I share and highlight with those who are about to start a business or those who started, and they're sort of overwhelmed. It's going to be overwhelming. There are a lot of unknowns, a lot of ambiguity. That's just part of it. But just, just go out, have a plan, and execute to that plan, and just, it's a matter of doing these repetitions and learning. Learning from the mistakes. >> Izolda: yes, learning from mistakes. It's interesting that you said that. I really agree with you about the fact that everybody, no matter what it is you're doing, you were once a beginner. No matter what it is, you once spoke for the first time, you once walked for the first time, you once fell for the first time. And that's something that my sensei does talk a lot about. And we spend a lot of time learning how to fall. You learn how to fall to save yourself. That's what you're doing. That's the point of it all. Falling. Failing is learning how to save yourself next time. 60% of Americans have a business idea, but only 9% actually act So talk to me a little bit about what advice you'd give to someone who's failed or who's just starting, who's considering starting their own business, but, but not know what are some of the steps they should be taking. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Yeah. And just, a data point here is that I believe, according to the labor of Bureau of Labor Statistics, don't quote me on the source, but 60% of Americans have a business idea, and I think 34% have multiple ideas, but only a mere 9% are the ones who actually act on this idea and turn it into a business. So I joke ideas are a dime a dozen. So if you have a business idea, there's the technical aspect of things, like you have to vet the idea, make sure that people who will buy what you want to offer, make sure you differentiate from your competitors, make sure you know what you can sell this for. So there's that technical vetting of the idea. and we have a lot of content on how to do that. The mindset, though, is failure is not if you will fail, it just going to happen. Just like riding the bike. Is that a metaphor? It is going to happen. So how do I learn from that? In the sense that, okay, one time I went to, this is a funny, real story. A funny story, a sad story. I went to a course, a sales course, three date sales course. At, the end of it, the sales coach, he gave us this list, a checklist of things you should learn about the lead before you send a proposal to your point. You know, you ask people like, let me know more about you and your challenges. So there was like 29 points, I think, on this checklist. He sold. I went to the next pitch. See, I applied quickly. I learned that I applied, and it was right after lunch at 01:30 p.m. i go into this office, in this conference room. And then I said, sales coach said, I gotta get all this information. So I started to ask these questions one at a time. Right. Without watching or listening to what the person is saying. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: I put the lead to sleep. I swear I'm not exaggerating. The guy sneezing off, it was so boring. I mean, I think he was so polite. He did not interrupt me. But you can't. I mean, you know, I mean, I laugh at it now. It was so embarrassing. and, you know, you learned later that you have to act on your feet if, if the client is not interested, if the lead, is sort of looking around on zoom, not focusing on like, you have to, you know, act on, on the body language. Right. And you don't. You. There's no way that you can learn how to do this initially. So learn that, I think, in the mindset wise, that just part of the journey that I have to go and pitch several times, and then I became better at it. And the same thing in aikido. My role, my first roll is going to be really clunky and then might leave a couple of bruises, but two, three months into it, I'm going to roll very smoothly. And then it becomes really natural and then I can sort of role without thinking about it. So, so I think it's, don't get discouraged if you get a rejection. Don't get discouraged if a client doesn't get back to you. Don't get discouraged if you run a marketing campaign that got you, that returned zero leads. Don't get discouraged if this big client that you just did an amazing job for did not renew. These things will happen if they're not happening. I don't think you're doing. You have a business, but learn from each one of them. Do an assessment at the end of the month, at the end of the quarter. Okay. What went well? Okay, I'm gonna. I'm going to me, my team and I were going to do this and do more of. And then what did not go so well? Why did we lose those. Those two clients? Why did I get, you know, I usually get maybe 20% rejections. I got 40% rejections this quarter. Learn from that, from that and apply it for the next, you know, for the next quarter. >> Izolda: This notion of application is fascinating to me because it, calls on us to be judgment free of our own failures. Right. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: You. >> Izolda: You go. I like to say, and I'm sure other people have said it before me, sometimes you win, sometimes you learn, and as opposed to losing, because it's not a loss. Last company was pitching again, Fortune 500, and we did not win So can you talk to me about a time when you really took what could have been considered as a failure and turned it into a real innovation or a real satisfying conclusion? >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: I used to say, in the last company, I used to say we had a bunch of value. We had a value statement, and we have a number of principles. One of them was, Ah, easy. Ah, hard on the issues and hard on issues, soft on people. So at that time, 2014, 2015, we were pitching again, Fortune 500. And we get those rfps, those thick requests for proposals or requests for quotes, rfqs. And you have to apply. And you have. Is not like a quick proposal. These things take time. >> Izolda: Oh, they do. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: And we're talking about, by that time, six digit deals, $250,000, consulting gig in a multi year gig, engagement. So you'd put tens of hours to prepare the RFP, the request for proposal. And then in some cases, you have to go on site, multiple people, and pitch. And I remember this one was one of the, virgin, brand, one of their business units. And we prepared so hard for that one. Zelda, we put so much energy, we. And then three of us traveled to the east coast, and we did not win that deal. it was. I want to say it was devastating, because by that time, we were very profitable. And, you know, you win some, you lose some. But I, like, we did everything possible. We. Even when we walked in their building, like, we dressed the way they would dress like in their industry, and we had a lot of fun, fun story. Like, when you walk into that building, if you had a tie on it, they would actually take your tie, and they would cut it, and they would hang it on the wall of shame. And this is. I guess this is what Richard Branson does in these companies. So, luckily, I did not have a tie on. so we did everything we could, and later, when we heard the news that we did not win, I mean, it's hard. I don't want to say, no, it's okay. but there was no moment in time in my mind where I was going to blame someone on the team, on the account team that was pitching. There's just no way. So I shared the news with the team, and we had a quick huddle, virtual huddle, and I said, hey, folks, it is what it is. and I thanked everyone on the team for the amazing work that they've done to get us there. it's a privilege, in a way, to go and pitch to these big companies, and we were there, a contender. So I was very proud of that, and I was happy that we were in that position. And I said, okay, folks, let's now do everything in our capacity to figure out what happened. And it's not easy. a lot of these big businesses, they don't want to tell you their legal considerations, but we figure out ways to reach out to different attendees of that meeting from. From the client side to. To get information on why we were not chosen. And it was one thing. It was. He said, you scored well on everything, but this one stakeholder who was attending the meeting was kind of sitting a bit far away, and we didn't think he was part of the decision making process. So, m. We did not ignore him on purpose, but we did not give him any attention, sort of. I was focusing. I was there. I was focusing on the. On the highest, you know, sea level, and we sort of ignored this, this one influencer to the decision making process. And that was just bad preparation on our part, because we get a list of who's attending when you work with these big companies, and you should go to their LinkedIn profile and understand everything they do and what's important to them and also understand, learn about their personal life and go and network with them and connect with them. So that was a huge learning for us. Very expensive lesson. But, m, you bet. After that pitch, I made sure we used basecamp at the time. We had an action, like a list of things to do before a pitch and make sure we study every person who attends, a pitch meeting and be able to connect with them and understand their issues and their pinpoint. I would just be, you know, we didn't ignore them out of, like, we're disrespectful. It just, you know, it was a miss on our part. So. So, long story short, I would summarize is with your teams, with your customers, you have to, you know, prior preparation prevents, poor performance. So you cannot be over prepared when it comes to sales and pitching, especially as you get into bigger and bigger clients. So. So preparation and then going out there and giving it your best is important. And when things don't go, don't go in the direction that you're hoping. Just learn from that. >> Izolda: And I love that you said that. And because this little statement that you just made holds for every kind of business. And I work a lot with artists who are also entrepreneurs. That's a business as well. And there are lots of artists who don't understand those facets of their own businesses. I'm so glad you said that, because it relates to, if you're a singer or a musician, or a fine artist or a plumber or an architect, whatever it is, that preparation facet of working with your clients and customers cannot be overstated. So I'm super grateful that you said that. Ferris, I appreciate so much that you took the time to be here. This was such a great conversation. I could keep you here all day, and I have like 14 other questions we haven't even gotten to. So what I would love to do is invite you to come back sometime in the future and we'll delve more deeply into some of the work that you're doing. But if somebody wants to know more about you and the work you're doing and your aikido and going on hikes and all of that, all of the stuff that you do, how do they find you? What is the best way for someone to locate you before I ask you my last two questions? >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Sure. Sure. Again, thank you for your kind words. And thank you for the amazing content that you produce, on just helping entrepreneurs and helping people in life and navigate life in general. So I appreciate that. So, yeah, people can, reach out at startup with ferris.com. and Ferris is spelled like my first name. F e r A s. We have a daily newsletter you can sign up for, and you can go on YouTube. Startup with Ferris. We have our channel with, I think, over 200 videos now on all things, all the things that entrepreneurs need from sales, marketing, choosing a partner, working with lawyers, working with accountants. So, yeah, help, you know, feel free to reach out and leave us a question, a comment. We have a weekly podcast, actually, livestream. Not, not a podcast, really. More of. We answer the questions that come our way from the community. So if you have a business, you're struggling with sales or marketing So if you have a business, you're struggling, maybe with sales or marketing or hr or back office or you have an idea and you're not sure how to turn it, or if you're the creative type and you're an artist and you're really struggling with, you know, some of the left brain stuff, there are ways to, you know, to find people to help you or maybe help you set up some checklist. So, yeah, reach out. I'll be more than happy to provide, guidance and support where I can. >> Izolda: Oh, awesome, Ferris, thank you so much for that. I appreciate it. As, as a creative myself who sometimes struggles with those facets, I'm gonna be. I've looked at a few of the videos on the YouTube channel. I'm gonna go through all 200. That's gonna be my. My lunchtime viewing is gonna be your. Your videos. and, and it's a great. I mean, that I'm trying to maximize my productivity and my creativity, and I'm spending my lunchtime trying to enjoy my food, but also listening to guidance from other people. So that's a, that's a great little time saver for me. it keeps me from. From watching television. Anyway, so I, again, I'm super grateful that you took the time. I love building. It's just something that I enjoy. And, uh, this is like my 7th venture now I have just two more questions. And the first question is, what is the thing that makes you get out of bed in the morning? And I don't just mean your alarm. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: You know, I like to. I like to get things done that just in general in my life, sometimes to my own detriment, sometimes you got to slow down and listen to your business partner or to your wife or your husband or partner. So, I love building. So even after the ventures I've had and selling the business, I did take a year and a half, a couple of years to actually volunteer, do pro bono work, to a few nonprofits. I'm so fortunate I was able to do that. But then my co founder and I, Eric, we decided to focus on startup affairs and provide, share our experience and our expertise with the community. Just working, you know, we spend most of our waking time at work, in all professions, so, so working with people who share the same values, who have the same passion. They want to build something and grow it it's just something that really gets me excited. And, this is like my 7th venture now. and I feel like, why do I do this to myself? Another startup? But it's just, it's fascinating to build something from the ground up and rally a few people initially to share your vision and help you build it and make it, materialize it. It's just something that I really enjoy. And then along the way, just something I'd like to share is that in this last venture we had that we sold to, densu, we made my partner, business partner, and I made a commitment three years before the acquisition. And we told the team that once we sell, once we get investors or we sell, so there's a huge financial upside, we will take a sizable percentage of that amount that we get and share with the team. And, obviously, when we sold the business and the financial transaction was completed, I was very happy. I felt amazingly, you know, I achieved something big, but I was as happy to take. And we're talking about millions of dollars and have that shared with the team, delivering on that commitment. And this is my advice to founders and business owners and people who have businesses. As you grow, as you become better at what you do, as you become more profitable, share with those around you, those who have helped you along the way. you couldn't have done it without them. So share with your team and send nice gifts to the partners. And also help nonprofits, a cause that you believe in, whether it's, an hour a week, or maybe a few hundred bucks a month, a year, whatever you can afford. But that concept of building something and growing that entity, and then the capitalist and me making a lot of money out of it, and then sharing, I think those, those are things that, that kind of keep me, keep me motivated, keep me running at, 1213, 14 hours a day. >> Izolda: Oh, that's a lovely sentiment. Ferris: Be of service to others can yield profound answers And you may have already answered this next question, because you just already said it, but I'm going to ask it anyway. This is a silly little question, but I find that it can yield some profound answers. And so here's the last question. If you had an airplane, environmentally friendly, of course, that could skyrite anything for the whole world to see, what would you say? >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Be of service to others? What Ralph Waldo Emerson said, life is not about just about being happy. It's about being compassionate, being useful, and, being honorable. So be of service to others. Just so many people help us. No one gets to the top on their own. No matter how difficult your situation is. If you just look around you, you don't even have to look overseas. And other people are struggling these days. So find something that you have and share some of it with others. I think that will do a lot, for our, our families, for our relationships, for our community and for the country. So, yeah, that would be. Be of help, be of service to others. It's not just about you and how big you can be and how wealthy you can be and all that. Just be of help to others. >> Izolda: That's beautiful. I love it, ferris. Thank you. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: I don't know where that came. I don't know where that came from, but, I truly believe it. Yeah. Thanks for kind of finding that somewhere. >> Izolda: That's what that question is designed to do. It's really. It's sort of coalescing. Coalesces your biggest beliefs into one sentence, and you did it. So thank you so much for that, ferris. I appreciate it. And I really appreciate you taking the time to be on the show. This is so great, and I can't wait to have you back. Thank you again for taking, for giving your wisdom and for talking aikido with me, which is so fabulous. >> Ferris Ahl Hulu: Thank you so much. As you said, we could have, probably can go for another 2 hours just talking about aikido. So I appreciate it is all done. Keep. Keep producing this amazing content, and if you're ever in the bay area, I'd love to meet you in person and take you out to lunch or dinner and connect at a different level. So thank you so much. >> Izolda: Oh, yeah, and I'm in the Bay area more than, more than, less than I want to be, and more often than you think. So that I will definitely get in touch. Thank you for that, Ferris. I appreciate it. Isolde Trachtenberg is the Creative solutions podcast host So if you've been listening to this, you know, you need to go check out Ferris Ahlulu and the work that he's doing to help entrepreneurs of all types, obviously, because listen to this episode. this is Isolde Trachtenberg for the Creative solutions podcast. You know what, the show is brought to you by. It's always brain fm, it's always podbean, and it's always my books speak from within, at least for the foreseeable future, until the next thing comes out. I, as always, remind you to be bold, be creative, and most of all, be kind. Thanks so much for joining me today. I really appreciate you being here. Please subscribe to the show if you're new, and it would mean the world to me if you told a friend about it. Today's episode was produced by Isolde Trachtenberg and is Copyright 2024. As always, please remember this is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results, although we can always hope.

While multifamily investors face numerous challenges in today's market, there are still many lucrative opportunities available. Join us as we delve into the current state of multifamily investing with Feras Moussa, co-founder of Disrupt Equity, a vertically integrated commercial real estate investment firm specializing in multifamily acquisitions. As a serial entrepreneur and multifamily expert, Feras brings a wealth of experience to this episode, having overseen the acquisition of over 5,000 units and more than $800 million in assets across Georgia, Texas, and Florida. Listen in as he shares valuable advice for negotiating loan MODs, the importance of building communities, not just housing, and why cultivating a strong network is crucial for your financial success. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a beginner, you'll discover actionable strategies to elevate your multifamily investment game. Don't miss this opportunity to gain practical knowledge and insights that can potentially transform your investment approach!Key Points From This Episode:Insight into Feras' tech background and how it led him to real estate investing.His predictions for the real estate market over the next few years.Tips for negotiating loan MODs and creating a win-win scenario with the lender.The story of a recent incident that followed the closure of one of Feras' deals.Combatting the negative light that the press often casts on property owners.Why building a community and caring for your tenants are good business decisions.How you can benefit from the upcoming Multifamily Investor Network Conference.Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:Disrupt EquityFeras Moussa on LinkedInFeras Moussa on InstagramFeras Moussa on XThe Multifamily Investor Network Conference — Discount Code: LIPSKYAsset Management Mastery Facebook GroupBreak of Day Capital Break of Day Capital InstagramBreak of Day Capital YouTubeGary Lipsky on LinkedInJoseph Fang on LinkedIn

Why you should listenLearn how Feras turned a layoff into an opportunity, growing multiple successful businesses.Gain practical advice on sales, marketing, and scaling your business from someone who's done it all.Discover the importance of strategic partnerships and certifications in building credibility and driving growth.Navigating the complexities of payroll and other business operations can be overwhelming, especially when it leads to short-changing yourself. In this episode, I chat with Feras Alhlou from StartUpwithFeras.com about his incredible journey from being laid off in 2003 to becoming the world's number one Google Analytics partner. Feras also shares his insights on sales, marketing, and scaling a business and his commitment to mentoring over 150 founders. Whether you're just starting or looking to grow your business, this episode is packed with valuable advice and practical tips.About Feras Alhlou Feras has founded, grown, and sold businesses in Silicon Valley and abroad, scaling them from zero revenue to 7 and 8 figures. In 2019, Feras sold e-Nor, a digital marketing consulting company, to dentsu (a top-5 global media company). Feras has served as an advisor to 150+ founders. In his current venture, Start-Up With Feras, he's on a mission to help entrepreneurs in the consulting and services space start and grow their businesses smarter and stronger. Resources and LinksStartupwithferas.comFeras's LinkedIn profileStart-Up With Feras YouTube channelFacebook page: Start Up With FerasFeras on Instagram:@StartUpFerasFeras on Twitter:@ferasa Get Feras's Book: Analytics Breakthrough: From Zero to Business ImpactPrevious episode: 546 - When to Hire Your First Salesperson with Rory GalvinCheck out more episodes of The Paul Higgins ShowPaul Higgins Mentoring YouTube channelTech Consultant's RoadmapJoin our newsletterJoin the Tech CollectiveSuggested resourcesFind out more about Paul and how he can help you

What's the number one deal killer, and how can you stop it from happening? Find out in this episode of “The Sales Evangelist Podcast.” Join me as I delve into a conversation with Feras Alhlou, a seasoned professional with a wealth of knowledge in sales strategies, business growth, and entrepreneurial advice. With a career spanning over two decades, Feras is a treasure trove of insights on deal killers, effective follow-up techniques, and customer engagement strategies that boost sales performance.  Don't miss out on the opportunity to gain from his expertise-hit play now! Feras Alhlou's Background Feras Alhlou boasts over 25 years of experience in Silicon Valley, having navigated the highs and lows of the startup ecosystem.  Originally hailing from sunny Florida, he found himself in the tech hub of the world, where he rose to the position of Vice President at a cutting-edge high-tech company. However, after experiencing a layoff during a dry job market, Feras took destiny into his own hands by co-founding a business with a friend.  Today, Feras is dedicated to helping other entrepreneurs scale their businesses to seven and eight figures while avoiding the pitfalls he encountered on his journey. Identifying and Eliminating Deal Killers Right at the beginning of the episode, we tackle one of the most critical issues in sales: deal killers.  Listen to Fera discuss how delayed response and poor time management keep reps from closing deals at 4:58. The 2-1-2 Sales System Around the 10:05 mark of the episode, Feras introduces the 2-1-2 system. It's a robust framework to enhance sales responsiveness and efficiency.  The system emphasizes responding to inbound leads within 2 hours, taking the first available meeting slot provided by the client, and sending follow-up proposals within 2 business days. This proactive approach to sales follow-up can make or break deals. Effective Follow-Up Techniques Traditional follow-ups like sending a generic "checking in" email are ineffective. Instead, Feras advocates for adding value to every communication.  Whether it's an insightful article or data relevant to the client's industry, providing meaningful updates keeps you in mind and demonstrates your commitment to their success. Always add value in follow-up communications to stand out and build stronger customer relationships. "If you left a positive impression on these people, guess what? They'll remember you the next time around when they go to another company." - Feras Alhlou. Resources Startup With Feras Startup With Feras YouTube Feras Alhlou on LinkedIn Startup With Feras Facebook Startup With Feras Instagram Feras Alhlou on X Sponsorship Offers This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot. With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales. 2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn. Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse. 3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation. Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin. Credits As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We'd love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

Ever wondered how a sudden layoff could be the best thing to ever happen to you? Join me, Anika Jackson, as I chat with Feras Alhlou, a formidable entrepreneur who turned an unexpected job loss into a thriving series of startups. Feras opens up about the heartbreak of losing his VP role in Silicon Valley and how leveraging his network led him to co-found a business during the dawn of the internet. Through his story, you'll gain invaluaNavigating the tumultuous waters of career setbacks can often lead to unforeseen opportunities. This is precisely what we explore in the latest episode of our podcast, "Turning Layoffs into Launchpads: Faris Ahlu's Entrepreneurial Journey." Hosted by Anika Jackson, this episode dives deep into the life of Faris Ahlu, an entrepreneur who transformed a sudden job loss into a thriving business career. From the heartbreak of losing a VP role in Silicon Valley to co-founding multiple startups, Faris's story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of leveraging one's network. ble insights into the unpredictable yet rewarding path of entrepreneurship, and the importance of starting a venture while financially stable. Throughout our discussion, Feras emphasizes the importance of spotting opportunities within challenges, and how the initial struggles of gaining traction paved the way to substantial success. From building an offshore team for backend development to achieving eight-figure financial success and selling his business to a global media company, Feras reveals the strategic decisions that shaped his journey. The conversation underscores the fun, energy, and camaraderie of the early stages of a business, and the critical role of having a co-founder who complements your skills and values. For those aspiring to grow their businesses, especially Gen Z entrepreneurs, Feras shares vital principles for business growth and the folly of quick-fix solutions. He also explores the significance of lifelong learning, adaptability, and the power of soft skills in a tech-driven world. If you're considering expanding your business internationally or seeking financial support, Feras provides practical advice and resources, including insights from his own expansion to Dubai. Reflecting on his journey, Feras concludes with a powerful message on building a legacy through service, compassion, and usefulness, inspired by the wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Don't miss this episode filled with actionable insights and inspiring stories. We're happy you're here! Like the pod? Visit our website! Start your trial on Simplified!

How did Feras Alhlou transform a career setback into a multi-million-dollar success story? Discover the incredible journey of this Bay Area entrepreneur and consultant who rebounded from the dot-com bubble burst in 2003 to build and sell his company, Enor, to Dentsu in 2019. Ferris opens up about the emotional toll of being laid off, the invaluable lessons he learned, and how recognizing and leveraging transferable skills played a crucial role in his entrepreneurial success.Throughout our conversation, Feras emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability in overcoming life's unexpected challenges. From mastering sales skills to strategically outsourcing weaknesses, he provides actionable advice on how to navigate the ups and downs of business. Ferris also shares his insights on the necessity of clear job role definitions and smart hiring strategies, drawing on his extensive experience to offer practical tips for both budding and seasoned entrepreneurs.Finally, we explore the motivations behind Feras' decision to sell Enor, the significance of transparency and teamwork during tough times, and the profound impact of gratitude and service on building thriving communities. Ferris's story is a testament to the perseverance required for genuine growth and a reminder that success is often a result of dedication and hard work. Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your business, this episode is packed with inspiration and wisdom to guide you on your entrepreneurial journey.Join the What if it Did Work movement on FacebookGet the Book!www.omarmedrano.comwww.calendly.com/omarmedrano/15min

"If you happen to be laid off or you know someone who's laid off, it is hard, acknowledge that, mourn for a couple of days, but then you just gotta get yourself back up and go out and just knock on doors."- Feras Alhlou SummaryFeras Alhlou shares his journey from a painful layoff to founding and scaling businesses in Silicon Valley. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance, learning sales from the ground up, and taking risks. Feras highlights the need to invest in oneself, learn new tools and technologies, and specialize in a niche to stand out in the market. He also discusses the challenges and rewards of being a founder and the importance of commitment and responsibility in both personal and professional life.TakeawaysPerseverance and learning from failures are key to success in entrepreneurship.Investing in oneself and continuously learning new tools and technologies is crucial for personal and professional growth.Specializing in a niche and becoming an expert in that area helps to stand out in the market.Commitment and responsibility are important in both personal and professional life.Success requires hard work, dedication, and the ability to learn and adapt.Chapters00:00- Introduction and Background06:20- The Decision to Bet on Yourself13:33- Investing in Yourself and Learning23:40- The Importance of Differentiation32:37- Lessons from Personal and Professional PivotsConnect with Feras Alhlou LinkedIn- linkedin.com/in/ferasalhlouYouTube- youtube.com/@StartUpWithFeras Website- startupwithferas.com/ Ever wish you could pick Wesleyne's brain? Now you can. Check out AskWesleyne.Com to find the answers to all your sales, leadership, mindset and business question. For daily tips on sales and leadership connect with WesleyneLinkedIn- linkedin.com/in/wesleyne Instagram- @wesleynewhittakerTiktok- https://www.tiktok.com/@thewesleynewhittaker Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/transformedsales Youtube- www.youtube.com/@wesleynewhittaker Website- TransformedSales.com Email- podcast@transformedsales.com

Have you ever heard the stories of a business that promised employees a payout at the sale of it, only to have their promised share to be diluted or eliminated right before the sale happened? I know I have heard some of those before.Our guest today is Feras Alhlou who shares with us a wealth of great business growth information, but most importantly, how when he sold his business for 8-figures he kept his word to his employees.TODAY'S WIN-WIN: There are no shortcuts to success.LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:You can visit our guest's website at: https://www.startupwithferas.com/ Get a copy of our guest's book: CLICK HERE.Attend our Franchise Sales Training Workshop:  https://bigskyfranchiseteam.com/franchisesalestraining/If you are ready to franchise your business or take it to the next level: CLICK HERE.Connect with our guest on social:YouTube: www.youtube.com/@StartUpWithFerasLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/FerasAlhlouFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartUpFerasInstagram: instagram.com/StartUpFerasTwitter: https://twitter.com/ferasaABOUT OUR GUEST:Feras has founded, grown, and sold businesses in Silicon Valley and abroad, scaling them from zero revenue to 7 and 8 figures.In 2019, Feras sold e-Nor, a digital marketing consulting company, to Dentsu (a top-5 global media company).Feras has served as an advisor to 150+ founders. In his current venture, Start Up With Feras, he's on a mission to help entrepreneurs in the consulting and services space start and grow their businesses smarter and stronger. ABOUT BIG SKY FRANCHISE TEAM:This episode is powered by Big Sky Franchise Team. If you are ready to talk about franchising your business you can schedule your free, no-obligation, franchise consultation online at: https://bigskyfranchiseteam.com/ or by calling Big Sky Franchise Team at: 855-824-4759. 

SUMMARY In this episode, Jeremy interviews Feras Alhulu, a business advisor and martial artist. They discuss the parallels between martial arts and business, including the importance of learning from mistakes, the need for discipline and structure, and the concept of sacrifice and service. Feras shares his journey in both martial arts and business, highlighting the value of continuous learning and the pursuit of mastery. They also touch on the importance of deliberate practice and the benefits of training with different people and in different arts. In this conversation, Jeremy and Feras discuss the importance of having a broad understanding and training in multiple disciplines, both in martial arts and in business. They emphasize the value of finding partners and employees who complement your skills and the importance of discipline and consistency in achieving progress. They also discuss the role of martial arts in self-defense and the importance of de-escalation and avoiding conflict. Feras shares his insights on building a successful business and the importance of being useful, honorable, and compassionate in life. TAKEAWAYS * There are parallels between martial arts and business, including the importance of learning from mistakes and the need for discipline and structure. * Continuous learning and the pursuit of mastery are key in both martial arts and business. * Deliberate practice and training with different people and in different arts can enhance learning and growth. * Sacrifice and service are integral aspects of martial arts and can be applied to business as well. * The road to mastery requires hours of practice, learning from different sources, and applying knowledge in various contexts. Having a broad understanding and training in multiple disciplines is important for both martial artists and business owners. * Finding partners and employees who complement your skills can lead to greater success. * Discipline and consistency are key to making progress in any endeavor. * De-escalation and avoiding conflict are important aspects of self-defense. * Building a successful business involves more than just making money; it also involves creating a positive business culture and helping others. * Being useful, honorable, and compassionate are important values to live by.

Want to learn how to grow your startup?In this episode of 7-8 Figure Special Series I interviewed Feras Alhlou.  Feras has founded, grown, and sold businesses in Silicon Valley and abroad, scaling them from zero revenue to 7 and 8 figures. In 2019, Feras sold e-Nor, a digital marketing consultancy, to dentsu (a top-5 global media company).Feras has served as an advisor to 150+ other new businesses. In his current venture, Start Up With Feras, he's on a mission to help entrepreneurs in the consulting and services space start and grow their businesses smarter and stronger.Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Check this out!Show Links:Start Up With Feras Website: http://tinyurl.com/startupwithferasStart Up With Feras YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StartUpWithFerasBook a call with Michelle: https://go.appointmentcore.com/book/IcFD4cGJoin our Facebook group for business owners to get help or help other business owners!The Business Ownership Group - Secrets to Scaling: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessownershipsecretstoscalingLooking to scale your business? Get free gifts here to help you on your way: https://www.awarenessstrategies.com/

Feras Alhlou shares his journey from being laid off in a dry market to launching his own successful business.  He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and readiness to pivot in the face of unexpected challenges.  Feras also discusses the role of personal responsibility and the need to take proactive action to achieve success.  He highlights the significance of surrounding oneself with the right people and constantly learning and improving.  Feras shares his experiences in the early days of web design and online marketing, and how he navigated the evolving landscape of technology and AI.  Feras shares his journey of starting and growing a successful analytics business, emphasizing the importance of specialization and finding the right business partners.  He discusses the challenges of selling to Fortune 500 companies and the importance of continuous learning and improvement.  Feras also advises young entrepreneurs and emphasizes the need for hard work and building a strong network.  He cautions against following shady gurus and encourages authenticity and listening to the customer. Feras shares his resources, including his YouTube channel and newsletter, Startup with Ferris. https://blog.thesaleswhisperer.com/p/feras-alhlou Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:57 Adaptability and Pivoting in Entrepreneurship 05:40 Surrounding Yourself with the Right People and Constant Learning 10:15 Personal Responsibility and Proactive Action 26:44 Challenges and Lessons in Selling to Fortune 500 Companies 28:28 The Importance of Continuous Learning and Improvement 36:59 Hard Work and Building a Strong Network for Career Advancement 48:07 Beware of Shady Gurus and Seek Advice from Successful Individuals 53:14 Authenticity and Listening to the Customer in Business   Market like you mean it. Now go sell something.   SUBSCRIBE to sell more, faster, at higher margins, with less stress, and more fun! https://www.youtube.com/@TheSalesWhispererWes ----- Connect with me: Twitter -- https://twitter.com/saleswhisperer TikTok -- https://www.tiktok.com/@thesaleswhisperer Instagram -- http://instagram.com/saleswhisperer LinkedIn -- http://www.linkedin.com/in/thesaleswhisperer/ Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/wes.sandiegocrm Facebook Page -- https://www.facebook.com/thesaleswhisperer Vimeo -- https://vimeo.com/thesaleswhisperer Podcast -- https://feeds.libsyn.com/44487/rss Sales Book -- https://www.thesaleswhisperer.com/c/way-book   BUSINESS GROWTH TOOLS https://12WeeksToPeak.com https://CopyByWes.com https://CRMQuiz.com https://TheBestSalesSecrets.com https://MakeEverySale.com https://www.TheSalesWhisperer.com/

Colin chats with Feras Alhlou, co-founder of Startup with Ferris, about scaling businesses and preparing for larger contracts. Ferris shares insights on learning from competitors, building a strong business, and the importance of passion, skills, and sacrifice in entrepreneurship. They also discuss the process of selling a business and the evolving landscape of startups.Follow the Host:Collin Mitchell (Partner, Leadium)Our Episode Guest:Feras Alhlou (Co-founder, Startup with Feras)Sponsored By:Leadium | The leader in outbound sales appointment setting*If you'd like to be a guest on the show or have any questions, email us at guest@salestransformation.co - Just tell us why you're reaching out and we'll contact you as soon as we can!

Are you ready to dive into the world of entrepreneurship with an expert? Join us in welcoming Feras Alhlou, an entrepreneur, author, speaker and board member who has not only founded and scaled businesses in Silicon Valley and beyond but also mastered the art of turning ideas into 7 and 8-figure ventures. In 2019, he made headlines by selling his digital marketing consulting company, e-Nor, to Dentsu, a top-5 global media company. In his current venture, Start Up With Feras, he empowers aspiring entrepreneurs in the consulting and services sector to kickstart and thrive in their ventures.With over 150 founders under his advisory wing, Feras brings a wealth of experience, insights, and a dash of martial arts prowess (yes, he's a 3rd-degree black belt in Aikido) to the table. Conquer Local is presented by Vendasta. We have proudly served 5.5+ million local businesses through 60,000+ channel partners, agencies, and enterprise-level organizations. Learn more about Vendasta, and we can help your organization or learn more about Vendasta's Affiliate Program and how our listeners (like yourself) make up to $10,000 off referrals.Are you an entrepreneur, salesperson, or marketer? Then, keep the learning going in the Conquer Local Academy.

Colin interviews Feras Alhlou, co-founder of Startup with Feras, who shares his journey into entrepreneurship after being forced into it due to a layoff. Ferris discusses the challenges he faced starting a web design and search engine optimization business in the early days of the internet. He highlights the importance of learning sales skills, sharing his experience of starting without any sales background and the strategies he used to overcome rejection and scale his business successfully.Follow the Host:Collin Mitchell (Partner, Leadium)Our Episode Guest:Feras Alhlou (Co-founder, Startup with Feras)Sponsored By:Leadium | The leader in outbound sales appointment setting*If you'd like to be a guest on the show or have any questions, email us at guest@salestransformation.co - Just tell us why you're reaching out and we'll contact you as soon as we can!

Survivor Global host Shannon Guss talks to Australian Survivor star Feras Basal about the current state of Survivor 46, inquding the sponsor led drama, the players' best paths to the end, an amazing Qmeo and much more.

Survivor Global host Shannon Guss talks to Australian Survivor star Feras Basal about the current state of Survivor 46, inquding the sponsor led drama, the players' best paths to the end, an amazing Qmeo and much more.

Australian Survivor RHAPups host Shannon Guss speaks to Australian Survivor Rebel Feras Basal about his season on Titans V Rebels. They discuss his journey and decisions from the pre-season through the game and beyond, including the season's many motifs, the importance of representation and the sense of fun that he brought to the show.