The MentorEd Show

"Look, I do have some constructive feedback for you... I don't want the answer right then and there because it will be likely emotional and defensive. I want them to go away and stew on that topic for a couple of days, and then let's sit down and have a conversation." - Ed Roberto In this episode, Ed and Adel talk about: How to properly vet a startup's culture in an interview...

"If the CEO says, 'Hey, we've gotta make this product enhancement today'...the first question anyone should ask...is 'Great. I understand what we need to do. I have two other projects on my plate that are due by this date. Are you okay if they're late?'" - Ed Roberto In this episode, Ed and Adel talk about: The delicate balance between a slow, hierarchical culture...

"As the CEO you, you need to start looking in the mirror and asking yourself, what are the behaviors that I bring to my business, my management team that holds us back? Because you could be the problem, certainly." - Ed Roberto In this episode, Ed and Adel talk about: Why a lack of team trust almost always starts with the CEO's own behaviors and mindset. How to deal with the "sm...

"Any leader...has to develop a very, very acute skillset, which is called listening with intent... I don't think people actively listen. I think they have something to say and they're so intent on saying what it is that's on their mind that if you're very lucky, half their brain is processing what's being said." - Ed RobertoIn this episode, Ed and Adel talk about:How to effectively manage a founde...

"In hard times, there's a lot of opportunity. In fact, the worst the times are probably the better it is to go start a company. When everyone's afraid, get excited. When everyone's excited, start to worry." - Ed RobertoIn this episode, Ed and Adel talk about:The critical mindset shift is required to go from a safe corporate job to a high-risk startup founder. The right (and wrong) reasons to start...

"The founder's job is to and it's, actually, they're the only person that can do this job. They have to start thinking about, gosh, am I ready to slow down? Am I ready to let go of the reigns?" - Ed RobertoIn this episode, Ed and Adel talk about:The essential playbook for grooming the next generation of leaders for your business. Why you must select a successor based on the future skills the compa...

"You have an expectation for liquidity. At some point in time in the future, you expect to have a way of selling your interest for an impactful return... How do you get liquidity? The company can buy you out... You could sell your shares to another interested investor... or the business is big enough... to go public." - Ed Roberto. In this episode, Ed and Adel talk about:The three ways a growing b...

"The founder's job is to, and it's actually, they're the only person that can do this job. They have to start thinking,'Gosh, am I ready to slow down?' Am I ready to let go of the reigns?" - Ed Roberto In this episode, Ed and Adel talk about: - Succession planning is one of the most difficult and emotional challenges for any founder. - How to choose a successor based...

Many founders think a CFO is just a senior accountant. This is a critical mistake. A great CFO is a strategic partner who uses data to predict the future and hold the entire leadership team accountable. In this minisode, Ed breaks down the essential qualities of a world-class CFO, focusing on Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), the importance of KPIs, and why their most important job is to deliv...

Your startup needs a risky bridge round and your product is failing. In the ensuing panic, do you start looking for someone to blame? In this minisode, Ed reframes these crises around the three core functions of a Board of Directors. Learn why radical transparency is key to fundraising, why scapegoating is a CEO's biggest red flag, and what a board really does when they lose confidence in a founde...

It’s often the first money into a startup, but the Friends & Family round is filled with emotional and ethical traps. Should you take your best friend's savings? How do you manage expectations? In this minisode, Ed provides a clear guide to navigating this crucial first step. Learn the one rule you must never break, how to honor the trust placed in you, and the critical difference between a co-fou...

Who should be on your board, and who from your team should attend the meetings? These are critical questions that define your company's culture and transparency. In this minisode, Ed provides a clear framework for both, arguing that excluding your leadership team from board meetings is a sign of weakness. Learn how to compose your board, train your team for board interactions, and use your board a...

You have 60 days of cash left, your best customers are demanding a new product, and your mentors give conflicting advice. What do you do? In this minisode, Ed explains why the short runway is the only problem that matters and the immediate, drastic steps a founder must take to survive. Learn about the "gray zone" of decision-making and the proactive framework—the Weekly Business Review—t...

There is immense pressure when you're scaling a business. But focusing solely on market share is one of the most common startup mistakes, leading to cash flow problems and operational chaos. In this minisode, Ed Roberto discusses the flaws in the "growth at all costs" strategy. Learn how to manage your burn rate, prevent internal system breakdowns, and stay informed about your compet...

Your startup has less than three months of cash left. An investor is willing to write a check, but they want a massive chunk of your company. Do you take the deal or let your dream die? In this minisode, Ed walks through the brutal realities of this all-too-common founder crisis. Learn why you're already six months too late, what your board is really thinking, and the difficult questions you must...

Are you thinking about your first financial hire? Do you need a bookkeeper, an accountant, or a strategic CFO? Hiring the wrong one at the wrong time can be a costly mistake. In this minisode, Ed provides a clear roadmap for how a startup's financial leadership should evolve. We break down the distinct roles and pinpoint the right stage for each. Learn why establishing key performance indicato...

He had the perfect résumé from IBM and aced every interview. Six months later, he was out the door, and we were out nearly a year of progress and a massive amount of capital. The culprit? A fundamental clash of cultures. In this minisode, Ed shares a raw, first-hand account of a disastrous executive hire that became a pivotal learning moment. We explore why experience on paper can be dangerously m...

What to Do When You’re Overlooked for a Leadership Role:– Why entitlement stalls startup careers– How to support new execs while staying valuable– Hiring senior leaders too early: the hidden risks– What great interview processes actually look likeGot a question for Ed? Drop it in the comments or visit ⁠⁠sausleadership.com⁠⁠.Subscribe for more sharp, real-world founder advice. Brought to you by A8...

The Unicorn Illusion: Realistic Metrics for Startup Growth in the GCC – Why $1B valuations rarely fit emerging markets – The 5M/20M rule for growth-stage success – What founders get wrong about “expanding globally” – The hard truth about regional fragmentation in MENA Got a question for Ed? Drop it in the comments or visit ⁠⁠sausleadership.com⁠⁠. Subscribe for more sharp, real-world founder advice...

Startup Equity, Option Pools & Dilution, Explained Clearly: – What early-stage investors look for in equity splits– The right way to structure an employee option pool– Why offer letters matter more than verbal promises– What to do if you're in a market with weak legal enforcement Got a question for Ed? Drop it in the comments or visit ⁠⁠sausleadership.com⁠⁠. Subscribe for more sharp, real-...

How Startup Valuation Really Works (Without the Hype):– What “pre-money” and “post-money” actually mean– Why local market size limits your valuation– Dilution explained with clear math– The link between traction, TAM, and investor confidenceGot a question for Ed? Drop it in the comments or visit ⁠⁠sausleadership.com⁠⁠.Subscribe for more sharp, real-world founder advice. Brought to you by A8 Strate...

Why Equity in MENA Startups Isn’t What You Think – The surprising truth about common vs. preferred shares in the GCC – Why “equity” often has no real value without a liquidity event – What founders risk when giving away shares too early – How startup leaders and consultants should ask the right equity questions Got a question for Ed? Drop it in the comments or visit ⁠⁠ sausleadership.com ⁠⁠. Subsc...

How Startup Equity Really Works (And Why Most Employees Misunderstand It)– Why “you’ll get shares” often means something very different– The harsh truth about liquidity in emerging markets– The difference between owning stock vs. owning the right to buy it– How to ask founders the right questions about your equityGot a question for Ed? Drop it in the comments or visit ⁠⁠sausleadership.com⁠⁠.Subscr...

How to Avoid Getting Fired in a Startup (Even If You're Doing ‘Okay’) – Why corporate habits sabotage startup careers – The unspoken signals you're misaligned – How to spot you're in the danger zone early – Resetting your mindset before it's too late Got a question for Ed? Drop it in the comments or visit ⁠⁠ sausleadership.com ⁠⁠. Subscribe for more sharp, real-world founder advice...

How to Keep the Wrong People from Sinking Your Startup: – Entitlement, misalignment, and internal politics – When loyalty becomes a liability – Why culture must start on day one – Building a team that scales with the business Got a question for Ed? Drop it in the comments or visit ⁠ sausleadership.com ⁠. Subscribe for more sharp, real-world founder advice. Brought to you by A8 Strategy