In this episode of Entrepreneurial Excellence, we delve into the multifaceted world of entrepreneurship with Aaref Hilaly, Founder of Clearwell and Partner at Bain Capital Ventures.

Aaref discusses his journey as a first-time CEO, sharing invaluable lessons from his successes and mistakes. He emphasizes that entrepreneurial excellence is a blend of IQ, EQ, insight, and leadership, and that success comes from determination and hard work, regardless of innate abilities.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to achieve entrepreneurial excellence and the key factors that drive success in the competitive world of tech startups!

Key Topics:

-Defining entrepreneurial excellence and success

-Challenges of balancing founder and CEO roles

-Importance of company culture and proactive compensation

-Investing in startups and key success factors

-Insights on generational differences and work ethic

Quote From The Episode:

I've never judged things by outcomes or by what other people think.

- Aaref Hilaly

Timestamp:

[00:00] Podcast Intro

[03:03] Adam and Aaref conversed about defining and achieving entrepreneurial excellence.

[08:23] Adam and Aaref talked about the common mistakes founders make, the importance of learning and self-education.

[17:08] Aaref delved into the importance of building a core team with cultural fit.

[24:25] Adam and Aaref explored the challenges of recruiting talent for startups.

[30:05] Aaref discussed the evolution of leadership styles.

[34:18] Adam and Aaref discussed the influence of location on startup success.

[39:42] Aaref talks about the influx of talent into the startup ecosystem.

[46:09] Adam and Aaref delve into the importance of maintaining an open mind both as an investor and a founder..

[50:01] Aaref emphasized how the perception of winning drives hard work and dedication within a company.

[57:38] Aaref touched on the factors that drive employee motivation and satisfaction.

[1:05:03] Adam and Aaref explored the reasons behind the failure of startups despite initial promise.

[1:11:21] Aaref shared experiences of missed investment opportunities and lessons learned from them.

[1:18:13] Outro

Connect with Aaref Hilaly:

Website -https://baincapitalventures.com/team/aaref-hilaly/

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/aarefhilaly

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence:

Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence