Peter Thomsen is an entrepreneur, investor, and startup coach helping founders navigate the realities of building and backing startups from both sides of the table. With experience spanning company building, venture dynamics, and storytelling, he brings a sharp, practical lens to what it actually takes to grow a business, make the right calls, and survive the inevitable challenges that come with it.

In this episode, we unpack when founders should pivot, we explore first-time founder struggles, how to approach investor relationships, and the difference between building for growth vs. revenue.

Last Message: "Life is too short, not to try"

0:00 Intro
3:20 Peter’s background
7:40 When is the right time to pivot?
10:40 Founder/Investor relationship
16:46 When is the right time to bring an investor?
28:41 1st time founder struggles
35:28 Growth vs Revenue business models
42:25 Founders storytelling challenges
54:53 Knowing your value as a founder
1:02:11 Do your research
1:12:07 Getting the right feedback
1:19:55 Behind the hustle podcast
1:27:12 Proud
1:30:45 Last message

Follow Peter:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterthomsenx/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterthomsenx/
Website: https://www.thomsenadvisory.com/
Youtube:  @peterthomsenx  

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-abuljebain/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeithelpspod/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeithelpspod
Website: www.hopeithelps.net 

Bilal Sabouni is a research and insights leader & Regional Managing Director at Guidepoint, operating at the intersection of data, expertise, and decision-making in today’s intelligence economy. With a career built around connecting organizations to real-world expertise, he brings a unique perspective on how research is evolving in an age shaped by AI, misinformation, and information overload.

In this episode, we explore whether research is an art or a science, why AI still falls short of human judgment, and how to navigate bias, misinformation, and analysis paralysis in a world flooded with data. 

0:00 Intro
2:54 Bilal’s background
4:32 Research an art or a science
6:26 AI is still inferior to humans today
8:25 AI & Research / Guidepoint
14:20 Countering data bias in AI
17:11 The social media misinformation war
20:12 How do you select experts to add to the network?
26:35 Becoming experts in a new sector
30:23 What is research?
35:05 What is a futurist?
37:35 Analysis paralysis
41:33 Staying relevant as an expert
44:51 What makes a researcher stand out?
46:53 Research misconceptions
52:25 Guidepoint & the intelligence economy
57:29 What is an expert?
1:03:20 Insight vs structure foresight
1:04:55 Compliance & liability
1:07:22 How did Bilal enter research?
1:11:00 Bilal’s legacy
1:14:17 Proud
1:18:13 Last message

Follow Bilal:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bilalsabouni/
Website: https://www.guidepoint.com/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeithelpspod/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeithelpspod
Website: www.hopeithelps.net 

Seif El Hakim is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, Founder of The Alpha Group and host of The Alpha Talks Show, one of the region’s top podcasts. A former Mr. Olympia athlete and ex-Regional CMO at Samsung where he led a $3B business portfolio, he is now an eight-figure entrepreneur known for helping leaders and organizations unlock growth, clarity, and impact.

In this episode, we explore the journey behind transformation, we dive into why many people struggle to reach their potential, the difference between corporate and entrepreneurial thinking, and the frameworks to simplify success.

0:00 Intro
2:43 Seif’s background
3:28 What impact did martial arts have on your life?
8:40 The Samsung journey
13:50 Finding clarity
23:40 Why don’t we live up to our potential?
30:42 Entrepreneur vs corporate mindset
42:35 Coaches vs mentors
49:18 Design for success
1:00:29 Personal branding
1:09:27 Alpha Traits
1:12:34 Self-belief
1:14:32 Proud
1:16:45 Last message

Follow Seif:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/issam-alanqar-74912a7/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seifelhakim/
Website: https://seifelhakim.com/

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-abuljebain/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeithelpspod/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeithelpspod
Website: www.hopeithelps.net

*APOLOGIES TO OUR AUDIENCE FOR THE AUDIO WE RAN INTO SOME TECHNICAL ISSUES*

Issam Alnaqar is a consulting veteran and is the Managing Director at Accenture. He brings over 15 years of experience as a consultant, traveling across the world and managing global teams to break down what consulting really is. 

In this episode we dive into the biggest misconceptions, the skills and mindset required for a successful career in the field and how consulting shapes leaders who know how to think, adapt, and deliver.

Last message: "Leave the place better than you found it"

0:00 Intro
2:50 Issam’s background
4:23 Why do consultants travel so much?
10:07 What is consulting?
19:12 Learning and development in consulting
23:12 The skills consulting teaches you
26:22 Builder vs Advisor
30:05 Consulting misconceptions
35:52 Managing client expectations
41:52 Consulting career growth
49:44 Technology is changing learning & training in organizations
1:05:47 Becoming a leader
1:14:52 Leadership
1:22:37 Leadership in business vs sports (Arsenal vs United)
1:33:47 Patience & progress
1:45:22 Proud
1:46:17 Last message

Follow Issam:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/issam-alanqar-74912a7/

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-abuljebain/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeithelpspod/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeithelpspod
Website: www.hopeithelps.net 

Westley Harnett is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, coach & Founder of Satoris. He brings over 25 years of experience scaling businesses and is now on a mission with this coaching to provide people with the direction and tools they need to find their purpose, generate more clarity and grow through consistent, persistent and positive thoughts and action.

In this episode, we talk about everything from regrets and resilience, to values, fatherhood, and the cost of building a business that feels more like a prison than freedom.

Last Message: "You have greatness inside you"

0:00 Intro
2:53 Westley’s background
4:17 Should we have regrets?
17:15 Values & Intentions
31:09 Stepping up
39:04 Routines
48:49 Being aligned with yourself
59:49 Balancing empathy and discipline
1:07:34 What is a family?
1:12:59 Mission to change 1 million lives
1:17:13 Proud
1:19:16 Last message

Follow Westley:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/westley-harnett-59027514a/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/satoriscoaching/

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-abuljebain/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeithelpspod/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeithelpspod
Website: www.hopeithelps.net 

Lucas Poelman is a former pro tennis player turned tech founder who’s on a mission to reinvent the web. After walking away from the court, he co-founded PeachWeb and launched its latest creation, PeachMagic, a tool that lets anyone build stunning 3D websites in minutes. 

In this episode, we explore his journey from athlete to innovator, why 3D websites are the future and how his work is shaping the future of online creativity and digital expression.

Last Message: "Choose your team wisely"

0:00 Intro
2:38 Lucas’s background
3:02 Early Pro Tennis Career
8:21 Tennis rankings
10:51 The athlete identity crisis / leaving tennis
13:49 Moving from Brazil to Slovenia
20:45 Launching a software/app development company
26:21 The birth of 3D Websites
30:51 Creating a 3D Website builder
40:21 The evolution of websites
47:51 Do you still need a website in 2025?
51:11 Scrollytelling
53:31 Build a 3D website in 4 steps
58:10 The team is the secret
1:06:56 Proud
1:07:57 Last message

Follow Lucas:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-poelman-5a729583/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peachweb.io/
Website: https://peachweb.io/

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-abuljebain/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeithelpspod/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeithelpspod
Website: www.hopeithelps.net 

Ajinkya Tanpure is a mechanical engineer turned venture capitalist turned fintech founder. He is the Founder & CEO of Crossval on a mission to eliminate the pain of accounting with automation, AI, and smart financial workflows. 

In this episode, we talk about his leap from engineering to finance, the realities of the founder-to-CEO journey, and why good communication, clear positioning, and tracking what matters can make or break your startup.

Last Message: "Being successful is about finding balance"

0:00 Intro
3:02 AJ’s background
3:57 Switching from engineering to finance
11:04 Should you join a VC when you’re young?
15:49 The founder journey is the same
25:04 The importance of communication for founders
33:14 Positioning
35:30 Going from founder to CEO
43:39 Why is finance hard to learn?
47:59 Crossval Academy
52:15 Why we don’t like to track
1:00:22 Crossval is revolutionizing your accounting
1:10:44 Working with startups vs enterprise
1:16:20 What is Crossval?
1:18:39 Accounting pain points
1:22:45 Gov’t initiatives supporting Crossval
1:25:04 Biggest challenge launching fintech company
1:32:44 Proud
1:34:14 Last message

Follow Ajinkya:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajinkyatanpure/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossval_/
Website: https://www.crossval.com/

Follow Hope It Helps:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-abuljebain/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeithelpspod/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeithelpspod
Website: www.hopeithelps.net 

Samar Singh Jodha is a photographer, installation artist, mentor, speaker & publisher who, over the last 25 years, has been using photography, film and public art projects across the world to address various issues such as community development and conservation. In this episode we deep dive the world of art, creativity & discover the secret to fueling your passion.

Last Message: "How will you use your privilege for good?"

0:00 Intro
3:06 Samar’s background
13:26 How would you define art?
16:21 Judgement of art
20:59 Art is about emotion
26:19 Your passion doesn’t have to be your career
32:45 Boredom is the greatest gift
42:16 How many lives can you live?
48:38 Art across different cultures
55:21 Tolerance & adaptability
1:00:00 How do you measure the success of a project?
1:06:55 Listening to wisdom of elders
1:15:23 Proud
1:18:26 Last message

Follow Samar:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samarjodha/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samarjodha/
Website: https://samarsinghjodha.com/

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-abuljebain/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeithelpspod/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeithelpspod
Website: www.hopeithelps.net 

Sami Khoury is a Mindset Coach, Sales Trainer & Founder of Mind Resilience Training, a learning experience hub, specializing in equipping teams with the science-based leadership and resilience skills for today's dynamic corporate landscape. 

In this episode, we dive into the art of group learning, why unlearning is so hard, and how trust, empathy, and authenticity fuel real transformation.

Last Message: "Be real, be authentic, be yourself"

0:00 Intro
3:25 Sami’s background
5:36 Workshops & Trainings
11:15 Energy levels & engagement
18:35 Group learning challenges
23:25 What is learning?
27:15 Where do people struggle most?
31:30 Internal vs external world
35:00 Sami’s passion for personal development
38:15 Empathy
41:30 Why is unlearning hard?
48:55 Theory vs Practice
53:00 Trust
1:04:32 What have you learnt about people?
1:07:48 Proud
1:09:35 Last Message 

Follow Sami:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samikhoury1/
Website: https://www.mindresiliencetraining.com/

Follow Hope It Helps:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-abuljebain/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeithelpspod/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeithelpspod
Website: www.hopeithelps.net 

Jad Halaoui an engineer-turned-entrepreneur and the co-founder of Washmen, one of the UAE’s leading on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning platforms. After starting his career in the oil and gas sector with Schlumberger, he made the leap into the startup world, building a tech-enabled service company from the ground up. 

In this episode, we dive into his founder journey, lessons from scaling a services business in the Middle East, and what it takes to innovate in traditional industries.

Last Message: "Ask yourself, Am I successful because of this or in spite of this?"

0:00 Intro
2:56 Jad’s background
14:14 Joining Washmen
17:00 Shifting mindset to ask for help
25:03 The impact of having multiple coaches
34:09 Washmen’s turning point
47:42 Building trust with your customers
54:09 Failure
1:02:55 Proud
1:06:59 Last message

Follow Jad:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jad-halaoui/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/superficialjad/
Website: https://www.washmen.com/

Follow Hope It Helps:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-abuljebain/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeithelpspod/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeithelpspod
Website: www.hopeithelps.net