In this powerful episode of the Knack for Business Podcast https://k4b.buzzsprout.com/, Robin Ayoub, VP of Sales and General Manager at Lionbridge, opens up for the first time in public about his personal journey from war-torn Beirut to becoming a prominent leader in the global language industry. This is a candid and deeply personal look into Robin's life—how he overcame adversity, built resilience, and used those experiences to fuel his success in business development, leadership, and navigating the fast-evolving world of AI in language services. From humble beginnings to guiding major acquisitions and fostering innovation, Robin’s story is a testament to persistence, adaptability, and the philosophy of never giving up. Join us as he shares his leadership insights, his views on the future of AI in language, and valuable advice for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses. I want to thank Bernie Franzgrote and Wayne Pratt for the conversation, and the opportunity to share my story on K4B https://k4b.buzzsprout.com/ podcast, I am very grateful for your support. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 01:45 – Robin's Early Life in Beirut 06:15 – Overcoming Challenges: From Lebanon to Canada 10:00 – Building Resilience Through Adversity 14:30 – Robin's Entry into the Language Industry 17:50 – Scaling LexiTech and Major Acquisitions 22:30 – Navigating Leadership & Mergers 25:45 – AI in Language Services: Challenges & Opportunities 30:20 – Entrepreneurship and Business Growth Tips 34:40 – Advice for Small Business Owners 38:30 – Leading with Empathy and Leading by Example 44:15 – Preserving Language and Culture with AI 49:20 – Conclusion: Never Give Up and Keep Learning Tags: Robin Ayoub, Business Podcast, Knak for Business, Beirut to Boardroom, Language Industry, Lionbridge, LexiTech, Leadership Lessons, AI in Language Services, Business Resilience, Entrepreneurial Journey, Business Growth, Language Technology, AI and Translation, Overcoming Adversity, Canadian Entrepreneurs, Business Development, Mergers and Acquisitions, Podcast Interview, Global Business