Alok Kumar, founder of CozmoX, joins me for a raw and revealing conversation about the brutal decisions founders face — including why he had to let go of 86 people, how AI is reshaping everything from company structure to customer experience, and the emotional toll of building in public.We dive deep into:- What no one tells you about layoffs and leadership- The CozmoX origin story and vision for AI-powered commerce- How founders can build faster and leaner in the age of AI- What happens when your product vision is too earlyTry Cozmox here https://www.cozmox.ai/Whether you're a startup founder, operator, or just curious about the future of AI and business, this is a masterclass in hard truths, bold decisions, and staying human through it all.📌 Chapters:00:00 – Intro: Who is Alok Kumar?02:10 – The brutal decision to fire 86 people07:45 – How CozmoX is using AI to disrupt online shopping14:22 – What most founders get wrong about product-market fit21:50 – Why building in public can be painful — but powerful28:33 – Alok’s message to other struggling founders34:10 – The future of AI agents in commerce40:05 – Rapid-fire: personal habits, books, and startup advice🎙 Hosted by Mahmoud Khodor – founder, builder, and host of one of the Middle East’s top business podcasts.🔔 Subscribe for more no-BS conversations with real builders.