In this episode of SkillCast, host Nurbanu sits down with a seasoned entrepreneur whose journey began at just 18 years old. Raised in a working-class family destined for the oil industry, he took an unexpected leap into entrepreneurship—launching a successful travel tech startup that quickly captured the market.But the journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. With honesty and humility, he opens up about the ups and downs of building businesses, including a later venture that didn’t go as planned. From those setbacks came valuable lessons on resilience, luck, and learning to pivot.The conversation explores the realities of working with co-founders, securing investment, navigating EdTech, and the importance of staying aligned on vision and values. Reflecting on his partnerships with younger entrepreneurs, the guest also dives into the evolving role of mentorship, family support, and how to stay grounded while scaling big ideas.Whether you’re just getting started or already building your next venture, this episode offers unfiltered insights into what it really takes to grow a business with heart, hustle, and staying power.00:00 Introduction to Season Three00:48 Guest Introduction and Background01:25 Journey into Entrepreneurship03:17 First Venture Success05:43 The Role of Luck in Business07:25 Facing Failure and Staying Motivated08:41 Exploring New Ventures and EdTech09:58 The Importance of Mentorship13:00 Challenges and Realities of Entrepreneurship16:22 Embracing Flexibility and Creativity17:09 The Importance of Complementary Partnerships18:10 Aligning on Vision and Mission19:49 Growth and Scaling Strategies21:55 Navigating Investor Relationships25:56 Personal Reflections and Family Support27:34 Overcoming Challenges and Staying Committed28:59 Final Thoughts and Advice