What happens after the deal is signed, when growth gets real, and the chaos begins?Welcome to MentorEd, a podcast for leaders navigating growth, and all the complexity that comes with it. Co-hosted by Ed Roberto and Adel Hameed, this series brings you honest, unfiltered conversations for those building fast and thinking deep.In this minisode, Ed, an experienced founder and executive with multiple exits to the New York Stock Exchange, mentors Adel through the gritty realities of post-acquisition integration, where strategic vision collides with operational truth.Together, they unpack:- How to evaluate leadership quality in a company you're acquiring- Why culture clashes and unbalanced executive teams often kill M&A deals- What tools like CCAT and DISC can (and can’t) tell you about your future leadership team- How to handle situations where technical "keyholders" resist integration- The uncomfortable truth about who makes the cut, and who doesn’tIf you’re eyeing an acquisition, preparing for a merger, or navigating complex people dynamics in your scale-up, this episode delivers clarity grounded in experience.Got a question for Ed? Drop it in the comments or visit sausleadership.com.Subscribe and stay sharp, MentorEd is just getting started.Brought to you by A8 Strategy.

Welcome to the first minisode of MentorEd: a sharp, real-world mentorship series for founders, entrepreneurs, and emerging startup leaders. Co-hosted by Ed Roberto and Adel Hameed, this series delivers fast doses of clarity for when you're building a company and doubting everything at once.In this episode, Ed, an experienced founder, investor, and executive, mentors Adel through one of the most complex and high-stakes topics in startup growth: how to know if your company is ready for M&A.Together, they explore:- Why strategic clarity, not just capital, is essential before acquiring- How companies like Amazon entered MENA through acquisition, and why others like Yahoo failed- What founders need to get right when it comes to culture, integration, and leadership trust- The critical difference between strategy and execution in a high-risk M&A environmentIf you’re navigating scale, considering acquisition, or managing the fog between growth and chaos, this minisode brings mentorship that’s short, sharp, and grounded in experience.Got a question for Ed to tackle next? Drop it in the comments or visit sausleadership.com.Subscribe and stay tuned, MentorEd is just getting started.Brought to you by A8 Strategy.

MentorEd Preface: Why This Podcast, and Why Now?

Welcome to MentorEd, a new podcast from the Coffee and Career Chats universe. If CCC dives deep into bold career pivots and startup leadership, MentorEd slows it down, with fast, focused minisodes for founders and leaders navigating doubt, strategy, and scale.
In this kickoff preface, host Adel Hameed introduces the heart behind MentorEd, joined by co-host and mentor Ed Roberto, a founder, investor, and executive with decades of hard-won startup wisdom.
What to expect:

• Real-time mentorship, unscripted
• Two perspectives: Middle East & U.S.
• Fast clarity for when you're building under pressure

Built for builders. Made for messy moments. Grounded in experience.