Seven Years In: What a Startup Taught Me About Grit, Growth & Giving Back

Seven years ago, I joined a startup with nothing more than a fresh degree, wide eyes, and a heart full of ambition. I still remember the day I sat across from Mouammar Alhadidi, pitching myself as someone who could learn fast, do the work, and add value even if I didn’t yet know how. He saw something in me, and I saw something in the opportunity. That was all we needed to begin.

We didn’t have big funding or perfect systems. We didn’t have titles or departments. What we had was grit. Purpose. Long nights and early mornings. And a belief that if we built it with our hands and our hearts, it would one day matter. I joined not for stability, but because I wanted to grow. I stayed because I did.

In that first year, I wore every hat: I took calls, fixed slides, pitched to clients, closed deals, failed fast, and learned even faster. I learned that passion can get you started, but it’s structure, systems, and relentless iteration that keep you going. I learned how to lead before I had a title. How to speak up even when I wasn’t sure. How to navigate chaos and still deliver. I saw what it meant to build something real, from nothing.

There were days I doubted myself. Days I thought about walking away. But every time, I remembered why I started: because I believed that this work could shape me into the leader I wanted to become. And it did. Over the years, I grew from a fresh graduate into a strategist, a team leader, and eventually, a partner. I watched our company go from a small, determined team to something bigger than any of us had imagined. And I’m proud to say I helped build it.

Today, I stand not just with experience, but with a mission. I’ve partnered with Strada&Co as Head of Entrepreneurs & Founders Advisory, where I now work side by side with other founders and emerging leaders to help them navigate what I once faced alone. I don’t come with empty theory, I come with stories, scars, and a toolkit built in the field.

Because here’s what I’ve learned: passion is essential, but it’s only the beginning. Founders need more than inspiration; they need clarity, structure, and resilience. They need someone who’s been through the trenches to say: “You’re not crazy. You’re just building". At Strada&Co, we bring the frameworks, but we also bring empathy. We know how it feels to question yourself, to carry the pressure, to scale without losing your soul.

If you’re building something meaningful, I see you. I’ve been you. And now, I’m here to walk alongside you, with the lessons I’ve earned, and the belief that your vision deserves to last.

Seven years ago, I joined a startup because I wanted to grow. Today, I partner with others so they can lead with confidence, clarity, and courage.

Abeer Shared

Head of Entrepreneurs & Founders Advisory

Strada&Co