Get to know our Endeavor Mentor Adi Soozin, Founder & CEO of Molo9, in this mentor spotlight.
Why did you decide to join the Endeavor Network?
I believe that societal changes are born in the startup ecosystem. If you have faith that the future of humanity can be greater than our present, you should want to help the next generation of startups to be successful in bringing about those changes.
Tell us about your background and why you decided to become a mentor.
When I was in college the 2008 recession hit. At this time, I was studying to complete my Bachelor’s Degree in Medicinal & Biological Chemistry
In response to the recession, many of my friends began creating side hustles to pay their way through college degrees that were no longer affordable for their parents. One of the side hustles that I grabbed was working nights & weekends for a local startup. I did not realize how much valuable knowledge I had accumulated growing up with two small business owners for parents until I saved the CEO of this startup from an intellectual property thief.
After this, my boss invited me to work alongside her on projects with Porsche, Whole Foods, Target & Disney. This startup’s success led my college friends to ask for help with growing their own startup ideas. What started as a side-gig, turned out to be the launch pad for my lifelong career in marketing.
This startup experience led me to be hired to run an Apple SIS in northern Italy. After I successfully doubled sales within one year (without increasing the marketing budget by so much as $1), the Regional Head (of Western Europe) flew to Italy to see what I was doing so that he could direct his other Apple SIS managers to replicate my strategies throughout all of our European locations.
Following this experience, IE Business School accepted my application to pursue my MBA at their gorgeous campus in Madrid, Spain. At every milestone, I have been very lucky to have a mentor materialize and tell me where my skills can be used for the greatest good.
When I moved to Miami, I asked a local startup legend where I should plug in to give back to the local startup ecosystem & he said Endeavor.
Again, if you have faith that the future of humanity can be greater than it currently is, you should want to help the next generation of startups to be successful in bringing about those changes.
What are the most important qualities and characteristics that mentors should have?
You have to believe that the founder you are mentoring has the knowledge, experience & abilities to create a $100,000,000 startup. If you do not have faith in their ability to do this, how can you possibly help them get there?
Do you have any general advice for entrepreneurs?
Founders – if a mentor tells you that you cannot achieve a goal, walk away. Go find a mentor who believes in you. You only need one great mentor to help you reach your next goal.
What are you reading?
Currently I’m reading Mastery by Robert Greene & Book Lovers by Emily Henry.
These responses have been edited for grammar.
