Ep.215: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Ayman Al-Abdullah (@aymanalabdul).
My guest today is Ayman Al-Abdullah, former CEO of Appsumo and now executive coach to other ambitious CEOs looking to scale 7 and 8-figure businesses past $100m, Ayman’s specialty. I love learning from CEOs who’ve made that journey and can share key lessons and takeaways, and Ayman fits that to a “T.” He’s also a Durham native, which is where my wife and I will be moving to this summer so we had some fun talking about his move from Austin.
Ayman and I talk about chokepoints in a company’s growth, habits that made him successful at Appsumo, why he stepped down as CEO, and how other ambitious CEOs can be more effective in their leadership roles.

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Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/

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Links:
Ayman on X
Ayman's website
How to Make a Few Billion Dollars by Brad Jacobs
The Accountant Trailer

Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:20) - Leaving AppSumo to pursue coaching
(00:12:28) - What was the most informative experience for you in the CEO role?
(00:14:27) - What gets companies over the $7m hurdle?
(00:18:26) - What culture questions do you enjoy asking?
(00:24:03) - Improving the Sales role
(00:25:50) - Who was the best salesperson you ever hired?
(00:27:38) - Skills you need vs. what can be taught in sales
(00:31:34) - Have you reflected on whether you were born to be a CEO?
(00:34:44) - What have you found that helps CEOs succeed in the role?
(00:37:29) - Weekly journaling and exercise rituals
(00:42:30) - Ayman’s 25-year vision
(00:50:57) - Do you study other CEOs?
(00:53:25) - The hero’s journey
(01:02:41) - What’s something you’re passionate about?