Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed
Oct 6, 2026 · 50 min · 10 segments
**In this episode:** - Why Sheikh believes businesses can succeed *because of* their values - How “financial gravity” can pull companies away from their original mission - Why founders should clarify…
So it's so important to say, "Hey, no, those are- that's, that's not what we're about," because they see-
Like, there's so many people that came up to me, like, especially back in 9/11, like, "Hey, those people do not reflect with what we've experienced with you." And you've probably seen that as well, right? It's almost like-
... somebody else is speaking for us, and that's so- that's a narrative that I'm looking to change, and I know a lot of people are looking to change, because the message is, is so much broader and so much deeper, actually, than we believe.
And, and I love that you're able to, you know, negotiate or, you know, bring that value system out in front, like, "Hey, how can we build a business around because of the values, not in spite of them?"
I almost say, Junaid, it's like, uh, to use a sports analogy, it's going from defense to offense.
So you're right, and I remember those days, you know, and, and whether it's post-9/11 or just, uh, you know, other things that have happened where you're feeling, um, you're feeling almost defensive, right?
And you're feeling like you need to be able to explain yourself to, to counter that narrative, some of those-
Um, but now I look at, you know, not just our generation, but now I have kids who are-
... you know, coming up through high school and, and for them, there's this element of authenticity.
You know, I was reading this statistic where, um, this is dated now, but as of-
... three or four years ago, 46% of millennials wanted to work in a place where the workplace values align with their own values.
So it's so important to say, "Hey, no, those are- that's, that's not what we're about," because they see-
Like, there's so many people that came up to me, like, especially back in 9/11, like, "Hey, those people do not reflect with what we've experienced with you." And you've probably seen that as well, right? It's almost like-
... somebody else is speaking for us, and that's so- that's a narrative that I'm looking to change, and I know a lot of people are looking to change, because the message is, is so much broader and so much deeper, actually, than we believe.
And, and I love that you're able to, you know, negotiate or, you know, bring that value system out in front, like, "Hey, how can we build a business around because of the values, not in spite of them?"
I almost say, Junaid, it's like, uh, to use a sports analogy, it's going from defense to offense.
So you're right, and I remember those days, you know, and, and whether it's post-9/11 or just, uh, you know, other things that have happened where you're feeling, um, you're feeling almost defensive, right?
And you're feeling like you need to be able to explain yourself to, to counter that narrative, some of those-
Um, but now I look at, you know, not just our generation, but now I have kids who are-
... you know, coming up through high school and, and for them, there's this element of authenticity.
You know, I was reading this statistic where, um, this is dated now, but as of-
... three or four years ago, 46% of millennials wanted to work in a place where the workplace values align with their own values.
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