Peter Hwang's parents ran a Baskin Robbins in Canada. 365 days a year, 10am to 10pm, including Christmas. That was the life he grew up watching — and the life he spent 30 years trying to make worth it.

Six startups. Four exits. One collapse that cost him everything at the worst possible moment — a pregnant wife, a second mortgage, a term sheet that vanished overnight when 2008 hit.

But that is not why I wanted to talk to him.

I wanted to talk to him because he stood at a kitchen window watching his six-month pregnant wife dig a trench for a pool they could no longer afford, and had to walk in and tell her they had lost everything. Because what she said back to him is the only reason he kept going. Because he then rebuilt — quietly, methodically — and had two life-changing exits back to back. And because the framework he built around all of it is something every founder needs to hear.

This conversation goes into what it actually feels like when your company and your identity are the same thing — and one of them disappears overnight. Resilience. Co-founders. Market timing. And why staying in the game long enough is the only strategy that compounds.

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The conversation with Alexei Beltyukov explores the journey of rebuilding oneself after facing adversity, depression, and personal challenges. It delves into the themes of resilience, honesty, and the nonlinear path of personal growth and transformation. Alexei's journey from a medical doctor to a serial entrepreneur in Russia and the US is a testament to psychological elasticity and the ability to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity. The conversation covers Alexei's journey through various business ventures, the impact of a controversy with the Russian state, and the development of his current venture. It also delves into his mindset as a founder and his approach to honesty and self-awareness.

Takeaways

• Resilience in the face of personal challenges
• The importance of honesty and self-awareness in personal growth Honesty and self-awareness are key to Alexei's approach as a founder.
• The journey through various business ventures and the impact of a controversy with the Russian state shaped Alexei's entrepreneurial journey.
• The development of his current venture and the challenges faced during the war in Russia are significant aspects of Alexei's journey.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey of Rebuilding
• 19:06 The McKinsey Experience
• 27:14 Working Alone
• 34:08 Struggles with Depression and Recovery
• 39:08 The Default State: Rapid-Fire Questions
• 45:38 Journey of Current Venture and Impact of War
• 56:21 Fundraising and Founder Mindset
• 01:02:33 Future Plans and Conclusion