In Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, ego can be a silent obstacle. It can drive founders to prioritize fame over meaningful results, ignore valuable feedback, or fail to adapt to changing circumstances. As Saudi Arabia pursues Vision 2030’s goals of innovation and diversification, Ryan Holiday’s Ego is the Enemy offers vital lessons for founders navigating this transformative era. Here’s how Saudi entrepreneurs can harness these insights to build lasting, impactful businesses.
1. Focus on Building Value, Not Recognition
In Saudi Arabia’s evolving market, building value is the cornerstone of lasting success. Vision 2030 emphasizes innovation and customer-centric solutions, making this lesson particularly relevant.
Saudi fintech leader Tamara embodies this principle. By addressing a key gap in the Kingdom’s cashless payments ecosystem, Tamara delivered a buy-now-pay-later solution that resonated with both consumers and merchants. Rather than chasing headlines, the team focused on building a product that aligned with the government’s push for digital transformation. Their efforts not only brought success but also aligned with national priorities.
Actionable Insight:
- Identify gaps in Saudi Arabia’s economy that align with Vision 2030 goals.
- Leverage platforms like Monsha’at or the Fintech Saudi Initiative to validate your idea.
Avoidable Mistake:
Don’t prioritize short-term popularity through PR at the expense of creating real, scalable value. Fame fades, but solving real problems builds trust and longevity.
2. Stay Humble, No Matter the Scale
Saudi Arabia’s market is rapidly evolving, and humility is essential to navigating its complexities. Staying grounded allows founders to remain flexible and open to local needs.
Careem, a regional ride-hailing leader with a strong Saudi presence, is an excellent example. Their success wasn’t just due to their technology—it was their adaptability. By introducing features like cash payment options and women-friendly ride services, they addressed cultural sensitivities and built trust in the market.
Actionable Insight:
- Engage directly with your Saudi customers. Use social platforms like Snapchat and Twitter, which are widely popular in the Kingdom, to gather insights.
- Be ready to pivot based on consumer feedback or regulatory changes.
Avoidable Mistake:
Avoid assuming that what works in other markets will succeed in Saudi Arabia without adaptation.
3. Don’t Let Success Trap You – Stay Hungry
The Saudi entrepreneurial ecosystem is competitive, and early success can breed complacency if founders aren’t careful. Sustaining growth requires constant innovation.
Take Sary, a B2B marketplace in Saudi Arabia. After securing substantial funding, they didn’t stop. Instead, they reinvested in improving logistics and supplier networks, strengthening their position in the wholesale market. This hunger for improvement keeps them ahead in a sector that is critical to Saudi Arabia’s diversification goals.
Actionable Insight:
- Continuously explore ways to innovate within your sector. For instance, look at how evolving technologies like AI or blockchain can enhance your offering.
- Use government accelerators like SDAIA (Saudi Data and AI Authority) for tech-driven advancements.
Avoidable Mistake:
Don’t settle after initial success. Failing to iterate could leave you vulnerable to competitors who are still hungry.
4. Listen to Criticism – It’s a Gift
In Saudi Arabia’s connected society, feedback—whether through social media or user reviews—is abundant. Ignoring it can be costly.
When Jahez, a local food delivery app, received criticism about its user interface and delivery speed, the team took the feedback seriously. By improving their platform, they grew to outperform global players in the Saudi market.
Actionable Insight:
- Set up regular feedback loops through platforms like Twitter, where Saudi consumers frequently voice their opinions.
- Treat criticism as a roadmap for refinement rather than a personal attack.
Avoidable Mistake:
Don’t dismiss feedback as irrelevant or react defensively. Every comment is an opportunity to improve.
5. Invest in Your Team, Not Just Your Ego
Building a successful startup in Saudi Arabia requires a strong, motivated team that can adapt to the demands of Vision 2030.
Luxury food delivery app The Chefz excelled by prioritizing team development. By assembling a high-performing workforce skilled in catering to Saudi Arabia’s elite dining market, the company created a service tailored to its audience. Their investment in people translated into exceptional customer experiences.
Actionable Insight:
- Focus on building a team that reflects Saudi Arabia’s diversity. Encourage hiring Saudi women and investing in their growth, aligning with government employment goals.
- Provide access to training through initiatives like KAUST Innovation Center or Flat6Labs.
Avoidable Mistake:
Don’t micromanage or center all decisions around yourself. Empowering your team builds long-term strength.
6. Learn from Setbacks – Pivot Instead of Dwelling
Failure is part of every founder’s journey, but how you respond to it defines your success. In Saudi Arabia’s competitive ecosystem, the ability to pivot is critical.
Unifonic, a cloud communication platform, faced intense competition from global players. Instead of being deterred, they pivoted to focus on localized solutions like Arabic SMS automation. This move positioned them as a leader in the region.
Actionable Insight:
- When setbacks occur, use them as an opportunity to innovate. Seek mentorship through programs like Wa’ed or Riyadh Techstars Accelerator.
- Map out potential pivot points in advance, based on market research.
Avoidable Mistake:
Don’t let pride or fear prevent you from making necessary changes to your business model.
7. Think Beyond the Now – Align with Vision 2030
Ego seeks quick wins, but Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 demands long-term alignment with national goals like innovation, sustainability, and cultural transformation.
Noon Academy, an education technology startup, is a prime example. By building scalable e-learning solutions, they not only addressed current market needs but also aligned with Saudi Arabia’s push for education reform.
Actionable Insight:
- Evaluate how your business aligns with Vision 2030 priorities, such as renewable energy, digital transformation, or cultural enrichment.
- Partner with government programs like the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (for sustainability-focused startups) or Ministry of Tourism (for entertainment and tourism).
Avoidable Mistake:
Don’t chase trends that offer short-term gains but lack long-term impact or alignment with national priorities.
Building Resilient Businesses in Saudi Arabia
For Saudi founders, ego is as much a challenge as securing funding or navigating regulations. By focusing on value creation, staying humble, learning from setbacks, and aligning with Vision 2030, founders can build businesses that thrive in the Kingdom’s unique landscape.
Take inspiration from Saudi success stories and let Ryan Holiday’s insights guide you. Now is the time to assess where ego might be holding you back and shift focus to building solutions that last.
Resources to Explore:
- Monsha’at: Government support for SMEs.
- Flat6Labs Riyadh: Startup accelerator.
- KAUST Entrepreneurship Center: Education and mentorship.
- Vision 2030 Portal: Key insights into national goals.
Shape your journey to success by staying grounded, adaptable, and aligned with Saudi Arabia’s future. The opportunities are vast—be ready to seize them.
