For many entrepreneurs, the leap from the corporate world to founding a business is daunting, but for Alan Stein, founder of Kadima Careers, it was both a calculated decision and an inevitable step. With a wealth of experience working for companies like Google, Salesforce, and Facebook, Alan’s journey exemplifies how persistence, adaptability, and leveraging past experiences can drive entrepreneurial success.
In our recent interview, Alan shared insights about his path to entrepreneurship, his vision for Kadima Careers, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Starting Kadima Careers: A Solution for Ambitious Professionals
When asked to describe Kadima Careers, Alan’s answer was succinct yet powerful: “We serve ambitious professionals. We help them land more interviews, turn them into offers, and make more money,” he explained. His company focuses on providing both group and personalized coaching, helping individuals navigate the complex world of job applications, interviews, and salary negotiations. “Our goal is to give people confidence, an actionable plan, and ultimately, better job offers,” he added.
Since its launch in July 2020, Kadima Careers has grown rapidly, in part due to the massive shifts in the job market triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, Alan saw an opportunity to build a service that empowers individuals to succeed in their careers—a mission that continues to drive his entrepreneurial spirit.
Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurial Life
Alan’s decision to transition from a successful corporate career to founding his own business wasn’t entirely voluntary. “I’ve been fired five times,” he admitted with a smile. “Four of those were due to politics or things I said, and one was merit-based. I realized I might not be fit for the corporate world.”
Despite these setbacks, Alan’s varied experiences working for industry giants like Google and Salesforce gave him valuable insights into business operations, talent acquisition, and team management—all of which have informed his approach to building Kadima Careers.
“I’ve worked at 21 companies and held 29 different roles,” Alan shared. “Each job gave me a deeper understanding of how businesses work, what makes them succeed or fail, and how to create sustainable growth.”
This vast range of experience enabled him to see the bigger picture in terms of recruitment and human resources. “A lot of what I do with clients now is based on psychology,” he explained. “From influencing hiring decisions to navigating interviews, it’s all about understanding human behaviour.”
The Role of Technology and AI in Recruitment
With the rapid rise of AI tools in recruitment, we asked how Alan sees technology impacting Kadima Careers. “We use AI to drive efficiency, to condense coaching notes into action plans, and to automate parts of our process,” Alan explained. However, he cautioned that relying solely on technology for job searches can be a mistake.
“AI can’t create something from nothing. It’s just putting lipstick on a pig,” he said, warning against over-reliance on AI-generated resumes. “Companies are using AI tools to scan resumes, but at the end of the day, people still get jobs through relationships, not just algorithms.”
This belief in the importance of human connection is at the heart of Kadima Careers. Alan and his team focus on helping clients build relationships, stand out in interviews, and successfully navigate the hiring process. “It’s all about building a strategy for each step—from getting the interview to passing the hiring manager screen and beyond,” he added.
Embracing Entrepreneurship: A Wild, Unpredictable Ride
Though Alan has clearly thrived as an entrepreneur, the journey hasn’t been easy. When asked why he chose to pursue this path, especially after receiving a tempting job offer from Amazon just a year after launching Kadima Careers, he laughed. “It was a $425,000 offer, and I was tempted. But my wife and my better self convinced me to stay the course.”
For Alan, the appeal of entrepreneurship lies in the freedom it offers. “I don’t fit in the corporate world,” he admitted. “I was always questioning how things were run, and when I raised those issues, the response was always, ‘that’s just how we do it here.’ I wanted to create something different, something I could control.”
However, with that freedom comes immense responsibility. “I’m working harder than I’ve ever worked,” Alan said. “The buck stops with me. Until I build systems that allow for more flexibility, I don’t really have the freedom that I envisioned. But we’re getting there.”
Building those systems has been one of the greatest challenges Alan has faced. “At Google or Facebook, I had all the resources and talent I needed to scale operations. At Kadima, I don’t have that luxury,” he explained. “We have a good team, but it’s not the same level of talent density you’d find at a top tech company. That’s been a learning curve.”
The Importance of Systems and the Right Team
One of the key lessons Alan emphasized was the importance of having the right systems in place. “If you want to grow big, you need scalable systems,” he advised. “At American Express, Facebook, and Google, I built scalable operations. Now I’m applying those principles to Kadima.”
But beyond systems, Alan stressed the need to have the right people on the bus—a concept he borrowed from Jim Collins’ book Good to Great. “It’s not just about getting people on board, it’s about making sure they’re in the right seats,” he said.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
When asked for advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Alan shared three key lessons:
- Focus on Product-Market Fit: “Before you build anything, make sure people will pay for it. Get feedback, ask open-ended questions, and understand why people are or aren’t buying your product.”
- Don’t Worry About Price at First: “In the early stages, it’s more important to get people to try your product. Give it away for free if necessary. The feedback and testimonials are invaluable.”
- Set Tripwires: “Track your progress and set clear milestones. If you’re spending $2,000 on Google ads, know exactly what outcome you’re expecting and be prepared to pull the plug if you don’t reach it.”
As Kadima Careers continues to grow, Alan remains focused on building a business that not only helps individuals succeed in their careers but also stands as a scalable, sustainable model. “I want to build a nine-figure company,” he states.. And with his wealth of experience, drive, and strategic vision, it’s clear that Alan Stein is well on his way to achieving that goal.
