Chapter 9
The illusion of readiness
Why the founders of the biggest companies weren't ready, and how to start with a risk you can afford.
The Story
Twenty Years on a Staircase
The path was never a straight line. Every step here is a real moment from the book — including the steps that went down.
- 2002
A nurse in Tel Aviv
A salary that disappears in a few days, and a question in the hospital corridors: is this all there is?
- 2005
The Al-Hamra website
He paid someone to build the site and learned the rest on the job. First monthly contract with the local council.
- ·
An agency and a team
He learned programming and web development. His wife was the first to join him.
- 2017
The big bet
He sold a plot of land and took a large loan for a restaurant and bar near Haifa.
- A year later
The city's letter
According to the zoning plan, it was a storage area. The court cases began.
- After 1.5 years
Closure and bankruptcy
He lost the restaurant and the land — but not the ability to start again.
- ·
Back to the hospital
The one Friday shift he had kept became his lifeline.
- ·
Rebuilding
Advertising and websites again, then gold, silver and trading. Every debt paid off.
- ·
The departure
An agency in Germany, an apartment in Dubai, an Amazon store, mining and solar energy.
- 2026
The verdict
Lawsuit won, money returned — long after he had already rebuilt his life.
