Elli Sharef

Elli Sharef shares three lessons for founders: start before conditions feel perfect, build confidence in your idea and communicate it clearly, and keep going through repeated near failures. She describes how HireArt began with her co-founder Nick Sedlet, adapted through small pivots, and found investors after many rejections. Stories about Meg Whitman and Sharef’s own fundraising setbacks illustrate the importance of getting back up after disappointment. She closes by urging founders to enjoy the unusual experiences and challenges of building a company.