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Isak Munther

Owner / CEO

ABC Global Limited

Isak Munther, Owner and CEO of ABC Global Limited, built his career on persistence, adaptability, and a belief in learning by doing. After beginning work with his father at 14 and gaining global experience, he combined his skills in communication and leadership to create his own company. In this interview, Isak reflects on the realities of entrepreneurship - from hard lessons in trust and time to redefining success as balance and freedom rather than financial gain.

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1. What inspired you to pursue your current career path?

   I started working for my father when I was as young as 14 years old. I learned early how important discipline, communication, and being able to adapt were. Since then, I have had the pleasure of working for companies all over the globe. However, while I didn’t have a problem following a leader, I often felt that I could improve many aspects of their businesses, products, or services. I also became increasingly good at connecting with people and receiving opportunities. In the end, I combined what I was good at and fell in love with starting my own business.

2. What was one defining moment early in your career?

   Being an owner of a company is much harder and more time-consuming than most think. It becomes your baby, and you will be there day and night, ensuring it stays safe and grows. Even if you hire a team to help you, the need for control and pride will stop you from taking time off. I was working with and for people who were not reliable, which is also a common challenge you will face as a business owner. I learned to trust my instincts and not what I was told early on.

3. How do you define success in your current position?

   I’ve had financial success, and I have also lost it all. With age, you start to learn that money does not make you happier, and you won’t see it as success. Yes, it feels amazing to be able to provide and not worry about any bills, but you sacrifice time with those you love to pay for their well-being. Today, I would define success as creating a passive income stream that allows you to live comfortably without sacrificing time with those who are most important to you.

4. Which skills have been most valuable to your success?

   Communication and being able to adapt. To gain better momentum in life, you need other people. Learn to listen and communicate well, and you will be presented with amazing opportunities - not just in business, but in life. If you can also adapt to new challenges and be willing to learn what you do not know, then you already have two key factors to become successful in any field.

5. What’s one change you’d like to see in your industry?

   I have actually decided to move away from my past work entirely, which was solely based on providing freelance services to companies globally. It was hard to work with people you could not see and even harder to handle customers you had a contract with but never got to meet. I will never work in the service industry again; it’s a stressful battlefield. As much kindness and respect as you lead with, most people focus solely on time and money - and that is not me.

6. How would you describe your leadership style?

   I am a diplomatic leader. I value everyone equally in the company and ensure that everyone feels heard and appreciated. You have to learn to listen as a leader, as your co-workers sit on knowledge, experience, and real-time information that you need to make better decisions. I may be good at what I do, but so are many others, and they need to feel that. Value those around you, connect with them, and build a business they can rely on - this will be most of everyone’s day for years to come.

7. Who or what played a key role in your success story?

   Persistence. I refused to give up. I was - excuse the French - treated like a pile of “insert bad word” at first. As a business owner, you have a responsibility to everyone around you, internally and externally. If you fail in your role, you fail everyone. As hard as that sounds, it was motivation for me. I cared for those I worked with and for, and I refused to give up despite a few too many bad apples.

8. What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

   - Just do it. I mean it - I had no clue how to start; I just did it and learned along the way.

   - Don’t trust friends, customers, opportunities, or investors blindly. Trust your instincts.

   - Never make hasty business or financial decisions - breathe more.

   - Time wasted is the biggest sin. Make sure you value time, as time is something you can never get back. I’m not just talking about business or personal growth; those you love can be snatched away in an instant.