Alex Stephany, the founder of Beam, recently shared how two job losses in his twenties served as the foundation for his success. Despite graduating from Oxford with high expectations, he struggled to find his place in traditional law and consulting firms. Both roles ended in termination, which he initially viewed as a personal failure to adapt to professional life.
After these setbacks, Stephany turned his attention to the startup world. He forced himself to network and attend industry events to understand the shift toward mobile technology. This persistence led him to become the CEO of JustPark and eventually launch his own venture, Beam, which uses technology to assist social service workers across five countries.
Stephany notes that his time being underemployed taught him the grit needed for the startup environment. He argues that constant failure is a standard part of building a company, making his previous experiences relevant rather than detrimental. He now views those who fired him as key contributors to his current path.
Today, Stephany identifies more with his role as a social entrepreneur than as a traditional corporate executive. He credits his family values for his focus on social impact over personal wealth. His trajectory suggests that leaving a poor-fit role can often be the necessary step to building something impactful.