Okay, so, you ever wonder how people start companies from nothing and actually make it? Like, no money, just a dream, and the world’s kind of a mess? I’ve been reading about these startup CEOs from different countries, and it’s wild.

They’re not perfect, but they’re figuring it out. A big thing is global partnership nobody does this alone. You need friends in other countries, whether it’s for cash, ideas, or just knowing how things work somewhere else.

I’m writing this because I got sucked into their stories, and I think you’ll like them too. Maybe you’re not starting a business, but there’s stuff here to help you lead your team, your family, whatever.

Why’s this worth your time? These CEOs have tricks that can make you better at handling tough stuff. Let’s dive in, even if I ramble a bit.

What’s Going On with Startup Bosses Right Now?

Running a startup in 2025 is like juggling flaming torches. A report I saw, Startup Genome, 2024, says 60% of startups fail in three years. Ouch. That’s better than years ago when it was 70%, but still, it’s rough.

These CEOs deal with crazy stuff: teams working from home (or not), customers who want companies to care about the world, and investors who aren’t handing out money like they used to.

Funding dropped 15% last year, I read somewhere Crunchbase, maybe? So, bosses are getting creative, like trading favors or asking fans for money online.

Work’s a mess too. Some CEOs are like, “Work from anywhere!” Others are begging everyone to come to the office. My friend who works in tech says her boss wants everyone in-person, and it’s driving her nuts.

Nobody’s got it all figured out, which is kind of comforting, right? Also, people want companies to do good, not just make money. That’s a big deal now.

Some Cool Lessons I Picked Up

I’ve been reading about these CEOs, and here’s what stuck with me. It’s not super organized, sorry, I’m just excited to share. These are real people, not superheroes, and they’ve got ideas you can use.

1. Be Real with Your People

You know how some bosses act like everything’s fine when it’s not? That’s the worst. Melanie Perkins, who runs Canva in Australia, doesn’t do that. She tells her team everything, money stuff, problems, all of it.

I saw this study, maybe from 2023, saying being open makes your team 20% more into their work. She even says when she’s confused about something.

That’s brave! I tried being super honest with my friends once about a group project, and it was weird but kind of worked. People like when you’re real, I think.

Takeaway: Don’t hide stuff. Share the truth, and people will stick with you.

2. Know the Place You’re In

If you’re going big, you can’t just do the same thing everywhere. Anthony Tan, who started Grab in Malaysia, gets this. His app’s huge for taxis and stuff in Asia because he pays attention to what people there want, like paying with cash in small towns.

He makes global partnerships with local businesses, and that’s why people love Grab. Compare that to another company that tried the same thing and flopped because they didn’t get the local vibe.

My cousin who travels a lot says you gotta respect where you are. But, like, some CEOs try too hard and forget what their company’s about. It’s tricky.

3. Care About Something Real

Here’s where social enterprise comes in. People want companies that do good stuff. There’s this chocolate company in the Netherlands, Tony’s Chocolonely, run by Henk Jan Beltman.

They’re all about stopping bad stuff in chocolate farms, like unfair work. Their sales went up 23% in 2023, I think, because people love that. It’s not just about money, it keeps their team excited too.

But you can’t fake it. I got fooled by a “good” brand once, and it was all talk. Made me mad.

Some expert, Sarah Kaplan from a school called NYU, says companies like this get 30% more money from investors. That’s huge.

4. Switch It Up, but Don’t Lose It

Startups change plans a lot. Vijay Shekhar Sharma, who runs Paytm in India, did this well. His app was big for paying stuff, but when rules changed, he started doing insurance and other things.

I read his company’s making 35% more money now. But he’s also like, “Yeah, I messed up by going too fast.” I like that he owns it.

Other CEOs, though, change so much it’s like, “What are we even doing?” I’d probably be bad at this too many changes stress me out. You gotta switch when it makes sense but keep your main thing clear.

Team Player vs. Bossy Boss: What’s Better?

Not every CEO’s the same, and it’s kind of fun to compare. Some, like Melanie at Canva, are team players they ask everyone what they think. It’s nice, and some 2024 study said it keeps workers around 15% more.

Others, like Vijay at Paytm, just decide stuff and say, “Let’s go.” That’s faster, especially when things are crazy. New startups need that team vibe to get ideas, but bigger ones might need a boss who just picks a path.

Here’s the thing: nobody’s all one way. The best mix it up. Team players can seem like they’re stalling, and bossy types can stress everyone out. I’d probably want a team player, but if stuff’s hitting the fan, just tell me what to do, you know? It’s not perfect either way, and I’m not sure what’s best.

What’s Coming Next?

Looking ahead, being a startup boss is gonna get wilder. AI’s a big deal, some report said 30% of startups will use AI stuff by 2027 to save money. That means bosses need to know tech.

Also, people care about the planet, so investors want green ideas. Like eco tourism, there’s this company, Intrepid Travel, run by James Thornton. They do trips that don’t hurt the environment, and their money went up 18% in 2024. That’s smart, right? People want that.

But it’s not easy. Running teams across the world is a pain, time zones are the worst. And younger workers want jobs that feel good and let them work how they want.

If you ignore that, good luck keeping people. I think the best CEOs will listen a lot but still make big moves. I’m kinda curious how they’ll handle it all.

In Conclusion

So, what’s the deal? These CEOs show you gotta be honest, respect where you’re working, and care about something bigger than money. Oh, and change when you need to, but don’t go nuts.

This isn’t just for fancy CEOs you can use this stuff leading a club, a family, or just your own life.

I keep thinking about that eco tourism thing with Thornton. It’s cool to build something that’s good for the world. Could you do that? Or maybe you’ve got a favorite trick from these CEOs what would you try?