For this month’s edition of Wide Perspectives, Wise People, we sat down with Kemal Hakimoğlu, one of the co-founders of Wide and Wise.

With a career shaped by years of experience in business development and sales, Kemal now offers strategic consultancy to both startups and corporate organizations. In our conversation, we explored how he bridges these two worlds, the evolving role of consultancy, and the unique dynamics of working with early-stage ventures.

From the fast-paced nature of startups to the boundaries of strategic guidance, from the resilience entrepreneurship demands to the future of consulting - this layered dialogue offers valuable insights for anyone looking to create meaningful impact in today’s world of work.

Kemal’s reflections, drawn from both hands-on field experience and a founder’s lens, helped us unpack the real-time decision-making dynamics that define modern leadership. You can find the full conversation below in a Q&A format.

1. You've spent most of your career in business development and sales. Today, you consult for both startups and corporates. What connects these two worlds in your view?

To me, the common ground is “people” and “trust.” After years in sales, I’ve realized that people don’t buy products - they buy the feeling of a solved problem. The same applies in consulting.

When you step into a project, you’re not just selling knowledge; you’re sharing your thought process, your energy, and your risk. While startups and corporates operate differently, the expectations remain the same: clarity, foresight, accountability, and results. That’s why the transition between the two has always felt natural to me - both require building trust-based, value-driven relationships.

2. What kind of dynamic emerges when working with startups? (Especially within structures like İTÜ Çekirdek)?

Working with startups is a high-tempo marathon. Plans change daily, competition is fierce, and market pressure is intense. But the passion and hunger to solve real problems are incredibly energizing. I’ve been mentoring startups at İTÜ Çekirdek for 7 years now, while also managing our own venture. This dual experience - as both mentor and entrepreneur - has shown me how deeply this dynamic can transform a person. Guiding startups on one hand while taking your own product to market on the other creates a powerful feedback loop for learning and growth.

3. Early-stage startups usually operate on limited budgets. At that stage, is consultancy a luxury or a necessity?

With the right person, early-stage consulting can be a game-changing multiplier. Sure, budgets are tight - but the cost of wrong decisions is much higher.

Founders often try to do everything alone, but that approach leads to inefficiencies and burnout. Sometimes, a consultant simply helps with focus, speed, or the right connections - and that alone can move the timeline forward by months. So I see consultancy not as a cost but as an investment - one that supports growth meaningfully.

4. In startups that are struggling or not growing, what role should the consultant play? And what kind of mindset does that require?

The consultant’s job is not to be a cheerleader - it’s to be a mirror of reality. Yes, motivation is helpful, but the real value comes from pointing out the tough truths no one else will say - clearly, and at the right time.In difficult phases, founders are often emotionally and mentally drained. That’s when a consultant must stand firm, grounded in data, not emotions. Whether it’s supporting a pivot, refocusing on customer acquisition, or confronting budget realities, the role is to keep things strategic and objective. In my view, good consultancy is not about “putting out fires”, it is about setting up systems that prevent the fire in the first place.

5. Which startup business model excited you the most in 2025? Any “this will never work” ideas that actually did?

This year, I was most excited by vertical-focused AI models - not general-purpose AI, but solutions designed for very specific industries. For instance, I met a startup automating team management and operational planning on traditional manufacturing lines using AI.At first glance, it seemed too niche - but the market was real, the problem was painful, and the customers were eager. The winners in AI will be those who move beyond abstraction and embed it into real-world workflows.

6. How does Wide and Wise support these kinds of ventures?

We don’t just do hiring - we take a holistic approach to growth. That includes shaping the first hires, aligning the budget for sustainability, building team dynamics, and crafting an employer brand that doesn’t cause anxiety.That’s why we don’t see ourselves as a traditional recruitment firm. We’re a growth partner. We eliminate hundreds of hours of trial and error - especially when startups are making their first critical hiring decisions.

7. As a co-founder, what has been your most challenging - and most transformative - experience?

Before founding a company, I thought leadership was about control. But I quickly learned it’s about resilience. When things go well, everyone is by your side. When they don’t, all the weight falls on your shoulders. That was tough at first, but it also changed me. I learned to let go, to trust, to build a team, and to experience the power of shared responsibility. Looking back now, I can say with confidence: our greatest strength has always been our team.

8. Is it really still possible to make a difference in today’s business world?

Yes - but not in the same ways as before. Making a difference isn’t about growing faster anymore - it’s about growing right. A human-centered, ethical, and transparent approach is now a competitive edge.Tech, AI, automation - they’re all essential, but they’re not enough. Organizations are still defined by the people behind them. At Wide and Wise, our mission is to help companies grow not just quickly, but consciously. Because in the long run, it’s not speed or scale that wins - it’s trust.

In today’s world, consultancy is no longer just about “finding the right candidate.” It’s about building the right ecosystem, creating the conditions for sustainable growth, and designing structures that can adapt to uncertainty.

As Kemal shared, what drives a project or startup forward isn’t just ideas or products - it’s trusted relationships, strategic clarity, and mental resilience. These are the pillars that shape the quality of any consulting journey - and the trajectory of any growth path.

This conversation is not just for those working with startups. It’s a powerful compass for anyone trying to create meaningful impact - whether in a startup or a traditional organization. Because today, the formula for growth lies not only in speed, but in intent, structure, and human-centered thinking.

We’ll be back in December with another guest and a fresh perspective. See you then! 💌