In times of disruption, clarity isn’t optional—it’s everything.
In our latest episode of the Geoff McDonald Podcast, I sat down with Ramy Mora, a seasoned product and growth leader with over 20 years of experience building, scaling, and advising high-growth startups. Ramy brings a rare mix of product intuition, growth strategy, and leadership insight—earned across roles at unicorns, early-stage ventures, and advisory boards alike.
Currently serving as a fractional advisor to multiple SaaS companies, Ramy helps founders align product, go-to-market, and execution under pressure. With prior leadership experience at companies like Lattice, VTS, and Percolate, he knows what it means to build during volatile markets—and how to keep your compass steady.
🎧 Listen on YouTube or Apple Podcasts
📲 Read on for the key insights and full breakdown.
Episode at a Glance
Podcast Title: Resilient by Design: Startup Leadership in the Age of AI and Uncertainty
Guest: Ramy Mora — Product & Growth Advisor | Former VP Product @ Lattice, VTS, Percolate
Hosted by: Geoff McDonald
Length: ~60 minutes
What You’ll Learn
1. AI Isn’t a Shortcut—It’s a Strategy
AI is transforming how startups operate, but not always for the better. Ramy cautions against chasing automation for its own sake. Instead, he emphasizes balance: “AI should be used to enhance customer experience, not replace it.”
✅ Use AI to reduce manual workflows
✅ Don’t trade empathy for efficiency
✅ Let AI support—not replace—human insight
2. Retention > Acquisition
Most startups focus too heavily on new customer acquisition—often to the detriment of long-term sustainability. Ramy’s advice? Flip the funnel.
“It’s not about lowering CAC. It’s about redistributing CAC.”
🔁 Reinvest in the customers you already have
📈 Measure lifetime value and activation, not just signups
🧠 Bake CRM and retention strategy into Day 1 planning
3. The Boardroom Isn’t Always Your Compass
Startups often confuse investor pressure with strategic direction. Ramy reminds founders: it’s your company, not theirs.
“Don’t sacrifice long-term vision for short-term metrics.”
💬 Maintain transparency with your board
🔐 Protect your runway
🎯 Prioritize mission-critical goals over vanity KPIs
4. Macroeconomics Are Messy—So Plan for It
We’re in a blurry macroeconomic moment. Between inflation, VC hesitation, and layoffs across tech, it’s easy to lose focus. Ramy frames this moment as an opportunity—not a crisis—for resilient leadership.
🛡️ Preserve cash
🚪 Know when to open (or close) hiring
🔄 Expect pivots, but anchor to vision
Top Quotes from Ramy Mora
“Startups born during tough economic times often become the most resilient.”
“You have to manage expenses very, very, very carefully.”
“You have to be very, very careful in that transition.”
These aren’t just throwaway lines. They’re battle-tested truths from someone who’s helped scale some of the most respected names in SaaS.
About Ramy Mora
Ramy has spent over two decades at the intersection of product and growth—advising and leading at companies like:
- Lattice – VP Product during a phase of rapid scaling
- VTS – Helped grow the platform into a commercial real estate powerhouse
- Percolate (acquired by Seismic) – Led product strategy through its acquisition
- General Assembly – Strategic advisor in the learning and development space
- And numerous early-stage startups and VC-backed companies as a fractional product and GTM advisor
He’s currently helping founders align product-market fit, retention strategy, and team dynamics in what he calls “the most complex market environment in over a decade.”
Who Should Read/Listen
- Founders navigating a tough funding environment
- Marketing & CX leaders building durable customer relationships
- Investors looking for founder frameworks that actually work
- Anyone trying to build a company that lasts, not just launches
Watch & Listen
🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts
Final Thoughts
Ramy Mora doesn’t offer fluff. He offers frameworks. In a startup world hungry for clarity, this conversation delivers on substance. It’s about being intentional. It’s about navigating the noise. And it’s about building companies designed to endure—not just explode.
👉 Listen to the episode. Share it with your team. And keep this one bookmarked—especially for the hard days.
