CEO Secrets: How to Make High-Stakes Decisions Without Emotion | Jamil Akhundov | FMU

In this episode of Founders Mindset Unfiltered, we sit down with Jamil Akhundov, the Managing Partner of Plutos Associates and Plutos Capital. With over 16 years of experience in finance and debt advisory, Jamil shares his journey from starting a business in a bedroom to managing a specialist firm with 14 staff members.We dive deep into the high-stakes world of investment banking, where Jamil once clocked 100-hour weeks, and explore the "white knight" strategies his team used to save real estate clients during the pandemic. Whether you're curious about the mechanics of bridging loans, the ethics of modern finance, or why entrepreneurs should choose "concentration over diversification," this episode is a masterclass in resilience and strategic decision-making.Jamil also reveals his unique approach to hiring valuing "fire in the eyes" over Ivy League degrees and shares an incredible, century-spanning story of perseverance from his home country of Azerbaijan.Follow Jamil Akhundov on Socials:Email:[email protected]:www.jamil-akhundov.com/ www.ploutas-capital.co.ukLinkedInJamil Akhundov: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamil-akhundov-86525214Ploutos Associates | Ploutas Capital: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ploutos-associates-ploutas-capital/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ploutos.associates/https://www.instagram.com/akhundovjamil/[email protected]@jamil.akhundovFollow us on Socials:Instagram: / foundersmindsetunfiltered Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jaATPG...TikTok: / foundermindsetpodcastChapters00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:31 - Managing Stress and the 16-Year Journey00:04:08 - Building a High-Performance Team00:05:31 - The Hidden Costs of Outsourcing00:08:50 - Why Motivation Beats Qualifications: A Success Story00:13:24 - Scientific Decision-Making in Finance00:15:05 - Learning from Failure: The 2020 Hotel Venture00:17:16 - Concentration vs. Diversification00:18:40 - The "White Knight" of Real Estate Finance00:21:19 - Inside the Brutality of Investment Banking00:26:08 - Plutos Associates vs. Plutos Capital00:28:40 - Advice for Founders Raising Capital00:31:40 - The Legendary 4.5-Year Dig: A Story of Perseverance00:36:01 - Don’t Take Blind Risks: The Importance of a Cushion00:36:56 - Why Private Lending is Faster Than Traditional Banks00:39:12 - Understanding Bridging Loans and Property Refurbs00:43:39 - Lending Against Crypto and Liquid Assets00:44:53 - Using Language and Culture as a Competitive Edge00:47:43 - Final Advice for Getting into Finance00:51:47 - Jamil’s Current Business Pain Points00:53:10 - Conclusion and Where to Connect