In this high-energy episode of the Unicorn Leaders podcast, Fahd sits down with serial entrepreneur and author Adrian Salamunovic for a raw, real, and wisdom-packed conversation on what it takes to build—and exit—category-defining companies. Adrian shares the behind-the-scenes journey from selling his first business at 21 to founding DNA11 and CanvasPop, exiting for 30x EBITDA, and now launching The Exit podcast and founder community.
Together, they unpack what founders get wrong about scaling, the psychology behind great leadership, and why the smartest move isn’t always about being the smartest person in the room. From hiring to vision, from mental stamina to co-founder breakups, this episode is a tactical masterclass in how to build a business worth buying—without losing yourself along the way.
Adrian Salamunovic
Adrian Salamunovic is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and one of the world’s leading experts in earned media, PR, and growth hacking. As the co-founder of EXIT GROUP (www.theexit.group), a pre-launch, invite-only community designed for pre- and post-exit founders, he is on a mission to help entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of exiting their businesses and create lasting impact in the startup ecosystem.
Adrian is also the bestselling author of FREE PR, a highly regarded resource that empowers founders to leverage public relations as a growth tool without the need for a massive marketing budget. With a deep understanding of media strategy, Adrian has advised over 100 startups, helping them accelerate growth through smart, results-driven PR and growth hacking tactics.
As a former co-founder of CanvasPop, which successfully exited to HIG Capital, and an investor and co-founder of MILLIONS.CO, Adrian has built and scaled multiple businesses, delivering high returns and guiding others on how to do the same. His expertise spans a range of disciplines—from creative marketing strategies to strategic media outreach and growth tactics—making him a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs around the world.
