In our latest episode of Bright Founders Talk at Temy, we welcome a visionary leader and serial entrepreneur, Fabian de la Fuente, the CEO of Solaires Entreprises. Solaires Entreprises, under Fabian's helm, has been revolutionizing the clean tech industry for the past three years, leveraging his inventive spirit and business acumen.
Fabian’s unique career trajectory—from being born an inventor in Mexico to transitioning into a marketing expert, and eventually finding his niche as a serial entrepreneur in Canada—is a testament to his adaptability and passion for invention. Despite his entrepreneurial success, Fabian still identifies himself as an inventor at heart, using his love for technology, both hardware and software, to drive his company forward.
But don't pigeonhole him into one sector: Fabian thrives in diverse industries, with an impressive portfolio that ranges from crypto to medtech. In this interview, we dive into his inspirational journey, exploring the influences, motivations, and ambitions that underpin his successful entrepreneurial journey, while revealing some lesser-known facets of his personal life. Join us as we embark on this fascinating conversation with Fabian de la Fuente.
From Inventor to Serial Entrepreneur: Fabian de la Fuente's Journey to Success
Welcome back to our deep-dive conversation with Fabian de la Fuente, the mastermind behind Solaires Entreprises. Did you know that Fabian is a big fan of the marketing book 'Ogilvy on Advertising'? It's not a typical choice for a CEO of a clean tech company, but Fabian isn't your typical CEO. Despite its publication date in the 1980s, the book's innovative principles still resonate with him today. He credits his effective negotiation skills to the visionary perspectives he gleaned from Ogilvy's out-of-the-box thinking. In Fabian's words, "Ogilvy didn't follow the rules at that time for marketing… sometimes when I'm doing negotiations, I remember about him and it has helped me a lot."
But there's more to Fabian than meets the eye. Born an inventor, Fabian was fascinated with creating and developing new concepts. However, growing up in Mexico, he found that inventors were not readily supported. Therefore, he embraced the business and marketing route. Yet, his passion for invention never waned. He rekindled this love after moving to Canada, a country more conducive to his inventive spirit. In this new setting, Fabian found it much easier to bring his innovative ideas to market, painting a vivid picture of how determination and opportunity can intersect to yield success.
One fascinating nugget about Fabian is his approach to entrepreneurship—he never stays in the same industry for long. Back in Mexico, he'd build up a company only to sell it within three to five years. Upon moving to Canada, he realized he fell under the category of a "serial entrepreneur," building and selling businesses across different sectors, including crypto, medtech, and clean tech. As he says, "So that's why I made the jump to clean tech because I wanted also to be in this industry." His pattern of hopping across industries not only illustrates his wide-ranging interests but also his unique approach to entrepreneurship—never get too comfortable, always be ready for the next venture. With Solaires now in business for three years, the clock is ticking—what will Fabian get up to next? Stay tuned!
Navigating the Entrepreneurial Maze: Fabian's Secrets to Overcoming Challenges and Cultivating Talent
Just when you think that Fabian de la Fuente might lose focus due to his multitasking across various sectors, he surprises you with his zeal for continuous learning. There's a certain charm to the way he navigates his ventures, as he is both an inventor and a perpetual learner. Learning, he says, is vital in his journey from one industry to another. Fabian remarks, "But the thing is, I already have the basis for it. So I know how to create the company, how to create the IP, and all that and that's applicable to any other one or any other type of company."
You might be wondering, though, how he juggles the challenges that come his way. Fabian reveals a bitter truth that many inventors face—having an innovative idea doesn't always equate to a successful product. The hard part is finding the product-market fit; otherwise, the invention might just remain an invention. And so, Fabian has grown adept at developing a comprehensive plan—from creating the company and building the intellectual property to hiring the right talent and eventually selling the business. This is how he finds success amidst these challenges.
Yet, one of the most captivating aspects of Fabian's entrepreneurial journey is his approach to hiring. Unlike many seasoned CEOs, Fabian prefers to hire young talent. Why, you may ask? Fabian believes that seasoned employees often come with their own set ways, while young talent is more open to his outside-the-box thinking. "Hiring young talent, it's better because then you can grow them the way you want," Fabian explains. This innovative perspective on team-building is a testament to Fabian's unique and effective style as an entrepreneur and leader. His insights are not only intriguing but also inspiring, reminding us all to think differently and continually adapt in our own entrepreneurial journeys.
Hiring young talent, it's better because then you can grow them the way you want
Fabian de la FuenteCEO at Solaires Entreprises
Cultivating Innovation: Fabian's Journey from Educator to Clean Tech Tycoon
Born in a university classroom, Fabian's love for nurturing talent became the foundation of his entrepreneurial strategy. As an intrapreneur, his unique approach towards hiring became instrumental in his journey towards success. "I prefer hiring young talent," Fabian shared, reflecting on the malleable brilliance of recent graduates and interns. He believes that the fresh perspectives of these young minds could outshine the established methods of seasoned professionals, making them essential in the fast-paced world of tech start-ups.
Yet, there's more to Fabian's hiring method than simply scouting for young talent. It's the compelling narrative of these individuals finding success beyond his mentorship that truly satisfies him. In his words, "It's rewarding to see them go on to high-tech companies like Microsoft, Tesla, IBM. They have this drive, and we let them do the work of a full-time employee, blurring the line between interns and staff."
Looking back at his stint as a university professor in Mexico, Fabian relishes in the knowledge he imparted, and the growth he witnessed. Although his days at the lectern are over, his passion for guiding others remains alive and thriving within his company. Striking a balance between driving innovation and ensuring sustainability, he has successfully built a diverse team where every voice contributes to the symphony of progress. "Diversity drives innovation," he says. In this ethos, he is planting the seeds of the future – fostering a culture where different ideas and points of view intertwine to create something genuinely transformative.
Diversity drives innovation
Fabian de la FuenteCEO at Solaires Entreprises
Shaping the Future: Fabian's Advice for Clean Tech Innovators and Praise for Global Talent
Fabian's journey to successful entrepreneurship has been grounded on the understanding of his investment targets. At the core of this understanding is the significance of a team, a factor he prioritizes above all else. As Fabian explains, "Being yourself and being passionate about your work, really wanting to get it done… that's what I look for first." A product's allure might be the gleaming surface, but for Fabian, the heart and soul of a startup is its team, which underpins everything else.
Being yourself and being passionate about your work, really wanting to get it done… that's what I look for first
Fabian de la FuenteCEO at Solaires Entreprises
Drawing inspiration from the renaissance polymath, Leonardo da Vinci, Fabian's admiration for the famed innovator reflects his own pioneering spirit. "I'm really impressed with his work and how he lived with all these ideas, many years or even centuries before their time," Fabian remarks. It is this cross-disciplinary curiosity and forward-thinking mindset that underpin Fabian's advice for budding entrepreneurs, especially within the realm of clean tech.
He implores them to believe in their endeavors and to seek the guidance of incubators to nurture their ideas into market-ready solutions. "Believe in your product, go to an incubator, they're going to help you drive that idea into a solution," Fabian shares. His words offer not just a roadmap for success, but also encapsulate his faith in the power of innovation, collaboration, and the global talent pool - demonstrated by his positive experiences with Ukrainian software developers. In Fabian's view, the possibilities for entrepreneurship are as vast as the diversity of thought that fuels it.
