Oyster

Founder Insights

Tony Jamous

Founder & Executive Chairman

Sorenson Capital partnered with Oyster in 2020 as part of the Seed round. “Tony is more than a mission-driven leader, and he’s more than a unicorn founder,” says Rob Rueckert, a partner at Sorenson Capital. “He’s someone who builds the best teams, takes care of them, and places deep trust in them – that’s why I have so much faith in Tony to achieve his goals.”

Oyster is a B Corp and one of only 20 unicorn companies in the world to achieve this certification. About 40% of Oyster’s customer team members are based in emerging markets, providing access to career opportunities that might have been inaccessible to them in the past.

After growing up in Lebanon, Tony went on to make a career out of helping people in emerging economies gain access to opportunities and thrive. A passionate and mission-driven leader, Tony first founded Nexmo (acquired by Vonage), a customer experience API he fostered to a $230 million exit. With Oyster, Tony has paved the way for companies everywhere to hire people anywhere. Here’s Tony’s advice.

Be Intentional With Hiring: “In my first company, I hired great people through people I knew. This time, I designed an organization structure from day one and handpicked people fit for purpose and mission-aligned.” Don’t just hire talented individuals; ensure they align with your mission and can scale the company from zero to a hundred. A well-structured leadership team is crucial for sustainable growth.

Position Your Product for the Right Audience: “Not only are we building the best product, but we are focused on positioning it to the right customer segment and persona, which has changed everything.” Excellence in product development must be matched with strategic positioning. Understand your target audience deeply and tailor your messaging and offerings to meet their specific needs.

Foster a Results-Driven Culture: “It’s about changing the culture from being present to delivering output. Create a results-driven culture where outcomes matter more than efforts.” Prioritize setting clear goals and focus on delivering results, which is especially important in remote and distributed teams.

Cultivate Strong Investor Relationships: “What has made my relationship with Sorenson Capital successful is trust. Rob’s commitment to making my business successful is unparalleled.” Choose investors who are mission-aligned and empathetic to the challenges of a CEO. Building trusting relationships with investors can open the door to strategic partnerships and long-term success.

Infuse Your Leadership with Mindfulness: “As leaders, we often focus on results, deadlines, and performance. But without presence, we miss the foundation of true leadership. Practice active listening, pause before reacting, and create space for reflection to build a culture where people feel seen and heard. This is how you unlock better ideas, stronger alignment, and the kind of trust that retains top talent.”