From Tunis to Tech: My Unconventional Journey into Product Leadership

Introduction

If someone had told me 10 years ago that I’d be leading product teams, shipping digital solutions for 23,000 brokers, and building a personal brand around product strategy—I probably wouldn’t have believed them. My journey didn’t start in Silicon Valley or a top-tier MBA program. It started in Tunisia, took shape in Germany, and evolved across logistics, business development, and tech.

This is the story of how I moved from a sales-focused background into product leadership—and why the non-linear path taught me lessons no bootcamp ever could.

The Foundation: Where It All Started

Growing up in Tunis, I was always curious about how things worked. That curiosity eventually brought me to Germany, where I studied Engineering Management and began navigating the world of complex systems and structured thinking. My early roles were deeply commercial—account management at FedEx and UPS, business development at Samsung SDS. I learned how to speak with clients, negotiate deals, and close contracts that brought in millions.

Back then, I didn’t realize it, but I was already building a product mindset—just from the outside in.

The Turning Point: From Selling Products to Building Them

At Samsung SDS, things began to shift. I wasn’t just selling logistics services—I was working with engineers in Seoul, collaborating with the Netherlands HQ, and helping design tailored TMS/WMS solutions for enterprise clients. I became obsessed with solving customer problems at their core.

That curiosity pushed me to learn more about product development. I took courses, earned certifications, and eventually built a Shopify-based e-commerce venture with my wife—Bellimar. It was a side project, but it gave me a front-row seat to building something from 0 to 1. We designed 30+ jewelry pieces, managed logistics, ran ads, and learned what it really takes to launch a digital product.

The Leap: Becoming a Product Manager

The real shift happened when I joined Fonds Finanz. I moved into a product manager role, leading a team of developers and redesigning a digital onboarding funnel that boosted conversion by 22% and drove €1M+ in additional ARR. Shortly after, I was promoted to Team Lead Product Management & Design.

I now lead a cross-functional team of product owners and designers, aligning with tech and business units to drive value for tens of thousands of users. I use my commercial background every day—because great product management, I’ve learned, is part empathy, part strategy, and part business acumen.

Why the Unconventional Path Works

What I’ve realized is that you don’t have to start in product to become great at it. You have to be relentlessly curious, willing to learn fast, and able to connect dots between users, business, and technology.

Sales taught me how to listen. Engineering taught me how to structure. E-commerce taught me how to execute. And product ties it all together.

Closing Thought

If you’re on a path that doesn’t seem “typical,” don’t worry. Some of the best product leaders I know didn’t follow a straight line either. And maybe that’s exactly what makes us stronger.