We had the good fortune of connecting with Avetis Antaplyan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Avetis, how do you think about risk?
Risk is at the core of everything I do. One of the first big risks I took was leaving a cushy Director position at Kaplan, a Fortune 500 company, to join a struggling startup that I had to help rebuild. Most people thought I was crazy for walking away from stability, but I saw an opportunity to create something bigger. That decision set the tone for my entire career—betting on myself, embracing uncertainty, and building from the ground up.

Starting HIRECLOUT was another major leap, but I knew that real success comes from taking bold action. The same mindset has driven my investments in AI startups, real estate development, and advisory roles. Whether it’s building single-family housing or backing founders who are pushing the limits of innovation, I thrive in high-risk, high-reward environments.

Risk, to me, isn’t about being reckless—it’s about making informed decisions, trusting my instincts, and having the resilience to adapt. Some of my biggest wins have come from bets that others were too afraid to take. But even when things don’t go as planned, I don’t see it as failure—I see it as a lesson.

At the end of the day, if you’re not taking risks, you’re not moving forward. The key is having the courage to take the leap—and the mindset to turn every challenge into an opportunity. Remember, no risket, no bisket 😉

What should our readers know about your business?
HIRECLOUT was built with a clear mission: to be the go-to talent partner for high-growth tech companies. We didn’t just want to fill jobs—we wanted to help companies scale and drive meaningful career growth for top-tier talent. That vision has fueled our journey, leading us to become one of the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies two years in a row and earning the Inc. Power Partner Award alongside countless industry accolades.

We’ve had the privilege of scaling over 300+ companies, playing a key role in multiple IPOs and acquisitions, and elevating thousands of careers in the process. Through market booms and downturns, we’ve remained a trusted partner, and we’re especially proud of the fact that we never had a single layoff—not during COVID, not during the recent tech recession. That kind of resilience comes from our commitment to long-term relationships, strategic hiring, and always putting people first.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d keep it simple…. we would have to find time to go to some great steak and sushi restaurants, attend a Laker game, go to Malibu for some body surfing, hang out in my yard over some cigars and old fashions and finish it with a flight to Vegas for some gambling and adventure.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Let’s start with my wife Angela and kids, Sophia and Andranik who are my purpose and inspiration. Secondly, I want to honor my father Toros, who recently passed but left a legacy of kindness and goodwill. And my mother who taught me work ethics and execution. I’ve also learned a ton from great books, great think-tank groups I have belonged to such Vistage, IAN and others. I have also learned a ton from my former business partner, my employees, friends and guests on my podcasts. I read a book a week so it would be too long of a list to fit so let’s just say all of them.

Website: https://www.hireclout.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avetis.a.antaplyan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTechLeadersPlaybook/videos

Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rOkUXDSQb6SVFE6LttWDe
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tech-leaders-playbook/id1690263628

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