The Career Built on Course Corrections with Ruben Sarino | Ep053

What happens when you stop planning your career and start asking better questions?

Ruben Sarino didn't set out to co-found an AI security company. The path from military kid bouncing between six countries to RiskHorizon AI co-founder included selling car parts, packaging California honey, working Apple retail, cold calling at CrowdStrike, and several stops in between.

None of it was planned. All of it mattered.

What You'll Learn
Growing up in Japan showed Ruben what technology could do when it actually worked. Tapping cards to ride trains and buy things felt seamless. Visiting developing countries showed him the same problems without the same solutions. That contrast planted a seed: technology should solve real problems for real people.

But Ruben didn't study computer science. He studied business. His first exposure to entrepreneurship came through a car parts manufacturer where he learned the difference between pushing products and solving problems. Then came a honey business he fell into by chance, where terrible packaging met great product. Apple retail taught him how great companies operate. CrowdStrike as an SDR gave him front-row seats to hypergrowth and mentors who showed him what came next.

Each stop built skills that transferred to the next one.

Key Insights
On Getting Started: "If you know too much, you will never start." Ruben talks about the danger of over-researching and why ignorance sometimes helps you take the first step.

On Career Direction: His annual self-check-in doesn't ask "what do I want to do?" It asks "how do I want to feel next year?" From there, he works backward to figure out what needs to change.

On Problem-Solving: Whether it's car parts, cybersecurity, or AI, Ruben looks for the underlying problem before building solutions. Not everything needs AI. Some things just need better execution.

On Mentorship: The CrowdStrike account executives who took time to show him what happened after the handoff shaped his trajectory. He didn't formally ask them to be mentors - he asked good questions and stayed curious.

On Risk: Being comfortable with change helps, but it's not required. What matters is believing you can course correct if things don't work out the way you planned.

About Ruben Sarino
Ruben Sarino is co-founder of RiskHorizon AI. His career spans car parts manufacturing, honey business, Apple retail, cybersecurity sales at CrowdStrike, workforce intelligence startups, and healthcare technology. He's comfortable with change, believes in transferable skills, and thinks most people overthink their next move.

Connect with Ruben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubensarino/

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