February 3, 2025—Executives Diary Inc.
The founder of Executive Diary writes this letter. To read more from his diary, Google "Muhammad Nauman Diary" or visit ExecutivesDiary.com
Time flies. It feels like we just welcomed 2025, yet here we are—already in February. Life doesn’t pause; it moves forward at its own relentless pace.
Reflecting on the past seven years of Executives Diary, I see a journey shaped by resilience, ambition, setbacks, and reinvention. We’ve shared nearly 1,000 executive stories, but today, I want to share mine—the story of why and how Executives Diary was born, the lessons I’ve learned, and where we’re headed next.
2015: A Year of Loss and Reflection
2015 was the most challenging year of my life. In just a few months, everything changed—I lost my closest friends, the people I spent most of my time with, and my wife, whom I deeply loved. The grief was overwhelming, leaving me lost in a fog of emotions.
For the next two years, I drifted through life, consumed by social media addiction—endless hours of mindless scrolling, letting the algorithm dictate my emotions. Instead of healing, it deepened my isolation, feeding me negativity.
I stepped away from my service-based business, handing leadership to my 20-year-old brother, who became CEO. I stayed on the sidelines, advising a few existing clients, but deep down, I knew I had lost my direction.
Then came the wake-up call. A long-term client—a digital marketer I had worked with for five years—ended our business relationship. That moment hit hard, forcing me to ask myself:
“What am I doing? Where am I going?”
Despite my strong reputation in digital outsourcing, with 400+ positive reviews(Link) on the Warrior Forum, I no longer felt passionate about white-label outsourcing. I wanted something more—something meaningful.
That realization set me on a new path—one that eventually led to Executives Diary.
2018: The Spark That Created Executives Diary
By 2018, I knew I needed a fresh start—something with purpose, something bigger than myself. At first, I considered launching a YouTube channel or Facebook group to train young Pakistani freelancers, helping them succeed just as I had.
Coming from a small village to Islamabad to pursue my Master’s in Computer Science, I had already transformed my family’s life. Now, I wanted to share my lessons and help others do the same.
To build credibility, I started reaching out to business magazines, hoping to get my story featured. While researching, I came across a beautifully designed magazine on a .au domain. They offered to feature my interview for $100.
The price wasn’t an issue—but something felt off.
There was no visible founder, no editorial presence, no real credibility. It felt more like an SEO-driven content farm than a genuine publication. That’s when it hit me:
“If I can’t find an authentic platform to share my story, why not build one?”
Then, on January 18, 2018, during yet another sleepless night reflecting on my past, the idea struck:
“What if I create a platform for executives like me? A space where they can share their successes, struggles, and wisdom?”
I glanced at the New Year diary I had bought earlier, and the name clicked—
Executives Diary.
I immediately checked the domain on my phone. It was available. I booked it on the spot.
At that moment, I knew this wasn’t just a business idea—it was personal. It was about telling stories, sharing wisdom, and preserving history like no other platform had before.
2018–2019: From Idea to Reality
When I first shared my vision for Executives Diary, my mentor in the U.S.—who had guided me in freelancing—was skeptical. He warned me:
“This is an ambitious project. You’re not a native English speaker, and your location will make it difficult.”
But I was determined.
I discovered I could incorporate a company in the U.S. remotely, and on February 27, 2018, I officially registered Executives Diary Inc. in Delaware.
Lacking experience in networking and executive-level conversations, I spent 2018 traveling across Southeast Asia. I wanted to immerse myself in different cultures, observe the global business landscape, and refine my vision.
During this time, I lived in hostels and co-working spaces, engaging with entrepreneurs and professionals from all walks of life.
These experiences broadened my perspective and helped shape the future of Executives Diary.
Then, on October 4, 2018, I launched Executives Diary in beta at Colony Co-Working Space in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2019: From a Blog to a Public Digital Diary
A traditional blog covering industry leaders and trends wouldn’t achieve the impact I envisioned. I wanted to create a space where executives could tell their stories in their own words.
That’s when I pivoted from a blog-style business magazine to an interview-based platform—Executives Diary, where leaders could share their life experiences, career journeys, and lessons learned through Public Digital Diaries.
I began actively reaching out to executives, inviting them to participate in our launch edition. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Leaders were excited about a platform that wasn’t just another corporate publication but a space for honest, impactful storytelling.
The Launch: 100 Executive Diaries
By April 2019, I had a clear launch roadmap:
✅ Gather 100 executive stories before going public
✅ Only launch once all 100 diaries were published
Our 100 Diaries PR campaign was featured in Business Insider(link), bringing Executives Diary into the spotlight. The response was so strong that a U.S. VC firm reached out, expressing interest in investing. But I made my stance clear:
“I don’t want seed funding yet. First, I want to make it profitable.”
This was a defining moment. Executives Diary wasn’t just another startup chasing funding—we were here to build something meaningful that could stand on its own.
Finally, in August 2019, on my brother’s birthday, we officially launched Executives Diary with 100 Public Digital Diaries.
2019: A Major Setback – We Got Hacked
Just as we were gaining momentum and preparing to launch 100 executive diaries across social media in a single day, disaster struck—
🚨 We got hacked.
🔹 I installed premium security plugins.
🔹 I audited our custom 3D flipbook plugin.
🔹 Yet, the site kept crashing—again and again.
For three days, I didn’t sleep. I manually checked every system, every line of code, and every security patch. Finally, I uncovered the root cause—an internal security breach.
But by then, the damage was done.
The big launch momentum was lost.
Falling into depression once again, I made a tough but necessary decision—to build an in-house tech team rather than relying on freelancers. This experience was a harsh but valuable lesson in control, security, and the importance of owning the core technology behind my vision.
2020–2023: Reinventing Executives Diary
By late 2019, after the hacking incident, I had hired two young engineers and started brainstorming the next phase of Executives Diary.
One day, as I reviewed executive interviews, I focused on a simple yet profound question we had asked:
“What do you think about Executives Diary?”
The responses were insightful, but one stood out—Scott Sullivan, a CEO, board member, and former leader at Danaher & PwC. He said:
“Sounds good. I was among the first 250K to join LinkedIn and love the app. Executives Diary may turn into the next LinkedIn.”
That statement struck me.
Executives Diary wasn’t just a storytelling platform—it had the potential to evolve into a social platform for business leaders.
This feedback reshaped my vision. Instead of just publishing executive stories, why not build a network where leaders could engage, connect, and share insights in a more meaningful way?
And so, the idea of Diary Social was born—a social platform built for and by executives.
2020: The Pandemic and Financial Struggles
By mid-2020, the world was in lockdown. Businesses were struggling, funding was drying up, and as for me—
💰 I ran out of cash.
🚗 I had already sold my car to finance Executives Diary.
📝 I was still paying editors and virtual assistants to proofread our content.
The dream of launching Diary Social seemed to be slipping away.
Then, something unexpected happened.
A New Perspective: The Battle Against Algorithmic Manipulation
I came across the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, and it changed everything.
The film exposed a hidden enemy—centralized social networks that control our data, track our behaviors, and manipulate our emotions.
I reflected on my past—how, after my losses in 2015, I had become addicted to Facebook’s algorithmic feed, trapped in a cycle of negativity. And it wasn’t just me. These platforms weren’t designed for our well-being; they were built to keep us engaged, no matter the cost.
That’s when my vision for Executives Diary evolved again.
I started thinking about decentralized social networks—platforms that put users in control of their content, free from Big Tech’s manipulation. But I also recognized the risks of unregulated decentralization, where disinformation and chaos could thrive.
So, I asked myself:
“What if we could build a federated social network—one that’s decentralized yet structured, where executives control their narratives while maintaining credibility and trust?”
This idea fascinated me. I spent the next two years researching federated social platforms and digital currencies that could support such a system.
2021–2022: A Critical Mistake and a Missed Opportunity
By early 2021, my funds were running dangerously low, and my research consumed all my time. Instead of seeking investors when the Executives Diary Social storytelling platform was already 90% complete, I kept refining the concept.
Looking back, that was my biggest mistake.
🔹 Here’s what we had built—take a look at this video: executivesdiary.com/about-executivesdiary
Had I approached investors earlier, I might have launched Diary Social in 2021 and avoided laying off my developers. Instead, I spent two more years trying to perfect the model—time that could have been spent scaling the platform.
Then, in November 2022, I completed the full DiaryTribes.com concept—a federated social networking ecosystem. Convinced it was ready for global attention, I even wrote a letter to Elon Musk, hoping he would see its potential.
On November 28, 2022, I issued a press release(Link) announcing the project—just two days before the launch of ChatGPT.
Little did I know that AI was about to change everything.
2023: AI Rescues Executives Diary – The Birth of Biographical Magazine
Looking back on those two years of mistakes, I tell myself: “Maybe it wasn’t the right time.”
In 2020, who could have predicted that AI would disrupt every industry?
During my research, I had gained near PhD-level knowledge of social algorithms, cryptocurrency, and a clear vision of how we could navigate the AI and blockchain era.
But by late 2022, I was at a breaking point. I had spent years building, pivoting, and refining Executives Diary—but I had no cash left to hire native editors or proofreaders to refine our content.
Then, ChatGPT arrived.
Suddenly, AI had gone mainstream. The entire tech industry shifted its focus, and so did I. AI tools had become powerful enough to replace expensive editors and content teams.
With AI, I no longer needed:
❌ Costly native English editors and writers
❌ Expensive proofreading services
Instead, I could hire talented, budget-friendly Pakistani writers who could use AI tools to refine their writing and give it a native touch.
This shift led to the birth of Biographies.ExecutivesDiary.com—a biographical WordPress blog that allowed us to continue publishing executive stories while the Public Digital Diary platform was being rebuilt.
With this model, I was able to recruit and empower young Pakistani writers.
In the past year and a half, we have featured over 800 biographies—and now, we have the capacity to publish 20 biographies a day.
2025 & Beyond: The Next Chapter
As we step into 2025, I reflect on how far we’ve come—and how much further we have to go.
Last year, I reached out to VC firms with a $2 million funding goal to support DiaryTribes.com, our vision for a federated social network. However, most firms either didn’t respond or declined with diplomatic rejections.
This was a wake-up call.
Instead of chasing investment for something that still needed time, I decided to double down on what’s already working and ready to scale:
✅ Raise Funding – Our goal is to secure funding to finalize our 90% launch-ready Diary social networking app and implement AI-driven updates.
✅ Physical Office – Establish a physical office to scale operations, onboard full-time writers, and build a strong community of engagement professionals.
✅ World’s Largest Biographical Magazine – Our goal is to publish 10,000 biographies on Biographies.ExecutivesDiary.com, establishing it as the world’s largest biographical platform dedicated to living legends.
✅ Executives Diary Exclusive Network – By June 2025, we will launch our AI-powered Public Digital Diary network with social features. We have already developed AI storytelling bots to enhance the experience.
I will schedule some time for us to connect.
These two pillars form the foundation for our next phase, ensuring we grow sustainably and profitably before revisiting DiaryTribes.com in the future.
But our mission remains the same—to document the journeys of business leaders, innovators, and visionaries, preserving their wisdom for generations to come.
And I know this is just the beginning.
Final Thoughts: A Lifelong Mission
I am not in a rush—I am on a lifelong mission. One day, my vision for DiaryTribes.com will become a reality, just as Executives Diary did.
As I reflect on this journey, I remember the words of Imran Khan, the cricketer-turned-politician and former Prime Minister of Pakistan. In the early 2000s, after failing to win a single seat in the general elections, he was told to quit politics and stick to cricket commentary and coaching. He famously replied:
“My voters are still young.”
I feel the same way.
We have become so deeply addicted and bound to the centralized internet that concepts like the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) still seem far off. But I believe Generation Beta will be far more concerned about data privacy, security, and the true value of their digital footprint.
For now, most people still feel they are getting everything for free. But as The Social Dilemma (2020) documentary highlighted, former Google design ethicist Tristan Harris put it best:
“If you’re not paying for the product, then you are the product.”
If you’ve made it to the end of this letter, I can’t thank you enough. I know it’s lengthy, but I did my best to keep it concise—after all, it reflects a seven-year journey filled with rollercoaster emotions.
“Try to live an impactful life rather than chasing success alone. Impact will last for ages; success will fade on stages.”
I am laying the foundation for something that will evolve into a lasting legacy, carried forward by future generations. After all, we are one big family.
If you genuinely believe in our vision and want to see it become a reality, please support us by sharing it with your network. Let’s create something meaningful together.
And as Muhammad Ali famously said:
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”
Wishing you all a successful and impactful year ahead.
Muhammad Nauman
Founder, Executives Diary Inc.
Delaware, United States
