Wessam Hamadneh is an American Palestinian, who has been living in Saudi Arabia since 2010. He is an eCommerce professional, a photographer at heart, and, somewhat unusually, a wristwatch enthusiast. He has a passion for helping people transform their ideas and passions into successful online businesses. He strongly believes in the motto “Follow your passion,” as he sees it as the key to unlocking one’s full potential and surpassing limitations.
His eCommerce journey began in 2018 with a small online store reselling watches, followed by freelance photography. In 2020, during the early days of the pandemic, he launched Ace Media in response to the increased demand for digital services. The agency offers eCommerce development, consultancy, photography, videography, and digital marketing services.
In 2020, he also started his career at H. M. Al Rugaib & Sons Trading Company as an eCommerce Specialist, later being promoted to lead the brilliant team behind the website. From 2018 to 2022, the most common question he received was, “How does he always manage to monetize his passions?” Whether it was content, watches, or photography, he always found a way. This motivated him to share his knowledge by creating a free, 11-page ebook titled “Start Your eCommerce Journey in KSA,” which helped many people kickstart their own online stores.
Encouraged by the success stories the ebook generated, he went on to publish “Master Passion into Income,” a comprehensive 100-page guide designed to help people discover their passion and learn how to turn it into profitable businesses. More importantly, it focuses on developing the right entrepreneurial mindset. He realized that nothing brought him more joy than helping others see their passions become the realities they once dreamed of. This led him to launch www.acemindsets.com, where he provides digital resources, content, and eCommerce consultancy services to help others do what they love for a living.
Today, he lives a fulfilling life, creating value for others by sharing his knowledge through his platform and managing the brilliant eCommerce team behind Al Rugaib Furniture.
What are the main factors that guided you to where you are now?
I’ve always been a passion-driven person. My dad once told me, “Love what you do and be the best at it.” So, I’d always find ways to develop my passion and take it to the next level. I also had a hunger to create value for others through my skill set, which included content creation and online business solutions, making me more customer-centric in my approach today. I never restricted my ability to learn and always searched for the next big thing to capitalize on and share with others. Most importantly, I’ve stayed true to myself and transparent with those around me. Having a sense of self-awareness and the ability to deliver a message of hope and trust to your audience is critical in building genuine relationships.
Given your years of experience and accomplishments, what would you say was your biggest achievement?
That would have to be the journey. It’s important to pause and reflect on where you were and what you did to get to where you are today. I took a moment to look back at what I had accomplished by the age of 23. I went from charging SAR 100/hour to charging SAR 4,000/hour for photography work. Being able to influence hundreds of people, showing them that they, too, can make a living doing what they love through online solutions, was a huge accomplishment. Finally, leading a high-performing eCommerce team at a leading furniture retailer.
What is the quote that inspires you the most?
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs. It emphasizes the impact work has on our lives and how central it is to finding fulfillment. He suggests that true satisfaction comes from dedicating oneself to meaningful and excellent work, and the key to achieving that excellence is passion. When you love what you do, you’re more likely to pour energy and creativity into it, which ultimately leads to producing great results. Hence, I love being in the business of inspiring people’s lives.
How would you balance the pursuit of wealth and success with personal fulfillment and happiness?
Balancing the pursuit of wealth and success with personal fulfillment and happiness is about aligning both goals with my core values. I believe that financial success is important, but true fulfillment comes from relationships, personal growth, and living with purpose. I strive to set clear boundaries between work and personal life, making time for the things that matter most, whether it’s spending time with loved ones, focusing on my health, or pursuing passions outside of work. Success isn’t just measured by wealth; it’s about learning, contributing to others, and feeling a sense of accomplishment in all areas of life. I also recognize that what brings happiness and fulfillment can evolve over time, so I make a conscious effort to reassess my priorities and adapt as life changes. Ultimately, I aim to create a life where wealth and success complement my personal well-being, rather than compete with it.
In your opinion, what factors would determine the success of a sales strategy? Why?
The success of an online sales strategy fundamentally revolves around understanding market demand and being deeply customer-centric. A strong strategy starts with a clear grasp of the target audience: what their needs are, where they spend their time online, and how they make purchasing decisions. This insight allows businesses to tailor their offerings and marketing messages in a way that resonates with potential customers. Furthermore, the strategy must be flexible, able to adapt to changes in market trends and business needs. Whether it’s seasonality, shifts in consumer behavior, or new competition, a successful strategy must evolve and pivot in real-time to stay relevant.
Equally important is the recognition that both acquisition and retention strategies must work hand-in-hand. While bringing in new customers is vital, keeping them engaged and loyal over time is what sustains long-term growth. A key part of this is crafting a sales funnel that is transparent, personalized, and convenient for customers, rather than relying on traditional, intrusive sales tactics. The focus should be on providing value at each stage of the customer journey, building trust, and nurturing relationships. By moving away from spammy approaches and offering tailored solutions, businesses can create a seamless and engaging experience that leads to higher conversion rates and better customer retention.
In light of your journey and experiences, what message would you like to convey to aspiring entrepreneurs?
To all aspiring entrepreneurs, my message is simple: just get started. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the ideal conditions; nothing is impossible when you take that first step. The journey may seem overwhelming at times, but remember, everything is possible when you break it down one step at a time. Find what you’re passionate about, follow it relentlessly, and figure out how to make a living from it. When you’re driven by passion and big dreams, the human mind is capable of achieving remarkable things. As you move forward, strive to learn constantly and stay authentic in all your relationships. Focus on giving value without expecting anything in return, because when you do that, opportunities will start to open up in ways you never imagined.
There will be moments when you feel drained, hopeless, or tempted to quit, but in those times, remind yourself why you started. You’re not just building a business or a career; you’re working towards creating a change in your life, and that takes effort. If you want to be in the top 1%, you have to be willing to do what 99% of the world won’t. It won’t be easy, and obstacles will come, but each struggle you face and overcome will only make you stronger. Don’t believe that success is just about luck, because luck is what happens when you’ve built enough doors for opportunity to knock on. So, start building. Adopt the mindset that there’s no such thing as failure, only lessons learned. You have nothing to lose, so take that first step today. The journey starts now, and if you do what you love for a living, you’ll never truly work a day in your life.
What is your personal team leadership philosophy, and how does it shape the approach and methodologies used by Ace Mindsets Academy?
My leadership philosophy is centered on developing others. I believe true leadership isn’t about authority but about building other leaders by providing motivation, inspiration, and accountability. Growth comes from facing challenges, not from easy solutions. As a leader, I aim to share my experiences and guide others, empowering them to take ownership of their journey. At Ace Mindsets Academy, this approach helps our members think critically and act with passion. I value directness and authenticity, speaking with passion and pushing people to exceed their limits. While it may seem harsh, I avoid sugar-coating the truth because I believe it’s necessary for growth. Over time, I’ve learned that listening is just as important as speaking. Leadership is about understanding others to offer the right support, ensuring their growth is meaningful and impactful.
What is the most valuable lesson learned from your professional journey?
The power of adaptability. Being the most capable of adjusting to unforeseen changes in the environment makes you the fittest for survival under the harshest of conditions. You’ll move faster than those around you. No matter how well you plan or how much expertise you have, things rarely go exactly as expected. Embracing change, staying open to new ideas, and being willing to pivot when necessary has been crucial for my professional growth.
Tell us more about what distinguishes Ace Mindsets Academy from others providing similar services.
As someone who has been on the client end of many eCommerce and entrepreneurial educators, mentors, and consultants, I can tell you that most programs focus on providing fixed services or get-rich-quick frameworks. The truth is, no matter how good or successful a framework might be, it may not be right for you. Just because it worked for me doesn’t mean it will work for you. Definitely, some things will work for you, but possibly through a different route. People and businesses have different strengths and weaknesses. Hence, Ace Mindsets focuses on mindset transformation as the foundation for success. We believe the right mindset not only drives performance but also fosters long-term resilience and fulfillment. We tailor solutions to meet the demands of different groups and help build leaders by investing in their inner growth. Rather than handing out one-size-fits-all courses or solutions, we take the time to understand each person’s unique journey and tailor our guidance to their specific needs.
Where do you see the future of eCommerce in the next 3-5 years, and how do you plan to adapt to those changes?
In the next 3-5 years, eCommerce will evolve into a dynamic, multi-dimensional space where traditional online shopping platforms will act as search engines, guiding consumers through hyper-personalized journeys. Thanks to advancements in AI, websites will anticipate shoppers’ needs by understanding their tastes, moods, and even home environments. Personalization will become so advanced that it will feel as though each digital storefront is tailored specifically to an individual, offering recommendations that feel more like suggestions from a trusted friend than a generic algorithm. This level of customization will be driven by AI, which will not only optimize product recommendations but also interact with customers through highly intelligent, responsive customer service systems, transforming the overall shopping experience into something far more intuitive and engaging.
Simultaneously, the concept of “phygital” shopping will merge the physical and digital realms into a seamless, omnichannel experience. Retailers will integrate online and offline channels, creating interactive, hybrid shopping environments that bridge the gap between virtual and brick-and-mortar stores. The distinction between the two will blur as consumers engage with brands both in person and online through connected, immersive experiences. Niche marketplaces and subscription models will gain traction, offering specialized products and building communities around specific interests. These models will cater to more defined audiences, emphasizing value over volume, and shifting focus toward fostering deeper relationships between brands and their customers, rather than simply selling products. Together, these trends will redefine the eCommerce landscape, making it more personalized, integrated, and community-focused.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re particularly excited about?
I’m thrilled to announce the exciting launch of ECommerce CoPilot, which will be available on Ace Mindsets! This all-in-one SaaS package is designed for aspiring eCommerce professionals ready to take their business from concept to reality. ECommerce CoPilot includes an upgraded SaaS checklist and a step-by-step roadmap to turn your new knowledge into a tangible action plan. With over 400 points covering every aspect of planning, launching, and scaling an eCommerce business, this package is packed with actionable insights and educational content to help you succeed. You’ll also receive access to our exclusive Ace Mindsets Inner Circle Membership, which connects you to our vibrant community portal where you can engage with like-minded entrepreneurs. This one-time investment equips you with the tools and direction to launch your dream online business and take it to the next level!
