Episode Overview

Podcast: Mick Unplugged
Host: Mick Hunt (Realm)
Guest: Kerim Kfuri, Global Supply Chain Leader & CEO of the Atlas Network
Episode Title: Kerim Kfuri: Thriving Through Chaos—Supply Chains, AI, and Strategic Calm
Date: August 11, 2025

This episode explores the vital role of supply chains in daily life and business, the critical mindset leaders need amidst chaos, and the future-shaping influence of AI on global industry. Kerim Kfuri shares his philosophy, practical industry wisdom, and personal leadership journey—empowering listeners with tools and mindsets necessary for thriving during uncertainty.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Role and Importance of Supply Chain

• Defining Supply Chain for the Everyday Person
  Kerim paints a vivid, relatable picture of supply chains impacting daily life, from groceries to Amazon deliveries.

  "Supply chain touches every one of our lives every single day... There was a process that got that produce on those shelves and it started way back, you know, in growing and fields and farmers and then refrigeration and transportation..." (03:01)

• The End-to-End Process
  He breaks the supply chain into 8–10 key steps—from sourcing raw materials to final delivery and reordering—emphasizing how any disruption in a single step ripples through to the consumer (05:21).
• Controllable vs. Uncontrollable Disruptions
  Discusses both predictable (supplier relations, quality control) and unpredictable (geopolitics, pandemics, port strikes) supply chain challenges (06:51).

The Driving Force: “Because” Mindset

• Kerim’s “Because”
  Kerim’s core motivator is "to make an impact on this planet" and leave a positive, lasting mark.

  "For me, it's always been that idea of leaving a mark... when we dream it, we can achieve it." (08:25)

• Limitless Mindset

  "People talk about a growth mindset. I believe in a limitless mindset. We are only restricted by our own selves and the boxes that we put ourselves in." (10:44)

Strategic Calm in Chaos

• Philosophy and Application
  Kerim advocates pausing amidst chaos to regain clarity before strategizing.

  "You got to go inside, and you got to basically meditate on it for a minute... It's in those moments that you're really able to think with a rational mind..." (12:41)

• Advice for Small Business Owners:
  • Assume things will go wrong—prepare for disruption from the outset (15:32).
  • Learn from suppliers and avoid those who only say “yes”—healthy skepticism is key (18:57).
  • Accept that manufacturing perfection rarely exists; focus on managing tolerances and learning from each run (19:57).

Setting & Keeping Standards

• How the Atlas Network Sets Standards
  • Three-part process: (1) Select the right supplier, (2) Keep eyes and ears on the ground, (3) Use third-party attesters to find mistakes (21:01).

  "They are paid to find mistakes. And if you do that, you really get a good level of visibility across the entire spectrum." (22:53)

  • Kerim holds his company to a stricter standard than industry norms to ensure reliability (23:15).

The Critical Practice of Contingency Planning

• Contingency Planning Is Everything
  • Plan for multiple outcomes to ensure plan A ultimately succeeds (24:47).

  "But you know, supply chain specifically, as the book is titled, Ups and Downs is a roller coaster ride... you must have alternatives." (25:17)

  • Actively rotate and test suppliers—never put all eggs in one basket (26:44).

The Transformative Potential of AI

• AI’s Future in Supply Chain
  • Kerim sees a coming revolution, as AI can redesign products for efficiency, sustainability, and cost, even substituting costly/rare materials (28:34).

  "When we put in more and more repositories of data, good data sets, we're going to be able to put in a particular product... and say, re-engineer this for me." (29:13)

  • AI will assist in global problem-solving, especially amid new tariffs and regulatory hurdles (30:27).

The Power of Mentorship & Partnership

• Personal and Professional Impact
  • Kerim underscores the two-way street of great mentorship, using his relationship with Daymond John as an example.

  "You fail when you stop growing, right? ... it's always my focus and goal to surround myself with people that I can continuously be learning from... and offering information as well." (31:30)

  • Mutual growth and knowledge-sharing are crucial, not just hierarchical mentorship (32:40).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Optimism in Supply Chain:

  "Through challenges and obstacles and chaos is where the opportunity exists. And that's where you really start to be more of an optimist." —Kerim (01:34)

• On Entrepreneurship & Risk Mitigation:

  "Assume from the beginning that everything's going to go wrong... prepare for the worst case scenarios, so you have the best case outcome." —Kerim (15:32)

• On Standards vs. Goals:

  "I don't set goals—goals are personal. I set standards." —Mick (20:29)

• On AI’s Promise:

  "Let AI do some of the industrial engineering for us... more efficient, have less of a carbon footprint and are really able to assist us..." —Kerim (29:31)

• On True Leadership:

  "Leadership is only as successful as the adoption of your leadership... understand what motivates your audience." —Kerim (37:02)

• On Lifelong Impact:

  "We have such greatness within us all. And it all starts with the basic belief that we can all be great." —Kerim (10:19)

Important Timestamps

• Defining Supply Chain: 02:47 – 07:57
• Kerim’s “Because”: 08:25 – 11:13
• Strategic Calm in Action: 12:41 – 14:41
• Advice to Small Business Owners: 15:32 – 20:21
• Standards at the Atlas Network: 21:01 – 23:35
• Contingency Planning: 24:47 – 28:02
• AI’s Impact on Supply Chain: 28:34 – 30:47
• On Mentorship and Partnerships: 31:30 – 33:27
• Lightning Round (“Quick Five”): 33:57 – 39:39
• Kerim’s Next Goal: 38:24
• Best Podcast Recommendation: 39:57

Lightning Round Highlights

• Go-to comfort food while traveling: Chocolate (34:05)
• Favorite way to reset: Alone time, YouTube deep dives (34:37)
• Biggest unexpected leadership lesson: The importance of adoption—your leadership is only as good as people buying into it (37:02)
• Next big win: Becoming the relatable voice of global supply chain (38:24)
• Best podcast for leaders: Supply and Demand Show for a humanized, accessible take on all things supply chain (39:57)

Where to Find Kerim Kfuri

• Atlas Network: theatlasnetwork.com
• Book: Supply Chain Ups and Downs (Amazon, supplychainupsanddowns.com)
• Social: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube – Kerim Kfuri
• Personal Site: kerimkfuri.com

Final Takeaways

Kerim Kfuri leaves listeners with actionable wisdom: Embrace challenges as opportunity, commit to high standards, and always approach chaos with strategic calm. Grounded in personal leadership philosophy and robust industry expertise, Kerim’s approach is a roadmap for anyone aiming to thrive in unpredictable times.

Host’s closing reminder:

“Remember, your ‘because’ is your superpower—go unleash it.” (43:30)

For more supply chain insights and leadership guidance, subscribe to “Mick Unplugged” and check out Kerim’s daily tips on his social platforms.