Philip de Souza is the CEO of HotLunch.com, a software designed to automate the school lunch ordering and management process. As a serial entrepreneur and cybersecurity veteran, he founded, sold, and exited Aurora, a consulting firm specializing in data security and compliance. Philip has also led and advised technology companies and nonprofits on tech, finance, and growth.

Managing a business over a period of decades demands resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to evolve as a leader and as an organization. Founders often face moments when growth feels chaotic, decisions feel heavy, and the future is unclear. What does it take to build an enduring business while preparing for the future?

Philip de Souza spent years guiding organizations through risk, growth, and transition. He emphasizes hiring for attitude over résumé strength, building trust-based relationships instead of relying solely on tools, and creating strong communication rhythms that keep teams aligned. By understanding your numbers, planning for an early exit, and accepting feedback to avoid becoming the bottleneck, you can achieve sustainable growth.

In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with Philip de Souza, CEO of HotLunch.com, about building resilient businesses and planning for life after an exit. Philip discusses shifting from product-driven thinking to trust-based leadership, the lessons he learned from selling a company, and the daily habits that support long-term growth and personal accountability.