Yasir Al Shekhly began his media journey through the podcast “From Zero”, a project that quickly positioned itself as more than just a conversation platform. It emerged as a modern lens into Iraq’s evolving economic landscape, highlighting the untold stories of entrepreneurs who built their success from the ground up across diverse industries.
At its core, “From Zero” was built on a simple yet powerful idea: to document success stories in a way that feels contemporary, authentic, and deeply connected to today’s generation. Rather than focusing solely on achievements, the podcast explores the full journey — the failures, the uncertainty, and the resilience behind every breakthrough. This narrative approach allowed it to resonate strongly with a young audience eager for relatable and real inspiration. From the very first episodes, the podcast established a distinctive voice in the regional media scene. It did not present entrepreneurship as a polished final product, but as a continuous process shaped by risk, ambition, and transformation. Through this lens, viewers began to see Iraqi entrepreneurs not just as business figures, but as individuals navigating complex realities with vision and determination.
Reflecting on the philosophy behind the project, Yasir Al Shekhly shares: “I always believed that every success story in Iraq doesn’t begin at the top — it begins at zero. A real zero. A moment filled with doubt, learning, and rebuilding. I wanted to capture that stage honestly, because it is where the truth of every journey lives.“ He further explains the broader vision behind the platform: “‘From Zero’ was never meant to be just a podcast. It is a storytelling approach that redefines how we look at entrepreneurship in Iraq. It connects emotion with economics, and makes business stories feel human, accessible, and relevant to everyday life.” As the project evolves, Yasir is now preparing for a new season that marks a significant shift in both scale and ambition. For the first time, “From Zero” will be filmed outside Iraq, expanding its narrative scope beyond local boundaries. This decision reflects a broader vision — to place Iraqi entrepreneurial stories within a regional and global context, and to explore how similar journeys unfold across different cultures and markets.
On this new phase, he says: “For the upcoming season, I wanted to break geographical limits. Iraqi success is not isolated; it is part of a much larger global conversation. By filming outside Iraq, we are opening the door to comparisons, new perspectives, and deeper understanding of how entrepreneurship evolves in different environments.”
With this expansion, “From Zero” is entering a more mature and dynamic stage — transforming from a national storytelling platform into a cross-cultural narrative experience. It continues to challenge traditional formats by blending documentary realism with modern storytelling aesthetics, positioning itself as a bridge between Iraq’s entrepreneurial spirit and the wider world.
