Building Success in Finance & Recovery: An Interview with Ahmed Gheith

Ahmed Gheith is a standout leader in the financial landscape, known for his strategic vision and deep industry expertise. As Managing Director at Ceros Capital Markets, he draws on a career rich with experience, including his tenure as Vice President at Noble Capital Markets and early success as a top broker at Paulson Investment Company. 

Gheith’s ability to build lasting relationships with institutional partners, family offices, and high-net-worth investors has been central to his success, contributing to over $300 million in investment banking transactions. His leadership continues to drive Ceros Capital Markets’ success and influence in private equity.

How did you get into the business of private equity investment banking?

My interest in private equity investment banking really started during my middle school years, around the late '90s tech bubble. I remember how, in 1998 and 1999, everyone around me—my parents, uncles, aunts, and even my grandparents—were talking about buying stocks. That was my first real introduction to the capital markets, and it sparked a deep curiosity in me. From then on, I was hooked. I joined the stock market club in high school, went on to study finance in college, and was fully committed to pursuing a career in this field.

When I graduated college in 2009, right in the aftermath of the financial crisis, the job market was tough, especially in investment banking. I had to start at the bottom, working at a brokerage firm where my main task was cold calling. The environment was gritty—there were no computers, no chairs, just a phone and a stack of lead cards. We worked long hours, about 10 a day, and earned $250 a week. It was an intense introduction to the industry, but it built a strong foundation of work ethic and resilience.

During that time, I saw successful brokers around me who were still cold-calling like the rest of us, and I realized that if I wanted to succeed, I had to adopt that same level of discipline and determination. Over time, I began to grow as a broker, building relationships and opening accounts, which gradually led me to where I am today in the industry.

How long was it before you got started at Ceros Capital Markets?

I didn’t join Ceros until 2021. By that point, I was about 10 years into my career and looking for more independence. I wanted to have a greater say in the deals I was working on, and I was also aiming for a higher payout structure. My partner and I realized that to achieve that level of autonomy, we needed to align with a firm that could provide the flexibility and independence we were seeking. Ceros was the perfect fit for us, and since making that move, it’s been a great experience.

What brought you to the field of managing post-rehab sober living facilities?

That's a great question. The opportunity actually came to me through a friend who knew someone looking to sell their business. The owner was retiring, and my friend thought it would be a good fit for me. He told me it was an interesting business with a reasonable price point, solid financials, and a decent return on investment. 

At that time, I didn’t know much about post-rehab or sober living facilities, but I gave it some thought. Growing up in New York, I had seen firsthand the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic and knew many people who had struggled with addiction. I realized that this could be a meaningful way to give back and contribute to helping people maintain sobriety. At the same time, it also presented a solid business opportunity, so it felt like a win-win situation.

I ended up purchasing the business in 2018, and while we’ve definitely had our growing pains, but here we are six years later, still going strong. Our occupancy rate is relatively high, and our clients really love what we offer compared to some other facilities. We provide apartment-style housing, which gives it more of a resort feel, and we've included amenities like a swimming pool, basketball and pickleball courts, and beach volleyball. 

We also host barbecues on the weekends and organize various events to keep residents engaged. Maintaining that sense of community is absolutely crucial for people working to stay sober, and we take pride in fostering that supportive environment.

How do you balance these two very different career roles, managing post-rehab living and acting as Managing Director at Ceros Capital Markets?

I’m fortunate to be surrounded by an incredible team, and I have a great staff at our sober living facility. They manage the day-to-day operations while I focus on the big-picture aspects of the business. I’m more of a visionary, so I provide the overall strategy and trust them to execute it—and they do a fantastic job. 

My primary focus is still on my work in investment banking, but I’m confident that my team handles everything with care and precision. One of the things I’m most proud of is how dedicated they are to helping our residents. Many of them have been through similar experiences and truly understand the importance of our work. In fact, when there are employment opportunities after someone graduates from our program, we always look to our graduates first. It’s a great way to support their continued success while strengthening our community.

As the Managing Director at Ceros, what does a typical day look like?

My days are full of variety and challenges that come with it—every day is truly different. Some days, I’m focused on updating clients about existing investments; other days, it’s all about raising capital or evaluating potential new investments by speaking with issuers and learning about their companies. It really depends on where we are in the investment cycle, but the diversity keeps things exciting.

There are even days when all these tasks overlap—reviewing new opportunities, updating clients on previous investments, and raising capital at the same time. It’s this dynamic environment that drew me in. Managing a sober living facility is no different in that sense. There are always new challenges, but that’s what makes it engaging and fulfilling. Every day brings its own unique story, and I love that aspect of it.

What is your advice to investment managers who find themselves struggling?

What brought me to managing post-rehab sober living facilities really ties back to the perseverance I learned early in my career. In the beginning, I was grinding it out as a minimum-wage cold caller for about three years, just trying to find my footing and figure out how to sell. It took me four years before I made any real money in the business. 

Being in my early 20s, fresh out of college, and speaking with ultra-high-net-worth investors was intimidating—especially when you don’t come from money yourself. But the key was to keep my head down, stay focused, and not give up. So the answer is, keep your head down, do the work, and put in the time.

That same mentality applies to running sober living facilities. There are challenges, and it can be daunting at times, but you keep pushing forward. Over time, just like in my investment career, you build confidence, gain experience, and realize that you can handle whatever comes your way. It’s all about perseverance and staying committed to helping others while also growing as a professional.