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Tony Hsieh was a builder, investor, philanthropist, and self-proclaimed weirdo.
He inspired millions to think differently about happiness and embrace their own inner weirdness.
Here is the story of a beautiful man gone way too soon.
He inspired millions to think differently about happiness and embrace their own inner weirdness.
Here is the story of a beautiful man gone way too soon.
1/ Tony Hsieh was born on December 12, 1973.
His parents, both Taiwanese immigrants, placed a strong emphasis on education, always pushing Tony and his younger brothers to excel in school.
Upon graduating high school in California, he left home to enroll at Harvard University.
His parents, both Taiwanese immigrants, placed a strong emphasis on education, always pushing Tony and his younger brothers to excel in school.
Upon graduating high school in California, he left home to enroll at Harvard University.
2/ Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area in the very early days of the internet, he wanted to be a part of that world.
He graduated in 1995 with a degree in computer science, determined to build.
As a first step, he accepted a job at Oracle as a low level programmer.
He graduated in 1995 with a degree in computer science, determined to build.
As a first step, he accepted a job at Oracle as a low level programmer.
3/ But his ambition and creativity was not suited for the large corporate life.
Within a few months, he left Oracle with a colleague to build something new.
Their idea: to build an ad network for the new world of internet advertising.
So it was that LinkExchange was born.
Within a few months, he left Oracle with a colleague to build something new.
Their idea: to build an ad network for the new world of internet advertising.
So it was that LinkExchange was born.
4/ Riding the internet boom, it took off immediately.
Within 90 days, they had 20,000 participating web pages.
Within 2 years, they had over 400,000.
In 1998, just 2 years after starting the business, Hsieh and his co-founders sold LinkExchange to Microsoft for $265 million.
Within 90 days, they had 20,000 participating web pages.
Within 2 years, they had over 400,000.
In 1998, just 2 years after starting the business, Hsieh and his co-founders sold LinkExchange to Microsoft for $265 million.
5/ Working at Microsoft while waiting for all of his shares to vest, Hsieh yet again grew tired of the big corporate culture.
Deciding that time was his most precious resource, he left early, leaving millions of unvested shares on the table, and launched a startup incubator.
Deciding that time was his most precious resource, he left early, leaving millions of unvested shares on the table, and launched a startup incubator.
6/ Venture Frogs (the name originated from a dare) invested in and supported startups.
It was in this role that Hsieh first met Nick Swinmurn, the founder of @Zappos, a company that wanted to sell shoes online.
In 1999, this seemed crazy, but Hsieh was intrigued.
It was in this role that Hsieh first met Nick Swinmurn, the founder of @Zappos, a company that wanted to sell shoes online.
In 1999, this seemed crazy, but Hsieh was intrigued.
7/ Believing in the massive market opportunity, Venture Frogs decided to invest in Zappos.
This was just the beginning for Hsieh.
Anxious to get back to building, he joined Zappos as its CEO and got to work.
Sales were growing, but there was nothing smooth about road ahead.
This was just the beginning for Hsieh.
Anxious to get back to building, he joined Zappos as its CEO and got to work.
Sales were growing, but there was nothing smooth about road ahead.
8/ The business was unprofitable, and with a backdrop of the dot-com crash, the idea of raising money for an internet shoe sales business was laughable.
So Hsieh buckled down, selling off his own real estate holdings to fund the business.
He became a true servant leader.
So Hsieh buckled down, selling off his own real estate holdings to fund the business.
He became a true servant leader.
9/ As Zappos grew, Hsieh focused on building a company he could be proud of.
He prioritized people and built a unique culture that embraced individualism.
Zappos famously asked the question, "How weird are you?" of new applicants.
By 2009, the company hit $1 billion in sales.
He prioritized people and built a unique culture that embraced individualism.
Zappos famously asked the question, "How weird are you?" of new applicants.
By 2009, the company hit $1 billion in sales.
10/ Zappos was acquired by Amazon in 2009 for $1.2 billion.
Having rejected previous offers, Hsieh finally relented when Amazon promised to allow Zappos to run independently.
For Hsieh, the success of Zappos was intertwined with its culture.
This was simply non-negotiable.
Having rejected previous offers, Hsieh finally relented when Amazon promised to allow Zappos to run independently.
For Hsieh, the success of Zappos was intertwined with its culture.
This was simply non-negotiable.
11/ Tony Hsieh remained at the helm of Zappos until August 2020, when he stepped down after 21 years as its CEO.
A natural introvert, he likened his role as CEO to that of a greenhouse architect, designing an environment that would allow employees to learn, grow, and thrive.
A natural introvert, he likened his role as CEO to that of a greenhouse architect, designing an environment that would allow employees to learn, grow, and thrive.
12/ Outside of his day job, Tony Hsieh always sought out ways to give back.
His book, Delivering Happiness, was a #1 @nytimesbooks best seller, remaining on the list for 27 consecutive weeks.
He also invested heavily in rebuilding underdeveloped parts of downtown Las Vegas.
His book, Delivering Happiness, was a #1 @nytimesbooks best seller, remaining on the list for 27 consecutive weeks.
He also invested heavily in rebuilding underdeveloped parts of downtown Las Vegas.
13/ Tony Hsieh showed the world that being different was not only ok, but actually a competitive advantage.
He inspired millions to embrace their inner weirdness.
Above all else, Tony Hsieh loved life.
He will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on.
He inspired millions to embrace their inner weirdness.
Above all else, Tony Hsieh loved life.
He will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on.
14/ For more on his life and values, I highly recommend listening to this @HowIBuiltThis podcast with @guyraz from 2017. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zappos-tony-hsieh/id1150510297?i=1000438833707
15/ As a small tribute to Tony Hsieh's life, I will match all donations up to a total of $2,500 to The Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada. Please DM me your receipt.
I would be honored if others would join me in this great cause to celebrate his life. https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E11495&id=12
I would be honored if others would join me in this great cause to celebrate his life. https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E11495&id=12
16/ Update: We have now raised over $5,000 for The Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada in celebration of Tony’s life and legacy. As promised, my matching contribution is below. Thank you everyone for the generous donations! Keep it going.
17/ Final Update: When all is said and done, we will have raised over $10,000 for The Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada in tribute to Tony and his legacy. The power of this community is amazing. Thank you all so much for being a part of this. It is sincerely appreciated.
