My First Million #118 with Harley Finkelstein (Shopify's President) - Why You Should Drop Out Of School and Start a Shopify Store
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Oct 9, 2020 
Join Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify and e-commerce innovator, as he shares his insightful journey from law to leading a major tech company. He humorously discusses unique recruitment tactics, and highlights the rise of independent brands like Gymshark during the pandemic. Harley vividly outlines the evolving retail landscape, emphasizing the power of direct-to-consumer strategies. Plus, hear his thoughts on why aspiring entrepreneurs should consider starting their own Shopify stores instead of going through traditional education.
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Early-Stage Value
- Early-stage employees should focus on maximizing their value, regardless of their background.
- Forget predefined roles and find ways to contribute meaningfully.
Shopify's Origin
- Shopify originated as software for Toby Lütke's snowboard shop due to his immigrant status limiting job options in Canada.
- Realizing the software's potential, he shifted focus from snowboards to building Shopify.
Underestimating Potential
- Even savvy investors like Bessemer underestimated Shopify's potential, projecting a $400 million exit versus its current $130 billion valuation.
- This highlights the difficulty of predicting category leaders in growing markets.