Tragically, Tony Hsieh passed away last week at age 46.
At 25 years of age – in the year 1998 – Tony sells his co-founded company LinkExchange, where 100 people work, for $265 million to Microsoft.
He sells, not because he wants to cash. He seems too smart for that. But he’s told the world that he didn’t like the company culture of LinkExchange anymore. It was not after one hire that this happened. But, at 100 employees, all of a sudden the culture has become selfish and unpleasant.
Luckily for the world, this happened. Because, with all the cash, Tony decides to invest in approximately 20 companies. And, one of those companies happens to go by the name of Zappos. He ends up becoming the CEO in 1999.
The success of Zappos now speaks for itself. Tony ends up writing a book ‘delivering happiness’ and publishing it in 2010. He is the first person in the internet age who creates a company solely focused on a culture of people who want to make customers happy, regardless.
I didn’t know how deeply Tony’s worldview has penetrated many many companies today. And I’m telling the truth saying that my view on business and customers is strongly influenced by Tony. Yours might too.
So here’s to all that we’ve learnt from a great teacher the world has lost. May he live on in the better world he himself was part of creating.