From StarCraft Player to Billionaire CEO

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I basically owe my entire entrepreneurial career to Shopify. I absolutely love the founder, Tobi Lutke and think what he’s built at Shopify is incredible. Hopefully you enjoy this story about his journey, it’s so awesome seeing a gamer become a big time tech CEO.
KEY SOURCES:
www.acquired.f...
ABOUT JOHN COOGAN:
I am the co-founder of soylent.com and lucy.co, both of which were funded by Y Combinator (Summer 2012 and Winter 2018).
I've been an entrepreneur for nearly a decade across multiple companies. I've done a lot of work in silicon valley, so that's mostly what I talk about. I've raised over 10 rounds of venture capital totaling over $100m in total funding.
I work mostly in tech-enabled consumer packaged goods, meaning I use software to make the best products possible and then deliver them to the widest possible audience. I'm a big fan of machine learning, python programming, and motion graphics.
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CONTACT:
You can get in touch with me via Twitter: / johncoogan
Disclaimer: This video is purely my opinion and should not be regarded as a primary source. I am not a financial advisor and this is not a recommendation to buy or sell securities. Always do your own due diligence.

[@GarryTan]

Tobi is a G

[@JohnCooganPlus]

Just finished watching your zero interest rate video. Amazing stuff!

[@TylerF]

Hi Garry!

[@CharlesWeill]

Garry x John colab soon??

[@mentalmodels5]

@@CharlesWeill Yess would love to see a Garry x John collab

[@Chyropunk]

@@JohnCooganPlus men your videos are amazing , i can notice the effort, i have so much ideas and proyects, but i always got stuck at the product phase or got demotivated because of the slow growth, maybe because the market is tiny here in chile...

[@Phlegethon]

Feels to me like the companies you talk about as legends all went downhill pretty fast when the bubble burst

[@harkal2278]

you communication skills are on another level a video came randomly in my recomendations and now i m watching whole of your channel. love you so much ... 🖤🖤🖤

[@johnl.7754]

Yeah and can tell from videos that he understands technical stuff also.

[@3bi573]

i am like "where did this man get his skill in content creation".....from speech, gestures ...

[@DanielCasasOfficial]

This is now my fifth or so video of yours I'm watching. I really appreciate the effort you put in to the storytelling and editing. The satire being kept to a minimum and high production value is very refreshing in this space. Keep it up!

[@JohnCooganPlus]

thanks a lot! i really appreciate hearing that. always hoped that my content would be watchable long into the future.

[@johnlimcy83]

This is probably one of the best (researched and compiled) videos about Tobi Lutke and how he built Shopify - thank you!!

[@leonine5681]

Tobi truly is talented, he also has not conformed to many silicon valley norms when it comes to operating as CEO, it probably helps to be based out of Ottawa. Thanks for another amazing video John!👍

[@JohnCooganPlus]

For sure, he’s also super aligned with small entrepreneurs, who use Shopify. So when he streams Starcraft, founders like me really take notice!

[@williamkwabla]

Computer games are really underrated in terms of learning. The amount of knowledge and skill you gain from it is unquantifiable. From the ability to make a decisions in a split second, staying 100 focused, adapting and managing different and new scenarios in the game, to the hand-to-eye coordination is not a simple skill you can learn from anywhere. These skills can be transferred to scenarios in the real world.

[@mentalmodels5]

2:20 "Video games taught him more about business than anything else" So true, going *off-book* is the secret to learning fast :)

[@JohnCooganPlus]

For sure. So many valuable skills in competitive gaming. Big difference between Starcraft and Candy Crush though lol

[@Pharoah2]

100%. Especially MMOs lol. You learn a lot about human nature and economics

[@treyeshuatruth]

Amazing to have discovered you, John. I have started 15 companies with 1 big success back in the 1980's. I am now starting a spiritual enteprise unlike much of anything existing and I will continue to watch your videos to help mentor me in this new age of startups.

[@ekanemekemini7433]

I can't believe how good your content are.... I'm giving myself the task of watching all your videos. Great Video

[@Botanifiles]

Wow, did not realize you were the Soylent guy. I remember reading about you over a decade ago. Congrats on the success, and on making it off of a morally sound and nutritionally dense product. I think your channel is going to do exceptionally well. Subscribed.

[@silentblackhole]

My thoughts exactly!

[@TomasBeing]

yas same! congrats!

[@Polar-td6of]

Deserves more views! High quality content! ✨

[@HladniSjeverniVjetar]

I can relate in learning more from games than anywhere else. My management skills were developed and completely gained from WoW raid leading. There is only out of the box thinking....nothing else. Competitive gaming develops such skill.

[@TheLastCodebender]

I like that new wave of relatable entrepreneurs! They feel much more human and inspirational. Like Elon Musk is probably the most popular example. He is not just "corporate", but can genuinely talk about anything.

[@nefelibatacomingthrough2707]

I think I understand what you mean but he is not the most relatable.. xD Yeah he can take it easy and also talk some engineering and what not. Showing that you have more than just one serious business face makes you relatable though.

[@sumitjaiswal1847]

@jeff pentagon bruh he is very down to mars

[@michaelkwong317]

I've come across and genuinely enjoyed your videos from time to time but I never knew you are the co-founder of Soylent until now! I loved the taste and convenience of Soylent back when I was living in the Bay Area. John you rock!

[@siriuseneegy4484]

The content in your channel is more like watching a movie! Glad that i found this!!

[@JohnCooganPlus]

I’m glad you found it too!

[@jamescoholan]

Most underrated channel, keep up the awesome videos!

[@JohnCooganPlus]

Thanks a lot! Appreciate the encouragement!

[@AirQuotes]

Having you or Toby as a mentor would be fantastic.

[@JohnCooganPlus]

Always happy to answer any specific questions you have. Tobi is probably a bit tougher to reach. Public company CEO and all.

[@ILDG86]

This channel is totally Underrated. I love your videos. Why aren't more people watching these.

[@matthewao]

My friend Michael Ye introduced me to you, awesome stuff!

[@JohnCooganPlus]

Michael Ye is awesome, he just posted a conversation we had on his channel. Such a fun talk.

[@mentalmodels5]

Thanks Matthew for the shout :)

[@djasnive]

This guy is good at creating videos

[@lehast]

This content creator is absolutely underrated, should have millions of subscribers now rather than just 120k

[@oblivi0nzer0]

In the near future, someone will binge your channel and develop an insight that'll change their future and our society for the better purely based on the specific, low key topics such as this. The alg WILL bless you

[@JohnCooganPlus]

That’s exactly my goal here. Doing the news would probably help growth a bit more, since people often search for trending terms, but I want to build a library of videos that people can binge watch to learn all about Silicon Valley.

[@hl3641]

glad we have people like u posting great content without the scamming part or selling hard advertisement … plz carry on inspiring

[@silentblackhole]

Wait.. what??!! You created Soylent?? Love how the video is almost done and you dropped that in there! I only recently started watching your videos and you sounded to me like you knew the start-up / tech / SF etc world... now I know why!

[@MarzooqHQ]

you should do a video on how you do research for your videos! the depth of your research always amazes me

[@tungao2515]

This channel is going to blow up soon. The video quality is ridiculous for a channel this small.

[@rajdenful]

Such a brilliant videos... I can't believe I didn't find this channel earlier. so much stuff to learn...

[@min11benja]

More of these success entrepreneur stories please! Thank you for the great video! Just subbed

[@hynesie11]

I started programming in basic on the Amstrad CPC 464.

[@JohnCooganPlus]

incredible

[@mindsetbeast4448]

i got a shopify ad when watching this video

[@simonsmashup]

Just one year later, Shopify's stock lost 80%. Crazy.

[@EPurpl3]

when you are a billionaire everybody listens to you, no matter about what trivialities you are talking

[@RocZi]

when you are successful, everything you said, say, did, do, is of importance. everyone wants to hear from winners, even though "losers" may do the same things, hold the same principles, but did not succeed as much due to other reasons.

[@KennTollens]

They also think you are the smartest person. Oh those rift raft peasents pfff, but the billionaire.

[@TheTennAce]

Your quality is outstanding

[@bossgbini]

Your channel is excellent, bro. I've subbed.

[@OnurTheXbot]

“This video is sponsored by Shopify” Tobi (unlike other CEOS) actually acts like a human.

[@samueltsogbe]

Bro this is straight 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@JohnCooganPlus]

Glad you liked it!

[@Avish_Behl]

Your content is awesome ❤️

[@JohnCooganPlus]

So glad you like it!

[@joelw2413]

Dude, I had no idea you were the Soylent guy!

[@wisdomfromthecave]

my question is: where do people find such hard working partners? I find anyone I know has no interest in trying to create a company. Yes, I can do it "alone", but I also understand it takes more than one to build a business.

[@warriordx5520]

it's like finding another version of yourself who also happens to want to start a company well i got same problem and the solution is only two options 1 - inspire someone to change maybe they just lack motivation or drive or inspiration but they always wanted to start a company 2 - find someone who is already pursuing the same goal and convince them to work with you

[@wisdomfromthecave]

@@warriordx5520 - I respect your time and feedback. Not to say it won't happen, but I feel I have tried. I suppose I have to remind myself to be patient? Though, that is itching at me, too haha! "Things happen for a reason", as they say. Anyway, again, thanks the reminder, honestly.

[@joelw2413]

Dude... I feel ya. It's a huge problem. I'd say, when you do meet a potential partner, see how hard they work on the current things in their life. If they don't currently hustle on anything, odds are very low they will change for you, and you don't really want to sign up for that kind of arm-twisting anyway.

[@wisdomfromthecave]

@@joelw2413 - many thanks, really! 📌

[@2009Bowiefan]

Thanks, I enjoy your insights. From 1997 to 2014, I had a really successful business selling online content. And I did wonder sometimes why there was this very slow progress in making it easy to set up an online store, most experiences where lousy.

[@amaytv7205]

Thank you so much 💪💪

[@RocZi]

when you are successful, everything you said, say, did, do, is of importance. everyone wants to hear from winners, even though "losers" may do the same things, hold the same principles, but did not succeed as much due to other reasons.

[@pavelgrishin]

"Luck". That's his secret formula. Same a lot of others' formula.

[@besteaglesux]

Thank you for the content

[@tambijalouqa]

Thank you for amazing content

[@TheEtrepreneur]

in this video, John is in the zone.

[@kbd.mex111]

Wait did you just gain 10k followers in 2 days? You totally deserve it!

[@alexalvarez8599]

hey man, I like the videos I've seen from you so far, but if I could just offer one piece of advice, I would say to chill w/ the hands a little lol... I feel like your hand movements are a bit distracting. But your delivery is on point, voice, writing, everything. Top notch my friend!

[@reya7398]

Very insightful!

[@royreyes8422]

sector clear.... thanks for the great video.

[@JohnCooganPlus]

Love it!

[@gunmadonuts]

WHAAAAAAT YOURE THE SOYLENT GUY?????????????

[@yerkebulanduisebay4690]

I love your channel, high quality, very informative and awesome videos. I think your channel like Bitcoin in early stage🔥

[@saminix1]

That ending. You got me good.

[@yugagarwal9970]

would love it if you upload a video on books/blog recommendations

[@JohnCooganPlus]

That would be a good one. I'm going to start mixing personal stories back in. I really like telling stories about other companies, but I don't want to get too narrow.

[@RaEeSir]

Great video! Would love a video on Squarespace.

[@okonkwojohnson867]

You're extremely underrated. Can't wait for you to make a video about me

[@JohnCooganPlus]

Let’s go! Love the energy

[@CharlesWeill]

Of course a 100 billion dollar company would use rails! Love it!

[@JohnCooganPlus]

I’m still more of a python guy… better integration with data science packages. But Rails is clearly amazing for web development. I don’t really make it clear in the video, but obviously Shopify isn’t a monolith anymore. They probably have teams using all sorts of different languages depending on the task.

[@mohitsharma-dh2wm]

thank you

[@jaklair]

obsessed/dedicated

[@maksymilianekes8286]

Inspiring!

[@mrdweeb1]

Awesome video

[@SivicIsntFat]

If any body knows what was the book about Gates, please let me know, would love to read it. Thanks! btw John, I just found out about your channel last week and it's amazing!!

[@OnionKnight541]

i've been watching these vids wondering, "who makes tech business vids like this?" and then in this video i found out --- the dude who started Soylent.

[@MdSiam-kw5ox]

High Five! ✋ I am also CS: GO, lover.

[@oliveribasta5929]

Great Channel

[@JohnCooganPlus]

Thanks!

[@cherubin7th]

Such a simple idea, basically a hosted wordpress with store plugins clone.

[@dheerajchoco2156]

I'm watching this video after completing my office work in the evening the subscriber count is exactly 90k. As I'm single here and today is not my day you can imagine what today is 😂

[@ashraftamra6644]

Great job! someone can tell me the name of the instrumental music?

[@Gallard-002]

I am here when this channel is only 5k subscribers. Hello world.

[@balaji-kartha]

You are right. Though people don't see her or talk about her. Gwynne is the power house that is propelling SpaceX to fast forward the very evolution of the human species! Elon found the right General to lead this charge! ❤️

[@_123Ackerman]

What is the name of this sound ( 3 :30 )

[@yankoaleksandrov]

my life for aiur !

[@maxleigh781]

So what was in the safe?

[@Adri_drinks_wtr2]

LMAOOOO

[@ryan._.6417]

how tf this channel being so small-

[@KennTollens]

Wow, wish I did something with my life.

[@wd1534]

Since then, Shopify has lost 80% of its value and just annonced to have layed off 10% of its employees a few days ago...

[@BobF510]

This content is sublime. A book I read with similar themes enriched my life in unexpected ways. "The Hidden Empire: Inside the Private Worlds of Elite CEOs" by Adam Skylight

[@deckermax]

Born in a small town in Germany called Koblenz where I live, writing this comment

[@EddyChungCom]

TOBI TOBI TOBI

[@JohnCooganPlus]

I feel the EXACT same way!

[@maroindefinitlyhuman6857]

So basically to become successful you need to be born in a well off family from the beginning...

[@andyyang2797]

this guy is giving semi business mba cases video for free. lol

[@platoscavealum902]

👍

[@timog7358]

push

[@davidsousa.mp4]

Peter Parker looks diferent...

[@kryptonkx-personaluse-3826]

Tobi looks like a robot.

[@kdizzy07]

Yea but they didn't really beat amazon though

[@d7ffab979]

He has good macro

[@aikafuwa7177]

Is this a paid PR piece for shopify? Sure smells like an ad!

[@matthewsamuel1029]

Feedback: Great info thank you! but your gustures are a bit too animated and the video clips are so irevalent, watcing your video makes it all so confusing but just listning to you is great. So maybe your videos need to get really poslished as you grow.

[@JohnCooganPlus]

hahaha yeah, totally. 100% with you there. Have you watched any of my more recent videos? I think I'm getting better about this, but you would feedback on some more recent stuff.

[@matthewsamuel1029]

@@JohnCooganPlus kudos to you sir! your new Metaverse Video is defintly a masterpeice :)

[@davidcunningham2074]

Shopify has a 254 to 1 price to earnings ratio. it is ludicrously overhyped and over valued.

[@xr.spedtech]

🖐️😶

[@faizandhami]

Garry in the comments wooe

[@FireJach]

Your videos are super informative but the thumbnails are not always the best. Compare for example your thumbnail in Microsoft Just Killed Zuck's Metaverse to your video about Fortnite/Epic Games :) The first one is much more attractive. I exactly know what's going on without reading the title.

[@JohnCooganPlus]

100% agree. Improving my title & thumbnail game is my top priority right now.

[@MsHojat]

*"Tobi clearly has a different mental model for building companies than most entrepreneurs"* No I'll disagree with you there for sure. It's _POSSIBLE_ that he knew something others didn't, but a lot of reality boils down to happenstance. A lot more of it also is rooted in privilege, such as having wealthy or connected family/friends.

[@kodenigga2380]

Can you please make a video on OfferUp or LetGo @johncoogan