Brian Armstrong, the CEO and co-founder of Coinbase, has shared a fascinating insight into how he built the popular crypto platform while working full-time at Airbnb. His story highlights the discipline and sacrifice it takes to turn an idea into a thriving business.
Do not mix work and personal project
Brian Armstrong begins with an important piece of advice for those considering starting a crypto project while employed: avoid working on your personal project on your employer's time or material. He explains:
If you build it on the company's time or equipment, the company might own the intellectual property.
For about a year and a half, Armstrong juggled his job at Airbnb with building the crypto exchange Coinbase. He describes his exhausting routine:
I often worked at Airbnb until 7 p.m. I would go home, have dinner, then work from 8 p.m. to midnight, about 3-4 evenings a week. On weekends, I often worked Sunday afternoon for 7-8 hours.
This discipline allowed him to advance Coinbase until obtaining seed funds from Y Combinator, and admits that this hectic pace has impacted his social life:
I sacrificed friendships for this. It's not that I never responded to people, but there comes a time when you realize that time is limited and precious. At that moment, I decided to dedicate myself entirely to this project, whatever the cost.
A message of encouragement for crypto users
For those who wish to carry out their crypto or other projects, Brian Armstrong advises taking action and going all out! Launch your project. Even if you don't know where to start, do something. Action generates information and will guide you in the right direction.
Under the leadership of its CEO Brian Armstrong, Coinbase continues to innovate tirelessly. Their latest innovation, “Gmail for Bitcoin,” aims to simplify and democratize the use of Bitcoin, making crypto transactions as simple as sending an email.
Brian Armstrong's story illustrates the determination and sacrifice it takes to turn a vision into success. Despite the challenges encountered in the crypto world, his journey serves as a reminder that action and perseverance are essential. For those who dream of creating, his message is clear: dare to act, because each effort brings you closer to your goal.
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