WHYSean Parker and Shawn Fanning use to be online hackers. After doing community service, the two wanted to collaborate on their business ideas.
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HOWThe two used their programming skills to defend companies from hackers.
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TAKEAWAYSBusinesses don't always succeed, but there is always something to gain from it
Parker gained some experience and began building his network with Fanning |
SHAWN FANNINGSean Parker met Sean Fanning online in hacker communities. Common interests sparked, and he became Sean Parker's co-founder in many endeavours.
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WHYShawn Flanning envisioned an independent peer-to-peer file sharing service.
Sean Parker saw potential in this idea and worked with him to make it happen. |
HOWParker made it easy for people to download copies of songs that were difficult to obtain, specializing in MP3 files of music using a user-friendly interface.
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A seven-year trial
In 2000 Recording industry sued the first incarnation of Napster. In 2002, Napster was liable for contributory or vicarious copyright violations because it was allowing millions of users to download music for free. Napster eventually shut down and went bankrupt before it emerged as a legitimate, online music service. |
"Plaxo is like the indie band that the public doesn’t know but was really influential with other musicians"
WHYParker was exposed to Facebook through a Stanford student, and was interested due to previous social media ventures and lack of current project.
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HOW.Parker cold emailed Zuckerberg and met for dinner. Appealing to Facebook as he was the only member with real business and Silicon Valley experience.
He became Facebook's first President. |
TAKEAWAYSTake chances and don't be afraid to reach out.
When Parker sees potential in something he just goes ahead and pursues it. |
PETER THIELSean Parker introduced Peter Thiel to Mark Zuckerberg as an investor. Later on, Peter Thiel also offered a manging partner position at Founders Fund to Sean Parker.
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WHYSean wanted to help keep Zuckerberg in control of the company and execute his vision
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HOWSean used his experience releasing customer based websites and collaborative platforms to help grow Facebook
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TAKEAWAYSParker used his experiences from being kicked out of Napster to help keep Zuckerberg in control of his company
It's important to draw on previous experiences and use those skills in other endeavours |
WHYParker's friend introduced him the app, Spotify, and saw Napster's vision within app. He was immediately interested.
Parker pursued Spotify as an opportunity that allowed him to fulfill his vision for napster. He was able to bring his skills and connections to grow another company. |
HOWHe emailed Spotify's founder Daniel Ek, and invested into the company and became one of the board of directors. Parker helped bring Spotify to the U.S. from Sweden in 2011, and assisted in the partnership of spotify and facebook
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TAKEAWAYSThere are other ways to accomplish things when one way doesn't work.
Bringing past experiences is also very valuable. |
"I don't really feel like I succeeded. I feel like I've failed systematically and [somehow succeeded]"
WHYSean Parker and Shawn Fanning imagined a service that could replicate in the digital world, the feeling of experiencing something in a physical space with your friends.
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HOWA website where users post videos and are able to respond to them in real-time.
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TAKEAWAYSLearned the importance of users and making a product that people would want and are ready to use
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"We’re living in the world where we have more friends than ever, but I often don’t feel that connected to any of them through these products.... Airtime, on the other hand, is about "restoring a sense of intimacy,"