a16z Podcast

Scaling Shopify: Tobias Lütke and Ben Horowitz on Building a Global Giant

249 snips
Dec 16, 2024
Tobias Lütke, CEO and co-founder of Shopify, shares his journey from a snowboarding store to leading a global e-commerce giant. He discusses the importance of adapting to AI and other technologies in retail. Lütke emphasizes hands-on leadership to align teams with company values. The conversation also covers change management in the face of corporate activism and the benefits of decentralization in driving innovation. They explore how crypto and AI can reshape the future of commerce, highlighting the community's role in technological progress.
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ANECDOTE

Shopify's Origin

  • Tobias Lütke couldn't get a job in Canada due to work permit issues.
  • This led him to start Shopify, as starting a company was allowed.
INSIGHT

E-commerce Gap

  • Existing e-commerce platforms in 2004 catered to established retailers moving online.
  • Shopify focused on entrepreneurs starting online businesses, filling a gap.
ADVICE

Build for Yourself

  • Build products you would use yourself.
  • Focus on use cases you understand deeply, enabling faster, more intuitive development.
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