How I Built This with Guy Raz Shopify: Tobias Lütke
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Aug 5, 2019 
Tobias Lütke, the visionary founder and CEO of Shopify, shares the fascinating journey of transforming a simple snowboard shop into a leading e-commerce platform. He reveals the hurdles faced while developing software for online sales, driven by his passion for snowboarding. The conversation explores how Shopify thrived during the 2008 recession, turning challenges into opportunities for entrepreneurs. Tobi also reflects on crucial leadership moments and the balancing act between rapid growth and personal responsibilities in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
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Unconventional Path to Entrepreneurship
- Tobi Lütke left school after 10th grade and pursued software engineering through an apprenticeship at Siemens.
- He later moved to Canada with his girlfriend, where his work permit issues led him to entrepreneurship.
Snowdevil's Origin
- Lütke's initial plan was to work for a small company in Canada, but work permit issues prevented him.
- This led him to start an online snowboard business, Snowdevil, as it was his only legal option to earn a living.
Snowdevil's Early Days
- Lütke and Scott Lake, his co-founder, started Snowdevil with a combined investment of $40,000 CAD.
- They initially focused on selling snowboards online, managing inventory, and fulfilling orders themselves.