“Put Yourself In Front Of Success” [clip]

Transcript:

“Put yourself in front of success.

I never was the smartest guy in the room. I never was the one that had the big vision and executed perfectly. I just made sure I knew the people who could do those things, or that I was part of the crowd doing those things.

I think its just funny that may be people don’t do that.

You know, I love people who come and say, “I really have passion about this, I want to start this company.” One of my first questions is “So, have you connected with others who have done that? People who have had success?”

I am not suggesting that this is the only way, but when I moved to Seattle, the first thing I did is I set up monthly coffee dates with successful entrepreneurs in Seattle that I didn’t know. And one of my very first ones with Howard Schultz. I said, “Howard you don’t know me but I would love to buy you a cup of coffee and talk to you for half an hour because I love what you’re doing.”

And he thought, “This is weird. No one’s ever done that. Okay.” Howard and I today are friends. I mean, he’s a true inspiration for me.

So I just got to tell you, get in front of success.”