How One Intern Became a Co-Founder: The Power of Hustle and Initiative

Several years ago, I sold everything I owned and bought a one-way ticket to Silicon Valley. I planned to build what I thought would be my legacy—a billion-dollar business that would change the world.

I worked tirelessly on that startup, but this story isn’t about me—it’s about a kid who hustled so damn hard I had to make him a co-founder. This was many years before Close, and he's now a successful startup CEO.

(I've created a free course on what I mean by hustling and how to do it right—you can sign up here.)

Here’s how it all started:

One day, I got an email from a college student in Europe. He was passionate about our product and wanted to provide some feedback. We exchanged a few emails and eventually jumped on a Skype call. It was no big deal.

A Few Weeks Later, I Received Another Email...

THE DUDE HIRED HIMSELF.

He didn’t wait for an invitation. He didn’t send a resume. He just got on a plane.

Why? Because permission is for suckers.

He saw an opportunity and made things happen. And since he was ballsy enough to fly to San Francisco, the least I could do was pick him up at the airport.

So, He Started as an Intern

There wasn’t a place for him, but he was intelligent and energetic. He hustled his ass off. He worked day and night and pushed me to work harder, too.

The senior members of our team provided more value, but they often complained that I hadn’t made them co-founders. They pleaded and rationalized. They felt entitled to the title.

But our intern kept his head down. He didn’t ask for anything, not even a paycheck. He focused on creating value, which he did at an incredible rate.

I’d go to events, and people would say, “I met your founder. It must be exciting to work for him.”

He wasn’t introducing himself as the founder. People made assumptions because of the way he communicated our vision and closed deals.

Then, One Day, He was a Co-Founder

We never talked about the title. At some point, we both just knew. I made him a co-founder because he never cared about himself as much as he cared about the company. He didn’t worry about permission. He went out and made things happen.

Today, he’s a successful CEO running his startup in Silicon Valley. He’s a good friend, and I have a lot of respect for him.

I want to share this story with the founders and sales teams. To most people, it’s an inspiring anecdote, but to others, it’s a challenge. After one conference, twenty people approached me and said, “Don’t be surprised if I buy a ticket and show up on your doorstep.”

I said, “If you show up, I’ll find a place for you.”

And you know what? Nobody showed up.

You need a confident attitude to get on that plane. You need courage.

From Intern to Co-Founder: Why Taking Initiative is Key to Success

Remember this dude if you’re ever unsure of your next step—if you don’t have money, connections, or ninja startup skills. When you’re passionate, hustle, create value, and try to make the world a better place, incredible things will happen.

Don’t ask for someone else’s permission. Just buy a ticket. Get on that plane. And I’ll meet you at the airport.

Short of meeting me in person—I've created a (100 percent free) course that teaches you some of the most important characteristics to succeed in a startup.

Whether you're working in sales or not, my Startup Sales Success has plenty of valuable lessons for everyone wanting to make a difference. Click below to get started.