🔥 The $3B success story of Calendly

Hey Guy & Farzan here 👋

We’re big believers in learning from people who’ve been there done that. That’s why we’re so passionate about telling the stories of real, no-bullshit founders.

Read time: 7-8 mins.

In the mail:

1. Founder Story: From surfing to non-alcoholic beer 🍺

2. Founder Playbook: Calendly’s $3 Billion success story 🔥

3. Founder story: Udemy’s story to $2B valuation ❤️

4. Founder story: The story of the $4B startup, Patreon 💪

5. Founder short: 7 stoic don’ts ⛔️

6. Founder quote: On how to approach business 💡

1. Founder story

🍺 The extraordinary journey of Peter Brennan - From surfing waves to brewing success.

"Stupider people have done more with less." - A mantra that powered Peter Brennan's voyage from a graphic designer to the visionary behind Heaps Normal, an innovative non-alcoholic beer brand in Australia.

🎨 Early Artistic Flare
Peter's journey began in the creative realms of graphic design. At a young age, he absorbed wisdom like a sponge from some of the brightest minds in the industry. This period was marked by learning and growing in a space that intertwined creativity with business.

🏄 Surf, Style, and Entrepreneurial Drive
Combining his passion for surfing and design, Peter landed a dream job at Quiksilver. Yet, the thirst for creative freedom led him to launch Vintage Industries, his first independent venture, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit. 🌟\\

🌍 A Global Perspective
Seeking broader horizons, Peter moved to London and later to Sydney. His journey took a tech turn with the launch of a 3D photo app, Viewpop, and a branding studio, Electric And Analog. Each step added a new layer to his versatile profile.

🍻 Birth of Heaps Normal
The idea for Heaps Normal stemmed from a personal history with alcohol. Peter envisioned a world where enjoying a beer didn't mean wrestling with its effects. This idea brewed into a passion project that later transformed into Heaps Normal. 🌱

🤝 Collaboration and Growth
Joining forces with friends and experts in the brewing industry, Heaps Normal was born. The brand resonated with people's desire for a mindful drinking experience, making it a household name across Australia.

📈 Scaling New Heights
From being part of an accelerator program to receiving substantial investments, Heaps Normal's journey is a testament to the power of a clear vision and a strong brand message. Their Quiet XPA became a top seller, outperforming even alcoholic beers in some venues.

🎓 A Lesson for Every Founder
Peter's story teaches us the importance of aligning purpose with profession. His ventures weren't just business models; they were extensions of his life experiences and values. This alignment is key to creating a brand that resonates deeply with its audience.

🔗 Hungry for more of Peter's inspiring journey? Dive into the full story on Founderoo.

2. Founder playbook

 🔥 Tope Awotona's Calendly: A $3 Billion success story.

Tope Awotona's journey: From tragedy to triumph

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Tope Awotona

🛤️ Background to Brilliance

From Lagos to Leadership: Tope's story starts in the heart of Lagos, Nigeria, where early hardships, including the loss of his father at 12, moulded his resilient and ambitious spirit.

A New Chapter in the USA: At 15, Tope's life took a significant turn as he moved to the United States, diving into his education and laying the groundwork for his entrepreneurial journey.

Sales to CEO: Tope cut his teeth in the tech industry, honing his skills in enterprise software sales, an experience that would prove invaluable.

Embracing Failure to Find Success: Before Calendly, Tope's ventures ranged from a dating website to e-commerce platforms, each a stepping stone and a lesson learned.

🌐 Calendly: From Frustration to Innovation 

The Eureka Moment: Tope's frustration with scheduling as a sales professional sparked the idea for Calendly, turning a common problem into a groundbreaking solution.

Betting Big: Investing his life savings, Tope took a massive risk on Calendly, demonstrating his unwavering belief in his vision.

📈 Calendly's Meteoric Rise 

Planting Seeds of Success: Overcoming funding challenges, Tope's perseverance led to a crucial $550K seed funding from Atlanta Ventures, catapulting Calendly forward.

Skyrocketing Growth: Calendly's intuitive design and functionality resonated instantly, leading to rapid adoption, doubling revenue yearly, and achieving a $3 billion valuation.

👨‍💼 Leadership and Legacy

Beyond Scheduling: Under Tope's guidance, Calendly has become an essential tool in corporate communication, continually evolving and leading the tech space.

A Vision for the Future: Tope's commitment to enhancing business operations and communication remains unwavering, promising even more growth for Calendly.

🌟 Lesson for Aspiring Founders

Resilience is Key: Tope's journey teaches us that resilience and the ability to adapt are crucial for any founder. His ability to turn challenges into opportunities is a lesson in perseverance and creativity.

🙌 Join the Journey

Want to dive deeper into Tope Awotona's inspiring journey? Head over to Founderoo for the full story.

3. Founder story

❤️ Eren Bali's Vision Realized: Udemy Hits Remarkable $2 Billion Market Value.

This video tells the inspiring story of Eren Bali, the founder of Udemy. Growing up in a small Turkish village with limited educational resources, Bali's passion for chess and mathematics led him to explore learning online. His self-taught journey and success in a national mathematics competition showcased the transformative power of internet access in education.

This experience fueled his vision for Udemy, a global online learning platform democratizing education for people everywhere. Bali's story is a testament to how determination and technology can open doors to limitless learning opportunities.

4. Founder story

💪 See how Patreon’s founder made it a $4 billion startup.

Jack Conte's inspiration for Patreon didn't stem from financial hardship but from a passion for supporting creators. Despite his indie band Pomplamoose earning around $400K at its height, Conte's exhaustive effort in creating a music video for "Pedals" led to burnout. This experience, marked by a moment of solitude and tears, sparked the idea for Patreon - a platform to ensure creators get fair compensation. Now, Conte and his co-founder Sam Yam face a critical decision: whether to take Patreon public, a move that could redefine the value of creative work in the digital era.

5. Founder short

⛔️ 7 Stoic Don’ts - Ryan Holiday

6. Founder quote 💡 

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See you in 7 days.
Guy + Farzan 👋 
Founderoo