Ilana
π€ SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
So to me, first of all, that means that your parents were a big driver. They understood entrepreneurship when it wasn't a cool thing yet. So take us a little bit towards college because you're also learning something that is completely not what you do today. But take us a little bit there.
So to me, first of all, that means that your parents were a big driver. They understood entrepreneurship when it wasn't a cool thing yet. So take us a little bit towards college because you're also learning something that is completely not what you do today. But take us a little bit there.
And again, this one didn't start with a passion. It started because your back was against the wall, which I think is also important to understand. Sometimes it is really great to follow your passion, but sometimes you also need to do things because this is what you need right now.
And again, this one didn't start with a passion. It started because your back was against the wall, which I think is also important to understand. Sometimes it is really great to follow your passion, but sometimes you also need to do things because this is what you need right now.
And like you said, when you're an entrepreneur, you wear trizillion hats. Speaking of hats, you wear so many hats and it is about just solving problems. I see something, I go all in. I see something, I go all in. But it's never been easier to start a business, which I want to talk about as well in a second. But talk to us a little bit about from selling shirts.
And like you said, when you're an entrepreneur, you wear trizillion hats. Speaking of hats, you wear so many hats and it is about just solving problems. I see something, I go all in. I see something, I go all in. But it's never been easier to start a business, which I want to talk about as well in a second. But talk to us a little bit about from selling shirts.
How did you join Shopify and how did that all happen?
How did you join Shopify and how did that all happen?
Incredible. So it's almost a third of your life, but who's counting?
Incredible. So it's almost a third of your life, but who's counting?
Crazy. Okay. But early stage, when you start something, there's going to be a zillion challenges, especially because how fast Shopify grew. Can you share a little bit of the beginning, some hard moments that you all needed to confront?
Crazy. Okay. But early stage, when you start something, there's going to be a zillion challenges, especially because how fast Shopify grew. Can you share a little bit of the beginning, some hard moments that you all needed to confront?
Darwin in the making, exactly. That's exactly right.
Darwin in the making, exactly. That's exactly right.
I'm hearing a few things that I think I want to make sure the listeners are really, really hearing because you became that person that is there for whatever is needed. If there's a problem with finance, we don't know, you're in. If there's a problem with operations, you're in. And it sounds like this is part of the reason why you zoomed up the ladder and eventually became COO.
I'm hearing a few things that I think I want to make sure the listeners are really, really hearing because you became that person that is there for whatever is needed. If there's a problem with finance, we don't know, you're in. If there's a problem with operations, you're in. And it sounds like this is part of the reason why you zoomed up the ladder and eventually became COO.
We'll talk about that. But that's probably one of the reasons why you became, because you're right. Otherwise you lose relevance at a speed that we've never seen before, especially now. Like I feel things are moving so fast.
We'll talk about that. But that's probably one of the reasons why you became, because you're right. Otherwise you lose relevance at a speed that we've never seen before, especially now. Like I feel things are moving so fast.
And I think you're right. And I think that the listeners, again, not everybody's built for entrepreneurship, but it's never been easier. It's never been cheaper. It's accessible. It's accessible to anyone that is willing to continue when most others stop.
And I think you're right. And I think that the listeners, again, not everybody's built for entrepreneurship, but it's never been easier. It's never been cheaper. It's accessible. It's accessible to anyone that is willing to continue when most others stop.