I loved the video from Jeff Bezos explaining Amazon's beginning:
"It was a great moment when we would examine every order coming into Amazon. And it was always a family member placing the order. And the first order we got from a stranger, I remember, there was probabaly 10 of us in the company. We were all gathered around after the bell rang, looking at the order. And we were like 'Is that your mom?', 'Thats not my mom!'. And thus, it began."
I remember people being disappointed about Bezos's talk last year at Startup School; it felt less like a personal startup story and more like an advertisement for Amazon Web Services. If he'd given a talk more like the one in the video, I doubt anyone would have been complaining.
He taught everyone something really important: If you're in a big room full of perfect potential customers make sure you tell them to buy your product!
Same here! My business partner and I recently launched an e-commerce site selling gun supplies and accessories. We're doing very well, but still text message each other when we get a new order. Still get that same thrill from the first order!
"It was a great moment when we would examine every order coming into Amazon. And it was always a family member placing the order. And the first order we got from a stranger, I remember, there was probabaly 10 of us in the company. We were all gathered around after the bell rang, looking at the order. And we were like 'Is that your mom?', 'Thats not my mom!'. And thus, it began."
Can totally relate to this feeling.