Kareem on a strange truth about wealth and the things we chase:
"Early on when we raised our series A, if you're doing this to get adulation or prestige or to make money, there's no end to that.
If you're not feeling whole in yourself, there's no amount of wealth that fills that.
I told someone, if you want to raise $100 million, you first need to feel like you don't need it, and paradoxically, that you already have it.
But what material abundance actually gives you is your time back.
I don't need this company to succeed more or to make more money.
Having the opportunity to choose what I do with my time, and to take bigger swings, feels really important."
One of the most unique conversations I've had in a while.
Kareem Amin is co-founder and CEO of Clay, which has grown from $1M to $100M ARR in the last two years and is valued at $5B.
He is also one of the most original and deep thinkers I've met, which has led him to build the company in some unusual ways.
Whenever we get together, we talk a little about Clay and a lot about the ideas that make him so compelling.
This is one of those conversations.
We discuss: - Why capitalism rewards risk - Creating from wholeness ("post-lack") - Courage, truth, and justice - What magicians, clowning and music taught him about building a company - Death doulas for companies
Enjoy!
Timestamps 0:00 Giving the Power of Programming to Everyone 8:55 Courage, Truth & Justice 9:16 Capitalism & Risks 19:18 Creating from Wholeness 25:19 The 10-Day Silent Retreat 35:23 Re-Enchanting the World 42:32 Founder's Vision & Death Doulas 53:49 The Kindest Thing
