Startup Lessons from Netflix Co-Founder, Marc Randolph
I recently had the pleasure of reading Marc Randolph’s That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea.
The book chronicles the first few years of Netflix — from figuring out how to send VHS through the post, and then figuring out it was a bad idea, to capitalizing on DVD, turning down an acquisition offer from Amazon, being turned down themselves by Blockbuster, and eventually going public.
It’s a fascinating story that sheds further light on what few, except those in the know, truly appreciate when it comes to startup success — there are no overnight sensations, success is never linear, and luck plays a significant role.
Find below my notes from the book — these might prove useful if you find yourself in what Randolph calls the halcyon days of an early-stage startup. Note: whenever the first person is used, assume these are Randolph’s sentiments, not mine.
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