Andy Jassy recounts his serendipitous start at Amazon in March 1997, which began with a last-minute interview for a company he barely knew.
His decision to join was driven by a strong conviction in the macro trends of the internet and e-commerce, viewing the role as valuable experience regardless of Amazon's specific outcome.
Jassy emphasizes that no one in the early days could have possibly predicted the scale Amazon would eventually achieve, dismissing any such claims as revisionist history.
An initial plan, agreed upon with his wife on a napkin, to stay on the West Coast for only 2-3 years evolved into a nearly 28-year tenure at the company.
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Concerns Raised
Opportunities Identified
Identifying and acting on foundational technological shifts (e.g., the internet in the late 90s).
Gaining valuable experience by joining promising, early-stage companies in burgeoning industries.