What Justin Kan Thinks About Basically Everything
b"Erik is joined by Justin Kan (@justinkan), founder of Atrium, Twitch and others, as well as Anuj Abrol (@nujabrol), Justin\\u2019s Chief of Staff and Erik's co-host for this episode.
Justin talks about the wisdom he\\u2019s gained over the past few years after selling Twitch and founding Atrium. He explains why it\\u2019s important to stay humble, not get too attached to any particular outcome for your startup and why he wishes that someone had told him ten years ago that no amount of accomplishment will create lasting happiness.
They discuss Atrium and the services for startups space more broadly, including some ideas for \\u201cAtrium for X\\u201d startups. He explains how he came to the idea for Atrium and why he raised funds for the company when he could have bootstrapped it himself. They also cover the fundraising process more broadly and why Justin insists he isn\\u2019t that great of an investor.
Justin also talks about his time as a \\u201cSnap star,\\u201d how Silicon Valley has changed, and what he\\u2019s learned from Paul Graham, Sam Altman, Michael Seibel and others.
Quotable Lines From This Episode
\\u201cI used to spend a lot of time thinking about, how I am going to be remembered and thought about and optimize the way people thought about me but I don\\u2019t care anymore. However you think of me today, as someone who's been an entrepreneur and had some success, maybe you think I\\u2019m really smart, it doesn't matter. In 10, 20, 50 years it will fade away and you probably won\\u2019t remember me at all. That\\u2019s okay, it\\u2019s just part of life.\\u201d
\\u201cStartups in general are a great vehicle for your own personal growth and development, to learn new skills, to learn what it\\u2019s like to lead a big organization, to see if you can do it \\u2014 if you deserve to at all \\u2014 it\\u2019s not a foregone conclusion.\\u201d
\\u201cYou build up these castles in your mind about things that are going to bring satisfaction\\u2026 none of those things will ever build any lasting long-term happiness. Even if you accomplish them and build a great reputation, it\\u2019s going to fade. The sooner you accept that, the happier you\\u2019ll be. I wish someone had told me that ten years ago.\\u201d
Thanks for listening \\u2014 if you like what you hear, please review us on your favorite podcast platform.
Check us out on the web at villageglobal.vc or get in touch with us on Twitter @villageglobal.
Venture Stories is brought to you by Village Global and is hosted by co-founder and partner, Erik Torenberg. Colin Campbell is our audio engineer and the show is produced by Brett Bolkowy."