Let's talk about Culture. When I knew I was joining @fast last October, I started researching the cultures of enduring companies that I looked up to. I read about Costco, Stripe, Workday, Netflix, and Amazon. I read S-1s for top IPOs to learn how leaders built an enduring company

An experience that probably changed how I think about company-building more than anything was getting to know @lynchjw and the team at Ridgeline, which is Dave Duffield's newest company focused on investment management software. Dave previously founded Workday and PeopleSoft.

From Ridgeline, I learned how Dave thinks about building enduring companies.
1) Focuses on a BIG problem (bigger the better)
2) Assembles a team of incredible people - mostly focused on core character vs. experience
3) Writes the Mission & Core Values https://www.ridgelineapps.com/company/ 

4) Builds for the long term - everyone at Ridgeline is thinking at least 5 years out in regards to the company's growth & eventual IPO.

Overall, Dave & Ridgeline taught me it takes a great Mission, Team & Long-Term Mindset to build an enduring business. Especially today, culture is more important than ever.

PS. This is Dave's favorite book that I highly recommend https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Entrepreneurship-Turning-Business-Enduring/dp/0133815269