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Leaving Netflix was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made.
This is why and how I did.
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This is why and how I did.
Let me start from the beginning. One day at an old job, I found myself watching a talk by Netflix’s former tech lead Jafar Husain, where he explained how they were using ES2015 in 2015.
I sent my job application within hours. A recruiter reached out, got me in touch with a hiring manager. Some calls later, they flew me from NYC to the Bay Area for an in-person interview.
I failed the interview. It was devastating. I remember getting the call a few hours later as I was waiting for my flight back to NYC.
That’s how fast they move. They don’t hesitate, if they like you they will let you know right away. They don’t play games with people. They don’t waste your time.
None of the nonsense other companies put you through.
None of the nonsense other companies put you through.
Exactly 1 year later, almost to the day, I got an email from a hiring manager from another team. He mentioned how he found notes on how well I did on my interview, and if I wanted to give it another try. I said yes.
They flew me again to the bay area, put me in the nicest hotel, and treated me like I was part of the team. It was my best interview experience ever.
The interview went well.
The interview went well.
They moved quickly again. The hiring manager called me some days after and gave me the good news. My heart was pounding during the whole call. That was it. I landed my dream job.
3 months later I had relocated to the Bay Area to start my job at Netflix. They put me in temporary housing and rented a car for me while I figured out my long-term living situation.
I met some of the smartest people. I put in my best work. My code got drastically better.
If I were to quantify how much I grew, I would say 200% in the first year.
If I were to quantify how much I grew, I would say 200% in the first year.
All that while working no more than 8 hours a day, and traveling every few months to give talks at international conferences.
I had been working on open source for Brain-computer interfaces in my free time for years and my knowledge was leading me to some awesome discoveries.
20 months into Netflix, I felt the job was getting in the way of my true passion: the brain. I was conflicted. On one hand I had the best job. On the other hand, I had a high-risk passion with no proven business model.
I remember telling my parents the news via FaceTime. I told them: “I did it! I left my job to start a company!”. I& #39;ll never forget their reaction.
Their words were saying: “We are so happy for you!”. Their facial expressions were a mix of fear and trying to smile.
Keep in mind I come from a humble family and was raised on a small island in the Caribbean: The Dominican Republic. Where sadly, there are not many opportunities.
Someone leaving an A+ gig is not something you see growing up. It’s like giving away a lottery ticket. 1 FAANG paycheck could sustain a family for over a year.
I finally had made the decision after watching a talk by @tferriss called “Why you should define your fears instead of your goals”. Leaving Netflix to start a company was my fear.
Tim goes on how we shouldn’t just look at the cost and risks of action, but also the potential cost of **inaction**.
What happens if I don& #39;t stay? What would that cost me?
Today, I know the cost because...
What happens if I don& #39;t stay? What would that cost me?
Today, I know the cost because...
It’s been 2.5 years since I started Neurosity.
Leaving Netflix cost me over 1M in cash among other things.
If I hadn’t left, it would have cost me:
- Working with AJ and team
- Shipping the most advanced BCI
- Helping devs understand their mind
- Empowering mental health
Leaving Netflix cost me over 1M in cash among other things.
If I hadn’t left, it would have cost me:
- Working with AJ and team
- Shipping the most advanced BCI
- Helping devs understand their mind
- Empowering mental health
All these things are worth more than 1M.
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