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Paul Davis - Second Employee at Amazon

Geek at Sea

Paul Davis - Second Employee at Amazon

Paul Davis was once a 2nd employee at Amazon, on track to earn millions. Instead of sticking around to get filthy rich though, Paul decided he did not want to wait for the life to pass him by. He chose to spend time with his family, left Amazon, and twenty years later still has no regrets. His life has been nothing but wonderful. This is Paul’s story.

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Notes

  1. What Happened When Hiring Started Outside That Couple? at 1:16

    The second person hired to work at Amazon outside that couple started at about the same time as Shell, normally the first employee. Full answer

  2. Why Does Bellevue Look Unappealing to People in Seattle Proper? at 2:47

    At that point, Bellevue was seen by most people in Seattle proper as a deeply suburban place. Full answer

  3. Why Does the Company Take the Name Amazon? at 7:31

    The company was first called Cadavra Inc until a lawyer argued the name was not good because it sounded so much like cadaver. Full answer

  4. What Happened When the First Year of Options Vested? at 39:40

    There were five years of options. Full answer

  5. Why Did the Plan to Return to the Pacific Northwest Fall Apart? at 42:12

    The plan was a few years on the East Coast, then a return to the Pacific Northwest, a liberal arts college job for her, and small-scale organic farming for him. Full answer

  6. What Happened When the Software Income Began Back in 2000 and Nine? at 1:20:02

    Back in 2000 and nine, that software income began. Full answer

  7. Why Does Making a Living From Something You Can Get for Free Still Feel Like a Gift? at 1:22:06

    He feels extraordinarily blessed to do work he really loves, to parent the way he always dreamed, and to make a living from something you can get for free but… Full answer

  8. Why Does He Tell a Friend Not to Mention His Software? at 1:22:37

    He says he is the worst salesperson for what he does, so he is not the person you would meet at a party trying to tell you all about his amazing software. Full answer

  9. What Happened When the Software Was Not Shut Down for 10 Years? at 1:23:06

    He had the privilege of allowing things to grow in a much more organic way. Full answer

  10. What Happened When His Daughter Turned 16? at 1:23:27

    They do not do any marketing and they do not do any advertising. Full answer

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