# Remembering Tony Hsieh of Zappos

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2020-11-30
- Length: 26m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-30-remembering-tony-hsieh-of-zappos

## Summary

Tony Hsieh, co-founder and CEO of Zappos, discusses building a customer service-centric company that happened to sell shoes. He recounts the early struggles of funding Zappos during the dot-com crash by selling his own real estate, the pivot from a shoe retailer to a service brand, and the strategic decision to sell to Amazon while preserving Zappos' unique culture. Hsieh also reflects on his philosophy of 'Return on Luck' and his personal definition of success as being okay with losing everything.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-30-remembering-tony-hsieh-of-zappos#t=0) Introduction: Tony Hsieh and Zappos
- [5:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-30-remembering-tony-hsieh-of-zappos#t=338) Early Life and Link Exchange
- [12:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-30-remembering-tony-hsieh-of-zappos#t=748) Investing in Zappos and Early Funding
- [17:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-30-remembering-tony-hsieh-of-zappos#t=1042) The Dot-Com Crash and Survival
- [20:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-30-remembering-tony-hsieh-of-zappos#t=1232) Defining Zappos as a Service Company
- [22:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-30-remembering-tony-hsieh-of-zappos#t=1359) Selling to Amazon and Culture
- [24:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-30-remembering-tony-hsieh-of-zappos#t=1461) Return on Luck and Personal Philosophy

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Zappos (company)
- Tony Hsieh (other)
- Link Exchange (company)
- Microsoft (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Endless (product)
- Nordstrom (company)
- Oracle (company)
- Pets.com (company)

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- [199: Selling a New Product Successfully on Amazon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-10-28-199-selling-a-new-product-successfully-on-amazon) (Product Startup)
- [Hippy Feet is the coolest company you haven't heard about until now! Michael Mader, CEO](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-11-05-hippy-feet-is-the-coolest-company-you-havent-heard-about-until-now-michael-mader) (People of Packaging)
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## Citing this page

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