On leaving Spotify to build something new

Hey friends, quick life update. Last week, I took leave from Spotify to go full time building something new. I thought I’d share a few thoughts on what’s going through my head at the outset. I’ll try and share updates and learnings here as I go.

-L

---

The summer after I graduated from college I decided to hike the French Way of the Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile trek across France and Spain. Here I am at Boston Logan Airport just before leaving. Note the hat. Fashion has always been a passion.

A year and a half ago, I left the US to move to Sweden and join Spotify. Fashion is improving.

Last week, I left Spotify to go full time building something new. Technically, I didn’t quit; I began a sabbatical, or tjänstledighet, as they call it here. In Sweden, you can take off up to 6 months to start a business so long as you meet some basic requirements.

I’ve been thinking about doing this and navigating the logistics for a few months. Now that it’s begun, I thought I’d share what inspired me to take the leap for friends who might be curious and for anyone who’s considering doing something similar. 

Meaning

The #1 reason I decided to take a sabbatical to create something new is because I predict I will find that challenge more meaningful than working at a company. I don’t know this for a fact—I’ve never done this before. But I’m hopeful based on similar experiences I’ve had in the past. My goal is this period is to work on exactly the problems I want to work on, with people I’m inspired by, in the way I want to. If I can do that, I think the experience will be quite meaningful, irrespective of what happens.

Curiosity

I’ve always been very curious about a lot of different things. One of the things I’ve been curious about is entrepreneurship. At Stanford, I was blown away seeing classmates my age(!) start companies. Over the last 10 years, I’ve seen many close friends start and build companies. While hearing about their experiences, I’ve often wondered quietly to myself: Could I do it? Would I enjoy it? Taking this time is a chance to satisfy that curiosity before it’s too late.

Learning

I am convinced that the best way to learn is by doing. It’s a cliche in tech to say you “love learning”. But sometimes you can’t be so unique. I really do enjoy learning, and one of the most appealing elements of entrepreneurship for me is the prospect of learning so much so quickly about so many different things. Over the last 6 years, I’ve learned a lot about building products at scale while at LinkedIn and Spotify. Now, I’m keen to put those skills to the test while learning about all the other dimensions of running a business. I also expect I’ll learn a lot about myself in the process, and for a verified Reflective Person, that is appealing as well.

Freedom

I was chatting with a friend and founder last week and she mentioned being a founder is both freeing and not freeing at all. It’s freeing, in her view, because you get to control your time. It’s not freeing, because you can’t really “clock out” like you could if you worked a more traditional job. This is a dimension of entrepreneurship I’m particularly curious about. I’ve never been good at “clocking out” (this is not a flex, read Your Work Won’t Love You Back if you too have trouble with this.) On the other hand, I really value my life outside work. I’m not sure how this will square with what I’ve understood to be the all-consuming nature of entrepreneurship. Nonetheless, the prospect of having so much more control over how I spend my time and my energy is extremely appealing.

Growth

Each time I’ve done something new and hard I’ve grown a lot, both as a person and a professional. Taking a gap year. Studying computer science. Moving to New York City. Moving to Sweden. Last week, I was catching up with a friend who started and sold a company. One of the things he said that stuck with me is that building a company changes you. It’s a little scary to hear that and not know if or how it’ll change me. He felt he was changed for the better. I’m both excited and daunted to see how I grow through the experience.

Fun

I have heard again and again how hard starting and building a successful company is. The word “excruciating” has come up more times than I’d like. That being said, it also sounds like a lot of fun. Figuring things out. Creating something from nothing. Bonding with a small, ambitious team. Working on problems you care deeply about. When I asked one mentor who built a company years ago why he doesn’t try again, he explained his 6 year stint has left him with over a decade of scars. For better or for worse, I don’t have that scar tissue; from where I’m standing, it sounds more fun than painful. I guess I’ll find out.

Opportunity

Finally, a huge factor in taking the leap is that I can. I have enough savings, low expenses and no dependents; I can pay my bills. I have product experience, a strong network, and some fancy brands on my resume; I can find another PM job if I need to. I have an amazing partner and great friends. I have people who will be there for me. Then there’s the reality that I won’t have this opportunity forever. This window will close. Or, at a minimum, it’ll be a lot harder later. 

I’m lucky to have this opportunity. And, what’s more, it feels like the right move. I’m not sure which category to put “gut feeling” in. But it’s something I take seriously.

Wrap up

So there you have it. Some of the reasons I’m leaving Spotify to build something new. I’m inspired and excited. 

I’ll need all the help I can get. I’d love to connect with folks building new things or interested in helping people building new things. If that’s you, please reach out!