The Emotional Story of Reddit's Start & Sale

http://www.inc.com/chris-beier-and-daniel-wolfman/alexis-ohanian-reddit-founder-emotional-back-story-start-and-sale.html

by mrkmcknz • 14 years ago

84 18 14 years ago

inc.com

kintamanimatt• 14 years ago

This hits home. The thing my dad didn't live long enough to see are the good things I'm creating.

Killswitch• 14 years ago

My dad's pride in what I do is what helps me keep going. I remember before he died being at a family reunion and him introducing me to family members that I've never met as follows: "This is my son, he's gonna be big someday."

mrkmcknz• 14 years ago

That statement resonates with me.

It makes you feel something inside. A belief that can't be matched.

bherms• 14 years ago

That's how I felt when my grandfather was still alive. He saw the world in me and it felt awesome to prove him right so often growing up.

After he passed, things changed and now it's almost the complete opposite fueling me now. I look at how close-minded, hateful, and worthless my parents are and bust my ass to prove to everyone that I'm not going to turn out like them.

nitrogen• 14 years ago

A father who's proud of his son? What's that like? I imagine it could make a pretty big difference in one's motivation and outlook, but lack direct experience.

armstrong488• 14 years ago

for those like me who were confused:

the provided link is a personal shortlink.

the canonical link is http://www.inc.com/chris-beier-and-daniel-wolfman/alexis-oha...

rynop• 14 years ago

Thanks for sharing this link. I'm also a entrepreneur and a software engineer, in a some what similar situation.

As I sit on my couch across from my 30 yr old wife (who is pregnant) and my 3 yr old son I opened this link with an eerie feeling. When Alexis started talking about his mother, first though in my mind was 'he is gonna say it is cancer'. Then when I saw the screen of it being a brain tumor, it felt surreal.

About a month ago, my wife had a grade IV glioblastoma removed, and is now undergoing 6 weeks of daily chemo and radiation, followed by scheduled delivery @ 34 weeks, followed by more radiation on her spine (her gleo has PNET like attributes). We are extremely lucky that she is/was a nurse at one of the best hospitals in the world (mayo clinic).

While my dreams of owning my own successful company have been put on hold to focus on my family, this story has helped me put aside some of my own internal guilt of still wanting to do that someday.

Thanks for sharing your story Alexis.

jayliew• 14 years ago

sorry to hear that, my friend. Best of luck, may the force be with you and your +1

kn0thing3• 14 years ago

Wow. I'm so sorry. This sounds all too familiar. I wish you and your family all the best. For what it's worth, I'm happy my story could connect with you, but I know we all have our own unique burdens, may it ease yours even just a bit.

Also: fuck cancer.

Edit: Is she a redditor?

spudlyo• 14 years ago

A touching film. I'm not sure the effect when it suddenly went to black-and-white and the camera got all jerky, out-of-focus really worked though. I really found it distracting, although I still enjoyed it overall.

kjhughes• 14 years ago

This appears to be the same story that Inc ran on May 30, 2012,

http://www.inc.com/magazine/201206/christine-lagorio/alexis-...

And has been discussed here already:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4043092

sunwooz• 14 years ago

I met alexis during a a meetup event in NYC and I had no idea that this was a part of his story. I love both reddit and hipmunk and I hope he continues to make cool products!

kn0thing3• 14 years ago

Surprise! Thanks so much.

DanielOcean• 14 years ago

I have a newfound respect for Reddit.

bsenftner• 14 years ago

After the third presentation of a link to this story, I tried it. Something caught my attention for a moment, and when I glanced back I was mid way into the story. Never mind the content of the story: the production of the video is pure emotional manipulation. I don't care what the content is, when I see such blatant emotional manipulation, my alarms go off. I'm not crass, I know true life pain - but using it like this for commercial gain really smells.

The Emotional Story of Reddit's Start & Sale

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