On To The Next One

by mikekarnj on August 27, 2010

I am truly blessed to have been part of the Hot Potato team that was recently acquired by Facebook. It was an amazing experience and I’m excited for the entire team and the amazingness they’ll be building at Facebook. I learned a lot from Justin Shaffer and the rest of the talented team that graced us with their presence at the old Hot Potato office in Williamsburg, now the Makery.

Over the past week, I’ve been asked two main questions, which I’ll answer in this post: 1) Why’d Facebook acquire Hot Potato, and 2) What are you doing next?

I’m not in any liberty to answer the first question knowledgeably (other than what you read in the press), but the main thing I learned from my experience at Hot Potato is that none of this happens overnight.

Entrepreneurs like Justin Shaffer of Hot Potato, Scott Belsky of Behance and Dennis Crowley/Naveen Selvadurai of Foursquare have been “hustling non-stop” at this for the past 5 + years. So, when you read that Hot Potato has been acquired by Facebook, Scott Belsky has a national bestseller, or that Foursquare has recently closed a $20M round. This has been years in the making.

Justin Shaffer was the Senior Vice President of New Media at MLB for 7+ years. He helped build up MLB into what it is today. And from there, he’s been thinking about this location/activities/presence problem for years, which he’ll continue solving at Facebook for over 500M+ daily users. There’s nobody else in the universe that can solve this problem better than Justin Shaffer.

Same thing for Dennis Crowley and Naveen Selvadurai at Foursquare. I don’t need to repeat the story behind Dennis and Dodgeball but Naveen was the Lead Architect at Socialight, which is when he started thinking about the intersection of mobile, locations and “checking-in”. It’s no surprise that Naveen’s experience at Socialight helped with the success of Foursquare as a location based business.

Scott Belsky helped grow the Pine Street Leadership Development Initiative at Goldman, Sachs & Co, which was focused on organizational improvement. Even before that, Scott wrote his college thesis on organizing the creative community at Cornell. From there, he interviewed hundreds of the most creative professionals in the world to help him understand the problem he was solving through Behance. This is a problem he’s been thinking about for the past 5+ years.

All of these entrepreneurs have been solving the same problem for years. They’ve been working non-stop to get to where they are today because none of this happens overnight. A lot of new entrepreneurs think they can quit their job at XYZ company and launch a successful tech startup because it’s the hot thing to do right now, but that’s usually a recipe for disaster.

So, that leads me to where I am today. After working with Scott Belsky at Behance and Justin Shaffer at Hot Potato, I feel that it’s my time to follow in their footsteps. It’s been a life-long dream to start a for-profit tech company with a social mission at it’s core. I’ll be launching an education/learning startup (similar to this TEDTalk) here in New York City, which I believe is going through it’s own technology renaissance.

I’ve always been fascinated with how to flip the traditional notion of education on its head because I believe the biggest problem in our society is that people stop learning when they graduate from school, which is a social problem we’re aiming to solve. We’ll be in stealth mode until we launch, but always looking for talented people to join our product team (design, development, marketing), so please reach out if you’re looking to make our world a better place.

Relentless focus is the key to success for any new business idea. With that said, I’ll be stepping away from professionally competing at the poker table and stepping down from All Day Buffet and The Feast Conference (this year will be my last one!) so that I can focus all of my time and energy on my new social venture. I’ll be passing the baton to Jerri Chou for The Feast, and I’m confident she will create even more social impact through what we’ve already created together.

Over the years, I’ve made a ton of mistakes but I’ve learned that as long as you always morally do the right thing, maximize the happiness of those around you, and stay passionate about what you do – things will always work out for the best.

I’m truly blessed. Thank you to everyone that have mentored me along this journey. Until the next one…

  • Anonymous

    you should make that book out of ‘The Diamond Age’..

  • Anonymous

    MikeK – Really loved what you wrote. Super best wishes for these next steps! I feel lucky to be a Feast Fellow in your last year of leadership. nnLove to talk to you abt the messaging/position of continuous learning and how it impacts greater social good … let me know if I can help with branding/marketing/engagement.

  • Anonymous

    Colleges today are run like for-profit corporations. I wrote a whole post on this here: http://www.mikekarnj.com/blog/2010/08/11/college-inc/nn

  • Anonymous

    Great post, Mike. Looking forward to seeing what you build.

  • Anonymous

    Continued success Mike. Looking forward 2 checking out your new edu startup and the impact that it makes. Let me know if you need anything on my end. nngc

  • Anonymous

    Congrats Mike! Excited to watch you build this new venture!nnQuestion: as someone who didn’t go through the US education system aside from participating in a top grad program, I feel I am in somewhat of a bubble when it comes to knowing what needs to be fixed about the US educational system. Acknowledging that I am working with little first hand knowledge to back this statement up with, my superficial impression is that part of the problem might be that people stop learning after graduation, but perhaps an even bigger part is that people aren’t learning on a high enough level while in HS and undergrad. I base this on conversations with teacher friends and my observations in class rooms. What are your thoughts on this?nnI come from a family of all educators, I taught college (business school under grad and grad classes) myself, and am very passionate about the topic. Looking forward to learning more about the US situation by following your project.

  • Anonymous

    I owe you tons. I can’t wait to see the new hot fireness you release at Facebook!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks and congrats on your new role at USV! I met Ben from Frontline SMS: Credit while I was out in Boulder. Love it.

  • Anonymous

    karnj, you’re an animal. stoked to help as you progress.

  • Anonymous

    Congrats! Def looking forward to seeing what’s next.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks homey!

  • Anonymous

    Can’t wait to watch you make this happen Mike.

  • Anonymous

    karnj, you’re an animal. stoked to help as you progress.

  • Anonymous

    Congrats! Def looking forward to seeing what’s next.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks homey!

  • Anonymous

    Can’t wait to watch you make this happen Mike.

  • Anonymous

    Colleges today are run like for-profit corporations. I wrote a whole post on this here: http://www.mikekarnj.com/blog/2010/08/11/college-inc/nn

  • Anonymous

    Great post, Mike. Looking forward to seeing what you build.

  • Anonymous

    Continued success Mike. Looking forward 2 checking out your new edu startup and the impact that it makes. Let me know if you need anything on my end. nngc

  • Anonymous

    Congrats Mike! Excited to watch you build this new venture!nnQuestion: as someone who didn’t go through the US education system aside from participating in a top grad program, I feel I am in somewhat of a bubble when it comes to knowing what needs to be fixed about the US educational system. Acknowledging that I am working with little first hand knowledge to back this statement up with, my superficial impression is that part of the problem might be that people stop learning after graduation, but perhaps an even bigger part is that people aren’t learning on a high enough level while in HS and undergrad. I base this on conversations with teacher friends and my observations in class rooms. What are your thoughts on this?nnI come from a family of all educators, I taught college (business school under grad and grad classes) myself, and am very passionate about the topic. Looking forward to learning more about the US situation by following your project.

  • Anonymous

    I owe you tons. I can’t wait to see the new hot fireness you release at Facebook!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks and congrats on your new role at USV! I met Ben from Frontline SMS: Credit while I was out in Boulder. Love it.

  • Anonymous

    karnj, you’re an animal. stoked to help as you progress.

  • Anonymous

    Congrats! Def looking forward to seeing what’s next.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks homey!

  • Anonymous

    Can’t wait to watch you make this happen Mike.

  • Anonymous

    you should make that book out of ‘The Diamond Age’..

  • Anonymous

    MikeK – Really loved what you wrote. Super best wishes for these next steps! I feel lucky to be a Feast Fellow in your last year of leadership. nnLove to talk to you abt the messaging/position of continuous learning and how it impacts greater social good … let me know if I can help with branding/marketing/engagement.

  • Anonymous

    I owe you tons. I can’t wait to see the new hot fireness you release at Facebook!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks and congrats on your new role at USV! I met Ben from Frontline SMS: Credit while I was out in Boulder. Love it.

  • Anonymous

    Continued success Mike. Looking forward 2 checking out your new edu startup and the impact that it makes. Let me know if you need anything on my end. nngc

  • Anonymous

    Congrats Mike! Excited to watch you build this new venture!nnQuestion: as someone who didn’t go through the US education system aside from participating in a top grad program, I feel I am in somewhat of a bubble when it comes to knowing what needs to be fixed about the US educational system. Acknowledging that I am working with little first hand knowledge to back this statement up with, my superficial impression is that part of the problem might be that people stop learning after graduation, but perhaps an even bigger part is that people aren’t learning on a high enough level while in HS and undergrad. I base this on conversations with teacher friends and my observations in class rooms. What are your thoughts on this?nnI come from a family of all educators, I taught college (business school under grad and grad classes) myself, and am very passionate about the topic. Looking forward to learning more about the US situation by following your project.

  • Anonymous

    I owe you tons. I can’t wait to see the new hot fireness you release at Facebook!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks and congrats on your new role at USV! I met Ben from Frontline SMS: Credit while I was out in Boulder. Love it.

  • Anonymous

    karnj, you’re an animal. stoked to help as you progress.

  • Anonymous

    Congrats! Def looking forward to seeing what’s next.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks homey!

  • Anonymous

    Can’t wait to watch you make this happen Mike.

  • Anonymous

    you should make that book out of ‘The Diamond Age’..

  • Anonymous

    MikeK – Really loved what you wrote. Super best wishes for these next steps! I feel lucky to be a Feast Fellow in your last year of leadership. nnLove to talk to you abt the messaging/position of continuous learning and how it impacts greater social good … let me know if I can help with branding/marketing/engagement.

  • Anonymous

    Colleges today are run like for-profit corporations. I wrote a whole post on this here: http://www.mikekarnj.com/blog/2010/08/11/college-inc/nn

  • Anonymous

    Great post, Mike. Looking forward to seeing what you build.

  • Anonymous

    Continued success Mike. Looking forward 2 checking out your new edu startup and the impact that it makes. Let me know if you need anything on my end. nngc

  • Anonymous

    Congrats Mike! Excited to watch you build this new venture!nnQuestion: as someone who didn’t go through the US education system aside from participating in a top grad program, I feel I am in somewhat of a bubble when it comes to knowing what needs to be fixed about the US educational system. Acknowledging that I am working with little first hand knowledge to back this statement up with, my superficial impression is that part of the problem might be that people stop learning after graduation, but perhaps an even bigger part is that people aren’t learning on a high enough level while in HS and undergrad. I base this on conversations with teacher friends and my observations in class rooms. What are your thoughts on this?nnI come from a family of all educators, I taught college (business school under grad and grad classes) myself, and am very passionate about the topic. Looking forward to learning more about the US situation by following your project.

  • Anonymous

    you should make that book out of ‘The Diamond Age’..

  • Anonymous

    MikeK – Really loved what you wrote. Super best wishes for these next steps! I feel lucky to be a Feast Fellow in your last year of leadership. nnLove to talk to you abt the messaging/position of continuous learning and how it impacts greater social good … let me know if I can help with branding/marketing/engagement.

  • Anonymous

    Colleges today are run like for-profit corporations. I wrote a whole post on this here: http://www.mikekarnj.com/blog/2010/08/11/college-inc/nn

  • Anonymous

    Great post, Mike. Looking forward to seeing what you build.

  • Anonymous

    you should make that book out of ‘The Diamond Age’..

  • Anonymous

    MikeK – Really loved what you wrote. Super best wishes for these next steps! I feel lucky to be a Feast Fellow in your last year of leadership. nnLove to talk to you abt the messaging/position of continuous learning and how it impacts greater social good … let me know if I can help with branding/marketing/engagement.

  • Anonymous

    Colleges today are run like for-profit corporations. I wrote a whole post on this here: http://www.mikekarnj.com/blog/2010/08/11/college-inc/nn

  • Anonymous

    Great post, Mike. Looking forward to seeing what you build.

  • Anonymous

    Continued success Mike. Looking forward 2 checking out your new edu startup and the impact that it makes. Let me know if you need anything on my end. nngc

  • Anonymous

    Congrats Mike! Excited to watch you build this new venture!nnQuestion: as someone who didn’t go through the US education system aside from participating in a top grad program, I feel I am in somewhat of a bubble when it comes to knowing what needs to be fixed about the US educational system. Acknowledging that I am working with little first hand knowledge to back this statement up with, my superficial impression is that part of the problem might be that people stop learning after graduation, but perhaps an even bigger part is that people aren’t learning on a high enough level while in HS and undergrad. I base this on conversations with teacher friends and my observations in class rooms. What are your thoughts on this?nnI come from a family of all educators, I taught college (business school under grad and grad classes) myself, and am very passionate about the topic. Looking forward to learning more about the US situation by following your project.

  • Anonymous

    I owe you tons. I can’t wait to see the new hot fireness you release at Facebook!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks and congrats on your new role at USV! I met Ben from Frontline SMS: Credit while I was out in Boulder. Love it.

  • Anonymous

    karnj, you’re an animal. stoked to help as you progress.

  • Anonymous

    Congrats! Def looking forward to seeing what’s next.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks homey!

  • Anonymous

    Can’t wait to watch you make this happen Mike.

  • Anonymous

    you should make that book out of ‘The Diamond Age’..

  • Anonymous

    MikeK – Really loved what you wrote. Super best wishes for these next steps! I feel lucky to be a Feast Fellow in your last year of leadership. nnLove to talk to you abt the messaging/position of continuous learning and how it impacts greater social good … let me know if I can help with branding/marketing/engagement.

  • Anonymous

    Colleges today are run like for-profit corporations. I wrote a whole post on this here: http://www.mikekarnj.com/blog/2010/08/11/college-inc/nn

  • Anonymous

    Great post, Mike. Looking forward to seeing what you build.

  • Anonymous

    Continued success Mike. Looking forward 2 checking out your new edu startup and the impact that it makes. Let me know if you need anything on my end. nngc

  • Anonymous

    Congrats Mike! Excited to watch you build this new venture!nnQuestion: as someone who didn’t go through the US education system aside from participating in a top grad program, I feel I am in somewhat of a bubble when it comes to knowing what needs to be fixed about the US educational system. Acknowledging that I am working with little first hand knowledge to back this statement up with, my superficial impression is that part of the problem might be that people stop learning after graduation, but perhaps an even bigger part is that people aren’t learning on a high enough level while in HS and undergrad. I base this on conversations with teacher friends and my observations in class rooms. What are your thoughts on this?nnI come from a family of all educators, I taught college (business school under grad and grad classes) myself, and am very passionate about the topic. Looking forward to learning more about the US situation by following your project.

  • Anonymous

    I owe you tons. I can’t wait to see the new hot fireness you release at Facebook!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks and congrats on your new role at USV! I met Ben from Frontline SMS: Credit while I was out in Boulder. Love it.

  • Anonymous

    karnj, you’re an animal. stoked to help as you progress.

  • Anonymous

    Congrats! Def looking forward to seeing what’s next.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks homey!

  • Anonymous

    Can’t wait to watch you make this happen Mike.

  • Anonymous

    you should make that book out of ‘The Diamond Age’..

  • Anonymous

    MikeK – Really loved what you wrote. Super best wishes for these next steps! I feel lucky to be a Feast Fellow in your last year of leadership. nnLove to talk to you abt the messaging/position of continuous learning and how it impacts greater social good … let me know if I can help with branding/marketing/engagement.

  • Anonymous

    Colleges today are run like for-profit corporations. I wrote a whole post on this here: http://www.mikekarnj.com/blog/2010/08/11/college-inc/nn

  • Anonymous

    Great post, Mike. Looking forward to seeing what you build.

  • Anonymous

    Continued success Mike. Looking forward 2 checking out your new edu startup and the impact that it makes. Let me know if you need anything on my end. nngc

  • Anonymous

    Congrats Mike! Excited to watch you build this new venture!nnQuestion: as someone who didn’t go through the US education system aside from participating in a top grad program, I feel I am in somewhat of a bubble when it comes to knowing what needs to be fixed about the US educational system. Acknowledging that I am working with little first hand knowledge to back this statement up with, my superficial impression is that part of the problem might be that people stop learning after graduation, but perhaps an even bigger part is that people aren’t learning on a high enough level while in HS and undergrad. I base this on conversations with teacher friends and my observations in class rooms. What are your thoughts on this?nnI come from a family of all educators, I taught college (business school under grad and grad classes) myself, and am very passionate about the topic. Looking forward to learning more about the US situation by following your project.

  • Anonymous

    I owe you tons. I can’t wait to see the new hot fireness you release at Facebook!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks and congrats on your new role at USV! I met Ben from Frontline SMS: Credit while I was out in Boulder. Love it.

  • Anonymous

    karnj, you’re an animal. stoked to help as you progress.

  • Anonymous

    Congrats! Def looking forward to seeing what’s next.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks homey!

  • Anonymous

    Can’t wait to watch you make this happen Mike.

  • http://www.facebook.com/nicholascrocker Nick Crocker

    Can’t wait to watch you make this happen Mike.

  • http://mikekarnj.com/blog Michael Karnjanaprakorn

    Thanks homey!

  • http://www.christinacacioppo.com Christina Cacioppo

    Congrats! Def looking forward to seeing what’s next.

  • http://www.facebook.com/justinshaffer Justin Shaffer

    karnj, you’re an animal. stoked to help as you progress.

  • http://mikekarnj.com/blog Michael Karnjanaprakorn

    I owe you tons. I can’t wait to see the new hot fireness you release at Facebook!

  • http://mikekarnj.com/blog Michael Karnjanaprakorn

    Thanks and congrats on your new role at USV! I met Ben from Frontline SMS: Credit while I was out in Boulder. Love it.

  • http://wesleyverhoeve.com Wesley Verhoeve

    Congrats Mike! Excited to watch you build this new venture!nnQuestion: as someone who didn’t go through the US education system aside from participating in a top grad program, I feel I am in somewhat of a bubble when it comes to knowing what needs to be fixed about the US educational system. Acknowledging that I am working with little first hand knowledge to back this statement up with, my superficial impression is that part of the problem might be that people stop learning after graduation, but perhaps an even bigger part is that people aren’t learning on a high enough level while in HS and undergrad. I base this on conversations with teacher friends and my observations in class rooms. What are your thoughts on this?nnI come from a family of all educators, I taught college (business school under grad and grad classes) myself, and am very passionate about the topic. Looking forward to learning more about the US situation by following your project.

  • http://twitter.com/reelspit greg christman

    Continued success Mike. Looking forward 2 checking out your new edu startup and the impact that it makes. Let me know if you need anything on my end. nngc

  • Matt Hartman

    Great post, Mike. Looking forward to seeing what you build.

  • http://mikekarnj.com/blog Michael Karnjanaprakorn

    Colleges today are run like for-profit corporations. I wrote a whole post on this here: http://www.mikekarnj.com/blog/2010/08/11/college-inc/nn

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=692167860 Pritha RaySircar

    MikeK – Really loved what you wrote. Super best wishes for these next steps! I feel lucky to be a Feast Fellow in your last year of leadership. nnLove to talk to you abt the messaging/position of continuous learning and how it impacts greater social good … let me know if I can help with branding/marketing/engagement.

  • Anonymous

    you should make that book out of ‘The Diamond Age’..