The Write of Passage story feels very special tonight.
16 months ago, my online writing school was nothing more than an idea on a napkin. Tonight, we began our 5th cohort with ~300 students from 30 countries, from Singapore, to Panama, to Saudi Arabia.
Here’s our company story.
16 months ago, my online writing school was nothing more than an idea on a napkin. Tonight, we began our 5th cohort with ~300 students from 30 countries, from Singapore, to Panama, to Saudi Arabia.
Here’s our company story.
The idea began with a phone call to @fortelabs in December 2018.
I pitched him on the idea of working together, and he immediately said yes. Two months later, I flew to Mexico City to design the curriculum and film the course with him.
Nothing would have happened without him.
I pitched him on the idea of working together, and he immediately said yes. Two months later, I flew to Mexico City to design the curriculum and film the course with him.
Nothing would have happened without him.
Just before the first cohort, I hosted a focus group for three friends.
I ordered burritos from my favorite taqueria, and we explored every aspect of the curriculum together in my apartment. All of us doubted the vision, especially me. But a glimmer of faith propelled us.
I ordered burritos from my favorite taqueria, and we explored every aspect of the curriculum together in my apartment. All of us doubted the vision, especially me. But a glimmer of faith propelled us.
Starting a company is lonely, and there were moments of extreme doubt and self-loathing.
Along the way, four people in particular offered tremendous support and encouragement: @jposhaughnessy, @photomatt, @tylercowen, and @sidharthajha (who served as our Student Manager).
Along the way, four people in particular offered tremendous support and encouragement: @jposhaughnessy, @photomatt, @tylercowen, and @sidharthajha (who served as our Student Manager).
At times, I was embarrassed about Write of Passage, especially after the 2nd cohort. The student experience wasn’t up to my standards, but I didn’t know how to improve it. I feared that my messy, disorganized mind would kill the business. I incapable of growing the school myself.
Then, @will_mannon showed up.
That’s when things started improving. A former student, Will called me with a list of things I should improve about Write of Passage.
Here are his original suggestions, his original job description, and the first two photos we ever took together.
That’s when things started improving. A former student, Will called me with a list of things I should improve about Write of Passage.
Here are his original suggestions, his original job description, and the first two photos we ever took together.
Will did such an exceptional job that @fortelabs and I hired him full-time to serve as Student Manager for both our courses.
We are a remote company, but meet in person a couple times per year to design the curriculum, plan in three-month increments, and eat delicious food.
We are a remote company, but meet in person a couple times per year to design the curriculum, plan in three-month increments, and eat delicious food.
My glaring weaknesses used to sting like salt in a fresh wound. Luckily, my team increasingly serves as a band-aid.
@fortelabs is the single most organized person I know.
@will_mannon has a heart of gold and an uncanny telepathy with our students. He always knows what they need
@fortelabs is the single most organized person I know.
@will_mannon has a heart of gold and an uncanny telepathy with our students. He always knows what they need
We‘re going to build the business school of the future, without compromising our quality of life.
Writing is just the first step. By helping our students build online audiences, we will eventually help to build hundreds of niche Internet businesses.
Writing is just the first step. By helping our students build online audiences, we will eventually help to build hundreds of niche Internet businesses.
Write of Passage is a beacon of belief in a world of cynicism.
Our community is equal parts optimistic, ambitious, and supportive. It’s a place for people to explore entrepreneurship, improve their thinking, and make friends from around the world.
We are just getting started.
Our community is equal parts optimistic, ambitious, and supportive. It’s a place for people to explore entrepreneurship, improve their thinking, and make friends from around the world.
We are just getting started.
I’m particularly proud to see so many alumni returning.
In the upcoming cohorts, I want alums to take the community reigns, and step into leadership roles. For example, in this cohort, we have seven alumni mentors (led by @levnaginsky) who will each be running a writing group.
In the upcoming cohorts, I want alums to take the community reigns, and step into leadership roles. For example, in this cohort, we have seven alumni mentors (led by @levnaginsky) who will each be running a writing group.
As for the future of Write of Passage, here are my open questions:
1) How can we create a culture of rigor, commitment, and support?
2) How can we attract the best possible students into the community?
3) How can we enable productive, life-long friendships among our students?
1) How can we create a culture of rigor, commitment, and support?
2) How can we attract the best possible students into the community?
3) How can we enable productive, life-long friendships among our students?
If you want to follow the growth of Write of Passage, and learn some of what we teach, sign up for my 7-day email course.
ageofleverage.com/course
ageofleverage.com/course
