EP12: Linda Zhang, early product leader at Faire ($12b co), on key growth unlocks in early days, ideal culture at fast growing companies, and founding Product Lessons

Jan 19 2022 • 43 mins

In this conversation we chat about Linda’s journey from a traditional consulting career to startup rocket ships (Snap and Faire), product management, and entrepreneurship.

We start out talking about the early days at Faire and key growth unlocks that helped it quickly grow from $50m to $2.5b, and now a $12b valuation. Linda was an early product leader, and saw it grow from 14 to 300 employees. We then talk about challenges when growing that quickly and reflections on ideal culture at fast growing startups. Finally, we talk about Linda’s path towards starting Product Lessons, and building an engaged audience through her terrific writing.

We hope you enjoy this amazing episode!

Episode Highlights

Early career at Bain and transitioning to startups
Consulting as a professional bootcamp
Operational and product culture at Snap
Transitioning into PM roles at a startup
Faire: b2b marketplace for brands/makers and retail stores
What drew her to Faire ($12b co now) and early culture
Key growth unlocks at Faire, and building b2b virality
Going from as Employee 14 ($50m valuation), to 300 employees ($2.5b valuation), and 1000 employees ($12b valuation)
Transitioning to being a being a solo entrepreneur
Ideal culture at fast growing companies
Importance of talent density
Writing/creating, building product toolkit, and starting product lessons
Power of building email lists
Top Startups project to help people find great startups and jobs
Building an audience: find a format that works for you
Having a “red pill”: what are you willing to say or share that no one else is saying or sharing?
Mastering your own psychology
Superpowers, lucky break and books