To build a cult you need a temple

Something I’ve come to appreciate A LOT recently is the power of a well-designed office. In the early days of starting our companies, the instinct is to focus on the work, but we often overlook where the work is happening.

I’m not suggesting you should have a nice office, but one that creates the right atmosphere needed to stimulate high output from your team.

Consider what Jeff B’s setup from the early days at Amazon implies about the values of the company - in particular, the degree to which frugality is important.

As Peter T says, the best startups look a lot like cults. Building a successful startup is about convincing a small group of people to believe in a near-impossible outcome. And so, the most successful startups don't just build great products; they create an environment that enables insane belief.

Thousands of years of religion has proved that every group of believers needs a place to convene and to reinforce their values. To build your cult you need a temple. So for founders who can, I’d recommend avoiding coworking spaces. Build your own space.