Community Over Climate

Shaan Puri and Sam Parr discuss the importance of being around other entrepreneurs, particularly in your twenties. They emphasize that location choices should prioritize community over amenities, drawing from their experiences in San Francisco and Austin.

Key Points:

• Location Priority for Young Entrepreneurs:

  • Choose places based on who's there, not just weather or cost
  • Being around others chasing similar dreams is "massively underrated"
  • The bonds formed during early startup phases are lasting

• Benefits of Entrepreneurial Communities:

  • Get smarter faster through peer learning
  • Create lasting relationships with others at similar stages
  • Experience shared growth and development
  • Feel less isolated in your entrepreneurial journey

• Community Impact:

  • People will travel far to be around "non-weirdos" like themselves
  • Even at events, attendees naturally network and interview each other
  • Creates organic opportunities for collaboration and learning

• Real-World Example from Their Live Event:

  • 550-600 people attended
  • Attendees flew in from Malaysia, Mexico, across North America
  • People came because they felt like "weirdos" in their own towns
  • Spontaneous networking happened in line before the event
  • Attendees created content and connections organically

• Long-term Value:

  • These early-stage connections remain valuable even after success
  • The shared experience of being at the "upstart phase" creates lasting bonds
  • Community helps normalize entrepreneurial ambitions and challenges