[Founder Notes] Phil Knight

"Let everyone else call your idea crazy. Just don't stop. Whatever comes, just don't stop."

Half a century later, that may be the best advice any of us should give. "The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."

Belief sells itself. Believe in what you're doing and your product, and it's easy to create an army of believers. First, the sell should be almost dogmatic or fervent. Study the laws of old. Don't tell them how to do things — tell them what to do and watch as they surprise you.

Information advantage: Japanese shoes to the US market. Push to keep the day job until the new selling can support you. Record the process. When selling, fiercely track relationships and personalize engagement to make people feel special.

Knight pushed to go full-time in order to let himself be himself. The whole model worked itself out through freedom.

Legally, don't be too dependent on one partner when it isn't yours. The Japanese side cut them off, but by then Nike had already begun making their own factory.

Think long and hard about how you want to spend your time and with whom. Seek a calling. Fatigue won't be as bad. Disappointment hurts less; highs are higher.

You will always have a bullseye on your back the bigger you get. Giving up is not the same as stopping. Sometimes you must give up to do something new, which will open up genius.

— Jay