Over the years, numerous investments have been made in the world of technology. Thanks to these efforts, almost everything we do can be done with a push of a button. Need a cab? Book for one in either Uber or Grab. Need to watch a movie or series? Now, there are several streaming services to choose from, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. With that said, another thing many of us are also fond of doing would undoubtedly be to express our thoughts, feelings, and opinions. For that, we now have social media websites that allow us to interact with other people around the world. One such platform that has since garnered millions of users is Twitter.
For this article, we will be talking a bit about the man behind the blue bird, Twitter’s co-founder and CEO, Jack Dorsey. Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at his journey, from a boy who loved coding into one of the world’s richest figures today.
Before Twitter
Born on November 19, 1976, Jack was just like every other kid. Besides his love for music and football, he also gave modeling a shot. Even so, these hobbies will surely pale in comparison with his passion for technology. When he was 14 years old, Jack’s father gifted him a computer, which he instantly had a high degree of love for. Along with the impressive features it had at the time, it introduced him to the wonders of programming, which, in Jack’s words, allowed him to “create something from nothing.” Realizing the possibilities this opportunity brought him, Jack then decided to create programs that are not only useful to him, but to everyone else, too. One of his early works was an open-source dispatch software, which is still used by some taxi companies today. Well, believe it or not, this project undoubtedly sparked an idea in Jack’s mind, an idea that eventually became the social media platform we now know as Twitter.
Making The Idea A Reality
Besides creating dispatch software, Jack also worked on other programs. Along the way, though, already-established projects such as AOL Instant Messenger and LiveJournal piqued his interest, making him wonder if it’s possible to combine online messaging with features from his dispatching service. Well, this investment eventually became the world-famous social media platform we know as Twitter, but like many journeys, this one took time to achieve. At first, it was an SMS-based service that allowed users to send messages to a group, similar to a dispatch. After a few more tweaks, it finally found its way online and into the public’s attention in July 2006. Of course, just like other stories told, this one also has its share of challenges and hurdles.
Learning From Mistakes And Rising Even Higher
Although his parents were experienced entrepreneurs, Jack didn’t seem to fit into the position when it was his turn. After some time working on Twitter, Jack was fired from his position as its CEO. Even so, he didn’t let it get to him. During his time away from the blue bird, Jack ventured on to other endeavors and eventually founded Square with his good friend, Jim McKelvey. With its first device allowing users to make credit card payments via their phones, Square has since become one of the most profitable financial services in the business. This project was undoubtedly a success, but, like a funny twist of fate, Jack was called to return to his position as Twitter’s CEO. Thanks to that, Jack now leads the two companies. With his responsibilities doubled, it comes as no surprise Jack has also had a few bumps and shortcomings, though they weren’t enough to bring him down.
He has now become a respectable figure in his own right. Besides making opportunities to improve both platforms, Jack is also fond of sharing his fortunes in philanthropic endeavors. In fact, he has even donated 28% of his wealth – that’s $1 billion! – to health and educational institutions. Well, just like Twitter and Square, Jack is more than willing to find ways to grow and improve, and by the looks of it, it’s safe to say his journey is still far from over.
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