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I known everyone like it

Four young men zip across Majuro lagoon in relatively light winds. Photo: Karen Earnshaw We read in a magazine that some people in Europe had designed this shock absorber for their catamarans. We wrote back and said: "That’s great, but there’s this small island, smaller than a dot of a pencil point, that design something like this about 2000 years ago." Alson Kelen, WAM Director Known as one of the fastest indigenous watercraft in the Pacific, the Marshall Islands outrigger canoe has over the years been fine-tuned to sail closer to the wind than any other modern sail craft in the world. Little has changed in the basic design of the outrigger canoes over the past 100 generations. In centuries past, the people of the Marshall Islands sailed upon ocean voyages of up to 500 miles as a matter of necessity, usually to access food. Today, sadly, canoes have been largely replaced by power boats, with most new canoes in Majuro being built for racing. Of the outer islands, only a few still use the canoes as part of their livelihood, with Ailuk Atoll being a prime example. While newly-built tradition-style outrigger canoes look extremely similar to the original boats, they are shaped not with the simple hand-hewn tools of the past, but with electric saws and planes. They are not rigged with a sail made from the fibers of the pandanus plant, but instead with modern fabrics, including tarps. Whatever their purpose, the very existence of the canoes is treasured by the community as a source of national pride.

As a woman of color from diverse cultural backgrounds, I’ve always felt Thanksgiving is a complex holiday. So, let’s address the elephant in the room. 👉 The traditional narrative often ignores the suffering of #Indigenous peoples, including the horrifying violence inflicted on Indigenous women during #colonization. 👉 This reminds us of the resilience of these communities and the importance of recognizing and addressing historical injustices. 👉 It also echoes the present-day struggles of others, like those facing immense suffering in #Palestine —a crisis many continue to overlook. Yet, in the midst of these reflections, #Thanksgiving has also given me cherished memories. At Stanford University, a group of the most diverse kids, all far from home, would gather to cook, share what we were grateful for, and swap stories that brought us to tears and fostered lifelong bonds. We played games, laughed until our sides hurt, and dreamed big about the future. It was more than a holiday—it was a sanctuary of connection and belonging, especially for someone striving to build something meaningful far from family. For me, Thanksgiving in the #U.S. represents love, diversity, and the joy of creating a chosen family. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and find gratitude amidst the year’s chaos. Today, I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported my journey and shown love to the Zero to Millions Club. You’ve made this year truly special. Wishing you all a joyful, reflective, and meaningful Thanksgiving! What are you most thankful for this year? We’d love to hear!

Fifteen years ago, a renowned venture capitalist made what turned out to be a billion-dollar oversight by passing on Airbnb. Here's how it unfolded and what we can learn from it. Back in 2009, Airbnb had just earned a spot in Y Combinator (YC), but the startup was facing an uphill battle. Their growth was sluggish, and finding investors who believed in their vision was proving to be difficult. Enter Paul Graham, co-founder of YC, who saw something special in Airbnb. He was convinced of their potential and decided to introduce them to Fred Wilson at Union Square Ventures, an investor known for backing successful companies like Twitter, Tumblr, and Etsy. But when the pitch landed on Fred's desk, he passed. Why turn down Airbnb? The idea just didn’t resonate. Fred later explained: “We couldn’t wrap our heads around air mattresses on living room floors as the next hotel room.” The concept seemed too unconventional and didn’t fit into the established mold of the hospitality industry. Years later, Fred reflected on that decision: “We made the classic mistake that all investors make. We focused too much on what they were doing at the time and not enough on what they could do, would do, and did do.” Today, Airbnb is a household name with a valuation soaring to $73 billion, revolutionizing the way we think about travel and accommodations. What seemed like a quirky idea of renting out air mattresses has grown into a global business offering unique lodging experiences in almost every corner of the world. The takeaway from this story is a powerful reminder for investors and entrepreneurs alike: Early-stage investing isn’t just about the idea—it’s about betting on people, their vision, and the possibilities of what they can achieve. Sometimes, the greatest opportunities lie beyond the limitations of what we can see right now. Would you have taken the leap on Airbnb back then, or would you have missed out too?