Tony Hsieh (1973-2020) was an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author, best known for his role as the CEO of online shoe and clothing retailer Zappos. Hsieh grew up in California and studied computer science at Harvard University. After graduation, he co-founded the internet advertising company LinkExchange, which he sold to Microsoft for $265 million in 1998.
In 1999, Hsieh joined Zappos as an advisor and investor, eventually becoming CEO in 2000. Under his leadership, Zappos became known for its customer-centric approach and unique company culture, which emphasized employee happiness and work-life balance. In 2009, Zappos was acquired by Amazon for $1.2 billion.
Outside of his work at Zappos, Hsieh was a prolific investor and advocate for startups and entrepreneurship. He founded the venture capital firm VegasTechFund to support tech startups in Las Vegas, where he also worked to revitalize the downtown area through various initiatives.
Hsieh authored the book “Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose,” which chronicles his entrepreneurial journey and outlines his philosophy on building a successful business. He passed away in November 2020 at the age of 46, leaving behind a legacy as a visionary leader and innovator in the world of ecommerce and entrepreneurship.
