E117: Calm App Founder: From $0 To $2 Billion By Making The World Meditate: Michael Acton Smith

Curiosity and creativity are essential qualities for an entrepreneurial mindset. Michael Acton's journey is a testament to how these traits, along with a passion for learning and exploring different subjects, can lead to success. Despite not excelling academically, it was his insatiable curiosity that sparked his interest in various areas of life. This curiosity, combined with creativity, enabled him to generate new ideas and put them out into the world as an entrepreneur. Michael's story also highlights the importance of believing in and passionately advocating for what one creates. Although he initially struggled to fit in and was introverted, he found his place and flourished at university, showcasing the transformative power of personal growth and self-discovery.

Going to university provided an opportunity for Michael Acton and his friend Tom to reinvent themselves and explore their true identities. They were able to leave behind the perceptions and limitations from school and connect with new people and ideas. However, after university, they both found themselves in unfulfilling jobs and realized that they wanted something more creative and meaningful. They decided to start their own business, inspired by the growing potential of the internet. With limited resources, they invested in a book on doing business on the internet and were amazed by the possibilities it presented. This book became their guiding light as they created Firebox, an online retailer specializing in unique gadgets and games.

Starting an online business in the early days of the internet was challenging. Michael Acton and his team faced obstacles such as limited internet connectivity, underdeveloped search engines, and a lack of trust in online transactions. Despite skeptics who believed that no one would buy anything online and that only porn barons made money online, Acton and his team recognized the potential of the internet as a more efficient way of conducting business. They persevered through clunky payment systems and inefficiencies, continually improving their processes day by day. The tipping point for their business came when they started creating their own unique products, highlighting the importance of innovation and creating something new in the business world. This eventually led to the longevity and success of their online company.

Storytelling and incorporating the human angle are powerful tools in PR and entrepreneurial endeavors. Michael Acton highlights the success they achieved by creating a compelling story about their product, which resulted in increased media coverage and more orders. He emphasizes that people are naturally interested in stories that involve struggle, transformation, and human experiences. The lesson of storytelling has stayed with him throughout his entrepreneurial journey and he applies it when pitching his businesses or encouraging others to join. Additionally, Acton shares his decision to depart from the business, driven by a new idea that he couldn't ignore. This highlights the importance of following one's passion and answering the call for new opportunities.

Entrepreneurs should take the time to thoroughly vet their ideas before rushing into execution. Michael Acton emphasizes the importance of building strong foundations and conducting extensive research before launching a business. He suggests immersing oneself in the industry, attending conferences, reading books, and speaking to experts to truly understand the opportunity and discover the potential alpha. By doing this invisible work, entrepreneurs can connect the dots and develop a crisp and clear idea that cannot be held back any longer. This approach not only ensures a solid foundation but also attracts others to join and support the business. It is crucial to recognize that the sense of urgency can often be surface-level and driven by external factors, while a deeper understanding allows for a more strategic and successful approach.

Being an early player in a new market can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with risks and challenges. The speakers highlight their experience with Perplex City, a game that aimed to revolutionize online gaming. They invested in deep work and research before launching the game, and it gained attention and awards. However, despite the positive reception, the underlying business model didn't make sense, and they faced financial difficulties. This caused the main speaker to experience extreme stress on a daily basis, worrying about the future of the company. The conversation emphasizes the importance of not only having a great idea but also ensuring a viable business model to sustain it.

The founder, Michael Acton, experienced the immense pressure and stress of running a failing company. He struggled to solve the conundrum of dwindling resources and had to make the tough decision of winding down the business. This moment was filled with shock and horror for the loyal team members who believed in his vision. Despite the disappointment, Acton presented a new idea and proposed a dramatic pivot to save the company. He learned the importance of not getting carried away with hype and awards, but rather focusing on the fundamentals of a successful business model and understanding how to monetize it. This experience taught him the significance of balancing creativity with strong commercial instincts and the ability to build an economic machine behind innovative ideas.

Successful businesses do not happen overnight, but require a lot of grind and hustle. It is important to have a strong idea and be adaptable to changes in the market. The example of Moshi Monsters highlights the importance of finding the right approach to monetization and removing friction for users. Initially, they tried selling physical products and faced challenges with complexity and adoption. However, when they decided to make the service free and focused on creating a seamless user experience, their business took off. Additionally, the conversation emphasizes the need to stay ahead of platform shifts and adapt to new technologies, as ignoring these changes can lead to struggles and setbacks.

The success or failure of a business can have a profound impact on one's self-worth and mental health. Michael Acton experienced immense stress and difficulty when his company started to unravel and face financial challenges. The negative press, layoffs, and declining revenues took a toll on his ego and made him feel like a failure. He admitted to resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as distancing himself from the business, relying on caffeine, and taking painkillers. However, he also highlighted the importance of having a supportive community of family and friends who understand the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. This conversation emphasizes the need to prioritize mental health and seek healthy ways to cope with business challenges.

Mindfulness and meditation, once considered hippie nonsense, have the potential to be transformative and create a successful business. Michael Acton initially dismissed the idea of meditation when his friend suggested it, but his perspective changed when he took a solo trip and tried meditation himself. He discovered the value of gaining perspective and clarity through mindfulness. Realizing the scientific basis behind mindfulness, Michael saw an opportunity to make it accessible to everyone. With his friend Alex, they bought the domain calm.com and started a meditation company. Despite skepticism and negative connotations, they believed in the power of meditation and anticipated societal change. This experience taught them a profound lesson about the intersection of disbelief and belief in life's possibilities.

Mental health is a first-order problem that needs to be addressed. Michael Acton and his team at Calm believe that solving the global mental health crisis is one of the most important challenges in the world. They emphasize the significance of understanding and learning about our minds, as mental health affects every individual. By promoting meditation and mindfulness, Calm aims to help people become masters of their minds, rather than controlled by them. Upgrading our mental operating system allows us to respond to situations instead of reacting impulsively. By improving our mental health, we can not only reduce suffering but also tackle other major global issues like climate change, inequality, and homelessness with greater resilience, empathy, and compassion.

Meditation is like going to the mental gym, building up the strength of our mind and enabling us to be more aware and improve our attention in everyday life. In this modern age, where we are constantly bombarded with noise and stimulation, it is crucial to develop the muscle of attention and be able to decide where and how we put our focus. Despite the challenges we face, there is optimism about our ability to correct course and make positive changes. Society is shifting towards taking care of mental health, which is a fantastic development. The trajectory of Calm, a meditation app, had its challenges, but a tipping point came when they raised the price for their subscription and saw no drop-off in sign-ups, realizing the value their service provided.

Entrepreneurs should prioritize building a strong foundation before scaling up. Michael Acton highlights the importance of achieving product-market fit before investing heavily in marketing. By focusing on understanding the business first, entrepreneurs can avoid wasting resources. Additionally, Acton emphasizes the value of identifying new opportunities based on user behavior and data insights. For example, Calm expanded its offerings to include sleep stories after realizing a significant spike in usage during late-night hours. This demonstrates the importance of adapting and evolving based on user needs. Lastly, Acton addresses the misconceptions surrounding sleep and the shift in societal attitudes towards prioritizing rest and self-care. Recognizing the significance of sleep and other fundamental aspects of well-being is crucial for overall success.

Prioritizing basic human needs, such as sleep, connection, and mental health, can have a significant impact on overall well-being. Michael Acton highlights the simplicity of these solutions, emphasizing the importance of sleep in particular. Neglecting these fundamental aspects of life can lead to negative consequences, including burnout and chronic stress. The challenges faced during the pandemic have further magnified the significance of taking care of oneself, both physically and mentally. Michael Acton's personal experience with burnout and the overwhelming number of employees expressing stress and burnout in the company survey serve as a reminder that addressing these basic needs and finding balance is essential for maintaining our health and navigating difficult times.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the work-life balance and mental health of individuals. Many companies have experienced increased work hours and blurred boundaries between work and personal life. This has resulted in a toll on the minds and bodies of employees. To address this crisis, companies like Calm have taken steps to support their teams' mental health, such as implementing mental health breaks and offering unlimited holidays. Taking time away from work, disconnecting from technology, and prioritizing self-care practices, such as meditation, nutrition, exercise, and sleep, are crucial for maintaining overall well-being. Additionally, meaningful connections with others play a vital role in improving mental health and creating a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Building and maintaining meaningful relationships is essential for personal growth and happiness. Michael Acton reflects on his past mistakes and realizes the importance of being a better partner, co-parent, and person overall. He recognizes that his obsession with his business has caused him to neglect his romantic relationships and loved ones. Through self-reflection and learning, he has come to understand that true fulfillment doesn't solely come from money and success, but from genuine connections with others. This realization has led him to prioritize relationships, whether it's with a partner, friends, or family. He acknowledges that being mindful, present, and supportive in relationships is key to finding balance and true happiness in life.

Effective communication and empathy are vital for building strong and healthy relationships. Developing a meditation practice can improve empathy and help us see the world through other people's eyes. It allows us to be more responsive and less reactive in our interactions, enhancing our ability to understand and meet the needs of others. Good communication involves being open, vulnerable, and listening more than we talk. It is important to respect and appreciate different viewpoints and life experiences, recognizing that life is nuanced and not simply black or white. Techniques such as pausing, replaying what others have said, and seeking understanding can lead to simple breakthroughs in our communication and problem-solving.

Calm, the app founded by Michael Acton, has successfully brought mindfulness and mental well-being to millions of people in a modern and relatable way. Despite the assumption that the founders of such an app would be calm and peaceful individuals, Acton emphasizes that Calm's brand is not about sitting in meditation all day but rather about incorporating mindfulness into everyday life. The app has made a tremendous impact on people's lives, from supporting bullied kids to saving lives of those struggling with addiction or suicidal thoughts. Acton and his team find motivation and inspiration in reading the millions of 5-star reviews on the app store that showcase the positive impact of Calm. Overall, Calm has contributed to the larger goal of supporting mental health and happiness in individuals around the world.

Psychedelics have the potential to play a crucial role in addressing the global mental health crisis. Despite being vilified for decades, scientific evidence suggests that compounds like psilocybin, ketamine, Iberghain, and MDMA can potentially improve the lives of millions. When combined with therapy in the right set and setting, these substances can unlock positive outcomes for humanity. Pain, both mental and physical, serves an important purpose of alerting us to underlying problems. Although pain is unpleasant, it should be acknowledged and listened to, rather than ignored or masked. By paying attention to our pain, such as the mental anguish experienced during sleepless nights, we can address underlying problems and find solutions. Overall, this conversation emphasizes the value of exploring new approaches and perspectives to promote mental well-being.