I built a billion dollar company in 18 months

In this episode of My First Million, Sam Parr interviews Eric Glyman, the founder of Ramp, about his journey to building a billion-dollar company in just 18 months. Glyman shares the initial goal-setting process with his co-founder, their focus on rapid growth, and the financial strategies behind Ramp's success, including interchange revenue models. He also discusses alternative business ideas they considered, such as manufactured housing and co-branded credit cards, before settling on Ramp. The conversation explores the challenges of scaling quickly, the importance of velocity, and the company's design for fast shipping. Glyman reflects on the intensity of rapid growth, the significance of finding joy in one's craft, and the long-term vision for Ramp, aiming for sustained growth over decades rather than a quick exit. He touches on the historical context of the banking industry, American consumerism, and his personal approach to emotional regulation and maintaining balance amidst the pressures of running a large company.