Snapchat, the social media app with over 300 million active monthly users, had its humble beginnings in the dorm rooms of three college students. While studying product design at Stanford, Evan Spiegel proposed a temporary message app as part of a class project. The idea was met with ridicule from fellow classmates. However, later that year Spiegel along with classmates Bobby Murphy and Reggie Brown, worked to create a prototype of the idea. Initially called Picaboo, the project was later renamed Snapchat and received significant popularity in 2012. By the end of 2012 the app had reached over 1 million active daily users. Spiegel describes the company’s mission statement as, “Snapchat isn’t about capturing the traditional Kodak moment. It’s about communicating with the full range of human emotion — not just what appears to be pretty or perfect.” Snapchat seeks to differ from other major social media platforms by reducing the stress of having personal information stored on a profile.
Despite ridicule and discouragement from fellow classmates, Spiegel persisted with an idea that he felt had potential. He acted on that idea and is now the worlds youngest billionaire. His story is inspiring in many ways, but particularly in his passion for something that was seen by others as foolish. While there is certainly wisdom in taking the advice of others, some of the best ideas in history were initially met with ridicule. Perseverance in situations such as these can be inspiring.
I had no idea that Snapchat had such a lowly, slow beginning. I found it super interesting that the app was originally called Picaboo! That would explain the Snapchat mascot – the ghost that makes many different silly faces. I think it’s important for other aspiring entrepreneurs to take note that your million dollar idea may not be well accepted right away; it make take some development and commitment. I am, and I’m sure others, are very glad Evan Spiegel stuck with his idea.