Young entrepreneurs dreaming of building their own companies often want to skip the basics. Amazon’s billionaire founder has different ideas. He tells aspiring business owners to get their first job at McDonald’s before chasing bigger goals.
Jeff Bezos shared this advice during a recent interview with Fortune. The tech mogul believes McDonald’s jobs teach valuable lessons that future entrepreneurs need. His message challenges today’s culture of instant startup launches and quick digital fame.
“I always advise young people: Go work at McDonald’s. You learn responsibility. You learn how to show up. You learn how to deal with people. You learn how to hustle,” Bezos stated. His McDonald’s recommendation focuses on building character through real-world work situations.
The Amazon creator argues that McDonald’s positions develop crucial abilities for business ownership. These roles demand punctuality and customer service skills. Workers must handle busy periods and difficult customers. They learn teamwork and follow procedures under pressure.
Bezos thinks many Generation Z entrepreneurs rush into startups without building these foundations. McDonald’s jobs create discipline and toughness that online courses cannot provide. The restaurant environment tests people’s ability to work hard and stay committed.
His McDonald’s advice comes as social media platforms offer young people quick paths to fame and money. TikTok and YouTube creators can build audiences fast. But Bezos reminds people that lasting achievement requires grit and consistency over time.
McDonald’s work teaches practical skills that apply to any business. Employees learn to manage time effectively. They practice clear communication with customers and coworkers. The job shows how small details matter for overall operations.
The billionaire believes McDonald’s jobs build resilience that entrepreneurs need later. Starting companies involves many failures and setbacks. People who learned to handle stress at McDonald’s can better manage business challenges.
Amazon CEO’s Pay Philosophy
Bezos also revealed surprising facts about his own compensation during his time leading Amazon. Despite running one of the world’s most valuable companies, he kept his salary at just $80,000 yearly for many years.
At the 2024 New York Times DealBook Summit, Bezos explained his pay decisions. He asked Amazon’s board “not to give me any comp” beyond his basic salary. He avoided stock grants and bonuses that other CEOs typically receive.
“I already owned a significant amount of the company, and I just didn’t feel good about taking more… I just felt how could I possibly need more incentive?” Bezos explained. His ownership stake already motivated him to grow the company.
The entrepreneur suggested a new way to rank business leaders. Instead of measuring personal wealth, he wants lists based on wealth created for others. This approach would change how society views business achievement.
“Somebody needs to make a list where they rank people by how much wealth they’ve created for other people,” Bezos proposed. “Amazon’s market cap is $2.3 trillion today… I’ve created something like $2.1 trillion of wealth for other people.”
He called this type of ranking a “better list” than Forbes’ billionaire index. This view emphasizes the broader economic impact of companies rather than individual accumulation. It suggests measuring entrepreneurial worth through collective benefit.
Bezos’s McDonald’s advice and pay philosophy show his views on building lasting value. He prioritizes character development and serving others over quick profits or personal gain.
