In this episode of Startup Anthology, I sit down with Dmitri Julius and Nathan Wang, the first hires at ICON, to unravel the intriguing debate of who truly holds the title of employee number one. Together, we explore the early days of ICON, recounting the chaos and camaraderie that fueled our groundbreaking mission to revolutionize housing through 3D printing. From humorous anecdotes about our unconventional hiring practices and operational challenges to heartfelt reflections on the lasting impact of company culture, we share the lessons learned from our unique journeys. Join us as we dive into the stories that shaped ICON and the friendships that remain a cornerstone of our experiences.

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00:00 Introduction to Startup Anthology
00:47 Meet Dmitri Julius
02:59 Nathan Wang's Journey to ICON
06:21 Defining Employee Number One at ICON
08:37 The Early Days and Challenges at ICON
19:47 ICON's First International Project
25:17 The Culture and Camaraderie at ICON
39:12 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Early Struggles
48:12 Imperial vs Metric: A Practical Choice
50:43 The Legacy of Humor in Company Culture
51:51 Building a Team: The Key to Success
58:17 Navigating Company Growth and Change
01:05:09 Reflections on Personal and Professional Growth
01:13:12 The Journey of Founding and Leaving ICON
01:25:11 New Ventures and Future Aspirations
01:29:32 Acknowledging the Team Behind the Success

DISCLAIMER: "The opinions and views expressed in this podcast are those of the host/guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency or company, including Icon Technology, Inc."