The Shopify Story: How a Startup Rocketed to E-commerce Giant by Empowering Millions of Entrepreneurs

by Larry MacDonald

The story of Shopify, one of Canada’s largest publicly traded companies, is all about starting and growing businesses. In this inspirational corporate history, follow the company’s rocket-like growth over its first two decades and meet its major players, such as Tobias Lütke, who co-founded the company in 2004, transitioned from programmer to CEO in 2008, and thereafter steered Shopify to its incredible growth trajectory, relying more on “first principles” thinking than the business nostrums of MBA classes. Learn more about the executive team that contributed to Shopify’s performance during the years leading up to its initial public offering (IPO), which turned them into multimillionaires and paved the way for Shopify to enable millions of entrepreneurs to start businesses and enrich the global economy. In The Shopify Story, economist and business journalist Larry MacDonald investigates the factors behind Shopify’s growth and shares lessons for entrepreneurs, business managers, employees, programmers, policymakers, and investors.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

280 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Kateryna Sternberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know much about Shopify, so this book was a first acquaintance with the company. The book did a decent job of telling about this business and its model, highlighting its successes and failures. I wouldn't say that I will consider ever picking up this book again, but it was a decent read that fulfilled its purpose.

[Vince L · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book provided a good, linear history of Shopify. As someone who works in tech and payments myself, Lutke is a legend so it was great getting to hear the back story. That said, the book felt biased towards painting Shopify in a positive light. I wish it was more raw, less polished as the current version felt scripted.

[Brendan Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be fascinating. I thought the author did a good job documenting the history of Shopify, while tying in various important business lessons along the way. Those interested in learning about Shopify, and e-commerce businesses in general, would be interested in this book.

[Josh McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written timeline of the developments that have shaped Shopify's evolution.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, the book was good. I’ve known a little bit about the story of Shopify by this really took things to very far details.

Spelling mistake on page 12 (Esty= Etsy?)