The Founders Peak Podcast · Where exceptional startup founders share untold stories that shaped who they are

Being Average Made Me a Non-Average Founder - Season 16 (Japan, Feb 2026)

·14 min·1 clip

Because they weren't brave enough to quit, four Meta engineers were laid off together and started a company.

Joe Lu, founder of Haymax, shares how being laid off from Meta with three colleagues turned them into accidental entrepreneurs. He explains how his perceived weaknesses—not being brave enough to quit, enjoying 'average' hobbies like credit card optimization, and being introverted—actually became his greatest strengths in building a successful travel loyalty business.

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