The Education of Groupon CEO Andrew Mason

The Education of Groupon CEO Andrew Mason(businessweek.com)

42 points by prs 13 years ago | 12 comments

agwa 13 years ago |

It seems like a mistake for him to have done this interview. The Japanese restaurant was described in way too much detail, and if he's trying to shed his goofball image this article doesn't help (just look at the photographs...). And that overshadows the more interesting and important part of the article, which is the direction Groupon is moving in.

cshenoy 13 years ago | |

Maybe I misread the article but I don't recall him saying he's trying get rid of his goofball image altogether. I'd say he's trying to gradually tone it down and keep it controlled to certain situations (i.e. although it may be a part of who he is, it doesn't need to apply to Groupon).

I'm glad he did this interview since it is putting faith back into investors and the general public. It's pretty apparent that he is looking to do more than just sell daily coupons or sellout to a company offering him billions of dollars. He seems genuinely interested in doing something good with Groupon. Though he still has a ways to go, I give him respect for doing it for the right reasons.

pedrolll 13 years ago | |

It's just a PR trick, telling investors he's taking things seriously and learning some business 101 in a restaurant. Probably the restaurant doesn't even exist.

stfu 13 years ago | | |

That was also the first thing that came into my mind. It is quite a smart human interest story, showing some humbleness, back to the basics approach, etc.

seigenblues 13 years ago |

I like him much better after this interview.

That last paragraph seems far more damning of the author than of Mason -- they're so disappointed that he doesn't have any obvious status symbols and he's riding off on a moped.

Good for him, and shame on them, for equating consumption with success.

(he should really wear a helmet, though!)

yuhong 13 years ago |

"Mason says his hosting gig, which he agreed to discuss on the condition that the establishment not be named"

Why?

kanamekun 13 years ago | |

Probably so people didn't go to the restaurant and heckle him?

rhizome 13 years ago | | |

Or ask for 50% discounts.

timaelliott 13 years ago | |

Took about 45 seconds of Google+Yelp to determine it's http://www.yelp.com/biz/mirai-chicago