AMA | How I Built 16M Followers: Story, Community & IRL — Ex-Instagram

When I joined Instagram in 2014, there was nothing. No playbook. No budget. No ads. What we did have was the most important thing: a passion to discover talent and unleash community. I learned firsthand how critical it is to elevate your community — and how the Founder Story is the engine that makes it possible. Your story is what connects you to the right people, drives growth, and turns followers into believers. I really believe that in 2026, the founders who win are the ones who know how to tell their story. I'm hosting this AMA so you can ask me anything — about building community from scratch, founder-startup fit, storytelling coaching, and how to use your story to drive real growth. Let's go.