Company
Date Published
Author
Gregory Koberger
Word count
788
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Startups thrive on teamwork and gratitude, as exemplified by ReadMe's innovative use of challenge coins to honor the contributions of those who have played pivotal roles in its development. Drawing inspiration from a military tradition, these coins serve as tangible tokens of appreciation, recognizing employees, contractors, investors, early customers, friends, and mentors. Each coin is custom minted with the company's emblem and a unique number, accompanied by a personal message detailing the recipient's impact. This practice fosters a sense of camaraderie and community, strengthening relationships within ReadMe's growing network while maintaining a tight-knit culture. The initiative also draws parallels to Hollywood's adoption of challenge coins, as seen with director Jon Favreau, and encourages other startups to adopt this affordable and meaningful tradition to acknowledge the often-overlooked efforts essential to a startup's success.