The United States Declaration of Independence has the following statement:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

The Pursuit of Happiness is ingrained into the DNA of our national cultural identity.

I woke up this morning to the news that Tony Hsieh died last night. Back in August, just a few months ago, he retired as the CEO of Zappos, the online shoe and clothing company that he ran for twenty one years. As an Asian American entrepreneur, Tony Hsieh was a role model, someone who achieved multiple exits, success, wealth, and, hopefully, happiness.

I read his book when it came out in 2010. I had just moved to Taiwan.

It’s been ten years now, but I remember a few things that resonated:

1. Innovating new models for Work such as the Holacracy.

2. Searching for meaning by creating imaginative environments and experiences.

I never met Tony Hsieh. I did spend some time in Vegas at the Downtown Container Park with my wife and a good friend, where his presence was definitely felt.

Tony Hsieh was a visionary and a seeker.

One might say, seek Meaning, not Happiness. Same thing, really.

Rest in Peace, Tony Hsieh.