Entrepreneur and technology leader Jeff Bezos is making headlines once again, this time for his choice of office furniture. Despite amassing a fortune estimated at $184 billion, the Amazon founder continues to work at a desk made from a door, a symbol of frugality and practicality.
The iconic desk, which Bezos dreamed up in 1995, a year after founding the e-commerce giant, has become emblematic of Amazon’s culture and its core value of frugality. The idea of the door desk has been adopted by thousands of workers around the world, keeping alive the spirit of practical and economical solutions that characterized the company’s beginnings.
Bezos’ partner, Lauren Sanchez, recently shared a post on Instagram showing Bezos working at his iconic desk made from a door. Sanchez expressed her admiration for Bezos’ commitment to using the same type of desk he has used since the beginning of the company, noting that these first desks are still part of his daily life and symbolize the meaning behind constant effort and dedication.
The simple yet iconic desk is a deliberate message from Bezos, showcasing the company’s prioritization of spending on what directly impacts customers, rather than on unnecessary luxuries. The desk serves as a reminder of the principles that have guided Bezos’ career: austerity, innovation and a relentless approach towards the future.
Despite enjoying his immense fortune and recent pursuits, including spending the summer of 2023 sailing on his $500 million yacht, Bezos’ humble image working at his door desk speaks volumes about his commitment to simplicity and effectiveness.
The New York Post noted that the desk is a powerful testament to the saying “where we come from defines who we are,” and in the case of Bezos, this simple wooden object symbolizes the beginning of what Amazon has become today, keeping alive the roots of its foundation and the ethos of always working with the first day in mind. Bezos continues to set an example of his simplicity and focus on effectiveness, at least in the office.