It's not you Amazon, it's me
[EJ: This is a copy of the goodbye email I sent to my colleagues at Amazon. After working there for 10 years (in two different stints) I'm leaving to pursue some entrepreneurial endeavors.]
Dear Amazon,
This is a hard letter to write because it's never easy to say goodbye. There, there, don't cry. It's nothing that you did or didn't do. It's just that we've been together a long time and I'm at a point in my life where I need to discover what I can do on my own.
Boy, we sure had some good times, though, didn't we? Like that time when we built a shipping subscription program. Some people said it was a bad idea and that it would never work. We showed them. Or how about that time when we took on the wine world? That didn't work out the way we both had hoped but it sure was a fun ride.
Of course every relationship has rough spots too. Remember those late nights when you weren't feeling well and you'd page me and I'd stay upwith you until you were better? We weathered those storms and in the process we both become stronger.
I know that it might be a bit embarrassing to tell your investors that we've split but don't worry. They're grownups and they'll be able to handle it. Look, the truth is that there are plenty of guys who are ready and waiting to take my place. I know because I've interviewed a lot of them. Sure, at first they won't know how you like to be treated and you'll need to train them but they'll come around. Just like I did.
So don't think of this as "Goodbye forever". It's more of a "So long for now". It might be tough for a while but you're strong and you'll survive. As our friend Phil Dunphy recently said, "It hurts now but that's how you know it was a relationship worth having."
Your friend,
Evan
P.S. I'll have all of my things packed up and moved out by Friday.
