An entrepreneur and investor cold-applied to be the CEO of Nike and even got a response from the company. As expected, he was rejected by the athletic footwear and apparel brand, but his on-point social media game forced the company to “re-evaluate” their decision and come back to him with an offer.
‘Rejection happens…’
Sam Byrne shared the response he received from Nike after cold emailing them for the position of the company’s CEO. “I shot my shot. Thought I’d go straight to the top and apply to be CEO of Nike,” he wrote on LinkedIn, adding that “rejection happens”.
As per the screenshot of the email from Nike, which he embedded in his post, the company “admired” his ambition but flagged several concerns, which ultimately led to the rejection.
One of these was: “Give me a week and I’ll triple sales by the removal of all white midsoles from the organisation.” The company said that it found the claim “unconventional”.
“Your proposal to ‘make 110s, £110 again’ and your request to ‘only ever make OG colourways’ were flagged as high risk by HR,” a part of the email read.
Byrne, who is the co-owner of Block P, offered to merge the brand with his startup and suggested that the company move “headquarters from Oregon to 36 Renshaw Street in Liverpool”. The company didn’t find it “feasible” but said that it appreciated his “vision”.
“We’ve decided to move forward with a more traditional candidate, one who didn’t ask to be paid in store credit and unreleased pairs,” it further said.
‘Your creativity, passion impressed us’
After Bryne posted this email from Nike’s leadership team on LinkedIn and it went viral, the company reached out to him, this time with an offer. While it didn’t offer the position he had originally applied for, it extended an opportunity to work with the team.
He was offered a six-month internship as his “creativity, cultural insight and passion” left people at Nike “impressed”.
“This internship is designed as a trial period, with the potential for a more permanent leadership role should you prove as unstoppable in Oregon as you are in Liverpool,” the follow-up email by the company’s talent acquisition team read.
The company said that during this time, the company will expect him to share his expertise in Liverpool’s 110 culture, consult on heritage product strategy and street-level storytelling, and explore opportunities for Nike to collaborate with Block P and integrate it into our global ecosystem.
The email ended with the words, “Bring your ideas — and your 110s,” as the company informed him that not only were his flight tickets booked, but his desk at the company was also ready.
Although Byrne’s “shot” did really work, he turned to LinkedIn users to ask whether he should accept or pass their “invitation”.
‘Shooters shoot, dream big’: LinkedIn suggests
A CA suggested, “Absolutely. Grab the opportunity with both hands and good luck!”
Another LinkedIn user said, “Be gone with you…. I think a little Northern UK would be invaluable to them. What a fantastic opportunity, well done to you.”
“Shooters shoot. Dream big,” commented a third.
A fourth individual on LinkedIn said, “This is class.. I need to follow this journey!”
One person took it way too far on LinkedIn, suggesting, “Counter them and say they either fire the current CEO, you replace him, or they can forget it. Know your true value!”
“Step 1 to becoming CEO and moving the headquarters to Renshaw Street is complete,” another’s optimistic comment read.