Nathan Stoll

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A day at The Mechanical Zoo

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:42:00 +0000

I've been asked a lot about what I'm up to post-Google; I'm betting most of those who are asking weren't expecting to find out I'm working at a zoo as a keeper. ;) Of course, this isn't just any old zoo, this is The Mechanical Zoo (http://themechanicalzoo.com), and it's our very own, very unique zoo.

Judging by some media reports, you might think we ride into work on the backs of mechanical dinosaurs or show up at work w ear ing super-hero outfits to match our super-hero names (the super hero part isn't really true, but T-rex and I have a nice commute down Market street in the mornings).

As for who we are and what we're working on, thankfully Stefanie Olsen's original story that exposed the Zoo was mostly right with only a smidgen of hyperbole, and peeled away just enough of the veil of secrecy for our liking. Without elaborating much further, we're building products that enable a new kind of social search by accessing the knowledge of people in your network. Our first offering is currently in private testing; as we release it to more people, we're also developing several experimental offshoots built around our core technology.

Every day at the Zoo for me is exhilarating now, seeing the reality of our vision unfold. We have a fantastic team, and we're actively looking for more amazing people.We have great validation from our research and tests of our core technology. We have solid financial footing and commitments from fantastic investors. Our office is an amazing wood-paneled loft and I get to look out of wrought-iron windows speckled with post-it notes during the day, and take phone calls on our roof deck.

In short: I don't really ride into work on a mechanical T-rex. But I do get up every morning incredibly excited about heading into The Mechanical Zoo. And I'm glad I don't have to lay low about it entirely any longer; after all, I'm here so much it'd be nice if even more of my existing friends or even some new friends were working here too. Drop me a line if you want to come by the zoo or help us as a tester! nathan (-at-) themechanicalzoo.com

Breaking up with Google: a difficult, highly personal decision and a very fond farewell

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:22:00 +0000

I feel like I'm breaking up with Google. Can we still be friends?

I've decided that it is time for me to move on from Google, and have resigned effective at the end of 2007. I made this decision after very careful consideration, checking my logic with many mentors and overcoming my sadness at leaving so many friends. I leave with an enormous amount of fondness and gratitude, and wish everyone the very best.

Google has been like a family, one of the most significant shaping influences in my life -- so significant that I'm certain I'll be expounding further in future posts. :) For now: I'm grateful for the fortuitous opportunities I was gifted with during the past five years, the phenomenal people I've had a chance to work with, and the knowledge and experience I have gained that I'll carry through my career and life.

This decision has been quite difficult but ends with positive feelings. I've felt in the past months as if I was breaking up with Google, and I don't think that to be a stretched analogue. I have countless close friends who I've been through the eye of the storm with to see clear sky, and we have history that is hard to think past. So, for all of my friends still in the 'plex, know that "it's not you (Google), it's me," and I hope that we can still stay close after we take some time apart.

I've been comforted by the realization that Google benefits by my departure to tackle new endeavors. Great companies like Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Company, Procter & Gamble, and GE all consistently turn out leaders in their fields; their employee departures complement the mother ship by spreading the culture and working ethos. Google has many more fine minds joining than it has leaving, and is training them to be technology-focused leaders with a passion for building great consumer focused services.

I'm very lucky to be in a position to make this choice. I leave with certainty that Google will continue its success, and I'll enjoy following from outside as much as I have from inside. I was a Googler long ago, and I'm sure I will be for a long time to come along with millions of others. Keep in touch Google!

Update 1/4/08: My departure from Google has caused general interest with articles in TechCrunch and Mashable that wondered what my plans were for the future. In my email to friends and colleagues, I explained that I'm going to be working hard on a venture of my own in San Francisco. I'll write more in future posts.