Block – Jack Dorsey

Crucible Moments is a podcast series about the inflection points that shaped some of the most important companies of our time.
CEO Jack Dorsey’s ultimate vision for Block was always about economic empowerment for all. Initially called Square, the company’s first product—the white dongle that let small businesses turn an iPhone into a credit card reader—was just a first step. So when a hack week project called Cash App that let anyone send money for free started gaining traction, Dorsey wanted to support it. It was easier said than done. It seemed like a strategic departure and it was costing lots of time and money. “Everyone wanted to kill it,” Dorsey says. Today, Cash App accounts for half the company’s revenue. In this episode, Dorsey explains how the company navigated this strategic shift, and how companies can succeed by weaving successive products and experiences around a singular, core vision.
Episode Transcript
Alyssa Henry / Block
In company or business building there will always be dark hours. No company, no business is immune from these periods of time. Square was going through those moments in 2014 and 2015. But I think we were planting the seeds then that have led to the success of Block overall

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Behind the episode

JACK DORSEY
JACK DORSEY
Jack Dorsey is the head of, chairman, and cofounder of Block (formerly Square). Prior to Block, Jack Dorsey founded Twitter and served as the company’s CEO.
Brian Grassadonia
Brian Grassadonia
Brian Grassadonia is the executive VP & general manager of Block’s Cash App.
Alyssa Henry
Alyssa Henry
Alyssa Henry is the CEO of the Square business at Block. Outside of Block, Alyssa sits on the board of directors of Confluent.
Jack Dorsey standing outside of the New York Stock Exchange in New York on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015. Square Inc.
Jack Dorsey standing outside of the New York Stock Exchange in New York on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015. Square Inc.
Jack Dorsey standing outside of the New York Stock Exchange in New York on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015. Square Inc.
THE SQUARE READER THAT TURNED ANY IPHONE INTO A CREDIT CARD READER
THE SQUARE READER THAT TURNED ANY IPHONE INTO A CREDIT CARD READER
2010 prototype of the Square device That was able to communicate with the Square app through the phone's audio jack.
2010 prototype of the Square device That was able to communicate with the Square app through the phone's audio jack.

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