127,000 Miles, 54 Cities, and One Unforgettable Year of Growth
2024 was a whirlwind of travel, connection, and growth. Covering 127,511 miles (that’s 205,237 kilometers for my international friends), visiting 54 cities across 18 countries, and spending 181 days on the road, 2024 was both exhausting and incredibly rewarding. It reinforced my passion for supporting entrepreneurs and growth professionals while deepening my appreciation for the startup ecosystems that drive innovation worldwide.
Supporting Growth Across the Globe
From São Paulo to Seoul and Istanbul to Tokyo, this year reminded me that growth is as much about connecting people as it is about unlocking opportunities. Each destination had its unique challenges and successes, but one theme remained constant: a shared curiosity and commitment to figuring out what works.
One surprising highlight this year was the growing interest from banks. Not long ago, many dismissed the idea of an agile approach to growth, claiming it wasn’t feasible in highly regulated environments. But the incredible success of Nubank in Brazil has proven otherwise, showing that agile growth is not only possible but essential for long-term success.
Having worked closely with Nubank, I was humbled when their CPO, Jag Duggal, shared on Lenny’s podcast: “We are among the most fanatical followers of Sean’s methodology worldwide.” Hearing this was a career highlight and sparked interest from several other banks, turning 2024 into a breakout year for helping financial institutions embrace agile growth.
If banks—some of the most heavily regulated organizations—are rethinking growth, it’s only a matter of time before every industry follows suit. The lessons learned in these environments are already shaping the future of growth strategies across sectors.
Most Surprising Markets of 2024
One of the most rewarding parts of 2024 was discovering incredible opportunities in markets I had never visited before.
Chile and South Korea were two standout markets that bookended my loop around the world.
The year began in Santiago, Chile, marking my first visit to this vibrant market. I partnered with Hussam Sufan to host an event, workshop, and masterclass. Given it was the middle of their summer—a time when most people are on vacation—I didn’t have high expectations. But Hussam’s connections and deep respect within the Santiago growth ecosystem resulted in a strong turnout and highly engaged participants. It was a great reminder that with the right partners, timing challenges can be overcome.
The loop came full circle in Seoul, South Korea, where I also visited for the first time. I was blown away by the sheer energy and scale of the local growth community. Partnering with Paul SungYoung Jung, a central figure in the Seoul ecosystem, was an unforgettable experience. Their event wasn’t just the biggest of the year—it was also one of the most dynamic and inspiring. Seeing such an enthusiastic community working to push the boundaries of growth left me energized for what’s next.
And throughout the year, Brazil continued to be a standout market for me. Having worked extensively there, I’ve seen firsthand how the entrepreneurial spirit thrives. Partnering with Pedro Clivati, whose insights and connections continue to drive meaningful impact, has been a cornerstone of my work in Brazil. Together, we’ve been able to empower entrepreneurs to embrace growth opportunities in new and exciting ways.
The Emergence of AI as a Growth Superpower
One of the most exciting realizations this year was just how much AI is transforming growth. I dedicated many of my later presentations to exploring practical AI applications, focusing on how teams can use AI to drive high-impact experiment ideas, uncover deeper customer insights, and gain leverage across every aspect of their work.
The potential is immense. While we’re still in the early stages, AI has already become a game-changer for growth teams, unlocking what I often refer to as "superpowers." As these tools become more accessible, they’ll continue to amplify what teams can accomplish, leaving more room for creative problem-solving and breakthrough strategies. I’m looking forward to helping more teams harness this power in 2025.
A Personal Highlight: Growth Tour in Europe with My Daughter
One of the most meaningful moments of 2024 was traveling with my daughter on a growth tour of Europe in the spring. Between graduating from UCLA and starting a sales role with a medical device company (where she is thriving), she had a unique window to join me.
Together, we explored Germany, Spain, and Portugal, and her assistance throughout the tour was invaluable. Not only did she help with logistics, but she also took charge of managing my social media, ensuring we captured and shared the highlights of each event. Her fresh perspective and creativity brought new energy to my communications, helping me connect with an even broader audience.
Sharing this experience with her was truly special. Seeing my work through her eyes reminded me of the importance of making growth personal, and her contributions made the tour both professionally productive and deeply meaningful.
Gratitude for my Partners
None of this would have been possible without incredible partners who helped me connect with their ecosystems and drive meaningful impact for local entrepreneurs and teams. I’m endlessly grateful for their collaboration and the opportunities they created to bring people together in pursuit of growth. I didn’t get pics with all my partners, so apologies to those I left out below. You were all amazing!
Looking Ahead
As I reflect on 2024, I’m reminded that growth is about more than hitting business milestones—it’s about fostering connections, building community, and staying curious about what’s next. The lessons I’ve learned this year have not only deepened my expertise but also prepared me to tackle even bigger challenges in 2025.
One missed opportunity this year was visiting China, a market that remains incredibly important to me. Having sold well over 600,000 books there, China is home to one of the most passionate and dynamic growth ecosystems in the world. While I wasn’t able to connect with this community in 2024, I’m hopeful that 2025 will bring the opportunity to return and contribute to its incredible momentum.
During my travels, however, I was able to connect with the founding growth team at TikTok in Singapore. I was surprised and humbled to learn how much influence my work had on their early growth journey. Moments like these remind me why I’m so passionate about sharing what I’ve learned: the ripple effects can be both far-reaching and deeply rewarding.
Here’s to another year of growth, connection, and discovery. Let’s see where 2025 takes us! 🌍✈️
Amazing journey Sean! When can we see you in Amsterdam? :)