{
  "id": 8903493,
  "title": "Why ‘Grit starts at the copy machine,’ is still great advice, according to Evite CEO David Yeom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/why-grit-starts-at-the-copy-machine-is-still-great-advice-according",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-21T10:03:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91597417/grit-starts-at-the-copy-machine-and-other-lessons-for-success-from-evite-ceo-david-yeom-evite-ceo-david-yeom-secrets-of-success"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "David Yeom, CEO of Evite, draws inspiration from his early career days, where he spent three days copying documents at Arthur Andersen. This initial experience set the tone for his future, teaching him about the value of perseverance and grit in the face of adversity. Despite initial doubts and fear, Yeom pushed through the demanding 100-hour work weeks, gradually overcoming his shyness and fear of public speaking. Angela Duckworth's concept of grit—as perseverance and passion—mirrors Yeom's journey. He likens the transformation from a shy kid to a CEO to building a muscle, which began at the copy machine and evolved through numerous uncomfortable presentations. This mindset carried over into his acquisition of Evite, a legacy brand that needed a complete overhaul. Yeom's experience at Arthur Andersen instilled in him the importance of starting at the beginning, understanding every detail, and maintaining grit when outcomes are uncertain. Additionally, the people he worked with at Arthur Andersen taught him that great things are built by groups, not individuals. He emphasizes the importance of talking to everyone, even if it's intimidating, as building something—whether a career, a company, or a team—is not a solo endeavor. Yeom concludes by encouraging the next generation to face their fears together, as the strength of grit grows when shared with others.",
  "summary": "The first three days of my career were spent in front of a copy machine. I was fresh out of college, newly hired at Arthur Andersen in downtown Los Angeles, convinced I was about to dive headfirst into the high-stakes world of auditing and consulting. On my first day, I arrived prepared to use every tool I’d just learned at school to impress my peers and superiors. Instead, I stood there for…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}