The Nike Story That Changed Everything for Andy Mooney

When Andy Mooney joined Nike at just 25, he was meant to stay behind the numbers. But within months, he realised real business success came from understanding people, not spreadsheets.

In this Bite-sized Screw It Just DO It episode, Andy shares how a risky decision early in his career changed everything. He stepped outside his comfort zone, bet on consumer insights rather than corporate caution, and ended up transforming Nike’s marketing direction.
That move not only defined his leadership style but also set the stage for a remarkable career spanning Disney, Quiksilver, and now Fender Musical Instruments.

This is a story about trusting your gut, asking questions no one else will, and being willing to take a leap when opportunity knocks.

Key Takeaways
Risk can redefine your career. Andy’s transition from finance to marketing shows the power of bold decisions.
Learn from the customer, not the boardroom. The best ideas often come from the people using your product.
Curiosity beats experience. Andy’s willingness to ask unconventional questions led to career-changing opportunities.
Back yourself. Sometimes, one confident decision can shape the rest of your professional life.

🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday, so make sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way.

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00:00 Intro
00:27 Andy Mooney’s Early Career at Nike
01:18 From Finance to Marketing
02:15 Taking His First Big Risk
03:32 Learning from the Customer
04:25 The Decision That Changed Everything
05:19 How Risk Opened New Opportunities
06:14 Lessons from Early Career Mistakes
07:08 Why Curiosity Matters in Leadership
08:02 From Nike to Disney and Fender
09:06 Andy Mooney’s Advice for Founders
09:55 Outro

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