Okay,here’s a revised and fact-checked version of the provided text,incorporating updates as of today,January 24,2026. I’ve focused on verifying details about the individuals and companies mentioned,and correcting any inaccuracies.
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## The Power of Passion: Why Loving Your Work is Key to success
jake Miller initially pursued a career in construction, believing it offered a path to financial success. But after just 18 months, he walked away because his heart wasn’t in the job.
In that field, he said, “you have to wake up every day crazy-obsessed with what you’re working on. I wasn’t obsessed with construction-and that’s how I knew it was the wrong category.”
the clarity came later, when he landed a marketing role at Caribou Coffee-a Minneapolis-based chain with more than 600 locations as of January 2026. Ther, Miller began to see a gap in the home-brewing market: the rise of meticulous coffee roasters was accompanied by a glaring lack of well-designed brewing equipment.
As he brainstormed ideas and pitched investors, Miller found his personal litmus test for career alignment: Does it get you out of bed in the morning even without the paycheck?
“Great entrepreneurs all think the same way,” he said.”Nothing was going to stop me.”
Fellow most recently raised $30 million in its Series B round of funding in June 2022, with backers including venture capitalist Peter Fenton, who’s known for early investments in Twitter and Yelp.As of January 2026, Fellow has expanded its product line and continues to be a notable player in the specialty coffee equipment market. The company is now based in San Francisco and employs over 150 people, having grown significantly since the initial funding round.
Countless business leaders-including Ray Dalio and Warren Buffett-agree: pursue what excites you
Miller isn’t alone in tying career success to genuine obsession with the work.
The same mindset shows up again and again among high-profile business leaders, who often describe enthusiasm-not just discipline-as their competitive edge.
David Risher, CEO of Lyft, continues to express his passion for his role. He stated in a 2024 interview with *Fortune*: “I absolutely love my job,” he told Fortune in 2024. “I literally jump out of bed every single morning.”
Billionaire investor Ray Dalio has offered similar guidance, urging people to treat work as more than a paycheck and instead part of a broader life mission.
“Make your passion and your work one and the same and do it with people you want to be with,” Dalio wrote on social media.
It’s advice that Warren Buffett has echoed for decades. Keep reading