---
title: 'What was Mark Zuckerberg like in 2004?'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=WCRp53JjvSw'
video_id: 'WCRp53JjvSw'
date: 2026-08-01
duration_sec: 61
---

# What was Mark Zuckerberg like in 2004?

> Source: [What was Mark Zuckerberg like in 2004?](https://youtube.com/watch?v=WCRp53JjvSw)

## Summary

In this short firsthand account, an early investor recalls his 2004 meeting with Mark Zuckerberg, who arrived with Sean Parker, dressed in flip-flops and basketball shorts, and placed his feet on the conference table. The future Facebook CEO handed over a business card reading 'See I'm CEO, bitch,' leaving the investor impressed by his unapologetic confidence.

### Key Points

- **Zuckerberg and Sean Parker Arrive** [00:02] — In 2004, a 'pretty developed teenager' walked into the investor's office alongside Sean Parker, the Napster co-founder who had previously sent the first check for Napster.
- **A $500K Pre-Seed Investment** [00:17] — The investor, together with Peter Thiel and Reid Hoffman, put $500K into Zuckerberg's company—what today would be called a pre-seed round.
- **Casual Attire and Bold Attitude** [00:32] — Zuckerberg wore Hawaiian flip-flops and basketball shorts, rested his feet on the investor's conference table, and made no effort to impress anyone in the room.
- **The 'CEO' Business Card** [00:45] — Zuckerberg handed the investor a card that said 'See I'm CEO, bitch.' The investor found it both amusing and genuinely impressive.

### Conclusion

Zuckerberg's total indifference to making a good impression actually impressed the investor, suggesting that raw confidence and authenticity can leave a stronger mark than polished presentation.

## Transcript

table and [music] handed me a card that said, "See I'm CEO, bitch." I saw this kid, I mean this [music] like pretty developed teenager who walked in my developed teenager who walked in my office with Sean Parker in 2004. Sean
sent him the first check for Napster [music] and I was lucky enough that he decided to bring Zuckerberg in my office when pre-seed round or whatever it be called today. But there is 500K from Peter
[music] Thiel and Reid Hoffman and me and he came in and he was wearing those Hawaiian flip-flops and like basketball shorts and [music] he had his feet up on shorts and [music] he had his feet up on my conference table and handed me a card
[music] that said, "See I'm CEO, bitch." Um and he was just having fun, [music] did not care and and was not looking to impress me in any
and was not looking to impress me in any way and I [music] was really impressed.