From Dishwasher to CEO: Jensen Huang’s LinkedIn Reveals Remarkable Journey to Nvidia’s Top Spot
From Dishwasher to CEO: Jensen Huang's LinkedIn Reveals Remarkable Journey to Nvidia's Top Spot
Jensen Huang, the CEO of Nvidia and currently the 12th richest person in the world according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, has a background that surprises many. Long before leading Nvidia to become the world’s most valuable public company in June, amid an artificial intelligence boom, Huang worked as a dishwasher, busboy, and waiter at Denny’s, a diner-style restaurant chain. This job spanned five years, from 1978 to 1983.
Huang’s story is a remarkable one. Nvidia, under his leadership, has seen its stock soar by 3,776% since 2019, driven by its dominance in the production of chips crucial for AI applications. In just one day, Huang added over $4 billion to his net worth, reflecting the company’s massive growth.
His journey from these humble beginnings has caught the attention of many, particularly with his LinkedIn profile listing only two jobs: his current role as Founder and CEO of Nvidia, and his earlier role at Denny’s. Remarkably, it was in a booth at the same Denny’s where he once cleared tables and washed dishes that the idea for Nvidia was born.
In an interview with Stanford’s Graduate School of Business in March, Huang reflected on his early work experience at Denny’s, emphasizing that no job is too small. “To me, no task is beneath me because, remember, I used to be a dishwasher. I used to clean toilets. I’ve cleaned more toilets than all of you combined,” Huang said. He credited this early work with instilling a strong work ethic and a deep respect for all types of work, adding, “I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty.”
Huang’s commitment to his team and his willingness to contribute wherever needed are central to his leadership style, reflecting the values he developed early in his career.
