Make No Small Plans Summary

What happens if you bring together passionate, forward-thinking people and give them a space to collaborate? Summit is living proof that the answer can change the world.

1. Passion Drives Commitment

Passion isn't just about doing what you love; it's about finding the energy to persevere through challenges. When you care deeply about something, you're willing to embrace the tough parts necessary for improvement. Passion, therefore, makes the hard work bearable and meaningful.

This idea is reflected in the stories of the Summit founders, who had no guarantees of success but were fueled by their vision. For instance, their first event—a ski trip in Utah—was a logistical nightmare. They ran out of beer in 30 minutes and operated on a razor-thin budget, yet they kept going. Their commitment birthed life-changing connections between attendees, who collaborated on future ideas and ventures.

Passion turns difficulty into opportunity. Whether it’s playing hundreds of tennis drills to hone your skills or cold-calling advertisers as Elliott did, passion gives you the stamina to keep showing up even when tasks feel mundane or exhausting.

Examples

• Summit's founders worked tirelessly on their first event despite minimal funds.
• Attendees of early Summits formed lifelong partnerships and collaborations, thanks to shared enthusiasm.
• Returning to practice, from scales for musicians to drills for athletes, reminds us of passion's contribution to mastery.

2. Authenticity Paired with Practicality

Authenticity means pursuing interests and instincts that align with your true self. However, that doesn’t mean diving in recklessly. Balance is essential—small, calculated steps go a long way toward achieving big dreams.

In college, Elliott felt uninspired by the traditional path of aiming for corporate jobs. Instead of making a dramatic leap and dropping out, he listened to his father’s advice and pursued entrepreneurial work on the side while remaining in school. This cautious approach allowed him to experiment without risking financial ruin or his future opportunities.

Authentic pursuit of interests combined with hedging your bets ensures that your risks are manageable. Start small but keep your goals big. Build incrementally and leave yourself room to adjust if things don’t pan out as planned.

Examples

• Elliott balanced building his business while continuing his education.
• Cold-calling advertisers from dorm rooms taught Summit’s founders key entrepreneurial skills.
• Many great ventures start with modest, part-time pursuits before scaling.

3. Questioning Norms Creates Opportunities

The founders identified a problem: traditional networking events were chaotic and impersonal. Instead of settling for this norm, they asked a simple but impactful question: what if events focused on meaningful conversations?

The first Summit event materialized from this question. They rented a Utah house, invited budding entrepreneurs, and reframed networking into a deeply engaging, three-day experience. Relationships formed over skiing and shared meals proved transformative, with participants collaborating after the event.

Their success reminds us that breakthroughs often come from challenging outdated methods. By asking why things are done the way they are, you might uncover better ways of achieving your goals.

Examples

• Summit’s founders rejected impersonal, transactional networking sessions.
• The Utah ski trip fostered meaningful discussions that led to impactful collaborations.
• Industries like travel and retail have boomed thanks to entrepreneurs questioning existing designs.

4. Relationships Thrive on Time and Care

Good relationships don't emerge overnight—they grow when nurtured over time with effort and intentionality. Summit prioritizes long-term connections over quick, transactional exchanges.

The founders avoided the superficial networking culture by curating events where entrepreneurs could connect more deeply. This slow-build approach helped attendees form genuine friendships, which often transformed into enduring business partnerships. It also set Summit apart as a unique forum.

From startup investments to co-founded projects, Summit proved that lasting success often flows from personal bonds that are maintained and enriched across years, not moments.

Examples

• A startup app, Qwiki, originated from friendships at Summit events.
• Attendees forged lasting collaborations, such as Basis securing major investments.
• Thoughtful event design nurtured one-on-one connections beyond generic exchanges.

5. Memorable Experiences Start with Surreal Moments

To stand out, create moments people won’t forget. Summit mastered this through elements of surprise and creativity. Surreal touches—like holding events on cruise ships or designing immersive aesthetics—redefined what networking could feel like.

For example, Summit at Sea transformed a cruise into an unforgettable experience, with music, insightful talks, and engaging spaces for personal growth. The location and atmosphere were crafted to break away from stale meeting formats, inspiring creativity and excitement among attendees.

A dose of the unexpected grabs attention and highlights the importance of presentation. A memorable environment often catalyzes innovation and connection.

Examples

• Summit at Sea involved over 1,000 participants enjoying art, talks, and tailored activities.
• Unique features like sheepskin rugs and intimate conversation corners left a lasting impression.
• Surreal environments inspired attendees to think outside the box.

6. Embrace Wild Ideas

Revolutionary ideas often sound crazy at first. Summit's founders cultivated a setting where wild proposals are embraced, not dismissed. This openness led them to organize one of their boldest endeavors—Summit at Sea—which solidified their reputation.

Similarly, they invited Jeff Bezos to speak at a Summit event by offering him something unconventional: not money, but a chance to share his personal story. This creative pitch worked because it aligned with his interests at the time.

Innovation thrives when every idea earns a hearing, no matter how unconventional it seems. Sometimes the most extraordinary opportunities come from giving wild ideas a voice.

Examples

• Summit at Sea started with the daring decision to charter an entire cruise ship.
• Jeff Bezos agreed to attend when offered a unique storytelling platform.
• Negotiating creative partnerships, like offering ad trades or access instead of cash payments, yielded success.

7. Build Community by Bringing People Together

Collaboration flourishes in the right environment. Summit’s guiding philosophy is that amazing things happen when passionate people gather to share ideas.

From the Utah ski trip to Summit at Sea, each gathering aimed to pique curiosity, foster connection, and spark collaborations. Guests didn’t need impressive titles, only genuine passion and the willingness to share and learn.

This approach transformed participants into co-creators, resulting in projects ranging from startups to policy initiatives.

Examples

• Summit events became the birthplace of startups like Basis.
• Sessions varied from technology talks to mindfulness practices.
• Entrepreneurs found complementary talents by engaging openly.

8. Cultivating Open-Mindedness Sparks Growth

Summit embodies the belief that every voice holds value. Their tradition of encouraging contributions from everyone reinforces the idea that organizations grow when diverse viewpoints converge.

Interns felt as empowered to bring ideas forth as senior figures, leading to an explosion of unique suggestions. With no idea immediately dismissed, some ambitious concepts—like Summit at Sea—evolved into defining achievements.

Creating space for free-flowing ideas ensures more opportunities for success and innovation, even if it takes time to sort through the possibilities.

Examples

• Summit’s founders inspired creativity at all levels of the organization.
• Projects evolved by reframing perceived bad ideas into workable plans.
• New collaborations among attendees occurred as ideas intermingled freely.

9. Values Trump Status

Summit believes passion outweighs titles or social positions. By building events around shared interests and authentic curiosity, the company avoided elitism and created inclusive communities.

Attendees were selected if they showed sincerity and genuine enthusiasm, irrespective of wealth or fame. This equal footing allowed people from different backgrounds to connect deeply, creating richer results.

A clear focus on shared values made Summit as much about personal authenticity as professional growth.

Examples

• Attendees ranged from emerging entrepreneurs to more seasoned leaders.
• Personal passions took precedence over networking for gains.
• Collaboration was rooted in mutual respect and camaraderie.

Takeaways

1. Seek out or organize gatherings where people can connect meaningfully and exchange ideas in an inspiring environment.
2. Test wild-sounding ideas by exploring how they might work in practice—give every proposal a fair chance.
3. Build trust by nurturing authentic relationships over time instead of treating networking as transactional.