Why Dan Koe paid me $2000
Dan Koe tried to pay me $2000 for 2 hours of work.
And I refused to accept it.
Not because I’m some fancy designer who charges $1,000 an hour.
Because I wanted something way more valuable in return.
A lot of people will think I'm idiot for turning down $2000.
Trust me, I thought the same thing.
But I’ve always believed that sometimes, you have to let go of short-term wins to play the long game.
Here's what happened.
I've been following Dan Koe for a while now.
He's slightly younger than me but has done so much already. With millions of followers across multiple platforms, he's become a big inspiration—not just to me, but to a lot of others. He's well known for popularising the "One-Person Business" and "4 hour workday". While it seems like everyone is focused on the shallow surface level, he goes deeper and writes in way that makes complicated topics seem digestible.
Alright, enough praise.
One day, as I was distracting myself from what I should have been doing. I came across a post by Dan.
Dan asked his followers to design a new logo for his new writing app Kortex.
And I've been using it Kortex to take notes and do all my writing in. I genuinely like using it. It's been great so far.
So when I saw this post from Dan.
I jumped on it.
Not because I’m a huge fan of contests—they’re usually not great for designers—but because it was Dan Koe.
I saw it as opportunity to use my skills to work on a fun project with someone who has had a genuine impact on my life.
While other people in the comments complained about him not “respecting designers time” or “Why doesn’t he just hire a professional?”
And look, I get it. Creatives are undervalued all the time. But to me, this wasn’t just about the money. It was about creating something cool and, if I’m lucky, getting on the radar of someone I admire.
So, I ignored the noise and went all in.
People way more talented than me didn’t even make an attempt because of their ego.
If you can spend 2-3 hours on something that:
You enjoy
Improves your skills
Possibly makes you $2000
That sounds like a win to me.
And what's even better, I ended up winning the competition.
So, Dan, reached out to me to send me the money.
They didn't end up using my logo for the final design, but out of all the submissions. They liked mine the best.
So, I told him to f*ck off.
Just kidding, but I declined the payment.
When Dan offered to send the $2,000 prize, I hesitated.
Sure, the money would’ve been nice. But I saw something else—an opportunity to build a connection and credibility in a way money couldn’t buy.
And after some messages, I said:
"I’m not entirely sure how this works, but how would you feel about providing a short testimonial about my design skills (or something like that) instead of the payment? I feel like that’s more valuable in the long term."
As cringe as it might sound, having the stamp of approval from a bigger creator in this space is important.
I knew that offering more value in exchange for a testimonial is 10x worth it. A testimonial from Dan could be leveraged for years to attract more clients and projects.
He agreed.
And after a bit more back-and-forth, we started talking about his website. Dan mentioned he’d been wanting to change it for a while.
I said:
"If you give me a couple days I can try come up with a website concept for you. It’ll be good practice for me and a project to work on. And if you want to use it then even better"
Dan is the type of guy that will do everything himself if he could. Shit, like I said, he's know for the "One person business". But, he was busy with building Kortex and no longer is just a one-person business.
I was willing to work for free, in exchange for that testimonial.
Over the next few days, I worked on a simple website and landing page concept for him. Was it amazing? Honestly, no. It wasn’t my best work, and in the end, he decided not to use it because transferring all his content would’ve been a logistical nightmare.
But, Dan still sent me the $2,000 AND gave me the testimonial I’d asked for.
So, I walk away with:
A testimonial from someone I respect.
I leveled up my design and web development skills.
I proved to myself that I could take a risk and turn it into an opportunity.
And maybe most importantly, I made a potential connection with someone who’s had a real impact on my life.
So why am I sharing this story?
Because I believe there are some valuable lessons in the story that hopefully will help you, whether you’re a designer, a creative, or just someone trying to build something meaningful.
Here are my takeaways:
Not Everything You Create Will Be Used—and That’s Okay
When you’re working with clients, you’ll often pour hours into something that might never see the light of day. It’s frustrating, but it’s part of the game. The real value comes from what you learn during the process:
improving your craft
understanding client needs
and becoming a more adaptable creative
Desperation Kills Long-Term Growth
Chasing quick wins can sabotage your bigger goals. When you’re desperate for money in the short term, you make decisions out of fear instead of strategy. That’s why I’m not rushing to replace my current income. I like my job, but more importantly, I know I’m meant to build something bigger. By thinking long-term, I can make moves that set me up for lasting success, not just a quick pay check.
Remember, Everyone’s Figuring It Out
Dan Koe might seem like he has it all figured out, but after talking to him, I realised something: like everyone else we see as "successful," he’s just another person figuring things out one step at a time. What really sets him apart is his mindset, his willingness to experiment, embrace failure, and double down on what works. It’s a way of thinking that I’m trying to embrace more and I think it's something we can all learn from.
Do What You Enjoy, Even Without a Guarantee
When you do what you genuinely enjoy, the work feels effortless. Sure, it’s great when something becomes a financial win, but even if it doesn’t, you’ve still gained experience, improved your skills, and enjoyed the process. That’s a win in itself.
Ask for What You Want
If there’s something you want, whether it’s a chance to work with someone you admire or feedback on your work, just ask. The worst they can say is no, and even then, you’re no worse off than before.
Be a Human First, Creator Second
If you want to connect with people you admire, don’t overcomplicate it. Be normal. Offer them something valuable:
something that saves them time
solves a problem
or improves their business or life
I’ve seen too many people leave generic comments on creators’ videos or posts, hoping to get noticed. That doesn’t stand out. Taking the time to offer real value does.
Lastly, if you see an opportunity that excites you, just go for it.
Thanks for reading, and have a great day!