What I Learned from Building Roku with Anthony Wood: Vision, Data, and Humility

I had the privilege of working closely with Anthony Wood during Roku’s formative years. Watching the company grow from a scrappy startup into a dominant platform was one of the most transformative chapters of my career.

Anthony didn’t just predict the future—he built the rails for it to run on. His leadership offers timeless lessons for founders looking to build something that lasts.

Here are six key lessons that have stuck with me:

1. Vision Means Nothing Without Relentless Execution

Anthony saw the streaming revolution coming long before most. From pioneering DVR with ReplayTV to betting on the connected TV space with Roku, he was always a step ahead.

But what really stood out was his ability to execute with discipline, turning vision into reality through iteration, grit, and strategic focus. He built an open platform when others stayed closed and scaled it with unwavering determination.

Takeaway: It's not enough to see around corners. Founders must also build the team and culture to sprint toward the future before it arrives.

2. Let the Data Drive Decisions

Anthony was one of the most data-driven leaders I’ve ever worked with. Every decision about product, marketing, content, or partnerships was grounded in hard numbers, not gut feel.

He created a culture where insights led the way. Debates weren’t settled by titles but by the clarity of the data.

Takeaway: Data isn’t just a growth tool—it’s a mindset. Build your company around metrics and accountability from day one.

3. Hire Brilliant People—Then Trust Them

Anthony surrounded himself with smart, driven people—and then got out of their way. That trust fostered a culture of ownership and low ego, where ideas won on merit and execution moved fast.

Takeaway: Great leaders don’t micromanage. They hire for excellence and create the space for it to thrive.

4. Lead with Humility, Always

Despite his accomplishments, Anthony never led with ego. He stayed grounded, avoided the spotlight, and remained one of the hardest-working people in the company.

That quiet strength built deep trust across the organization and kept everyone focused on the mission.

Takeaway: Humility is a founder’s secret weapon. It keeps you learning, attracts top talent, and builds respect that lasts longer than any product cycle.

5. Build the Platform, Not Just the Product

From day one, Anthony thought beyond devices. He saw Roku as a platform—one that would connect consumers, content providers, and advertisers.

That platform-first thinking turned Roku into an ecosystem with massive defensibility, long-term monetization, and category leadership.

Takeaway: Don’t just build a product. Build the infrastructure others depend on. That’s how you scale impact and stay relevant.

Bonus Lesson: Think Like a Legacy Founder from Day One

One of the most overlooked aspects of Anthony’s leadership was how early he committed to building a company that would stand the test of time. From the very beginning, his decisions reflected a long-term mindset—choosing investors who shared his vision, obsessing over delivering consistent value to customers, and building a business that could scale sustainably.

He didn’t just scale the company—he scaled himself as a founder. As Roku grew from startup to IPO, Anthony evolved at every stage. He adapted his leadership style to fit each phase of growth, surrounded himself with experts where needed, and stayed open to learning along the way.

Takeaway: If you want to build a company that lasts, act like it from day one. Surround yourself with long-term believers. Obsess over your customers. And most importantly, evolve as a leader so your company never outgrows you.

Final Thoughts

Working with Anthony Wood taught me that visionary founders don’t just chase the future—they architect it. Roku’s rise wasn’t an accident; it was the result of obsessive product focus, data-led execution, values-based leadership, and smart timing. Anthony knew when to make bold bets and when to stay lean, conserving resources while staying laser-focused on long-term value.

These lessons continue to shape how I approach building, scaling, and leading growth-focused startup teams today.

Lomit Patel is a growth executive, author of Lean AI (part of Eric Ries’ Lean Startup series), and startup advisor who helps companies scale using automation, AI, and experimentation.