Episode 1 of "Wecrashed" ignites on Wednesday, September 18th, 2019, as WeWork hesitantly opens its doors to Adam Neumann and his wife, Rebekah, amidst the storm clouds of an impending emergency board meeting. A damning news article, painting Adam as the catalyst behind the company's tumultuous descent, has surfaced, casting his future within the organization in grave doubt.
Flashing back a dozen years, we witness Adam's relentless quest for that elusive golden business opportunity, his fortunes at an all-time low. Rejection after rejection met him at every turn, even his innovative concept for communal living—a harbinger of his eventual empire—failed to ignite interest. Yet, amidst the ashes of despair, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of Miguel, a man with affordable office space to spare. Adam, ever the opportunist, seized the moment and followed Miguel's lead, eager to inspect the potential game-changer.
That fateful night, in the bustling hub of a college dormitory, Adam's path crossed with Rebekah at a lively party. Her initial rejection was swift and unyielding, but Adam, undaunted, pursued her relentlessly, even infiltrating her yoga class to demonstrate his perseverance. Though their first dinner date was marred by heated disagreements, Rebekah's harsh critique of Adam's failed endeavors only fueled his determination.
Undeterred by their tumultuous start, Adam capitalized on Rebekah's financial struggles, boldly intervening on her behalf at work, earning her respect and transforming her perception of him. As sparks flew between them, their lips met in a passionate embrace, signaling a new beginning.
Yet, even as they embarked on a romantic journey, Rebekah remained skeptical of Adam's sales prowess. She urged him to embody a genuine passion for what he sold, a quality she had yet to witness in him. Taking her words to heart, Adam approached his next endeavor with renewed vigor, teaming up with Miguel but adopting a more hands-on approach, transforming himself into a charismatic salesman, ready to conquer the world—or at least, his corner of it.
As Adam passionately crafted a compelling pitch for Greendesk, an investor named Randall caught the wave of enthusiasm, while Adam wove his enchanting narrative, selling the very essence of the concept—a revolutionary workspace. Soon, the space buzzed with energy, teeming with people, yet the timing couldn't have been more treacherous, following the aftermath of the housing market crash.
Having sold their fledgling venture to Randall for a mere $500,000, Adam and Miguel found themselves adrift in financial uncertainty. However, amidst the turmoil, Adam ignited a spark of ingenuity. Their paths crossed with Yevgeny Risakov, a man with vacant office spaces ripe for transformation. The premises, though a dilapidated mess, held untapped potential in Adam's visionary eyes.
Employing a barrage of sleek, pop-up graphics, Adam painted a vibrant picture of what could be—a transformation from desolation to grandeur. Risakov, captivated by the vision, agreed to invest a staggering $15 million and 18 cents, securing a third stake in what was, at that moment, but a dream. It was a daring gamble, given they lacked a tangible company or a solid business plan.
Jumping ahead to 2019, the scene shifts to a tense boardroom meeting, where Adam attempts to bask in the glow of their business's apparent success. But his polished words fail to sway the suit-clad board members. They strip away the gloss, rejecting his ambitious IPO proposal and ultimately cutting to the chase. The vote is in, and Adam finds himself severed from the company he helped nurture.
