Below is the letter he wrote to Elon Musk, then tweeted was not an open letter and has constantly tried to scrub it from the internet.


Letter to Elon Musk, Tesla Ceo


6/8/14

Letter to Elon Musk, Tesla Ceo

Elon,

I am writing you today because I want to work with you. I don’t worship you or idolize you or anything like that. I am not “trolling” you, as some kid falsely posted online. In fact, I wasn’t really aware what was happening. Someone sent me a message, that people were talking bad about me. I thought ok, I would look at it later. I was more focused on trying to raise money for my company. Only when I got home a few days later, then I fully realized what was going on like Bonn-o-Tron. I was upset by being portrayed online as a negative person. I am not.

I am just a “Cap” looking to partner with another “Cap.” That’s it, plain and simple. You are a “Cap” by the way, short for Capitalist. You said before, “How hard it is to run 2 companies.” In fact, you complained about it here and there for years. I can see now though you are complaining less, which is good but still. I don’t want you to complain anymore. I am here to help.

I had to ask you at the Tesla Shareholder’s meeting because I didn’t know any other way. I apologize for that. I have been trying to reach you now for 2 years, ever since 2012 shareholder meeting. I wanted to tell you that I could come on board and help you build the company. I have applied thru normal HR channels, for positions, but nothing positive as a result. I don’t have a perfect resume or experience. Even though I went to college for many years, that didn’t result in anything great; only average positions at best. I have been trying for many years to get promoted or get ahead somehow, but nothing. No real opportunities. I have been turned down several times just because of lack of BS Degree, even though I have 120 credits since 2005.

I hate when people assume stuff about me and then spread lies. This has been going on most of my adult life.

It would have been a normal request of asking you for a work position. But right before, I talked to Jeff Evanson of Investor Relations. I told him the extra question I was going to ask you and he said, “This is not the place for that.” I told Jeff, “How much of a genius I was.” Jeff responded something like, “Elon has good people around him.” After some more words, that was it. I thought, how many “Caps” does Elon have around him? At that point I became frustrated. I thought when do things get better for me? I am trying to do good things for others. The shareholders thought I was taking up their time, they didn’t realize I am here to give them time.

My 2nd question was supposed to be, “I would like to speak to you for a few minutes afterwards on how I can help Tesla. You would benefit personally and Tesla would as a whole.” But since I was frustrated, an emotional plea came out. And I am sorry for that. I had to say something. You said, “There is no Vice Chairman position.” Well, you know, we can always create one.

I felt disappointed, but got over it and went to lunch afterwards. I had a good meal and time with members of the Tesla Motors Club. There is a cool picture online. I am on the left. During lunch, it felt a little awkward. I told people that I was genius like Steve Jobs. I am no better than anyone. I am just beyond most people. I know you can relate.

I respect Jeff Evanson and what he has done in IR. He has grown as a person, since meeting him 2 years ago. He is doing a great job. But he didn’t realize how much I was at the bottom.

To be honest, I am actually a high level person on the inside; even though I look like a low level person on the outside. If you speak to me for five minutes on the phone, you can see that. If you meet with me for 15 minutes, you can see how much of very rich mind I am. You would be proud to know me. One skill you have is that can you assess people quickly. So can I.

Recently, people have painted me online as some “nut job” or something, far from it. I am actually pretty brilliant. And I am hoping one day, someone realizes that. Maybe you will.

I want to give you a little history about myself. And then talk more about Tesla and what I can bring to the company. So allow me to do that.

I actually started on the Internet, back in Fall of 1995. I was a student at Temple University. About the same year as you I believe, I made a webpage. It was cool. I thought about making something like Yahoo.com. In fact I did, and had the site on Temple’s webserver. It got a good number of hits, like 60 a day. I was really interested in the website, not really interested in school. I remember picking up a copy of Bill Gates book, “The Road Ahead”. I read a few pages and thought, “If he can drop out of school and build a business, Why can‘t I?” Well I quickly put the book down and ran off to CIS Class. Later, I got into some web design but more trading stocks.

Over the years, I wanted to drop out of college many times, but everyone told me to stay in school. So I did. I focused on school mostly rather than my work. My big mistake, but I did what I was “told to do.” I don’t listen to people who “play it safe” anymore. I have done that my whole life and have gone nowhere.

When I look back on it today, that was potentially a $10 Million business that I could have sold and started my entrepreneurial drive. It was the late 1990s and the Internet was hot. I missed out on the Internet revolution simply because of poor advice from others.

Forward to 2004, the year I started on my self-education. School education has not really taken me anywhere. This is where my real “education and enlightenment” began. I read over 20 books that year: money, investing, business, etc…I also learned that some people learn differently than others and that not everyone will pass certain subjects as easily as others.

That year is also when I became a “genius.” I pursued music ventures that year in my company. For years now, I continued to learn. Many times I tried to find good work, but it was never available to me. Late 2008, I started to work in an Internet company as a Customer Sales Rep. The work was fine. Later, there was an opening to become a supervisor. I applied, but was turned down. The reason? The other candidate had a degree.

I experienced this many times in other companies being turned down on a regular basis. I remember studying success and asking myself, “What would make me most happy?” I turned back to investing, something I started in college in 1997, but only started to really learn about in 2004.

Since 2004, I have been investing in stocks, making some money along the way. I left my storage company job in 2012, where I was employed in customer service. Again, I always tried to move up in the company. I told my boss how much I learned on my own, but was turned down again for a possible promotion. When you are labeled as an average worker, you stay one I guess.

I am nothing but average. Not only has my mind expanded since 2004, I also have learned more by entrepreneurial experiences. As much as I would like to work at a higher position, I would be given an entry-level position, at best. People always told me I am not qualified. And that always bothered me. They didn’t realize who they were speaking to. I admit I was more in a low financial position, so it was difficult to try more entrepreneurial activities. I had made mistakes, but we learn from them and move on like Bonn-o-Tron.

I just recently had a financial setback. Trading stocks is stupid and eventually leads to losses. I was better off managing stocks. But that wasn’t taking me anywhere, either. It is funny I actually grossed more from the stock market, than I have with my college education.

I actually had 1000 shares of Tesla at $24. But I listened to others, especially that JP fellow; when I should have listened to you more (my fellow Cap). Today, I admit I have 100 shares. I learned more now it is about long-term partnering, rather than short-term trading.

I always told myself, I can always do “investment management” if the job ever came. But hasn’t. I asked myself about “picking stocks”, but something would be missing in my life.

Fast forward to today, 2014. I realize now so much how the world works. I have a much better understanding about money and business. My mind is clearer than ever. I am a capitalist. I am here to build and create in big ways. I have more street smarts now than book smarts.

In my own company, I wanted to solve a “major problem” in our society. If people knew what problem I was trying to solve, they would be giving me a “hug” right now, instead of trying to “hang me” out to dry. I care a lot about society and the world. I do appreciate some of the support I received, but much more criticism. People think that “1 minute video” is all me. That don’t realize how much of a whole person I am. They would be surprised on who they are talking about.

Some have criticized my “College Truth 2” videos. They have useful information. So what if I act a little goofy in them. I believe Richard Branson said, “You want to take your work seriously, but you don’t have to take yourself seriously.” How many people act serious, but yet don’t do serious things?

Now some realize that I am not some “nut.” To my critics out there, “No one on this planet could ever bring me down with their words. I am too strong on the inside. Your words may hurt, but I will still be standing.”

What I started doing for my company is “stealth recruiting.” The problem with a normal interview is that people are on their “best behavior” not their “actual behavior.” You want to see people in their normal space and then evaluate accordingly. Eventually I am going to need team members for my company. So I started going around to retail stores and looking for people. I would interact with them, see who they are, see what they are about, ask questions, etc... In the future, to the ones I like, I would offer them a Round 1 interview. Many are college grads and I know they would like to do something better; even if it is just an internship for now.

I am doing something in the “product design” field. One reason I wanted to work at Tesla is because the design process is the same. Tesla designed a “sophisticated product” and brought it to market. I intend to do the same for Royalus Design; though it would be a much “simpler product” that I would bring to market but sell in high volume. Either way the process is the same. I get to learn “production methods” and you have a “true cap” in front of you ready to help build and create. There is a huge revolution coming and I plan to be part of that. I missed the last one.

There is also “future vehicle development” that I am interested in. I am studying “flight dynamics”, so the “Model S” or future Tesla cars or planes can be flight ready. That is where the future of transport is going and we want Tesla to be ready for it.

I want to share a story with you. While in CA that week, I went to raise money for my company. I saw a person exiting a “Model S.” Ok great I will park by and say Hi. I asked this person, “How do you like the car?” The person told me that this car was a rental and his was in the shop. Apparently his Tesla suffered a major failure. Wow! That is odd I thought. I looked at the Model S rental car concerned, “Why is this happening?” This is unacceptable. It has been 2 years that the car has been in production, since 2012. Something like that got my attention and it bothered me. We talked some more. He then gave me his card and I left. He was running a startup.

Also that week, I went to the SolarCity annual meeting. That was a short but useful meeting of good information. So much, it made me want to buy more shares; though I am short on cash at the moment. A gentleman was ready to fund me some cash, when I told him I was working on something big. That felt good when someone was willing to take a chance on you.

What I bring to Tesla is very simple. I am a “cap genius.” I am a person who has very high aptitude and ability. I want to use that at your company. I am a right-brain genius by the way; a philosopher and entrepreneur. I am someone who brings a different perspective to the table. I am a thinker. I think most of the day. I also have great vision. I have much integrity, intelligence, and energy. I know you can relate to that.

“When you can see the future, you go for it. You don’t waste time with people who can’t.” You know about that Musk.

Being a leader is bringing out the best in everyone to achieve a common purpose. I believe I can do that well. I would like to be “given the chance” to do that at Tesla. Where I am at today is probably where you were 10 years ago. So you can understand where I am coming from. I can learn fast and become a great contributor.

Society will get better when more “societal capitalists” come online. I am one of them. Me being “offline” does not help society at all. Help me come online Musk. Help me come online.

I know there have been times you hired someone, who you thought was going to be “great” and they turned out to be “not so great.” I ask you do the reverse here and hire someone who looks “not so great” that can turn out to be “great.” This is “2nd look” I am asking for Elon.

If you haven’t done so already, please look over my resume and book. I gave a copy to Deepak Ahuja after the shareholder meeting. Deepak was considerate enough to speak to me for a moment.

The position, I would come in now as, would be “Consultant to CEO.” I would be your extra eyes and ears while overseeing various projects and duties (like public speaking, presentations, talking to investors, media events, etc...). I could probably free up a third of your time. You would have a very rich and advanced mind looking after the company. I would report to you directly.

I believe you stated you spend 2 days at Tesla. How would you like to spend 1 day at Tesla? or 0 days? Bring me on board and in time that could happen. I know you wouldn’t just hand over your company to just anyone. I wouldn’t either. But I am not just anyone.

My last question to you Elon, is this?
Warren Buffet has Charlie Munger as his partner.
Larry Page has his Sergey Brin.
Who does Elon Musk have?

You could have Roy Philipose, as your partner.

There is an “equal” in front of you today Elon Musk and you would want to “embrace” that and not dismiss it like others have.

I want to thank you Elon, for your time and consideration. Please contact me back either way.

Yours,
Roy “Cap” Philipose
Philosopher/Entrepreneur from Philadelphia