Tesla eliminated dealerships completely.

Not because dealerships were inefficient. Because distribution strategy determines market access. When Elon Musk decided to sell direct to consumers, he wasn't just changing how cars were sold. He was rewriting which customers could access the product and on what terms.

Your career operates on the same principle.

Where you're physically located determines which opportunities can access you. But most professionals treat geography as a lifestyle choice rather than a strategic business decision.

They're leaving 40-60% of potential value on the table.

Here's the uncomfortable truth I've learned across 20+ years and 8 different industries: Your zip code creates or constrains career trajectory more than your job title. A senior engineer in San Francisco operates in a fundamentally different opportunity market than a senior engineer in Cleveland—even if their LinkedIn profiles look identical.

Same skills. Different markets. Completely different ceiling.

The Geography-Opportunity Equation

Consider two product managers with identical backgrounds.

One works for a tech company in Silicon Valley. The other in Austin. Same role, same level, similar company stage.

Three years later, the Silicon Valley PM has switched companies twice, increased compensation by 80%, and now leads product at a Series C startup. The Austin PM received standard raises, got promoted once, and manages a team at the same company.

What happened?

Subscribe to our premium content