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#179 - How the UFC Became a Multi-Billion Dollar Brand, No-loss Lotteries Explained & How to Save on Your Taxes
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-05-07 10:00
With Endeavor's IPO, Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@TheSamParr) break down the UFC's numbers and how it got so profitable. Key to the whole thing: Dana White. He bought the UFC for $2m and turned it into a multi-billion empire. The guys also talk about the mental toughness of UFC fighters and how you can take some of these same principals and apply them to your life. They also talk about an interesting concept called no-loss lotteries and a company trying to save you taxes. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: https://refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. --------- Show notes: * (3:28) How to retain talent * (7:42) The mental toughness of UFC fighters * (15:30) The power of self-talk * (24:20) How the UFC got so profitable * (36:38) How this company will help you save taxes * (41:05) What are no-loss lotteries? --------- Show links: * https://studentloanhero.com/ * https://properlot.com/ * https://www.poconnor.com/ * https://www.fivestonetax.com/ * https://pooltogether.com/ * https://twitter.com/lay2000lbs * https://waitbutwhy.com/2021/04/lanby.html * https://www.thelanby.com/
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#178 with Balaji - Balaji on How to Fix the Media, Cloud Communities & Crypto
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-05-05 10:00
Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@TheSamParr) host Balaji (@balajis) this episode. This is an amazing dive into Balaji's mind. He talks about the current issues with the media and how he's hoping to fix it with crypto and the blockchain. We also get a look at how he views the world, what motivates him, what he's been wrong about as well as the massive shifts he sees happening. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: https://refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. --------- Show notes: * (0:00) Intro * (2:30) Balaji's background * (7:33) Why Balaji started a newsletter: 1729 * (22:40) The media and its biases * (31:58) Balaji on memes and their importance * (37:45) What the future of media looks like and the role of crypto * (56:26) When did Balaji get into crypto? * (1:01:30) Sam asks Balaji what motivates him * (1:11:50) How the world is changing and becoming more Balaji-like * (1:19:39) What would 21 year-old Balaji work on? * (1:22:46) Why geographical proximity is no longer linked to cultural proximity * (1:26:25) How we can align incentives between tech and everyone else * (1:32:30) Balaji on crypto-social networks * (1:37:30) How Balaji operates day-to-day and "the idea maze" * (1:47:33) The importance of finding the right place to live * (1:57:30) What it's like to talk to Balaji * (2:02:08) What has Balaji been wrong about? * (2:11:00) Science vs. math: getting to the truth * (2:21:10) Balaji asks Sam for newsletter advice * (2:24:40) What are Balaji's guilty pleasures
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Greatest Hits #1 - Turning it Around: From Failure to a $100m+ Success
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-05-03 15:59
Suli Ali is one of the most interesting founders we’ve had on the pod. Suli and his brother Moiz have started and sold $300m worth of companies. They’ve also invested in hundreds of big-name startups, thousands of real estate deals, and much more more. He built small, silly apps. Like a Facebook app survey where you voted “most likely to wear a bunny costume”. Yet...it turned into a huge success. How? When he sold his first company, it was doing $85 million in revenue and $15 million in profit. In this episode, we discuss his journey from making $76k a year at Microsoft to selling his first company for $100,000,000+. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: https://refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. --------- Show notes: * 8:05 - Shaan predicted this podcast would be successful...he was right! * 9:55 - Suli’s parents encouraged him to start a company...and why that’s important. * 24:25 - Meeting Naval - is he legit? * 27:25 - Getting grilled by Keith Rabois * 41:25 - Listen to Suli’s confidence and how he explains starting stuff and how he deals with downs. * 1:02:25 - Risking his life savings to make his company work (then selling it for $100m).
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#177 - How a City Tour is Making Millions, Selling Manhood & the Barstool for Tech
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-04-30 10:00
Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@TheSamParr) might have set a record with this episode in terms of ideas! We start with Shaan laying out his case for why a "Barstool for tech and business" would work and how it should be done. Sam pushed back a little bit but admits it's possible. The guys then talk about the booming software course business. Valuations are sky-high for some companies in this sector -- Shaan explains why. The guys also revisit internal media companies (they'll invest if you're doing it). The guys also break down: a NYC tours business pulling in $1m annually, "Manhood as a Service" businesses, and renting chickens! --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: https://refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. --------- Show notes: * (1:58) Podcast growth * (7:34) "Barstool for Tech/Business" * (16:07) Why course software companies are booming * (27:18) Internal newsletters and podcasts * (33:38) Millions being made with city and company tours * (45:05) Manhood as a Service * (50:51) Museum of Ice Cream and Museum Hack * (52:50) Rent the Chicken * (58:44) How Shaan and Sam get things done
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#176 with Codie Sanchez - Buying Distressed Assets, Real Estate for Cheap & How to Network Like a Pro
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-04-28 10:00
Codie Sanchez (@Codie_Sanchez) joins Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@TheSamParr) for this brainstorm. Codie is all about businesses that cashflowing right away. She talks everything from buying distressed businesses to modular homes to buying real estate for pennies on the dollar. She doesn't shy away from controversial thoughts either: she lays out why angel investing is dumb and why public stock investing is as well. We end the episode with some great stories on "how to collect people" (basically network like a champ) and what financial freedom really means. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: https://refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. --------- Show notes: * (0:38) The guys recap the Balaji podcast * (5:08) Codie explains what she does and how she got there * (15:03) Owning mailing centers & pack and ships * (21:12) Buying distressed assets for $0 * (23:54) The big ROI on tiny homes * (28:44) Codie's controversial thoughts * (37:16) Buying RE at auction * (43:01) How to collect cool people * (54:15) How Shaan and Codie view financial freedom
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#175 - Brainstorming Million Dollar Ideas with Elaine Zelby
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-04-26 10:00
Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@TheSamParr) are joined by Elaine Zelby (@ezelby) for this brainstorm. Elaine brings the heat with ideas for starting a Saas bundle company (Sam says this is easily a $10m business), creating the "adult manual", the SNOO for adults, subscription running shoes, and a bunch of alternative health business ideas. Not only do they bring ideas, but they also break down how to pull off these businesses. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. --------- Show notes: * (1:35) Introducing Elaine Zelby and Signal Fire * (8:31) Shaan's first unicorn! * (14:15) How Signal Fire finds deals * (25:35) Investing in an Elon Musk idea * (33:12) Startup SaaS bundle is a $10m idea * (41:10) Creating the "adult manual"? * (49:55) The SNOO for adult * (53:25) Subscription running shoes * (56:45) Brainstorming alternative health ideas
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#174 with Andrew Wilkinson - How to Network with Billionaires, Andrew and Sam's Recent Investments, & a Better Investor Than Buffett
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-04-23 10:00
Sam (@theSamParr) is joined by Andrew (@awilkinson) to catch up. They spend the first half of the episode talking about the investments they've each made in 2021. Andrew then dives into a more obscure investment he made: a bakery! He explains it's more for fun than profit. Andrew also drops some great hacks: how he saves time on email and how he networks with billionaires. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. --------- Show notes: * (4:24) The entrepreneur lifestyle and the stress that comes with it * (12:45) Sam and Andrew talk about their recent investments * (45:20) Andrew bought a bakery. Here's what he's doing with it * (53:10) How to make your hometown cool * (55:52) Henry Singleton: better than Warren Buffett * (1:02:28) Andrew's email hack and how he donates * (1:11:25) Why Andrew is the king of networking
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#173 - How Beachbody Makes Money, 75 Hard Explained, & Brainstorming "HackerNews for X"
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-04-21 10:00
Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@TheSamParr) dive deep into 75 Hard: what it is, who's behind it, and why it's so successful. From there they talk about a similar business: Beachbody. Beachbody does over $1B in sales, but the way they generate their profits will surprise you. The guys also brainstorm on "HackerNews for X" ideas and how to pull them off. Towards the end, Sam challenges Shaan on why he's running so many businesses and not focusing on just one. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. --------- Show notes: * (2:00) Talking pod growth * (8:20) Shaan's funny story from college * (13:12) "HackerNews for X" * (30:12) What is 75 Hard? * (35:30) How Beachbody became a $1B behemoth * (52:04) Sam challenges Shaan on doing many businesses instead of focusing
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#172 - Indie Businesses Making Millions, Advice to Young Entreprenuers & How to Grow a Podcast
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-04-19 10:00
We start this one off with a little "Inside MFM" from Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@TheSamParr) as they discuss growing the pod and how they are going to do it. Then they break down the big news of the week: the Coinbase IPO. They talk about Coinbase's humble origins on HackerNews and how most big businesses have these same origins. It's often hard to see the big picture in the early days. They also talk about their own early days and give advice to young entrepreneurs. The second half of the pod turns into a brainstorm. They brainstorm around indie businesses like Microacquire and Photopea and how to build similar businesses. Finally, we end it by discussing the opportunities around "Affirm for X". --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. --------- Show notes: * (0:24) Growing the podcast: how we're going to do it * (9:02) The guys break down the Coinbase IPO * (20:25) Big businesses are often not apparent at the beginning * (25:26) Advice for young entrepreneurs * (33:55) Microacquire dissected * (40:55) An indie project making million * (52:17) Brainstorm "Affirm for X"
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#171 - How to Generate Millions from Paid Events (Bootstrapped)
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-04-16 10:00
Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@TheSamParr) break down the events business step-by-step. Sam explains how he grew HustleCon from nothing into a powerhouse. Sam shares numbers and the techniques he used to generate sales and keep costs low. It's a masterclass on how to run an events business. The guys also discuss the "Billie of the Week" Sam Bankman-Fried, and how he became a billionaire at 29 from crypto. At the end, they brainstorm on the idea of "accountability coaching for X". --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. --------- Show notes: * (1:20) The amazing story of how Sam Bankman-Fried made his fortune by the age of 29 * (14:01) How a gambler beat Vegas and a kid took over the internet * (22:27) Sam explains how to run and scale a profitable event step-by-step * (47:07) Brainstorming on "accountability coaching for X"
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#170 with Jake Paul - Why Jake Paul Thinks He's Worth Billions
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-04-14 10:00
Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@TheSamParr) are joined by Jake Paul (@JakePaul) and Geoffrey Woo (@geoffreywoo). The guys talk about Jake's upcoming fight with Ben Askren and a friendly wager Sam placed. We dive into business with Jake giving his take on the creator economy, why he's worth billions to the big platforms, and how Bitclout can play a role in all of it. He thinks he can be the next Jay-Z or Dr. Dre, bridging an entertainment career with a successful business one. He's already had a hit with Fanjoy, which he breaks down for us. Jake also talks about his investment philosophy, some of the companies he's investing in, and the areas he's most interested in at the moment. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. --------- Show notes: * (2:32) Jake talks about his upcoming fight with Ben Askren * (7:29) Jake and Geoff talk about his new fund and his investing philosophy * (20:14) The business opportunities Jake's most interested in * (30:41) The guys give their takes on Bitclout and the creator economy * (40:05) Brainstorming with Jake * (1:05:08) The guys debrief after the Jake Paul podcast
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#169 - How One Man Started 5, Billion Dollar Companies, Dan Gilbert's Empire, & Talking With Warren Buffett
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-04-09 10:00
Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: refer.fm/million --------- --------- Sam Parr (@TheSamParr) and Andrew Wilkinson (@awilkinson) discuss: * (5:35) Bradley Jacobs: the man who's built 5, billion dollar companies * (28:28) Dan Gilbert: how he started with nothing, built Quicken Loans and eventually, an empire * (41:30) What talking to Warren Buffett is like * (1:00:07) How Andrew lost $10m --------- --------- Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas.
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#168 - How to Reverse Engineer Businesses, The Indonesian King of Coal & the Story of Adidas
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-04-07 10:00
Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: refer.fm/million --------- --------- Sam Parr (@TheSamParr) and Shaan Puri (@ShaanVP) discuss: * (2:07) Jake Paul, Bill Clinton, the Pope and a Prince * (13:30) TurnedYellow and the IP licensing business * (22:42) Cronyism and the Indonesian King of Coal * (33:48) "Business is the Art of Copying" * (47:53) Are robo-pets the future? * (53:33) The amazing story of the founding of Adidas --------- --------- Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas.
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#167 - Answering Your Questions On Investments, Businesses and Life
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-04-05 13:45
Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: refer.fm/million --------- --------- Sam Parr (@TheSamParr) and Shaan Puri (@ShaanVP) answer your questions: (3:40) What are you both investing in? (16:16) Please update us on your rolling fund. Is it what you expected? Are you more or less bullish on it? (21:25) What do you not get a chance to talk about (either because it's off-topic/lower priority) that you wish you could? (23:08) You guys are awesome at coming up with incredible ideas and knowing how to execute them. What would it take for one to pull you out of Twitch and want to pursue in full force? (27:24) Shaan how do you balance side hustles while still outperforming at Twitch? (33:06) Who’s the worst person you admire? (39:29) Should you hire your friends? (44:19) Who can squat more weight? (44:40) What are the biggest insecurities, both of you struggle with? (48:30) Since covid is pretty much a thing of the past...when will the MFM meetup be? --------- --------- Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas.
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#166 - Why a Sudoku Company Sold for $640m, "Opendoor for X" & Franchising Tech Companies
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-04-02 10:00
Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: refer.fm/million --------- --------- Sam Parr (@TheSamParr) and Shaan Puri (@ShaanVP): (1:42) Chess.com is huge, what're other similar opportunities? (9:23) Misspelled domain opportunities (13:40) Sam's angel investing update (18:55) Brainstorming "Opendoor for X" (32:03) Franchising but for tech companies --------- --------- Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas.
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#165 with Jack Butcher - Why Jack is Selling his Art for $76m, How to Research Wealthy People & How BitClout Went Viral
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-03-31 10:00
Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: refer.fm/million --------- --------- Sam Parr (@TheSamParr), Shaan Puri (@ShaanVP) and Jack Butcher (@JackButcher) discuss: (1:37) How Jack Butcher went from struggling founder to listing an NFT for $76m (13:38) How Sam researches wealthy people and discovers profitable businesses in the process (32:44) Why it pays to be early on new platforms (47:30) Jack explains why he's listing his art for sale for $76m (57:40) BitClout's incredible growth strategy (1:09:12) The reputational problem NFTs/Bitcoin/Bitcloud pose and are they just fads --------- --------- Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas.
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#164 with Ryan Begelman - BitClout Explained, How To Successfully Angel Invest & A Police Sting?
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-03-26 10:00
Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ --------- --------- Sam Parr (@TheSamParr), Shaan Puri (@ShaanVP) and Ryan Begelman (@RyanBegelman) discuss: (0:30) Shaan and Sam talk about getting blocked on Twitter (6:50) A carbon offset credit card raises millions (9:50) The guys talk about their angel strategies (11:00) Ryan's guide to how he makes investments (17:20) What is BitClout (46:33) Family offices and "entrepreneur-in-residence" (1:03:00) Why angel invest (1:21:40) Shaan is going to run a sting operation? Find Ryan at https://www.ryanbegelman.com/ --------- --------- Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas.
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#163 - Plugins Making Millions, Gumroad's Crazy Valuation & Why a Studying App is Going Viral
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-03-24 10:00
Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ --------- --------- Sam Parr (@TheSamParr) and Shaan Puri (@ShaanVP) discuss: (3:38) Shaan talks about his CNBC appearance (6:45) The opportunities and riches in Chrome plugins (33:03) MFM is upping its social game (37:34) Gumroad is raising at a $100m valuation -- crazy? (49:55) Is studystream.live the future of remote studying? (57:01) The post-show --------- --------- Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas.
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#162 - Why Clubhouse Will Fail
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-03-19 10:00
Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ --------- --------- Sam Parr (@TheSamParr) and Shaan Puri (@ShaanVP) discuss: 0:45 Shaan breaks down why and how Clubhouse will fail (although he wishes it won't) 17:10 How to go viral and also improve your writing 27:07 How to win (and make millions) in the content game 36:22 How 'The Hustle' finds its talent 38:44 A simple startup idea with huge potential 50:38 How Shaan's tweet became a meme --------- --------- Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. Editing thanks to Jonathan Gallegos (@jjonthan)
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#161 with Michael Saylor - Why Michael Saylor Believes Bitcoin is Hope
From 🇺🇸 My First Million, published at 2021-03-17 10:00
Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ --------- --------- Sam Parr (@TheSamParr) and Shaan Puri (@ShaanVP) discuss: 5:30 How Michael sells domain names for millions 23:19 Why Bitcoin is the solution to every company's treasury problems 37:34 How Michael forecasts the cost of capital 45:25 Why fixing MicroStrategy's balance sheet, fixed the whole business 51:28 What Michael's role at the company is today 52:40 Warren Buffett calls Bitcoin rat poison. Is he right? 1:01:30 How employees feel working at MicroStrategy 1:14:58 Shaan and Sam give their reactions to the interview --------- --------- Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. Editing thanks to Jonathan Gallegos (@jjonthan)