

MicroVee: Day 1 at VaynerMedia | Leap Academy [BONUS]
Aug 4, 2025
Discover the gritty reality of building a startup from scratch as Gary Vaynerchuk shares his early experiences at VaynerMedia. He discusses the bold move of asking for office space and the tough decision to forego raising capital. Learn about the pressures of managing salaries on tight budgets and the resilience needed to achieve success. As the business grows, he highlights the evolving challenges entrepreneurs face and the importance of embracing risks while taking personal responsibility for their journey.
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Starting VaynerMedia's First Office
- Gary Vaynerchuk started VaynerMedia by boldly asking Mike and Cass for their small office space to work from.
- Mike offered them space, showing early support despite limited resources.
Avoid Early Capital Raising
- Avoid raising capital early by wisely managing expenses and hiring only when necessary.
- Spend only half of incoming funds to build a runway and avoid financial fear.
Bartering Work for Office Space
- VaynerMedia avoided rent for 18 months by starting in a friend's office and then bartering marketing services for co-working space.
- This approach kept overhead low while growing the company.