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#671: Bobby Hundreds — Building an Iconic Streetwear Brand, Making $7 Million in 40 Minutes, The Power of Garfield, Why Korean Entertainment is Taking Over the World, Maintaining the Mystery, The Fickleness of Fortune, and Developing “Nunchi”

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May 11, 2023

Guest

Bobby Hundreds

In this engaging conversation, Bobby Hundreds, co-founder and creative force behind The Hundreds, shares his journey from a Korean American artist to a streetwear icon. He discusses the surprises of the fashion industry, the cultural shifts pushing K-Pop and streetwear to the forefront, and the art of 'nunchi'—reading emotions in social settings. Bobby reflects on the evolution of NFTs, balancing creativity with commerce, and the importance of community in building a lasting brand. His insights are both profound and entertaining!

03:27:33

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ANECDOTE

Black Toothbrush

Bobby Hundreds felt like an outcast growing up, symbolized by a black toothbrush among his family's white ones.
He found solace in fringe interests like skateboarding, punk rock, and art, which led him to build a brand around community.

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ADVICE

Permission to Dream

Pursue your passions, even if unconventional, because life is short and unpredictable.
Don't wait for permission or external validation; give yourself permission to chase your dreams.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Secret Artist

Bobby Hundreds hid his artistic pursuits from his parents while attending law school, drawing in class and developing "The Hundreds" concept.
He continued working on The Hundreds while in law school and split his focus between classwork and design.

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Choosing the Right Publisher: A Personal Journey in Writing

05:34 • 2min

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Navigating Identity and Artistry

07:13 • 23min

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The Intersection of Creativity and Focus in Learning

30:01 • 2min

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Navigating Fame in Streetwear

32:22 • 5min

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The Timelessness of Cultural Impact in Business Success

37:39 • 2min

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Navigating Streetwear Success

40:00 • 4min

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Cultural Currents: From Punk to K-Pop

43:48 • 24min

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Navigating Streetwear Culture

01:07:20 • 14min

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Nunchi and Cultural Curation

01:21:08 • 22min

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Navigating Fashion's Fluctuations

01:43:27 • 10min

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Collaborative Evolution in Streetwear

01:53:47 • 18min

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Musical Connections and Brand Stories

02:11:33 • 11min

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Navigating the NFT Landscape

02:22:31 • 26min

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Navigating Web3 and Artist Compensation

02:48:11 • 22min

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Exploring Literary Gems and Entrepreneurial Wisdom

03:09:48 • 2min

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The Power of Patience in a Rapid-Tech World

03:11:47 • 6min

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The Art of Thoughtful Decision-Making

03:17:38 • 6min

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Enhancing Sleep and Hydration: Product Insights

This novel follows the story of Sunja, a young Korean woman, and her family as they navigate the challenges of living as immigrants in Japan from the early 1900s to the late 1980s. The book explores themes of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty, set against the backdrop of significant historical events including World War II and the Korean War. It delves into the experiences of discrimination, cultural identity, and the struggles of everyday life for Korean families in Japan.

Shoe Dog

Phil Knight

Shoe Dog is a memoir that chronicles the journey of Phil Knight as he builds Nike from its humble beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports. The book is a personal and detailed account of Knight's experiences, from his early days selling Japanese running shoes out of the trunk of his car to the global brand Nike is today. It highlights his relentless work ethic, the challenges he faced, and the key relationships with his partners and employees that were crucial to the company's success. The memoir also touches on Knight's personal life, including his family and the emotional struggles he encountered along the way[1][3][4].

The hard thing about hard things

building a business when there are no easy answers

Ben Horowitz

In this book, Ben Horowitz shares his personal and often humbling experiences in the tech industry to offer essential advice and practical wisdom. He addresses various hard decisions and challenges that business leaders face, such as firing friends, managing company culture, handling layoffs, and making tough strategic decisions. Horowitz emphasizes the importance of honesty, resilience, and adaptability in leadership, drawing from his experiences with companies like Loudcloud and Andreessen Horowitz.

Start with Why

How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action

Simon Sinek

In 'Start with Why', Simon Sinek introduces the concept of 'The Golden Circle', which consists of 'Why', 'How', and 'What'. He argues that successful leaders and organizations start with their purpose or 'Why', which inspires loyalty and trust. Sinek uses examples such as Apple, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Wright Brothers to illustrate how this approach can lead to significant influence and success. The book emphasizes the importance of leadership and purpose in inspiring others and achieving long-term success.

The Godfather

Mario Puzo

Published in 1969, 'The Godfather' by Mario Puzo is a crime novel that follows the story of the Corleone family, one of the Five Families of the New York Mafia. The novel spans from the early life of Vito Corleone to the rise of his youngest son, Michael, as the new Don. The story explores themes of loyalty, power, and violence as the family navigates internal conflicts, external threats, and the transition of leadership. Michael, initially reluctant to join the family business, becomes deeply involved after an assassination attempt on his father and eventually succeeds Vito as the head of the family. The novel is known for its realistic portrayal of organized crime and its impact on the characters' personal lives[2][3][4].

Wired to eat

Robb Wolf

In 'Wired to Eat', Robb Wolf explains how our genetics are working against us in the modern world of highly palatable foods. The book delves into the science behind appetite regulation, the impact of sleep, stress, and community on health, and introduces the concept of personalized nutrition. It includes a 30-Day Reset program to normalize appetite regulation and a 7-Day Carb Test to determine individual carbohydrate tolerance. The book also discusses ketogenic diets and intermittent fasting as potential tools for health improvement. Wolf emphasizes that each person's metabolism and nutritional needs are distinct, advocating for a personalized approach to dieting rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

This Is Not a T-Shirt

Bobby Hundreds

The paleo solution

The Original Human Diet

Robb Wolf

In 'The Paleo Solution,' Robb Wolf combines cutting-edge research from genetics, biochemistry, and anthropology to advocate for a return to the ancestral diet. The book proposes that modern humans should eat in a way that mimics the dietary habits of our Paleolithic ancestors, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods such as meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, while avoiding grains, legumes, dairy products, and refined sugars. Wolf provides practical advice, meal plans, and real-life success stories to help readers transition to a Paleo lifestyle, which can lead to significant health improvements including better blood sugar control, lower cholesterol levels, reduced inflammation, and improved weight management.

Deep down dark

Héctor Tobar

Deep Down Dark by Héctor Tobar is a gripping narrative that delves into the experiences of the 33 Chilean miners who were trapped in the San José mine for 69 days. The book explores their struggles, spiritual journeys, and the aftermath of their rescue, offering a profound look at human resilience and the power of community. Tobar's masterful storytelling brings to life the miners' harrowing tale, set against the backdrop of the Chilean desert and the global media frenzy surrounding their ordeal.

NFTs Are a Scam / NFTs Are the Future

The Early Years: 2020-2023

Bobby Hundreds

In *NFTs Are a Scam / NFTs Are the Future*, Bobby Hundreds delves into the complexities of NFTs, questioning whether they represent a revolutionary future for creativity or a fleeting fad. The book reflects on his journey into NFTs, Web3, and the Metaverse, offering insights into the intersection of technology, art, and community.

Brought to you by Wealthfront high-yield savings account, Eight Sleep’s Pod Cover sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating, and LMNT electrolyte supplement.

Bobby Hundreds (@bobbyhundreds) is an artist, designer, and storyteller based in Los Angeles. He is best known as the co-founder and chief creative officer of global streetwear brand The Hundreds. He is also behind the Family Style Food Festival and the NFT project Adam Bomb Squad. Bobby is also the bestselling author of This Is Not a T-Shirt, a memoir about his life and how he built a brand around community.

His new book, NFTs Are a Scam / NFTs Are the Future, about his two-year journey into Web3, will publish through Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Please enjoy!

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[05:49] Signing to the prestigious Farrar, Straus and Giroux (FSG).

[07:21] Bobby's black sheep origin story.

[11:13] When art entered the picture.

[13:52] Who was Abram Edelman?

[27:59] The double life of a parent-pleasing law student and clandestine artist.

[31:45] The Hundreds: from early days to 20 years on.

[44:47] The cosmic intervention of WARP magazine.

[52:02] Japan.

[55:27] The Korean Wave.

[1:08:05] Getting on the radar of tastemakers.

[1:13:44] Collaboration over competition makes a movement.

[1:18:32] Curating creatives assisted by nunchi.

[1:30:03] Necessary disconnections.

[1:41:22] Korea's a creative hotspot today. Where should we look next?

[1:43:38] Rolling with the tides of fickle fashion.

[1:53:47] Collaborations, corporations, and the reason for limited editions.

[2:05:07] The current state of The Hundreds.

[2:11:32] Frank Ocean maintains the mystery.

[2:13:02] Getting collaboration deals without almost being sued or selling out.

[2:18:54] Hermit north stars.

[2:24:50] How to make $7 million in 40 minutes with NFTs (sort of not really).

[2:29:48] Making NFTs more useful than just another set of playing cards for wannabe day traders.

[2:39:21] Why did Bobby write NFTs Are a Scam / NFTs Are the Future?

[2:42:54] Charles Manson vs. SBF and subcultural security.

[2:48:10] Notable Web3 innovations emerging.

[2:51:45] A rumble over royalties and a counterintuitive lesson about collectible value.

[3:10:17] Recommended reading.

[3:12:13] Bobby's billboard.

[3:18:50] Two tattoos.

[3:20:18] Parting thoughts.

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