Thoughtful Money with Adam Taggart Top CEO & Stanford Prof: What Makes A Good Investor? | Graham Weaver
22 snips
Dec 26, 2024 
Graham Weaver, founder of Alpine Investors and a faculty member at Stanford, shares his remarkable journey from dorm room to private equity CEO. He discusses the allure of 'unsexy' businesses and the contrast between public and private market conditions post-COVID. Weaver emphasizes the philosophy of cash flow investing, prioritizing intrinsic value and sustainable success. He also explores the essence of personal fulfillment, advocating for intentional living and the pursuit of passions to achieve true success.
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Alpine's Scrappy Beginnings
- Graham Weaver started Alpine Investors from his dorm room, financing early deals with credit cards.
- His first acquisition was an unsexy label-making company, contrasting with the dot-com boom.
Dot-Com Bubble Parallels
- During the dot-com boom, many companies with little substance received high valuations, reminding Weaver of the current AI hype.
- He felt like he was missing out by investing in traditional businesses, but the bubble eventually burst.
Public vs. Private Markets
- Public markets are overvalued, pricing in future rate cuts and AI productivity, unlike the private markets.
- Private markets are struggling due to high acquisition multiples from the COVID era and increased interest rates.