Auren Hoffman, an accomplished angel investor and entrepreneur who made $60M from the exit of LiveRamp, shares insights into the reality of angel investing. He reveals why it’s not as glamorous as it sounds and explains his unique approach to tracking spending. Auren discusses the surprisingly complex relationship between money and happiness, the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship, and the significance of community support among founders. He also emphasizes that investing isn't suited for everyone, especially those without substantial financial resources.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Entrepreneurship Success
Auren Hoffman started a temp firm for high school kids that paid his way through college.
He saved about $30,000 and used it to fund his education at Berkeley.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Track Big and Small Spending
Track only very big and very small expenses to maintain financial clarity.
Small expenses often indicate where finances could go off the rails, while medium expenses can be ignored.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Facing Crisis with Fake Article
LiveRamp nearly failed in 2010 and faced a threatening article before securing funding.
Auren's team wrote a fake nasty article to test investor commitment, which helped pick the fastest closer.
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This book provides a meticulously researched and character-driven narrative of the Enron scandal. It follows Enron's journey from obscurity to the top of the business world and its subsequent disastrous demise. The authors, Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind, draw on unique sources to reveal the roles of key figures such as Ken Lay, Jeff Skilling, and Andy Fastow. The book is a story of human weakness, hubris, and greed, and it serves as a microcosm of the flaws in American business. The tenth-anniversary edition includes a new chapter revisiting the fall of Enron and its aftermath[1][2][4].
127 founders (net worth: ~$1M–$100M+) opened up their personal books. Want to see how your finances stack up? https://www.joinhampton.com/wealth-report
Auren Hoffman reveals the unglamorous truth about angel investing—why he still does it, what he’s learned, and why it’s not for everyone.
Here’s what we talk about:
Auren Hoffman made $60M—and then became an angel investor.
He shares why angel investing isn’t as sexy as it sounds.
The truth about money: yes, it did make him happier.
How he tracks spending (only big and small stuff—never the middle).
Why he never sets goals and doesn’t chase happiness.
His step-by-step guide to being unhappy (for real).
How trash-talking saved LiveRamp from a PR meltdown.
The right way to invest after a big exit (hint: take it slow).
Why most people shouldn’t even think about investing before hitting $3M.
Sam and Auren go deep on process vs. planning—and what really drives success.
Chapters: (00:00) Auren Hoffman's Big Exit (00:17) The Reality of Angel Investing (00:53) Introducing Moneywise (01:02) The Hampton Community (02:23) Auren's Early Entrepreneurial Journey (03:39) First Million in the Twenties (06:47) LiveRamp and the $60 Million Exit (07:52) Handling Wealth and Lifestyle Changes (12:00) Navigating Business Challenges (13:56) Entrepreneurial Mindset and Resilience (15:33) The Importance of Community for Founders (17:17) Navigating Uncertainty in Business (17:40) Insights from Successful Founders (18:26) Auren's Journey Post-Big Exit (19:44) Balancing Work and Personal Fulfillment (21:05) The Philosophy of Happiness and Success (28:52) Advice on Angel Investing
This podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.
Your Host: Sam Parr
Founder of Hampton, a private community for CEOs.
Sold his last company, The Hustle, for tens of millions.
Moneywise 
