Never Enough How I Built a $180M/Year Business Without Making Myself Miserable
Wouter Teunissen, host of the Biography podcast, engages in a captivating conversation with Andrew Wilkinson, a successful entrepreneur and investor. They discuss designing businesses around personal lifestyles and how relationships can be the highest return on investment. Andrew shares insights on overcoming burnout to create a $180M portfolio and the transformative impact of AI on business operations. The duo also dives into the importance of meaningful connections, productivity strategies, and the art of prioritizing financial well-being alongside philanthropy.
02:34:07
Charity Emails Build Networks
- Andrew Wilkinson used cold emails offering charity donations to invite fascinating people to speak at events.
- This strategy helped him connect with a broad network of interesting friends and relationships.
TED Conferences Spark Connections
- Andrew attended TED conferences early on, making valuable connections like Derek Sivers.
- These events opened doors to friendships and opportunities outside his usual environment.
Use Forums For Deep Networking
- Join small confidential groups called forums to meet diverse entrepreneurs monthly and share personal updates.
- Forums provide deep friendship and business insights beyond typical networking events.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Building Meaningful Connections through Networking
03:18 • 17min
Mastering Meaningful Conversations
20:04 • 17min
Navigating ADHD and Entrepreneurship
37:17 • 22min
AI's Transformative Impact on Business
59:44 • 14min
Navigating Business Acquisitions
01:13:20 • 15min
Contextualizing Change: AI and History
01:28:12 • 9min
Foundations of Successful Entrepreneurship
01:37:08 • 15min
The Power of Anti-Goals
01:51:50 • 6min
Navigating Business Relationships and Growth
01:58:18 • 22min
From Financial Anxiety to Purposeful Philanthropy
02:20:24 • 5min
Balancing Immediate Impact with Future Innovations
02:25:28 • 2min
Overcoming a Unique Medical Challenge: The Journey to Relief
02:27:07 • 3min
Philanthropy in Action: Addressing Addiction and Longevity
02:30:16 • 4min
The Laws of Human Nature
Robert Greene
In 'The Laws of Human Nature,' Robert Greene delves into the complexities of human behavior, identifying 18 laws that govern our actions and motivations.
Drawing from historical figures such as Pericles, Queen Elizabeth I, and Martin Luther King Jr., Greene provides insights into how to detach from emotions, master self-control, develop empathy, and see beyond people's masks.
The book is designed to help readers become better judges of character, manage their thought patterns, and influence others more effectively.
It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's own flaws to make better decisions in personal and professional life.
The E-myth revisited
why most small businesses don't work and what to do about it
Michael E. Gerber
The E-Myth Revisited challenges the common assumption that most businesses are started by entrepreneurs.
Instead, Gerber argues that most businesses are started by technicians who understand the technical work but not the business itself.
The book introduces the concept of the E-Myth and explains that successful business owners must balance three roles: the Entrepreneur (the visionary), the Manager (the planner and organizer), and the Technician (the one who performs the technical work).
Gerber emphasizes the distinction between working 'in' your business and working 'on' your business, and he provides strategies for systemizing and scaling businesses, including the concept of the Franchise Prototype.
The Tao of Charlie Munger
A Compilation of Quotes from Berkshire Hathaway's Vice Chairman on Life, Business, and the Pursuit of Wealth With Commentary by David Clark
David Clark
This book is a compendium of quotes from Charlie Munger, culled from interviews, speeches, and questions and answers at the Berkshire Hathaway and Wesco annual meetings.
It offers insights into Munger’s remarkable financial success and life philosophies.
Described by Business Insider as 'sharp in his wit and investing wisdom,' Munger’s investment tips, business philosophy, and rules for living are unique, intelligent, and successful.
The book is structured similarly to The Tao of Warren Buffett and The Tao of Te Ching, with commentary by David Clark, coauthor of the Buffettology series.
The Lessons of History
Will Durant
Written by Will and Ariel Durant after completing the 10th volume of their 'The Story of Civilization' series, 'The Lessons of History' provides an overview of the themes and lessons observed from human history.
The book examines history from various perspectives including geography, biology, race, character, morals, religion, economics, socialism, government, war, growth and decay, and progress.
The Durants discuss the recurring themes of history, such as the balance between liberty and equality, the role of economics, and the inevitability of human nature's influence on historical events.
They argue that while there are no predictable regularities in the course of civilizations, there are common factors that contribute to their growth and decline.
Profit First
Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine
Mike Michalowicz
In 'Profit First', Mike Michalowicz introduces a behavioral approach to accounting that flips the conventional formula from 'Sales - Expenses = Profit' to 'Sales - Profit = Expenses'.
This system involves taking a predetermined percentage of sales as profit first and then allocating the remainder for expenses.
The book provides practical, step-by-step advice and case studies to help entrepreneurs manage their businesses more effectively, ensuring early and sustained profitability and long-term growth.
How to Get Everything You Can Out of What You've Got
How to Get Everything You Can Out of What You've Got
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Jay Abraham
Jay Abraham's "How to Get Everything You Can Out of What You've Got" is a comprehensive guide to maximizing profits and revenue in any business.
Abraham presents a wide range of strategies for increasing sales, improving customer retention, and generating new revenue streams.
He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and developing effective marketing and sales strategies.
The book offers practical tools and techniques for improving business performance, focusing on the identification and exploitation of opportunities.
Abraham's work encourages entrepreneurs to think creatively about their business and to explore all possible avenues for growth.
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Sir Michael Howard
Getting Things Done
David Allen
Getting Things Done (GTD) is a personal productivity system developed by David Allen.
The book provides a detailed methodology for managing tasks, projects, and information, emphasizing the importance of capturing all tasks and ideas, clarifying their meaning, organizing them into actionable lists, reviewing the system regularly, and engaging in the tasks.
The GTD method is designed to reduce stress and increase productivity by externalizing tasks and using a trusted system to manage them.
The book is divided into three parts, covering the overview of the system, its implementation, and the deeper benefits of integrating GTD into one's work and life.
How to Know a Person
The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen
David Brooks
David Brooks's "How to Know a Person" delves into the complexities of human relationships, exploring how we perceive and understand others.
The book emphasizes the importance of empathy, active listening, and self-awareness in building meaningful connections.
Brooks challenges readers to move beyond superficial judgments and embrace a deeper understanding of themselves and those around them.
He argues that true connection requires vulnerability and a willingness to be seen authentically.
Ultimately, the book offers a practical guide to fostering richer, more fulfilling relationships.
Bullshit Jobs
A Theory
David Graeber
In 'Bullshit Jobs: A Theory', David Graeber argues that a significant portion of jobs in modern society are meaningless and contribute little to no value.
He categorizes these jobs into five types: flunkies, goons, duct tapers, box tickers, and taskmasters.
Graeber contends that these jobs are not only inefficient but also psychologically destructive, leading to chronic misery and social divisions.
The book is based on his 2013 essay 'On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs' and includes testimonials from workers who feel their jobs are pointless.
Graeber suggests solutions such as unions and universal basic income to address the issue of meaningless work.
Wouter Teunissen cold emailed me and asked if I'd come on his podcast.
I told him, sure, come to Victoria and interview me in person (thinking he's from Europe, there's no way he actually will).
He did. And it turned out to be one of the best conversations I've had in ages.
This episode is reposted from Wouter's podcast, Biography.
Watch this if you want to:
- Design a business that serves your life (not the other way around)
- Learn how relationships are the highest ROI growth strategy
- Get tactical advice on productivity, decision-making, and purpose
- Hear how I turned burnout into a $180M portfolio—and found peace
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
01:52 – Using Money In Interesting Ways to Make Your Life Better
06:00 – Creating a Friendship Funnel for Exponential Growth
22:07 – Why Every Business Should Be a Lifestyle Business
30:52 – Why Andrew Decided to Become an Investor
42:21 – Auditing Your Life and Building Narratives as a Coping Mechanism
53:43 – Andrew’s Productivity Stack Using AI, Lists and Tools
1:15:54 – Why The Biggest Opportunity to Make Money is in Relationships
1:28:43 – The AI Revolution
1:49:07 – Andrew’s $100 Million Framework
2:16:53 – Philanthropy
Follow:
Wouter | https://x.com/WouterTeunissen
Andrew | https://x.com/awilkinson
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