Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry Brent Montgomery – The Disney Flywheel at Wheelhouse (Capital Allocators, EP.265)
Aug 8, 2022
Brent Montgomery, CEO of Wheelhouse Group and a seasoned media producer known for hits like Pawn Stars and Queer Eye, shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey. He discusses his early days selling candy, the unexpected success of Pawn Stars, and the strategic 'flywheel' approach to monetizing talent. Brent dives into innovative investment strategies, the synergy of finance and entertainment, and the evolving dynamics between investors and creators. He also reflects on adaptability in business and the importance of work-life balance.
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Fireballs
- Brent Montgomery's first entrepreneurial venture involved buying Fireballs wholesale and selling them to classmates at a markup.
- This early experience sparked his interest in business and led to other ventures like lawn mowing and selling baseball cards.
Pawn Stars Inspiration
- The idea for Pawn Stars came during a bachelor party when Montgomery drove past a pawn shop and wondered about its potential for a TV show.
- Initially, networks were hesitant, but Montgomery pitched it as a show about the stories behind interesting items, highlighting the unique characters.
Unscripted TV's Core Skill
- Unscripted TV's core skill is finding captivating characters who act as both authors and actors.
- The success of Pawn Stars was partly due to the Harrison family's expertise and the show's timing, which coincided with the 2008 recession.