Discover the incredible journey of Leon Hess, who transformed a modest fuel delivery business into a multibillion-dollar empire. From his challenging childhood and lessons learned during the Great Depression, to his logistical mastery in World War II, Hess's story is one of resilience and innovation. Explore how he built the largest oil refinery in the Western Hemisphere, ventured into NFL ownership with the New York Jets, and maintained his family values throughout. This tale is packed with entrepreneurial insights and strategic wisdom.
53:24
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
00:00 / 00:00
Mackey's Regret
John Mackey claimed Founders Podcast would've kept Whole Foods independent.
He emphasized the podcast's consistent focus on cost control.
00:00 / 00:00
Permanent Savings
Control costs strictly, especially during booms.
Cost savings are permanent, unlike fluctuating profits.
00:00 / 00:00
Father's Influence
Leon Hess's success was largely shaped by his father's entrepreneurial failures.
Understanding a son's story often requires understanding his father's.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
This book tells the fascinating story of Samuel Zemurray, who started as a roadside banana peddler and eventually built a sprawling empire involving banana cowboys, mercenary soldiers, Honduran peasants, CIA agents, and American statesmen. Rich Cohen's narrative explores Zemurray's rise to power, his involvement in overthrowing Central American governments, and his complex role in American history. The book delves into Zemurray's personal life, his business exploits, and the moral implications of his actions, painting a nuanced portrait of a man driven by an indomitable will to succeed.
How to Make a Few Billion Dollars
Brad Jacobs
In *How to Make a Few Billion Dollars*, Brad Jacobs shares his mindset and strategies that have driven his remarkable success in corporate America. With over four decades of experience as a CEO and serial entrepreneur, Jacobs distills his business brilliance into a tactical road map. The book covers topics such as rearranging your mindset to achieve enormous goals, turning a healthy fear of failure to your advantage, achieving high-quality M&A without imploding, building an outrageously talented team, catalyzing electric meetings, and transforming a company into a superorganism that outcompetes others. Jacobs emphasizes the importance of humility, compassion, and accountability while pursuing the American Dream.
Hess
The Last Oil Baron
Tina Davis
Jessica Resnick-Ault
Hess: The Last Oil Baron is a detailed biography that maps the life and career of Leon Hess, a significant figure in the oil industry. The book, written by Tina Davis and Jessica Resnick-Ault, explores Hess's journey from humble beginnings to becoming a major player in the oil sector, highlighting his contributions and impact on the industry.
Who is Mike Ovitz?
Mike Ovitz
This book is a candid and insightful account of Mike Ovitz's life, from his early days as a tour guide at Universal Studios to his role as a powerful agent and later as President of The Walt Disney Company. It chronicles his journey from a middle-class kid in Encino to becoming a dominant figure in Hollywood, shaping the careers of hundreds of A-list entertainers, directors, and writers. The book also explores the personal consequences of his deals and his impact on the entertainment industry.
Your father goes bankrupt. You work for 50 cents a day to try to help your family survive the Great Depression. At 19 you see an opportunity where others see nothing. You start “a little fuel delivery business” with one used truck. Five years later you have 10 trucks. World War II breaks out and you serve as the fuel supply officer for General Patton. You come back to America and apply what the war taught you about logistics and moving fuel efficiently. You expand from fuel delivery to storage, refining, and open gas stations in 16 states. You take your company public. You merge with an oil exploration firm. You build the largest refinery in the Western Hemisphere. You buy the New York Jets. You built your “little fuel delivery business” into a multibillion-dollar, multinational, vertically integrated energy behemoth. You are Leon Hess, founder of the Hess family dynasty.
This episode is what I learned from reading Hess: The Last Oil Baron by Tina Davis and Jessica Resnick-Ault.
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Founders 
