#31: Xavier Helgesen: Founder Of Better World Books, Clean Energy Titan, Serial Entrepreneur

Join us for an exciting episode of The Founder Podcast as Chris Lee sits down with the one and only Xavier Helgesen, an extraordinary entrepreneur with a knack for building and transforming businesses. Xavier, the mastermind behind Enduring Ventures, takes us on a journey through his remarkable career.

From humble beginnings in a small iron mining town to founding multiple successful companies, Xavier's story is nothing short of inspiring. He shares his early entrepreneurial endeavors, including running a mini golf course and a college social network.

But the real game-changer came when Xavier recognized a unique opportunity in the used textbook market, leading to the birth of Better World Books. Discover how this venture became a multi-million dollar success by helping libraries and nonprofits while becoming one of the first third-party merchants on Amazon.

Now, as the founder of Enduring Ventures, Xavier shares his current passion: acquiring cash-flowing businesses and nurturing their growth. Learn how he evaluates and shapes these businesses, emphasizing brand and sustainable cash flows.

Tune in to gain valuable insights, entrepreneurial wisdom, and a glimpse into the mind of one of the most remarkable founders of our time. Xavier Helgesen's journey is a testament to the power of innovation, persistence, and the relentless pursuit of building enduring businesses.

Enjoy this enlightening conversation on The Founder Podcast!

HIGHLIGHTS

"I remember the first day I made like 100 bucks, and like grimy dollar bills. And I was like, this is the best thing I've ever done in my life."

"But then I stayed in school, which was the dumbest thing to do during the internet boom, like I should have dropped out after freshman year."

"I'm much more interested in cashflow, like how much cash actually goes in the bank account after taxes after depreciation after capital expenses after all of it."

TIMESTAMPS

00:00: Introduction

06:44: Lessons From Parents

10:11: The Age Of The Internet

16:53: Book Drive

20:09: Leader In Book Sales

26:30: Building His Own Brand

29:05: Early Lessons

37:47: The Right Person To Take Over

43:19: Turning A Company Around

45:29: Entrepreneurship 

51:41: What Gets You Excited In Life?

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