My First Million cover image

My First Million

I went from $1/day to billionaire in 10 years... here's how

Feb 5, 2025
Nick Mowbray, founder of the billion-dollar toy company Zuru, shares his inspiring rags-to-riches journey. He recounts his early days selling DIY hot air balloons door-to-door and the hilarious McBroke moments while living frugally in China. Mowbray discusses the setbacks faced during the chaotic launch of a David Beckham-themed product and dives into Zuru's innovative projects, including ZuruTech. His story highlights the power of persistence, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of success through all odds.
01:14:26

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The founders' journey from living on a dollar a day in China highlights their resilience and resourcefulness in overcoming early challenges.
  • Initial experiences in direct sales, such as selling hot air balloons, equipped them with essential skills in adaptability and perseverance.

Deep dives

Naive Beginnings in China

Starting a venture in China without money, connections, or language skills exemplified a shocking level of naivety. The founders faced daunting challenges, including an infamous first night spent sleeping in bushes due to an inability to afford a room. Despite these difficulties, this experience taught them critical lessons in resilience and the necessity of grit. They navigated adversities, ultimately realizing that a failure-driven approach was essential as they paved their path towards success.

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