That Will Never Work
Marc Randolph
How many times have you been told “that will never work”? Probably not as often as Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph. The veteran Silicon Valley entrepreneur, advisor, investor, speaker and best-selling author has founded or co-founded half-a-dozen successful startups and mentored scores of entrepreneurs from first time business owners to established CEOs. Be a fly on the boardroom wall as Marc's podcast opens up the opportunity to entrepreneurs everywhere to gain the benefit of his years of experience as he helps each guest think through their business problem.These lively conversations, which showcase Marc’s unique combination of analytical skills, tough love and a healthy dose of humor, provide actionable advice that will benefit founders - and would-be founders - at every stage of their business journey. New episodes every Tuesday.Want to be a guest on That Will Never Work? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form and record the question you’d like Marc’s help with right there on the site. And while you’re there sign up for Marc’s newsletter https://marcrandolph.com/newsletter/Feeling social? Marc would love to hear from you here:Twitter: @mbrandolphInstagram: @ThatWillNeverWork LinkedIn: Marcrandolph Tiktok: @marc_randolph
Episodes
Mentioned books
25 snips
Oct 25, 2022 • 39min
#72 Is it a Culture Problem or a Hiring Problem?
This week’s guest Pat’s business centers on one of the most hyped and controversial investment forms ever – crypto currency. His company The Giving Block is at the forefront of crypto-philanthropy, bringing a new generation of investors together with non-profits.Despite market turbulences this is one hot sector and his team has ballooned from 5 to 100 strong. But the speed of success comes with its own hurdles - how do you sculpt company culture and your hiring strategy when you’re growing at this pace? This is undoubtedly one of Marc’s favorite topics to explore… so listen in for valuable tips on how to approach the growing pains that come with scaling fast. Want a deeper dive into these topics? The paperback edition of Marc’s international best-seller That Will Never Work is out now in bookstores and online: www.amazon.com/That-Will-Never-Work-Netflix/dp/0316530182 Want to be a guest? Head to Marcrandolph.com. While you’re there, sign up for Marc’s newsletter. Feeling social?Tw: @mbrandolphIG: @ThatWillNeverWork LinkedIn: Marc_randolph Marcrandolph.com
Oct 18, 2022 • 34min
#71: Is Pre-Revenue Funding a Pipe Dream?
In this discussion, Kyle Walgren, founder of the EdSoma app, shares his journey of creating a literacy tool during the pandemic, inspired by his separation from his children. He dives into the app's innovative voice identification technology and the unique challenge of identifying weaknesses in children's reading. Kyle also reveals the struggles of securing funding as a pre-revenue startup, highlighting investor priorities and the need to demonstrate commercial traction. With insights on alternative markets and balancing mission with viability, this conversation is packed with actionable advice.
Oct 11, 2022 • 39min
#70: How to Get Your Business Buzzing
Allison Wickham, founder of Siller Pollinator Company, shares her journey from passion to profit as she tackles the challenges of scaling her business dedicated to pollinators. She reveals insights on hive management and discusses innovative approaches like the Adopt-A-Hive program. The conversation dives into the importance of focusing on core offerings and defining customer personas. Marc Randolph provides actionable strategies to boost revenue through subscriptions and emphasizes starting locally before expanding. It's a delightful blend of entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship!
Oct 4, 2022 • 20min
#69: Should You Buy or Lease Your Location?
Have you ever wondered what people do with the advice that Marc gives them on the show?Well, David Silberman, co-founder of PingPod, is here to tell you just that.The first time he and Marc talked, David was trying to strategize the growth of his ping pong venue business and one of the hot topics was whether to buy or lease locations. Now that the company has been in business for a while, find out how things have evolved.. and what has real time data told him about the key rent vs lease debate? Want a deeper dive into the topics discussed in today’s show? The paperback edition of Marc’s international best-seller That Will Never Work is out now in bookstores and online: www.amazon.com/That-Will-Never-Work-Netflix/dp/0316530182 Want to be a guest? Head to Marcrandolph.com. While you’re there, sign up for Marc’s newsletter. Feeling social?Tw: @mbrandolphIG: @ThatWillNeverWork LinkedIn: Marc_randolph Marcrandolph.com
Sep 27, 2022 • 34min
#68: The Premium Product Conundrum
How earth friendly are the so-called “earth friendly” products? In the opinion of this week’s guest Justine Potashnik - not very.But she believes she has the answer in her Advanced Soapberry Formula, derived from Himalayan tree nuts.A product like this has a higher cost to create than its competitors, which has her at a juncture - should the company take a lower margin to get onto shelves faster or focus on being premium? Listen in for Marc’s tips on how to make the pivotal decisions in your product sales strategy when entering a crowded market. Want a deeper dive into the topics discussed in today’s show? The paperback edition of Marc’s international best-seller That Will Never Work is out now in bookstores and online: www.amazon.com/That-Will-Never-Work-Netflix/dp/0316530182 Want to be a guest? Head to Marcrandolph.com. While you’re there, sign up for Marc’s newsletter. Feeling social?Tw: @mbrandolphIG: @ThatWillNeverWork LinkedIn: Marc_randolph Marcrandolph.com
Sep 20, 2022 • 34min
#67: Let Go to Grow
Belissimo Hats has achieved something rare in today’s market – the company has an enthusiastic celebrity following without ever having to pay a dime in influencer marketing money. They can count mega stars like Jamie Foxx and Snoop Dogg among the fans who just love to post about wearing their product. But the problem is co-founders, brothers Levi and Yossi Chayo, are still trying to do it all themselves. Are their worries about delegating getting in the way of the growth they could achieve? Listen in for actionable tips you can apply to your own company for scaling smartly. Want a deeper dive into the topics discussed in today’s show? The paperback edition of Marc’s international best-seller That Will Never Work is out now in bookstores and online: www.amazon.com/That-Will-Never-Work-Netflix/dp/0316530182 Want to be a guest? Head to Marcrandolph.com. While you’re there, sign up for Marc’s newsletter. Feeling social?Tw: @mbrandolphIG: @ThatWillNeverWork LinkedIn: Marc_randolph Marcrandolph.com
Sep 13, 2022 • 26min
#66: How to Become a Pitch Pro
Faith Griffin, an innovative entrepreneur and university student, shares insights about her patent-pending product, The Shaving Step, a portable shower stool designed for convenient leg shaving. She discusses the gaps in the market her product addresses and the importance of proving demand before manufacturing. With expert guidance from Marc Randolph, they delve into the nuances of pitching to investors, showcasing key proof points early, and the significance of networking for retail validation. A treasure trove of actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs!
Sep 6, 2022 • 38min
#65: The Wedding Industry is Worth Billions – What Could a Break-Up Industry be Worth?
Natasha Pearl Hanson, a comedian and founder of MyBreakUpRegistry.com, shares her unique journey from a canceled wedding to creating a crowdfunding platform for breakups. She discusses the emotional need for support post-relationship and how her idea blossomed from personal pain. The conversation dives into strategies for attracting users in a new industry, measuring success through key metrics, and the potential for donors to become repeat customers. Natasha also seeks advice on marketing and product-market fit, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in her innovative venture.
Aug 16, 2022 • 23min
#64: Did it Work? Catch Up Special: Bolder Adventure Park
Have you ever wondered what people do with the advice Marc gives them? This week’s guest Paul Fontanelli was in the planning stages of his Bolder Adventure Park when he appeared as one of the first guests on the show. His business is an ambitious indoor venue out of Grand Prairie, Texas, which seeks to bring together everything from rock climbing to ice-skating under one massive roof. He had questions not just about launching the business, but also about the tricky work-life balance that comes with being an entrepreneur and still trying to spend precious hours with your kids. Did Paul take Marc’s advice? Did he ignore it? What does he need help with now? Listen in to find out… Want a deeper dive into the topics discussed in today’s show? The paperback edition of Marc’s international best-seller That Will Never Work is out now in bookstores and online: www.amazon.com/That-Will-Never-Work-Netflix/dp/0316530182 Want to be a guest? Head to Marcrandolph.com. While you’re there, sign up for Marc’s newsletter. Feeling social?Tw: @mbrandolphIG: @ThatWillNeverWork LinkedIn: Marcrandolph Marcrandolph.com This is our last episode of the season. Have a great end to your summer and we’ll be back after Labor Day!
7 snips
Aug 9, 2022 • 41min
#63: Stop Thinking and Start Doing!
Reilly Clark, Founder of Fleur.ai, aims to revolutionize the art market by making it accessible for all. He discusses the challenges of connecting artists with potential buyers and the shortcomings of current engagement models. Reilly emphasizes the importance of taking action rather than seeking perfection, urging entrepreneurs to embrace rapid experimentation. He also highlights the need for innovative, tech-driven solutions to democratize art and foster personal connections between creators and their audiences.
