

The Synopsis
Speedwell Research, LLC
Speedwell Research spends hundreds of hours researching public businesses each month and in "The Synopsis" they share their key learnings. Most business podcasts are superficial and assume their listeners are unsophisticated. In contrast, The Synopsis trusts listeners are interested in learning about complex, industry-specific issues, so long as they are explained clearly. We cover businesses from inception to current day, coupling business analysis and an investors lens. Start listening today to become a better analyst and investor.
Episodes
Mentioned books

14 snips
Jan 19, 2024 • 21min
Article. Ten Lessons from Copart's 40 Years in Business: Learning from Willis Johnson and Jay Adair
Discover the remarkable journey of Copart, evolving from a small junkyard to a leading global auction giant. The discussion uncovers ten vital lessons, like the power of early problem-solving and the transformative impact of online bidding. Delve into strategic insights that emphasize the importance of aligning incentives and leveraging data for stability. The hosts also share valuable takeaways on demonstrating value, managing finances wisely, and the critical role of exceptional customer service in thriving within the automotive auction industry.

12 snips
Jan 15, 2024 • 36min
Dialogue. Threats to Google's Search Dominance
This podcast discusses threats to Google's search dominance, including product encroachment and form function change. They also explore the impact of AI on Google's business and the risks it poses. The hosts touch on the history of the I'm Feeling Lucky button and its impact on search monetization. They also discuss a DOJ case against Google and Apple's interest in search revenue. The speakers explore the parallels between Google and Facebook during the mobile shift.

Jan 12, 2024 • 29min
Article. Google Shut the Door on Competition, AI Swung it Back Open
This discussion dives into Google's long-standing dominance in search and the emerging threats from social media and AI innovations. It highlights how AI is reshaping the competitive landscape and poses challenges to Google's traditional monetization strategies. The interplay between user privacy and new search technologies is also examined, especially with Apple's aspirations. Finally, the podcast considers historical shifts in advertising, the evolution of mobile ads, and the implications for the future of platforms like Google.

Jan 9, 2024 • 13min
Article. Priced to Outperform Perfection: The Home Depot Circa 1999
In this episode of The Synopsis we read a Speedwell Research memo from our backlog. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks article is Priced to Outperform Perfection: The Home Depot Circa 1999 Article Link: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/priced-to-outperform-perfection-the -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (0:45) – Housekeeping (1:33) – Memo Reading Starts (14:40) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Gain access to Speedwell’s Extensive Research Reports, Models, Company Updates, and more by purchasing a Speedwell Membership: https://speedwellresearch.com/subscribe/ Speedwell's free newsletter: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/ More on Speedwell: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/speedwell-research-process-and-philosophy Twitter: @Speedwell_LLC Threads: @speedwell_research Email us at info@speedwellresearch.com for any questions, comments, or feedback -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Nothing in this podcast is investment advice nor should be construed as such. Please see our full disclaimers here: https://speedwellresearch.com/disclaimer/

Jan 5, 2024 • 15min
Article. The Risk Circle: Deciding What Risks Matter and When
In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks article is The Risk Circle: Deciding What Risks Matter and When Article Link: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/the-risk-circle-deciding-what-risks -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (0:47) –Memo Reading Starts (14:55) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Speedwell's free newsletter: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/ More on Speedwell: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/speedwell-research-process-and-philosophy Gain access to Speedwell’s Extensive Research Reports, Models, Company Updates, and more by purchasing a Speedwell Membership: https://speedwellresearch.com/subscribe/ Twitter: @Speedwell_LLC Threads: @speedwell_research Email us at info@speedwellresearch.com for any questions, comments, or feedback -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Nothing in this podcast is investment advice nor should be construed as such. Please see our full disclaimers here: https://speedwellresearch.com/disclaimer/

Dec 29, 2023 • 21min
Article. How Pies, Proofs, and Punch Cards Hold Key Insights into the Cost of Equity
In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks article is How Pies, Proofs, and Punch Cards Hold Key Insights into the Cost of Equity Article Link: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/how-pies-proofs-and-punch-cards-hold -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (0:46) –Memo Reading Starts (19:56) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Speedwell's free newsletter: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/ More on Speedwell: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/speedwell-research-process-and-philosophy Gain access to Speedwell’s Extensive Research Reports, Models, Company Updates, and more by purchasing a Speedwell Membership: https://speedwellresearch.com/subscribe/ Twitter: @Speedwell_LLC Threads: @speedwell_research Email us at info@speedwellresearch.com for any questions, comments, or feedback -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Disclaimer Nothing in this podcast is investment advice nor should be construed as such. Please see our full disclaimers here: https://speedwellresearch.com/disclaimer/

Dec 22, 2023 • 18min
Article. Understanding Modularity: How Apple, Bloomberg, and Amazon Kept Strategic Coherency
In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks article is Understanding Modularity: How Apple, Bloomberg, and Amazon Kept Strategic Coherency Article Link: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/understanding-modularity-how-apple -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (0:49) –Memo Reading Starts (16:56) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Speedwell's free newsletter: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/ More on Speedwell: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/speedwell-research-process-and-philosophy Gain access to Speedwell’s Extensive Research Reports, Models, Company Updates, and more by purchasing a Speedwell Membership: https://speedwellresearch.com/subscribe/ Twitter: @Speedwell_LLC Threads: @speedwell_research Email us at info@speedwellresearch.com for any questions, comments, or feedback -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Disclaimer Nothing in this podcast is investment advice nor should be construed as such. Please see our full disclaimers here: https://speedwellresearch.com/disclaimer/

12 snips
Dec 20, 2023 • 1h 29min
Company. Floor & Decor: The Costco of Flooring
In this podcast on Floor & Decor, Speedwell Research covers everything from its founding as a single store in Atlanta, Georgia to becoming the leading hard surface flooring specialty chain retailer. We draw on Speedwell Research’s 57 page research report to teach not just about the flooring industry and Floor & Decor’s interlocking business model, but also about competitive dynamics and how to think about store level unit economics. We hope you enjoy! (Please note that for the first few minutes of the recording, occasionally the sound quality declines. It improves thereafter.) -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) Intro (1:51) Background (4:48) CEO Tom Taylor (6:21) Industry (15:26) Floor & Decor Model (24:33) TAM Breakdown and Commercial Business (28:35) Pro Business (33:15) Competitive Landscape and Main Competition (59:10) Four Wall Store Model, Mature Margins (1:11:49) Long-Term Store Target (1:24:45) What Can Go Wrong, Risks -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Purchase Speedwell's FND Report here: https://speedwellresearch.com/2022/11/08/floor-decor-deep-dive/ Become a full Speedwell Research Member here: https://speedwellresearch.com/subscribe/ Articles Mentioned Speedwell’s Memo Introducing the Piton Idea: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/the-piton-network-decisions-that Speedwell’s Memo on Home Depot’s Valuation in 1999: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/priced-to-outperform-perfection-the Floor & Decor 2022 Earnings Recap: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/floor-and-decor-2022-earnings-recap Floor & Decor 2H23 Earnings Recap: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/floor-and-decor-2q2023 Business Breakdowns Floor & Decor Podcast: https://www.joincolossus.com/episodes/29086328/cohen-floor-decor-raising-the-floor?tab=transcript Twitter: @Speedwell_LLC Threads: @speedwell_research Email us at info@speedwellresearch.com for any questions, comments, or feedback -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Disclaimer Nothing in this podcast is investment advice nor should be construed as such. At the time of publishing, one or more contributors to the podcast had a position in FND. Furthermore, accounts one or more contributors advise on may also have a position in FND. This may change without notice. Please see our full disclaimers here: https://speedwellresearch.com/disclaimer/

Dec 15, 2023 • 23min
Article. Walker & Dunlop Business History
In this episode of The Synopsis we read an excerpt from our 63 page Walker & Dunlop Report. If you prefer to read instead of listening to this article, you can find access to it below. This weeks article is from the business history section of our Walker & Dunlop report. Article Link: https://open.substack.com/pub/speedwellsnippets/p/walker-and-dunlop-business-history?r=3jwcb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (2:02) –Article Reading Starts (21:55) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Speedwell's free newsletter: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/ More on Speedwell: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/speedwell-research-process-and-philosophy Purchase Walker & Dunlop Single Report: https://speedwellresearch.com/subscribe/ Gain access to Speedwell’s Extensive Research Reports, Models, Company Updates, and more by purchasing a Speedwell Membership: https://speedwellresearch.com/subscribe/ Twitter: @Speedwell_LLC Threads: @speedwell_research Email us at info@speedwellresearch.com for any questions, comments, or feedback -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Disclaimer Nothing in this podcast is investment advice nor should be construed as such. Please see our full disclaimers here: https://speedwellresearch.com/disclaimer/

Dec 8, 2023 • 20min
Article. The Piton Network: Decisions that Simultaneously Support and Limit the Future Decision Space
In this episode of The Synopsis we introduce a new episode format called, “Articles”. As the name suggests, this episode will be a reading of a memo written by Speedwell Research. If you prefer to read instead of listening to the memos, you can find access to the article below. On this first Articles episode, we are reading our business philosophy piece introducing the concept of the Piton and the Piton Network. This weeks article is The Piton Network: Decisions that Simultaneously Support and Limit the Future Decision Space. Article Link: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/the-piton-network-decisions-that -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (0:47) –Memo Reading Starts (18:30) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Speedwell's free newsletter: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/ More on Speedwell: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/speedwell-research-process-and-philosophy Gain access to Speedwell’s Extensive Research Reports, Models, Company Updates, and more by purchasing a Speedwell Membership: https://speedwellresearch.com/subscribe/ Twitter: @Speedwell_LLC Threads: @speedwell_research Email us at info@speedwellresearch.com for any questions, comments, or feedback -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Disclaimer Nothing in this podcast is investment advice nor should be construed as such. Please see our full disclaimers here: https://speedwellresearch.com/disclaimer/