The Fort

Imran Khan, founder of Proem Asset Management and former top-ranked Wall Street analyst, shares insights from his remarkable career. He delves into the critical role of gross margins in assessing business health and reminisces about leading Alibaba's record IPO. The conversation also explores Snap's innovative vision and offers criteria for spotting high-quality companies. Imran discusses the shifting dynamics in private market investing and the competitive AI landscape between the U.S. and China, shedding light on future investment strategies.

Mark Toro, Chief Visionary Officer at Toro Development Co., shares his pioneering vision for immersive mixed-use spaces like Avalon and Colony Square. He reveals how the 2008 financial crisis shifted his mindset, viewing real estate as a service infused with hospitality and community. Mark discusses the critical role of demographics in site selection, the balance of art and science in tenant choices, and how thoughtful details like patios and music create vibrant 'third places.' He even highlights a unique tradition involving tequila as a symbol of intentional execution.

Ken Hersh, co-founder of NGP Energy Capital Management and current CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, shares his insights from a remarkable career in energy private equity. He discusses the transformative impact of the shale revolution and innovations in horizontal drilling. Ken reflects on the importance of strategic partnerships and his approach to navigating investment challenges, revealing how trust and collaboration can lead to success in a volatile market. Additionally, he emphasizes the need for a balanced energy landscape, integrating both fossil fuels and renewables.

Trent and Tyler Leon, co-founders of Tilden Capital, share their unique journey from pro golfers to oil and gas entrepreneurs. They discuss the pivotal moments that led them to pivot careers, including the lessons learned on the circuit and the influence of their competitive family environment. Highlights include insights on the oil industry's evolving landscape, their hands-on business philosophy, and the challenges of managing a small team for big deals. Their story showcases resilience, optimism, and the importance of moving forward after professional sports.

Andrew Yaffe is the CEO of Dude Perfect. Prior to joining Dude Perfect, he served as Executive Vice President, Head of Social, Digital and Original Content at the NBA, leading the department responsible for all video, editorial, and documentary content produced and distributed by the NBA.  We dive into the evolution of content strategy, how vertical video, AI-driven editing, and fan-driven content are reshaping how people consume sports and entertainment. We also talk about the massive shift toward family-friendly entertainment, why authenticity matters more than ever in building a trusted brand, and how Dude Perfect is capitalizing on a deep relationship with its audience to expand into products, experiences, and live events. We also cover: - Why YouTube dominates digital content consumption and how Dude Perfect leverages it - How user-generated and behind-the-scenes content outperforms traditional highlights - The growth of Dude Perfect’s live shows and the company's focus on family-first experiences - Building long-term brand equity without sacrificing core values - How the next wave of growth will come from new talent, products, and experiences under the Dude Perfect umbrella This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the most iconic creator-led brands is thinking about the next decade of growth—and why the future of entertainment looks a lot more personal, community-driven, and mission-focused. We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners.  https://www.thefortpod.com/survey Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:55) - Andrew’s career in the NBA: Starting as a Ticket Pricing Analyst and becoming the EVP of Content (00:07:54) - How “Content” has evolved in the past 5 years (00:13:50) - The NBA vs. NBA China (00:14:37) - Content distribution strategies (00:16:20) - Are professional sports audiences declining? (00:19:46) - Becoming CEO of Dude Perfect (00:23:23) - How do you filter opportunities for the brand? (00:28:37) - Battling the algorithm: Family content (00:30:39) - Cultural differences between Dude Perfect and the NBA (00:33:54) - Who’s coming up with content ideas at this stage of the brand? (00:38:21) - The Gravity of YouTube (00:41:51) - What kind of production goes into a typical Dude Perfect video? (00:44:20) - What does working with YouTube look like when you have 62 million subscribers? (00:47:05) - What types of data matter at Dude Perfect? (00:52:01) - What is the target market for Dude Perfect? (00:54:09) - Should we be encouraging our kids to be content creators? (00:57:24) - What are the primary revenue streams? (00:59:15) - Why do the live shows perform so well with audiences? (01:00:12) - Are there plans for more “Dudes”? (01:01:37) - Does the brand's growth mean taking audiences away from professional sports? (01:03:22) - Does the audience age out? (01:04:39) - Is there one metric that matters more than anything else? (01:06:04) - What does this brand look like in 5 years? Links: Dude Perfect - https://dudeperfect.com/ Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/fort BetterPitch: https://betterpitch.com/ Fort: https://bit.ly/FortCompanies Follow Fort on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fort-companies/ Chris on Social Media: The Fort Podcast on Twitter/X: https://x.com/theFORTpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortpodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd   Watch The Fort on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://bit.ly/43SOvys Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO  The FORT is produced by Johnny Podcasts

Jason Karp, founder of HumanCo and former hedge fund mogul, shares his transformative journey from Wall Street to wellness. He discusses America's health crisis driven by a flawed food system and corporate greed, emphasizing the need for reform. Karp highlights the importance of eating closer to nature and contrasts U.S. food standards with those in Europe. The conversation also delves into the rising role of psychedelics in mental health treatment, showcasing their potential for healing trauma and reconnecting individuals with themselves.

Hunter Pond, the founder of Vandelay Hospitality Group, embarked on a wild culinary journey after dropping out of law school. He shares insights on launching East Hampton Sandwich Co. with just a $20K investment and no prior experience. The discussion covers the balance of creativity and discipline in restaurant management, the significant role of square footage in success, and strategies to combat inventory theft. Pond also highlights the evolving landscape of dining, particularly the impact of delivery services and cashless transactions.

Hiten Samtani, founder and editorial director of ten31, shares his insights on the unpredictable world of commercial real estate journalism. He discusses the importance of bold storytelling and building trust with sources while maintaining an unfiltered narrative. Hiten reflects on his transition from a decade at The Real Deal and the challenges of launching a niche media company. They delve into the complexities of engaging diverse audiences and the unique dynamics of major vs. frontier markets, along with tips for gaining media attention in an ever-evolving industry.

Jason Baxter, Co-founder of Fostr AI, discusses the urgent need for businesses to effectively implement AI. He highlights the current chaotic state of AI adoption, where many companies struggle with experimentation and disjointed tools. Baxter introduces Fostr AI’s innovative solutions, including creating a 'digital twin' for businesses to align AI with their strategic goals. He explains how Fostr simplifies AI onboarding, reduces risks from siloed tools, and enables central control across teams, making AI integration smoother and more impactful.

Paul Hedrick, the Founder of Tecovas, unveils the captivating story behind the leading Western wear brand known for its exceptional quality and unique retail experience. He shares the journey from consultancy to establishing Tecovas, emphasizing the role of radical hospitality in building brand loyalty. Paul reveals how they navigated challenges during COVID-19 and adapted their retail strategies. He also dives into the importance of maintaining brand integrity while exploring future ventures that resonate with personal passions.