My First Million

Moiz Ali, the founder of Native Deodorant, shares his inspiring journey of launching a natural deodorant brand from his brother's dining table with just $1,000. He discusses the challenges he faced, including product development hurdles and securing visibility in a crowded market. Ali reveals his tactics for creating a customer-centric brand and the emotions surrounding his eventual $100M sale to Procter & Gamble. His insights on resilience, innovative marketing, and the entrepreneurial spirit provide valuable lessons for aspiring business owners.

The hosts dive into the exciting realm of virtual reality and its potential for listener engagement, sharing personal experiences. They tackle the intricacies of marketing in their journey, offering valuable tools and tips. A listener sparks a conversation about boosting the tech scene in the Midwest through impactful conferences. The duo also discusses equity splits among co-founders, emphasizing partner dynamics. Finally, they reflect on the fine line between confidence and obsession that defines success in entrepreneurship.

Keith and Gelena Wasserman are a dynamic husband-and-wife real estate duo who turned a $5,000 loan into a $1.3 billion portfolio. They share their compelling journey through strategic investments in multifamily properties, highlighting how they identify undervalued assets. Listeners hear tales of persistence during the 2008 recession and the importance of mentorship. They also discuss innovative housing solutions and the balance between real estate and startup mindsets, offering valuable insights for aspiring investors.

Michael Birch, renowned for founding the social network Bebo and investing in companies like Calm and Pinterest, shares his fascinating journey. He discusses his impressive business portfolio and the thrilling experience of buying Bebo back for just $1 million after initially selling it for $850 million. Birch reflects on his early struggles, his competitive days with Zuckerberg, and the creative strategies that led to viral success. Despite his wealth, he remains down-to-earth, emphasizing the joy of entrepreneurship and the importance of innovative growth.

Jack Smith, a clever entrepreneur and co-founder of Vungle, shares his journey from childhood antics—like selling prank itching powder—to launching successful startups. He reveals the clever 'LinkedIn Hack' that secured him a $120k investment and discusses the challenges of fundraising at just 20. Jack emphasizes the power of creativity in marketing and networking, illustrating how innovative approaches can lead to substantial opportunities. His insights on navigating the startup landscape offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

James Hong, creator of the viral website Hot or Not and a seasoned angel investor, shares his journey from a simple idea to 2 million page views a day. He reveals the chaos and excitement of viral growth, comparing his early project to an 'internet laundromat' that raked in up to $20,000 nightly. Hong discusses innovative monetization strategies and partnerships that fueled the site's rise, all while reflecting on the evolution of online engagement and his transition into entrepreneurship within Silicon Valley.

In this engaging discussion, Ryan Hoover, Founder of Product Hunt and investor at Weekend Fund, shares his journey from job rejection to building a thriving platform worth $20M. He dives into the power of networking and the importance of authentic community engagement that fueled Product Hunt’s growth. Ryan recounts his scrappy beginnings, including the hustle of reaching out to users one-by-one. He also highlights the role of experimentation in entrepreneurship and offers practical advice for aspiring creators looking to make their first million.

Discover how Sam Parr turned an email newsletter into a million-subscriber powerhouse. He shares quirky tales from starting a hot dog stand and selling booze online. Sam also reflects on his adventurous encounters with celebrities and reveals what he would do to get rich if he were 21 again. Learn how embracing risk in San Francisco shaped his journey and the importance of simplicity in building successful business ideas. Unpack the path from personal blogging to establishing a media empire in the digital age.

Ramon Van Meer, founder of the top soap opera blog, shares his incredible journey from being shy to making millions. Despite never watching a soap opera, he turned a simple idea into a thriving business by leveraging social media. He discusses the importance of experimentation and audience engagement, the strategic decisions behind his site's success, and the emotional complexities of achieving financial milestones. Additionally, Ramon introduces Novel.ly, a new platform for romantic stories, aiming to connect writers and readers in innovative ways.

Suleman 'Suli' Ali, a tech founder and investor, shares his inspiring journey from earning $76k at Microsoft to selling multiple companies for over $100 million. He discusses key turning points at TinyCo, particularly the development of the Family Guy mobile game and the challenges of early entrepreneurship. Suli reveals how he managed to secure $18 million in venture capital while facing harsh realities, emphasizing the importance of strategic pivots and perseverance in the fast-paced world of mobile gaming.