What I learned from reading Nuts!: Southwest Airlines' Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success---Subscribe to listen to Founders Premium — Subscribers can listen to Ask Me Anything (AMA) episodes and every bonus episode. ---Reality is chaotic; planning is ordered [0:01]Vince Lombardi is the Steve Jobs of coaches [3:48] how Southwest Airlines is different [11:31]the beginning of Southwest [16:00]fighting anticompetitive practice [24:30] finding a new market by doing the opposite of your competition [29:00] missionaries make the best products [31:00]being forced to innovate leads to questioning assumptions which leads to finding new markets [34:00]how Southwest became the largest liquor distributor in Texas [38:00] remember your fundamental reason for being and don't deviate from that [40:45]optimize for profits, not market share [42:30]know what you are competing with - not who [44:15] how having only one type of airplane gives Southwest an advantage [46:30] how keeping it simple saved Southwest $2 million [51:30]know what you do best - have the discipline to stick to it [53:00] if you are going to be small you have to be fast [1:01:19]the benefits of curiosity are unpredictable [1:03:45]—“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — GarethBe like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast

What I learned from reading Tycoon's War: How Cornelius Vanderbilt Invaded a Country to Overthrow America's Most Famous Military Adventurer by Stephen Dando-Collins---Subscribe to listen to Founders Premium — Subscribers can listen to Ask Me Anything (AMA) episodes and every bonus episode. ---Unlike Vanderbilt's other adversaries William Walker was not afraid of Cornelius when he should have been [0:01]Setting up the war between Cornelius Vanderbilt and William Walker [7:32]William Walker's impressive resume [16:44]Betrayal: "Gentlemen, You have undertaken to cheat me. I won't sue you, for the law is too slow. I'll ruin you." [27:04]Walker takes Vanderbilt's property. Walker thinks the law protects him. Vanderbilt doesn't care about the law [39:27]Garrison's counter move against Cornelius Vanderbilt [44:36]Vanderbilt funds several Central American governments to destroy William Walker [52:51]The power of having a singular focus on a goal but remaining flexible on the tactics to get there [1:02:10]—“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — GarethBe like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast

What I learned by reading The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt by TJ Stiles. ---Subscribe to listen to Founders Premium — Subscribers can listen to Ask Me Anything (AMA) episodes and every bonus episode. ---His life spanned from the days of George Washington to John D. Rockefeller [0:01]$1 out of $20 in circulation [4:35]an overview of his life [5:35] the environment Vanderbilt was raised in [14:10] love of competition / dislike of school / first jobs [18:00] action for actions sake [22:00]an entrepreneur from the beginning [23:06] expansion fueled by aggressiveness, action, and constraints [30:00] partnering with the rich and powerful Thomas Gibbons [35:00]the solo founder [46:34]starting up with an eye on getting acquired [50:00] frugality wins [56:20]entrepreneurs vs large companies [1:03:45] more frugality and decentralized company structure [1:12:00] the size of his ambition was difficult for others to comprehend [1:19:25]—“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — GarethBe like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast

What I learned from reading Who Is Michael Ovitz? by Michael Ovitz. ---Subscribe to listen to Founders Premium — Subscribers can listen to Ask Me Anything (AMA) episodes and every bonus episode. ---Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first give a gift [0:01]Michael's first jobs + finding his first love [7:02]the foul-mouthed magnates [19:49]starting at the bottom / being hungry for knowledge [24:50]I don't want to be standard in any way [32:30]the revolt begins and the founding of CAA [36:05]know the history of the industry you are in [46:30]a warning for all entrepreneurs [53:44]what influenced CAA's culture [59:27]becoming the thing you hate [1:02:10]a typical day's schedule [1:07:00]problems with co-founders [1:11:30]the fastest animal on the field [1:15:13]I was tired / The end of Michael Ovitz's time at CAA [1:19:15]Ron is gone [1:25:07]a new beginning / meeting Marc Andreessen [1:32:00]reconciliation [1:38:00]—“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — GarethBe like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast

What I learned from reading The Republic of Tea: The Story of the Creation of a Business, as Told Through the Personal Letters of Its Founders.---Subscribe to listen to Founders Premium — Subscribers can listen to Ask Me Anything (AMA) episodes and every bonus episode. ---A business is born (0:01)don't start a business unless you are the first customer (22:49)what it is like to fall in love with an idea (25:31)starting a business is like making a movie (27:15)on slowing down (32:32)the problem with being able to argue both sides of an idea (37:00)editing & narrowing your focus (46:51)ideas in the form of action (51:39)history doesn't repeat, human nature does (57:00)the doubts of nascent entrepreneurship (59:51)Steve Jobs had one speed: Go (1:07:39)be the customer, not the seller (1:16:21)Bill finally gets it (1:22:00)—“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — GarethBe like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast

What I learned from reading Wild Company: The Untold Story of Banana Republic by Mel and Patricia Ziegler---Subscribe to listen to Founders Premium — Subscribers can listen to Ask Me Anything (AMA) episodes and every bonus episode. ---For every business, there is an appropriate scale [0:01]Fundamentally Unemployable [5:18]the prehistory of Banana Republic [10:02]"We didn't have any money, we didn't have any technology, and we didn't have a plan." –Jack Ma [14:30]A republic is born [18:13]when something is not selling, increase the price [20:45]relentlessly resourceful [25:45]finding assets hiding in liabilities [28:30]the catalog! [30:33]Eddie Murphy on why you shouldn't have a backup plan [36:40]media was the initial distribution strategy [42:15]Understanding the internet before the internet existed. A lesson on publicity/attention [45:22]when all else fails, expand [51:05]selling the company [56:24]the end of freedom [1:04:40]Misfits, quotes from Steve Jobs and what this has to do with the podcast industry [1:08:00]—“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — GarethBe like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast

Explore the benefits of starting a startup, including autonomy, innovation, impact, culture creation, and financial opportunities. Dive into the roller coaster of startup life, emphasizing self-driven actions, hiring challenges, and unpredictable factors. Discover the crucial elements of startup success, debunking common beliefs and emphasizing the importance of a great market. Learn about Thomas Edison's invention of the phonograph and seize career opportunities through proactive decision-making and skill development.

What I learned from reading Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life by Richard Branson.---Subscribe to listen to Founders Premium — Subscribers can listen to Ask Me Anything (AMA) episodes and every bonus episode. ---—“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — GarethBe like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast

What I learned from reading Finding My Virginity: The New Autobiography by Richard Branson.---Subscribe to listen to Founders Premium — Subscribers can listen to Ask Me Anything (AMA) episodes and every bonus episode. ---

What I learned from reading Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Wayby Richard Branson---Subscribe to listen to Founders Premium — Subscribers can listen to Ask Me Anything (AMA) episodes and every bonus episode. ---Business is a fluid, changing substance. A mutating, indefinable thing [0:45]I just pick up the phone and get on with it [7:50]smart ways to get initial traction [9:51]to understand the entrepreneur, study the juvenile delinquent [14:19]Richard Branson's early business philosophy [14:49]the beginning of Virgin [19:00]what he learned from going to jail [23:01]the scope of Richard's ambition at 21 [24:44]a model of compatible businesses [27:00]how Richard Branson made his first fortune [29:00]how Richard Branson gets Necker Island and the idea for Virgin Airways [34:45]protecting the downside risk [38:40]Richard Branson's view on public companies [46:12]taking Virgin private, funding secured [52:00]questioning the direction of his life at 40 years old [59:54]