Founders

David Senra
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139 snips
Jan 1, 2019 • 1h 47min

#53 Who Is Michael Ovitz?

What I learned from reading Who Is Michael Ovitz? by Michael Ovitz. ----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] ----Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work.  Get access to Founders Notes here. ----“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
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60 snips
Dec 25, 2018 • 1h 31min

#52 The Republic of Tea: The Story of the Creation of a Business, as Told Through the Personal Letters of Its Founders

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.----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) ----Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work.  Get access to Founders Notes here. ----“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
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33 snips
Dec 17, 2018 • 1h 27min

#51 Wild Company: The Untold Story of Banana Republic

What I learned from reading Wild Company: The Untold Story of Banana Republic by Mel and Patricia Ziegler----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] ----Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work.  Get access to Founders Notes here. ----“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
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444 snips
Dec 11, 2018 • 1h 5min

#50 Marc Andreessen's Blog Archive

Discover the exhilarating world of startups and the unique opportunities they present. Dive into the challenges of building a team and navigating market dynamics, with personal anecdotes shedding light on resilience in uncertainty. Learn about the complexities of engaging with big companies through the lens of classic literature. Explore the importance of adaptability and strategic risk-taking in career paths, along with essential communication and leadership skills for success. This journey highlights the thrill of creating impact and the potential rewards of entrepreneurship.
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89 snips
Dec 3, 2018 • 41min

#49 Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life by Richard Branson

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 ----Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work.  Get access to Founders Notes here. ----“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
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93 snips
Nov 26, 2018 • 1h 16min

#48 Finding My Virginity: The New Autobiography by Richard Branson

What I learned from reading Finding My Virginity: The New Autobiography by Richard Branson.  ----Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work.  Get access to Founders Notes here. ----“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
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145 snips
Nov 19, 2018 • 1h 13min

#47 Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way

What I learned from reading Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Wayby Richard Branson----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] ----Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work.  Get access to Founders Notes here. ----“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
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50 snips
Nov 13, 2018 • 1h 11min

#46 I Love Capitalism: An American Story

What I learned from reading I Love Capitalism: An American Story by Ken Langone. ---His early life: there was never much money (3:30)Ken's first jobs (5:35)[At school] I didn't apply myself at all . I did the absolute minimum . I was too busy having fun and working at all my various jobs (12:05) further adventures in entrepreneurship (13:24)Looking for work / finding excitement (17:00)stepping out into the void / getting creative to get a job (23:50)how he starts growing a business within the firm (26:33)his first big break (28:50)You treat a customer right and you never have to worry (32:00)A lesson about human nature and developing trust (34:45)Getting rich is one skill. Staying rich is a different skill altogether(43:10)moral of the story: who wants it the most? (48:25)Hubris and Redemption: Starting over (50:25)how he started his own business (54:00)learning about the opportunity for home depot from other founders and some early tactics to get traction for their stores (59:00) leave more on the table for the other guy than he thinks he should get (1:03:32) ----Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work.  Get access to Founders Notes here. ----“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
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74 snips
Nov 5, 2018 • 1h 20min

#45 Built From Scratch: How A Couple of Regular Guys Grew The Home Depot from Nothing to $30 Billion

What I learned from reading Built From Scratch: How A Couple of Regular Guys Grew The Home Depot from Nothing to $30 Billion by Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank. ---The creation of The Home Depot began with two words: "You're fired!" [0:01]Blinders on focus on the customer [5:45]Learning how not to manage people from Ming the Merciless [8:37]Meeting Ken Langone / the prehistory of Home Depot [11:00]81% private / 19% public partnerships [18:40]Ken sells to Ming. Predicts Ming will fire Bernie [28:30]Getting fired was the best thing that ever happened [35:00]Bernie Marcus at 49 years old: little cash and a ruined reputation [38:15]How Bernie Marcus walks away from Ross Perot [38:50]The importance of equity [49:19]Do not work with people who don't know how to care about other people [51:00]How they got the money to open The Home Depot [55:30]The critical importance of selling at the right price [58:32]Knowing the right way to do something by seeing it done the wrong way [1:08:54]Mistakes can teach us we're never as smart as we think we are [1:11:25]  ----Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work.  Get access to Founders Notes here. ----“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
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103 snips
Oct 30, 2018 • 1h 23min

#44 A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft

What I learned from reading Idea Man: A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft by Paul Allen ---I was 21 years old and at loose ends (0:01)how Paul Allen works (4:09)coming up with the idea for Microsoft (4:48)admiring Bill Gates' bravado (7:56)advice from his father: do something you love (12:30)"Paul is an 'enthusiast' and when in the grip of an enthusiasm is almost totally irresponsible in other areas. How can one help such a student to see the error of his ways ? I don't know. He could even be more right than we, who knows ?" (18:30)Going deep on subjects that interested him (20:56)Paul's first jobs (24:14)Paul Allen and Bill Gates first business (26:44)New Mexico and the start of Microsoft (31:37)We were certain that the tech establishment was wrong and we were right (34:40)Unequal cofounders (37:29)Starting to grow Microsoft (39:00)Unequal cofounders part two (41:00)Early Microsoft culture: When I talk about the early days at Microsoft, it's hard to explain to people how much fun it was.( 46:43)Turning down a millions of dollars from Ross Perot (53:37)Unequal cofounders part 3 (56:54)The deal that led to Microsoft becoming the largest tech company of its day (58:00)Health crisis and Paul Allen leaves Microsoft (1:05:30)His most important realization (1:09:27)How Paul makes $75 million from AOL (1:13:00)I start from a different place , from the love of ideas and the urge to put them into motion and see where they might lead (1:18:10) ----Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work.  Get access to Founders Notes here. ----“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

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