Founders

Explore the challenging childhood of John Romero, his escape into gaming amidst abuse. Witness the genesis of Carmack's rebellious spirit and innovative mindset. Discover the rise of shareware in the gaming industry and the birth of the groundbreaking game, Doom.

What I learned from reading Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny Meyer. This is not a typical business book (0:30)Why don't you just do what you've been thinking about doing your whole life? (4:00)How Danny learned from other founders on what to do and what to avoid (8:00)The smartest business decision I ever made (18:00)Optionality as a non-negotiable (20:00)Inadequate focus on core product (23:30)The founding of Shake Shack is an example of this great quote from Jeff Bezos: "We know from our past experiences that big things start small. The biggest oak starts from an acorn. If you want to do anything new you’ve got to be willing to let that acorn grow into a little sapling and finally into a small tree and maybe one day it will be a big business on its own." (27:00)Advice from Stanley Marcus (Neiman Marcus): "The road to success is paved with mistakes well handled." (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

The journey of Steve Jobs from a reckless entrepreneur to a visionary leader is captivating. Uncover the failed negotiations between NeXT and IBM, showcasing Jobs' unpredictable nature. Insights into his artistic approach and leadership style reveal the essence of company culture and product innovation. Bill Gates shares thoughts on Jobs' simplicity, while Jobs' commitment to doing great work emphasizes passion over speed. Explore the pivotal moments that shaped his legacy and the transformative impact of the iPhone on personal computing.

Yvon Chouinard, a climber, surfer, kayaker, skier, and blacksmith who enjoyed making good tools and functional clothes, discusses his journey from being a reluctant businessman to embracing entrepreneurship on his own terms. He talks about the importance of enjoying work, reaching 80% proficiency, and the challenges of maintaining quality while growing a company. He also delves into the principles and purpose behind Patagonia, highlighting their unique advertising approach and the value of simplicity, durability, and reducing consumption.

Discover how Jeff Bezos transformed from a Wall Street analyst to the tech titan behind Amazon. Explore his unique management style, prioritizing narrative-driven discussions that foster critical thinking. Learn about his relentless focus on customer experience and innovative practices, including valuable lessons from Costco's Jim Senegal. Dive into insights about leadership dynamics at Amazon, where a demanding culture meets a drive for innovation, all while keeping a long-term vision at the forefront.

Discover the fascinating dual role of John D. Rockefeller as both a pioneering entrepreneur and a strategic manager. Explore his innovative strategies that transformed the oil industry and created one of the first multinational corporations. Delve into his impactful philosophies on teamwork and leadership, underscoring his avoidance of sycophants. Reflect on the paradox of his immense wealth, juxtaposed with personal struggles. Uncover the complexity of his legacy, revealing both admirable traits and troubling behaviors.

Discover the boundless curiosity and multifaceted genius of Leonardo da Vinci. Explore his unique blend of art and science, driven by relentless inquisitiveness. Uncover the significance of his notebooks and the creative principles that continue to inspire innovators today. Delve into his ambitious, often unrealized ideas, and learn how maintaining a childlike wonder can fuel lifelong creativity. Join the journey of reflection and curiosity that defines one of history's greatest minds.

What I learned from reading The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook: A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal by Ben Mezrich. Microsoft had offered Mark between $1 million and $2 million to go work for them. Amazingly, Mark had turned them down (1:25)Maybe he knew he was about to cross a line. But he had never been very good at staying in the lines. From Mark's history, it was obvious that he didn't like the sandbox. He seemed the type of kid that wanted to kick out all the sand. (8:01)He didn't care what time it was. To guys like Mark time was another weapon of the establishment. The great engineers and hackers didn't function under the same time constraints as everyone else. (11:23)Mark wondered: If people want to go online and check out their friends couldn't they build a website that did just that? (14:36) Mark. Founder. Master and Commander. Enemy of the State. (21:19)Instead of attacking Baylor head on they made a list of schools within 100 miles of it and dropped Facebook in those schools first. Within days the kids at Baylor begged for Facebook on their campus. (24:20)Mark Zuckerberg had found his place in the world (32:38) ----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

Dive into the mind of Elon Musk and his vision for colonizing Mars through SpaceX. Explore how humanity's understanding of space has evolved and what it means for our future. Discover the staggering growth of the satellite industry and SpaceX’s cost-effective launches compared to its competitors. Delve into the balance of inspiration and problem-solving in our lives, and how raw talent and passion are valued over traditional degrees in the race to colonize the cosmos.

Dive into the world of Tesla as it transforms the automotive landscape. Discover Elon Musk's visionary approach, battling skepticism while pioneering electric vehicles. The groundbreaking features of the Model S are likened to the revolutionary impact of the iPhone. Uncover how Tesla disrupts traditional dealership practices and challenges the status quo. Experience innovation that not only caters to customer needs but also reshapes industry standards, promoting a future rich in electric vehicle adoption.