Check Out The Latest Episodes
Sept. 17, 2021
ANNOUNCEMENT: A Special Series Drops Tomorrow
We're excited to announce that tomorrow we are releasing a 3-part series from one of Sam's favorite history podcasts, How to Take Over the World. In this episode Sam (@theSamParr) and Shaan (@ShaanVP) talk with Ben Wilson (@BenWilsonTweets), the creator of the How to Take Over the World Podcast (@HTTOTW), about his research process and they all share favorite moments from the series. --------- * Follow Ben on Twitter - https://twitter.com/benwilsontweets * How to Take Over the World - https:/...
Sept. 17, 2021
#220 - 12 Startups That Can Make You a Millionaire (Sara's List)
Sam Parr (@TheSamParr) and Shaan Puri (@ShaanVP) give an updated version of Sara's List, 12 companies with exponential growth potential in lucrative industries that could change your life as a job applicant. Regardless if you're job hunting or not, these products and services have some awesome consumer applications. Sara's List Sam's Wife, Sara, wanted to find a company to work for that had exponential growth opportunity She made a list: Not a start-up with only 20 people, but looking for ...
Sept. 15, 2021
#219 - How to Make Billions with a Niche DTC Clothing Line
In this episode Shaan (@ShaanVP) reveals the creation of the first My First Million NFT. Sam (@theSamParr) and Shaan also talk about Laird Hamilton's Superfood company, whether people should lie more, and they share their reactions to an recent twitter thread. They close out the episode with ideas around other niches Figs could work for, opportunities with crypto conferences, and in creating retreats. --------- * The MFM NFT - https://bit.ly/MFM-NFT * Stripe for Vice - https://twitter.com/mrs...
Sept. 10, 2021
#218 - Why You Should Take a Think Week Like Bill Gates
[Updated] In this episode Sam (@theSamParr) and Shaan (@ShaanVP) talk about what Shaan has learned over the last week by taking a Bill Gates-inspired week off to dive deep into crypto. They also talk about Wilbur Wright, identifying stories from your work experiences, and who they follow in real estate Twitter. They close it out talking about a Twitter thread with a different take on levels of wealth and then potential solutions to Sam's occasional panic attack. --------- * Want to be featured...
Sept. 8, 2021
#217 - Why Direct-to-Consumer Companies Are Awesome to Own
In this episode Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@theSamParr) debate the merits of owning and operating a direct-to-consumer e-commerce business. Shaan breaks down some of the basic ins-and-outs you should look for with ad spends and purchase multipliers. They also discuss the state of economy and whether or not we are in a bubble (or rather, many bubbles), a new NFT project called Loot, the recent raises of Whoop and Allbirds, and Sam's friends Bitcoin gamble. --------- * Want to be featured in a fu...
Sept. 3, 2021
#216 - Why Today Is the Day to Ask For a Raise
In this episode Shaan (@ShaanVP) shares why you should ask for that raise and Sam (@theSamParr) pokes holes in the $75K happiness study. They also debate whether it is better to own the entirety of a smaller company or a piece of a bigger one. The two also talk about MMA fights and how you can package that appeal, the future of maps, and a fractional vacation home company. Sam also shares the story around Wayne Huizenga, this week's Billy of the Week. --------- * Want to be featured in a futur...
Sept. 1, 2021
#215 - What Venture Capital Will Look Like in the Future
In this episode Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@theSamParr) predict what venture capital will look like in the future. Shaan breaks down the different ways someone can win as a VC and also explains how SPACs work. The guys also talk about a company providing dummy data, the allure of a recruiting agency, and we learn about Harold Alfond - this week's billy of the week. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotli...
Aug. 31, 2021
SPECIAL: The Tools in the Solo Creator Toolbox
This special episode is a crosspost from the Indie Hackers Podcast with Courtland Allen. Sam and Shaan were interviewed by Courtland a few months ago and they gave a behind-the-scenes look at how they think about building out different income streams as a solo creator. --------- * Follow Indie Hackers: https://www.indiehackers.com/podcasts * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreadin...
Aug. 27, 2021
#214 with Ramit Sethi - Why You Should Have a Diversified Investment Portfolio
In this episode Sam (@theSamParr) and Shaan (@ShaanVP) are joined by Ramit Sethi (@ramit), the founder of I Will Teach You To Be Rich. They start off talking about course businesses and Ramit shares what he's learned running courses for over 15 years. Ramit shares a few ideas for businesses and then the trio talk about different strategies around investing. Shaan shares why his approach is so different from what Ramit recommends, and he breaks down his own asset allocation. At the end Sam & Rami...
Aug. 25, 2021
#213 - How to Build a Community
In this episode Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@theSamParr) break down community businesses and different ways you can build a community. They also talk about the law of reciprocity, the ad Sam wrote that competitors have stolen, and the importance of user generated content for digital ads. They end the episode talking about how technology will change construction sites and share a few Instagram accounts worth following. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/commen...
Aug. 23, 2021
#212 - Why You Shouldn't Be A Slave to a 40 Hour Work Week
Show Notes * (1:04) The 40 Hour Workweek * (3:56) The Science of Fear * (7:57) What Shaan learned from The Four Hour Workweek * (11:23) Mini retirements * (13:35) What it's like in other countries * (17:35) Living like a lion or cow * (20:04) Shaan on Naval * (27:05) How to get rich without getting lucky * (29:27) The future of work * (36:51) The history of writing * (41:17) Beware of the rattle snack * (48:05) Bert behind Bert's Bees --------- Key Takeaways ...
Aug. 20, 2021
#211 with Julian Shapiro - The 3 Cheat Codes Startups Use to Print Cash
In this episode Shaan (@ShaanVP) is joined by startup growth expert Julian Shapiro (@julian). Julian shares the 3 growth trends he noticed successful startups were implementing to grow at astonishing rates. The pair also discuss different publishing schedule approaches and how to write an effective Twitter bio. They end the episode talking about what each of them would do if they were to do something different. --------- * Follow Julian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/julian * Want to b...
Aug. 18, 2021
#210 - How Celebrities Have Made Billions off Their Names
In this episode Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@theSamParr) dive into a few industries and talk about the players behind them. They start off talking about car dealerships and the handful of politicians who make major coin through them. They then transition to celebrities and how some have leveraged their name to make even more money. They finish the episode with a few anecdotes on how some people started to accumulate wealth and a snippet on anti-aging and scientific discovery. --------- * Want to...
Aug. 13, 2021
#209 with Gary Vaynerchuk - Why NFTS Are the Future
In this episode Gary Vaynerchuk (@garyvee) joins Sam (@theSamParr) and Shaan (@ShaanVP) to give a master class on NFTs. Gary shares his predictions on the future of NFTs and how they'll be (eventually) used by everyone. He also talks about the growth of VaynerX, his love of garage sales, and the launch of VeeFriends & VeeCon. At the end, he shares the biggest lesson he learned from passing on investing in Uber (twice). --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question...
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Aug. 11, 2021
#208 with Steph Smith - Why You Need a Chief Automation Officer
Key Takeaways Steph (@stephsmithio) and Shaan (@ShaanVP) discuss the multitude of opportunities there are through innovative marketing strategies and product white spaces if you simply look at the world around you "Look for a sea of sameness, that's your opportunity" - Shaan Puri Look at your local pharmacy, the band-aid aisle will look ironically similar across brands Welly changes this, giving a unique D2C (direct to consumer) experience on a boring product brand Why do companie...
Aug. 6, 2021
#207 - How to Make Millions by Unbundling Etsy
In this episode Sam (@theSamParr) and Shaan (@ShaanVP) break down a multi-million dollar opportunity to unbundle Etsy ($24B market cap). Shaan also shares how he would approach it if he were doing it himself. The guys also talk about the multi-billion dollar elevator industry, a training program to become an MMA fighter, and whether tax incentives make Canada an attractive place to run a startup. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love...
Aug. 4, 2021
#206 with Brianne Kimmel - How Venture Capitalists Make Money
In this episode Sam (@theSamParr) and Shaan (@ShaanVP) are joined by solo capitalist Brianne Kimmel (@briannekimmel). They talk about how Bri got started in investing, the pros and cons of her busy schedule, and discuss some of the unicorns she's invested in. They also discuss a cool use of deepfakes, how VCs make money, and whether or not college is worth the price of admission. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://ww...
Aug. 1, 2021
MFM Mini - 5 Hacks to Landing Your Dream Job
Do you like these mini episodes? Tweet your feedback to Shaan (@ShaanVP) & get more short stories like this on his newsletter www.shaanpuri.com. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: https://refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of ...
July 30, 2021
#205 - How to Stop Your Tech Addiction
In this episode Sam (@theSamParr) and Shaan (@ShaanVP) revisit the NCAA rule changes about college athletes making money and Shaan shares his prediction about who the next big sports agent will be. They also talk about buying lotto tickets via an app, the mugshot industry, & how to fight tech and porn addiction. They end the episode with Shaan sharing a Chrome extension idea. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod...
July 28, 2021
#204 - Behind-the-Scenes of Shaan's Power Writing Course
In this episode Shaan (@ShaanVP) breaks down all the numbers behind his Power Writing course and gives Sam (@theSamParr) a walkthrough on how short squeezes work. The two of them later discuss the unbundling of YC, on-demand rental companies, and the future of gas stations. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: https://refer.fm/milli...
July 26, 2021
SPECIAL: The Little Known World of FatFIRE
In this episode Sam (@theSamParr) shares what he's learned from one of his favorite subreddits, FatFIRE. FatFIRE is about the pursuit of financial independence/early retirement with an upper-middle class lifestyle. Do you like these special episodes? Tweet your feedback to Sam (@theSamParr) & let him know what you think. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the wor...
July 25, 2021
MFM Mini - How Ben & Jerry’s Turned Misfortune Into Fortune
Do you like these mini episodes? Tweet your feedback to Shaan (@ShaanVP) & get more short stories like this on his newsletter www.shaanpuri.com. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: https://refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of ...
July 23, 2021
#203 - Why Dunder Mifflin Should Be a Real Paper Company & An Inside Look Into MicroAcquire With Andrew Gazdecki
In this two-part episode, Sam (@theSamParr) and Shaan (@ShaanVP) start off with ideas on building brands around pop culture, discuss the drama around the private space race, and talk about a few business-in-a-box concepts. In the second part they interview Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki) from MicroAcquire. They talk about how Andrew raised $3.5M this week, discuss MicroAcquire's role as a market network, and successful niches to build in. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop ...
July 21, 2021
#202 - A Breakdown of Trendy New Businesses & Boring 9 Figure Businesses
In this episode Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@theSamParr) discuss upcoming trends they are seeing along with old school businesses making hundreds of millions of dollars. Sam also talks about how he wants to grow the podcast, and Shaan shares a new writing goal he has. They end the episode talking about businesses that set of their spidey sense and may be scams. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotlin...