3 weird businesses doing $10M, $20M, $30M

5 ruthless business lessons from one week in NYC

Jul 7, 20261h 2mSummary

In this episode of My First Million, the hosts reflect on a recent trip to New York City, breaking down five key business insights they gathered while navigating the city’s high-energy environment. A central theme of the discussion is the power of proximity—the idea that physical presence and "bumping into" people in a dense urban landscape fosters serendipitous connections and creative breakthroughs. They compare this to the need for deep, isolated "maker’s time," advocating for a barbell approach that balances intense social collaboration with focused, uninterrupted work. The conversation also explores the concept of brand-building, both for cities and organizations. The hosts argue that cities, like companies, benefit immensely from having a distinct, intentional brand that attracts specific talent. They contrast this with the importance of questioning "what it really means" to succeed, cautioning against following generic advice and encouraging entrepreneurs to identify the true, often invisible, drivers of success. By analyzing high-level networkers and creators, they illustrate how intentional social architecture and a clear, differentiated identity serve as massive competitive advantages in any industry.

I dropped out of college and built a $3.6B company from scratch

Jul 2, 202658 minSummary

In this episode of My First Million, the hosts interview an accomplished entrepreneur who co-founded a multi-billion dollar enterprise software company after dropping out of college. Reflecting on a journey that has spanned nearly twenty years, the guest shares the story of navigating the early stages of a startup, including the pivotal decision to pivot from a general storage concept to a dedicated enterprise model. He explains that while the consumer market was commoditized, the enterprise sector offered a more sustainable path to building a large, independent company. The discussion covers the psychological challenges of entrepreneurship, such as turning down significant acquisition offers early in the company's life to pursue long-term growth. The guest also touches upon his investment philosophy, noting that analyzing one’s own business expenses and tech stack can be an effective way to identify high-potential companies. Furthermore, the guest challenges popular narratives regarding AI, expressing a bullish outlook on the future of work. He argues that rather than eliminating jobs, technological progress will drive human ingenuity to create new industries and needs, ultimately keeping humans firmly in the loop.

The $30M app that lets you invest like a politician

Jun 30, 20261h 10mSummary

In this episode of My First Million, the hosts invite a group of entrepreneurs to share the stories behind their unique, off-the-beaten-path businesses. Departing from the typical startup narrative, the guests discuss how they built profitable, "unsexy" companies that operate largely under the radar. The first guest describes a real estate publishing business that generates ten million dollars in annual revenue by distributing targeted magazines to specific neighborhoods. He explains how he leveraged his background as a bill collector to master sales and discusses the mechanics of using postal routes to reach homeowners. The hosts provide strategic feedback on how to scale his operations, suggesting that he focus on retention, deepen his customer relationships, and potentially pivot toward home-service utility content to reach a larger market. The conversation then transitions to the hospitality sector, specifically the acquisition of family-owned campgrounds. The discussion highlights the massive fragmentation of the campground market, where technology-starved, mom-and-pop operations are ripe for professionalization. The hosts explore how these business owners improve existing assets through digital marketing and streamlined reservation systems, ultimately turning overlooked properties into highly profitable hospitality ventures.

We found an app that lets you buy anything for $0

Jun 24, 202658 minSummary

In this episode, the hosts explore a variety of unconventional business trends and investment frameworks, starting with the curious rise of dopamine-focused websites in South Korea. These platforms allow users to simulate the act of online shopping or taking smoke breaks without actual physical consequences, offering a psychological hit without the traditional costs or actions. The discussion pivots to the observation that many successful business models in Asia, such as consumer electronics or live-streaming platforms, follow a strategy of initial imperfection that steadily improves while maintaining accessible pricing. The conversation then delves into high-level investment philosophies, specifically focusing on the concept of shared scale economies. Drawing from the work of investor Nick Sleep, the hosts explain how companies like Costco and Amazon create massive value by passing savings directly to customers rather than maximizing short-term profit margins. By prioritizing long-term customer loyalty and surplus value, these companies secure a dominant competitive advantage. Finally, the hosts reflect on the power of finding simple, fundamental business secrets—such as the strength of brand moats or the value of network effects—that can define a lifetime of successful wealth creation and strategic decision-making.

We decoded the business behind this influencer’s perfect life

Jun 18, 202657 minSummary

In this episode, the hosts dive into the psychology behind lifestyle-based branding and the art of professional reinvention. They center their discussion on the "Ballerina Farms" phenomenon, noting how creator Hannah Neeleman built a massive, multi-million dollar business by leaning into an "escape" aesthetic that resonates with millions. The hosts argue that this strategy—where the creation of the product is inseparable from the content—is a highly underrated approach for entrepreneurs looking to differentiate commodity goods in categories ranging from supplements to everyday staples. Moving beyond content tactics, the conversation shifts to the broader power of identity and language. The hosts discuss the importance of personal branding, sharing insights on how individuals can "reinvent" themselves by consciously choosing their labels and the stories they tell. They explore the idea that words act as self-fulfilling prophecies, citing historical and personal examples of how specific, precise language drives better thinking and clearer outcomes in business. Ultimately, the episode serves as a meditation on the power of "going all in" on a persona or mission, encouraging listeners to define their own terms and take control of their public and private identity.

How the Ex-Goldman CEO actually invests his own money

Jun 16, 20261h 0mSummary

In this episode of My First Million, the hosts sit down with Lloyd Blankfein, the former CEO and senior chairman of Goldman Sachs, for a candid exploration of his investment philosophy and life perspective. Despite his decades of experience at the highest levels of global finance, Blankfein demystifies the world of high-stakes investing, admitting that even the most powerful figures are often driven by human traits like insecurity and anxiety rather than superhuman genius. A key highlight of the conversation is Blankfein’s personal approach to his own portfolio. He shares that he remains an active investor, leaning heavily into risky assets—specifically tech, energy, and financial services—and treats daily trading as a personal hobby. He emphasizes the role of resilience and adaptability in success, noting that the margin between those who thrive and those who fail is often razor-thin. Throughout the discussion, Blankfein reflects on his upbringing, the importance of long-term partnership, and the surprising role that luck plays in even the most carefully calculated careers. The episode provides a grounded look at how one of Wall Street's most influential leaders navigates both the markets and the complexities of life.

The most simplified breakdown of the SpaceX IPO on the internet

Jun 12, 20261h 8mSummary

The hosts of My First Million explore the complexities of SpaceX in anticipation of what is being discussed as the largest potential initial public offering in history. Eschewing overly technical jargon, they offer a relatable breakdown of how a company originally focused on Mars has evolved into a massive, multi-faceted conglomerate. The discussion centers on the company’s core business units: aerospace launches, which dominate the market; Starlink, their highly successful satellite internet provider; and newer, more speculative ventures like XAI and massive chip manufacturing efforts. The hosts analyze how Elon Musk has effectively combined these disparate business lines into a singular, integrated powerhouse, comparing the strategy to building a super-company. They touch upon the polarizing nature of the valuation, weighing the concerns of skeptics against the immense technical achievements of the company. Key topics include the challenges of rapid reusability in rocket technology, the logistical nightmare of terrestrial data center permitting, and the unconventional integration of Twitter and AI infrastructure. Ultimately, the episode highlights the immense scale of the business, the bold engineering ambitions involved, and the unique, high-stakes nature of betting on Musk’s vision.

Brutally honest guide to not losing money in the market

Jun 10, 202655 minSummary

In this episode of My First Million, the hosts sit down with financial expert and author Barry Ritholtz to discuss a brutally honest guide to long-term market success. The conversation centers on the philosophy that true investment wisdom is not about being exceptionally smart or finding the next big thing, but rather about being disciplined and avoiding common, avoidable mistakes. Ritholtz emphasizes the importance of behavioral finance, noting that the primary reason investors fail is not lack of information, but emotional instability and cognitive bias. He advocates for a core-and-satellite portfolio structure: the majority of one's assets should be held in low-cost, broad-market index funds, while a small portion—a so-called cowboy account—can be used for individual stock picking if the investor feels the need to scratch that itch. He also highlights the dangers of market timing, the futility of panic selling, and the benefits of tax-loss harvesting through direct indexing. Throughout the discussion, Ritholtz urges investors to put the phone down, ignore the noise of the 24-hour financial news cycle, and focus on a long-term, passive strategy that allows them to simply grow their wealth over time.

He quit Wall Street to sell meat (now he makes $270M/year)

Jun 4, 20261h 4mSummary

The hosts of My First Million explore the story of Pat LaFrieda, the third-generation butcher who transformed a local family business into a $270 million-a-year powerhouse. They discuss how LaFrieda successfully pivoted from selling meat as a simple commodity to creating a high-end brand by forging deep, exclusive relationships with top chefs. A central theme is the importance of having a superior, differentiated product that makes marketing nearly secondary. The hosts highlight LaFrieda’s willingness to make counterintuitive business decisions—such as selling on credit to an unknown chef like Mario Batali or creating custom meat blends under strict nondisclosure agreements for premier restaurants—which ultimately built immense brand loyalty. Beyond the butcher shop, the conversation expands into the "Idiot Index," a concept popularized by Elon Musk that analyzes the markup on raw materials. The hosts draw parallels between successful, quiet companies—like LMNT or the firms held by legendary investor Nick Sleep—and the broader lesson that businesses with strong fundamentals often shun expensive, conventional advertising. They argue that identifying inefficiencies and creating genuine value often beats traditional corporate playbooks, encouraging listeners to build businesses that solve real problems with uncompromising quality.

We found 7 business ideas that will blow up in 2026

Jun 2, 202648 minSummary

In this episode of My First Million, the hosts explore a curated list of seven startup ideas, debating whether each represents a brilliant business opportunity or a purely crazy concept. They operate under the philosophy that if a business idea sounds too normal or expected, it is likely destined to fail; true innovation often requires an element of unconventionality. The discussion covers a wide range of industries. They examine AI-powered pet communication tools, digital memorialization platforms, and the use of virtual reality for vocational training in blue-collar trades like HVAC and plumbing. The hosts also dive into emerging trends in the wellness space, analyzing the potential for at-home hyperbaric chambers and the growing popularity of social wellness destinations that combine saunas, cold plunges, and communal dining. Throughout the episode, they emphasize the importance of managing one’s mental and physical state, suggesting that businesses which facilitate this through communal, sensory-rich experiences are positioned to capture significant market interest. By analyzing these diverse ventures, the hosts provide a masterclass in evaluating market risks and identifying the thin line between a venture that is just "crazy" and one that is "good crazy."