Added: May 23, 2024

In this podcast episode, Gary Vee, known for his successful early investments in companies like Twitter, Slack, and Facebook, joins the show to discuss his investment strategies, mindset, and various business ventures.

Key takeaways

📚

Gary Vee's high school report card, which showed low grades and a lack of engagement with traditional academic work, underscores that academic performance is not always a predictor of future success. He emphasizes that grades do not define one's potential.

💡

Gary highlights the importance of attention as a currency in today's world. He believes that attention is the most mispriced asset and that understanding platforms, culture, and execution is crucial for making successful investments and business decisions.

🌍

Gary is excited about the potential of AI and language translation to reach a global audience. His interest in the Perplexity AI Podcast and plans to explore multilingual content reflect his forward-thinking approach to leveraging technology in business.

🏀

The discussion about the competitive basketball camp with Mr. Beast and other entrepreneurs highlights the importance of competition in fostering camaraderie and shared experiences. Gary reflects on the thrill of competition and the mindset shift it brings.

🎲

Gary emphasizes that risk tolerance and the ability to overcome fear are key factors that differentiate successful entrepreneurs. He admires those who are willing to take risks and embrace the possibility of starting over, drawing inspiration from his own father's journey.

Gary's High School Report Card Reflection

One topic that arises is Gary's high school report card, which he had shared on social media. The report card reveals that Gary struggled academically, receiving low grades in subjects like English, German, and Speech. He admits that he never did homework in high school and did not open a book for four years. He reflects on how traditional academic performance is not always a predictor of future success, emphasizing that grades do not define one's potential.

Gary's Approach to Investments

The conversation then shifts to Gary's mindset and his approach to investments and business opportunities. He discusses the importance of attention as a currency in today's world and how platforms, culture, and execution influence his decision-making process. He underscores the value of testing ideas rather than attempting to predict their success, highlighting attention as the most mispriced asset. This perspective has guided his investments and business strategies, allowing him to identify and capitalize on emerging trends.

Gary's Interest in Break the Web

The hosts introduce a new app called Break the Web, which captures trending topics on the internet. Gary expresses interest in the app, noting its potential to gauge the pulse of what people care about. He elaborates on the significance of platforms and culture in understanding consumer trends and developing effective communication strategies. This aligns with his belief in the power of attention and the need to stay attuned to cultural shifts.

Gary's Forward-Thinking Approach

Another topic of discussion is the Perplexity AI Podcast, a daily podcast with a unique format and background music. Gary is intrigued by the podcast's use of AI technology to create engaging content and mentions his plans to explore language translation for his own content. He shares his excitement about the possibilities of reaching a global audience through multilingual content, reflecting his forward-thinking approach to leveraging technology in business.

Competitive Basketball Camp Reflection

The hosts also recount their experience organizing a basketball camp with Mr. Beast and other successful entrepreneurs. They discuss the competitive nature of the event and how it brought people together in a different setting. Gary reflects on the thrill of competition and the mindset shift that occurs when individuals are focused on winning. This discussion highlights the importance of camaraderie and the shared experiences that can arise from competitive events.

The Role of Risk Tolerance in Entrepreneurial Success

The conversation delves into the differences between entrepreneurs at various levels of success. Gary highlights risk tolerance and fear as key factors that differentiate store owners making half a million dollars from those with billion-dollar net worth. He shares his admiration for individuals who are willing to take risks and embrace the possibility of starting over, drawing inspiration from his own father's journey.

Seizing Opportunities and Overcoming Fear

The hosts introduce the idea of using the time 12:34 as a cue to take action and shoot one's shot. They discuss the significance of overcoming fear and seizing opportunities when they present themselves. Gary reflects on his own tendencies to romanticize starting over and the allure of facing challenges head-on. This concept resonates with his broader philosophy of embracing risk and the potential for growth through adversity.

Insights on Business and Entertainment Figures

Gary also shares his thoughts on various individuals in the business and entertainment world. He praises Mark Zuckerberg for his understanding of attention as the most valuable asset and describes him as a nice and well-intentioned individual. He also discusses his early encounter with Logan Paul, recognizing his entrepreneurial spirit and predicting a successful future for him in various ventures like WWE and Prime.

Gary's Inspirational Values

When asked about who inspires him, Gary expresses admiration for individuals who face significant adversity with resilience and determination. He values the grit and accountability of those who take on immense responsibilities at a young age to support their families. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity, hard work, and gratitude in achieving success and overcoming challenges.

Luck and Serendipity

Gary also reflects on the role of luck and serendipity in his own life and the lives of others. He acknowledges the impact of his upbringing in the Soviet Union and the opportunities that have shaped his career. He encourages listeners to focus on the collective wisdom and experiences of those around them, rather than idolizing individual figures. He emphasizes the importance of humility, hard work, and a positive mindset in navigating the complexities of business and life.

Videos

Full episode

Episode summary