#92 - A Three Month Old Company Profiting $90,000 A Day

Unconventional strategies can lead to unexpected success. The story of the guy uploading non-pornographic videos to Pornhub and gaining popularity showcases the power of thinking outside the box. It's a reminder that innovation and creativity can often overcome traditional barriers and open up new opportunities for growth. Similarly, the discussion about Tempo, a fitness device that combines weights and interactive technology, highlights the importance of pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas. While it may not be as visually appealing as its competitors, its unique features and functionalities attract attention and interest. This teaches us that sometimes it's the novelty and differentiation that can make a significant impact in a crowded market.

Starting a successful business often requires a combination of a great product, a strong team, and most importantly, a great market. This insight can be seen in the example of Ford Motor Company, which began with a modest investment of $28,000 in 1903 and quickly started giving out dividends just three years later. This illustrates how being early to a large and promising market, like the automotive industry, can lead to incredible success. It's important to recognize that while a good product and team are important, identifying and capitalizing on a great market opportunity can set a business up for long-term success and even miracles.

Starting a business with a small amount of money is possible and can lead to long-term success. This is evident from examples like Shaan Puri starting a business with nothing and eventually raising a million dollars, but realizing that he never actually needed that capital. Additionally, looking back at historical figures like Henry Ford and Carnegie, we can see that they were able to generate significant income and dividends for investors in a short amount of time. The lack of income tax during that era and the use of loans and financing played a crucial role in their success. Ultimately, these stories highlight the importance of thinking differently, taking risks, and leveraging new opportunities, just like the modern-day entrepreneurs on Twitter.

There is a growing shift towards prioritizing products made in America. With the realization of over-dependence on China and the loss of jobs and freedom, there is a renewed focus on bringing manufacturing back to the United States. The current COVID-19 crisis has further emphasized this need, particularly in the production of medical equipment like masks. The individual discussed in the conversation is leading the charge by establishing an American manufacturing company in Texas specifically for producing N95 masks. This movement towards American-made products is supported by consumers who are willing to pay a premium for these items. With the right strategy and long-term vision, building an American manufacturing company can be a successful venture and contribute to the resurgence of local production.

Starting a mask business solely for the revenue can be risky and short-lived. The profitability of a mask business relies heavily on factors such as product authenticity, supplier credibility, and marketing strategies. Additionally, the conversation highlights the importance of authenticity and responsible manufacturing practices, as well as the potential demand for made-in-America products. This raises the question of why there aren't software publishers like there are in other creative industries. The absence of software publishers means that software companies have to handle all aspects of their business themselves, from idea generation to distribution and marketing. Overall, it is crucial to approach business ventures with authenticity and awareness of potential risks and challenges.

There is a potential for a software publisher model to make a comeback. While there are numerous software tools and apps available, it can be overwhelming for users to navigate and choose the best ones. By becoming a trusted curator and publisher, a company can provide a central location for users to discover and access high-quality software products. This model has proved successful in the past, as seen with companies like SoftBank and Felix Dennis' micro warehouse. Additionally, the gaming industry still operates on a similar model where software developers can be acquired by larger companies. By adopting a software publisher approach, businesses can help users make informed decisions and simplify the process of finding and utilizing software tools. However, the idea may still warrant further evaluation and discussion.

Top engineers in the tech industry should consider having agents to negotiate on their behalf and help them navigate job transitions. This model, similar to the Hollywood agent model for athletes and musicians, could potentially lead to better compensation and career opportunities for engineers. While it may not be a widespread practice currently, there is a clear demand for highly skilled engineers, with some earning seven-figure salaries at tech companies like Twitch and Google. By having agents who specialize in negotiating on their behalf, engineers can potentially secure higher salaries and benefits. This is especially relevant in a competitive industry where top talent is highly sought after.

Companies like CB Insights and Gartner provide a service called "cover your ass" (CYA), where they offer reports and data to help businesses make decisions and justify their actions. These companies serve as a source of information and credibility, allowing decision-makers to reference their reports and forecasts to support their choices. However, it is important to note that while these services have value and can provide insights, they are often based on forecasts and predictions which are not always accurate. Additionally, the cost of these services can be exorbitant, with some companies paying hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for access. Ultimately, these services act as an insurance policy for decision-makers, reducing personal risk and ensuring accountability lies with the information provider rather than the decision-maker.

Having a sales team can significantly boost revenue for a company. Many people are hesitant to admit it, but a sales team creates demand for a product or service. Just like when Sam Parr sold advertisements for The Hustle, revenue soared when additional salespeople were hired. The founder of Squarespace or WordPress also attested to the power of sales and marketing in fueling rapid growth. When building a sales team, it's common to offer a low base salary and a percentage of sales brought in. Ideally, a salesperson should generate at least $1,000,000 in revenue per year, with media sales aiming for $1-3,000,000 and software sales targeting $500,000 to $1,500,000. Having a sales team is a viable and effective strategy for business growth.

Embracing the perceived schlep of certain tasks can have valuable rewards. Just like how Sam Parr initially hesitated to build a sales team and Shaan Puri was reluctant to learn about taxes, many people avoid certain responsibilities because they seem overwhelming or uninteresting. However, once they realize that the benefits outweigh the initial struggle, their perspective changes. For example, Sam observed a software company with a large sales team that achieved impressive results, despite his doubts. Similarly, Shaan's experience with Slack led to the creation of a channel for nonessential communication, which sparked interesting conversations and helped employees bond. These examples highlight the importance of challenging preconceived notions and pushing past initial resistance to discover the potential hidden behind the perceived difficulties.

There is still a great need for a platform like Yammer, especially in today's work environment where many people are working remotely. The idea of building a media company for internal communication, similar to a high school newspaper for the company, is an interesting concept. This platform could provide updates, company news, and allow employees to contribute articles or opinions in a low-pressure way, similar to Twitter. It would be important to make it easy and quick for employees to share their thoughts and ideas, as these shorter contributions can often add significant value. Overall, there is a need for an internal communication platform that encourages employee engagement and collaboration, utilizing lightweight and low-pressure methods of communication.

There are numerous opportunities to create niche products that cater to specific needs. Whether it's a platform for internal newsletters like Axios is working on, or a tool to monitor mentions on Reddit, these niche products can solve specific problems that larger, more generalized tools may overlook. These niche products can be simple yet powerful, offering solutions that are tailored to a specific target audience. Additionally, the potential for monetization is significant, as these specialized tools can command higher prices and potentially see low churn rates and high net retention rates. So, if you're looking for a quick idea that can generate income, focusing on a niche market could be the way to go.

No code platforms like Bubble and Adalo are empowering individuals, even those without programming skills, to create their own apps and websites. These platforms offer the ability to build not just websites, but actual mobile apps with a backend. This opens up endless possibilities and allows people to bring their ideas to life quickly and easily. The simplicity and accessibility of these tools have made it possible for even below average intelligence individuals to create functional and personalized applications in a matter of hours. Additionally, the concept of a kids' Etsy-like platform highlights the potential for these tools to foster creativity and entrepreneurship in young children, providing a platform for them to sell and showcase their creations.

There is potential in creating an online platform for kids to buy and sell their own creations. This idea is similar to a mini fake Etsy for kids, which aims to teach them both arts and crafts and entrepreneurship. The concept is to provide kids with a platform where they can own a little store online and engage in buying and selling from other kids. While it is uncertain if kids would want to buy other children's creations or only their own, the important aspect is the feedback loop and the good feeling of receiving feedback or making a sale. Parents could potentially pay a subscription fee for their kids to be part of this platform. Overall, this idea could tap into the market of children's creativity and provide a positive learning experience.

There are companies out there making massive sales by utilizing long-form copywriting and partnering with influential figures in various industries. These companies, like Doctor Marty and GundryMD, sell products such as pet food, supplements, books, and more. Despite not having slick websites, they are able to attract millions of monthly visitors and generate significant revenue. These businesses operate behind the scenes, not prominently displaying their brands on their websites but still managing to dominate the market. It's intriguing to see how these unconventional approaches can break the traditional business mold and achieve tremendous success. This information challenges our preconceived notions and forces us to consider alternative strategies for driving sales.

Golden Hippo Media, a company with 800 employees, is actively hiring copywriters and media buyers, indicating their focus on advertising and marketing strategies. It is also interesting to note their presence on platforms like Outbrain, which suggests that these ads are effective and generating results. The top advertisers on Outbrain, such as EditorsChoice.com, Edmunds.com, and Healthgrades.com, further emphasize the effectiveness of this advertising method. However, the mystery surrounding certain websites like healthierpatriot.com and Maggie Queue raises questions about their legitimacy and credibility. This exploration of online businesses and advertising strategies provides an eye-opening understanding of the complexity and depth of the digital world. Overall, it highlights the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the ever-evolving landscape of online media.

When it comes to advertising, the idea that customers must see a sanitized ad before they buy is a myth. It doesn't matter how long you've been in the business or what you think will work, because great ad ideas can come from anyone. Companies that rely solely on influencer marketing often end up burning money, as customers don't care about your company or brand, but rather what your product can do for them. So, rather than fighting this reality, embrace it. Additionally, the podcast hosts discuss a thought exercise of generating a $1 million idea within a limited time and budget. They explore different scenarios, including building from scratch, using existing resources, or investing a larger budget into marketing. They welcome listener participation in this experiment.