Podcast Summary
Tim Ferriss endorses Athletic Greens for optimal health: Tim Ferriss recommends Athletic Greens for convenient and comprehensive nutrition, with added benefits of free vitamin D and travel packs.
Tim Ferriss, the host of The Tim Ferriss Show, emphasizes the importance of good nutrition and shares his personal endorsement of Athletic Greens as a comprehensive and convenient supplement to ensure optimal health. He highlights the supplement's extensive list of vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients, and the added benefits of a free vitamin D supplement and travel packs with a first subscription purchase. Additionally, Ferriss promotes his own email newsletter, Five Bullet Friday, as a simple and effective way to discover new and interesting things each week, and mentions that many of his podcast guests have been discovered through this newsletter. Overall, Ferriss emphasizes the importance of staying informed, healthy, and curious.
Joe's early entrepreneurial experiences: Joe's love for art and business began in childhood, fueled by selling drawings and inspired by his entrepreneurial parents.
Joe's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. His first memory of causing trouble involved selling drawings to his classmates for extra money, an experience that not only fueled his love for art but also showcased his business acumen. Growing up in a household where both parents were entrepreneurs further inspired him to explore new opportunities. His father, in particular, tried various ventures, including early internet businesses and eventually working in the health food industry. Joe's experiences with his parents' entrepreneurial pursuits instilled in him a strong work ethic and the belief that success comes from ambition and hard work.
Childhood experiences with parents shaped my values: Observing parents' dedication and attention to detail fostered a commitment to exceptional customer service and personal growth
My childhood experiences with my parents, particularly their dedication to serving others and their attention to detail, significantly influenced my perspective on customer service and personal growth. I remember observing their interactions with store owners and going the extra mile to create connections. An instance from Tennessee stands out, where we stayed late to stock shelves and create a perfect display of our food supplies. This seeded in me the importance of going above and beyond for those I serve. Another influential experience was the support my parents provided for my various interests, from tennis to music and art. They learned from an early violin lesson experience that it was essential to back my intrinsic passions, and this practice instilled in me a deep appreciation for their unwavering commitment. Overall, these experiences shaped my values and continue to guide me in my personal and professional life.
From violin to business: Exploring passions and opportunities: Identifying passions and opportunities can lead to new skills and successful ventures, even at a young age.
Passion and determination can lead individuals to explore various creative outlets and entrepreneurial ventures, even at a young age. The speaker shared how her love for music led her from violin lessons to piano, and how she took the initiative to redesign her high school's senior t-shirt, turning a graphic design project into a successful business. Throughout her elementary, middle, and high school years, she invested in art classes and eventually attended the Governor's Honors Program for art, where she discovered a potential path towards pursuing art after graduation. These experiences showcased her ability to identify opportunities, learn new skills, and turn her passions into tangible projects.
Exposure to diverse art mediums and like-minded individuals at RISD fueled speaker's passion for art: Attending RISD ignited speaker's passion for art through exposure to various mediums and a creative atmosphere, inspiring her to pursue higher education there.
The environment and being surrounded by like-minded individuals played a significant role in fueling the speaker's passion for art. During her time at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), she was exposed to various mediums and materials but fell in love with the challenging and creative atmosphere. This experience inspired her to attend RISD again for their high school program and eventually pursue her education there. Additionally, the speaker's determination to outdo a senior prank at her high school showcased her innovative spirit and drive to create something original. The combination of these experiences helped shape her love for art and creativity.
Hacking a High School Intercom System: Securing phone lines and intercom systems in schools and large institutions is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and potential pranks or more serious incidents.
With access to a phone line and some creativity, an intercom system in a large high school could be compromised. The speaker, Joey, was able to gain access to the intercom system by finding a way to tap into the phone line and use a cordless phone to make announcements. He went to great lengths, including recruiting friends and sneaking into the school after hours, to achieve his goal. Once he had access, he used it to make a tape mix of songs to play over the intercom system as a prank. This story highlights the importance of securing phone lines and intercom systems in schools and other large institutions to prevent unauthorized access.
Prank call disrupts entire school: A prank call can escalate quickly, causing chaos and disrupting normal activities. Always consider the potential consequences before acting.
The speaker's prank call at school turned into a chaotic situation when the announcement system broadcasted the call to the entire school. The speaker, trying to remain calm and collected, signed in at the check-in desk and walked through the offices to shut off the system, all while the school was in confusion. The experience taught the speaker the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and the potential consequences that come with them. Despite the initial excitement of pulling off a prank, the situation quickly escalated and caused disruption to the school day.
Pranks can have unexpected and severe consequences: Actions have consequences, consider potential outcomes before engaging in mischievous behavior
Pranks can have unexpected and severe consequences. The speaker, Joey, thought he was pulling off a harmless prank by taping over the school intercom system. However, when he was caught, he faced harsh consequences, including being expelled and threatened with the loss of their scholarships. The situation escalated quickly, and Joey found himself surrounded by administrators and facing serious repercussions. This experience served as a reminder that actions have consequences, and it's important to consider the potential outcomes before engaging in mischievous behavior.
Unexpected high school prank leads to college opportunity: An original idea, even if it involves a prank, can lead to unexpected opportunities in life
An unexpected prank in high school led to an unexpected opportunity in college. The prank, which involved supergluing school locks, was captured on MTV's High School Stories, Pranks, and Controversies. The speaker, who was involved in the prank, reached out to the show's producer and shared the full story. Impressed, the producer and executive producer wanted to include the story in the show. The speaker and his friend were invited back to Georgia to reenact the prank for the TV show. Despite the incident happening only two years prior, the same administration was still in place and held a grudge. However, the experience showcased the power of original ideas and the unexpected opportunities that can arise from them.
Unexpected opportunities from mischief: Embracing mischief and taking risks can lead to unique experiences and unexpected opportunities, even if they initially seem embarrassing or unfavorable.
Even seemingly embarrassing or mischievous experiences can lead to unexpected opportunities and adventures. The speaker shares a story about pranking his old high school and then getting a job as a ball boy for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA due to a late application. This experience not only fueled his love for basketball but also provided him with a unique perspective and access to the NBA world. The speaker also mentions how he used to work as a ball boy for the Atlanta Hawks during his high school years. He shares that there are different tiers of responsibilities for ball boys, starting from wiping the sweat on the floor to assisting the trainer. The highest level was working for the visiting team, where he set up and broke down their locker room before and after the game. This experience gave him a behind-the-scenes look at the NBA and allowed him to be a part of the action. Overall, the speaker's experiences demonstrate how taking risks and embracing mischief can lead to exciting opportunities and new adventures. It also highlights the importance of persistence and being open to new experiences, even if they initially seem embarrassing or unfavorable.
Learning from uncomfortable situations: Embracing uncomfortable experiences can lead to personal growth and valuable lessons, even when they involve mistakes or setbacks.
Expanding your comfort zone and being exposed to uncomfortable situations can lead to valuable experiences and personal growth. The speaker shares an anecdote from his time as an NBA ball boy, where he accidentally spilled a drink on Michael Jordan during a heated moment in a game. Despite the initial terror and backlash, he learned to handle the situation with composure and even earned Jordan's respect. This experience, along with others, helped him develop resilience and adaptability, which proved beneficial in his future entrepreneurial pursuits. It's important to remember that our lives are made up of a series of experiences, and each one contributes to our growth and development in unique ways.
RISD's unconventional teaching methods challenge students and inspire passion: RISD's rigorous approach to learning pushes students out of their comfort zones, inspiring determination and creativity to pursue passions.
RISD's challenging and unconventional approach to learning, as exemplified by the chess set project, can push students out of their comfort zones and inspire them to pursue their passions with determination and creativity. During his freshman year at RISD, the speaker initially wanted to be a painter but was introduced to the world of three-dimensional design through a class taught by the opinionated and demanding professor, Gareth Jones. The professor's bold claim that half of his students would fail the chess set project sparked fear and determination in the speaker. The chess set project required students to choose a three-dimensional artist and recreate their work in the format of a chess set. The speaker became fascinated with furniture design and chose Garrett Reitfeld, a Dutch architect and designer. He was determined to create full-sized functional chairs instead of the required 12-inch chess set pieces. However, when he shared his idea with Gareth Jones, the professor expressed skepticism and advised him to focus on the smallest scale. Undeterred, the speaker persevered and proved Jones wrong by creating functional full-sized chairs. This experience instilled in him a sense of determination and the belief that he could accomplish anything he set his mind to. This anecdote illustrates how RISD's rigorous and unconventional teaching methods can challenge students and inspire them to push beyond their limits and pursue their passions with unwavering determination.
Overcoming challenges through determination and help: With determination and the right resources, seemingly impossible goals can be achieved. Seeking help from experts and mentors can provide valuable guidance and skills.
Determination and asking for help can lead to achieving seemingly impossible goals. The speaker, Joe, was challenged by his friend Gareth to make eight chairs identical to one he admired. With no prior experience in woodworking or using power tools, Joe committed himself to the project and sought guidance from upperclassmen and the head of the furniture department. He worked tirelessly, even hiding his progress from Gareth. With the help of the school's resources and craftsmen, Joe managed to create 16 functional chairs by the end of the semester, surprising everyone with the reveal at his final critique. This experience showed Joe that he was capable of more than he thought, and it instilled in him a newfound confidence and determination to tackle challenges.
Embracing challenges and proving ourselves wrong: Determination and a growth mindset can lead to personal growth and the creation of meaningful outcomes. Embrace challenges, set high goals, and use past experiences as motivation to push beyond perceived limitations.
Our ability to respond to challenges and prove ourselves wrong can lead to significant personal growth and the creation of meaningful outcomes. The story of Joe, who built functional chairs despite initial doubts, illustrates this concept. Joe's determination, fueled by a desire to prove himself wrong and a legacy of sports, led him to create a product that lasted for years and inspired future generations. The professor's recognition of Joe's achievement further reinforced this growth mindset, creating a powerful moment of validation. This experience highlights the importance of embracing challenges, setting high goals, and using past experiences as motivation to push beyond perceived limitations. The story of Joe also reminds us that everyone has the potential to create something impactful, no matter the initial doubts or obstacles.
Embracing challenges for personal growth: Seeking out challenges and learning from failures leads to personal growth. Surround yourself with better people and never give up on opportunities for expansion.
Pushing beyond your limits and learning from failures, whether in sports or other areas of life, is essential for personal growth. Surrounding yourself with people who are better than you and facing challenges that seem impossible can lead to breakthroughs and a greater sense of capability. The speaker's experience of starting a basketball team at RISD after being told there wasn't one serves as a powerful example of this principle in action. It's never too late to seek out opportunities for growth and expansion, even if they initially seem daunting or unattainable. Embrace the discomfort and learn from the experience.
Starting a team from scratch: A journey of persistence and creativity: Starting something new requires determination, creativity, and the ability to overcome rejections. It's a process of building, fundraising, branding, and bringing people together.
Starting something from scratch requires persistence and creativity. Joe Gabby, a student at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), shared his experience of starting the school's basketball team from nothing. Initially, they just practiced amongst themselves without any competition or formal season. The next year, Joe's goal was to make a season and play against other teams. He faced rejections from several colleges but finally got a response from Clark University in Massachusetts. The first game was informal, with RISD students wearing basic reversible jerseys and practicing in a high school gym. The opposing team had experienced coaches and players, leaving RISD's team feeling outmatched. However, Joe saw this as a win, as they had established a team and played their first game. Over the next few years, growing the team involved putting it together, raising funds, creating a brand, and marketing it. The basketball games became a unique moment for the campus community to come together, bringing students, faculty, administration, and alumni under one roof. RISD's basketball team, named "the balls," followed the tradition of creative team names on campus, inspired by self-expression and humor. The experience of starting the team taught Joe valuable lessons about perseverance, teamwork, and bringing people together.
From art school discomfort to successful product: Hold onto ideas and don't give up, even when faced with challenges and setbacks, can lead to successful product creation.
Perseverance and creativity can turn a simple observation into a successful product. The speaker, a design student, was inspired by the discomfort and mess experienced during critiques at art school. She sketched out a solution, but it wasn't until years later, after gaining the necessary skills and resources, that she was able to bring her idea to life. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, she ultimately won a competition that allowed her to manufacture and distribute her product, crit buns, to her graduating class. This story highlights the importance of holding onto ideas and not giving up, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Overcoming impossible challenges with persistence and creativity: Persistence and creativity can help overcome seemingly impossible challenges, leading to unexpected opportunities and success.
Persistence and creativity can lead to overcoming seemingly impossible challenges. The speaker recounted his experience during his graduation project at RISD, where he faced numerous rejections and setbacks in manufacturing 600 krypton cushions with a custom silk screen design. However, he refused to give up and managed to find help from unexpected sources, ultimately delivering the project on time and even starting his own company with the leftover metal mold. This story illustrates the importance of not giving up, thinking outside the box, and believing in the power of enthusiasm and determination.
Embrace rejection and move on: Stay focused on the end goal and don't let initial rejection discourage you. Keep approaching potential buyers and remember that some will love your idea, while others won't. Move on and continue to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.
Perseverance and resilience are key to entrepreneurial success. The speaker faced numerous rejections when trying to sell her product, CripBuns, but didn't let that deter her. She remembered a sales equation she had learned at an entrepreneur event, "SW squared plus WC equals MO," which stands for "some will love your idea, some won't, who cares, equals move on." With this mindset, she continued to approach potential buyers until she finally made a sale. Even when faced with initial rejection, she didn't give up and instead used it as motivation to keep going. This story illustrates the importance of staying focused on the end goal and not getting discouraged by setbacks.
Designer's journey to sell Cripbuns: Determination and persistence led a designer to sell his product to a local store, and after two years, to the MoMA store in NYC, despite initial obstacles and long-term effort.
Determination and persistence can lead to great achievements. The speaker, a designer, shares his experience of creating a product called Cripbuns and trying to sell it to various stores. Initially, he faced many obstacles, but after finding success with a local store, he gained confidence and continued to pursue bigger opportunities. He set his sights on getting his product into the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) store in New York City, and after two years of perseverance, he finally received an order. Throughout the process, he honed his pitching skills and developed relationships with buyers. The experience taught him the full ecosystem of running a business and gave him the confidence to continue pursuing his goals. The speaker's story illustrates that even seemingly impossible goals can be achieved with hard work and a positive attitude.
The Power of Storytelling in Design Sales: During sales, sharing the background of a product helps consumers connect and often leads to a purchase. Design is about both the product and the story behind it.
Storytelling is a crucial element in selling a product, especially for independent designers. During design week events, the RISD organization provided opportunities for designers to sell their creations directly to consumers. Through hundreds of interactions, the speaker identified five stages in the sales process: the initial curiosity, the touch and feel phase, the story phase, the try and intro, and the sale. At the story phase, the speaker shared the background of the product, which helped consumers connect with it and often led them to make a purchase. Surprisingly, some consumers even became salespeople themselves, sharing the product's story with others. This experience demonstrated that design is not just about the product but also about the story behind it. The speaker's cushion, which was 50% foam and 50% story, became a valuable lesson in the power of storytelling in design.
Navigating language and cultural barriers in new markets: Effective communication and adaptation are essential for success in new markets. Building relationships and collaborating with locals can help entrepreneurs overcome challenges and make valuable connections.
Effective communication and adaptation are crucial for success, especially when expanding a business into new markets. The speaker learned this lesson firsthand when attempting to sell his product, Cripbuns, at a design fair in Tokyo. Navigating the crowded subway system with large, unwieldy boxes proved challenging, and language barriers made it difficult to connect with potential customers. However, through friendship and collaboration, the speaker was able to translate his message and ultimately make sales. This experience not only resulted in financial success but also led to valuable connections and opportunities, including meetings with influential figures in the industry and even a pitch session with Billy Mays. The ability to adapt and communicate effectively in unfamiliar environments is a vital skill for entrepreneurs and a valuable lesson for anyone looking to expand their reach.
From painting to industrial design inspired by Eames and sustainability: Unexpected experiences and influences can lead to new career paths, and sustainability is increasingly important in design
The speaker's experience on a reality TV show and his admiration for the Eames' design philosophy led him to switch from painting to industrial design, with a focus on making environmentally-considered products. After encountering difficulties finding an eco-friendly foam for his product, Kripbuns, he was inspired to create a website called e-collect, which aimed to be a "Google for sustainable materials," helping designers access various eco-friendly materials for their projects. This experience demonstrates the power of unexpected events and influences in shaping one's career path and the growing importance of sustainability in design.
From small beginnings come great ideas: Starting small and facing challenges doesn't hinder success if you're passionate and innovative. Persistence and hard work can lead to growth and valuable experiences.
Passion and innovation can lead to successful businesses, even if they start small and face challenges. The speaker, Colin, shared his experience starting Crippons, a company selling seat cushions designed for art students during critiques. He found manufacturers worldwide, gained press, and shipped orders from his garage. Later, he moved to San Francisco and got into major catalogs. Though Crippons has slowed down, Colin still gets occasional orders and cherishes the reminder of the early days. He then discussed eCollect, a free service that didn't make money but innovated with a physical magazine, the "green box," which did generate some revenue. Colin also worked at Chronicle Books, where he learned the importance of detail and craft. Despite challenges, including the shift from revenue being uncool during Web 2.0, these experiences taught him valuable lessons about bringing ideas to life and the importance of hard work and persistence.
Following passions, taking risks, and finding a co-founder: Passionately pursue your dreams, take calculated risks, and find a co-founder who complements your skills for entrepreneurial success.
Starting a business often requires making tough decisions and taking risks. The speaker shares his experience of working as a fellowship designer while building his startup, e-collect, on the side. He eventually had to make a choice between a comfortable full-time job and pursuing his entrepreneurial dream. This decision led him to San Francisco, where he met his future co-founder Brian Chesky. Their shared aspirations and creative collaboration eventually led to the founding of Airbnb. This story illustrates the importance of following one's passions, taking risks, and being open to new opportunities. It also highlights the value of finding a co-founder who shares similar goals and complementary skills.
Friendship and opportunity lead to business success: With determination, creativity, and the right connections, friends can turn a difficult situation into a thriving business
The power of friendship and opportunity can lead to unexpected business success. The speaker, Joe, convinced his friend Brian to move from Los Angeles to San Francisco to start a business together. However, they soon faced financial struggles and had to get creative to make ends meet. They came up with the idea of an "air bed and breakfast" for designers attending a conference, and through emailing design blogs, they gained international attention and success. This experience shows that with determination, creativity, and the right connections, one can turn a difficult situation into a thriving business.
Creating Meaningful Connections: Airbnb goes beyond just providing a place to stay, it's about creating unforgettable experiences and friendships between hosts and guests.
The Airbnb experience goes beyond just providing a place to stay. It's about creating meaningful connections between hosts and guests. The hosts in this story became friends with their guests, showing them the local experiences and creating unforgettable memories. This not only added value to the guests' trip but also brought excitement and fulfillment to the hosts. The unexpected friendships and shared experiences were a game-changer, leading the hosts to consider the potential of expanding this concept into a business. The story illustrates how the Airbnb experience transcends the mundane hotel stay, offering a unique and personalized travel experience.
Recognizing the potential of internet to connect people and pivot to travel website with online payments: Airbnb founders identified internet's power to connect people, pivoted to travel website, and implemented online payments for successful business model
The founders of Airbnb, Nate, Brian, and Joe, recognized the potential of using the internet to connect people and bring them back into the real world by offering a platform for travelers to book accommodations directly from homeowners. However, their initial launch at South by Southwest in 2008 was unsuccessful due to the awkwardness of in-person payments and a limited market. They realized that this was more than just a conference website and pivoted to a travel website with online payments. This not only removed the awkwardness from the customer experience but also allowed them to take a small transaction fee, creating a business model. To gain awareness for their next iteration, they decided to target the Democratic National Convention in Denver, where there was a housing crisis due to the large number of attendees. By riding the coattails of the convention's press, they were able to rebuild the site and successfully launch it with online payments and the ability to travel anywhere at any time. This perfect balance of dreaming and practicality between the founders ultimately led to the success of Airbnb.
Leveraging local bloggers and press for early success: Effective grassroots marketing and media coverage can transform a small, local business into an international phenomenon within weeks
Word-of-mouth marketing and media coverage played a crucial role in the early success of Airbnb. The founders, with limited resources, leveraged local bloggers and press to create awareness in Denver, leading to regional and international media attention. This strategy transformed a small, local story into an international phenomenon within a few weeks. Seth Godin's concept of creating something distinct and worth talking about was instrumental in the company's early days. The team's dedication and division of responsibilities during their first major event allowed them to provide a functional service and manage customer service from their phones. This first successful milestone marked the beginning of Airbnb's journey and demonstrated the power of grassroots marketing and media coverage.
Seeing rejection as an opportunity: View rejection as an invitation to keep going, learn from failures, and focus on spotting opportunities and bringing ideas to life.
Rejection is an inevitable part of trying something new, but it's important to reframe it as an opportunity to keep going and persevere. Brian Chesky, the co-founder of Airbnb, encourages entrepreneurs to view rejection as an invitation to continue moving forward. Throughout his experiences, from the senior prank to Airbnb, Chesky learned to seek out discomfort and not avoid it. It's essential to remember that successful companies like Airbnb don't just appear out of thin air; they are the result of years of trying, failing, and learning. Entrepreneurship requires perseverance, and it's important not to be discouraged by rejection or the belief that success will come easily. Instead, focus on the simple act of spotting opportunities, coming up with original solutions, and putting your ideas into practice. The more you do this, the better you become at identifying new opportunities and bringing them to life.
Embrace your idea and find supporters, protect your dreams legally, and maintain good health with supplements: Keep going with your idea despite opposition, use LegalZoom for legal needs, and take Athletic Greens for nutritional support
When introducing a new idea to the world, not everyone will embrace it. Some will love it, some won't. The key is to keep going and find the people who do love your idea. Joe Gebes, the founder of Airbeamy and Crip Buns, shared this advice during an interview on The Tim Ferriss Show. He also encouraged listeners to check out his company and connect with him online. Another key takeaway is the importance of having a reliable resource to help protect your dreams and legal responsibilities. LegalZoom, a long-time sponsor of the show, was mentioned as a reliable option for taking care of legal needs for businesses and personal matters. Lastly, for those looking to improve their health and wellness, Athletic Greens was recommended as an all-in-one nutritional insurance supplement to ensure basic nutritional needs are met, especially during times when diet and exercise may be disrupted. Listeners can sign up for Tim Ferriss' Five Bullet Fridays email for a weekly dose of interesting finds and ponderings, and can visit the show notes at Tim.blog.com for links to all resources mentioned in the episode.