This guy made millions by inventing the McFlurry & the $1 Menu
About This Episode
Shaan and Sam break down the career of Tom Ryan, the food scientist behind the McFlurry and McGriddle, while exploring the 'Law of the Opposite' in marketing through David Protein's success. They also discuss high-conviction investment theses for generational companies like SpaceX and Robinhood, alongside a strategy for gaining equity in traditional businesses using AI.
Episode Description
Check Out Shaan's Stuff
- Shaan's weekly email
- Visit
- Mercury - Need a bank for your company? Go check out Mercury (mercury.com). Shaan uses it for all of his companies!
- Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column, N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC
Check Out Sam's Stuff
Key Takeaways
Apply the 'Law of the Opposite' in marketing: If you are not the leader, don't try to be better, be the antidote or the distinct alternative to the leader's position.
Look for 'Category of One' businesses that have generational defensibility, such as SpaceX or UFC, where the competition is not just in second place but orders of magnitude behind.
The 'AI Equity Play': Entrepreneurs can acquire stakes in established, 'boring' businesses by offering to automate operations and cut costs using AI on a contingency or equity-for-performance basis.