We react to Bill Ackman's advice to young men
About This Episode
Sam Parr and Shaan Puri critique Bill Ackman's formal approach to meeting people before diving into high-growth business models like street-interview agencies and the history of media giants like MTV. The conversation highlights the value of taking simple ideas seriously and cultivating an "art of noticing" to identify overlooked opportunities in creative, technological, and financial markets.
Episode Description
Show Notes
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
Build a "white belt" business by productizing a process that others find too embarrassing or exhausting to perform, such as conducting high-volume street interviews for brands.
Cultivate an "art of noticing" by leaning into curiosity about obvious things others take at face value, which often reveals mispriced investment opportunities or unique comedic premises.
Scale your ambition by defining a vision that transforms a simple product into a mission-driven "pirate ship," helping to retain talent and navigate periods of low momentum.