Gary Vee runs 7 businesses doing $10M+ each

Gary Vee's Use of Technology and Tools

• Gary did not own a computer for four or five years, relying on his phone for email, meetings, and social media, and only recently started using a laptop again 42s.
• The richest individuals often do not know how to use a computer, with one guest on the podcast not even knowing what Google Chrome was, and instead having an assistant set up their screen for them 2m6s.
• Gary is currently using a computer, specifically OpenClaw, as a capture-all for information, and is utilizing it for CRM and relationship preparation, with the goal of building logic and agents on top of it to stay updated on important events and milestones 4m30s.
• Gary has a VP of relationships, Nick Dio, who has been with him for 12 years and represents him at various events, hosting dinners and listening for opportunities to do something for someone without expecting anything in return, focusing on karma rather than ROI 8m10s.

Nick Dio's Role and Gary Vee's Philosophy on Relationships

• Gary has a VP of relationships, Nick Dio, who has been with him for 12 years and represents him at various events, hosting dinners and listening for opportunities to do something for someone without expecting anything in return, focusing on karma rather than ROI 8m10s.
• Nick Dio's role is to go around the world, listen carefully, and figure out who has the right intent, and then do something for them without expecting anything in return, which is a key part of Gary's business philosophy and focus on people 10m40s.
• Gary Vee received a dinner invitation from Nick, which turned out to be a gathering of 50 people at a Microsoft executive's home, where he met various interesting individuals, including Hunter Woodall, a Paralympic athlete 10s.
• The dinner was an example of how Gary Vee likes to connect people and add value by introducing them to others, which is an easy way to spread good karma 2m6s.
• Nick helps Gary Vee scale his relationships by decoding and connecting people, as Gary Vee has many business acquaintances that he wishes he could take to the next level 4m30s.

Gary Vee's Approach to Helping Others and Spreading Good Karma

• Nick helps Gary Vee scale his relationships by decoding and connecting people, as Gary Vee has many business acquaintances that he wishes he could take to the next level 4m30s.
• Gary Vee's team, including Nick, helps him make connections that can benefit others, such as introducing a marketing person from his company to a DTC brand that had lost its head of marketing, resulting in a win-win situation 6m40s.
• Gary Vee's approach to helping others and spreading good karma is starting to become more understood by people, and he believes that eventually, the truth about his intentions will become his actual reputation 10m30s.
• The story of Gary Vee's dinner gatherings and his efforts to help others is compared to LeBron James' investment in his body, with the suggestion that Gary Vee's approach is more valuable and impactful 12m40s.
• Investing in personal development, such as spending a million dollars a year on one's body, can be a key factor in achieving greatness, and individuals like LeBron James and Gary Vee have made significant investments in their personal growth and relationships, which can lead to high returns on investment 10s.
• Doing good things for people can be a low-risk, high-reward strategy, as it can lead to strong relationships and a positive reputation, and Gary Vee has invested heavily in building relationships with people who are doing good things in the world, with the goal of supporting them and potentially benefiting from these connections in the long run 2m6s.
• Gary Vee's approach to business involves taking a long-term view and being willing to make investments that may not make sense on paper in the short term, but can lead to significant returns over time, and he has been able to do this because he has reached a point in his career where he can afford to make these investments 4m30s.

Gary Vee's Business Strategy and Long-Term Vision

• Gary Vee's approach to business involves taking a long-term view and being willing to make investments that may not make sense on paper in the short term, but can lead to significant returns over time, and he has been able to do this because he has reached a point in his career where he can afford to make these investments 4m30s.
• Gary Vee's business strategy is focused on building strong relationships and creating value for others, rather than just focusing on short-term gains, and he believes that this approach has been key to his success, with his company Vayner Media hosting events and supporting emerging influencers as part of this strategy 6m40s.
• The concept of being "long-term greedy" is seen as a key factor in Gary Vee's success, as it involves taking a long-term view and being willing to make investments that may not pay off immediately, but can lead to significant returns over time, and this approach is in contrast to being "short-term greedy", which can lead to a focus on quick gains rather than long-term success 10m30s.

Gary Vee's Mindset on Personal and Business Responsibility

• The concept of being "long-term greedy" is seen as a key factor in Gary Vee's success, as it involves taking a long-term view and being willing to make investments that may not pay off immediately, but can lead to significant returns over time, and this approach is in contrast to being "short-term greedy", which can lead to a focus on quick gains rather than long-term success 10m30s.
• The concept of "rainy day human stuff" refers to preparing for potential future issues that may affect loved ones, such as children, rather than just accumulating wealth, and this mindset influences business decisions 10s.
• Running a business with the goal of being nice and taking care of people can be challenging, especially when it comes to making difficult decisions like firing employees, which can be a struggle for some individuals 1m42s.

Challenges of Candor and Difficult Conversations in Leadership

• Running a business with the goal of being nice and taking care of people can be challenging, especially when it comes to making difficult decisions like firing employees, which can be a struggle for some individuals 1m42s.
• The importance of candor in business and personal relationships is highlighted, with the acknowledgment that a lack of candor can lead to negative consequences, such as hurting employees and damaging relationships 2m6s.
• The experience of being a bad firer is shared, with the admission that it was actually an "atrocious" skill, and that it took time and self-reflection to recognize and address this weakness 3m30s.
• The realization that eliminating fear was not always a positive trait, as it sometimes led to a lack of clarity and security for employees, who may have felt uncertain about their standing or performance 5m10s.
• The process of writing a book, "12 and a half", helped to confront and overcome personal weaknesses, including the struggle with candor and difficult conversations, such as firing employees 4m20s.
• A watershed moment occurred when former employees spoke negatively about their experiences, leading to a period of reflection and reconciliation, and ultimately, personal growth and improved relationships 8m40s.

Different Approaches to Hiring and Firing

• A watershed moment occurred when former employees spoke negatively about their experiences, leading to a period of reflection and reconciliation, and ultimately, personal growth and improved relationships 8m40s.
• Jensen Hung, the Nvidia guy, has a great line where he says he doesn't fire people, but instead squeezes them so hard that greatness comes out of them, and Dave Portnoy, the founder of Bar Stool, has a similar approach where he refuses to fire anyone and instead tries to make them great 10s.
• Neil Patel, on the other hand, has a different approach, where he only hires people who have already built what he wants, and if they can't deliver, he fires them within a week, which is a common approach of hiring people who have been there and done that, and firing them quickly if they don't work out 2m6s.
• The approach to hiring and firing is a mix of these methods, and also involves a third element, which is trying to fix people, like a therapist or guidance counselor would, and this approach has been used in investing and operating, but has been cleaned up in the last 5 years to focus on delivering things with candor 4m30s.
• As a CEO, being too nice and trying to fix people can be a problem, but delivering things with candor and kindness can be a better way, and this approach has been implemented in the company, with the ethos of "kind candor" 6m40s.

Learning and Growth Through Leadership

• As a CEO, being too nice and trying to fix people can be a problem, but delivering things with candor and kindness can be a better way, and this approach has been implemented in the company, with the ethos of "kind candor" 6m40s.
• The learning process involves learning from people, especially mothers, and also through social media, by consuming content at scale from various people, and this has been a key part of the approach to business and leadership 8m50s.

Overview of Gary Vee's Business Portfolio

• The learning process involves learning from people, especially mothers, and also through social media, by consuming content at scale from various people, and this has been a key part of the approach to business and leadership 8m50s.
• There are seven active businesses that are doing more than eight figures a year in revenue, including Vayner Media, Vayner X, which has 400 million in revenue, and Vayner Sports, which does sports representation 12m10s.
• Vayner X is a separate entity from the other six businesses, and does not own any of them, and each of the seven businesses has its own unique focus and approach 14m20s.
• The businesses include a company that represents athletes such as Kirk Cousins, Sauce Gardner, and Aiden Hutchinson, as well as 300 college athletes, generating tens of millions in revenue 10s.
• There is also a restaurant group called ECR group, which includes establishments like Flyfish Club, and is expected to generate tens of millions in revenue, with active involvement in texting with David Rod 1m6s.
• V friends is another business, which is expected to do minimally 20 million in revenue this year in licensing and selling comic books, coins, and trading cards, with a goal of building a true brand 2m6s.
• Wine Library is another business, where the best friend runs it, but there is still daily involvement, with a significant role as 1B to the dad and Brandon's 1A 3m6s.
• Vayner Watt is a TV production company that has quietly sold shows to platforms like Hulu, ABC, and Netflix, and is considered under the radar 4m6s.
• The personal brand, Gary Vee, has a full team working on it, including speaking, books, and content, with monetization through speaking and potential seven and eight figure deals 5m6s.

Gary Vee's New Projects and Creative Ventures

• The personal brand, Gary Vee, has a full team working on it, including speaking, books, and content, with monetization through speaking and potential seven and eight figure deals 5m6s.
• A new book called "The Individual Empire" is being written, which discusses the rise of the creator entrepreneur and the entrepreneur creator as the next Fortune 500 companies, with a focus on human-based organizations 6m6s.

Time Management and Leadership in Running Multiple Businesses

• A new book called "The Individual Empire" is being written, which discusses the rise of the creator entrepreneur and the entrepreneur creator as the next Fortune 500 companies, with a focus on human-based organizations 6m6s.
• The daily schedule involves waking up at 6:00 or 7:00 am, with a workout session, and a work schedule from 8:00 am to 8:30-9:00 pm, with every minute booked and 60% of meetings lasting 15 minutes, relying on hiring people as a secret weapon 8m6s.
• The ability to build strong relationships with talented individuals is considered a key factor in running multiple successful businesses, with the goal of converting lower-performing team members into high-performing ones 10s.
• Having a strong team of around 50 people, including individuals like Ryan Harwood, Kalin, Claude, and JT, has been instrumental in managing multiple businesses, including Vayner Sports and Vayner, with each business generating over $10 million in revenue 42s.
• The experience of co-founding Resi and Empathy Wines, which had significant exits, demonstrates the importance of building strong relationships with team members, often over a period of 7 to 10 years, before starting new ventures 2m6s.
• The approach to building businesses is often described as a "family business" where team members are like family, and this close relationship allows for more effective collaboration and decision-making 2m6s.
• The concern about relying too heavily on personal involvement in businesses is acknowledged, but it is believed that this is a common challenge for many content creators, and the goal is to build a team that can eventually operate independently 4m10s.
• The strategy for managing multiple businesses involves focusing on the most critical areas that require attention, much like a parent prioritizing the needs of their children, and being "uncomfortably efficient" with time management 4m10s.

Building and Maintaining a Strong Team

• The strategy for managing multiple businesses involves focusing on the most critical areas that require attention, much like a parent prioritizing the needs of their children, and being "uncomfortably efficient" with time management 4m10s.
• New business ventures are often started with team members who have been working together for many years, such as the upcoming standalone business with a co-founder who has worked for 11 years, and this approach is seen as a key factor in achieving success 6m0s.

Efficiency and Meeting Culture

• New business ventures are often started with team members who have been working together for many years, such as the upcoming standalone business with a co-founder who has worked for 11 years, and this approach is seen as a key factor in achieving success 6m0s.
• The passion for building businesses and creating content is a driving force, and the goal is to continue innovating and expanding into new areas, with the belief that this approach will become more common in the future 8m0s.
• The importance of efficient meetings is highlighted, with 15-minute meetings being a key factor in achieving success, allowing for more time to be spent with family and on other activities 10s.
• These short meetings are made possible by having remarkable people around and being obsessed with not wasting time, with the goal of getting three days of work done in one day 42s.
• The meetings are divided into two main parts, with 30% of the time being spent being informed and 70% making decisions, which can be challenging due to context switching 2m6s.

Leadership Skills and Emotional Resilience

• The meetings are divided into two main parts, with 30% of the time being spent being informed and 70% making decisions, which can be challenging due to context switching 2m6s.
• Context switching is a unique skill that allows individuals to switch between different tasks and topics quickly, and it is something that has been developed over time, possibly due to growing up in a retail environment where adaptability is key 4m6s.
• The ability to carry adversity and negativity in the moment and still show up as a leader is also important, as it allows individuals to handle bad news and difficult situations effectively, which is a skill that has been learned from family members, such as a mother 6m6s.
• As a leader, it is essential to be aware of the personal struggles of employees and to be able to handle client services effectively, even in difficult times, such as when losing clients, and to maintain a strong relationship with partners and team members, like Brandon 8m6s.

The Importance of a Supportive Team and Family in Business

• As a leader, it is essential to be aware of the personal struggles of employees and to be able to handle client services effectively, even in difficult times, such as when losing clients, and to maintain a strong relationship with partners and team members, like Brandon 8m6s.
• The concept of having multiple "family members" in a business, meaning having a strong team with backup and support, is crucial for success, and it is not just about having one person, but rather a group of people who can work together effectively 10m6s.

Communication and Notification Fatigue

• The concept of having multiple "family members" in a business, meaning having a strong team with backup and support, is crucial for success, and it is not just about having one person, but rather a group of people who can work together effectively 10m6s.
• The conversation touches on the topic of notification fatigue, with Sean being teased about being difficult to get in touch with, while others tend to reply to messages but get exhausted from doing so 10s.

Decision-Making and Risk-Taking in Business

• The conversation touches on the topic of notification fatigue, with Sean being teased about being difficult to get in touch with, while others tend to reply to messages but get exhausted from doing so 10s.
• Deciding what projects to pursue is often based on gut instinct, with the idea that if a project feels right, it's worth exploring, and being comfortable with taking risks and potentially failing is important 2m6s.
• The conversation also discusses the importance of financial responsibility, with the example of Resi being in trouble and requiring personal funds to be invested, highlighting the need to always have money in the bank for a rainy day 4m30s.

Investing in the Future and Emerging Trends

• The conversation also discusses the importance of financial responsibility, with the example of Resi being in trouble and requiring personal funds to be invested, highlighting the need to always have money in the bank for a rainy day 4m30s.
• When it comes to identifying cool and innovative businesses, the focus is on areas that are likely to be significant in the future, such as advanced AI, and creating virtual people that can become famous and own their own IP 6m40s.
• The idea of being ahead of the curve and investing in areas that will be important in 5 years, rather than just focusing on short-term gains, is also emphasized as a key strategy for success 8m10s.

Stress Management and Emotional Framework

• The idea of being ahead of the curve and investing in areas that will be important in 5 years, rather than just focusing on short-term gains, is also emphasized as a key strategy for success 8m10s.
• The importance of having a strong emotional framework and being able to manage stress and pressure is also highlighted, with the example of being able to "eat and firefight" and navigate multiple challenges at once 10s.

The Rise of Live Shopping and E-Commerce Evolution

• The importance of having a strong emotional framework and being able to manage stress and pressure is also highlighted, with the example of being able to "eat and firefight" and navigate multiple challenges at once 10s.
• Live shopping is expected to become a significant part of the market, potentially making up 10 to 15% of all commerce in 6 to 10 years, which is a substantial growth from its current state 10s.
• The concept of live shopping is compared to the impact of e-commerce on traditional commerce, with live shopping being the next big shift in the way people buy and sell products 10s.
• There was an opportunity to invest in Whatnot, a live selling platform, but it was not pursued, despite having met with the founder Grant and expressing interest in investing 2m6s.

Missed and Successful Investment Opportunities

• There was an opportunity to invest in Whatnot, a live selling platform, but it was not pursued, despite having met with the founder Grant and expressing interest in investing 2m6s.
• A missed investment opportunity in Whatnot is discussed, with the reason being that the round had just closed, and the follow-up was not pursued aggressively enough 2m6s.
• Other missed investment opportunities include Airbnb, where an email was supposedly sent but not seen, and Pinterest, which was introduced through a connection but not acted upon at the time 4m30s.
• A successful investment in Liquid Death is mentioned, which was made possible by the founder Mike reaching out directly after working at Vayner Media, and it is considered a significant win 8m30s.
• The story of Scott Bellski, an investor who put $25,000 into both Uber and Pinterest at a $3.5 million valuation, is shared as an example of a successful investment strategy 6m40s.

Branding, Marketing, and Personal Investment Decisions

• The story of Scott Bellski, an investor who put $25,000 into both Uber and Pinterest at a $3.5 million valuation, is shared as an example of a successful investment strategy 6m40s.
• The concept of branding and marketing is not a stunning variable, especially for commodity products like water, and the choice of packaging, such as plastic or can, does not significantly change the product's value 10s.
• Investing in a business can be driven by personal reasons, such as supporting employees on their own ventures, rather than solely focusing on the potential for financial gain 42s.

Ethics, Reputation, and Personal Boundaries

• Investing in a business can be driven by personal reasons, such as supporting employees on their own ventures, rather than solely focusing on the potential for financial gain 42s.
• Being a nice guy and wanting to support others can sometimes lead to difficulties in saying no to people or avoiding associations with those who may have questionable backgrounds or beliefs 2m6s.
• Political beliefs are not a determining factor in associations, as people can have different views and still be honorable and worthy of respect 2m6s.
• The importance of being mindful of one's reputation and associations is crucial, especially in the public eye, where a single photo or statement can be misused or taken out of context 2m6s.
• The rise of deepfakes and other technologies has increased the need for caution when interacting with others, as it can be easy to manipulate or misrepresent information 2m6s.
• Reflecting on past interactions and being careful about who one associates with is essential, as it can help avoid potential problems or reputational damage 2m6s.
• Being raised to be a nice person and avoiding saying or doing things that could be misinterpreted is crucial in maintaining a good reputation and avoiding potential issues 2m6s.

Reflections on Success, Personality, and Rivalries

• Being raised to be a nice person and avoiding saying or doing things that could be misinterpreted is crucial in maintaining a good reputation and avoiding potential issues 2m6s.
• Many winners, who have achieved great success and wealth, often spend their time focusing on other winners out of envy, which can be a waste of energy and distract from their own goals 10s.
• It is suggested that people who are extremely successful often have imbalanced personalities and are not well-rounded, with the example of Hunter S. Thompson's quote that there are no reasonable people at the top of Mount Everest 2m6s.
• The concept of mimemetic theory is discussed, which suggests that people want things because other people want them, and this drive is what fuels trends and fads, with examples including luxury bags and sports brands like Neidos and Jordans 2m6s.
• The idea of a mimemetic rival is introduced, which refers to someone who is a rival due to their similar desires and goals, with the example of the rivalry between Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, who have engaged in passive-aggressive behavior towards each other 2m6s.
• The importance of recognizing and managing one's own mimemetic drive and rivalries is emphasized, with the suggestion that even the most successful people can be affected by these feelings, but can learn to tame and live with them 2m6s.

Gary Vee's Business Foundations and Funding

• The importance of recognizing and managing one's own mimemetic drive and rivalries is emphasized, with the suggestion that even the most successful people can be affected by these feelings, but can learn to tame and live with them 2m6s.
• The majority of people who reach the top do so from a position of extreme security, and there are multiple businesses, around six or seven, that have been established, each with impressive co-founders and partners, including Steve Ross, the owner of the Dolphins, who funded Vayner Media 10s.
• To get these businesses off the ground, funding is required, and while some have backers, others were personally funded, with the owner having a significant amount of control and investment in each venture 1m42s.

Restaurant Ventures and Expansion Plans

• To get these businesses off the ground, funding is required, and while some have backers, others were personally funded, with the owner having a significant amount of control and investment in each venture 1m42s.
• One of the businesses is a restaurant, specifically a membership club called Fly Fish Club, which has a unique buildout and is located in Manhattan, with an invitation extended to visit and experience the venue 4m6s.
• The restaurant business model is based on creating a high-end steakhouse experience, similar to Ruth's Chris, but with a focus on excellent food and a unique atmosphere, with plans to open multiple locations in high-net-worth neighborhoods around the world 6m30s.
• The model for the steakhouse, called Capon's Chop House, involves a membership component and a focus on delivering high-quality food, with a strategy that prioritizes execution and retention, and the goal of expanding to 50 locations 8m40s.

Gary Vee's Vision for the Future and Personal Fulfillment

• The model for the steakhouse, called Capon's Chop House, involves a membership component and a focus on delivering high-quality food, with a strategy that prioritizes execution and retention, and the goal of expanding to 50 locations 8m40s.
• The owner's approach to business is focused on creating ventures that bring personal fulfillment, rather than just maximizing profits, and is proud of the progress made in establishing multiple successful businesses 10m50s.

Future Business Ideas and Closing Remarks

• The owner's approach to business is focused on creating ventures that bring personal fulfillment, rather than just maximizing profits, and is proud of the progress made in establishing multiple successful businesses 10m50s.
• A business idea involves turning V friends into Pokémon, which is expected to become one of the most valuable intellectual properties in the world in 20 years, and will have extraordinary value in an AI world 0s.
• This potential business is considered to be the best kind of business someone could build, given its anticipated value and growth 0s.
• The conversation comes to a close with expressions of appreciation and well-wishes 0s.