Not Investment Advice

The NIA boys discuss Founder Mode, Seasonal Businesses, Spirit Halloween’s $650m+ Biz and X vs. BrazilTimestamps:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:03:04) - Founder Mode(00:20:13) - Meme of the Week(00:22:44) - Seasonal Businesses(00:35:28) - Spirit Halloween’s $650m+ Biz(00:53:29) - X vs. Brazil1) Paul Graham's "Founder Mode" essay sparks debate • Contrasts with "Manager Mode" in large companies• Emphasizes hands-on approach vs. delegating• Airbnb's Brian Chesky cited as success story• Key question: Is it just rebranded micromanagement?• "It's really about good people versus bad people." - Bilal2) Seasonal businesses can be WILDLY profitable Hall of Fame examples:• Mariah Carey's Christmas royalties ($2-3M/month)• KFC/Domino's on Super Bowl Sunday• Fireworks sellers (2 months/year)• Wedding industry: 60-80% of engagements happen Q4 to Valentine's Day• Crayola: 50% of their annual $600M revenue happen between July 4 and Labor Day3) Spirit Halloween: The ultimate seasonal business• 1,450 locations (as big as Target)• $600-700M revenue in 2 months• Uses bankrupt retail spaces4) Brazil vs. X: The latest in global tech regulation • Brazilian government blocks X (Twitter)• $9,000 fine for VPN users (median salary: $8,000)• Raises questions about free speech and government controlWhat Is Not Investment Advice?Every week, Jack Butcher, Bilal Zaidi & Trung Phan discuss what they're finding on the edges of the internet + the latest in business, technology and memes.Watch + Subscribe on Youtube:https://youtu.be/rQQIyawql4sListen into our group chat on Telegram:https://t.me/notinvestmentadviceLet us know what you think on Twitter:@bzaidi@trungtphan@jackbutcher@niapodcastFollow NIA on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notadvicepod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089813414522TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niapodcast Links Mentioned: Founder Mode: https://paulgraham.com/foundermode.html

The NIA boys discuss Telegram & Pavel Durov, $100m Podcast Deals (Alex Cooper, Kelce Bros), & Costco JapanTimestamps:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:51) - Meme of the Week(00:08:17) - Telegram Founder Arrested(00:31:35) - Censorship vs. Misinformation(00:48:35) - $100m Podcast Deals (Alex Cooper, Kelce Bros)(01:06:34) - Costco In Japan1) Pavel Durov, Telegram founder, arrested in Paris• Warrant out since July• Charged with crimes happening on platform• Raises questions about platform liability• Free speech concerns vs. content moderation• Key issue: Telegram's encryption approach may have led to arrest2) Telegram's encryption dilemma:• Not end-to-end encrypted by default• Secret chats require 4-5 steps to activate• Group chats (200k users) & channels aren't E2E• Helped growth, but now govt pressure3) Podcast acquisition frenzy continues:• Alex Cooper (Call Her Daddy): $125M deal with SiriusXM• Travis & Jason Kelce: $100M deal with Wondery• Podcast power law: Top 25 shows = 50% of US listens4) Spotify's podcast strategy:• Spent $1B+ on tech & content since 2019• Goal: Diversify from music, own more content• Mixed results: some hits, many misses• Now pivoting to more sustainable deals• Example: Trevor Noah's new contract structure (recoup + rev share)5) Costco opens in Okinawa, Japan to MASSIVE crowds• 5-hour line just for parking• Why so popular? Bulk buying, Kirkland brand, low prices• Adapts to local market (e.g. amazing prepared foods)What Is Not Investment Advice?Every week, Jack Butcher, Bilal Zaidi & Trung Phan discuss what they're finding on the edges of the internet + the latest in business, technology and memes.Watch + Subscribe on Youtube:https://youtu.be/rQQIyawql4sListen into our group chat on Telegram:https://t.me/notinvestmentadviceLet us know what you think on Twitter:@bzaidi@trungtphan@jackbutcher@niapodcastFollow NIA on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notadvicepod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089813414522TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niapodcast

The NIA boys discuss Peter Thiel's appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, Nashville vs. Austin, Bloomberg’s Business & Access Monopolies Timestamps:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:06:53) - Meme of the Week(00:13:36) - Nashville vs. Austin(00:23:54) - Peter Thiel on Rogan(00:35:49) - Access Monopolies(00:47:20) - Bloomberg’s BusinessWhat Is Not Investment Advice?Every week, Jack Butcher, Bilal Zaidi & Trung Phan discuss what they're finding on the edges of the internet + the latest in business, technology and memes.Watch + Subscribe on Youtube:https://youtu.be/rQQIyawql4sListen into our group chat on Telegram:https://t.me/notinvestmentadviceLet us know what you think on Twitter:@bzaidi@trungtphan@jackbutcher@niapodcastFollow NIA on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notadvicepod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089813414522TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niapodcast Links Mentioned: Peter Thiel JRE Ep Bloomberg thread mentioned

The NIA boys discuss the Best Olympic Memes, Peacock App Wins, Chipotle vs. Starbucks & Nike’s StrugglesTimestamps:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:03:28) - Best Olympic Memes(00:17:07) - Peacock App Wins(00:27:07) - Best Moments from the Olympics(00:48:08) - Why 400M is the most painful track event(00:56:28) - Chipotle vs. Starbucks(01:00:21) - Nike’s StrugglesWhat Is Not Investment Advice?Every week, Jack Butcher, Bilal Zaidi & Trung Phan discuss what they're finding on the edges of the internet + the latest in business, technology and memes.Watch + Subscribe on Youtube:https://youtu.be/rQQIyawql4sListen into our group chat on Telegram:https://t.me/notinvestmentadviceLet us know what you think on Twitter:@bzaidi@trungtphan@jackbutcher@niapodcastFollow NIA on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notadvicepod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089813414522TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niapodcast

The NIA boys discuss Market Mayhem, Yen Carry Trade, Overtourism, if Google is a Monopoly, and much moreTimestamps: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:04:18) - Trung’s Euro Trip Recap(00:11:06) - Market Mayhem(00:20:21) - Yen Carry Trade(00:30:10) - Financial Cycles Discussion(00:44:03) - Is Google a Monopoly?(01:05:13) - OvertourismWhat Is Not Investment Advice?Every week, Jack Butcher, Bilal Zaidi & Trung Phan discuss what they're finding on the edges of the internet + the latest in business, technology and memes.Watch + Subscribe on Youtube:https://youtu.be/rQQIyawql4sListen into our group chat on Telegram:https://t.me/notinvestmentadviceLet us know what you think on Twitter:@bzaidi@trungtphan@jackbutcher@niapodcastFollow NIA on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notadvicepod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089813414522TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niapodcast

The NIA boys discuss ideas that have changed their livesTimestamps:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:04) - Ideas that have influenced us(00:35:48) - Ideas we’ve change our minds aboutWhat Is Not Investment Advice?Every week, Jack Butcher, Bilal Zaidi & Trung Phan discuss what they're finding on the edges of the internet + the latest in business, technology and memes.Watch + Subscribe on Youtube:https://youtu.be/rQQIyawql4sListen into our group chat on Telegram:https://t.me/notinvestmentadviceLet us know what you think on Twitter:@bzaidi@trungtphan@jackbutcher@niapodcastFollow NIA on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notadvicepod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089813414522TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niapodcast

NIA boys share their favorite shows, books, and music of the year in this exciting summer 'What to Watch' special!"Timestamps:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:03:46) - Things to Watch(00:14:48) - Things to Read(00:26:37) - Things to Listen(00:40:20) - Favorite Movie/TV Show SoundtrackWhat Is Not Investment Advice?Every week, Jack Butcher, Bilal Zaidi & Trung Phan discuss what they're finding on the edges of the internet + the latest in business, technology and memes.Watch + Subscribe on Youtube:https://youtu.be/rQQIyawql4sListen into our group chat on Telegram:https://t.me/notinvestmentadviceLet us know what you think on Twitter:@bzaidi@trungtphan@jackbutcher@niapodcastFollow NIA on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notadvicepod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089813414522TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niapodcast Links Mentioned:WatchBilalJackTrungGuy Ritchie’s Joe Rogan AppearanceReadBilalJackTrungListen BilalJackTrung

George Mack joins the NIA boys to discuss UK vs US, The Office, Lessons from Oasis Timestamps:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:03) - UK vs. US(00:19:01) - The Office(00:27:05) - Oasis Deep Dive(00:47:21) - Best Salesperson Never Look Like Salesperson (00:52:47) - Oasis’s Beef with Radiohead (00:58:09) - Normal Behavior is Forgotten, Weird Behavior’s Survive (01:00:56) - Trends of 2022 Analysis(01:03:41) - Treadmill Friends vs Couch FriendsWhat Is Not Investment Advice?Every week, Jack Butcher, Bilal Zaidi & Trung Phan discuss what they're finding on the edges of the internet + the latest in business, technology and memes.Watch + Subscribe on Youtube:https://youtu.be/rQQIyawql4sListen into our group chat on Telegram:https://t.me/notinvestmentadviceLet us know what you think on Twitter:@bzaidi@trungtphan@jackbutcher@niapodcastFollow NIA on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notadvicepod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089813414522TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niapodcast