We Live to Build

Entrepreneur Scott Meier evaluated over 100 businesses before deciding to acquire three unique brands under one roof: Budsies, Petsies, and Stuffed Animal Pros. But instead of applying a ruthless corporate "roll-up" strategy, Scott chose to become a steward of an artisan-driven brand. In this episode, we dive into the world of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) and the booming "kid-alt" nostalgia market. Scott breaks down the complex logistics of global plush manufacturing, how his company uses its profits to support kids in hospitals and disaster zones, and how he personally uses AI tools like Claude to automate annoying tasks so his team has more time to be human. Finally, Scott shares his ultimate leadership lesson: why the best thing you can do to build trust and solve complex problems is simply to "say less." Check out the company: https://budsies.com----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - Evaluating 100 Companies to Buy02:50 - The Budsies & Petsies Ecosystem05:50 - The "Kidault" Market & Nostalgia08:35 - Making Artisan Products at Scale12:15 - Avoiding the Corporate "Roll-Up" Model16:20 - Pencils of Promise & The Power of Charity20:00 - Why Facebook Ads Are Creepy23:45 - Using AI to Give Us Time to Be Human26:10 - The #1 Leadership Lesson: Say Less

Have you ever received terrible advice from a "successful" investor or mentor? In this episode, Igor Taber explains why taking advice from VCs who built companies a decade ago might actually destroy your startup. Because the market has drastically changed, relying on outdated experience makes these investors "credible and wrong"—the most dangerous combination in the startup world. We also dive into the insane $1.7 trillion AI investment bubble , why giving non-technical founders AI coding tools is like giving them a bazooka , and the truth about how top VC firms actually generate deal flow through cold outreach. Finally, Igor breaks down the three ways to build a venture firm and why being humble is the ultimate survival skill in a market where nobody truly knows the future. Check out the company: https://cortical.vc----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - Why "Credible and Wrong" Kills Companies00:43 - The 3 Ways to Build a VC Firm02:20 - Do VCs Actually Cold Call Founders?08:00 - The $1.7 Trillion AI Investment Bubble11:00 - Vibe Coding & The Bazooka Problem17:28 - Why Outdated Founder Experience is Dangerous20:00 - How VCs Raise Their Own Funds23:50 - Angel Investing vs. VC Funds29:11 - The Most Important Lesson in Venture Capital

Do you do great work but struggle to consistently get referrals? In this episode, Bill Cates breaks down the exact psychology of borrowed trust and why simply doing a good job doesn't automatically make you referable. We discuss the Triangle of Trust, how to actively train your network to recognize your ideal clients, and why using 1-minute case studies is the ultimate follow-up strategy to stay top of mind. We also dive into why vague intentions produce vague results, the danger of name-dropping irrelevant big clients to win business, and why the old advice of only hire people you'd have a beer with is actually destroying your team's potential. Plus, Bill shares a legendary Vince Lombardi quote that will completely change how you manage your energy and mindset as an entrepreneur. Check out the company: https://billcates.com----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - The Power of Borrowed Trust 01:45 - How Sean Built a 100% Referral Business 04:47 - Should You Pay Commissions for Referrals? 08:02 - How to Actually Become Referable 11:47 - The 1-Minute Case Study Strategy 13:18 - Sean's AI Content Engine Strategy 16:25 - Why Radical Relevance is Everything 22:50 - Vague Intentions Produce Vague Results 26:46 - The Mistake of Hiring People Like You30:06 - Fatigue Makes Cowards of Us All

If you've ever felt drained, exhausted, or frustrated by traditional networking events, you aren't alone. In this episode, Davide Cannarozzi explains why showing up to a random event without a clear strategy is a massive waste of your time and energy. Instead of treating networking as a casual interaction, Davide reveals why the most elite networkers treat relationship-building like being a diplomat or a spy—using intense planning, research, and flashcards to connect with the right people.We break down the critical differences between "random," "utilitarian," "intentional," and "serendipity" networking, and why you must build networking as an infrastructure for your life rather than a one-off chore. We also dive into the dangers of building a business without a clear vision or a mentor, and how that exact lack of self-awareness led to a grueling half-a-million-dollar loss in my own tech startup journey. Finally, we explore how to manage Dunbar's number in a world where technology connects us to thousands, and why you must "prune" your network just like the brain prunes unused synapses. Check out the company: https://rif.ventures----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - Why Networking Feels So Exhausting 04:40 - Why Sean Ignored Networking at a Recent Event 06:36 - The 4 Types of Networking Explained 09:14 - Sean’s $500,000 Startup Mistake 13:36 - The Critical Importance of Mentorship 15:08 - Using a Podcast for Intentional Networking 16:14 - Davide’s MBA Cleantech Hustle 26:50 - Technology, Dunbar’s Number, and Brain Synapses 30:46 - Why You Should Treat Networking Like a Spy

Have you ever been to an event where the person you're talking to is just looking past you for their next "lead"?. In this episode, Charles Lee breaks down why treating human connection like a transactional sales funnel will ultimately hold you back. We explore how genuine business flows naturally from authentic relationships, why you need to stop asking boring questions like "what do you do?", and how to cultivate deep curiosity about others. Charles shares a story of how a free, rainy-day speaking gig led to a 15-year relationship with one of his biggest clients , and we discuss the psychology of eye contact, body language, and the dreaded "resting thinking face". Finally, we tackle the ultimate question every driven entrepreneur must ask themselves: when it's all said and done, how much is enough?. Check out the company: https://ideation.com----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - Business Flows From Relationships 01:18 - How One Free Panel Led to a 15-Year Client 03:42 - The Power of Genuine Curiosity 06:48 - Why Remembering Names and Details Matters 09:23 - Eye Contact and the "Resting Thinking Face" 11:13 - Public Speaking and Facilitation 13:02 - Expressing Gratitude to Your Network 14:55 - Why Sean Stopped Going to Networking Events 17:37 - Making a Lifelong Mentor in China 19:34 - What Matters Most & "How Much is Enough?"

Are your AI inference costs starting to eat into your startup's budget? In this episode, I sit down with Rob May to discuss the impending shift in the AI industry: moving from massive, expensive frontier models to optimized, task-specific workflows. Rob explains why using a massive model for a simple task is like paying an astrophysicist to balance your checkbook, and how routing requests to smaller models can significantly cut down on your token spend. We also dive into the realities of startup hiring, including why executives must network for talent months in advance and how "experienced" corporate hires can completely derail your early-stage systems. Finally, Rob shares his ultimate advice for founders: why cozying up to massive markets is the best way to de-risk your business. Check out the company: https://neuromatic.com----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Get my brand new eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - Why Founders Must Network Before Hiring03:45 - The $30,000 Corporate Hiring Mistake06:20 - Selling to IT Professionals vs. Sales Teams08:15 - The Alex Hormozi Free Content Strategy10:50 - How to Reduce High AI Inference Costs13:30 - Tasks vs. Models: The Future of AI16:45 - Moving AI Workflows to Microservices21:10 - The "Big Market" Secret to Entrepreneurship

For our 300th episode, the podcast is officially rebranding to focus on business networking! To celebrate, I brought on my very first mentor, Meir Simhi. Years ago in China, Meir helped me realize my true value in networking, which eventually led to me generating $15 million in crypto fundraising sales.In this episode, Meir breaks down his new "Product Theory" and why asking "what to sell" is the wrong question. We deconstruct my new business idea (feeding your frustrations to your dog) and explore the true definition of a market. Check out the company: https://brandmasters.io----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - Episode 300 & The Business Networking Rebrand02:37 - The Loneliest Part of Entrepreneurship05:08 - Why Chasing Respect Repels People09:02 - How Meir Mentored Sean in China15:47 - The WeChat Course Failure19:10 - How Networking Made Sean $15 Million in Crypto23:51 - Why E-Commerce is Just "Commerce" Now26:24 - "The Product Theory": How to Decide What to Sell36:21 - Deconstructing Sean's "Dog Treat" Business Idea46:55 - The 4 Axes of Defining a Market54:26 - Why Shenzhen, China is the Future

Are you obsessed with self-improvement? Mental performance coach and former Wall Street hedge fund manager Evan Marks argues that constantly trying to "fix" yourself actually takes you further away from who you really are. In this episode, Evan explains why he completely rejects "positive psychology" in favor of "opportunistic reality". He trains high-achievers to treat their negative emotions as data and be ready for chaos like a "jaguar in the brush". Check out the company: https://m1performancegroup.com----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - The Fear of Regret00:26 - The Hardest Part of Being an Entrepreneur01:21 - Reinventing Yourself at 4603:06 - The Fear of Failure vs. Regret04:39 - Wall Street Stress & Uncertainty05:46 - Why Positive Psychology is Fluff10:50 - Why Self-Improvement is Ruining You12:10 - How to Build Trust and Be Vulnerable13:35 - Gen Z, Masculinity, & Coaching the Elite15:20 - Does Trauma Create High Achievers?20:18 - The Pain of Denial & Ignorance22:30 - The "Leaf vs. Root" Metaphor23:51 - Losing Purpose After a Big Exit