The $460M business empire Gary Vee built while you were watching his content
Executive Summary
My First Million episode 826, in which hosts Sam Parr and Shaan Puri talk with Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary Vee). Gary says he went about four years without owning a laptop and describes his work style. He lists his businesses, saying VaynerX is about 400 million dollars in revenue and that he is actively involved in seven businesses doing eight figures or more, including a sports representation arm, a restaurant group and Vee Friends. He tells how he realised he was an all-time atrocious firer who had superhero syndrome and learned to communicate candidly, describes how he picks projects and why he invested in Liquid Death, and discusses mimetic desire and playing for what makes him feel good, not just maximising dollars. Sponsors named in the description: HubSpot, Mercury, Somewhere, and the hosts' Hampton community. PARTIAL COVERAGE: this note is based on the opening, the business breakdown, the firing and management section, the Liquid Death story and the closing, and may not cover every point in the roughly 49 minute video. All business figures and views are the speakers' own and not independently checked. Nothing here is financial, investment, medical or legal advice.
Key Takeaways
No laptop for years
Gary says he skipped a laptop from about 2015 to 2019 because his work was phone, email, meetings and social.
His businesses
He says he is involved in seven businesses doing eight figures or more, including VaynerX at about 400 million dollars in revenue.
The sports and restaurant arms
He says Vayner Sports represents NFL players and about 300 college athletes, and that VCR Group runs several restaurants.
Vee Friends
He says Vee Friends should earn at least 20 million dollars this year from licensing, comics, coins and cards.
Atrocious firer
He says he was an all-time atrocious firer because he lacked candour and many staff did not know where they stood.
Liquid Death investment
He says he invested in Liquid Death mainly to support a former employee, not because he thought it was a sure thing.
Playing for feel-good
He says he plays for what makes him feel good, not just maximising the dollars.
The Conversation Breakdown
No laptop for years
⏱ Untimed topicGary says he skipped a laptop from about 2015 to 2019 because his work was phone, email, meetings and social.
His businesses
⏱ Untimed topicHe says he is involved in seven businesses doing eight figures or more, including VaynerX at about 400 million dollars in revenue.
The sports and restaurant arms
⏱ Untimed topicHe says Vayner Sports represents NFL players and about 300 college athletes, and that VCR Group runs several restaurants.
Vee Friends
⏱ Untimed topicHe says Vee Friends should earn at least 20 million dollars this year from licensing, comics, coins and cards.
Atrocious firer
⏱ Untimed topicHe says he was an all-time atrocious firer because he lacked candour and many staff did not know where they stood.
Liquid Death investment
⏱ Untimed topicHe says he invested in Liquid Death mainly to support a former employee, not because he thought it was a sure thing.
Playing for feel-good
⏱ Untimed topicHe says he plays for what makes him feel good, not just maximising the dollars.
Core Frameworks & Ideas
Candour over superhero syndrome - Gary's lesson
Tell people where they stand instead of assuming fearlessness spreads.
Long-term greedy - Gary's idea
Help people today with no transaction and let the reputation build.
Mimetic rivals - the hosts' discussion
We often want things because other people want them.
Actionable Next Steps
- ✓Check the revenue and ownership claims against public company and press sources.
- ✓Write down a person who might not know where they stand with you, and plan a candid conversation.
- ✓Look up the mimetic theory the hosts reference from an independent source.
- ✓Treat the business and life advice as the speakers' own views, not professional advice.
Notable Quotes
“I wasn't a bad firer. I was an all-time atrocious firer.”
“I had superhero syndrome”
“I'm playing for what makes me feel good, not just maximizing the dollars”
The One Thing to Remember
Gary Vaynerchuk argues that candour with employees, long-term generosity and building for what makes him feel good, not only for the money, shaped his sprawling business empire.