Building Public vs Private

A discussion between Sam Parr and Shaan Puri reveals contrasting views on building businesses publicly vs privately, with insights on goal setting and personal motivation in entrepreneurship.

Key Points:

• Building in Public vs Private:

  • Sam believes building in public is overrated
  • Prefers "doing cool shit and not talking about it"
  • Shaan takes a hybrid approach, running both public and private ventures simultaneously

• Goal Setting Philosophy:

  • Every goal needs a specific timeline
  • Goals should be treated with low pressure, like a child stating what they want to be
  • Should be willing to state goals publicly and put numbers to them

• Personal Motivation in Business:

  • Quote from mentor: "I am only happy when I'm in a prison of my own making"
  • Enjoys challenging things when self-chosen
  • Dislikes external challenges but thrives on self-imposed ones

• Business Building Approach:

  • Shaan building $100M brand in new field
  • Rejected potential $20-30M early exit
  • Started business with wife to create shared experience
  • Willing to enter completely new fields despite having expertise elsewhere

• Work-Life Integration:

  • Started new venture with wife to bridge work-life gap
  • Uses business as way to learn from friends in different industries
  • Embraces difficulty when it's self-chosen

The perspective emphasizes that while public accountability can be useful, private execution often leads to better results. The key is choosing your own challenges and having clear, time-bound goals, regardless of whether you share them publicly.