100 Expert Interview Method
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A systematic approach used by billionaire Brad Jacobs to analyze and enter new industries through deep research and expert interviews.
Core Research Process
- Spends 3 months intensively studying target industries
- Reads extensive industry reports and analysis
- Conducts 100+ expert interviews in each industry
- Uses a podcast-style approach to learning: sitting down and listening to experts
- Focuses on understanding industry dynamics before making any moves
Industry Selection Criteria
- Looks for large, fragmented industries
- Example: Transportation/logistics ($13T industry)
- Seeks industries larger than previous ventures
- Focuses on sectors with consolidation opportunities
Implementation Strategy
- Moves quickly after research phase
- Uses mix of acquisitions and organic growth
- Typically 2/3 acquisitions
- 1/3 "cold starts" (building from scratch)
- Prefers cold starts when possible
- Leverages advantages of scale
- Purchasing power
- Branding
- Other size-related benefits
Success Metrics
- Rapid execution (Example: United Rentals)
- Went from formation to NYSE listing in 7 months
- Became #1 in industry within 13 months
- Built $25B market cap company in 5 years
Key Principles
- Values integrity in acquisition targets
- Focuses on retaining key people post-acquisition
- Identifies retention of acquired company talent as biggest risk
- Emphasizes treating acquired business personnel well
This framework has been successfully repeated across multiple industries, resulting in 5+ billion-dollar companies.
Sam Parr
Host of MFM and fitness influencer
Sam Parr is a serial entrepreneur and business media pioneer.
In 2016, he founded The Hustle, a business news media company that started in his kitchen with just $12 and grew to eight figures in revenue.
Sam led the charge in making newsletters popular when few believed in their potential.
After four successful years, he sold The Hustle to HubSpot, a publicly traded company. Now operating as HubSpot Media, The Hustle reaches 3 million readers daily, employs a team of nearly 100, and has been the launchpad for dozens of its staff to found their own media companies and newsletters.
Sam remains the host of the popular business podcast, My First Million, and continues to start and sell companies. He also co-founded Hampton, a highly vetted community for entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs, and teaches people to write better through his platform, Copy That.