On this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different, we engage in a riveting conversation with Mike Maples Jr., co-founder of Floodgate and a prominent venture capitalist.

This episode, which is a part of the “Creator Capitalist Conversations” miniseries, goes into the themes of entrepreneurship, personal capital, and the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in the ideation process. The dialogue offers a wealth of insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business professionals alike.

You’re listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let’s go.

Christopher Lochhead sets the stage by introducing the miniseries “Creator Capitalist Conversations,” which celebrates individuals who have carved their own paths in the business world. The episode features Mike Maples Jr., who shares his journey from a successful entrepreneur to a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley. This transition, marked by risk-taking and self-discovery, offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to forge their own path in business.

Mike Maples Jr. recounts his significant career shift from being a well-respected founder and head of marketing for a successful software company in Texas to starting anew in Silicon Valley as a venture capitalist. This transition, he notes, is daunting for many, especially for someone who had already achieved a level of success and recognition. Mike’s approach to risk-taking involves viewing new ventures as opportunities to explore interesting ideas rather than potential failures. This mindset allows him to gradually escalate his commitment as he gains confidence.

Mike shares that the journey to discovering one’s superpowers is often a gradual realization rather than a single defining moment. He emphasizes the importance of honoring one’s time and using it to share one’s unique gifts with the world. This perspective aligns with the Japanese concept of “ikigai,” which represents the intersection of what one loves, what the world needs, what one can be paid for, and what one is good at.

Mike then discusses the distinction between deep work—discovering new knowledge—and harnessing pre-existing knowledge. He notes that many high-paying jobs rely on established knowledge, which may become commoditized in the age of AI. By integrating the insights of others with his unique perspective, Mike has developed a robust intellectual framework that guides his investment decisions.

Mike Maples Jr. shares an intriguing case study involving Airbnb’s original seed deck from 2008. Using a software tool he developed, the “Pattern Breakers Insight Stress Test,” he analyzes Airbnb’s business model. This analysis reveals that everyday people would rent their private homes to strangers, creating a new category of accommodation that transcends traditional hotels. This insight is underpinned by several inflection points, including the growing comfort with online transactions and the rising consumer preference for authentic experiences.

Encouraged by the insights gained from Airbnb’s seed deck, Mike explores further possibilities, including creating a business model canvas, potential logo designs, and a narrative framework for Airbnb. This exploration leads him to realize that similar analytical techniques can be applied to various mental models, facilitating ideation and refinement.

To hear more from Mike Maples Jr. and his thoughts on careers that withstand the test of time and tech, download and listen to this episode.

Mike Maples Jr. is an entrepreneur turned venture capitalist.

He’s co-founder of Silicon Valley based, early-stage VC Floodgate. And the host of the popular “Starting Greatness” podcast.

Investments include Twitter, Lyft, Bazaarvoice, Sparefoot, Ayasdi, Xamarin, Doubledutch, Twitch.tv, Playdom, Chegg, Demandforce, Rappi, Smule, and Outreach.

Connect with Mike Maples Jr.!

Floodgate | Twitter | LinkedIn | Starting Greatness Podcast

Check out Mike’s new book, Pattern Breakers!

Amazon Books | Porchlight Books | Starting Greatness | Pattern Breakers Newsletter

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different™! Christopher loves hearing from his listeners. Feel free to email him, connect on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and subscribe on Apple Podcast / Spotify!