In this episode of Chew on This, Ron and Ash are joined by Co-founder and Chairman of Morning Brew, Alex Lieberman, as he delves into his journey of entrepreneurship. Reflecting on the early startup days, Alex highlights the creative essence of entrepreneurship and personal aspirations. He goes on to explore what the process of selling Morning Brew was like, his personal experiences post-successful exit and after stepping down as CEO, underlining the need for continuous innovation and adaptation in the ever-evolving business landscape. The conversation delves into the significance of long-term vision, strategic partnerships, and the balance between short-term gains and sustainable growth in the startup world.

🚀 Alex discusses the formative experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial drive, including childhood bullying and personal loss.

💡 He emphasizes the importance of creativity, invention, and resilience in entrepreneurship, reflecting on his own journey.

💰 Alex shares his motivations for selling Morning Brew, such as financial security and potential future ventures.

📈 He expresses a desire to focus on storytelling, selling, and product development in future business endeavors.

🔮 Alex explores potential entrepreneurial ventures, including a focus on email marketing, specialized B2B content, and email agency services.

​2:15 - Alex reflects on the early days of starting up.

​4:25 - Inventor vs. Entrepreneur​

10:07 - Reflecting on the drive and motivation in entrepreneurship.​

14:00 - Motivation beyond just making money in entrepreneurship.​

18:08 - Contrasting different types of entrepreneurship.

25:00 - Lessons learned from building a successful business.​

37:55 - Growth from 100,000 to a million subscribers.​

38:51 - Expanded into B2B media, maintaining Morning Brew voice and style.​

41:17 - Transitioned to a CPM model for advertising.​

43:11 - Importance of getting return on ad spend for brand marketers.​

45:05 - Emphasized the value of acquiring high-quality subscribers.

​47:08 - Reflecting on feeling unmotivated after a successful exit.​

53:00 - Comparing entrepreneurship to being a scientist.​

56:04 - Importance of building a strong brand.​

1:00:03 - Discussing the benefits of a product over its features.

​1:07:44 - Considering running both an E-commerce and SaaS business.