HawkeTalk

Texas. Just saying the name conjures up scenes of jampacked small-town stadiums on Friday nights, the best barbecue you’ve ever tasted, and good, old-fashioned country fun. But here’s the reality, all those things are nice but, nothing says Texas more than a nice pair of cowboy boots. No matter if you’re living in the big city wheeling and dealing in a skyscraper or sitting behind a desk in a small town, the moment your boots come into clear view, Texas pride reveals itself. 

Our guest today is a proud Texan and boot lover. He made his way to and graduated from Harvard and after meandering through the business world for a few years, he answered the call of Texas through boots. Paul Hedrick is the founder of Tecovas, one of the fastest-growing apparel brands in the nation. Today, he stops by to share his journey, lessons he has learned along the way, and a few things he wishes every startup knew. It’s a wide-ranging conversation and one that you don’t want to miss. If you’re sitting on the fence, waiting to jump in, this episode is sure to give you the push you need!

In This Episode

• (1:10) – Paul discusses his boot journey, a native of Houston, moved to Dallas. 
• (4:29) – Parents were supportive of their dreams but didn’t push them in any direction.
• (5:14) – Paul was the self-motivated child in the family who loved to read. 
• (6:31) – An emphasis on education comes into play and sparks his competitive juices.
• (9:00) – Paul discusses his Harvard experiences and lessons he learned.
• (10:30) – In order to stand out, Paul realizes he would have to tell a different story.
• (11:31) – Paul actually had no idea what his next step was after Harvard. 
• (14:00) – The epiphany of college.
• (17:40) – Paul reconnects with his Texas roots through boots. 
• (24:39) – The life of a private equity professional.
• (25:43) – Business school rejections led Paul down another path. 
• (26:40) – The lightbulb conversation at the bar. 
• (29:19) – Passion is the driver, but joy is what keeps him alive.
• (30:14) – Paul discusses his business philosophy and approach to scaling. 
• (31:48) – Market entry and growing pains. 
• (33:00) – Confidence, spending money to make money, and credit cards. 
• (35:55) – Business expectations and sales forecasts. 
• (37:30) – The benefits of launching during the holiday. 
• (38:00) – Physical sales made up a large part of their revenues. 
• (40:13) – The point where Paul realizes he has made a great brand. 
• (42:48) – The impact seeing pride in the faces of his team. 
• (43:36) – Paul discusses the growth to date of Tecovas. 
• (46:12) – What’s next for Tecovas?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Texas. Just saying the name conjures up scenes of jampacked small-town stadiums on Friday nights, the best barbecue you’ve ever tasted, and good, old-fashioned country fun. But here’s the reality, all those things are nice but, nothing says Texas more than a nice pair of cowboy boots. No matter if you’re living in the big city wheeling and dealing in a skyscraper or sitting behind a desk in a small town, the moment your boots come into clear view, Texas pride reveals itself. 

Our guest today is a proud Texan and boot lover. He made his way to and graduated from Harvard and after meandering through the business world for a few years, he answered the call of Texas through boots. Paul Hedrick is the founder of Tecovas, one of the fastest-growing apparel brands in the nation. Today, he stops by to share his journey, lessons he has learned along the way, and a few things he wishes every startup knew. It’s a wide-ranging conversation and one that you don’t want to miss. If you’re sitting on the fence, waiting to jump in, this episode is sure to give you the push you need!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erik Huberman is one of the most transcendent leaders in this constantly evolving age of digital media who also just so happens to be the founder of Hawke Media. After dozens of conversations with other thought leaders and groundbreaking personalities, Erik sits down to discuss his path to success and the lessons he has learned along the way. This conversation includes a deep dive into his childhood to learn about his roots and how things he learned as a child continue to impact him today.

It wasn’t always easy and there were several failures along the way, but just like every success, Erik used those failures to fuel his success. From growing up in California, the son of a highly successful entrepreneur father to his ongoing passion for music to how his steps became ordered by taking the road less traveled, this conversation runs the gamut. It’s an amazing conversation with an even more amazing man.

In this episode:

• (4:35) – Erik discusses his drive and how his speaking skills were a part of it. 
• (5:27) – Erik sees Beanie Babies are a viable business opportunity.
• (8:49) – At the age of 12, Erik realizes that guitar-playing might not be his thing. 
• (11:49) – Dreams of being a music manager. 
• (13:00) – The lack of integrity from an employer forces Erik to leave. 
• (13:42) – The importance of being in a family where entrepreneurship was on display daily. 
• (14:00) – Interfacing with business owners at a young age also left an imprint. 
• (15:20) – Interest in the music business begins fading away for Erik. 
• (20:03) – Managing a gaming team helped Erik develop his management skills.
• (23:01) – Working in real estate for his dad taught him he couldn’t work for his dad. 
• (25:20) – Starting a business really isn’t as hard as it seems.
• (26:26) – Erik goes into real estate on his own. 
• (27:24) – The real estate freezes and Erik has to make a shift.
• (28:54) – The new music venture pans out and Erik moves on. 
• (29:49) – Erik launches Swag of the Month. 
• (32:09) – Erik wanted predictable revenue which is why he chose subscription commerce. 
• (33:30) – Erik pitches to a VC.
• (35:42) – Erik sold the company, but he has no profit, he’s sitting at zero.
• (36:05) – Connecting with Live Nation, Warner Music, and the incubator, Science. 
• (36:36) – The three most stressful weeks of his life turn to gold. 
• (38:52) – Erik uses his successful Swag of the Month model to help Science grow.
• (42:20) – Erik the Consultant and Advisor is born.
• (44:33) – Hawke Media is born.
• (47:02) – Large brands come calling on Erik.
• (47:56) – How COVID helped grow his business. 
• (50:17) – The concept of work, life, harmony. 
• (50:53) – The adjustments the team made through the declining economy and lessons learned. 
• (51:19)- The launch of AI. 
• (52:39) – The Hawke Ecosystem.
• (54:23) – Erik gets scrappy and builds the Hawke brand.
• (56:01) – Erik left no stone unturned.
• (58:15) – Building the business out and the fun of it all.  
• (1:01:36) – Erik offers advice and discusses the two reasons a company fails.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erik Huberman is one of the most transcendent leaders in this constantly evolving age of digital media who also just so happens to be the founder of Hawke Media. After dozens of conversations with other thought leaders and groundbreaking personalities, Erik sits down to discuss his path to success and the lessons he has learned along the way. This conversation includes a deep dive into his childhood to learn about his roots and how things he learned as a child continue to impact him today.

It wasn’t always easy and there were several failures along the way, but just like every success, Erik used those failures to fuel his success. From growing up in California, the son of a highly successful entrepreneur father to his ongoing passion for music to how his steps became ordered by taking the road less traveled, this conversation runs the gamut. It’s an amazing conversation with an even more amazing man.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stop for a minute and think about all of the big businesses that impact your life. Each of them, regardless of the product or service they offer, required funding or capital of some sort to get off the ground. Some of the founders may have come from wealth and as such, had easy access to the resources they needed to get things up and moving. That’s true in some, but in a lot more cases, those big businesses that impact our lives got where they are with the help of a venture capitalist. 

Our guest today is Ann Miura-Ko, and she knows a lot about venture capitalism and how to spot a good business when she sees one. She’s the founder of Floodgate, a VC firm annually recognized as one of the best in the world. Today, she stops by to discuss her improbable ride to the top of the VC mountain, things she learned along the way, and how you too can find success and use your superpower to make a dent in the world. If you’re an entrepreneur or just a person trying to figure it out, Ann has a message that will put you on the right path!

In This Episode

• (1:47) – Ann talks about where it all started. 
• (4:19) – Parents were always supportive of what she wanted to do.
• (6:10) – Ann joins the Speech and Debate team to face her fears more aggressively.
• (6:40) – Not all fears need to be faced according to Ann.
• (8:30) – Her mother suggests fencing and Ann has an epiphany.
• (9:10) – Ann realizes that following what her parents wanted might not be her best choice. 
• (9:47) – How self-debate helped Ann hone her debating skills. 
• (12:40) – Finding something interesting is invaluable to personal growth.
• (14:36) – Doing boring things is discipline and such an important piece of success. 
• (19:23) – Lack of empathy brings Ann to the realization that no, medicine isn’t her future.
• (20:00) – Finding her superpowers, allowing her to make a dent in the world. 
• (20:56) – Ann receives an invitation to shadow the HP CEO.
• (22:00) – The shadowing experience impacts her life and ignites a dream inside of her.
• (23:05) – The idea of pursuing venture capital comes into play. 
• (23:25) – CRV and 9/11.
• (23:50) – Getting her feet wet at CRV and learning the venture capital ropes. 
• (25:39) – The journey into cybersecurity and risk modeling begins. 
• (27:33) – Floodgate begins. 
• (28:50) – The conversation with Mike Maples. 
• (30:26) – Ann knew AWS would be big and she was right. 
• (31:00) – When the financial markets were down, Ann and Maples ran in and filled the gap.
• (33:45) – Ann makes her first investment in 2009.
• (34:09) – Lessons learned along the way.
• (36:41) – Knowing the people, not the business, is the most important piece. 
• (37:58) – The Super Thinker Concept. 
• (38:59) – Every time they find those traits, it leads to a win. 
• (41:00) – Knowledge transfer is the key to making dent makers.
• (41:30) – The one thing Ann thinks is important, especially for women.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stop for a minute and think about all of the big businesses that impact your life. Each of them, regardless of the product or service they offer, required funding or capital of some sort to get off the ground. Some of the founders may have come from wealth and as such, had easy access to the resources they needed to get things up and moving. That’s true in some, but in a lot more cases, those big businesses that impact our lives got where they are with the help of a venture capitalist. 

Our guest today is Ann Miura-Ko, and she knows a lot about venture capitalism and how to spot a good business when she sees one. She’s the founder of Floodgate, a VC firm annually recognized as one of the best in the world. Today, she stops by to discuss her improbable ride to the top of the VC mountain, things she learned along the way, and how you too can find success and use your superpower to make a dent in the world. If you’re an entrepreneur or just a person trying to figure it out, Ann has a message that will put you on the right path!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes we think we have life all figured out, who we are, where we’re going to be and how this thing is going to play out. The funny thing is, in just about every instance, life has other ideas. The beauty of it all is the choices life makes on our behalf lead us just to the place where we were meant to be. In the process, that path allows us to do our part, no matter how large or small that part may be, to make the world a better place.

Our guest today is a man who thought he ignored his calling, but in the end, yielded to it and in the process has had a profound impact on the world. Matthew Prince is the founder of Cloudfare and one of the most respected business and technical minds in the world today. He knows a lot about the internet, where it’s going, where it’s been, and how to protect us as this essential piece of life continues to evolve. He has an incredible entrepreneurial story that will inspire you to pursue your dreams using the tools he used to pursue his. It’s an incredibly rewarding discussion that will change the way you look at life and challenge you to live it to the fullest!

In This Episode

• (1:55) – Coming out of college, Matthew had offers from major brands but decided to go to law school instead. 
• (2:15) – He tried to move away from technology but somehow, found his way back. 
• (6:08) – Matthew opens up about the irony of his work as it relates to his college thesis.
• (6:51) – Law was a safe path for life. 
• (7:40) – Matthew discusses the growth of his business. 
• (8:30) – Group work fails, and he tries to revisit the legal option. 
• (9:44) – Privilege and wealth and how it makes the dream of entrepreneurship an easier reality for some. 
• (11:26) – Matthew believes hard times help people focus. 
• (14:49) – The lightbulb moment for Matthew and his business.
• (16:10) – Big things begin happening and Matthew discusses them. 
• (16:45) - The moment Matthew and his team feel they’ve done something special.
• (18:23) – Cloudflare flips the switch on free encryption. 
• (19:15) – Adding new features and how to commodify and monetize are discussed.
• (20:14) – Matthew discusses whether he thought he’d be successful. 
• (23:14) – The parallels between Star Wars and the internet. 
• (25:00) – Matthew discusses the internet and how it continues changing the world.
• (26:15) – The one piece of advice Matthew leaves the listener with.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes we think we have life all figured out, who we are, where we’re going to be and how this thing is going to play out. The funny thing is, in just about every instance, life has other ideas. The beauty of it all is the choices life makes on our behalf lead us just to the place where we were meant to be. In the process, that path allows us to do our part, no matter how large or small that part may be, to make the world a better place.

Our guest today is a man who thought he ignored his calling, but in the end, yielded to it and in the process has had a profound impact on the world. Matthew Prince is the founder of Cloudfare and one of the most respected business and technical minds in the world today. He knows a lot about the internet, where it’s going, where it’s been, and how to protect us as this essential piece of life continues to evolve. He has an incredible entrepreneurial story that will inspire you to pursue your dreams using the tools he used to pursue his. It’s an incredibly rewarding discussion that will change the way you look at life and challenge you to live it to the fullest!

In This Episode

• (1:55) – Coming out of college, Matthew had offers from major brands but decided to go to law school instead. 
• (2:15) – He tried to move away from technology but somehow, found his way back. 
• (6:08) – Matthew opens up about the irony of his work as it relates to his college thesis.
• (6:51) – Law was a safe path for life. 
• (7:40) – Matthew discusses the growth of his business. 
• (8:30) – Group work fails, and he tries to revisit the legal option. 
• (9:44) – Privilege and wealth and how it makes the dream of entrepreneurship an easier reality for some. 
• (11:26) – Matthew believes hard times help people focus. 
• (14:49) – The lightbulb moment for Matthew and his business.
• (16:10) – Big things begin happening and Matthew discusses them. 
• (16:45) - The moment Matthew and his team feel they’ve done something special.
• (18:23) – Cloudflare flips the switch on free encryption. 
• (19:15) – Adding new features and how to commodify and monetize are discussed.
• (20:14) – Matthew discusses whether he thought he’d be successful. 
• (23:14) – The parallels between Star Wars and the internet. 
• (25:00) – Matthew discusses the internet and how it continues changing the world.
• (26:15) – The one piece of advice Matthew leaves the listener with.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cedric the Entertainer and Anthony Anderson … the names evoke a mix of fun and joyous emotions. From the television screen to film and stage, these two men have graced the hearts and minds of viewers for nearly three decades, delivering their unique performance styles. They’ve made their mark in the world of entertainment and now … they’re looking to conquer the culinary world … through barbeque!

Barbeque is a staple in the culture these two men are a part of and today, we’ll discuss AC Barbeque, a BBQ lifestyle brand that these titans are partnering on. We’ll also touch on their family origins, find out what motivates them, and advice that will help you succeed, regardless of the life path you’ve chosen. It’s a spirited, fun-filled conversation and one you’re sure to enjoy.

In This Episode

• (1:00) - Cedric and Anthony on how they got their respective starts.
• (2:00) – Anthony discusses his family lineage, roots, and where his parents were born.
• (2:32) – BBQ was a way of life for the Anderson family.
• (2:44) – Cedric discusses his family origins and his eventual move to St. Louis at the age of 10
• (3:58) – How Cedric’s mother taught him and his younger sister the power of manifesting.
• (4:28) – How the TV show “Fame” greatly influenced Cedric’s move to entertainment
• (6:23) – Anthony shares that, similar to Cedric, he too grew up wanting to become a lawyer.
• (7:31) – Anthony’s first taste of acting success
• (9:33) – Jackie Gleason was an inspirational figure for a young Cedric. 
• (10:34) – Cedric discusses his journey, specifically the obstacle of self-doubt.
• (11:53) – Dreaming big was always the mindset for Anthony.
• (12:54) – For Anthony, setbacks drove him to work harder.
• (13:12) – Cedric and Anthony discuss how they first met. 
• (15:25) – The origins of AC Barbeque 
• (19:05) – Cedric and Anthony's advise for making dreams come true.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cedric the Entertainer and Anthony Anderson … the names evoke a mix of fun and joyous emotions. From the television screen to film and stage, these two men have graced the hearts and minds of viewers for nearly three decades, delivering their unique performance styles. They’ve made their mark in the world of entertainment and now … they’re looking to conquer the culinary world … through barbeque!

Barbeque is a staple in the culture these two men are a part of and today, we’ll discuss AC Barbeque, a BBQ lifestyle brand that these titans are partnering on. We’ll also touch on their family origins, find out what motivates them, and advice that will help you succeed, regardless of the life path you’ve chosen. It’s a spirited, fun-filled conversation and one you’re sure to enjoy.

In This Episode 

• (1:00) - Cedric and Anthony on how they got their respective starts.
• (2:00) – Anthony discusses his family lineage, roots, and where his parents were born.
• (2:32) – BBQ was a way of life for the Anderson family.
• (2:44) – Cedric discusses his family origins and his eventual move to St. Louis at the age of 10
• (3:58) – How Cedric’s mother taught him and his younger sister the power of manifesting.
• (4:28) – How the TV show “Fame” greatly influenced Cedric’s move to entertainment
• (6:23) – Anthony shares that, similar to Cedric, he too grew up wanting to become a lawyer.
• (7:31) – Anthony’s first taste of acting success
• (9:33) – Jackie Gleason was an inspirational figure for a young Cedric. 
• (10:34) – Cedric discusses his journey, specifically the obstacle of self-doubt.
• (11:53) – Dreaming big was always the mindset for Anthony.
• (12:54) – For Anthony, setbacks drove him to work harder.
• (13:12) – Cedric and Anthony discuss how they first met. 
• (15:25) – The origins of AC Barbeque 
• (19:05) – Cedric and Anthony's advice for making dreams come true.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.