Welcome to In Search of Excellence! In this powerful second part of our interview, billionaire entrepreneur and Minnesota Timberwolves owner Marc Lore joins Randall Kaplan to share the unconventional secrets behind his massive success. From selling Diapers.com to Amazon and Jet.com to Walmart for billions, to his latest vision with Wonder, Marc reveals why “leaving no escape hatch” is the ultimate motivator for any founder.

In this episode, Marc Lore dives deep into the “sixth gear” mentality required to scale world-class companies. He details the high-stakes world of angel investing, explaining why he put his entire life savings on the line to secure his first $4 million in funding.

You’ll hear the behind-the-scenes story of the Amazon vs. Diapers.com price war and why Marc chose to take $100 million less to ensure his company’s future.

Marc also shares his “clean slate” philosophy on business pivots, explaining why he took his current company, Wonder, to zero revenue to transition from food trucks to brick-and-mortar. Finally, he discusses the emotional toll of the legal battle for the Minnesota Timberwolves and provides his blueprint for a 21st-century vision for America.

⸻

Key Moments & Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Marc Lore’s “No Plan B” philosophy
02:50 – Is college still necessary in the age of AI and YouTube?
05:35 – Why the “person you work for” matters more than the job
08:33 – Quitting a top Wall Street job with no backup plan
11:00 – How to raise $4M from 80 angel investors

14:00 – Why putting your life savings at risk actually reduces risk
17:20 – The Amazon “Diaper War”: Why selling for $545M was depressing
21:33 – The future of e-commerce: Kiva robots and conversational AI
25:10 – Selling Jet.com to Walmart for $3.3 billion
30:20 – The Wonder pivot: Closing a $100M truck business for brick-and-mortar
38:35 – Winning the legal battle for the Minnesota Timberwolves
46:49 – Marc’s famous “Salary Goals” sign and the power of a mission
51:43 – The truth about 100-hour work weeks and family balance
54:29 – Fill in the Blank to Excellence: Biggest regrets and life advice

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About Marc Lore

Marc Lore is a serial entrepreneur, billionaire, and professional sports owner. He is the founder of Jet.com (sold to Walmart for $3.3B) and Quidsi (parent company of Diapers.com, sold to Amazon for $545M). He currently serves as the Founder and CEO of Wonder, a revolutionary food delivery platform. He is also the owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) and Minnesota Lynx (WNBA).

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⸻

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About Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.

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In this explosive episode of In Search of Excellence, Randall Kaplan sits down with Marc Lore—the billionaire entrepreneur, owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the visionary founder behind Diapers.com (sold to Amazon for $545M) and Jet.com (sold to Walmart for $3.3B).

If you think entrepreneurship is glamorous, think again. Marc drops the filter to reveal that "95% of the day is shit work"—boring, repetitive, and unexciting tasks that most people quit on. From hauling thousands of diaper boxes out of Costco in an 18-wheeler because manufacturers wouldn't sell to him , to counting cards in Atlantic City casinos, Marc shares the raw stories of resourcefulness and resilience that defined his path to billions.

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Key Moments & Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Why entrepreneurship is low probability and "shit work"
01:46 – The Story: Marc’s dad crashing Bruce Springsteen’s house
03:44 – How Marc’s dad "hacked" the job market for programmers
07:44 – Marc’s mom becoming a competitive bodybuilder at age 36
11:31 – The "Farmer Mindset": Creating something from nothing
13:32 – Nature vs. Nurture: Are entrepreneurs born or made?
14:44 – Overcoming bullies and the power of being alone
19:48 – Why "A-students" from top schools often struggle with failure
23:40 – Hiring Strategy: Why Marc is a "Resume Snob"
31:30 – Trading options and derivatives at 12 years old
35:32 – The Fake ID Ring: Deconstructing licenses to beat the system
40:12 – Why manual labor is the best training for CEOs
43:55 – The Diapers.com Hustle: Buying inventory from Costco with an 18-wheeler
45:48 – The "Loss Leader" Strategy: Losing money to win the customer
48:14 – The Human Calculator: Marc proves his insane math skills live
51:51 – Why visionary founders are obsessed with magic

About the Guest: Marc Lore
Marc Lore is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and owner of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves. He is one of the few founders to sell a company to Amazon (Diapers.com) and another to Walmart (Jet.com) for multibillion-dollar exits. Known for his "human calculator" math skills and extreme risk tolerance, Marc is currently building the utopian city project Telosa and the food delivery startup Wonder.

About the Host: Randall Kaplan
If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
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For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

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1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

About Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.

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In Part 2 of this incredible interview, Randy Kaplan sits down with world-renowned mentalist and America’s Got Talent finalist Oz Perlman. Oz reveals the psychological frameworks that allowed him to transition from a high-stakes career at Merrill Lynch to becoming the most sought-after mentalist in the world.

This episode dives deep into the "Business of Mind Reading." Oz shares his proprietary "Silo Method" for processing rejection, his "Shampoo Model" for never forgetting a name, and why a simple bag of Starbucks coffee can be the key to landing a million-dollar meeting. Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to network with CEOs or someone trying to master the art of public speaking, Oz Perlman’s insights on authenticity, extreme preparation, and the power of "giving" will transform your professional life.
Stick around until the end for a mind-bending demonstration where Oz reads Randy’s mind in real-time!

Timestamps
00:00 – The difference between Magic and Mentalism.
01:00 – Cold calling: The most important skill you can have.
05:00 – Tricking your brain to handle rejection (The Silo Method).
10:39 – Is college still necessary? Building a social brand.
15:00 – How to earn a mentorship and add true value.
17:41 – The Starbucks Coffee Trick: How to get any meeting.
21:30 – Quitting Wall Street: The James Gorman story.
30:00 – How to never forget a name (Listen, Repeat, Reply).
35:00 – Public speaking as a force multiplier for success.
40:00 – Learning from failure vs. extreme preparation.
44:14 – Rapid fire questions: Oz’s biggest regrets and goals.
47:15 – LIVE MENTALISM: Oz reads Randy Kaplan's mind.

Guest Bio & Links
Oz Perlman is an Emmy-award-winning mentalist and one of the most famous performers in his field today. After rising to national fame as a finalist on America’s Got Talent in 2015, Oz has become a regular guest on major networks like CNBC, performing for elite CEOs and world leaders. He is a marathon runner, a math prodigy, and the author of the upcoming book “Read Your Mind”.
Order Oz’s new book, "Read Your Mind" at this link.
Follow Oz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozthementalist/?hl=en
Visit Oz Perlman’s Website: https://www.ozpearlman.com/
Watch Oz's TED Talk on Memory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3M00JI8Iwo&t=433s

About the Host
Randy Kaplan is an entrepreneur, investor, and the co-founder of multiple multi-billion-dollar companies. As the host of *In Search of Excellence*, he interviews world-class performers to uncover the secrets to their success.

Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
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For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

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Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/
1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

About Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn | X

Welcome to In Search of Excellence! In this episode, we are joined by Oz Perlman, the most sought-after and famous mentalist in the world. Known for his incredible run on America’s Got Talent in 2015, and working with many celebrities and athletes, including Tom Brady and man sports teams, Oz reveals the "super secrets" to success that go far beyond the stage. We dive into his journey from being a math prodigy who aced the SATs at age 12 to becoming a master of communication and human behavior.

Oz shares his philosophy on relentlessness, the importance of doing "shit work," and why offering to work for free is the ultimate "one-way call option" for your career. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a student, or someone looking to sharpen your communication skills, Oz’s insights on capturing attention and overcoming the fear of failure will provide a roadmap for your own excellence.

Timestamps
● 00:00 – The "Super Secret" to getting any job.
● 01:21 – Oz Perlman’s background and the meaning of "Oz".
● 04:12 – Growing up as an "engineering brat" and moving to the US.
● 06:10 – Developing communication skills through restaurant magic.
● 08:45 – Skipping 4th grade and winning the Spelling Bee.
● 10:30 – Getting a perfect 800 on the Math SAT at age 12.
● 15:05 – The seminal moment: A cruise ship magic show that changed everything.
● 19:22 – Learning from books vs. videos: Why "sweat equity" matters.
● 23:40 – AI, ChatGPT, and the future of human creativity.
● 30:15 – Cleaning bathrooms and the value of "shit work”.
● 36:12 – Managing time, blocking schedules, and delegating admin tasks.
● 40:10 – The Zia’s Restaurant story: How to sell yourself by offering zero risk.

Check out Oz Pearlman’s book “Read Your Mind” at this link: https://www.ozpearlman.com/book

Connect with Oz:
● Website: https://www.ozpearlman.com/
● Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/rcf9529j
● X: https://x.com/OzTheMentalist?s=20

If you found Oz’s insights on relentless success and the "work for free" strategy helpful, please give this video a LIKE, leave a COMMENT with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with the world's most excellent people!

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🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6L

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

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In Search of Excellence Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@iseclips

About Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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Is Rick Caruso running for Mayor of Los Angeles again? In this explosive Part 2 interview on In Search of Excellence, host Randall Kaplan sits down with billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso to discuss the future of Los Angeles, his political aspirations, and the secrets behind his massive success.

Rick Caruso is the force behind The Grove, Palisades Village, and the Rosewood Miramar Beach. With a net worth of nearly $6 billion, he opens up about why money was never his motivation. Rick details the terrifying Palisades fire, revealing the "extreme preparation" and private firefighting team that saved his property when others burned.

We also dive deep into politics. Rick gives a candid critique of Mayor Karen Bass and former Mayor Eric Garcetti, explains why he believes the city was unprepared for the recent disasters, and discusses the disastrous impact of the "Mansion Tax" (ULA) on California real estate. Plus, he shares invaluable advice on integrity, "protecting your obituary," and the one rule he follows in business: "Don't do business with bad people".

 Timestamps & Key Takeaways

00:00 - The Golden Rule of Business: Don't do business with bad people.
02:03 - When will Erewhon & Palisades Village reopen? (Fire recovery update) .
04:37 - The terrifying moment the fire started & evacuating the schools.
06:17 - How Rick saved his property using private firefighters & retardant.
09:34 - Who is to blame? Rick’s critique of the City & Mayor Bass’s preparedness.
12:54 - Why Rick ran for Mayor & his thoughts on losing to Karen Bass.
15:07 - Was Eric Garcetti a "weak mayor"?.
16:27 - The Big Question: Will Rick run for Mayor or Governor again?.
17:21 - The first 3 things Rick would do as Mayor (Crime, Homelessness, Housing Costs).
18:45 - The truth about the "Mansion Tax" (ULA) and why it’s hurting LA.
21:01 - Why money should never be your motivation for success.
22:49 - The power of extreme preparation & integrity.
27:44 - Best Advice: "Protect Your Obituary".
34:03 - The love of his life & final thoughts.


Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Follow Randall!
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1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

About Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn | X

In this episode of In Search of Excellence, Randall Kaplan sits down with Rick Caruso, the billionaire real estate developer and former Los Angeles Mayoral candidate who revolutionized the retail industry. From the iconic Grove to the Rosewood Miramar Beach, Caruso’s properties attract more visitors annually than Disneyland. But his journey wasn't a straight line to success. Rick opens up about his father’s legal troubles and prison time, the power of resilience, and why he believes "shit work" is essential for young entrepreneurs. We also dive deep into his controversial but effective views on solving homelessness in Los Angeles and the specific business strategies that allow his properties to outperform the national average by 3x.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro: Why doesn't a billionaire solve homelessness?
01:42 - Rick’s family roots & the rubber band on his money clip
03:59 - Dealing with his father’s legal trouble and prison sentence
07:23 - The "Dollar Rent A Car" comeback story
10:49 - Rick’s plan to fix the homeless crisis in LA
14:40 - Why you need to do the "shit work" to succeed
17:37 - Is college necessary today? (USC & Marshall School)
22:34 - Rick’s first real estate deal: The Midvale Duplex
24:05 - The "Parking Lot Strategy" and 100% financing
31:43 - The vision behind The Grove & the famous trolley
35:39 - The art of Cold Calling & Networking
38:17 - Why Caruso properties earn 3x the national average
41:34 - Building the Rosewood Miramar Beach & defying NIMBYs

Make sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with the world's most successful people!

About the Guest
Rick Caruso is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Caruso, one of the largest and most admired privately held real estate and hospitality companies in the United States. A visionary developer, Rick is known for creating community-centric destinations like The Grove, The Americana at Brand, and Palisades Village that have redefined the retail experience. He served as the President of the Los Angeles Police Commission and the President of the USC Board of Trustees, and in 2022, he ran for Mayor of Los Angeles.

Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Follow Randall!
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LinkedIn:  @randallkaplan
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Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/
1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

About Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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World-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow (Botched, The Swan, RHOC) joins Randall Kaplan on In Search of Excellence to talk about fame, the realities and risks of plastic surgery, Brazilian Butt Lift dangers, choosing the right surgeon, pricing myths, breast implants (Motiva), AI in surgery, GLP-1s (Ozempic/Mounjaro) for longevity, and the mindset of extreme preparation that fueled his success. If you care about healthspan, aesthetics, safety, and high performance, this episode is packed with “can’t-Google-this” wisdom from the most recognized plastic surgeon on TV.

What You’ll Learn:
•The double-edged sword of fame: why reality-TV notoriety is “hypnotic—and dangerous,” and how it changed Terry’s practice overnight.
•Behind The Swan & Botched: from a wild casting journey to the pitch that became Botched (and why “It’s a scalpel, not a magic wand” still matters).
•The hardest saves: a jaw-dropping case involving illegal facial injections and how Terry engineered a safe, creative fix.
•Safety over trends: the real risk profile of BBLs (fat embolism), why Terry won’t do them, and smart alternatives.
•How to choose a great surgeon: the 3 non-negotiables—board certification (ABPS/ABFPS), hospital privileges, and credible word-of-mouth—plus why “before/afters” can mislead.
•Pricing myths: why paying $40k–$80k+ for basic procedures (e.g., primary breast aug) doesn’t guarantee better results.
•Breast implants 101: capsular contracture reality, why some results feel “like coconuts,” and promising data on Motiva’s lower hardness rates.
•Celebrities & surgery: reputational risk calculus—and why Terry often says no.
•Family patients & objectivity: when he’ll operate (and when he won’t).
•AI in plastic surgery: why robot “hands” are still the bottleneck.
•GLP-1s & longevity: Terry’s board certification in Obesity Medicine, why micro-dosing GLP-1s may benefit metabolic health, and emerging indications.
•Extreme Preparation: the mental reps that saved trauma patients—and how he studied his way to a 94th-percentile board score.
•Housewives, fame traps, and kindness: cultural takes, life boundaries, and why kindness is a high-leverage success habit.

Guest Bio — Dr. Terry Dubrow
Dr. Terry Dubrow is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, star of the hit TV show Botched, and a nationally recognized expert in complex reconstruction and cosmetic surgery. He trained at UCLA and completed advanced academic work at Yale, where he honed a research mindset that led to dozens of publications early in his career. Today, he practices in Newport Beach, CA, while educating millions on surgical safety, outcomes, and ethics.

Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Follow Randall!
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Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/
1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

About Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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World-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow (star of Botched) sits down with Randall Kaplan for a raw, inspiring conversation on rising from poverty in Los Angeles to medical excellence at UCLA and Yale, the mentors who changed his life, and what it really takes to build a top practice in Newport Beach. We cover career pivots, boldness vs. fear, medical training, research & publishing, and wild rock-n-roll stories with his brother Kevin DuBrow of Quiet Riot—plus practical, step-by-step success frameworks you can use today. If you’re chasing excellence in medicine, entrepreneurship, or any high-stakes field, this episode is your blueprint.

What You’ll Learn
• Humble beginnings & grit: Growing up with a single mom in LA, learning self-reliance, and the mindset that formed his drive to “figure it out and get it together.”
• Choosing a path (and changing it): Why dentistry felt empty, how volunteering in the UCLA ER “lit” him up, and the decision to take pre-med coursework at Yale while earning a master’s.
• Mentorship that transforms careers: The life-altering lecture by Dr. Mal Lesavoy, how Terry chased him down the hallway, joined his lab, and authored 23 surgical papers—learning that publishing is currency in academic medicine.
• The power of boldness: Specific, repeatable tactics for approaching mentors (be authentic, add value, do the homework) and why “clever and bold” beats “smart” alone.
• Quiet Riot, Ozzy, & loyalty: Unfiltered stories about Kevin DuBrow, Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne, sold-out Forum concerts—plus hard lessons on loyalty and the realities of entertainment.
• From residency to practice: The old-school general surgery track, complex reconstructive flap cases, and the leap from LA to Newport Beach practice (and what unexpectedly made it work).

Guest Bio — Dr. Terry Dubrow
Dr. Terry Dubrow is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, star of the hit TV show Botched, and a nationally recognized expert in complex reconstruction and cosmetic surgery. He trained at UCLA and completed advanced academic work at Yale, where he honed a research mindset that led to dozens of publications early in his career. Today, he practices in Newport Beach, CA, while educating millions on surgical safety, outcomes, and ethics


Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Follow Randall!
Instagram: @randallkaplan
LinkedIn:  @randallkaplan
TikTok:  @randall_kaplan
Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/
1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

About Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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Joe Kudla, Founder & CEO of Vuori, reveals the real playbook behind one of the fastest-growing performance lifestyle brands. We unpack the decisions and economics between direct-to-consumer vs. wholesale, community-led growth, cash-flow discipline, fundraising (from early tranches to secondaries), hiring and culture systems, ambassador strategy, operational excellence, and how Extreme Preparation and a 100/100 work ethic compound into a secret weapon to success.  If you’re building a consumer brand, apparel/DTC company, or high-performance team, this episode is a masterclass in strategy and execution.

What You’ll Learn:

• The origins of Vuori and why the market was primed for a new kind of performance lifestyle brand blending technical fabrics with California ease.
• Why wholesale under-expressed the vision and how Vuori’s pivot to a direct-to-consumer business unlocked authentic community, faster feedback loops, and hugely profitable growth.
• Fundraising in the messy middle: bridging cash crunches, raising in tranches, and choosing investors who back the mission—not just the model.
• Operating with discipline after secondary rounds: how to avoid “easy money” bad habits and keep teams scrappy, focused, and cash-flow aware.
• Learning how the company has paid its original investors and early employees more than $1 billion.
• Hiring for “fit + range” over resume, building values people can feel, and creating systems (like no-meeting time blocks) that protect deep work.


Chapters / Key Moments 

00:00 – Intro & Why This Conversation Matters
09:47 – Why Vuori & Joe’s Origin Story
17:34 – Raising Over $1 Billion To Give To Their Investors
19:27 – First Hires & Building the Team
28:59 – Wholesale Lessons & Retail Reality
38:28 – The DTC Pivot & Strategy
48:04 – Purpose, Values & Culture Systems
57:39 – IPO Readiness: Pros & Cons
67:16 – Closing / Final Takeaways

About Our Guest — Joe Kudla

Founder & CEO, Vuori. Joe is the entrepreneur behind Vuori, a global performance lifestyle brand known for technical apparel, premium materials, effortless style, and community-centric growth. He’s scaled from startup scarcity and near failure to international reach by pairing cash-flow discipline with brand-first thinking, values-driven leadership, and a relentless commitment to product and culture.

Guest Links:

Vuori: https://vuoriclothing.com

Joe Kudla (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joekudla/

Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching
 
Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs
 
Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-excellence/id1579184310
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6L
 
For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/
 
Follow Randall!
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LinkedIn:  @randallkaplan 
TikTok:  @randall_kaplan 
Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/
1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

About Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn | X

How do you build a category-defining apparel brand from zero? In this episode of In Search of Excellence, host Randall Kaplan sits down with Joe Kudla, Founder & CEO of Vuori, to unpack the real playbook behind scaling a modern athleisure/performance apparel company. 
We cover building a brand from the ground up, market whitespace, direct-to-consumer vs. retail, product-market fit, storytelling, community, leadership, peak performance habits, and how sobriety, mindfulness, and the FILO (first-in, last-out) work ethic shaped Joe’s journey—from accounting and modeling in Milan to launching one of the most talked-about activewear brands.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro — fear vs. confidence; the FILO advantage
02:04 Early years, sports & learning differences → leadership lessons
06:45 Internships that lead to jobs; how to stand out and get hired
11:30 From accounting to Milan: rejection, fit modeling & thick skin
18:52 First ventures → what failed, what stuck, and why
25:40 Building community; why brand is a lived experience, not a logo
31:28 Money milestone & “golden handcuffs” → redefining success
38:12 Clarity, sobriety, yoga & meditation: founder operating system
44:05 Meeting collaborators; the Vuori spark & market whitespace
50:10 Product obsession, positioning, and everyday performance
56:30 DTC vs. retail: distribution, margins, and scale
1:02:18 Hiring, leadership principles, and culture that compounds
1:07:59 Rapid-fire advice for students, job seekers, and founders
1:11:30 Closing thoughts + Joe’s #1 lesson

About our guest — Joe Kudla
Joe Kudla is the Founder & CEO of Vuori, a California-inspired performance apparel brand known for premium fabrics, everyday versatility, and a community-driven approach to product and retail. Joe’s path spans accounting (EY), entrepreneurship, and the fashion world, culminating in Vuori’s growth as one of the most influential athleisure brands of the last decade.


Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching
 
Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs
 
Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-excellence/id1579184310
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6L
 
For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/
 
Follow Randall!
Instagram: @randallkaplan 
LinkedIn:  @randallkaplan 
TikTok:  @randall_kaplan 
Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/
1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

About Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn | X