In Search Of Excellence

Mike Meldman: From Co-Founding Casamigos to Becoming Co-Owner of the Las Vegas Raiders | E165


Listen Later

In this powerful episode, Mike Meldman — real estate mogul, co-founder of Casamigos Tequila, and founder of Discovery Land Company — shares the remarkable story behind his journey from instinct-driven entrepreneur to one of the most influential figures in luxury real estate and lifestyle branding. 

Mike dives deep into how Casamigos, a tequila brand originally created with George Clooney “just for fun,” skyrocketed from a personal project to a billion-dollar business — despite having no plans for mass distribution. From there, he walks us through the origin and explosive growth of Discovery Land Company, a visionary take on private communities built around service, family, and meaningful experiences — not just golf. 

One of his standout projects, Kukio in Hawaii, started with an underwhelming plot of lava rock but became one of the most successful resort communities in the U.S., selling $50 million worth of real estate in just 90 days. Mike reveals how a courthouse bidding war with Mitsubishi, unconventional thinking, and meticulous attention to member experience helped make Kukio what it is today. 

But his ambition didn’t stop there. Mike also discusses his 7.5% ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, the importance of choosing the right people to surround yourself with, and how he's used strategic investments in companies like Vuori (valued today at $7 billion) to expand his brand’s reach far beyond real estate. 

He speaks candidly about the challenges he's faced — including the emotional toll of two failed marriages — and reflects on what truly matters: family, discipline, integrity, and giving back. Through the Discovery Land Company Foundation, Mike supports children’s charities and community development around each of his projects, making sure that luxury living doesn't come at the cost of social impact. 

This episode is more than a conversation — it’s a blueprint for anyone who wants to build something iconic from scratch, stay grounded while chasing massive success, and leave behind a legacy that matters. 

Timestamps:
00:00 – Casamigos and Discovery Land Company
00:58 – Investment in Las Vegas Raiders
03:00 – Kukio Project in Hawaii
06:44 – Challenges and Successes at Kukio
09:58 – Gaza Ranch and Personal Reflections
12:30 – Preparation and Team Building
21:07 – Acquisition of Yellowstone Club
27:58 – Investments and Strategic Partnerships
35:42 – Philanthropy and Community Impact
40:12 – Personal Reflections and Future Goals


Coaching and Staying Connected:

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

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

In Search Of ExcellenceBy Randall Kaplan

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

117 ratings


More shows like In Search Of Excellence

View all
The Rich Roll Podcast by Rich Roll

The Rich Roll Podcast

11,932 Listeners

The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes

The School of Greatness

21,202 Listeners

Founders by David Senra

Founders

1,976 Listeners

The Martell Method w/ Dan Martell by Dan Martell

The Martell Method w/ Dan Martell

554 Listeners

THE ED MYLETT SHOW by Ed Mylett | Cumulus Podcast Network

THE ED MYLETT SHOW

14,088 Listeners

Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory by Impact Theory

Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory

4,711 Listeners

The Game with Alex Hormozi by Alex Hormozi

The Game with Alex Hormozi

4,398 Listeners

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

7,869 Listeners

The Jon Gordon Podcast by Jon Gordon

The Jon Gordon Podcast

1,212 Listeners

Modern Wisdom by Chris Williamson

Modern Wisdom

3,793 Listeners

Habits and Hustle by Jen Cohen and Habit Nest

Habits and Hustle

823 Listeners

My First Million by Hubspot Media

My First Million

2,647 Listeners

A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

A Bit of Optimism

2,166 Listeners

Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

Huberman Lab

28,999 Listeners

BigDeal by Codie Sanchez

BigDeal

760 Listeners