Imagine leaving a six‐figure Wall Street salary behind to chase a single, daring idea. In this episode, David Heacock shows you how he turned a basic product into a $250M empire. At 29, he left Wall Street to bet on air filters. That bet transformed into Filterbuy, now a $250 million direct-to-consumer manufacturer serving more than 7 million customers through a ruthlessly efficient operation. Today we talk about what actually matters when building a business, balancing obsession with family life, selling on Amazon, what he’d do differently if starting over, and the freight decision he calls his biggest mistake. Whether you’re starting a business, scaling one, or simply looking for insights on hiring, managing, or making bold decisions, David shares the lessons that helped him build his empire. 

David Heacock is the founder and CEO of Filterbuy. Before revolutionizing the air filter industry, he traded options at Goldman Sachs from 2005-2012. 

If you’re driven by bold decisions and value hard-won lessons, this conversation is your playbook. Don’t miss out on the insights that could redefine your own path to success.

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(00:02:56) David's Journey to Goldman Sachs 

(00:06:07) Committing to Entrepreneurship 

(00:07:35) The Power of Obsession 

(00:10:08) The Decision to Expand Geographically 

(00:12:55) Challenges in Building the First Plant 

(00:18:58) Management Level Hiring 

(00:22:41) Studying Operating Systems for Companies 

(00:24:49) The Nuances of Hiring 

(00:25:53) External Accountability 

(00:29:37) Adapting Business Operating Systems 

(00:30:13) The Role of a Chief of Staff 

(00:31:03) Building Department-Specific Operating Models 

(00:32:56) Articulating the Company's Mission and Values 

(00:44:19) Understanding Marketing and Branding 

(00:47:10) The Strategy Behind Intent-Based Marketing 

(00:52:13) The Decision to Enter Retail 

(00:57:26) Success in Retail and Customer Acquisition 

(00:58:19) Diversifying Market Segments 

(00:59:13) Competitive Advantage Over Other Brands 

(01:01:07) The Logistics Aspect of the Business 

(01:04:25) Defining Direct-to-Consumer Brands 

(01:08:39) Technical Challenges and Overcoming Setbacks 

(01:11:46) Core Personal Traits for Success 

(01:16:37) The Power of Obsession Over Willpower 

(01:17:46) Facing the Hardest Moments in Business 

(01:26:36) The Decision to Enter the Freight Business 

(01:30:48) Diversifying into the HVAC Service Business 

(01:34:51) The Future of HVAC Service Business 

(01:36:01) Personal Branding and Business Growth 

(01:37:23) The Role of Marketing and Operations 

(01:38:48) Contrasting Business Models: Private Equity 

(01:43:00) The Importance of Mission and Vision 

(01:47:12) Balancing Obsession and Family Life 

(01:53:44) The Dangers of Lifestyle Creep and Maintaining Financial Stability 

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So far with The Knowledge Project Podcast, we've focused on interviews. But I’ve learned as much from reading biographies as from interviewing amazing people. That’s why we’re starting 'Lessons from Outliers.' Every other week, we'll study an outlier who did remarkable work. From industrialists who reimagined commerce to the irreverent personalities who challenged the foundations of their fields, we'll explore what they did and how they did it. We can learn something from everyone.  

We're starting Outliers with Timothy Eaton, a Canadian name that might not be familiar to many listeners today, but his innovations fundamentally changed retail and how we shop. This episode is about how he built that empire, the principles that drove its success, and the forces that eventually brought it all crashing down. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or trying to understand how great companies rise and fall, Timothy Eaton's story offers timeless lessons about innovation, trust, and the true price of success. You'll learn why even the mightiest empires can crumble when they forget the principles that built them and why success—no matter how massive—must be earned and re-earned daily. 

(01:55) Introduction

(05:04) The Vision

(06:16) Timothy’s Early Years

(09:28) The System

(12:17) The Innovation Engine

(14:18) The Scale Game

(18:08) The Platform Play

(19:32) The Leadership Philosophy

(20:48) The Succession

(22:21) Retail as Entertainment

(23:14) The Western Expansion

(25:12) Building the National Network

(26:05) Creating the Corporate Family

(26:43) The Pinnacle of Power

(27:43) The Inherited Crown

(28:33) The Comfortable Plateau

(31:33) The Weight of Tradition

(33:12) The Profit Paradox

(34:02) The Identity Crisis

(34:51) The Final Chapter

This podcast is for information purposes only and draws primarily from two excellent books: ‘The Eatons: The Rise and Fall of Canada's Royal Family’ by Rod McQueen which chronicles the Eaton family history and the company’s journey from beginning to end, and ‘Timothy Eaton and the Rise of His Department Store’ by Joy L. Santiuk, which focuses on the founder’s life. If this story captured your interest, we highly recommend both books for their thorough documentation of what became a Canadian institution for over a century. 

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This episode will transform how you think about style, aspiration, and the art of knowing what people want before they know it themselves. From working in department stores to advising Steve Jobs on Apple’s retail strategy when it didn’t have retail at all, Drexler’s career traces the evolution of American retail itself: from local shops to mall dominance, from catalog to digital, from mass market to personalization. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a retail enthusiast, or someone looking to build a brand that stands the test of time, Mickey shares invaluable insights on what separates truly successful brands from the rest.

Mickey Drexler is the chairman of Alex Mill. Before that, he was the CEO of J. Crew and sat on the Board of Directors of Apple. He founded Old Navy and Madewell, and served as the CEO of Gap from 1983–2002.

Learn why gaining real-world insights—and not just reports or data—is crucial to staying ahead of the competition.

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(02:16) How Mickey Drexler became Mickey Drexler

(07:04) Lessons from redefining Gap

(12:47) Merchant, defined

(15:17) How Drexler evaluates stores

(19:20) Lessons from running Gap

(21:19) On Old Navy

(27:26) On Steve Jobs and Working with Apple

(33:00) Re-making J. Crew

(37:00) Drexler's superpower

(43:40) Current-day retailers who are great

(45:10) How Drexler got "Madewell"

(47:15) What makes something a classic look?

(50:20) On success

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Alfred Lin shares strategies for navigating startup challenges, building resilient teams, and creating long-lasting value. Lin explores lessons from companies like Zappos, Airbnb, DoorDash, and Amazon, offering actionable insights on topics like hiring for potential, managing crises, and fostering innovative cultures. Learn how first-principles thinking, customer focus, and disciplined growth can transform challenges into opportunities, even in the face of unprecedented disruptions.

Lin is a partner at Sequoia Capital. He represents Sequoia on boards like Airbnb and DoorDash. From January 2005 to December 2010, he served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer of Zappos. He has a Bachelors in Applied Mathematics from Harvard and a Masters in Statistics from Stanford.

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(00:00) Intro

(03:20) Personal Journey: From Taiwan to Entrepreneur

(04:51) School Days: Lessons in Creativity and Discipline

(06:21) Infinite Games: Shaping Life's Philosophy

(08:12) Core Values and Life Principles

(10:09) Work-Life Balance and Family Insights

(12:13) Inputs vs Outputs: Daily Routines and Priorities

(13:56) First Order Issues: Problem Solving in Business

(18:46) Early Career: From LinkExchange to Zappos

(44:01) Facing the 9/11 Crisis

(44:24) Building a Profitable Company

(44:50) Creative Financing Strategies

(45:55) Customer Service Focus

(48:53) Handling High Return Rates

(53:31) Zappos' Unique Culture

(55:47) Holacracy Management System

(56:53) Maintaining Growth and Culture

(58:37) Avoiding Complacency

(01:10:21) Crucible Moments

(01:13:28) First Principles Thinking

(01:14:17) Navigating the Pandemic

(01:27:37) The Essence of Company Values

(01:28:04) Pros and Cons of Remote Work

(01:29:52) Building Company Culture in a Hybrid World

(01:33:11) Investment Strategies in Changing Markets

(01:37:37) The AI Revolution and Its Future

(02:01:56) Balancing Standardization and Customization

(02:04:44) Working Backwards vs. Forwards

(02:10:53) Defining Success: The Importance of Process

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Whether you’re looking to increase your income, start a side business, or completely transform your financial future, Codie Sanchez will break down exactly what separates those who successfully build wealth from those who stay stuck. This conversation is packed with immediately actionable insights covering the biggest myths around money, the difference between acquiring and keeping money, the rich versus broke mindset and how it changes everything, non obvious lessons on negotiating, and more. Plus, we talk about the single most important thing to know about building financial freedom—and it’s not what you think it is.

After spending nearly two decades on Wall Street, Codie Sanchez struck out on her own and has been buying and investing in businesses since 2012. She now runs a holding company of small and medium-sized businesses. Her unique focus is on “boring businesses” like laundromats and lawn care services. Sanchez is also the author of Main Street Millionaire: How to Make Extraordinary Wealth in Ordinary Businesses.

Newsletter - The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at https://fs.blog/newsletter/

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(00:00) Intro

(02:48) Codie Sanchez's Journey to Business Acquisition

(04:21) Understanding the Language of Money

(07:06) The Importance of Financial Freedom

(16:12) Learning and Earning in Your 20s

(17:32) The Power of Proximity and Mentorship

(28:37) The Role of Effort and Determination in Success

(39:45) Lessons from Business Failures

(44:22) Mastering Business Focus and Layering

(46:31) Misconceptions About Money

(48:21) Saving vs. Earning: A Financial Perspective

(51:57) The Rich vs. Broke Mindset

(53:24) Allies vs. Friends in Success

(01:09:04) The Importance of Reputation

(01:20:41) Negotiation and Sales Skills

(01:23:40) The Art of Door Knocking

(01:25:07) Defining Good and Bad Businesses

(01:26:26) Identifying Business Problems

(01:27:57) Hiring the Right People

(01:42:57) Traits of High Performers

(01:46:42) Balancing Work and Personal Life

(01:57:37) Investing as a W2 Employee

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The Knowledge Project closes 2024 with a look back at some of the best conversations of the year. Featuring interviews from some of our most downloaded episodes ever, this collection of conversations offers a variety of insights into finances and investing, improving your communication, marketing and positioning, business frameworks, health and nutrition, and how to beat death.

This conversation features segments from finance expert and writer Morgan Housel, non-verbal psychologist Blake Eastman, marketing and positioning expert April Dunford, blueberry billionaire John Bragg, parenting extraordinaire Becky Kennedy, a billion dollar CEO Brad Jacobs, nutrition guru Rhonda Patrick, and the guy who is beating death, Bryan Johnson.

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00:00 - Intro

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In this episode, Charlie Hoehn explains the secrets behind why some books are unforgettable, and others no one seems to remember. He shares his journey of helping authors transform their ideas into best-selling books and provides actionable advice on structuring, writing, and marketing a book. You'll learn how to craft titles that make people want to read your book, design compelling covers that stand out on the shelves, and use certain strategies to engage readers effectively depending on the ideas you communicate. Hoehn also shares the psychology behind book promotion, how to leverage feedback, and the dynamics of traditional versus self-publishing. Whether tackling a novel or email, this episode will transform how you write and communicate.

Charlie Hoehn is the founder of Author.Inc and a 3-time New York Times bestselling editor. He's the mind behind some of the influential books from Tim Ferriss, Ramit Sethi, Codie Sanchez, and Noah Kagan. Charlie's expertise has helped sell over 10 million books.

Newsletter - The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at https://fs.blog/newsletter/

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(00:00) Intro

(03:04) Helping Authors Succeed

(03:38) Writing for a Specific Audience

(07:14) The Importance of Real Feedback

(10:18) Traditional vs. Self-Publishing

(20:50) The Economics of Self-Publishing

(24:42) The Art of Book Cover Design

(30:29) Crafting a Compelling Title

(36:42) The Importance of Book Structure

(47:22) Editing: The Final Touch

(51:35) Book Sales Percentiles

(52:32) The Harsh Reality of Book Sales

(54:20) The Emotional Impact of Writing

(55:12) Dealing with Compliments and Criticism

(58:24) The Quest for Bestseller Lists

(1:00:04) The Complexities of Hitting the New York Times List

(1:12:25) Leveraging AI in Writing

(1:20:21) Effective Marketing Strategies for Authors

(1:28:14) Creating Evergreen Content

(1:35:30) The Importance of Authenticity in Writing

(1:40:54) Final Thoughts

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Ryan Holiday unpacks the subtle and not-so-subtle messages life sends us—and what happens when we ignore them. From mismatched tattoos and injured ankles, Ryan reflects on the lessons he’s learned about preparation, awareness, and humility. Using examples ranging from personal missteps to famous entrepreneurial gambles, this episode is a deep dive into the art of learning from experience, knowing when to listen, and the cost of stubbornness. Plus, Holiday revisits his roots to discuss how Stoic principles can guide you in navigating feedback, balancing ambition with self-awareness, and understanding the fine line between determination and delusion.

Holiday is a New York Times bestselling author. He has written over 10 books, covering both the fundamentals of Stoicism as well as key elements of modern-day marketing and media. His most recent release is Right Thing, Right Now. Holiday has been a guest on the podcast twice before.

Newsletter - The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at https://fs.blog/newsletter/

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(00:00) Intro

(02:20) When to Ignore Advice

(04:49) The Importance of Reflection and Journaling

(07:26) Balancing Emotions and Stoic Practices

(24:34) Misconceptions and Historical Context of Stoicism

(29:53) The Pursuit of Excellence and Its Trade-offs

(40:58) The Power of Saying No and Opportunity Costs

(49:09) The Role of Anger and Emotional Control

(52:58) Defining Self-Discipline

(53:43) The Essence of Self-Discipline

(54:29) Balancing Discipline and Life

(55:09) Consistency and Overcoming Setbacks

(56:09) The Struggle with Compulsive Tendencies

(58:33) Navigating Competition and Personal Goals

(01:01:22) Cultivating Discipline Through Physical Practice

(01:02:15) Instilling Discipline in Children

(01:04:22) Understanding Character and Virtue

(01:23:32) The Impact of Modern Technology on Writing

(01:35:04) Defining Success and Managing Expectations

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Investor Adam Karr reveals his hidden playbook for spotting exceptional CEOs and building extraordinary businesses. Learn his counterintuitive techniques—from the surprising link between writing skills and executive performance to the 10-minute test that unveils a leader's true potential. Packed with battle-tested wisdom, Karr shares the deceptively simple principles that separate great business leaders from the merely good.

Adam Karr is the President and Portfolio Manager at Orbis Investments.

(00:00) Intro

(02:44) Investing Strategies and Market Games

(04:08) Adapting and Evolving Investment Styles

(05:20) The Importance of Obsession and Environment

(06:29) Aligning with Long-Term Investment Goals

(07:11) Identifying and Evaluating Obsessed CEOs

(08:13) The Role of Culture in Investment Decisions

(08:54) Building Long-Term Positions and Overcoming Short-Term Pressures

(12:21) The Blueprint for Success

(15:24) Learning from Role Models and Mentors

(21:25) The Power of Writing and Decision Analytics

(29:11) The Magic in the Last 5% of Investment Research

(35:25) Understanding Roll-Ups: Success Factors and Challenges

(36:01) Applying Knowledge for an Unfair Advantage

(37:42) Learning from Feedback and Case Studies

(40:47) The Importance of Independent Thinking

(43:06) Lessons from Industry Leaders

(49:32) The Will to Practice and Time Management

(56:44) Positioning for Success and Resilience

(01:08:59) Defining Success and Helping Others

Newsletter - The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at https://fs.blog/newsletter/

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From near bankruptcy after a devastating flood to a $13.7 billion Amazon acquisition, Whole Foods founder John Mackey reveals how a small health food store became an empire that revolutionized American eating.

Discover how a single near-death experience transformed a 25-year-old college dropout into the pioneer of the organic food movement. Mackey shares raw insights from the frontlines: how he turned hostile customers into evangelists, survived multiple extinction-level threats, and built a mission-driven billion-dollar business without compromising its soul.

John Mackey is the co-founder of Whole Foods Market, where he was the CEO of the company from 1980 to 2022. He is the author of the bestselling book, Conscious Capitalism.

Newsletter - The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at https://fs.blog/newsletter/

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00:00 Introduction

02:30 From Safer Way to Whole Foods: The Early Days

03:46 The Struggles and Successes of Whole Foods

05:22 Navigating Criticism and Market Realities

08:36 The Lamar Location and the 100-Year Flood

10:46 Rebuilding and Realizing Stakeholder Value

14:57 Learning the Retail Ropes

22:35 Growth, Challenges, and Entrepreneurial Resilience

35:51 Acquisitions and Expanding the Whole Foods Empire

41:17 The Drive to Build a Chain

42:17 Founder-Led vs. Professional Management

44:38 Challenges of Bureaucracy

46:56 The Importance of Cost Control

50:44 Entrepreneurial Spirit and Creativity

52:56 Facing Leadership Challenges

01:02:57 The Amazon Merger

01:19:01 Capitalism vs. Socialism

01:26:27 The Illusion of Control in Socialism

01:27:44 The Kibbutz Experiment: Idealism vs. Reality

01:30:53 Capitalism: A Win-Win Game

01:32:04 The Power of Win-Win-Win Philosophy

01:34:28 A Personal Story: Winning Over Deborah

01:37:29 The Role of Business Planning

01:38:49 Qualities of Successful Entrepreneurs

01:49:12 The Hero's Journey: Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

01:51:05 Introducing Love Life: A Holistic Health Venture

01:57:18 The Importance of Whole Foods and Nutrition

02:08:09 Concluding Thoughts on Success and Happiness

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