00:00

Kevin, the interesting thing about you is, like, you've got this massive newsletter business. It's all about farming and agriculture. Yeah. We're riding the thirty to forty thousand range on bait subscribers.

Kevin, the interesting thing about you is, like, you've got this massive newsletter business. It's all about farming and agriculture. Yeah. We're riding the thirty to forty thousand range on bait subscribers.

00:11

Wait.

Wait.

00:11

Did you save like thirty thousand scribers at six hundred dollars a year. You gotta tell me everything.

Did you save like thirty thousand scribers at six hundred dollars a year. You gotta tell me everything.

00:18

What about the other techs? I'm like, I've seen people do these fitbit for cows. Yeah. We think that that's gonna be prevalent throughout. We think you're gonna block chain afar is what we're calling in our world. What are the things you're excited about now? Where do you think the opportunity years. I think

What about the other techs? I'm like, I've seen people do these fitbit for cows. Yeah. We think that that's gonna be prevalent throughout. We think you're gonna block chain afar is what we're calling in our world. What are the things you're excited about now? Where do you think the opportunity years. I think

00:39

Alright, Kevin. What's going on, man? We're here. So I have I have gotta do a quick story on how we met. So about four years ago, I think we're in Scottsdale, Arizona at the Design Pickle Conference. I just get done doing this talk about how the hustle is, like, doing pretty good. We're at a million subscribers, whatever. At the end talk. I just walk backstage or I walk in the back of the crowd. You're wearing a Ramones t shirt and, like, shorts that you walk up to me and you're like, hey. Nice little talk you did there. And I was like, oh, thank you. And you've got this cop you've got this confidence about you. And you're like, so how many subscribers do you have? And I was like, I think a million or something like that. And and you go, well, you know, that's pretty nice. I got a little newsletter myself.

Alright, Kevin. What's going on, man? We're here. So I have I have gotta do a quick story on how we met. So about four years ago, I think we're in Scottsdale, Arizona at the Design Pickle Conference. I just get done doing this talk about how the hustle is, like, doing pretty good. We're at a million subscribers, whatever. At the end talk. I just walk backstage or I walk in the back of the crowd. You're wearing a Ramones t shirt and, like, shorts that you walk up to me and you're like, hey. Nice little talk you did there. And I was like, oh, thank you. And you've got this cop you've got this confidence about you. And you're like, so how many subscribers do you have? And I was like, I think a million or something like that. And and you go, well, you know, that's pretty nice. I got a little newsletter myself.

01:19

We are doing okay. We got about thirty thousand subscribers. And I was like, oh, that's that's a good start. And you said, well, how much do you charge people to read the hustle? And I'm like, it's free. I make money via advertising. And you're like, oh,

We are doing okay. We got about thirty thousand subscribers. And I was like, oh, that's that's a good start. And you said, well, how much do you charge people to read the hustle? And I'm like, it's free. I make money via advertising. And you're like, oh,

01:31

You don't charge. And I was like, you do? And, you go, yeah. We charge about six hundred dollars. And I it takes about ten seconds. And I'm, like, doing the math. And I'm, like, wait.

You don't charge. And I was like, you do? And, you go, yeah. We charge about six hundred dollars. And I it takes about ten seconds. And I'm, like, doing the math. And I'm, like, wait.

01:40

Did you save thirty thousand subscribers at six hundred dollars a year? And you're like, yeah. What do you expect? And it turns out you've got this massive newsletter business. And I was like, what's the newsletter about? And you're like, oh, we talked to farmers. It's all about farming and agriculture. And I'm like, wait. Hold on, man. You've gotta tell me everything here, and that's when my mind was blown. I was like,

Did you save thirty thousand subscribers at six hundred dollars a year? And you're like, yeah. What do you expect? And it turns out you've got this massive newsletter business. And I was like, what's the newsletter about? And you're like, oh, we talked to farmers. It's all about farming and agriculture. And I'm like, wait. Hold on, man. You've gotta tell me everything here, and that's when my mind was blown. I was like,

02:01

we gotta get you on, and it took about four years. But finally, we made it happen. I appreciate it. Sean, what did you think when you met the van trumps and got got around his people?

we gotta get you on, and it took about four years. But finally, we made it happen. I appreciate it. Sean, what did you think when you met the van trumps and got got around his people?

02:12

Man, I would just call it a series of

Man, I would just call it a series of

02:14

amazement and confusion. I showed up, and first of all, it's called Farmcon. So I think the conference is gonna be A bunch of farmers, by the way, at this point in my life, I don't think I'd ever met a farmer.

amazement and confusion. I showed up, and first of all, it's called Farmcon. So I think the conference is gonna be A bunch of farmers, by the way, at this point in my life, I don't think I'd ever met a farmer.

02:26

I I had grown up, you know, overseas. I lived at I live on the coast. I had never really met a farmer. So I thought it's gonna be about farming and and whatnot. And,

I I had grown up, you know, overseas. I lived at I live on the coast. I had never really met a farmer. So I thought it's gonna be about farming and and whatnot. And,

02:35

instead, it's actually about investing. And so that was the first part that I was amazed and confused about was I walk in, and it's a talk going on about options trading, corn futures. And

instead, it's actually about investing. And so that was the first part that I was amazed and confused about was I walk in, and it's a talk going on about options trading, corn futures. And

02:45

and it was so far over my head And I was like, wow, wait. These guys are actually talking about crazy Wall Street stuff. What's what's going on here? And then over time, I met a bunch of people. The conference was amazing.

and it was so far over my head And I was like, wow, wait. These guys are actually talking about crazy Wall Street stuff. What's what's going on here? And then over time, I met a bunch of people. The conference was amazing.

02:57

And they were like, well, what are you doing here? And I was like, I don't know. I got I don't farm and I don't trade commodities.

And they were like, well, what are you doing here? And I was like, I don't know. I got I don't farm and I don't trade commodities.

03:03

So I'm not really sure, but I'm here to talk. I have a talk schedule tomorrow, and I'm here to just be out of my comfort zone, be out of my bubble because I had only been going to tech conferences. When I was doing my research for this pod, I learned that you actually kinda did a similar thing, which was that there was a period of your life where you wanted to shake things up, and you started just going to different conferences or trade shows that were totally unrelated to what you were doing and what you were familiar with. You kind of intentionally put yourself in that to to just shake up your world view. Is that right? Can you talk a little bit about that? Yeah. For sure. That's how I meant Sam. I mean, we were at this I don't even know what the hell it was. My son had called and said, let's just make it where we make ourselves go to different things, make ourselves uncomfortable, get out of our comfort zone. He called me and said, Hey, there's this conference in Phoenix. Mom wanted to go to Phoenix, and out there. And I said, what is it? And he said design pickle. I said, what the hell are we? They had people speaking out. We're doing, like, hair. You know, they're a hair drying business and they had all kinds of crazy said, okay. I'll go. Shit next thing I find myself walking around the courtyard of this place holding another guy's hand.

So I'm not really sure, but I'm here to talk. I have a talk schedule tomorrow, and I'm here to just be out of my comfort zone, be out of my bubble because I had only been going to tech conferences. When I was doing my research for this pod, I learned that you actually kinda did a similar thing, which was that there was a period of your life where you wanted to shake things up, and you started just going to different conferences or trade shows that were totally unrelated to what you were doing and what you were familiar with. You kind of intentionally put yourself in that to to just shake up your world view. Is that right? Can you talk a little bit about that? Yeah. For sure. That's how I meant Sam. I mean, we were at this I don't even know what the hell it was. My son had called and said, let's just make it where we make ourselves go to different things, make ourselves uncomfortable, get out of our comfort zone. He called me and said, Hey, there's this conference in Phoenix. Mom wanted to go to Phoenix, and out there. And I said, what is it? And he said design pickle. I said, what the hell are we? They had people speaking out. We're doing, like, hair. You know, they're a hair drying business and they had all kinds of crazy said, okay. I'll go. Shit next thing I find myself walking around the courtyard of this place holding another guy's hand.

04:05

Like, you're a shit I never do here in the subscribe.

Like, you're a shit I never do here in the subscribe.

04:08

You know, is going on. You know, they had us doing some weird stuff. And, and, yeah, and that's where I messaged him. And so, yeah, each year, we try to go to different Just get different perspective, different views. You know, we just believe in in trading and investing, it's all about perspective. And, you know, you can get blindsided a million different ways. And so I like to be around the younger people to help broaden my perspective because, you know, we always say in our business, it's the old bear in the young bull. As we get older, we tend to get more bearish just because we don't we don't understand as much as we did when we were younger. You know, when we were younger, we were aggressive and We knew the latest, greatest things. And now that we get older, most of my older hedge fund friends and traders,

You know, is going on. You know, they had us doing some weird stuff. And, and, yeah, and that's where I messaged him. And so, yeah, each year, we try to go to different Just get different perspective, different views. You know, we just believe in in trading and investing, it's all about perspective. And, you know, you can get blindsided a million different ways. And so I like to be around the younger people to help broaden my perspective because, you know, we always say in our business, it's the old bear in the young bull. As we get older, we tend to get more bearish just because we don't we don't understand as much as we did when we were younger. You know, when we were younger, we were aggressive and We knew the latest, greatest things. And now that we get older, most of my older hedge fund friends and traders,

04:49

one more cynical and bearish just by nature, it seems like, because we just don't stand a lot of the newer stuff. So Well, I'll give you two things that came out of it. Number one, after Farmcon, me and Ben, at in the lobby of the hotel, while one of the talks is going on. There's another Corn Futures talk that was going over my head. I said, hey. Let's just hang out in the lobby real quick. I just gotta gotta gotta go. I don't I

one more cynical and bearish just by nature, it seems like, because we just don't stand a lot of the newer stuff. So Well, I'll give you two things that came out of it. Number one, after Farmcon, me and Ben, at in the lobby of the hotel, while one of the talks is going on. There's another Corn Futures talk that was going over my head. I said, hey. Let's just hang out in the lobby real quick. I just gotta gotta gotta go. I don't I

05:07

don't understand what the hell these guys are talking about anyways. So we go to the lobby.

don't understand what the hell these guys are talking about anyways. So we go to the lobby.

05:10

And we had talked to you about your newsletter business. And we go, you know what? We should create a newsletter business around what we're what we're interested in, and we were at very interesting crypto at the time. Been kicking around this idea, but we hadn't really had the momentum, the energy to just, like, create it from scratch to birth that baby. And so only in the lobby of the hotel where we, like, Let's do this, and we named it Milk Road, which was kind of like a farmy sort of name anyways. It it all came together in the lobby. And then a year later, we sold that business for millions of dollars. And so I I gotta credit you in a way because we had had a conversation with you the night before, and you told us You're like, alright, guys. I gotta go back to my room. I gotta write the newsletter. And we were like, you still write the newsletter? Like, surely, you've hired a team of people You're like, no. I I write the newsletter myself.

And we had talked to you about your newsletter business. And we go, you know what? We should create a newsletter business around what we're what we're interested in, and we were at very interesting crypto at the time. Been kicking around this idea, but we hadn't really had the momentum, the energy to just, like, create it from scratch to birth that baby. And so only in the lobby of the hotel where we, like, Let's do this, and we named it Milk Road, which was kind of like a farmy sort of name anyways. It it all came together in the lobby. And then a year later, we sold that business for millions of dollars. And so I I gotta credit you in a way because we had had a conversation with you the night before, and you told us You're like, alright, guys. I gotta go back to my room. I gotta write the newsletter. And we were like, you still write the newsletter? Like, surely, you've hired a team of people You're like, no. I I write the newsletter myself.

05:55

I've written it. I think you had written it for, like, some absurd number, like, eighteen straight years or twenty straight years. You hadn't missed it, and it was you writing it every single day. Is that right? Oh, I have a a girl East work for McKinsey Board Trade, Stacy, Greg. She's out in LA, and, She helps me with a lot of content and a lot of the things. I write corn beans, weed. I write the up top comments. She she helps with those. And then I write the stories down below. So it's her and I usually tag team in the whole thing to to give her credit, and she's been she's been awesome to Let's explain though a little bit. So your main thing is the Van Trump report. So van trump report dot com. It's a daily newsletter

I've written it. I think you had written it for, like, some absurd number, like, eighteen straight years or twenty straight years. You hadn't missed it, and it was you writing it every single day. Is that right? Oh, I have a a girl East work for McKinsey Board Trade, Stacy, Greg. She's out in LA, and, She helps me with a lot of content and a lot of the things. I write corn beans, weed. I write the up top comments. She she helps with those. And then I write the stories down below. So it's her and I usually tag team in the whole thing to to give her credit, and she's been she's been awesome to Let's explain though a little bit. So your main thing is the Van Trump report. So van trump report dot com. It's a daily newsletter

06:33

that is It's a great read. I actually have read it for a while, and it's talks about I call it for farmers, but it's

that is It's a great read. I actually have read it for a while, and it's talks about I call it for farmers, but it's

06:41

way beyond that. So it's agricultural

way beyond that. So it's agricultural

06:43

based information, but for farmers, but also for people who are trading commodities. And you have said that,

based information, but for farmers, but also for people who are trading commodities. And you have said that,

06:49

politicians read it to understand a little bit about what's going on in that world. And you've told me, I don't remember exactly what you said. You told me that it was doing something like thirty thousand people paying something like six hundred dollars a year, and it's basically just you writing it, which if you did that math, that's true. That's, like, million dollars a year in revenue from a newsletter. Is that right?

politicians read it to understand a little bit about what's going on in that world. And you've told me, I don't remember exactly what you said. You told me that it was doing something like thirty thousand people paying something like six hundred dollars a year, and it's basically just you writing it, which if you did that math, that's true. That's, like, million dollars a year in revenue from a newsletter. Is that right?

07:09

Yeah. It's just myself,

Yeah. It's just myself,

07:11

there's about four of us on our staff here.

there's about four of us on our staff here.

07:14

A friend of mine that used to be a golf pro,

A friend of mine that used to be a golf pro,

07:17

buddy that I went to school with, Stacy out in California, and my son, Jordan, on this side of the fence. My wife does, bookkeeping wick. Counting team, but that's really it. And like you said, yeah, I did the newsletter and just, you know, wanted to write about what I was interested it in and and everything that kinda interests me. And so, you know, that's that's really what we do. What we put out, yeah, we've got several congressmen, senators,

buddy that I went to school with, Stacy out in California, and my son, Jordan, on this side of the fence. My wife does, bookkeeping wick. Counting team, but that's really it. And like you said, yeah, I did the newsletter and just, you know, wanted to write about what I was interested it in and and everything that kinda interests me. And so, you know, that's that's really what we do. What we put out, yeah, we've got several congressmen, senators,

07:39

a lot of big trading groups, hedgebund people and yeah. Probably thirty five. We're probably in the thirty to forty thousand range on on paid subscribers. It's also got like, five pages of memes in it, which I love because I was, like, I would read it. And the first part was cool. It's commentary on where you think the market's headed, and it's written the way you talk. It's very informal

a lot of big trading groups, hedgebund people and yeah. Probably thirty five. We're probably in the thirty to forty thousand range on on paid subscribers. It's also got like, five pages of memes in it, which I love because I was, like, I would read it. And the first part was cool. It's commentary on where you think the market's headed, and it's written the way you talk. It's very informal

07:58

it's it's a straight shooter type of vibe, which makes it fun to read even if it's not your stick. And then it's got a bunch of memes, which made me laugh. And I was like, this is hilarious that that you chose to do that. Was the product we see today? Is that basically how you started it? Is that what it was at the beginning? And how did you get it off the ground? What was the how'd you get the initial momentum with that? Yeah. Pretty much. So I my very high school sweetheart, we were both from a small rural town here in Missouri. I go to work for a group that was contract with NFL, Duke Camps, combines, clinics, so I'm traveling all around the country. Got a really cool job, making no money. My wife kinda lands her dream job in Chicago,

it's it's a straight shooter type of vibe, which makes it fun to read even if it's not your stick. And then it's got a bunch of memes, which made me laugh. And I was like, this is hilarious that that you chose to do that. Was the product we see today? Is that basically how you started it? Is that what it was at the beginning? And how did you get it off the ground? What was the how'd you get the initial momentum with that? Yeah. Pretty much. So I my very high school sweetheart, we were both from a small rural town here in Missouri. I go to work for a group that was contract with NFL, Duke Camps, combines, clinics, so I'm traveling all around the country. Got a really cool job, making no money. My wife kinda lands her dream job in Chicago,

08:30

And, you know, we had to come for me, but in either one of our parents or anything, we didn't have any money, really, so to speak, when we were younger, so my wife gets job, she was gonna run the Eddie Bower out on Michigan Avenue. They was gonna be their premier store and all this. So we thought Vanis is gonna be great. You know, we go up there and I didn't know anything. And as some of my friends in the NFL are, like, you gotta get in the trading business. Shit. I didn't know anything about trading. And I said, I have a small rural town farm kid played last sports all my life, and they said, well, we'll give you this interview. I go,

And, you know, we had to come for me, but in either one of our parents or anything, we didn't have any money, really, so to speak, when we were younger, so my wife gets job, she was gonna run the Eddie Bower out on Michigan Avenue. They was gonna be their premier store and all this. So we thought Vanis is gonna be great. You know, we go up there and I didn't know anything. And as some of my friends in the NFL are, like, you gotta get in the trading business. Shit. I didn't know anything about trading. And I said, I have a small rural town farm kid played last sports all my life, and they said, well, we'll give you this interview. I go,

08:58

get an interview with this guy, and the guy just kinda looks at me, he's like, damn. You're a big tall guy. And I I was probably about six board three fifty at Diamond. They're like, you you like to fight? And I'm what the hell kind of interview question is it? You know, I'm like, what? Was it? And I said, yeah. Sure. Shit. I'll go out every weekend. You know, by getting a rumble or two at the bars.

get an interview with this guy, and the guy just kinda looks at me, he's like, damn. You're a big tall guy. And I I was probably about six board three fifty at Diamond. They're like, you you like to fight? And I'm what the hell kind of interview question is it? You know, I'm like, what? Was it? And I said, yeah. Sure. Shit. I'll go out every weekend. You know, by getting a rumble or two at the bars.

09:16

They're like, yeah, you're great. We're you're hired. And I said, well, what am I doing? I don't even know what the hell I'm doing. They're like, oh, everybody'll see you on the floor. It'll give us a little edge and then banny. You know, I started at the very bottom. They wanted me to be a phone clerk, you know, and then moved resin or getting orders off. So I meet a few people. They start me off. I go over, and I'm trading Swiss breaks, demarks, and foreign currencies over at the Merck, and then I flip back over to the board. I was trading

They're like, yeah, you're great. We're you're hired. And I said, well, what am I doing? I don't even know what the hell I'm doing. They're like, oh, everybody'll see you on the floor. It'll give us a little edge and then banny. You know, I started at the very bottom. They wanted me to be a phone clerk, you know, and then moved resin or getting orders off. So I meet a few people. They start me off. I go over, and I'm trading Swiss breaks, demarks, and foreign currencies over at the Merck, and then I flip back over to the board. I was trading

09:40

Treasuries. Oh, wait, Kevin, this was back when you used to have to kinda push and shove your way with the with the papers, getting their trade off. And they were, like, your size was actually an asset.

Treasuries. Oh, wait, Kevin, this was back when you used to have to kinda push and shove your way with the with the papers, getting their trade off. And they were, like, your size was actually an asset.

09:50

Yeah. The date time. The the, you know, they'd hire a basketball guy, ex football guy. There'd be fights break at all. I'm on the floor. So alright, guys. Really quick. Back when I was running the hustle, we had this premium newsletter called Trends. The way it worked was we hired a ton of analysts, and we created this sort of playbook for researching different companies in ideas and emerging trends to help you make money and build businesses. Well, HubSpot did something kinda cool. So they took this playbook that we developed and we gave to our analysts and they turn it into an actionable guide and a resource that anyone can download, and it breaks down all the different methods that we use for spotting upcoming trends, for spotting different companies that are gonna explode and grow really quickly. So if you wanna stay ahead of the game and you wanna find cool business ideas or different niches that most people have no idea they exist, this is the ultimate guide. So if you wanna check it out, you can see the link down below in the description. Now back to the show. Then we got Austin's floor where we were Arban minis,

Yeah. The date time. The the, you know, they'd hire a basketball guy, ex football guy. There'd be fights break at all. I'm on the floor. So alright, guys. Really quick. Back when I was running the hustle, we had this premium newsletter called Trends. The way it worked was we hired a ton of analysts, and we created this sort of playbook for researching different companies in ideas and emerging trends to help you make money and build businesses. Well, HubSpot did something kinda cool. So they took this playbook that we developed and we gave to our analysts and they turn it into an actionable guide and a resource that anyone can download, and it breaks down all the different methods that we use for spotting upcoming trends, for spotting different companies that are gonna explode and grow really quickly. So if you wanna stay ahead of the game and you wanna find cool business ideas or different niches that most people have no idea they exist, this is the ultimate guide. So if you wanna check it out, you can see the link down below in the description. Now back to the show. Then we got Austin's floor where we were Arban minis,

10:45

e mini's first came out. We were Arban minis against bigger S and P's. And then, really, my strong suit became really

e mini's first came out. We were Arban minis against bigger S and P's. And then, really, my strong suit became really

10:52

more people got interested in grains, corn because they started using corn as ethanol

more people got interested in grains, corn because they started using corn as ethanol

10:57

and things like that. So a lot of our big energy traders and friends They didn't know anything about the Midwest, you know, and so it was all just foreign language to them. So they would keep asking me

and things like that. So a lot of our big energy traders and friends They didn't know anything about the Midwest, you know, and so it was all just foreign language to them. So they would keep asking me

11:07

questions. And then I would go back home to my small rural town where the farmers were playing dominoes in the morning, you know, up, getting breakfast or caught. And, you know, they'd be like, hey, city slicker, you know, tell us what's happening here in the corn bean or wheat market or cattle market. And I would do like you said, shut up, I would just dump it down to my you know, my back home speaking and more of a blue collar, just tell them, hey, here's what they're really meaning or saying.

questions. And then I would go back home to my small rural town where the farmers were playing dominoes in the morning, you know, up, getting breakfast or caught. And, you know, they'd be like, hey, city slicker, you know, tell us what's happening here in the corn bean or wheat market or cattle market. And I would do like you said, shut up, I would just dump it down to my you know, my back home speaking and more of a blue collar, just tell them, hey, here's what they're really meaning or saying.

11:31

And so in o seven, I just does before that a little bit when

And so in o seven, I just does before that a little bit when

11:35

government came out with the RFS. That's where they turned. Gordon death and all. I started writing a newsletter, kinda just for myself, a journal,

government came out with the RFS. That's where they turned. Gordon death and all. I started writing a newsletter, kinda just for myself, a journal,

11:43

I'd said, hey. I'm gonna be a better trader, a better investor. I've listened to a lot of people.

I'd said, hey. I'm gonna be a better trader, a better investor. I've listened to a lot of people.

11:48

I've been broke twice on a couple of deals that it's late.

I've been broke twice on a couple of deals that it's late.

11:51

Let's do it the right way. So I started journaling, and I said, hey, I'm gonna send my notes out to friends. And then it started circulating back to me. It was coming from guys at Goldman and different trading firms. It was circling back to me. And I told my wife, I said, shit. We were investing and trying to do some,

Let's do it the right way. So I started journaling, and I said, hey, I'm gonna send my notes out to friends. And then it started circulating back to me. It was coming from guys at Goldman and different trading firms. It was circling back to me. And I told my wife, I said, shit. We were investing and trying to do some,

12:08

Oh, storage units at the time. So I thought, hell, I'll send it out for forty bucks a month. It'll be like a storage unit deal. Let's just see if people will buy or pay, and and it just got it took off and went nuts from there, and we've never advertised them. We're about forty five countries now. And All the growth was organic then? Oh, yeah. We've never advertised one time. I love it. And then you have the conference, the thing that I went to. And I think it was originally called the Van Trump conference. You renamed it to Farm Khan.

Oh, storage units at the time. So I thought, hell, I'll send it out for forty bucks a month. It'll be like a storage unit deal. Let's just see if people will buy or pay, and and it just got it took off and went nuts from there, and we've never advertised them. We're about forty five countries now. And All the growth was organic then? Oh, yeah. We've never advertised one time. I love it. And then you have the conference, the thing that I went to. And I think it was originally called the Van Trump conference. You renamed it to Farm Khan.

12:33

And for those who don't know, you are like a god at this thing. It was really inspiring to see us because you weren't trying to be

And for those who don't know, you are like a god at this thing. It was really inspiring to see us because you weren't trying to be

12:42

you know, the the front and center of it. But you could just tell you had so much respect from the community. People really appreciated this gathering because they were getting a lot of value out of And you ran it like a family affair, and you got your son there, and he's got his swag business. And so the how did the farm con thing come about and Is that, like, a big part of the business? Why do you do it? Yeah. You know, it sounded. Well, it started off just myself in probably thirty or forty friends, traders,

you know, the the front and center of it. But you could just tell you had so much respect from the community. People really appreciated this gathering because they were getting a lot of value out of And you ran it like a family affair, and you got your son there, and he's got his swag business. And so the how did the farm con thing come about and Is that, like, a big part of the business? Why do you do it? Yeah. You know, it sounded. Well, it started off just myself in probably thirty or forty friends, traders,

13:10

investors, we'd get together once a year, drinks, and beers, and tell each other what our favorite trades or favorite investments were. And they love coming to Kansas City because it was kind of an anomaly, though, where you used to being on the coast in New York or California. So they'd come here and it would be kind of fun. And so They would start to invite their friends, and we all had investments in land, bigger land investments at different. The next thing, they had a lot of hunting and fishing guys were coming and Just people had owned big farms, they were flying their private planes in. And so, yeah, then we just kinda blew up, and they start telling more and more their friends.

investors, we'd get together once a year, drinks, and beers, and tell each other what our favorite trades or favorite investments were. And they love coming to Kansas City because it was kind of an anomaly, though, where you used to being on the coast in New York or California. So they'd come here and it would be kind of fun. And so They would start to invite their friends, and we all had investments in land, bigger land investments at different. The next thing, they had a lot of hunting and fishing guys were coming and Just people had owned big farms, they were flying their private planes in. And so, yeah, then we just kinda blew up, and they start telling more and more their friends.

13:42

Alexa, we start selling out. Most everywhere will have it at.

Alexa, we start selling out. Most everywhere will have it at.

13:46

You know, it's it's really cool. You know, fun time. Can we talk a little bit about kinda like your empire and what it is now. So you've got the publishing business, the newsletter.

You know, it's it's really cool. You know, fun time. Can we talk a little bit about kinda like your empire and what it is now. So you've got the publishing business, the newsletter.

13:56

And then you have this thing called Ag, Ag swag,

And then you have this thing called Ag, Ag swag,

14:00

which is a merch company. Is that right?

which is a merch company. Is that right?

14:03

Yeah. Lilly back up to, to be clear, you know, some of the people grandfathered in, we started charging forty dollars, like, four hundred a year. Or forty bucks a month. Then we went about eight years ago to six hundred and sixty. And we have some people at white label the report and send it to their, their businesses and their staff and things like that. So all in the mix, but yeah, so I had a friend.

Yeah. Lilly back up to, to be clear, you know, some of the people grandfathered in, we started charging forty dollars, like, four hundred a year. Or forty bucks a month. Then we went about eight years ago to six hundred and sixty. And we have some people at white label the report and send it to their, their businesses and their staff and things like that. So all in the mix, but yeah, so I had a friend.

14:23

Dave Crumble, he recently passed away. He was a CEO of Payless Cashways, and Dave came back here to Kansas City. He started a business consulting company, and then he got hired,

Dave Crumble, he recently passed away. He was a CEO of Payless Cashways, and Dave came back here to Kansas City. He started a business consulting company, and then he got hired,

14:33

at a place called American identity.

at a place called American identity.

14:35

And said, Dave, what the hell are you doing? Coming American Identity, I said, don't they just sell like hats and Chachiki stuff? And he's like, yeah, private equity company bought them and they're gonna dress it up. They wanna have know, big executive team, so they're bringing me in as the CEO. And he's like, I think we'll have a good exit. Well, about three or I think it was three or four years they sold to State I believe it was undisclosed, but it was a thing. It was close to eight billion dollars. They sold the staples, and I said, holy shit. I said, who what did what did you guys do over there in America I did? And he said, you know, made hats shirts. And Chachke said, and I said, well, who the hell are your biggest clients? And he's like, John Deere,

And said, Dave, what the hell are you doing? Coming American Identity, I said, don't they just sell like hats and Chachiki stuff? And he's like, yeah, private equity company bought them and they're gonna dress it up. They wanna have know, big executive team, so they're bringing me in as the CEO. And he's like, I think we'll have a good exit. Well, about three or I think it was three or four years they sold to State I believe it was undisclosed, but it was a thing. It was close to eight billion dollars. They sold the staples, and I said, holy shit. I said, who what did what did you guys do over there in America I did? And he said, you know, made hats shirts. And Chachke said, and I said, well, who the hell are your biggest clients? And he's like, John Deere,

15:08

ADM, Cargill. I'm like, I said, I know all those people. I know all the, you know, all the farming can you tag people. And,

ADM, Cargill. I'm like, I said, I know all those people. I know all the, you know, all the farming can you tag people. And,

15:15

he says, well, I tell you, you know, if you ever get where you guys are gonna start summer, want something, just Under the radar, non intrusive business, you know, this this would be a great way to get some rolling. So I told my son, Jordan, when he got out of college, or he is about out. I said, hey, if you ever if you wanna try some on your own, I got an idea.

he says, well, I tell you, you know, if you ever get where you guys are gonna start summer, want something, just Under the radar, non intrusive business, you know, this this would be a great way to get some rolling. So I told my son, Jordan, when he got out of college, or he is about out. I said, hey, if you ever if you wanna try some on your own, I got an idea.

15:31

I said, I've come up with a name, Ag Swag, and I said, you know, we could probably spin this off. And take care of a lot of our clients and just provide a lot better service and and be a lot, you know, more fun and friendly and and give people some great, fresh ideas. And so we launched ag swag, and it's, you know, just a swag company that provides hats, things of that nature to people really specifically in the ag world, we do other things, but that's really are Jordan sports. Hey, nah, he's running that. He's hired an art team. He's got about four or five artists. My daughter came back to help him. He's got, you know, team of logistics people. And I think they're gonna do he said somewhere between twenty five and thirty million this year. So, you know, they're They're growing like crazy and, you know, every day. Just if we want to pull up on Slack, I can walk you guys through a little bit of the business.

I said, I've come up with a name, Ag Swag, and I said, you know, we could probably spin this off. And take care of a lot of our clients and just provide a lot better service and and be a lot, you know, more fun and friendly and and give people some great, fresh ideas. And so we launched ag swag, and it's, you know, just a swag company that provides hats, things of that nature to people really specifically in the ag world, we do other things, but that's really are Jordan sports. Hey, nah, he's running that. He's hired an art team. He's got about four or five artists. My daughter came back to help him. He's got, you know, team of logistics people. And I think they're gonna do he said somewhere between twenty five and thirty million this year. So, you know, they're They're growing like crazy and, you know, every day. Just if we want to pull up on Slack, I can walk you guys through a little bit of the business.

16:17

You know, this is just a simple example.

You know, this is just a simple example.

16:20

You draw you know, you have your your scale of uniqueness on the left and your scale of total value on the right. And so if you go to your far right, you have high value and low uniqueness.

You draw you know, you have your your scale of uniqueness on the left and your scale of total value on the right. And so if you go to your far right, you have high value and low uniqueness.

16:31

Right? And then you're asking what the hell would that be. And that that's like a tire business.

Right? And then you're asking what the hell would that be. And that that's like a tire business.

16:36

I always use an example. Like, you know, people have to have it. So it's not unique.

I always use an example. Like, you know, people have to have it. So it's not unique.

16:41

But there's high value. Because everyone doesn't, you know, in the way it was family and any damn tires on their car, so they want it to be good. That if you see your business in that aspect, you know you're in a low gross business model. And then you're gonna have to be a a low cost provider. You're gonna have to do volume. And, you know, that's gonna be your play. If you get up into the upper right quadrant, And this keeps me out of a lot of bad business deals. Here you have a low value, but high uniqueness.

But there's high value. Because everyone doesn't, you know, in the way it was family and any damn tires on their car, so they want it to be good. That if you see your business in that aspect, you know you're in a low gross business model. And then you're gonna have to be a a low cost provider. You're gonna have to do volume. And, you know, that's gonna be your play. If you get up into the upper right quadrant, And this keeps me out of a lot of bad business deals. Here you have a low value, but high uniqueness.

17:08

You know, you start to ask yourself what You know, what is that? Remember what Snap or Google came out with the glasses, those glasses, or I was throwing back in my day, like laser disc,

You know, you start to ask yourself what You know, what is that? Remember what Snap or Google came out with the glasses, those glasses, or I was throwing back in my day, like laser disc,

17:19

You know, you you know, you're you're gonna be cost a lot of money to educate the masses. It's gonna cost a lot to get it to market, and there might not be any longevity in it. So you gotta be careful in,

You know, you you know, you're you're gonna be cost a lot of money to educate the masses. It's gonna cost a lot to get it to market, and there might not be any longevity in it. So you gotta be careful in,

17:30

you know, not a lot of value but how you need. It's that's a tough spot to play in. Now you get over to where Apple likes to play or some of the others, you go high value, high uniqueness.

you know, not a lot of value but how you need. It's that's a tough spot to play in. Now you get over to where Apple likes to play or some of the others, you go high value, high uniqueness.

17:38

That's something like an iPad.

That's something like an iPad.

17:40

Ten thousand songs in your pocket. You know, that was their main stick, and it's like, that's where you can create high gross, that's where you can create high margin. That's where you can make a lot of great things happen. Obviously, the lower left corner, you're you're an idiot, if you're so

Ten thousand songs in your pocket. You know, that was their main stick, and it's like, that's where you can create high gross, that's where you can create high margin. That's where you can make a lot of great things happen. Obviously, the lower left corner, you're you're an idiot, if you're so

17:56

No value. No uniqueness. It's so bad. Yeah. You're, you know, and I always say on there, people by value, not price, and this was a hard one to understand for a lot of people. Because if I went into,

No value. No uniqueness. It's so bad. Yeah. You're, you know, and I always say on there, people by value, not price, and this was a hard one to understand for a lot of people. Because if I went into,

18:05

Walmart and I put a whole bin of laserdisc in there, and I put them for sale for

Walmart and I put a whole bin of laserdisc in there, and I put them for sale for

18:11

Five cents. I mean,

Five cents. I mean,

18:13

bad. Yeah. Nobody's gonna buy them just to just there's no value to them. You know, what I'm saying, now maybe there is a little map because people are looking sell some of those types of items, but I'm just saying, you you have to be aware of people by price, people by value, not price. And so you can make the price as low as you wanna go, and it it was just Not good. It's not good. And I see people get trapped in that a lot in real estate and some other things. So, you know, this is where we try to

bad. Yeah. Nobody's gonna buy them just to just there's no value to them. You know, what I'm saying, now maybe there is a little map because people are looking sell some of those types of items, but I'm just saying, you you have to be aware of people by price, people by value, not price. And so you can make the price as low as you wanna go, and it it was just Not good. It's not good. And I see people get trapped in that a lot in real estate and some other things. So, you know, this is where we try to

18:37

We try to categorize the business deals when they come down the pipe, where this is at, and how this is gonna play out, because it's never the soldiers I send in at first. Right? It's never the first.

We try to categorize the business deals when they come down the pipe, where this is at, and how this is gonna play out, because it's never the soldiers I send in at first. Right? It's never the first.

18:47

Muddy we send in on the deal. It's how many more soldiers are gonna get called into duty and,

Muddy we send in on the deal. It's how many more soldiers are gonna get called into duty and,

18:52

And maybe never come back home into my bank account or come back, you know, missing limbs and arms. And so it's like,

And maybe never come back home into my bank account or come back, you know, missing limbs and arms. And so it's like,

18:59

you have to be careful, I think, in that aspect. You know, it's it's that because I'm my wife all the time is like, my gosh, we'll write more capital call check. But We gotta know when if we can categorize in this way, we know what we're getting into. Where we went with Agswag,

you have to be careful, I think, in that aspect. You know, it's it's that because I'm my wife all the time is like, my gosh, we'll write more capital call check. But We gotta know when if we can categorize in this way, we know what we're getting into. Where we went with Agswag,

19:14

What's critically important we believe is knowing

What's critically important we believe is knowing

19:17

your funnel. So your light users, there's obviously you're gonna be able to get more market share on your light users.

your funnel. So your light users, there's obviously you're gonna be able to get more market share on your light users.

19:22

As you move down, the customer continuum, that would be your heavy user. So as Sean pointed out, that would be John dear. Or that would be a cargill.

As you move down, the customer continuum, that would be your heavy user. So as Sean pointed out, that would be John dear. Or that would be a cargill.

19:30

Now we

Now we

19:32

What you have to understand in all businesses, you're always gonna be pulled to the right. So you're always gonna be pulled to the high user.

What you have to understand in all businesses, you're always gonna be pulled to the right. So you're always gonna be pulled to the high user.

19:39

And low gross. They're gonna try to get you over there. If if people like what you have, they like what you're doing, they're gonna take you over there more to the right and, you know, try and beat you up on your price, try to beat you up on gross because they say they're a heavy use. That's why it's really imperative for most people. You don't wanna get an order from Wall. You know, you don't want to go that way because it's next to impossible to get your business back to the left. And to the left is where you're gonna see a lot more profitability,

And low gross. They're gonna try to get you over there. If if people like what you have, they like what you're doing, they're gonna take you over there more to the right and, you know, try and beat you up on your price, try to beat you up on gross because they say they're a heavy use. That's why it's really imperative for most people. You don't wanna get an order from Wall. You know, you don't want to go that way because it's next to impossible to get your business back to the left. And to the left is where you're gonna see a lot more profitability,

20:07

a lot more high gross.

a lot more high gross.

20:09

And so we tried to position Agswag.

And so we tried to position Agswag.

20:11

In the middle away from the John Deers at ADM. So we've had calls from them wanting

In the middle away from the John Deers at ADM. So we've had calls from them wanting

20:16

their play is for us to, you know, store all of their merch for the year. We ship it out. It becomes logistics business, the gross shrinks up to nothing, and

their play is for us to, you know, store all of their merch for the year. We ship it out. It becomes logistics business, the gross shrinks up to nothing, and

20:24

we've got a, you know, a real, you know, you know, we're running a real people business there where we've got a lot of hands and a lot of touches. So we've tried to stay out of that space as much as possible early on so we can create and build more smaller accounts, smaller business owners, and people like that where there's more fragmentation for us. So You have these other slides that I really like. So you had this, this poker versus chess one that I loved.

we've got a, you know, a real, you know, you know, we're running a real people business there where we've got a lot of hands and a lot of touches. So we've tried to stay out of that space as much as possible early on so we can create and build more smaller accounts, smaller business owners, and people like that where there's more fragmentation for us. So You have these other slides that I really like. So you had this, this poker versus chess one that I loved.

20:47

Can you can you talk about this one?

Can you can you talk about this one?

20:50

Yeah. You know, I just think, you know, they talk a lot about

Yeah. You know, I just think, you know, they talk a lot about

20:53

life being like chess or a lot of times you'll hear people talk about those things. You know,

life being like chess or a lot of times you'll hear people talk about those things. You know,

20:58

you know, I say life's more like poker than chess just because the cards are face down and a lot of luck's involved a lot of time. So You know, you can be the greatest, have the greatest skill in the world, and I've met some the most brilliant, brilliant people. But if they don't catch any breaks, it'll any luck, and, you know, it it becomes tough. So I think you have to remind yourself, and that's what we were kinda talking about earlier. If you think you're a genius and you're you're just smarter than everyone else, I think you run into a ton of problems and a ton of roadblock. That's where I think, you know, you have to look at it more like poker, like, you know, you catch you're gonna get lucky every now and then and get on a run and get on a low heater. And and sometimes, you know, that's when you really have to to push and go all in is is when you're when your left's going your way. When when you feel like some of the things are going your way, you gotta pull way back. You know, that's not what you double and triple down. That's when you kinda hunker down.

you know, I say life's more like poker than chess just because the cards are face down and a lot of luck's involved a lot of time. So You know, you can be the greatest, have the greatest skill in the world, and I've met some the most brilliant, brilliant people. But if they don't catch any breaks, it'll any luck, and, you know, it it becomes tough. So I think you have to remind yourself, and that's what we were kinda talking about earlier. If you think you're a genius and you're you're just smarter than everyone else, I think you run into a ton of problems and a ton of roadblock. That's where I think, you know, you have to look at it more like poker, like, you know, you catch you're gonna get lucky every now and then and get on a run and get on a low heater. And and sometimes, you know, that's when you really have to to push and go all in is is when you're when your left's going your way. When when you feel like some of the things are going your way, you gotta pull way back. You know, that's not what you double and triple down. That's when you kinda hunker down.

21:44

Let the storm clouds pass and and, hopefully, your luck will shift and turn around a little bit. Well, it seems like there's three three parts to the poker thing. Right? There's the cards are are face down. So there's a lot of unknowns, unlike chess. Then you're talking about luck and variance. That's the second part. But then the third part was You said that the the amateur players just play too many hands. A pro

Let the storm clouds pass and and, hopefully, your luck will shift and turn around a little bit. Well, it seems like there's three three parts to the poker thing. Right? There's the cards are are face down. So there's a lot of unknowns, unlike chess. Then you're talking about luck and variance. That's the second part. But then the third part was You said that the the amateur players just play too many hands. A pro

22:03

only plays, you know, fifteen to twenty percent of their hands, but an amateur is playing half the hands. And so

only plays, you know, fifteen to twenty percent of their hands, but an amateur is playing half the hands. And so

22:09

the trick is actually just to pass on the average opportunity to save room for the huge opportunity. That's that's the other one. And I think Warren Buffett calls this waiting for the fat pitch. He's like, there's no called strikes. You can let fifty opportunities go by and just pass on them. Even if there were some good ones in there, it's okay. As long as you just when you do swing, you swing at the right ones.

the trick is actually just to pass on the average opportunity to save room for the huge opportunity. That's that's the other one. And I think Warren Buffett calls this waiting for the fat pitch. He's like, there's no called strikes. You can let fifty opportunities go by and just pass on them. Even if there were some good ones in there, it's okay. As long as you just when you do swing, you swing at the right ones.

22:29

Hundred percent. I I hundred percent agree. I mean, you know, we use that analogy. We use the Ted Williams thing all the time. There's Ted Williams as a batting chart. At Ted Williams was one of the first persons to go and document all of his, where he would hit balls or where he could, you know, what his percentage was, if it was high and outside, low and inside, And he figured out where his sweet spot was, and and Williams were just setting way for his bitch. And when he got it, he he he don't knock shit out of it. So it's similar to what you're sold. You you talk about, lock and you say, passing on the average opportunity to save room for the huge opportunity.

Hundred percent. I I hundred percent agree. I mean, you know, we use that analogy. We use the Ted Williams thing all the time. There's Ted Williams as a batting chart. At Ted Williams was one of the first persons to go and document all of his, where he would hit balls or where he could, you know, what his percentage was, if it was high and outside, low and inside, And he figured out where his sweet spot was, and and Williams were just setting way for his bitch. And when he got it, he he he don't knock shit out of it. So it's similar to what you're sold. You you talk about, lock and you say, passing on the average opportunity to save room for the huge opportunity.

23:00

And with your trading,

And with your trading,

23:01

what have been opportunities that you've thought were huge that you pounced on, as well as maybe some that you didn't because you thought they were average.

what have been opportunities that you've thought were huge that you pounced on, as well as maybe some that you didn't because you thought they were average.

23:09

Yeah. Tons. I could go through those by crazy. And, you know, but I I agree with that. And we've we've talked about this myself and a lot of my trading friends. It's that as we've gotten older, we've we've learned.

Yeah. Tons. I could go through those by crazy. And, you know, but I I agree with that. And we've we've talked about this myself and a lot of my trading friends. It's that as we've gotten older, we've we've learned.

23:20

We can look back through all of our document, tag docs and everything. I mean, the more trades we made,

We can look back through all of our document, tag docs and everything. I mean, the more trades we made,

23:26

the worst year we had, it seemed like the fewer trades,

the worst year we had, it seemed like the fewer trades,

23:30

by far, the better of the year. And, you know, now we're trading even less and less and less. And I know I think some of our readers probably getting scared of these. They want the action and everything. But, you know, it's like wrestling, you know, as a great wrestler,

by far, the better of the year. And, you know, now we're trading even less and less and less. And I know I think some of our readers probably getting scared of these. They want the action and everything. But, you know, it's like wrestling, you know, as a great wrestler,

23:43

a high school of college wrestler, they're super patient. They wait for the the market, in this case, to make a mistake, late for the market to get out of out of a line or over leveraged or over tilted, and then you come in and you try to make a play.

a high school of college wrestler, they're super patient. They wait for the the market, in this case, to make a mistake, late for the market to get out of out of a line or over leveraged or over tilted, and then you come in and you try to make a play.

23:57

You know, most all your monies made the greatest traders will say all your monies made sitting, you know, sitting and waiting. And it and it's incredibly hard to do. The decision

You know, most all your monies made the greatest traders will say all your monies made sitting, you know, sitting and waiting. And it and it's incredibly hard to do. The decision

24:05

To do nothing is a decision and in our world,

To do nothing is a decision and in our world,

24:09

a lot of times it can be the best decision you could possibly make. So you know, and as far as like Samsung, you know, we like I said, we were early with the quarter, early with Tesla.

a lot of times it can be the best decision you could possibly make. So you know, and as far as like Samsung, you know, we like I said, we were early with the quarter, early with Tesla.

24:17

I was trading when Amazon first came out, and we had thirty thousand of Amazon, like, right out of the hole, and I went negative on it. I never forget story. My wife and I, shit, we didn't have enough money to pay attention at the time. And We were sitting there and they I had this position on. It wouldn't against me. And I said, man, if this thing just gets back to even and Amazon was trying, like, three, four bucks a time. It got back to even and I blew out. And, I mean, it would have been like, you know, the craziest trade of all times if I'd have stuck with it. But I wouldn't have stuck with it, probably. You know, I'm a traitor, so it's like, you can't you can't beat yourself up saying, man, if I would've just stayed in that or not stuck with it. And I think a lot of people do that to themselves. You know, it's a psychological game and

I was trading when Amazon first came out, and we had thirty thousand of Amazon, like, right out of the hole, and I went negative on it. I never forget story. My wife and I, shit, we didn't have enough money to pay attention at the time. And We were sitting there and they I had this position on. It wouldn't against me. And I said, man, if this thing just gets back to even and Amazon was trying, like, three, four bucks a time. It got back to even and I blew out. And, I mean, it would have been like, you know, the craziest trade of all times if I'd have stuck with it. But I wouldn't have stuck with it, probably. You know, I'm a traitor, so it's like, you can't you can't beat yourself up saying, man, if I would've just stayed in that or not stuck with it. And I think a lot of people do that to themselves. You know, it's a psychological game and

24:57

You you just wanna try not to beat yourself up and not get down on yourself because that then it then it gets hard to fail and and recover. So What's the case for being a trader versus a investor?

You you just wanna try not to beat yourself up and not get down on yourself because that then it then it gets hard to fail and and recover. So What's the case for being a trader versus a investor?

25:07

Because if you read about all the investing greats, they all kind of poo poo traders a little like, oh, you don't wanna be a trader. You wanna be, you know, a buy and hold guy. You wanna buy, find a great asset and then sit on it for a long time. I just only reading the advice from the investors and that's why, or is there something to what they're saying? No. You're absolutely right. I mean, there's plenty of trades I've been in that I've become an investor because

Because if you read about all the investing greats, they all kind of poo poo traders a little like, oh, you don't wanna be a trader. You wanna be, you know, a buy and hold guy. You wanna buy, find a great asset and then sit on it for a long time. I just only reading the advice from the investors and that's why, or is there something to what they're saying? No. You're absolutely right. I mean, there's plenty of trades I've been in that I've become an investor because

25:30

they went against me. We just kept holding and holding, holding. Right? The it was meant to be a short term trade, but turned into a long term, you know, just ass kicking. So it's like, No. I agree. My job, though, I was a trader. So, you know, I was at the floor. I was at the exchange. I was at Kansas City board trade. You know, and so

they went against me. We just kept holding and holding, holding. Right? The it was meant to be a short term trade, but turned into a long term, you know, just ass kicking. So it's like, No. I agree. My job, though, I was a trader. So, you know, I was at the floor. I was at the exchange. I was at Kansas City board trade. You know, and so

25:47

My told job revolved around trading and fairly quick movements in the market. I was never I did own a day trading firmer one time.

My told job revolved around trading and fairly quick movements in the market. I was never I did own a day trading firmer one time.

25:55

And you should have seen, you know, the success rate on people they trade. It was just a miserable business. So we don't day trade, so to speak. We'll be more swing trading. We'll be multi days in a trade, you know, but commodity markets are a little different. For every buyer, there's a loser, and they're a little different than stocks. And and there's expirations on the contract. So You know, we're we're more short term oriented, but we're also longer term investors like you would say, Sean. I do think I advise my kids, my own kids, just exactly what you're saying. You know, no. Unless you're gonna be full time and you really want the belly aches, I wouldn't advise probably,

And you should have seen, you know, the success rate on people they trade. It was just a miserable business. So we don't day trade, so to speak. We'll be more swing trading. We'll be multi days in a trade, you know, but commodity markets are a little different. For every buyer, there's a loser, and they're a little different than stocks. And and there's expirations on the contract. So You know, we're we're more short term oriented, but we're also longer term investors like you would say, Sean. I do think I advise my kids, my own kids, just exactly what you're saying. You know, no. Unless you're gonna be full time and you really want the belly aches, I wouldn't advise probably,

26:27

you know, trading or trying to time market, movements,

you know, trading or trying to time market, movements,

26:31

like I said, I I'm more with Buffet. You know, I I think, you know, everybody's trying to beat the indexes. I mean, everybody's trying to beat the s. Be here, the past second.

like I said, I I'm more with Buffet. You know, I I think, you know, everybody's trying to beat the indexes. I mean, everybody's trying to beat the s. Be here, the past second.

26:39

You're in, you're out that stuff to do. And, you know, so I think, you know, as a passive investor,

You're in, you're out that stuff to do. And, you know, so I think, you know, as a passive investor,

26:43

long term hold is probably a, a good putt for for the majority of most

long term hold is probably a, a good putt for for the majority of most

26:48

in in that way to build wealth. How many years have you beat the index? How or how long have you been doing this twenty or thirty years? How do you think that you've beat the index? You know, I mean, the years that we beat it, we beat it by a mile because we get lucky in some certain position or some certain stock. In the year, like this year, I'm I'm trailing.

in in that way to build wealth. How many years have you beat the index? How or how long have you been doing this twenty or thirty years? How do you think that you've beat the index? You know, I mean, the years that we beat it, we beat it by a mile because we get lucky in some certain position or some certain stock. In the year, like this year, I'm I'm trailing.

27:04

I have decent amount put over into,

I have decent amount put over into,

27:07

you know, we're still in a lot of CDs at five and a quarter, five percent. And, you know, a lot of our well Building has come from real estate. That's just buying land, farmland, or what are you buying? Buy in real estate. You know, we have everything from commercial properties to single families that we've turned into various AirbnbVs,

you know, we're still in a lot of CDs at five and a quarter, five percent. And, you know, a lot of our well Building has come from real estate. That's just buying land, farmland, or what are you buying? Buy in real estate. You know, we have everything from commercial properties to single families that we've turned into various AirbnbVs,

27:25

redial land, farm land, regular land. Those have been our biggest winners.

redial land, farm land, regular land. Those have been our biggest winners.

27:30

Has the majority of your net worth come from the income that the newsletter has produced or has it been from trading? So I think there's two ways you can do with your business. Know, when you're making money, you can either take the money and reinvest it back in your business,

Has the majority of your net worth come from the income that the newsletter has produced or has it been from trading? So I think there's two ways you can do with your business. Know, when you're making money, you can either take the money and reinvest it back in your business,

27:44

which we didn't do. That was kind of my play. I'm like, I'm not gonna do that. I'm gonna take my money and then I'm gonna put it out and see and try and invest in other people's businesses. And, you know, and we've

which we didn't do. That was kind of my play. I'm like, I'm not gonna do that. I'm gonna take my money and then I'm gonna put it out and see and try and invest in other people's businesses. And, you know, and we've

27:56

we're we're partners with a, for, private equity for called isolex. So we're early investors and ag tech startups and some biotech. And so we've had a ton of losers, but they've all led to meeting new people,

we're we're partners with a, for, private equity for called isolex. So we're early investors and ag tech startups and some biotech. And so we've had a ton of losers, but they've all led to meeting new people,

28:09

learning new things, and then that in turn comes to something else today. So you know, we try to grow our revenue and then take that revenue and invest it in various other vehicles, and other sources.

learning new things, and then that in turn comes to something else today. So you know, we try to grow our revenue and then take that revenue and invest it in various other vehicles, and other sources.

28:21

What's the, like, sentiment, like, amongst the people that are reading the newsletter or would come to the conference? You know, are people bullish right now? Are they optimistic Are there big headwinds or tailwinds? What's going on in the food producer world? Yeah. You know, it's it's pretty dark right now over in our world, so to speak. The the a big jump in rates was obviously,

What's the, like, sentiment, like, amongst the people that are reading the newsletter or would come to the conference? You know, are people bullish right now? Are they optimistic Are there big headwinds or tailwinds? What's going on in the food producer world? Yeah. You know, it's it's pretty dark right now over in our world, so to speak. The the a big jump in rates was obviously,

28:42

kind of a real pinch for a lot of our ag tech startups and a lot of the people just in agriculture in general. So you've had a big jump in rates. And then we also have, you know, a little bit of, glutton right now. We have a pretty burdensome supply of core over two billion bushel supply core. You know, we got about five hundred million bushel supply of beans coming down the pipe and wait. Sorry. That that means that last season overproduced,

kind of a real pinch for a lot of our ag tech startups and a lot of the people just in agriculture in general. So you've had a big jump in rates. And then we also have, you know, a little bit of, glutton right now. We have a pretty burdensome supply of core over two billion bushel supply core. You know, we got about five hundred million bushel supply of beans coming down the pipe and wait. Sorry. That that means that last season overproduced,

29:04

Yeah. You know, we had a good year last year.

Yeah. You know, we had a good year last year.

29:07

South America is coming off a a pretty good year. Argentina, like, for example, Argentina production doubled.

South America is coming off a a pretty good year. Argentina, like, for example, Argentina production doubled.

29:13

From what they had they had a big drought, last year had some production problems. Brazil's got a little bit of they're down from a little bit. But China, like so China right now hasn't been a buyer of US new crop beans haven't booked any any cargoes, which is unusual.

From what they had they had a big drought, last year had some production problems. Brazil's got a little bit of they're down from a little bit. But China, like so China right now hasn't been a buyer of US new crop beans haven't booked any any cargoes, which is unusual.

29:26

So we're worried we have this election coming up.

So we're worried we have this election coming up.

29:30

Anything can happen. We're not sure how China's gonna play it with Trump coming back into the mix. Are we gonna have a bigger hit on tariffs? So when Trump was in office, We had bean prices go break break pretty considerably because, we got into a pissing match with Jaida. And, you know, they're the number one buyer of beans in the world. So it's We're kinda trying to weigh this thing out here and see how things are gonna shake out. But we do have some new things on the front. We got sustainable aviation fuel, so soybeans are now gonna be used to make sustainable aviation fuel, which is gonna be a big one. We're trying to push to get corn to where the corn production is gonna also be used to make sustainable aviation fuel. There's a few pipeline issues that need to be addressed and some things like that. But we're moving

Anything can happen. We're not sure how China's gonna play it with Trump coming back into the mix. Are we gonna have a bigger hit on tariffs? So when Trump was in office, We had bean prices go break break pretty considerably because, we got into a pissing match with Jaida. And, you know, they're the number one buyer of beans in the world. So it's We're kinda trying to weigh this thing out here and see how things are gonna shake out. But we do have some new things on the front. We got sustainable aviation fuel, so soybeans are now gonna be used to make sustainable aviation fuel, which is gonna be a big one. We're trying to push to get corn to where the corn production is gonna also be used to make sustainable aviation fuel. There's a few pipeline issues that need to be addressed and some things like that. But we're moving

30:10

for more food for fuel is becoming more of little more prevalent, so we're seeing more

for more food for fuel is becoming more of little more prevalent, so we're seeing more

30:16

countries move to that for cleaner energy sources. So we're seeing more utilities and more usage or traditional crops. Or seeing more utility and more usage for land.

countries move to that for cleaner energy sources. So we're seeing more utilities and more usage or traditional crops. Or seeing more utility and more usage for land.

30:26

We were just seeing a ton more buyers and bidders come in for land. People wanting to put in solar? You know, solar fields,

We were just seeing a ton more buyers and bidders come in for land. People wanting to put in solar? You know, solar fields,

30:34

to create energy, wind fields.

to create energy, wind fields.

30:36

There's just a lot more utilities being used now for Data centers were seen a big push through the Midwest on companies wanting to build these massive data centers,

There's just a lot more utilities being used now for Data centers were seen a big push through the Midwest on companies wanting to build these massive data centers,

30:45

really through the glut of the Midwest, And we think it's kinda like Cushing's Oklahoma where we store our oil.

really through the glut of the Midwest, And we think it's kinda like Cushing's Oklahoma where we store our oil.

30:51

Now we think data is gonna be kind of the new oil. And so we're gonna try and store our data here in the US centrally into the Midwest. So we're seeing a big bush in some farm ground, being gobbled up for, big data

Now we think data is gonna be kind of the new oil. And so we're gonna try and store our data here in the US centrally into the Midwest. So we're seeing a big bush in some farm ground, being gobbled up for, big data

31:03

My father is a a produce broker, so he owns a small brokerage where, like, let's say that over the course of twenty years, he's sold a hundred million dollars worth of onions, you know, over the course of twenty years, the the the the margin is like five percent. Like, so he'll he'll he'll make five million dollars over twenty years or whatever if he hundred million dollars worth of onions. So it's a huge quantity, but in that space, he's a small dog, you know, really tiny. But I remember during away,

My father is a a produce broker, so he owns a small brokerage where, like, let's say that over the course of twenty years, he's sold a hundred million dollars worth of onions, you know, over the course of twenty years, the the the the margin is like five percent. Like, so he'll he'll he'll make five million dollars over twenty years or whatever if he hundred million dollars worth of onions. So it's a huge quantity, but in that space, he's a small dog, you know, really tiny. But I remember during away,

31:29

Like, I remember I was only,

Like, I remember I was only,

31:30

seventeen or eighteen. I was watching the news. And I was like, you know, dad, why are you seem like you're making more money now than than before where everyone else seems to be going broke. And he was like, well, look at the corner of our kitchen. There's onions and potatoes there. Like, people are still gonna buy this stuff no matter what. And then when the economy is going well, like, you're gonna go out to eat, and I'll crush it then too. So it's like, I'm I'm in a good business. And I remember thinking, like,

seventeen or eighteen. I was watching the news. And I was like, you know, dad, why are you seem like you're making more money now than than before where everyone else seems to be going broke. And he was like, well, look at the corner of our kitchen. There's onions and potatoes there. Like, people are still gonna buy this stuff no matter what. And then when the economy is going well, like, you're gonna go out to eat, and I'll crush it then too. So it's like, I'm I'm in a good business. And I remember thinking, like,

31:54

as I got older, I kinda forgot about farming, and I forgot about

as I got older, I kinda forgot about farming, and I forgot about

31:59

food and agriculture. And I just I didn't really think about it, but What I've learned is that over the years that America is really good at two or three things. One of them being culture, so we export culture, like, amazingly well. So Hollywood is, like, our biggest export, I would say, or or culture, the second thing that we do really well,

food and agriculture. And I just I didn't really think about it, but What I've learned is that over the years that America is really good at two or three things. One of them being culture, so we export culture, like, amazingly well. So Hollywood is, like, our biggest export, I would say, or or culture, the second thing that we do really well,

32:17

we are so fucking good at growing corn. America is so good at growing corn. And I forget how important agriculture is to our to our our way of life. And in

we are so fucking good at growing corn. America is so good at growing corn. And I forget how important agriculture is to our to our our way of life. And in

32:29

America, when you're talking about some of these things about what China's doing, what Brazil's doing, if China's buying stuff from us,

America, when you're talking about some of these things about what China's doing, what Brazil's doing, if China's buying stuff from us,

32:36

how big is like, this entire industry that you're associate I mean, what percentage of the g d GDP or economic value is it creating in America compared to other things?

how big is like, this entire industry that you're associate I mean, what percentage of the g d GDP or economic value is it creating in America compared to other things?

32:45

Call massive. I mean, it's, you know, one of the and we're seeing more and more of the wealthy get into agriculture. And that's why I'm saying, it's a really hot area and you're seeing Yeah. The Gates Foundation, Buffett's group. Well, Warren,

Call massive. I mean, it's, you know, one of the and we're seeing more and more of the wealthy get into agriculture. And that's why I'm saying, it's a really hot area and you're seeing Yeah. The Gates Foundation, Buffett's group. Well, Warren,

32:57

son,

son,

32:58

Howard, he used to be a big farmer,

Howard, he used to be a big farmer,

33:00

and he had just recently gotten out. And,

and he had just recently gotten out. And,

33:03

Still on the ground, but they're having some other people farmer and do some things like that. Yeah. Seeing a big, big push and more and more people being interested in ag and interested in food and where it's coming from, We're seeing Sean, what we're also seeing is more people going direct to the farmers now. Just recently, in the last few weeks, we've seen more ranches come online, kinda form a little coalition. There's a group about seven eight good ranches down in Texas that are now selling direct to the public. You know, they were getting maybe

Still on the ground, but they're having some other people farmer and do some things like that. Yeah. Seeing a big, big push and more and more people being interested in ag and interested in food and where it's coming from, We're seeing Sean, what we're also seeing is more people going direct to the farmers now. Just recently, in the last few weeks, we've seen more ranches come online, kinda form a little coalition. There's a group about seven eight good ranches down in Texas that are now selling direct to the public. You know, they were getting maybe

33:28

they were getting minimal for their beef

they were getting minimal for their beef

33:31

you know, and now that they're selling direct, they're they're really doing well and people like buying direct. And so Did you just buy off their website or or they there's some startup that's doing this? Yeah. They have oxygen. I think it's called bid for beef.

you know, and now that they're selling direct, they're they're really doing well and people like buying direct. And so Did you just buy off their website or or they there's some startup that's doing this? Yeah. They have oxygen. I think it's called bid for beef.

33:42

I thought that was a dating site. Yeah. Yeah. You know, today. Yeah. That could be. Whatever you're into. Yeah.

I thought that was a dating site. Yeah. Yeah. You know, today. Yeah. That could be. Whatever you're into. Yeah.

33:49

Yeah. But, you know, they're starting to make more traction. And we're seeing that across the board with other plays. What's going on with, like, farms that are kids don't wanna take it over. What does the succession plan look like? And and is somebody solving that problem? That's a huge issue. And that's being discussed heavily. And in the ag world that, you know, so you have,

Yeah. But, you know, they're starting to make more traction. And we're seeing that across the board with other plays. What's going on with, like, farms that are kids don't wanna take it over. What does the succession plan look like? And and is somebody solving that problem? That's a huge issue. And that's being discussed heavily. And in the ag world that, you know, so you have,

34:09

this this big succession,

this this big succession,

34:12

rollover. I think I don't know what the number. I can't remember on my head. It's okay. Eighty percent of the farms are owned by people over sixty. You know, and it's it's a really aging demographic. And a lot of the the kids you know, or have other jobs or went off to great colleges and great schools, and they don't necessarily wanna come back. So, yes, there is. There is a, a big issue. And And a lot of the people in the farming world keep their cards really close to their chest, and they don't really talk a lot openly with their kids, or they don't have a lot of great succession planning in place, and And we're seeing that a lot. I think,

rollover. I think I don't know what the number. I can't remember on my head. It's okay. Eighty percent of the farms are owned by people over sixty. You know, and it's it's a really aging demographic. And a lot of the the kids you know, or have other jobs or went off to great colleges and great schools, and they don't necessarily wanna come back. So, yes, there is. There is a, a big issue. And And a lot of the people in the farming world keep their cards really close to their chest, and they don't really talk a lot openly with their kids, or they don't have a lot of great succession planning in place, and And we're seeing that a lot. I think,

34:42

you know, we've tried to be super open with our kids and and discuss everything and show them everything and say, hey, here's where everything's at. Here's where you need to know, here's where you need to be. And, you know, hopefully,

you know, we've tried to be super open with our kids and and discuss everything and show them everything and say, hey, here's where everything's at. Here's where you need to know, here's where you need to be. And, you know, hopefully,

34:52

you know, we tell our other friends, to similar type things. So, yeah, secession planning is is very important.

you know, we tell our other friends, to similar type things. So, yeah, secession planning is is very important.

34:58

And I think it's, you know, something that we all have to address as we own businesses. So Well, what what do you think is gonna happen? Like, if if eighty percent of these are owned by people over sixty, and a lot of the kids are And, like, is this just gonna be private equity owns all the farms? Like, what what what happens here? We are gonna see a lot of rollover and a lot of turnover. So in the farming space or when you're buying acreage,

And I think it's, you know, something that we all have to address as we own businesses. So Well, what what do you think is gonna happen? Like, if if eighty percent of these are owned by people over sixty, and a lot of the kids are And, like, is this just gonna be private equity owns all the farms? Like, what what what happens here? We are gonna see a lot of rollover and a lot of turnover. So in the farming space or when you're buying acreage,

35:17

There's there's two bidders that are gonna come against you. The person who's farm butts up against you, they're gonna be willing to pay a big premium because the land may only come available once their life And so they're gonna be bid and heavily. So whoever's in close proximity,

There's there's two bidders that are gonna come against you. The person who's farm butts up against you, they're gonna be willing to pay a big premium because the land may only come available once their life And so they're gonna be bid and heavily. So whoever's in close proximity,

35:30

because as you know, driving the combines or driving the heart, it it makes a lot of sense to get a continuing piece of ground.

because as you know, driving the combines or driving the heart, it it makes a lot of sense to get a continuing piece of ground.

35:37

And now you're also having, like,

And now you're also having, like,

35:39

California teachers, pension fund bidding against you. You have other high profile

California teachers, pension fund bidding against you. You have other high profile

35:44

fun people bidding against you. So, yes. Who runs it? They just place somebody to go live on the farm and move on it. Sean, have you ever been on a farm?

fun people bidding against you. So, yes. Who runs it? They just place somebody to go live on the farm and move on it. Sean, have you ever been on a farm?

35:52

No.

No.

35:53

I don't even know where I would go to find a farm. Where do you got? Is that a box somewhere? My, my aunts and uncles and cousins are farmers in Oklahoma, and they have, like, two or three thousand acres. And they are, I guess, they're ranchers. And so they own, like, fifteen hundred cattle, I believe.

I don't even know where I would go to find a farm. Where do you got? Is that a box somewhere? My, my aunts and uncles and cousins are farmers in Oklahoma, and they have, like, two or three thousand acres. And they are, I guess, they're ranchers. And so they own, like, fifteen hundred cattle, I believe.

36:09

And a bunch of their cattle are, Sean, you've probably never heard this term. They're bucking bulls. Have you heard of you know what a bucking bull is? I do not. So what they do is they, the PDR, which is the professional, rodeo Association,

And a bunch of their cattle are, Sean, you've probably never heard this term. They're bucking bulls. Have you heard of you know what a bucking bull is? I do not. So what they do is they, the PDR, which is the professional, rodeo Association,

36:22

they

they

36:24

if you get a good bowl, a good bowl can be worth, I don't know, Kevin, what, like, fifty grand all the way up to a million dollars. And Absolutely. Yeah. More than that. Some And these good bulls, you get you make money in two ways. You make money because at the rodeo, the rider gets paid. So if you stay on a a bull for a certain amount of time, you win and you get paid, but the bowl that bucks the hardest also gets paid. And that's, like, like, a rating rating system. And so there's, like, famous bowls that are known as, like, really hard bucking bulls. Who's the Michael Jordan of Bulls? It's Bushwacker. I mean, it's Bushwacker

if you get a good bowl, a good bowl can be worth, I don't know, Kevin, what, like, fifty grand all the way up to a million dollars. And Absolutely. Yeah. More than that. Some And these good bulls, you get you make money in two ways. You make money because at the rodeo, the rider gets paid. So if you stay on a a bull for a certain amount of time, you win and you get paid, but the bowl that bucks the hardest also gets paid. And that's, like, like, a rating rating system. And so there's, like, famous bowls that are known as, like, really hard bucking bulls. Who's the Michael Jordan of Bulls? It's Bushwacker. I mean, it's Bushwacker

36:55

Bushwacker has been the best a long time. No. Bush Wacker's a famous bowl. The guy who, like, dominated bushwacker. What's his name? J. R. Or something? He, like, just retired, I believe. Right? What was that guy? I I we've son played football. A couple of kids that were PBR bull riders already. They're insane.

Bushwacker has been the best a long time. No. Bush Wacker's a famous bowl. The guy who, like, dominated bushwacker. What's his name? J. R. Or something? He, like, just retired, I believe. Right? What was that guy? I I we've son played football. A couple of kids that were PBR bull riders already. They're insane.

37:10

Oh,

Oh,

37:11

my my cousin and the family, this is what they do. And so I went and stayed with them every once in a while, and we get up at, like, eight.

my my cousin and the family, this is what they do. And so I went and stayed with them every once in a while, and we get up at, like, eight.

37:19

And starting at, like, ten, you go to the feed store and you buy a huge amount of feed. You bring the feed back. You call the bowls and you throw it all over, like, the like, you, like, scatter it out throughout the the the area, and they come up and they eat it. And then on the weekends,

And starting at, like, ten, you go to the feed store and you buy a huge amount of feed. You bring the feed back. You call the bowls and you throw it all over, like, the like, you, like, scatter it out throughout the the the area, and they come up and they eat it. And then on the weekends,

37:34

they drive these bowls from Oklahoma to Texas, which is, like, twelve hours. And these bowls, when you put them into the truck, You would think of bowl that you burst and raised, like, they will literally be there when they burst this bowl. But once the bowl hits puberty, I guess, or it has balls, it wants to fucking kill you no matter what. It doesn't matter if you raised her birth as bull. This bull wants to murder you every chance it's get. And so just to get the bull onto the truck, it's like a life or death situation every once in a while. Like, this it's a fifteen hundred pound thing that what that you gotta get into this truck, and they would drive these bulls all around the country,

they drive these bowls from Oklahoma to Texas, which is, like, twelve hours. And these bowls, when you put them into the truck, You would think of bowl that you burst and raised, like, they will literally be there when they burst this bowl. But once the bowl hits puberty, I guess, or it has balls, it wants to fucking kill you no matter what. It doesn't matter if you raised her birth as bull. This bull wants to murder you every chance it's get. And so just to get the bull onto the truck, it's like a life or death situation every once in a while. Like, this it's a fifteen hundred pound thing that what that you gotta get into this truck, and they would drive these bulls all around the country,

38:09

and they get paid, I think, four grand just to as an appearance fee or something like that to show up on the TBR. And then the other the cows, the, the females,

and they get paid, I think, four grand just to as an appearance fee or something like that to show up on the TBR. And then the other the cows, the, the females,

38:18

and so they make their money by raising the cows that they sell for beef. And then the bulls, they either sell them to get bread or they make money directly from the rodeo.

and so they make their money by raising the cows that they sell for beef. And then the bulls, they either sell them to get bread or they make money directly from the rodeo.

38:27

And it's like a huge cash business. So my cousins and aunts and uncles, they'll always have a a wad of cash because they'll go to the auction, and it's just like a really heavy cash business. They get, let's say, ten grand for selling ten ten

And it's like a huge cash business. So my cousins and aunts and uncles, they'll always have a a wad of cash because they'll go to the auction, and it's just like a really heavy cash business. They get, let's say, ten grand for selling ten ten

38:41

pounds They take that ten grand and they spend eight of it, like, that day on more cow feet. And so it's, like, a really heavy I I'm probably getting some numbers wrong, but they're It's a really heavy cash business, and it's fucking hard. My cousin Sam would drive around, and he'd be drinking, like, natural light while he's driving his truck, checking on all the, like, on all the cows. Dude, it's

pounds They take that ten grand and they spend eight of it, like, that day on more cow feet. And so it's, like, a really heavy I I'm probably getting some numbers wrong, but they're It's a really heavy cash business, and it's fucking hard. My cousin Sam would drive around, and he'd be drinking, like, natural light while he's driving his truck, checking on all the, like, on all the cows. Dude, it's

39:02

a hard living, and it's really fun. I've, like, spent time on there. It's been it it's fun for me as a visitor, but it is a hard job to do this shit. You are working and walking constantly.

a hard living, and it's really fun. I've, like, spent time on there. It's been it it's fun for me as a visitor, but it is a hard job to do this shit. You are working and walking constantly.

39:14

Yeah. You're right. And, you know, I lost I lost the good joke of my not a big joke, but I did what you said. Somebody's mind getting said, Hey, let's start raising these bulls to be PBR bulls, you know, rodeo bulls. Shit. I don't think I ever cashed one check. I think it just it was a lot of fun. A lot like you a lot of drinking daddy light and driving around the pickup, checking all them, and you know Yeah. It, like, it it's, like, fun, but it is fucking hard And it it's a very capital intensive business. Hey, I'm the one I give you one that I that it was a big miss. Now a guy came to me, his Sam will get a ticket guy came to the house probably twenty years ago. And, fifty, you know, the internet was just getting going. He said, man, I got this great idea. And the guy came in and he was all suited. And I said, well, and he's an English major and all that. He says, what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna build his websites, and I'm gonna hire a couple other English majors And we're gonna write really eloquent

Yeah. You're right. And, you know, I lost I lost the good joke of my not a big joke, but I did what you said. Somebody's mind getting said, Hey, let's start raising these bulls to be PBR bulls, you know, rodeo bulls. Shit. I don't think I ever cashed one check. I think it just it was a lot of fun. A lot like you a lot of drinking daddy light and driving around the pickup, checking all them, and you know Yeah. It, like, it it's, like, fun, but it is fucking hard And it it's a very capital intensive business. Hey, I'm the one I give you one that I that it was a big miss. Now a guy came to me, his Sam will get a ticket guy came to the house probably twenty years ago. And, fifty, you know, the internet was just getting going. He said, man, I got this great idea. And the guy came in and he was all suited. And I said, well, and he's an English major and all that. He says, what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna build his websites, and I'm gonna hire a couple other English majors And we're gonna write really eloquent

40:03

descriptions

descriptions

40:04

of these cattle.

of these cattle.

40:06

And these bulls and their stems, the stem that they call the sperm, you know, and he's like, Then I'm gonna sell this sperm all over in Japan all over the world. I said, dude, you're nuts. This shit ain't gonna work. You know, this was early absurd blew it up. It blew it up. How do you eloquently describe the sperm of a bowl?

And these bulls and their stems, the stem that they call the sperm, you know, and he's like, Then I'm gonna sell this sperm all over in Japan all over the world. I said, dude, you're nuts. This shit ain't gonna work. You know, this was early absurd blew it up. It blew it up. How do you eloquently describe the sperm of a bowl?

40:23

What's it? What's his website? You know, the background, the lineage. I don't know. I have not him for a number of years, but I remember he came back through and some people were like, man, this guy just Hey, I'll tell you one. We were at the Louisville Farm show. They had me come down there to speak. It's

What's it? What's his website? You know, the background, the lineage. I don't know. I have not him for a number of years, but I remember he came back through and some people were like, man, this guy just Hey, I'll tell you one. We were at the Louisville Farm show. They had me come down there to speak. It's

40:36

US's world, largest indoor fire ratio on Cygo data would be the keynote speaker. And there's this little boost set up next to this. And they got all these polaroids, on this little ten by ten booth tip. Then I go to Target, I said, what the hell is this thing? He's like, it's called farmers only dot com. And you guys have seen all of the ad Man, I'm not shitting you, Sean. We're like all making fun of him. And then the next year he comes, and he has like a twenty by twenty booth. And then the next year, he's there and shit his boot damn beard boots John Deere. I mean, his boot is massive and we're like, the hell, then he's got Super Bowl ads. It is just public polling dot com. You're looking to marry a farmer, you know, that thing just blew up and he shit. He turned that into a great deal, sir.

US's world, largest indoor fire ratio on Cygo data would be the keynote speaker. And there's this little boost set up next to this. And they got all these polaroids, on this little ten by ten booth tip. Then I go to Target, I said, what the hell is this thing? He's like, it's called farmers only dot com. And you guys have seen all of the ad Man, I'm not shitting you, Sean. We're like all making fun of him. And then the next year he comes, and he has like a twenty by twenty booth. And then the next year, he's there and shit his boot damn beard boots John Deere. I mean, his boot is massive and we're like, the hell, then he's got Super Bowl ads. It is just public polling dot com. You're looking to marry a farmer, you know, that thing just blew up and he shit. He turned that into a great deal, sir.

41:15

When you, so let's say I wanted to become a gentleman farmer, I wanted to go buy a farm. Walk me through that. So first, where would I find a farm? Do is this, like, sold, like, on Zillow, or is this

When you, so let's say I wanted to become a gentleman farmer, I wanted to go buy a farm. Walk me through that. So first, where would I find a farm? Do is this, like, sold, like, on Zillow, or is this

41:25

brokers only. How do people find farms to buy?

brokers only. How do people find farms to buy?

41:28

You know, some people are now investing fractionally through, I'm in I'm invested at a company, acre trader, acre trader dot com. So we buy farms. We even have farms out near deck of the woods, Sean,

You know, some people are now investing fractionally through, I'm in I'm invested at a company, acre trader, acre trader dot com. So we buy farms. We even have farms out near deck of the woods, Sean,

41:39

out in we have not farms,

out in we have not farms,

41:41

out in California.

out in California.

41:43

We have regular,

We have regular,

41:44

other row crop production parks through Bakersfield in that area through there.

other row crop production parks through Bakersfield in that area through there.

41:49

You know, and all over the United States, you have as far as grow, very super products. So a farmer is selling a fraction of their of their farm. What happens at acre trader? We go in and actually buy the entire farm from a family, say they're want now or if it's secession planning, and they wanna leave so we'll buy the entire farm. And most of the time, we'll have a farmer in that area that has called us about the farm instead, hey, we don't have the money, but if you guys would wanna put up the money, we'd be happy to farm it for you and do revenue sharing, crop sharing, or some type of, you know, split into the revenue. We're looking to just hold the ground for appreciation over ten, twelve year period. The years you have good years, you have some really good years. Some years though, you you're gonna have some some losing years. But over the course of time, ten, fifteen, twenty years, your appreciation on the land is gonna be that's really gonna carry it forward. And that's what the that's what a lot of hedge funds are looking for. A lot of the funds are looking for that longer term thirty eight. Well, what do what do these trade for? Like, if I go buy a farm, what is the multiple you pay on a farm typically? Or would it be just price per acre? Rice per acre. And it's gone nuts lately. I mean, my buddy just sold his mom left him a chunk of ground that they had in their family.

You know, and all over the United States, you have as far as grow, very super products. So a farmer is selling a fraction of their of their farm. What happens at acre trader? We go in and actually buy the entire farm from a family, say they're want now or if it's secession planning, and they wanna leave so we'll buy the entire farm. And most of the time, we'll have a farmer in that area that has called us about the farm instead, hey, we don't have the money, but if you guys would wanna put up the money, we'd be happy to farm it for you and do revenue sharing, crop sharing, or some type of, you know, split into the revenue. We're looking to just hold the ground for appreciation over ten, twelve year period. The years you have good years, you have some really good years. Some years though, you you're gonna have some some losing years. But over the course of time, ten, fifteen, twenty years, your appreciation on the land is gonna be that's really gonna carry it forward. And that's what the that's what a lot of hedge funds are looking for. A lot of the funds are looking for that longer term thirty eight. Well, what do what do these trade for? Like, if I go buy a farm, what is the multiple you pay on a farm typically? Or would it be just price per acre? Rice per acre. And it's gone nuts lately. I mean, my buddy just sold his mom left him a chunk of ground that they had in their family.

42:54

And he said, Hey, what do you think? And I said, I don't man, it's a great time. This was about seven, eight months ago. I said, you know,

And he said, Hey, what do you think? And I said, I don't man, it's a great time. This was about seven, eight months ago. I said, you know,

43:00

farmers are flushed with some cash. Maybe it was about a year ago. And he ended up getting twenty thousand an acre down here outside of Missouri. Now that's pretty rare off the books. You know, acreage around here, typically go for, you know, five to twelve to fifteen. But if someone needs the ground or wants the ground and it's a continuing piece of track, to their farm, you can see guys get the bidding war. And so you get bidding wars. Yeah. You can go out anywhere, look up farm grounds. You wanna, you know, there's a lot of things you wanna look for. Like in Kansas, you can't drill any wells in him. You can't drill new wells. And so, Kansas and Nebraska,

farmers are flushed with some cash. Maybe it was about a year ago. And he ended up getting twenty thousand an acre down here outside of Missouri. Now that's pretty rare off the books. You know, acreage around here, typically go for, you know, five to twelve to fifteen. But if someone needs the ground or wants the ground and it's a continuing piece of track, to their farm, you can see guys get the bidding war. And so you get bidding wars. Yeah. You can go out anywhere, look up farm grounds. You wanna, you know, there's a lot of things you wanna look for. Like in Kansas, you can't drill any wells in him. You can't drill new wells. And so, Kansas and Nebraska,

43:33

there's a lot going on with the underground aquifer and there's a lot of problems with with water. You see. And so, you know, we we believe though, we like c and b grade ground. We like ground that's maybe in a floodplain.

there's a lot going on with the underground aquifer and there's a lot of problems with with water. You see. And so, you know, we we believe though, we like c and b grade ground. We like ground that's maybe in a floodplain.

43:45

Or we like ground this,

Or we like ground this,

43:47

water to fish it because we believe that all the technology and the money from Gates's Foundation or Buffet They're they're really putting their money into

water to fish it because we believe that all the technology and the money from Gates's Foundation or Buffet They're they're really putting their money into

43:56

new technology that will help grow crops in third world countries that have really poor soil. So you know, Iowa has the best soil, Iowa, Illinois, they'll argue with each other who's got the richest soil. And they've got great soil and great farms that you really don't have to do a lot to.

new technology that will help grow crops in third world countries that have really poor soil. So you know, Iowa has the best soil, Iowa, Illinois, they'll argue with each other who's got the richest soil. And they've got great soil and great farms that you really don't have to do a lot to.

44:11

You get to some of these peripheral areas, though. No. It would be like these guys, you you get a biker jacket, but you got no bike. Right? That's that's more of my my my my lane. So I just needed to I'm asking questions. Just so I have the lingo in case I ever get pressed so that I I can sound like I know what I'm talking about without actually knowing anything. Yeah. You're you have to get some land to match car heart coat that you wanna get. I I get I get that. Well, what about the other tech? So, like, I've seen people do these, like, fitbit for cows,

You get to some of these peripheral areas, though. No. It would be like these guys, you you get a biker jacket, but you got no bike. Right? That's that's more of my my my my lane. So I just needed to I'm asking questions. Just so I have the lingo in case I ever get pressed so that I I can sound like I know what I'm talking about without actually knowing anything. Yeah. You're you have to get some land to match car heart coat that you wanna get. I I get I get that. Well, what about the other tech? So, like, I've seen people do these, like, fitbit for cows,

44:36

where they're like, you know, like, cow's valuable, you know, asset. And, you don't know if it's sick. You know, keep driving around. Keep checking on it. What if you could know before it's too late? What tech is working?

where they're like, you know, like, cow's valuable, you know, asset. And, you don't know if it's sick. You know, keep driving around. Keep checking on it. What if you could know before it's too late? What tech is working?

44:46

Yeah. We we it is, and we're invested in a few companies to do that. And they'll tag them. They'll tag the cattle. You know, because there is a push to have less antibiotics, less

Yeah. We we it is, and we're invested in a few companies to do that. And they'll tag them. They'll tag the cattle. You know, because there is a push to have less antibiotics, less

44:55

you know, less,

you know, less,

44:56

you know, shots and things into into our our food supply. So if you're able to identify when they have a fever earlier, you could get them segregated from the herd, get them from the herd, give them the give them the medicine that they need in a more timely fashion. So, yeah, all those are great. You know, Zoetta's, publicly traded company. They're a leader really probably in animal health space. If you're looking for something a longer term, like, we're invested in Zowettus. I have a business Sean that my friend's working on that my interests you too, Kevin. So, basically, he's putting he's put RF r f d, r f t, r f d. R f I d. Sorry. Tags on chickens and cows.

you know, shots and things into into our our food supply. So if you're able to identify when they have a fever earlier, you could get them segregated from the herd, get them from the herd, give them the give them the medicine that they need in a more timely fashion. So, yeah, all those are great. You know, Zoetta's, publicly traded company. They're a leader really probably in animal health space. If you're looking for something a longer term, like, we're invested in Zowettus. I have a business Sean that my friend's working on that my interests you too, Kevin. So, basically, he's putting he's put RF r f d, r f t, r f d. R f I d. Sorry. Tags on chickens and cows.

45:30

And you know how, like, a chicken will like, when you buy eggs, it says free range. And you just kinda trust. So, like, I guess that means the chicken was just, like, out walking around, which is better for me because it's somehow healthier. And all it's also, like, if you're care about animals, you're like, alright. At least I know it had, like, a better life and whatever.

And you know how, like, a chicken will like, when you buy eggs, it says free range. And you just kinda trust. So, like, I guess that means the chicken was just, like, out walking around, which is better for me because it's somehow healthier. And all it's also, like, if you're care about animals, you're like, alright. At least I know it had, like, a better life and whatever.

45:47

But free range, I think that's a technical term actually, where they it has to have a certain amount of space, but I don't think of that it's actually necessarily always followed. And so what he did was he's putting these these tags onto cows and chickens until you know the beef that you bought,

But free range, I think that's a technical term actually, where they it has to have a certain amount of space, but I don't think of that it's actually necessarily always followed. And so what he did was he's putting these these tags onto cows and chickens until you know the beef that you bought,

46:02

the tag number, and you could actually go and see how much did it walk around, and where did it go which sounds a little morbid and weird, but it's actually supposed to be, like, reassuring where it, like, look, my farm is now you could hold my farm accountable to know that this meat was actually raised in the way that I promise it was going to be. And that's, like, an interesting idea because I think Sean you said this I think you said, in, like, some period of time, twenty or fifty or sixty years, we're gonna look back at the way that we treated cows, and we're gonna be like, that was pretty unfortunate. Like, the it shouldn't have been done that way where an animal is just born in a pen and never leaves, and then we eat them. And I I actually agree with that. I agree with that sentiment where, like, the way that we treat certain animals, I'm cool with eating them, but it's it's better to better to have a certain life. And so this idea is kind of interesting to me. Yeah. We think that that's gonna be prevalent throughout. We think you're gonna blockchain the farm is what we're calling in our world. You know, you're gonna blockchain the farm, meaning,

the tag number, and you could actually go and see how much did it walk around, and where did it go which sounds a little morbid and weird, but it's actually supposed to be, like, reassuring where it, like, look, my farm is now you could hold my farm accountable to know that this meat was actually raised in the way that I promise it was going to be. And that's, like, an interesting idea because I think Sean you said this I think you said, in, like, some period of time, twenty or fifty or sixty years, we're gonna look back at the way that we treated cows, and we're gonna be like, that was pretty unfortunate. Like, the it shouldn't have been done that way where an animal is just born in a pen and never leaves, and then we eat them. And I I actually agree with that. I agree with that sentiment where, like, the way that we treat certain animals, I'm cool with eating them, but it's it's better to better to have a certain life. And so this idea is kind of interesting to me. Yeah. We think that that's gonna be prevalent throughout. We think you're gonna blockchain the farm is what we're calling in our world. You know, you're gonna blockchain the farm, meaning,

46:55

the fertilizer companies and the input companies are gonna have to report all that, and you're gonna know what was put on whatever it is you're eating or, you know, and The reason they wanna blockchain it is just like remember which both it was having those issues several years back, you know, with some things. They wanna be able to go right to the field, right to the spot, and know exactly what happened and what was put on and what time and where it was at. And so, yeah, I agree with you. Sam, I think that's definitely where the world's edited.

the fertilizer companies and the input companies are gonna have to report all that, and you're gonna know what was put on whatever it is you're eating or, you know, and The reason they wanna blockchain it is just like remember which both it was having those issues several years back, you know, with some things. They wanna be able to go right to the field, right to the spot, and know exactly what happened and what was put on and what time and where it was at. And so, yeah, I agree with you. Sam, I think that's definitely where the world's edited.

47:20

And, you know, I think Christine farmers make that transition more and more. They're a lot more tech savvy than people giving them credit, opting the world. They they're very tech savvy as a matter of fact. And And nobody treats their animals. I mean, my I have never been on a farm. In my entire life, that I seen any abuse to animals. I mean, nobody treats their animals better just because it's generally with typically the way they make their own living, the way they make their their money and they teach their kids to take care of the elderly, you know, they love them and show them in four h's and go all around. It it it's sad that they do get it such a bad rap the media,

And, you know, I think Christine farmers make that transition more and more. They're a lot more tech savvy than people giving them credit, opting the world. They they're very tech savvy as a matter of fact. And And nobody treats their animals. I mean, my I have never been on a farm. In my entire life, that I seen any abuse to animals. I mean, nobody treats their animals better just because it's generally with typically the way they make their own living, the way they make their their money and they teach their kids to take care of the elderly, you know, they love them and show them in four h's and go all around. It it it's sad that they do get it such a bad rap the media,

47:52

when I've personally never come across it.

when I've personally never come across it.

47:56

And what's your take on the alternative

And what's your take on the alternative

47:59

meat movement thing where In Silicon Valley, there's a bunch of startups that are trying to grow beef from cells so that you won't have to farm the animal. You won't have to harm the animal to to be able to have the same genetic. It should be virtually identical, genetically identical.

meat movement thing where In Silicon Valley, there's a bunch of startups that are trying to grow beef from cells so that you won't have to farm the animal. You won't have to harm the animal to to be able to have the same genetic. It should be virtually identical, genetically identical.

48:14

What's your take on that movement? And is that where you think things are going?

What's your take on that movement? And is that where you think things are going?

48:18

I think there will be a segment of the space that continues to grow, and I think you're gonna see it continue to gain market share. I think as as population

I think there will be a segment of the space that continues to grow, and I think you're gonna see it continue to gain market share. I think as as population

48:27

shifts and moves out. You know, as the baby boomers continue to age and move, oh, we get more people. I think you're going to see alternatives

shifts and moves out. You know, as the baby boomers continue to age and move, oh, we get more people. I think you're going to see alternatives

48:34

types of pro protein can be developed. And I think

types of pro protein can be developed. And I think

48:39

as they give more money in the labs, they're getting better at reducing the cost and creating better flavor. And I think as those two things continue to move forward, just like with Tesla and Elon Musk, you know, it's it's only a matter of time.

as they give more money in the labs, they're getting better at reducing the cost and creating better flavor. And I think as those two things continue to move forward, just like with Tesla and Elon Musk, you know, it's it's only a matter of time.

48:52

How's everything happened gradually than all at once? And, you know, it's like the electric vehicle. I think you have, you know, a lot fewer moving parts. It's a lot better than the combustion engine. I think you're gonna see things you'll gradually

How's everything happened gradually than all at once? And, you know, it's like the electric vehicle. I think you have, you know, a lot fewer moving parts. It's a lot better than the combustion engine. I think you're gonna see things you'll gradually

49:03

gain more and more market share. We'll have farmers taken to, like, I always read the comments of, like, in Texas message boards and things like that. They it it doesn't it seems like it's fifty fifty if, like, the rural community thinks that electric vehicles are are worth it.

gain more and more market share. We'll have farmers taken to, like, I always read the comments of, like, in Texas message boards and things like that. They it it doesn't it seems like it's fifty fifty if, like, the rural community thinks that electric vehicles are are worth it.

49:18

Yeah. Right now at the time, no. Because just the distance traveled, you know, a lot of folks that travel massive distances out in rural America.

Yeah. Right now at the time, no. Because just the distance traveled, you know, a lot of folks that travel massive distances out in rural America.

49:25

And so it doesn't make a lot of sense to them at the moment. I think eventually, yes, I think they'll see it have better torque, you know, better low end get up and go out of the hole, and I think you'll see a lot more transition. I like anything, no. Nobody wants to, I guess, let go of their heritage and their root and, you know, it's same with the fake meat. You know, a lot of farmers just bash it and wanna go nuts about it. I I I think there's definitely gonna be a place for it, and I think there's gonna be able to gain and grow some market share. You know, probably, you know, as they get cost lower, lower, I think it'll be, you know,

And so it doesn't make a lot of sense to them at the moment. I think eventually, yes, I think they'll see it have better torque, you know, better low end get up and go out of the hole, and I think you'll see a lot more transition. I like anything, no. Nobody wants to, I guess, let go of their heritage and their root and, you know, it's same with the fake meat. You know, a lot of farmers just bash it and wanna go nuts about it. I I I think there's definitely gonna be a place for it, and I think there's gonna be able to gain and grow some market share. You know, probably, you know, as they get cost lower, lower, I think it'll be, you know,

49:58

a way that we see things happen.

a way that we see things happen.

50:00

If you were twenty four years old again and you had the entrepreneurial energy to go do something, what would you be would you advise that twenty four year old to go to go do in this space? Where do you think the opportunity is?

If you were twenty four years old again and you had the entrepreneurial energy to go do something, what would you be would you advise that twenty four year old to go to go do in this space? Where do you think the opportunity is?

50:13

I think there's gonna be a big push with air quality,

I think there's gonna be a big push with air quality,

50:16

air you know, just the quality of air from this whole virus,

air you know, just the quality of air from this whole virus,

50:20

just the testing for the viruses. And we're seeing a lot more testing take plate than general.

just the testing for the viruses. And we're seeing a lot more testing take plate than general.

50:26

Just over the entire space. So I think you're just gonna be a big push and things to do with air and creating good air quality. We're seeing a lot more kids that have asthma or asthma related problems. And I think, you know, not just here in the United States, but I'm talking globally and taking some But what's an example solution what's an example solution of that from an agricultural

Just over the entire space. So I think you're just gonna be a big push and things to do with air and creating good air quality. We're seeing a lot more kids that have asthma or asthma related problems. And I think, you know, not just here in the United States, but I'm talking globally and taking some But what's an example solution what's an example solution of that from an agricultural

50:45

perspective.

perspective.

50:46

Well, so, you know, we're big right now into the, carbon market. So, you know, we're trying to reduced carbon footprints, and no one really reduces it much more than the, you know, giant cornfield,

Well, so, you know, we're big right now into the, carbon market. So, you know, we're trying to reduced carbon footprints, and no one really reduces it much more than the, you know, giant cornfield,

50:58

cornfield

cornfield

50:59

plants, you know, things of that nature. And so, you know, yeah, I think there's a big play and a big push into the carbon, try to reduce

plants, you know, things of that nature. And so, you know, yeah, I think there's a big play and a big push into the carbon, try to reduce

51:07

Like I said, trying to reduce the footprint, anything that'll help save energy,

Like I said, trying to reduce the footprint, anything that'll help save energy,

51:11

improve our water,

improve our water,

51:12

usage, improve water purity, You know, I think anything to do with the natural resources, they're just gonna become more heavily

usage, improve water purity, You know, I think anything to do with the natural resources, they're just gonna become more heavily

51:19

relied upon. If we transition all this to electric, I mean, the rare earth minerals are gonna be are they're gonna be scary. I mean, there's gonna be a lot of plays in in, you know, what we see on the, on that whole side and that whole front. So I think, you know, natural resources, things to do with natural resources, things to do with air water. Like I said, food quality.

relied upon. If we transition all this to electric, I mean, the rare earth minerals are gonna be are they're gonna be scary. I mean, there's gonna be a lot of plays in in, you know, what we see on the, on that whole side and that whole front. So I think, you know, natural resources, things to do with natural resources, things to do with air water. Like I said, food quality.

51:38

You know, we really love the blue collar space. I mean, I think we love like what Cody Sanchez has going on or some of the other things. We like the thought of buying blue collar businesses,

You know, we really love the blue collar space. I mean, I think we love like what Cody Sanchez has going on or some of the other things. We like the thought of buying blue collar businesses,

51:48

rolling them up and, you know, kind of patching them up and selling Why do you like that? Because they're they're retiring?

rolling them up and, you know, kind of patching them up and selling Why do you like that? Because they're they're retiring?

51:54

I think they're retiring. I think we didn't see near as many kids go into the trades as we had in the past. You know, my dad and my wife's dad. I mean, everybody was in trade back then. That was everyone's goal to go to college. So, you know, you just had a big lull

I think they're retiring. I think we didn't see near as many kids go into the trades as we had in the past. You know, my dad and my wife's dad. I mean, everybody was in trade back then. That was everyone's goal to go to college. So, you know, you just had a big lull

52:08

or a big, I guess, you know,

or a big, I guess, you know,

52:10

where there's just a short supply of good skilled people. Now we think you can go into that space, and we've tried it, a couple times in, you know, where we can build out some things. And I think you provide people with good quality service and an onboarding process that, you know, you could cut your customer

where there's just a short supply of good skilled people. Now we think you can go into that space, and we've tried it, a couple times in, you know, where we can build out some things. And I think you provide people with good quality service and an onboarding process that, you know, you could cut your customer

52:26

retention rate down to

retention rate down to

52:28

feasible level,

feasible level,

52:30

I I think there's just the sky's the limit on growth. You know what I mean? Do you use Kevin do you use TikTok?

I I think there's just the sky's the limit on growth. You know what I mean? Do you use Kevin do you use TikTok?

52:36

Right. I'm on it. Yeah. I see it. Have you guys seen the, like, popularity amongst young people and the trades? Like, it's it, like, peep they glamorize it and and, in a in a cool way. And I think an accurate way, which is, like, I'm making however, a hundred and fifty or hundred and twenty thousand dollars. I I just trades for two years. It goes so well on TikTok because it's like a novelty. It's like going to the zoo. It's like, wow. You made that. You know how to do things with your hands and That's what a carrot looks like when he when it comes out, like, that's incredible.

Right. I'm on it. Yeah. I see it. Have you guys seen the, like, popularity amongst young people and the trades? Like, it's it, like, peep they glamorize it and and, in a in a cool way. And I think an accurate way, which is, like, I'm making however, a hundred and fifty or hundred and twenty thousand dollars. I I just trades for two years. It goes so well on TikTok because it's like a novelty. It's like going to the zoo. It's like, wow. You made that. You know how to do things with your hands and That's what a carrot looks like when he when it comes out, like, that's incredible.

53:04

Swipe. Alright. On to the next one. Then that was easy.

Swipe. Alright. On to the next one. Then that was easy.

53:07

But but I actually think some of these young people are actually being influenced by this because they're like, shit. I graduated with a hundred and fifty or two hundred grand in debt, and I don't make anything remotely like that amount of money, and I'm sitting on my computer all day. Like, this might be a little bit more intriguing. And I don't have the any data, but it does seem like young people are more open minded to the trades than at least Sean and I's, like graduating classes.

But but I actually think some of these young people are actually being influenced by this because they're like, shit. I graduated with a hundred and fifty or two hundred grand in debt, and I don't make anything remotely like that amount of money, and I'm sitting on my computer all day. Like, this might be a little bit more intriguing. And I don't have the any data, but it does seem like young people are more open minded to the trades than at least Sean and I's, like graduating classes.

53:31

Yeah. I'm seeing that as well. We're hearing that from some of the younger kids that are opting not to go to college and are going in via pipe fitter going into pipe fitter's union. A unit or electrical unit. So, yeah, we're we're definitely seeing.

Yeah. I'm seeing that as well. We're hearing that from some of the younger kids that are opting not to go to college and are going in via pipe fitter going into pipe fitter's union. A unit or electrical unit. So, yeah, we're we're definitely seeing.

53:42

AI ain't gonna replace plumbers or or electricians or HMO people. It it it may be one day, but but no time soon,

AI ain't gonna replace plumbers or or electricians or HMO people. It it it may be one day, but but no time soon,

53:51

and, like, I do think that stuff's getting more popular. And I think that's really cool and fascinating. There's, like, it's also, like,

and, like, I do think that stuff's getting more popular. And I think that's really cool and fascinating. There's, like, it's also, like,

53:57

ripped buff dude. So it's always like chicks, like, commenting of, like, about, like, have you seen that guy, Sean, who just cuts wood? Yeah. The lumber yeah. The lumberjack guy. He's incredible. I love that guy. Just checked. I I I'll sit there and I'll watch that video twice. It's just an incredible video. It's this guy that uses an axe that he's a sometimes shirtless sometimes dot, and he's just, like,

ripped buff dude. So it's always like chicks, like, commenting of, like, about, like, have you seen that guy, Sean, who just cuts wood? Yeah. The lumber yeah. The lumberjack guy. He's incredible. I love that guy. Just checked. I I I'll sit there and I'll watch that video twice. It's just an incredible video. It's this guy that uses an axe that he's a sometimes shirtless sometimes dot, and he's just, like,

54:17

you know, obviously a ten out of ten. He's just chopping wood and, like, everyone's, like,

you know, obviously a ten out of ten. He's just chopping wood and, like, everyone's, like,

54:21

I need this in my life. Therapy.

I need this in my life. Therapy.

54:24

Have you been a part of any roll ups? I always find roll ups to be a really interesting

Have you been a part of any roll ups? I always find roll ups to be a really interesting

54:28

business strategy. And it seems like there's a lot of money to be made in a in a successful roll up. I'm curious if you've been a part of anything. I am not. Personally, no. I usually either exit ahead of time will work you know, get a little nervous survey. It blames out. Then I have a couple of friends that, yeah, that's their whole their whole way they've created all their wealth. You got one of the Joe Lom speaking of right now. Doing it with,

business strategy. And it seems like there's a lot of money to be made in a in a successful roll up. I'm curious if you've been a part of anything. I am not. Personally, no. I usually either exit ahead of time will work you know, get a little nervous survey. It blames out. Then I have a couple of friends that, yeah, that's their whole their whole way they've created all their wealth. You got one of the Joe Lom speaking of right now. Doing it with,

54:48

cranes.

cranes.

54:49

He's buying small crane companies,

He's buying small crane companies,

54:51

that'll have two or three cranes, and he's buying them, and he's putting them all together. And, know, and he's gonna sell that. And he's done it with several other things, whether it's restaurants or different things in the past. So that I thought was interesting on the crane play. You know, he can't hear me about an investment. And I, we just didn't do it, but,

that'll have two or three cranes, and he's buying them, and he's putting them all together. And, know, and he's gonna sell that. And he's done it with several other things, whether it's restaurants or different things in the past. So that I thought was interesting on the crane play. You know, he can't hear me about an investment. And I, we just didn't do it, but,

55:08

I'm sure he'll hit a huge on men with him. Dude, Sean, I think the shit that Kevin's doing is way more exciting than the shit that our friends are doing.

I'm sure he'll hit a huge on men with him. Dude, Sean, I think the shit that Kevin's doing is way more exciting than the shit that our friends are doing.

55:16

You're gonna quit and go do it? No. I don't know about that. It sounds like a lot of work. Sounds like a lot of a lot of words then if you're not gonna go do it. No.

You're gonna quit and go do it? No. I don't know about that. It sounds like a lot of work. Sounds like a lot of a lot of words then if you're not gonna go do it. No.

55:25

And what it means is I like hanging out with these types of people sometimes. That's what it means. Yeah. It gives you guys that, you know, I think it gives both of us. I like hanging out with your group of people because I think it gives me different perspective and learn different things that you guys have going on that I can make applicable to my world as well. And so, you know, yeah, there's a good synergy there between all of And how do you do that practically? Because I think you do a good job of getting yourself into positions like we talked about going to random conferences that are totally outside your industry that you didn't need to go to, but you wanted to go to to shift your lens a little bit. Or hanging out with younger people who may be demographically

And what it means is I like hanging out with these types of people sometimes. That's what it means. Yeah. It gives you guys that, you know, I think it gives both of us. I like hanging out with your group of people because I think it gives me different perspective and learn different things that you guys have going on that I can make applicable to my world as well. And so, you know, yeah, there's a good synergy there between all of And how do you do that practically? Because I think you do a good job of getting yourself into positions like we talked about going to random conferences that are totally outside your industry that you didn't need to go to, but you wanted to go to to shift your lens a little bit. Or hanging out with younger people who may be demographically

55:58

just doing different things, culturally doing different things than the guy who made it and is at a country club now might might be disconnected.

just doing different things, culturally doing different things than the guy who made it and is at a country club now might might be disconnected.

56:04

From whatever the culture shifts are. How do you tactically go about doing that? How do you put yourself in those positions? What questions do you ask honestly, just make myself. I always yelled at the kids and we were growing up, so I'd played sports at a high level and had several friends of one world series and You know, Super Bowls. We always talk. You know, we you get a bad coach. You know, everybody get a bad coach or things like that. And it's, like, Look, man, you gotta be able to steal something from the guy. The guy was a great player. He was, you know, you gotta go in there with an open mind, and you gotta be able to take away some things. That they've done well and that they've done positive and then use those and put those errors in your quivers though. I just always have the kids looking for new crazy weird conferences or things to go to and And from there, I'd make myself go the last couple of years I didn't wanna go. And I'm like, but each time I went, I'm I I took away several little gold nuggets that we'd implemented into our business models. And hell, we've made big returns on them each one of them. And you know, I didn't think I didn't get anything out of going to the car. I just like this. It's gonna be a waste, but I just sucked it up and did it. Hey. You know, it's like going to work out or you gotta run or something. It's like, oh, shit. I guess I just gotta go do it. Yeah. We had when we were going to Farmcon who was supposed to come with us. It was me, Ben, and our buddy. And the morning of, we're like, hey. We'll meet you in the lobby.

From whatever the culture shifts are. How do you tactically go about doing that? How do you put yourself in those positions? What questions do you ask honestly, just make myself. I always yelled at the kids and we were growing up, so I'd played sports at a high level and had several friends of one world series and You know, Super Bowls. We always talk. You know, we you get a bad coach. You know, everybody get a bad coach or things like that. And it's, like, Look, man, you gotta be able to steal something from the guy. The guy was a great player. He was, you know, you gotta go in there with an open mind, and you gotta be able to take away some things. That they've done well and that they've done positive and then use those and put those errors in your quivers though. I just always have the kids looking for new crazy weird conferences or things to go to and And from there, I'd make myself go the last couple of years I didn't wanna go. And I'm like, but each time I went, I'm I I took away several little gold nuggets that we'd implemented into our business models. And hell, we've made big returns on them each one of them. And you know, I didn't think I didn't get anything out of going to the car. I just like this. It's gonna be a waste, but I just sucked it up and did it. Hey. You know, it's like going to work out or you gotta run or something. It's like, oh, shit. I guess I just gotta go do it. Yeah. We had when we were going to Farmcon who was supposed to come with us. It was me, Ben, and our buddy. And the morning of, we're like, hey. We'll meet you in the lobby.

57:15

You know, your flight was yeah. You you landed like an hour ago. Right?

You know, your flight was yeah. You you landed like an hour ago. Right?

57:19

And he basically woke up, looked at and he said Kansas City. He looked at the flight time, then he's like,

And he basically woke up, looked at and he said Kansas City. He looked at the flight time, then he's like,

57:25

you know what? He just bailed.

you know what? He just bailed.

57:27

And I was like, man,

And I was like, man,

57:29

but but, of course, I I felt that. Everybody feels that. In the moment, like, do I really wanna go do this thing that I don't have to do? That is unknown. Right? It's it's back to your thing about are you willing to sprint for an unknown distance?

but but, of course, I I felt that. Everybody feels that. In the moment, like, do I really wanna go do this thing that I don't have to do? That is unknown. Right? It's it's back to your thing about are you willing to sprint for an unknown distance?

57:41

And, we didn't know what value we would get out of it. That was the hard part. That was the challenge. And doing it when we didn't know what would come out of it was really, really valuable.

And, we didn't know what value we would get out of it. That was the hard part. That was the challenge. And doing it when we didn't know what would come out of it was really, really valuable.

57:50

And it's ironic because that same friend

And it's ironic because that same friend

57:52

He,

He,

57:53

he gave he gave me a great analogy one time. We were talking to a younger friend. This guy was the youngest VC in Silicon Valley. So nineteen, twenty years old. He was investing, I don't know, ten million dollars into to things. He was, like, he got written up as the youngest VC in Silicon Valley. So we were we're meeting with this guy. But now five years had gone by. And it was, like,

he gave he gave me a great analogy one time. We were talking to a younger friend. This guy was the youngest VC in Silicon Valley. So nineteen, twenty years old. He was investing, I don't know, ten million dollars into to things. He was, like, he got written up as the youngest VC in Silicon Valley. So we were we're meeting with this guy. But now five years had gone by. And it was, like,

58:12

you hadn't seen him really progressing at that same rate that you would expect somebody who definitely had that sort of phenomenon type of, upbringing. Where it seemed like he had all the potential in the world.

you hadn't seen him really progressing at that same rate that you would expect somebody who definitely had that sort of phenomenon type of, upbringing. Where it seemed like he had all the potential in the world.

58:22

And I was like, man, what do you think he's doing wrong? What what would you do differently?

And I was like, man, what do you think he's doing wrong? What what would you do differently?

58:26

He goes,

He goes,

58:27

oh, it's it's like windows and doors. He goes he's only willing to do something if it's a window. If he can immediately see through and see the what's on the other side of it, then he'll do it. But anytime there's a door and it's opaque, and you don't know what's on the other side of it, he's not willing to knock on a door and open it up and see what might be inside. He's only looking at doors, and he's at windows. He's never willing to go through a door. And if once he starts going through doors, he's this guy's career is gonna take off. And I remember hearing that and really taking that you know, to heart because I thought that was very, very wise. That's a great analogy. Yeah. I've never heard that before, so I've heard a lot. That's a yeah. That's a great one there for sure. So Sean, the reason why you liked a lot of these folks in the Midwest and some folks in the in the south is because

oh, it's it's like windows and doors. He goes he's only willing to do something if it's a window. If he can immediately see through and see the what's on the other side of it, then he'll do it. But anytime there's a door and it's opaque, and you don't know what's on the other side of it, he's not willing to knock on a door and open it up and see what might be inside. He's only looking at doors, and he's at windows. He's never willing to go through a door. And if once he starts going through doors, he's this guy's career is gonna take off. And I remember hearing that and really taking that you know, to heart because I thought that was very, very wise. That's a great analogy. Yeah. I've never heard that before, so I've heard a lot. That's a yeah. That's a great one there for sure. So Sean, the reason why you liked a lot of these folks in the Midwest and some folks in the in the south is because

59:07

you love phrases

you love phrases

59:08

You love phrases, like windows, the doors.

You love phrases, like windows, the doors.

59:11

You love cool sakes. And you know what? I love them too. And that's why I'm happy. I'm friends with both of you guys. We were at a dinner. So at Farmcon, you invited us to, like, a private dinner at the end. There's, like, ten people. This guy stands up, and he delivers two of the coldest lines I've ever heard. So he stands

You love cool sakes. And you know what? I love them too. And that's why I'm happy. I'm friends with both of you guys. We were at a dinner. So at Farmcon, you invited us to, like, a private dinner at the end. There's, like, ten people. This guy stands up, and he delivers two of the coldest lines I've ever heard. So he stands

59:26

Any

Any

59:27

we're doing our intros. Like, and so I stand up and I give some super vanilla intro. Hi. I'm Sean. I live in San Francisco, and I'm, I'm interested. I'm a tech founder, and I am investor. Alright. Sit down. Forgetable.

we're doing our intros. Like, and so I stand up and I give some super vanilla intro. Hi. I'm Sean. I live in San Francisco, and I'm, I'm interested. I'm a tech founder, and I am investor. Alright. Sit down. Forgetable.

59:39

This guy stands up. He's got a big presence.

This guy stands up. He's got a big presence.

59:41

And he goes,

And he goes,

59:43

I forgot. I don't remember what his his name was exactly, but he he said,

I forgot. I don't remember what his his name was exactly, but he he said,

59:47

he goes, you know,

he goes, you know,

59:50

I don't know a lot of things. I don't know I don't know the score of the game right now. There's a big game going on these guys. I don't know the score of the game right now.

I don't know a lot of things. I don't know I don't know the score of the game right now. There's a big game going on these guys. I don't know the score of the game right now.

59:57

I don't know anything about this. And he goes,

I don't know anything about this. And he goes,

01:00:00

he goes, hell, I don't know where the remote is in my house at the time, but I know deals. And I'm making a lot of deals. He's like, I'm a private equity guy, and he starts talking about his deal making. I was like, wow. He goes, I've been around for a long time. You cut me open. You can see a lot of rings in the middle. I was like, wow. That's one way of saying it. And he just on fire, he goes, Somebody go somebody asks them. They go, what if well, what if they don't what if they don't go for it on this deal? Sounds like you really need them to to say yes. What if what if they they say no? What if you get rejected?

he goes, hell, I don't know where the remote is in my house at the time, but I know deals. And I'm making a lot of deals. He's like, I'm a private equity guy, and he starts talking about his deal making. I was like, wow. He goes, I've been around for a long time. You cut me open. You can see a lot of rings in the middle. I was like, wow. That's one way of saying it. And he just on fire, he goes, Somebody go somebody asks them. They go, what if well, what if they don't what if they don't go for it on this deal? Sounds like you really need them to to say yes. What if what if they they say no? What if you get rejected?

01:00:25

He goes, I'm not afraid of rejection.

He goes, I'm not afraid of rejection.

01:00:27

And he's a big, big old dude. And he goes, I've stood in front of women in my life naked before. I've heard no, no, no, no, no. I'm okay with

And he's a big, big old dude. And he goes, I've stood in front of women in my life naked before. I've heard no, no, no, no, no. I'm okay with

01:00:36

I was like, wow. This guy is, like, half comedian,

I was like, wow. This guy is, like, half comedian,

01:00:39

half businessman, and I loved it, but it was just It was just another day at the office for him, but for me coming from from our world, that was, like, the charisma levels and the the the the the gift of the gab was so was so incredible to see. I loved it.

half businessman, and I loved it, but it was just It was just another day at the office for him, but for me coming from from our world, that was, like, the charisma levels and the the the the the gift of the gab was so was so incredible to see. I loved it.

01:00:55

Yeah. It's definitely wild times.

Yeah. It's definitely wild times.

01:00:57

Yeah. And and you got that too a little bit, that I like. Just hearing what you have to say, Kevin, and,

Yeah. And and you got that too a little bit, that I like. Just hearing what you have to say, Kevin, and,

01:01:02

for the people listening, maybe maybe we'll get you some new subscribers. The van trump dot com. I I like your,

for the people listening, maybe maybe we'll get you some new subscribers. The van trump dot com. I I like your,

01:01:09

you always you do something cool where you'll just, like, have a selfie with you and your wife and you're, like, say, today, we're on vacation here's what we're doing, and you'll say something kinda funny and cute. And, I love it. But we should just get, like, a group of twenty of our of our listeners. The select small group to go to Con, and we'll all go together as a field trip next, next time you guys do it. When is it? First week in January, January eighth, the night this year coming up? How much is the ticket I think this year we're like twelve hundred bucks or something. And you sell a lot of them too. Right? Yeah. We'll sell out whatever they give us, you know, capacity. Why? We sell at the hotel every year. Yeah. We appreciate you doing this. You're the man. Thank you. And thank you for,

you always you do something cool where you'll just, like, have a selfie with you and your wife and you're, like, say, today, we're on vacation here's what we're doing, and you'll say something kinda funny and cute. And, I love it. But we should just get, like, a group of twenty of our of our listeners. The select small group to go to Con, and we'll all go together as a field trip next, next time you guys do it. When is it? First week in January, January eighth, the night this year coming up? How much is the ticket I think this year we're like twelve hundred bucks or something. And you sell a lot of them too. Right? Yeah. We'll sell out whatever they give us, you know, capacity. Why? We sell at the hotel every year. Yeah. We appreciate you doing this. You're the man. Thank you. And thank you for,

01:01:46

years of being a a cool dude. Always been a great guide to me. So thank you. Yeah. I appreciate it. Good luck. Both of you guys are your families, and that's the pod. Thank you very much.

years of being a a cool dude. Always been a great guide to me. So thank you. Yeah. I appreciate it. Good luck. Both of you guys are your families, and that's the pod. Thank you very much.

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