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July 19, 2024 • 1hr 9min
We Bet This App Idea Could Be Bigger Than Reddit
My First Million
In this episode, Sam Parr and Shaan Puri discuss several interesting business ideas and entrepreneurial stories. They start by exploring Shaan's concept for a "Reddit for moms" app that could become a billion-dollar business. They then dive into the remarkable story of fitness entrepreneur Anne Mahlum. Other topics include using AI for creative work, choosing entrepreneurial role models, and the latest in longevity science efforts.
We Bet This App Idea Could Be Bigger Than Reddit
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Key Takeaways
- Shaan proposes a billion-dollar app idea for a "Reddit for moms" community called "Better than Google" that would provide trusted answers and recommendations
- Sam shares the inspiring story of Anne Mahlum, founder of Solidcore, who turned her $175,000 life savings into a $250 million fitness empire
- Shaan discusses using ChatGPT as an on-demand creative collaborator for screenwriting, allowing rapid iteration and feedback
- The hosts debate the merits of having Elon Musk as an entrepreneurial role model vs. more balanced figures like Ben Franklin
- They discuss Brian Johnson's "rejuvenation Olympics" leaderboard tracking biological age reversal efforts
Introduction
In this episode, Sam Parr and Shaan Puri discuss several interesting business ideas and entrepreneurial stories. They start by exploring Shaan's concept for a "Reddit for moms" app that could become a billion-dollar business. They then dive into the remarkable story of fitness entrepreneur Anne Mahlum. Other topics include using AI for creative work, choosing entrepreneurial role models, and the latest in longevity science efforts.
Topics Discussed
The "Better than Google" App Idea for Millennial Moms (0:00)
Shaan proposes a billion-dollar app idea based on an existing Facebook group called "Better than Google". The concept is to create a trusted community of millennial moms who can provide better answers and recommendations than a typical Google search.
- The group currently has about 17,000 members who are all followers of a specific Instagram influencer
- Members ask questions on topics like relationships, parenting, health, shopping recommendations, etc.
- The high-trust environment allows for honest discussions and crowdsourced wisdom
- Key insight: In an AI-dominated world, there will be increased demand for human-curated answers from a trusted community
Shaan argues this could be a valuable business because:
- Moms control a large portion of household spending
- The community provides highly targeted and trusted recommendations
- It fills a need not met by existing platforms like Reddit or Quora
"I think that if somebody made an app that was the same premise, the better than Google premise, and it was a community of 10,000, 20,000 moms who were going to answer questions, that would be a really powerful app." - Shaan Puri
The Inspiring Story of Solidcore Founder Anne Mahlum (32:32)
Sam shares the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of Anne Mahlum, founder of the Solidcore fitness studio chain:
- At age 31, Mahlum invested her entire $175,000 life savings to open her first Pilates-inspired fitness studio
- The first studio did $90,000 in revenue in the first month
- By year 2, she was able to pay herself a $1 million salary
- She grew to 11 studios by 2016 without outside funding
- Eventually sold the company for $250 million after 10 years
- Took about $90 million off the table through various funding rounds
Key traits that impressed Sam:
- Mahlum's incredible growth mindset and willingness to learn new skills
- Her ability to trust the process and follow through on long-term plans
- Confidence to invest in herself and take calculated risks
"I've never met someone who has such faith in the process, and I was so inspired by that." - Sam Parr
Using ChatGPT as an On-Demand Creative Collaborator (18:54)
Shaan describes his experience using ChatGPT to assist with screenwriting:
- Uploaded a scene from The Social Network as an example of Aaron Sorkin's writing style
- Asked ChatGPT to analyze the dialogue and write a new scene in a similar style
- Rapidly iterated by giving feedback and requesting changes
- Allowed Shaan to be an editor rather than starting from scratch as a writer
Key benefits of using AI as a creative assistant:
- Instant first drafts to overcome writer's block
- No ego to manage when giving critical feedback
- Ability to rapidly test many variations
- Available 24/7 when inspiration strikes
"What I realized was I was doing this, and I just kind of stepped back for a second and I said, wow, this is amazing. What do I have here? I have an on-demand creative collaborator." - Shaan Puri
Choosing Entrepreneurial Role Models: Elon Musk vs. Ben Franklin (47:55)
The hosts discuss the merits of different types of entrepreneurial role models:
- Elon Musk is often seen as the default aspiration for founders
- Shaan argues for considering more balanced figures like Ben Franklin
- Ben Franklin excelled in multiple domains: science, politics, writing, etc.
- Modern examples like Jesse Itzler show the appeal of a varied career
Qualities Shaan admires in role models:
- Willingness to try new things and reinvent oneself
- Balancing professional success with personal life
- Maintaining curiosity and zest for life into old age
"I think I like people who don't count themselves out, who don't feel like I can't do it because I haven't done it. And that limiting belief is just one I don't want in my life." - Shaan Puri
Brian Johnson's Rejuvenation Olympics Leaderboard (55:10)
The hosts discuss Brian Johnson's "Rejuvenation Olympics" leaderboard that tracks biological age reversal efforts:
- Uses blood tests to measure how slowly people are aging biologically
- Top performers are aging at about half the normal rate (0.56 years per chronological year)
- Requires expensive quarterly blood tests to stay on the leaderboard
- Many top performers are wealthy biohackers, but some are average people living healthy lifestyles
Interesting insights:
- A 57-year-old woman named Julie Gibson Clark is in the top 10 despite a modest income and lifestyle
- She attributes her success to eating vegetables, moderate exercise, and a balanced life
Shaan also mentions his unreleased interview with Brian Johnson and vouches for Johnson's sincerity in his anti-aging mission:
"I believe that he is super genuine about everything that he's doing. I mean, I believe he's genuine in his intent, and I believe he is actually mission-driven when he's doing this." - Shaan Puri
Conclusion
This wide-ranging episode covered several fascinating entrepreneurial stories and ideas. The hosts explored the potential for community-driven platforms to disrupt traditional search, as exemplified by the "Better than Google" concept. They also highlighted the inspiring journey of Solidcore founder Anne Mahlum as an example of entrepreneurial grit and vision.
The discussion on using AI as a creative tool showcased the rapidly evolving landscape of content creation and ideation. Meanwhile, the debate on entrepreneurial role models emphasized the importance of finding inspiration that aligns with one's personal values and goals.
Finally, the conversation on longevity science and Brian Johnson's efforts highlighted the growing interest in quantifying and optimizing biological aging. Overall, the episode provided a mix of practical business insights and thought-provoking ideas on the future of technology, entrepreneurship, and human performance.