One of the most formative biographies on food and business that I have read is A Man and His Mountain: The Everyman who Created Kendall-Jackson and Became America’s Greatest Wine Entrepreneur.  

Jess "Stonestreet" Jackson passed away in 2011. A self-made billionaire, he was vital to the transformation of California wine and was a champion in horse racing.

Using concepts from the legendary strategist, Robert Greene, I analyze the key traits and power laws that Jess Jackson followed. They allowed for him to build a wine empire. Enjoy the show:

Selected links from the show:

A Man and His Mountain: The Everyman who Created Kendall-Jackson and Became America’s Greatest Wine Entrepreneur.

Robert Greene Author Page 

Jess Jackson Dies at 81, a Wine Grower With a Taste for Thoroughbred Racing

Photo Credit: Under Creative Commons 3.0 - User:Packyourlunch

Cultivate Ventures is changing the Washington DC food scene. They invest time, money, and expertise into promising startups in the DMV.

A few years ago, Caesar Layton, the founder, was commuting to South East Asia as an agricultural economist. After poor customer service from an online grocery, he sent an email to them and got called back by the founder. A few months later, Caesar invested in the company and took over as the CEO.

Today, his firm is investing and advising. Wheeling and dealing. They are betting everything on the under-appreciated DC food scene. Caesar shares his story:

• The survivalist skill set (developing skills on the fly)
• The value-chain appoarch
• time = relevance | relevance = access | access = opportunity
• “Capital is never enough”
• “your business is not that great and you’re not that smart” 
• Focus on the non-sexy
• Learning from failure

Selected links from the show:
Cultivate Ventures
Relay Foods
Cultivate Ventures Bets Big on DC's Food Scene
DAI
Borat
Kick Incubator
Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger

Anthony Rodriguez is the founder of Lineage Interactive, A mini ad agency meets a production company. They work with Anna Rawson, David Ortiz, Chris Culliver, Amare Stoudemire, Diplo, Nas, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Paul George, Amare Stoudemire, 8 pro sports teams, and many other athletes, musicians and actors.

Lineage formally started 12 years ago with athletes who were struggling to get off the court income. He has been honing his craft since he was a kid, helping his parents build a cosmetics business that got into big box retailers like Target and Walmart.

While he maintains a low profile, Anthony is a power player in digital media for artists. He's proud of his "old school" mentality around building a business that provides real value. I had a great time speaking with him and there is so much we can learn to become better entrepreneurs:

• How to operate in world that it is out of control
• The short term mindset epidemic
• On pain tolerance
• Advice for those who want to start multiple projects at once
• Problems young entrepreneurs face..
• “Getting bored is more lethal than getting distracted.”
• Managing willpower and energy as you get older
• Finding the right types of mentors
• Anthony's businesses that didn't work out
• Working with smart people who are unsuccessful
• What selling is really about
• How to work with celebrities (who are different from us normal people)
• How to connect with celebrities with zero connections
• Selling a TV show for Henrik Lundquist, The Mask with guests like Jeff Gordon, Michael J Fox, DJ Tiesto.
• His daily routines and habits

Selected links from the episode:
Lineage Interactive
The Mask with Hendrik Lundqvist
Anna Rawson
New York Knicks

More about Anthony Rodriguez:

As the founder of Lineage Interactive, Rodriguez has ideated and produced creative content and strategy for some of the world’s biggest athletes, musicians, teams, and brands. By acting as the creative liaison between Fortune 200 brands and clients, he's able to bring them genuine and captivating digital content that their clients will love and share. His work is seen by millions on television, the web, and mobile platforms every month. Rodriguez is also the acting content director for five different charitable foundations.

Lineage Interactive is made of up three branches; digital marketing services for athletes and musicians, content as a service for Fortune 200 brands, and a production house that produces original content custom-tailored for all formats. Our DNA is rooted in agency work with athletes, teams, and brands. We are storytellers by nature and are responsible for communicating with over 41 million social media accounts daily. Because we actively manage a multitude of clients’ social platforms, we have a robust understanding of what content generates interest, engagement, and sharing.

She dreamed up EatPops in 2013 while studying for the Bar exam, becoming frustrated by the lack of healthy snack (and dessert) option. In 2014, it became a reality. EatPops is now in over 300 locations throughout the country, including stores like Fairway and Whole Foods .

Sophie was recently named to Forbes 30U30 and is making dessert healthy with her fruit and veggie pops.  Noni, Acai, Kale, Spinach, Carrots, Vanilla, and Mango are among some of the ingredients you’ll find in her popsicles. We reflect on her foray into the food biz:

• On asking for feedback
• Biz dev partnerships with  SoulCycle, modelFIT and Lululemon
• How to utilize your network
• Dealing with rollercoaster moments
• Building a support group
• Why she still maintains her status as an active lawyer
• Sophie's daily routines and habits

Mentioned in this episode:
EatPops
Email Sophie
Sophie in Forbes
Bristol Farms
Lazy Acres
The Art of Learning
Sweet Green
Thistle