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James J. Hill

also referred to as: james j hill

16 statements across 2 episodes · 10 bullish · 1 bearish · 1 people on the record · first statement Mar 11, 2024 by David Senra · said 261 times in 8 episodes since 2024 · across every show →

Mentions by year

brought up most by David Senra (261)

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00302.5605202420252026episodesmentions per episode
2026 7 mentions in 1 episode
2025 2 mentions in 2 episodes 1 per episode
2024 252 mentions in 5 episodes 50 per episode

every mention, scene by scene, with the transcript →

Everything said about James J. Hill, oldest first

Mar 11, 2024 positive
Assertion Contradicted
James J. Hill built a profitable transcontinental railroad without bankruptcy
“He's the only entrepreneur in history to ever successfully build a profitable railroad without going into bankruptcy first.”
David Senra Mar 11, 2024 ▶ 47:19 What I learned from having lunch with Sam Zell
Nov 26, 2024
Assertion Supported
Senra: James J. Hill did not enter railroading until age 40
“He doesn't start working in the railroad industry till he's 40.”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 5:57 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024 positive
What-if
Rockefeller and Hill's empires required decades of prior logistics experience
“There is no standard oil empire without the experience of Rockefeller as a Hewlett and Tuttle. And there is no great Northern railway empire without James J. Hull having all these businesses and jobs that all interacted with the railroad for two decades before…”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 8:21 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024
Assertion Supported
James J. Hill intentionally routed his railroad to bypass and destroy Caledonia
“10 years later, Hill was building his railroad and intentionally built his line to avoid Caledonia and instead Pointed at his road past the town of the widow who had taken him in. As a result, Caledonia disappeared from the map. The widow's town became the cap…”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 0:45 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024 negative
Insight
James J. Hill: The inability to save money guarantees failure
“If you want to know whether you are destined to be a success or failure in your life, you can easily find out the test is simple and it is infallible. Are you able to save money? If not drop out, you will lose. You may think not, but you will lose as sure as y…”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 4:58 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024
Insight
Monopoly transportation carriers harm their long-term interests by price-gouging customers
“Any regional carrier, even one with a de facto monopoly would only harm itself if it gouged its customers with excessive rates.”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 43:56 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024 positive
Insight
Marc Andreessen: High-potential first-timers consistently outperform uninspired industry veterans
“There's a great quote by Mark Andreessen, where Mark says, I'm a firm believer that most people who do great things are doing them for the first time. I'd rather have someone all fired up to do something for the first time than someone who's done it before. An…”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 25:46 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024 positive
Insight
Charlie Munger: Find what you are good at and pound away forever
“Munger would say that you need to find what you're good, good at, and then pound away at it forever.”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 35:22 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024 positive
Assertion Supported
James J. Hill acquired a bankrupt railroad with just 10% down
“Hill convinces the Dutch investors to accept about a 10% down payment on the purchase price. And then the rest is financed with bonds that, that pay them seven percent interest.”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 25:03 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024 positive
Opinion
Charlie Munger ranked James J. Hill alongside Andrew Carnegie and John Rockefeller
“I think now you're starting to see why Munger said, Hey, this James J Hill guy was one of the best business operators. He's up there with a Carnegie. He's up there with a Rockefeller.”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 18:11 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024 positive
Insight
Founders and business operators must stay directly where capital is spent
“He says it pays to be where the money is spent. Staying close to the money is excellent advice.”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 27:38 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024 positive
Assertion Contradicted
James J. Hill was the only American railroad builder to avoid bankruptcy
“James J. Hill was the only American Railroad entrepreneur in history to build a railroad and never go bankrupt.”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 11:44 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024
Insight
Well-run companies can turn profits at price levels that ruin competitors
“It's just really hard to compete with a well-run company because many times they can make money at rates. A poorly run company cannot.”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 46:29 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024
Assertion Supported
James J. Hill was permanently blinded in one eye at age nine
“When he was nine years old, he was out hunting with a bow and arrow. The bow that he had handmade had snapped, and the arrow flies backwards, hitting his right eye and prying it out of its socket. They were able to reattach the eye, but he was permanently blin…”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 2:10 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024 bullish
Assertion Supported
James J. Hill turned a bankrupt railroad highly profitable within one year
“The line showed net profits by the end of the year, well above 500,000 dollars. That is an 1878 dollars.”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 34:47 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
Nov 26, 2024 positive
Insight
True operational genius is defined by having the fewest moving parts
“There's a maxim that I have about this that I think about all the time. It says, genius has the fewest moving parts.”
David Senra Nov 26, 2024 ▶ 13:06 James J. Hill: The Empire Builder
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