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Mar 10, 2022 · 45m · my-first-million

3 Profitable Business Ideas You Should Start in 2022

Shaan Puri · 18m spoken Steph Smith · 15m spoken Sam Parr · 6m spoken
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Steph Smith joins Sam Parr and Sean Puri on My First Million to brainstorm high-potential business opportunities across gamified recruiting, reverse logistics, hidden real estate monetization, and public data scraping. Throughout the episode, the hosts highlight execution frameworks and mental models designed to help founders avoid analysis paralysis.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. The hosts hold 62.8% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

The hosts as informed peer 6.3 Guest teaching 4.0 Guest disagreement 0.8 The hosts pushing back 1.2
05100:0015:0030:0045:000:06–5:37 · The hosts as informed peer 5/10 First-Seen Job Tracker and Competitive Intelligence Steph pitches a concept based on the NYT First Said Twitter account adapted for job scrapers. Shaan and Sam immediately pivot the premise into a competitive intelligence product for tech companies tracking competitor hiring.5:40–11:50 · The hosts as informed peer 6/10 My First Million Podcast Subscription Call-to-Action Steph outlines Mischief's quirky challenge stunts as alternative recruiting mechanisms. Sam questions Mischief's monetization before sharing an insider story about Google's secret coding interview hidden within search results.11:53–14:34 · The hosts as informed peer 5/10 The Hustle Daily Newsletter Promo Steph brings up the mysterious Cicada 3301 online puzzles as government recruitment tools. Shaan validates the concept by detailing his own college experience solving multi-stage cryptographic puzzles as a hiring filter.14:36–19:11 · The hosts as informed peer 7/10 Nuuly Model and Reverse Logistics Profit Centers Steph explains Nuuly's rental subscription model and how it avoids high return costs. Shaan demonstrates domain knowledge by breaking down reverse logistics warehousing and how Sonny's Rock Returns turned return processing into a B2B business.19:15–25:12 · The hosts as informed peer 7/10 Monetizing Hidden Real Estate and The Penny Hoarder Story Steph shares untapped real estate monetization methods like church steeple cell towers and surf cams. Sam demonstrates business expertise by breaking down how The Penny Hoarder scaled side-hustle affiliate content into a 9-figure exit.25:16–37:27 · The hosts as informed peer 8/10 Tracking Insider Stock Grants and the Idiot-Genius Framework Steph explains the Spring Loading community that tracks executive stock grants. Shaan and Sam elaborate with personal philosophies on degenerate learning budgets, the Midwit bell curve, and avoiding analysis paralysis through the A-B-Z framework.0:06–5:37 · Guest teaching 3/10 First-Seen Job Tracker and Competitive Intelligence Steph pitches a concept based on the NYT First Said Twitter account adapted for job scrapers. Shaan and Sam immediately pivot the premise into a competitive intelligence product for tech companies tracking competitor hiring.5:40–11:50 · Guest teaching 4/10 My First Million Podcast Subscription Call-to-Action Steph outlines Mischief's quirky challenge stunts as alternative recruiting mechanisms. Sam questions Mischief's monetization before sharing an insider story about Google's secret coding interview hidden within search results.11:53–14:34 · Guest teaching 3/10 The Hustle Daily Newsletter Promo Steph brings up the mysterious Cicada 3301 online puzzles as government recruitment tools. Shaan validates the concept by detailing his own college experience solving multi-stage cryptographic puzzles as a hiring filter.14:36–19:11 · Guest teaching 5/10 Nuuly Model and Reverse Logistics Profit Centers Steph explains Nuuly's rental subscription model and how it avoids high return costs. Shaan demonstrates domain knowledge by breaking down reverse logistics warehousing and how Sonny's Rock Returns turned return processing into a B2B business.19:15–25:12 · Guest teaching 5/10 Monetizing Hidden Real Estate and The Penny Hoarder Story Steph shares untapped real estate monetization methods like church steeple cell towers and surf cams. Sam demonstrates business expertise by breaking down how The Penny Hoarder scaled side-hustle affiliate content into a 9-figure exit.25:16–37:27 · Guest teaching 4/10 Tracking Insider Stock Grants and the Idiot-Genius Framework Steph explains the Spring Loading community that tracks executive stock grants. Shaan and Sam elaborate with personal philosophies on degenerate learning budgets, the Midwit bell curve, and avoiding analysis paralysis through the A-B-Z framework.0:06–5:37 · Guest disagreement 1/10 First-Seen Job Tracker and Competitive Intelligence Steph pitches a concept based on the NYT First Said Twitter account adapted for job scrapers. Shaan and Sam immediately pivot the premise into a competitive intelligence product for tech companies tracking competitor hiring.5:40–11:50 · Guest disagreement 1/10 My First Million Podcast Subscription Call-to-Action Steph outlines Mischief's quirky challenge stunts as alternative recruiting mechanisms. Sam questions Mischief's monetization before sharing an insider story about Google's secret coding interview hidden within search results.11:53–14:34 · Guest disagreement 0/10 The Hustle Daily Newsletter Promo Steph brings up the mysterious Cicada 3301 online puzzles as government recruitment tools. Shaan validates the concept by detailing his own college experience solving multi-stage cryptographic puzzles as a hiring filter.14:36–19:11 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Nuuly Model and Reverse Logistics Profit Centers Steph explains Nuuly's rental subscription model and how it avoids high return costs. Shaan demonstrates domain knowledge by breaking down reverse logistics warehousing and how Sonny's Rock Returns turned return processing into a B2B business.19:15–25:12 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Monetizing Hidden Real Estate and The Penny Hoarder Story Steph shares untapped real estate monetization methods like church steeple cell towers and surf cams. Sam demonstrates business expertise by breaking down how The Penny Hoarder scaled side-hustle affiliate content into a 9-figure exit.25:16–37:27 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Tracking Insider Stock Grants and the Idiot-Genius Framework Steph explains the Spring Loading community that tracks executive stock grants. Shaan and Sam elaborate with personal philosophies on degenerate learning budgets, the Midwit bell curve, and avoiding analysis paralysis through the A-B-Z framework.0:06–5:37 · The hosts pushing back 1/10 First-Seen Job Tracker and Competitive Intelligence Steph pitches a concept based on the NYT First Said Twitter account adapted for job scrapers. Shaan and Sam immediately pivot the premise into a competitive intelligence product for tech companies tracking competitor hiring.5:40–11:50 · The hosts pushing back 2/10 My First Million Podcast Subscription Call-to-Action Steph outlines Mischief's quirky challenge stunts as alternative recruiting mechanisms. Sam questions Mischief's monetization before sharing an insider story about Google's secret coding interview hidden within search results.11:53–14:34 · The hosts pushing back 0/10 The Hustle Daily Newsletter Promo Steph brings up the mysterious Cicada 3301 online puzzles as government recruitment tools. Shaan validates the concept by detailing his own college experience solving multi-stage cryptographic puzzles as a hiring filter.14:36–19:11 · The hosts pushing back 1/10 Nuuly Model and Reverse Logistics Profit Centers Steph explains Nuuly's rental subscription model and how it avoids high return costs. Shaan demonstrates domain knowledge by breaking down reverse logistics warehousing and how Sonny's Rock Returns turned return processing into a B2B business.19:15–25:12 · The hosts pushing back 1/10 Monetizing Hidden Real Estate and The Penny Hoarder Story Steph shares untapped real estate monetization methods like church steeple cell towers and surf cams. Sam demonstrates business expertise by breaking down how The Penny Hoarder scaled side-hustle affiliate content into a 9-figure exit.25:16–37:27 · The hosts pushing back 2/10 Tracking Insider Stock Grants and the Idiot-Genius Framework Steph explains the Spring Loading community that tracks executive stock grants. Shaan and Sam elaborate with personal philosophies on degenerate learning budgets, the Midwit bell curve, and avoiding analysis paralysis through the A-B-Z framework.

speaking balance: gold is the hosts, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · the hosts 22.9% · guest 77.1%0:00 · the hosts 22.9% · guest 77.1%3:00 · the hosts 91.6% · guest 8.4%3:00 · the hosts 91.6% · guest 8.4%6:00 · the hosts 29.7% · guest 70.3%6:00 · the hosts 29.7% · guest 70.3%9:00 · the hosts 78.8% · guest 21.2%9:00 · the hosts 78.8% · guest 21.2%12:00 · the hosts 61.1% · guest 38.9%12:00 · the hosts 61.1% · guest 38.9%15:00 · the hosts 42% · guest 58%15:00 · the hosts 42% · guest 58%18:00 · the hosts 40.9% · guest 59.1%18:00 · the hosts 40.9% · guest 59.1%21:00 · the hosts 81.1% · guest 18.9%21:00 · the hosts 81.1% · guest 18.9%24:00 · the hosts 44.4% · guest 55.6%24:00 · the hosts 44.4% · guest 55.6%27:00 · the hosts 25.9% · guest 74.1%27:00 · the hosts 25.9% · guest 74.1%30:00 · the hosts 100% · guest 0%30:00 · the hosts 100% · guest 0%33:00 · the hosts 77.8% · guest 22.2%33:00 · the hosts 77.8% · guest 22.2%36:00 · the hosts 79.5% · guest 20.5%36:00 · the hosts 79.5% · guest 20.5%39:00 · the hosts 85.9% · guest 14.1%39:00 · the hosts 85.9% · guest 14.1%42:00 · the hosts 72.6% · guest 27.4%42:00 · the hosts 72.6% · guest 27.4%45:00 · the hosts 61.2% · guest 38.8%45:00 · the hosts 61.2% · guest 38.8%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 25:12 Playful sparring over idea list rankings

Shaan bluntly tells Steph that the top of her list was her worst ideas, and Steph immediately turns it back on him to name what caught his eye.

 Hardest push from the hosts ▶ 6:25 Sam questions Mischief's viability

Sam challenges the premise of Mischief, asking what grown adult would trust them and questioning whether their stunt model actually makes sustainable money.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 19:55 Monetizing church steeples for telecom

Steph surprises the hosts by revealing that telecom companies pay the National Cathedral $100,000 annually to place antennas on its steeple.

 The host holds their own ▶ 17:24 Shaan outlines reverse logistics operations

Shaan demonstrates deep e-commerce operations knowledge by describing how return facilities triage, steam, and re-tag returned clothing to make cost centers profitable.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicThe hosts as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementThe hosts pushing backWhy
First-Seen Job Tracker and Competitive Intelligence 5311 Steph pitches a concept based on the NYT First Said Twitter account adapted for job scrapers. Shaan and Sam immediately pivot the premise into a competitive intelligence product for tech companies tracking competitor hiring.
My First Million Podcast Subscription Call-to-Action 6412 Steph outlines Mischief's quirky challenge stunts as alternative recruiting mechanisms. Sam questions Mischief's monetization before sharing an insider story about Google's secret coding interview hidden within search results.
The Hustle Daily Newsletter Promo 5300 Steph brings up the mysterious Cicada 3301 online puzzles as government recruitment tools. Shaan validates the concept by detailing his own college experience solving multi-stage cryptographic puzzles as a hiring filter.
Nuuly Model and Reverse Logistics Profit Centers 7511 Steph explains Nuuly's rental subscription model and how it avoids high return costs. Shaan demonstrates domain knowledge by breaking down reverse logistics warehousing and how Sonny's Rock Returns turned return processing into a B2B business.
Monetizing Hidden Real Estate and The Penny Hoarder Story 7511 Steph shares untapped real estate monetization methods like church steeple cell towers and surf cams. Sam demonstrates business expertise by breaking down how The Penny Hoarder scaled side-hustle affiliate content into a 9-figure exit.
Tracking Insider Stock Grants and the Idiot-Genius Framework 8412 Steph explains the Spring Loading community that tracks executive stock grants. Shaan and Sam elaborate with personal philosophies on degenerate learning budgets, the Midwit bell curve, and avoiding analysis paralysis through the A-B-Z framework.

Statements from this episode (11)

Opinion
Smith: Companies Would Pay for Competitor Job Posting Intelligence
“I also think that companies would pay for this, right? As in like, Companies that have competitors want to know what their competitors are doing, and so, like, we're launching something at HubSpot soon, and I've already gotten an email from someone who works a…”
Steph Smith Mar 10, 2022 ▶ 2:40
Insight
Smith: Competitions attract better talent than traditional recruiters
“If they want to develop some new technology, they put out some competition, and that tends to attract more interesting people than, you know, if they hire a bunch of recruiters to go, you know, find the people in theory they're looking for.”
Steph Smith Mar 10, 2022 ▶ 7:48
Insight
Puri: Computer Activity Logs Provide Better Hiring Signals Than Interviews
“That's like a signal for what type of person you are, right? Like it's actually like a much higher quality signal in theory than any job interview you could do where you're just trying to like present yourself as a certain way versus like what you actually do …”
Shaan Puri Mar 10, 2022 ▶ 11:10
Assertion Supported
Smith: Clothing Returns Cost Up to 66% of the Item Price
“And a return with clothing can cost up to 66% of the cost of an item.”
Steph Smith Mar 10, 2022 ▶ 15:57
Insight
Puri: Reverse logistics requires a different skill set than traditional warehousing
“Cause usually what makes you good at processing returns is not the same thing as what gets you good at like warehouse, a general warehouse with a bunch of pallets and boxes and shipping orders out. It's like, takes like a different skill set in a way.”
Shaan Puri Mar 10, 2022 ▶ 19:02
Assertion Supported
Smith: Washington National Cathedral Earns $100k Annually Leasing Tower to Motorola
“So a 100,000 a year just for access to their 234 foot tower.”
Steph Smith Mar 10, 2022 ▶ 20:20
Assertion Supported
Parr: The Penny Hoarder Bootstrapper Sold 100% for Hundreds of Millions
“And he owned 100% of the company and he recently sold it for I forget the exact number, but it's in the hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Sam Parr Mar 10, 2022 ▶ 24:29
Assertion Supported
Smith: Cloudflare Exec Performance Grants Scale Up to $979 Target
“Their first price target is 156 dollars, and it goes all the way up to 979 dollars. So this is what these execs internally are tracking towards.”
Steph Smith Mar 10, 2022 ▶ 28:04
Insight
Puri: Asymmetric 20x Upside Justifies Low-Diligence Crypto Investing
“In crypto, you can make like 20 X when you're right on these things. And so with crypto, the odds just shift in your favor where, yeah, it's super fast moving and things can go to zero, but the upside when you hit is so high, it pays for all of your other bad …”
Shaan Puri Mar 10, 2022 ▶ 32:14
Prediction Not checkable as stated
Puri: Speculative Portfolio Will Outperform Well-Planned Investments
“And I bet, I honestly think that that part of my portfolio is going to do better than the well thought through quote unquote part of my portfolio.”
Shaan Puri Mar 10, 2022 ▶ 39:49
Insight
Puri: Founders Only Need To Know Steps A, B, and Z
“A, B, Z, it's all you ever need. It's like, Where you are, you gotta know that accurately. The next thing you need to do, you need to know that. And then you need to know the end vision and everything else is irrelevant.”
Shaan Puri Mar 10, 2022 ▶ 41:36
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