Making It with Jon Davids: Episode 160 - This Writer Has a $320M Real Estate Side Hustle | Taylor Sheridan

In Episode 160 of "Making It with Jon Davids," host John Davids delves into the remarkable journey of Taylor Sheridan, an accomplished writer who has transformed his creative talents into a formidable real estate empire worth $320 million. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and the strategic maneuvers that have propelled Sheridan to unparalleled success.

1. Introduction to Taylor Sheridan's Success

John Davids opens the episode by showcasing Taylor Sheridan’s extraordinary ability to leverage his work in the entertainment industry into substantial real estate ventures. Sheridan, renowned for creating the hit TV show "Yellowstone," has ingeniously combined his storytelling prowess with savvy business strategies to build a multi-million dollar empire.

Notable Quote:

"This Guy flipped a TV show into a $320 million real estate empire and he did it right in front of us. His name is Taylor Sheridan and he's the guy behind Yellowstone."
(00:00)

2. Sheridan's Transition from Acting to Writing

The episode traces Sheridan’s career trajectory, highlighting his pivotal shift from acting to writing in 2015. Despite his efforts in front of the camera, Sheridan recognized his true talent lay behind the scenes. This strategic pivot led to the creation of several hit movies and eventually the blockbuster TV series "Yellowstone."

Key Points:

• Early Career: Sheridan was an actor on various TV shows but remained on the "C-list."
• Pivot to Writing: Realizing his potential behind the camera, he transitioned to screenwriting.
• Breakthrough Scripts: Wrote successful films like "Cicero" (2015), "Hell or High Water" (2016), "Wind River" (2017), and "The Soldado" (2018).

3. Creation and Success of "Yellowstone" and Its Spinoffs

"Yellowstone" marks Sheridan’s major breakthrough in television, captivating audiences with its gripping narrative and stunning visuals. The show quickly amassed a loyal following, reaching up to 10 million viewers per episode. Sheridan didn’t stop there; he expanded the universe with spinoffs such as "1883," "1923," and "Four Sixes," each deepening the lore and increasing the franchise's value.

Notable Quote:

"Taylor triples down. He writes spinoffs like 1883. That's the precursor to Yellowstone. 1923, that's another precursor."
(09:45)

Key Points:

• "Yellowstone": A story about a rugged rancher navigating a changing world.
• Viewer Engagement: The show resonated with diverse audiences, from rural communities to urban viewers.
• Spinoffs: Expanded the narrative universe with "1883," "1923," and the upcoming "Four Sixes," which integrates closely with the main series.

4. Sheridan's Business Acumen and Real Estate Ventures

Beyond his creative endeavors, Sheridan has demonstrated exceptional business acumen. He has strategically invested in real estate related to his shows, owning assets like horses and ranches that are integral to the production. His ownership and rental of these properties not only support the shows but also create additional revenue streams.

Notable Quotes:

"He's able to spend the money. No one's asking questions when the cash is pouring in."
(15:30)

"Taylor Sheridan, my friends. This guy knows what he's doing."
(22:10)

Key Points:

• Asset Ownership: Owns horses and pieces of ranches used in "Yellowstone," renting them out at premium rates.
• Four Sixes Ranch: Sheridan owns a stake in the historic Four Sixes Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, which serves as a key filming location for the new spinoff.
• Strategic Investments: His real estate investments are tightly integrated with his content, enhancing both production value and financial returns.

5. Impact on Social Media and Listener Engagement

Davids shares the overwhelming response his social media posts received about Sheridan’s ventures, highlighting the significant engagement from millions of viewers and thousands of comments. Notably, industry professionals and cast members from "Yellowstone" actively participated, sharing personal anecdotes and reinforcing the show’s impact.

Notable Quotes:

"Seven million of you saw this and watched this and commented and liked this post on Instagram. Another 3 million of you on TikTok."
(16:50)

"The fact that they got into the comments and shared their stories."
(18:20)

Key Points:

• Massive Reach: Sheridan’s story garnered over 10 million views across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
• Community Engagement: Cast and crew of "Yellowstone" engaged with the content, providing authentic insights and boosting the narrative’s credibility.
• Audience Feedback: Comments ranged from personal stories related to the show to business analyses, underscoring its broad appeal.

6. Lessons on Pivoting and Business Model Engineering

One of the central themes of the episode is the importance of strategic pivoting and innovative business model engineering. Sheridan’s ability to transition from acting to writing, coupled with his integration of real estate into his business model, serves as a case study for entrepreneurs aiming to diversify and optimize their ventures.

Notable Quotes:

"I love the idea of taking mediocre business models and making them much, much better."
(27:15)

"Take your talents from here to here, just move a few inches over and all of a sudden, boom."
(25:40)

Key Points:

• Strategic Pivoting: Sheridan’s move from acting to writing allowed him to harness his strengths and achieve greater success.
• Business Model Innovation: By intertwining content creation with real estate investments, Sheridan created multiple revenue streams, enhancing overall business stability and growth.
• Operational Efficiency: The host emphasizes the importance of focusing on core strengths and outsourcing or delegating other aspects to prevent business stagnation.

7. Notable Quotes and Takeaways

Throughout the episode, several insightful quotes encapsulate the lessons from Sheridan’s journey:

• On Pivoting:

  "Taylor moved from the front of the camera to behind the camera. ... he realized that his real talent lies in writing."
  (24:30)

• On Business Model Engineering:

  "Content can be a good business, but building a real estate business on top of that, that's a very good business."
  (29:50)

• On Engagement:

  "Nothing increases engagement like people getting in and telling you you were wrong. So I welcome it."
  (20:15)

Key Takeaways:

• Leverage Strengths: Identifying and focusing on one’s core strengths can lead to greater success and satisfaction.
• Innovative Revenue Streams: Diversifying business models by integrating different sectors can significantly enhance financial growth.
• Community Engagement: Actively interacting with audiences and stakeholders can provide valuable insights and foster a loyal following.

Conclusion

Episode 160 of "Making It with Jon Davids" offers a compelling exploration of Taylor Sheridan’s impressive blend of creative talent and business ingenuity. By transitioning from acting to writing, producing hit shows, and strategically investing in real estate, Sheridan exemplifies how multifaceted approaches can lead to monumental success. John Davids not only celebrates Sheridan’s achievements but also distills actionable insights for entrepreneurs aiming to emulate such success. This episode serves as both an inspiring story and a practical guide for leveraging one’s strengths and innovating business models to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

For those interested in marketing strategies and business growth, this episode is a treasure trove of lessons drawn from Sheridan’s journey. Whether you're a content creator, entrepreneur, or business owner, the strategies discussed provide valuable frameworks for scaling and sustaining your ventures.

Connect with John Davids: For more insights and detailed case studies, visit Influicity.com or follow John on his social media channels.