Podcast Summary: Making It with Jon Davids

Episode 232: Ryan Reynolds Used ONE Hack To Make $350M. You Can Copy It. Here's How.
Host: Jon Davids
Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jon Davids explores the concept of the "unfair advantage"—a unique trait, skill, or asset that enables outsized business success. Using Ryan Reynolds’ business moves as a case study, Jon explains how anyone (not just celebrities) can leverage their own unfair advantage to build millions in value—if they pair it with the right "vehicle" or business opportunity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ryan Reynolds: From Actor to Brand Machine (00:00–07:00)

• Career Background:
  Jon describes how Ryan Reynolds went from moderate acting success to Marvel stardom in Deadpool.

  "Ryan's an actor and he's making a name for himself in TV and movies... Then in 2016, he levels up to Marvel stardom in Deadpool." (00:25)

• Smart Negotiation:
  Ryan took only a $2M salary for Deadpool, but negotiated a back-end deal tied to box office performance. That bet landed him a $22M payday.

  "He actually agrees to a measly $2 million salary... but he negotiates a chunky backend at the box office if it performs well." (01:10)

• Business Ventures:

  • Aviation Gin: Ryan discovers the brand, buys in, reforms the product, and leverages his image to massively grow sales, culminating in a $610M acquisition by Diageo (2018–2020).
  • Mint Mobile: Applies the same playbook; invests, rebrands, fronts the marketing, and exits in a $1.35B T-Mobile acquisition (2019–2023).
  • Wrexham AFC: Buys a struggling soccer team, but creates and stars in a docu-series about ownership, driving global attention and value.

• Key Insight: Ryan’s success isn’t about being a celebrity. “He’s focusing on one area where he has an unfair advantage, and then he looks for investment opportunities where that unfair advantage will push him forward.” (07:10)

2. What is an "Unfair Advantage"? (07:15–09:40)

• Definition: The distinct skill, talent, or connection that gives you an edge.
• "It's the one thing that I've got. It's the one thing any of us have that sets us apart and that gives us a fighting chance at victory." (08:00)

3. Types of Unfair Advantage: Case Studies (09:45–23:30)

a. Customer Acquisition (Ryan Reynolds) (09:45–12:00)

• Explanation: Ryan’s fame lets him get customers at near-zero cost. Not every celebrity monetizes this, but he leverages it relentlessly as the face of every brand.

  “He can go on social media or on a talk show or on a big podcast and promote his products, and that gets him customers at little to no cost. He's at CAC 0 now.” (10:10)

• Broader Lesson: If you excel at marketing or have a following—even locally—this could be your advantage.

b. Financial Engineering (John Malone) (12:30–15:30)

• “The Cable Cowboy” built a vast media empire using deep expertise in financial structuring, rather than public image.
• Key moves: Acquired cable assets with heavy leverage; engineered deals worth billions.
• “This is going to take one unfair advantage: Financial engineering. It just so happens that John's got it.” (13:55)

c. Operational Efficiency (Sam Walton, Walmart Founder) (15:40–18:15)

• Identified how offering the lowest prices (through relentless cost-cutting) attracted masses.
• “This guy can squeeze a nickel so tight, it begs for mercy. And that becomes the basis of Walmart.” (16:40)

d. Sales (David Rubenstein, The Carlyle Group) (18:30–21:40)

• Rubenstein’s primary skill isn’t deal-making or investing—it’s sales, especially raising capital.
• “If you ask David Rubenstein, he will say his core contribution and the reason for his success in private equity is that he was good at bringing in the money.” (19:30)

4. The Right Vehicle Matters (23:35–26:00)

• Pairing Advantage with Opportunity:
  It’s not just about having an advantage, but matching it to a vehicle where it can be fully exploited.
• “If your unfair advantage is a 10, but your vehicle is a 2, the vehicle is going to win. Your success is going to be like 2 out of 10.” (24:00)
• Examples:
  • Malone as an accountant vs. cable empire builder
  • Rubenstein in paper sales vs. private equity
  • Walton organizing his closet vs. Walmart

5. The Final Lesson & Call to Action (26:05–end)

• Self-Reflection: Jon encourages listeners to introspect and identify their unfair advantage and the right vehicle to maximize it.

  “What feels like work to others, but play for you? Figure that out. Study yourself. Know yourself. Find your unfair advantage. Find an opportunity and a vehicle worthy of your time...” (26:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ryan Reynolds' unique strength:
  "Ryan just used his unfair advantage of customer acquisition really well." (10:14)
• On John Malone’s empire:
  "He uses a crazy, complicated web of financial engineering to build what will become an $11 billion fortune today." (15:00)
• On the necessity of the right vehicle:
  “You can’t just find the unfair advantage. You also have to find a vehicle, an opportunity that matches.” (24:12)
• Final advice:
  “It’s so valuable. Go out there and crush it.” (27:05)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–07:00 — Ryan Reynolds’ rise and business playbook
• 07:15–09:40 — Defining the “unfair advantage”
• 09:45–12:00 — Customer acquisition as unfair advantage
• 12:30–15:30 — John Malone and financial engineering
• 15:40–18:15 — Sam Walton and operational efficiency
• 18:30–21:40 — David Rubenstein and sales
• 23:35–26:00 — Importance of the right vehicle
• 26:05–end — Final thoughts, advice, and call to action

Tone & Style

Conversational, energetic, and motivational—Jon Davids blends storytelling with actionable business lessons and a dash of humor (“this guy can squeeze a nickel so tight, it begs for mercy”).

In Summary

Jon Davids breaks down how Ryan Reynolds—and other titans like John Malone, Sam Walton, and David Rubenstein—found their “unfair advantage” and paired it with the ideal business model to achieve exponential success. The actionable takeaway? Identify your unique edge, match it with the right opportunity, and you could potentially replicate this path to extraordinary wealth—no celebrity status required.