Podcast Summary: My First Million – "I Launched A Viral Water Brand In 8 Weeks"

Release Date: August 15, 2025
Host: Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Guest: Dan Porter

Introduction

In this episode of My First Million, hosts Sam Parr and Shaan Puri welcome Dan Porter, a dynamic entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio that spans education, gaming, talent management, and now, a viral water brand. Dan shares his journey of launching the 6,7 water brand in just eight weeks, exploring the intersection of sports, social media trends, and innovative marketing strategies.

Guest Introduction: Dan Porter

Shaan introduces Dan Porter with great enthusiasm:

Shaan Puri [00:19]: "Can I just hype you up like I'm Dana White in the UFC? Because we have here the most entertaining man in business... Dan, welcome."

Dan humbly acknowledges his successes:

Dan Porter [00:59]: "I appreciate that. You know, sometimes people go 19... I gotta keep winning until I get some in the grave."

Understanding NIL: The Name, Image, Likeness Revolution

Dan delves into the concept of NIL, a pivotal change in college sports allowing athletes to monetize their personal brands through endorsements.

Dan Porter [01:42]: "NIL is name, image, likeness. It's like a revolution in college sports where, for years, players could not make any money."

He explains the financial potential for top athletes:

Dan Porter [03:09]: "If you look at a top Power Five quarterback, SEC, whatever, seven to $10 million a year. Wide receivers, running backs, best defenders, a million to three million."

However, he notes that this opportunity primarily benefits elite athletes, with a significant drop-off for those in less popular sports:

Dan Porter [05:38]: "But in women's basketball on the college level... there's not a large number of WNBA teams... If you're a swimmer or lacrosse player, they're not making hundreds of thousands right now."

The Birth and Viral Growth of 6,7 Water

Dan narrates the unexpected creation of the 6,7 water brand, rooted in a TikTok meme created by a young basketball player named Taylor Kinney (T.K.).

Dan Porter [05:55]: "This is like the unlikely story of the fourth most followed water brand in the world on social media."

The meme originated from T.K.'s casual comment, which exploded into a viral sensation without any initial branding efforts:

Dan Porter [07:00]: "It's like a meme where 'six, seven' just started and now middle schoolers are using it everywhere. It doesn't mean anything, but that's why they love it."

Building a Viral Brand: Grassroots Strategies and Community Engagement

Dan emphasizes a bottoms-up approach, focusing on genuine engagement and community building rather than traditional marketing hacks.

Dan Porter [59:33]: "We responded to every single comment because people want to feel seen and engaged. It was about building a real connection."

He shares anecdotes about how responding interactively fostered a loyal fan base:

Dan Porter [63:08]: "He would roast them in the comments, and suddenly people were more interested in the conversation than the product itself."

Positioning Strategy: Carving Out a Unique Market Space

A key theme of the discussion is the importance of positioning—defining where your brand sits in the consumer's mind relative to competitors.

Dan Porter [46:00]: "Positioning is where you sit in the mind of the consumer. It's about finding the white space in the market."

He elaborates on how positioning differentiates brands without relying solely on superior products:

Dan Porter [52:07]: "Our strategy is to focus on Gen Z's language and culture, which allows us to connect authentically without trying too hard."

Future Plans: Leveraging NIL for 6,7 Water’s Expansion

Dan envisions integrating NIL opportunities to propel 6,7 Water's growth, utilizing athlete endorsements to penetrate new markets.

Dan Porter [76:22]: "We're trying to figure out how to parlay this kind of massive social media following into selling a million cans. It might be in gas stations or something else unexpected."

He highlights the potential of NIL partnerships in expanding the brand's reach:

Dan Porter [78:03]: "Maybe he's going to a school that buys the can in their colors and uses it as part of the recruitment process."

Insights and Conclusions

Dan Porter’s journey with 6,7 Water underscores the power of listening to cultural trends and fostering authentic community engagement. His approach pivots away from traditional top-down marketing strategies, instead embracing a grassroots methodology that prioritizes genuine connections and adaptive positioning.

Key Takeaways:

• Listen to the Culture: Staying attuned to memes and trends can uncover unexpected brand opportunities.
• Engage Authentically: Building a loyal fan base requires genuine interaction and community management.
• Strategic Positioning: Clearly defining your brand’s place in the market can differentiate it from competitors without solely relying on product superiority.
• Leverage NIL: Utilizing athlete endorsements within the new NIL landscape can drive brand expansion and audience growth.

Notable Quotes

• Dan Porter [05:55]: "This meme doesn't mean anything, but that's why they love it."
• Dan Porter [63:08]: "We responded to every single comment because people want to feel seen and engaged."
• Dan Porter [78:03]: "Maybe he's going to a school that buys the can in their colors and uses it as part of the recruitment process."

Conclusion

Dan Porter's innovative approach to launching and scaling 6,7 Water demonstrates the effectiveness of grassroots strategies and cultural attunement in building a viral brand. By leveraging the NIL revolution and emphasizing authentic community engagement, 6,7 Water stands as a testament to modern entrepreneurial success.

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