Podcast Summary: The GaryVee Audio Experience

Episode: Business 🤝 Values | Bear Handlon Co-Founder of Born Primitive
Release Date: January 23, 2025
Host/Author: Gary Vaynerchuk
Guest: Bear Handlon, Co-Founder of Born Primitive

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The GaryVee Audio Experience, entrepreneur and marketing guru Gary Vaynerchuk engages in an insightful conversation with Bear Handlon, the co-founder of Born Primitive. The discussion delves deep into the intersection of business and values, exploring the real challenges of entrepreneurship, the significance of authentic storytelling, and the pivotal role of company values in differentiating a brand in a saturated market.

Live Social Shopping and Market Evolution

Gary Vaynerchuk (A) opens the conversation by highlighting the emergence of live social shopping, particularly on platforms like TikTok. He emphasizes the real-time integration of e-commerce within social media.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Real-Time Selling: Gary discusses the phenomenon of live selling, exemplified by his team selling Vee Friends trading cards live from his Manhattan studio.
  • Future Predictions: He predicts that 5-20% of content on platforms like TikTok will involve live streams within the next one to two years.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "You should live on TikTok shop and whatnot. It's happening right now in real time." [00:52]
  • "Social shopping has already happened in China. See, what I do well is I watch." [02:15]

Bear Handlon (B) commends Gary's foresight and inquires about the next evolution in the market, reinforcing the importance of staying ahead of trends.

The Realities of Entrepreneurship

Gary and Bear candidly discuss the often-overlooked hardships of entrepreneurship, contrasting the glamorous image portrayed in media with the persistent struggles entrepreneurs face.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Challenges and Loneliness: Gary emphasizes that most people do not endure the intense, solitary moments required to build a successful business.
  • Perseverance: Both speakers highlight the necessity of grit, determination, and the ability to handle constant rejection and self-doubt.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "99.9999% of people have to eat. Judgment of others. Self doubt along the way. Lonely ass moments for 3, 6, 9, 12 years." [00:00]
  • "Entrepreneurship is a series of micro losses with an occasional macro win." [17:00]

Bear Handlon shares his own entrepreneurial journey, detailing his initial failures and the pivotal pivot towards creating Born Primitive after a failed business venture.

Aligning Business with Core Values

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the importance of embedding core values within a business to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Authentic Storytelling: Bear explains how Born Primitive differentiates itself by supporting military personnel and first responders, aligning the company's mission with authentic values.
  • Impactful Initiatives: The discussion includes Bear's initiative to create a limited edition D-Day shoe, donating proceeds to veterans revisiting Omaha Beach.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "Good product is the cost of entry." [22:44]
  • "Story's everything." [30:23]

Gary Vaynerchuk reinforces the idea that storytelling and authentic values can create meaningful connections with consumers, making a brand resilient beyond mere product quality.

Team Building and Hiring Philosophy

Gary and Bear delve into their philosophies on building effective teams, prioritizing authentic skills and dedication over traditional academic achievements.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Hiring Beyond Credentials: Both speakers advocate for hiring individuals based on their drive and real-world experience rather than solely on formal education.
  • Company Culture: Emphasis on creating a company culture that reflects the values and mission of the business, fostering a loyal and motivated workforce.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "I've had hundreds of emails through my career on this. Entrepreneurship is baseball. Entrepreneurship is UFC." [15:02]
  • "I was a caretaker for one of them for a day at the ceremony... it's a very humbling experience." [26:27]

Bear Handlon shares anecdotes about hiring veterans and first responders, illustrating how genuine commitment to values can enhance team cohesion and brand integrity.

Storytelling and Authentic Marketing

The conversation highlights the power of storytelling in marketing, showcasing how authentic narratives can effectively differentiate a brand.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • D-Day Shoe Project: Bear discusses the creation of a commemorative shoe for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, integrating meaningful elements like sand from Omaha Beach and memorabilia.
  • Balancing Commerce with Respect: The importance of maintaining respect and sensitivity when leveraging historical narratives for commercial purposes.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "Art always beats the math in the end, bro. The gray always beats out the black and white in this. What do you think religion is? What do you think the American dream is? Story's everything." [30:23]
  • "Nobody's gonna end up being undefeated in that. Right?" [15:44]

Gary Vaynerchuk underscores that authentic storytelling not only builds brand loyalty but also fosters a deeper connection with the audience, transcending mere transactional interactions.

Insights and Conclusions

As the episode nears its end, Gary and Bear synthesize their discussions into key takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders.

• Key Insights:

  • Resilience Over Talent: Success in entrepreneurship relies more on perseverance and hard work than innate talent.
  • Impact Over Income: True fulfillment comes from making a positive impact rather than solely pursuing financial gains.
  • Authenticity is Key: Maintaining authenticity and aligning business practices with core values leads to sustainable success.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "If you are scared of losing first, why? Almost always, it means that you're worried about what people think about your losses." [17:00]
  • "Entrepreneurship is baseball. Entrepreneurship is UFC. Entrepreneurship is baseball... you bat.300 for your career, you're fucking in striking distance." [15:02]

Gary Vaynerchuk concludes by emphasizing the importance of genuine effort and the long-term rewards of building a business that aligns with one's values and mission.

Conclusion

This episode of The GaryVee Audio Experience offers an unfiltered look into the true challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. Through the candid dialogue between Gary Vaynerchuk and Bear Handlon, listeners gain valuable insights into building a business grounded in authentic values, the importance of storytelling in brand differentiation, and the resilience required to navigate the entrepreneurial journey. The discussion serves as both a reality check and a source of inspiration for those aspiring to make a meaningful impact through their ventures.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

1. "99.9999% of people have to eat. Judgment of others. Self doubt along the way. Lonely ass moments for 3, 6, 9, 12 years." — Gary Vee [00:00]
2. "You should live on TikTok shop and whatnot. It's happening right now in real time." — Gary Vee [00:52]
3. "Good product is the cost of entry." — Gary Vee [22:44]
4. "Entrepreneurship is a series of micro losses with an occasional macro win." — Gary Vee [17:00]
5. "Art always beats the math in the end, bro. The gray always beats out the black and white in this. Story's everything." — Gary Vee [30:23]
6. "If you are scared of losing first, why? Almost always, it means that you're worried about what people think about your losses." — Gary Vee [17:00]

These quotes encapsulate the essence of the discussion, highlighting the unvarnished truths of entrepreneurship, the strategic importance of authentic marketing, and the enduring impact of aligning business practices with core values.

Final Thoughts

For entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts, this episode serves as a testament to the importance of perseverance, authenticity, and value-driven business practices. Gary Vaynerchuk and Bear Handlon provide a nuanced perspective that bridges the gap between aspirational success stories and the gritty realities of building and sustaining a business.