Episode description

Brian Lee is a rock-star serial entrepreneur and incredibly successful venture capitalist. He is also a great philanthropist dedicated to leaving and impact and giving back to the community.

He is a co-founder and ex-CEO of LegalZoom, a co-founder and ex-CEO of ShoeDazzle, a co-founder and ex-CEO of the Art of Sport, co-founder and current CEO of Arena Club, and co-founder of the incredibly successful venture capital firm, BAM ventures.

Brian Lee is also an amazing person, dear friend, and a mentor and I am very grateful for having him on In Search of Excellence!

(00:00) – Brian Lee's background

• Who is Brian Lee?
• Brian’s parents and their coming to America
• How Brian’s dad built a successful business

(06:59) – Can you learn to be an entrepreneur?

• It can be learned, but most entrepreneurs are born with that DNA
• Entrepreneurs don’t wait, they seize opportunities
• If you have an idea and want to peruse it, go and do it
• Entrepreneurship is mostly a young person’s game

(09:09) – The advice to people who are afraid of failure

• It’s ok to fail, failing is learning
• You have to get back on the horse and keep going, many entrepreneurs failed several times
• You have to be focused and work very hard
• Nothing happens out of itself

(14:25) – Brian’s education and the importance of attending a college

• High school - wanted to be a rapper, tried it and it didn’t work
• College - went to UCLA School of Law
• Salesmanship is a key for everything you do in life, whatever you do, you are selling
• Cold calling is one of the best skills to learn

(21:09) – Are grades important when hiring someone for a job?

• No one pays attention to the grades, but it’s important to finish what you started
• What is important are commitment and drive
• Important traits – dedication, loyalty, ability to see things through
• What to do when you are unhappy on your job – stay or leave? A little bit of pain in life is inevitable, sometimes you have to suck it up!

(21:09) – The grass is always greener

• Stick it out and do well with what you are given 

(28:02) – LegalZoom

• The late-night call with Robert Shapiro at 9:00pm
• LegalZoom's goal was to bring trust to people, not steal information

Resources Mentioned:
LegalZoom
The Honest Company

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