This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
Crowdbotics. Great ideas can change the world, and Crowdbotics is the fastest way to turn those ideas into code. Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist
OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at openphone.com/twist
Fitbod. Tired of doing the same workouts at the gym? Fitbod will build you personalized workouts that help you progress with every set. Get 25% off your subscription or try out the app for FREE when you sign up now at fitbod.me/TWIST.
*
Today’s show:
Rich Barton joins Jason to give a masterclass on his thought process behind creating evocative top-tier brands like Zillow, Expedia, and Glassdoor. (22:02) Rich also discusses the lessons he learned from Bill Gates during his time at Microsoft (49:22), how tech management has evolved (57:04), and more!
Rich's blog on branding: https://www.hopperanddropper.com/syllables-scrabble-letters-and-picking-brand-names
*
Time stamps:
(0:00) Zillow CEO Rich Barton joins Jason
(1:58) The creation of Zillow’s Zestimate
(7:03) “Tension and Importance” and empowering people in the workplace
(13:24) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist
(14:53) Branding and creating iconic company names
(16:53) Navigating major layoffs
(22:02) Back to building top-tier brands, “What got us here, won’t get us there”
(27:54) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://openphone.com/twist
(29:25) Steering the complex dynamics of startup-attorney interactions
(33:22) Defying convention to create stellar products and the effects digital currency
(37:54) Fitbod - Get 25% off at https://fitbod.me/twist
(39:23) Innovating in the real estate industry
(49:22) Lessons Rich learned from Bill Gates during his time at Microsoft
(57:04) How tech management has evolved
(1:01:27) How Covid-19 and remote work changed the landscape
(1:07:02) The concept of “iBuying”
(1:10:31) Continuous high-interest rates, “zoom towns”, and the “great reshuffling”
*
Follow Rich: https://twitter.com/Rich_Barton
*
Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo: https://www.launch.co/four
Apply for Funding: https://www.launch.co/apply
Buy ANGEL: https://www.angelthebook.com
Great recent interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
*
Follow Jason:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Follow TWiST:
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast