What To Do If Someone Copies Your Business Idea, Dublin & The Startup Van: #AskGaryVee Episode 192

TL;DR

If someone copies your business idea, focus on executing better rather than worrying about being first. In #AskGaryVee Episode 192, Gary Vaynerchuk also explores how The Startup Van gives early-stage founders exposure through free, high-quality interviews lasting about two or three minutes. Read on for his views on persistence, partnerships, family businesses, and building a stronger platform.

Transcript

• On this episode I go in The Startup Van. (upbeat hip hop music) - [Gary] You ask questions, and I answer them. This is the #AskGaryVee show. - Hey everybody, this is Gary Vay-ner-chuk this is episode 192 of the #AskGaryVee show. Live from Dublin. Dublin, Ireland and The Startup Van. DRock, we made it to The Startup Van. Gentlemen why don't you ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖤 The Startup Van was created to address the lack of quality videos for early-stage startups.
• 🈂️ Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes the importance of providing value and exposure to startups instead of charging them.
• 💪 Hard work and a strong work ethic are values that Gary learned from his parents and continues to hold in high regard.
• 🤩 The Startup Van believes that being the best, not being the first, is key to success.
• 🍔 Gary warns that each situation and relationship dynamic is different, urging caution when giving advice.
• 🧡 The Startup Van aims to interview a diverse range of startups and entrepreneurs, regardless of their stage of development.
• 😀 Gary feels a sense of responsibility as his advice can impact people's lives, and he is mindful of the different variables and situations individuals face.

Questions & Answers

Q: What should you do if someone copies your business idea?

Do not become preoccupied with the copycat. Gary advises focusing on superior execution through better guests, better questions, and better overall work: the goal is to be the best, not merely the first.

Q: What is The Startup Van?

The Startup Van is a platform founded by Graham and Mark to create high-quality videos for early-stage startups and entrepreneurs. They built it after noticing that many promising entrepreneurs were represented by videos with poor picture quality, bad sound, and distracting exterior noise.

Q: Does The Startup Van charge startups for interviews?

Graham and Mark say they will never charge the startups because they do not consider it fair. Their model is to give startups exposure while building a platform that can provide value to other paying partners.

Q: What format does The Startup Van use for founder interviews?

Its interviews are usually about two or three minutes long. Instead of recording only a pitch, the team includes storytelling and about 10 quick-fire questions so viewers can learn something from each founder.

Q: How did The Startup Van persuade Gary Vaynerchuk to appear?

Their outreach succeeded because Gary briefly looked at the project and thought it looked cool and good. That impression was enough for him to agree, illustrating how presentation quality can strengthen persistent outreach.

Q: When does persistent outreach become annoying?

Gary says it depends on the person receiving the requests. He is difficult to annoy, but some of his contemporaries can become very upset after being asked a second time, so persistence must account for the individual.

Q: How did Gary Vaynerchuk discuss leaving the family business with his father?

Gary says they never fully had the conversation at the time and only really discussed it three years later. His father understood what was happening while Gary was straddling both paths, including the period when Crush It! came out.

Q: What does Gary Vaynerchuk say about running a business with a partner?

Gary says two partners can be best friends with good intentions and still have different perspectives. He argues that clear roles matter, pointing to his position as CEO of VaynerMedia and AJ's position as COO, while recalling the friction created when both he and his father wanted to lead Wine Library.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Startup Van was founded by Graham and Mark as a platform to create high-quality videos for early-stage startups and entrepreneurs.

• They prioritize providing value and exposure to startups and offer free interviews, aiming to improve the quality of their videos compared to other similar content available online.

• The interviews are typically about two to three minutes long and include a mix of storytelling and quick-fire questions.