EbT's Rule: 'Have You Tried Solving The Problem?'
Sam Parr's former boss, EbT, had one question for founders trying to over-architect solutions: “Have you tried solving the problem?” Cut complexity.
The oldest trick in the book to make your first million
With Sam Parr, Shaan Puri · Sunday, July 26, 2026
Sam Parr and Shaan Puri uncover the fascinating history and current dominance of Cargill, the largest and most secretive private company in America. They then pivot to discuss the Jevons Paradox, applying its principles to explain why AI is likely to create a massive surge in demand and new job opportunities. The hosts also share insights on building enduring family businesses through explicit communication and legal structures, and how to avoid over-architecting solutions by focusing on direct problem-solving.
Key takeaways
- Founders, including Sam Parr himself, often gravitate towards over-architecting solutions rather than addressing problems directly. Read more →
- Frederick Tudor, famously known as "the Ice King," launched a business selling ice to tropical South America before refrigeration was even invented, relying on ingenious solutions to make the impossible possible. Read more →
2 articles from this episode
Ice King's Playbook: Manufacture Demand for Products Nobody Needs
Frederick Tudor sold ice to tropical climates before refrigeration. His strategy for creating desire from scratch proves you can make people want any product.
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