In Search Of Excellence

In this explosive episode of In Search of Excellence, Randall Kaplan sits down with Marc Lore—the billionaire entrepreneur, owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the visionary founder behind Diapers.com (sold to Amazon for $545M) and Jet.com (sold to Walmart for $3.3B).

If you think entrepreneurship is glamorous, think again. Marc drops the filter to reveal that "95% of the day is shit work"—boring, repetitive, and unexciting tasks that most people quit on. From hauling thousands of diaper boxes out of Costco in an 18-wheeler because manufacturers wouldn't sell to him , to counting cards in Atlantic City casinos, Marc shares the raw stories of resourcefulness and resilience that defined his path to billions.

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Key Moments & Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Why entrepreneurship is low probability and "shit work" 
01:46 – The Story: Marc’s dad crashing Bruce Springsteen’s house 
03:44 – How Marc’s dad "hacked" the job market for programmers 
07:44 – Marc’s mom becoming a competitive bodybuilder at age 36 
11:31 – The "Farmer Mindset": Creating something from nothing 
13:32 – Nature vs. Nurture: Are entrepreneurs born or made? 
14:44 – Overcoming bullies and the power of being alone 
19:48 – Why "A-students" from top schools often struggle with failure 
23:40 – Hiring Strategy: Why Marc is a "Resume Snob" 
31:30 – Trading options and derivatives at 12 years old 
35:32 – The Fake ID Ring: Deconstructing licenses to beat the system 
40:12 – Why manual labor is the best training for CEOs 
43:55 – The Diapers.com Hustle: Buying inventory from Costco with an 18-wheeler 
45:48 – The "Loss Leader" Strategy: Losing money to win the customer 
48:14 – The Human Calculator: Marc proves his insane math skills live 
51:51 – Why visionary founders are obsessed with magic 

About the Guest: Marc Lore
Marc Lore is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and owner of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves. He is one of the few founders to sell a company to Amazon (Diapers.com) and another to Walmart (Jet.com) for multibillion-dollar exits. Known for his "human calculator" math skills and extreme risk tolerance, Marc is currently building the utopian city project Telosa and the food delivery startup Wonder.

About the Host: Randall Kaplan
Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and the founder of In Search of Excellence. He has been an advisor to more than 50 companies and invested in nearly 100, including Google, Lyft, and Seagate.

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If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching
 
Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs
 
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
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For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/
 
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In Part 2 of this incredible interview, Randy Kaplan sits down with world-renowned mentalist and America’s Got Talent finalist Oz Perlman. Oz reveals the psychological frameworks that allowed him to transition from a high-stakes career at Merrill Lynch to becoming the most sought-after mentalist in the world.

This episode dives deep into the "Business of Mind Reading." Oz shares his proprietary "Silo Method" for processing rejection, his "Shampoo Model" for never forgetting a name, and why a simple bag of Starbucks coffee can be the key to landing a million-dollar meeting. Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to network with CEOs or someone trying to master the art of public speaking, Oz Perlman’s insights on authenticity, extreme preparation, and the power of "giving" will transform your professional life.
Stick around until the end for a mind-bending demonstration where Oz reads Randy’s mind in real-time!

Timestamps
00:00 – The difference between Magic and Mentalism.
01:00 – Cold calling: The most important skill you can have.
05:00 – Tricking your brain to handle rejection (The Silo Method).
10:39 – Is college still necessary? Building a social brand.
15:00 – How to earn a mentorship and add true value.
17:41 – The Starbucks Coffee Trick: How to get any meeting.
21:30 – Quitting Wall Street: The James Gorman story.
30:00 – How to never forget a name (Listen, Repeat, Reply).
35:00 – Public speaking as a force multiplier for success.
40:00 – Learning from failure vs. extreme preparation.
44:14 – Rapid fire questions: Oz’s biggest regrets and goals.
47:15 – LIVE MENTALISM: Oz reads Randy Kaplan's mind.

Guest Bio & Links
Oz Perlman is an Emmy-award-winning mentalist and one of the most famous performers in his field today. After rising to national fame as a finalist on America’s Got Talent in 2015, Oz has become a regular guest on major networks like CNBC, performing for elite CEOs and world leaders. He is a marathon runner, a math prodigy, and the author of the upcoming book “Read Your Mind”.
Order Oz’s new book, "Read Your Mind" at this link.
Follow Oz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozthementalist/?hl=en
Visit Oz Perlman’s Website: https://www.ozpearlman.com/
Watch Oz's TED Talk on Memory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3M00JI8Iwo&t=433s 

About the Host
Randy Kaplan is an entrepreneur, investor, and the co-founder of multiple multi-billion-dollar companies. As the host of *In Search of Excellence*, he interviews world-class performers to uncover the secrets to their success.

Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching
 
Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs
 
Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...
 
For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/
 
Follow Randall!
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Welcome to In Search of Excellence! In this episode, we are joined by Oz Perlman, the most sought-after and famous mentalist in the world. Known for his incredible run on America’s Got Talent in 2015, and working with many celebrities and athletes, including Tom Brady and man sports teams, Oz reveals the "super secrets" to success that go far beyond the stage. We dive into his journey from being a math prodigy who aced the SATs at age 12 to becoming a master of communication and human behavior.

Oz shares his philosophy on relentlessness, the importance of doing "shit work," and why offering to work for free is the ultimate "one-way call option" for your career. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a student, or someone looking to sharpen your communication skills, Oz’s insights on capturing attention and overcoming the fear of failure will provide a roadmap for your own excellence.

Timestamps
● 00:00 – The "Super Secret" to getting any job.
● 01:21 – Oz Perlman’s background and the meaning of "Oz".
● 04:12 – Growing up as an "engineering brat" and moving to the US.
● 06:10 – Developing communication skills through restaurant magic.
● 08:45 – Skipping 4th grade and winning the Spelling Bee.
● 10:30 – Getting a perfect 800 on the Math SAT at age 12.
● 15:05 – The seminal moment: A cruise ship magic show that changed everything.
● 19:22 – Learning from books vs. videos: Why "sweat equity" matters.
● 23:40 – AI, ChatGPT, and the future of human creativity.
● 30:15 – Cleaning bathrooms and the value of "shit work”.
● 36:12 – Managing time, blocking schedules, and delegating admin tasks.
● 40:10 – The Zia’s Restaurant story: How to sell yourself by offering zero risk.

Check out Oz Pearlman’s book “Read Your Mind” at this link: https://www.ozpearlman.com/book

Connect with Oz:
● Website: https://www.ozpearlman.com/
● Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/rcf9529j
● X: https://x.com/OzTheMentalist?s=20

If you found Oz’s insights on relentless success and the "work for free" strategy helpful, please give this video a LIKE, leave a COMMENT with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with the world's most excellent people!

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🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-excellence/id1579184310 
🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6L

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

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Is Rick Caruso running for Mayor of Los Angeles again? In this explosive Part 2 interview on In Search of Excellence, host Randall Kaplan sits down with billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso to discuss the future of Los Angeles, his political aspirations, and the secrets behind his massive success.

Rick Caruso is the force behind The Grove, Palisades Village, and the Rosewood Miramar Beach. With a net worth of nearly $6 billion, he opens up about why money was never his motivation. Rick details the terrifying Palisades fire, revealing the "extreme preparation" and private firefighting team that saved his property when others burned.

We also dive deep into politics. Rick gives a candid critique of Mayor Karen Bass and former Mayor Eric Garcetti, explains why he believes the city was unprepared for the recent disasters, and discusses the disastrous impact of the "Mansion Tax" (ULA) on California real estate. Plus, he shares invaluable advice on integrity, "protecting your obituary," and the one rule he follows in business: "Don't do business with bad people".

 Timestamps & Key Takeaways

00:00 - The Golden Rule of Business: Don't do business with bad people.
02:03 - When will Erewhon & Palisades Village reopen? (Fire recovery update) .
04:37 - The terrifying moment the fire started & evacuating the schools.
06:17 - How Rick saved his property using private firefighters & retardant.
09:34 - Who is to blame? Rick’s critique of the City & Mayor Bass’s preparedness.
12:54 - Why Rick ran for Mayor & his thoughts on losing to Karen Bass.
15:07 - Was Eric Garcetti a "weak mayor"?.
16:27 - The Big Question: Will Rick run for Mayor or Governor again?.
17:21 - The first 3 things Rick would do as Mayor (Crime, Homelessness, Housing Costs).
18:45 - The truth about the "Mansion Tax" (ULA) and why it’s hurting LA.
21:01 - Why money should never be your motivation for success.
22:49 - The power of extreme preparation & integrity.
27:44 - Best Advice: "Protect Your Obituary".
34:03 - The love of his life & final thoughts.

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Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs
 
Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
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In this episode of In Search of Excellence, Randall Kaplan sits down with Rick Caruso, the billionaire real estate developer and former Los Angeles Mayoral candidate who revolutionized the retail industry. From the iconic Grove to the Rosewood Miramar Beach, Caruso’s properties attract more visitors annually than Disneyland. But his journey wasn't a straight line to success. Rick opens up about his father’s legal troubles and prison time, the power of resilience, and why he believes "shit work" is essential for young entrepreneurs. We also dive deep into his controversial but effective views on solving homelessness in Los Angeles and the specific business strategies that allow his properties to outperform the national average by 3x.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro: Why doesn't a billionaire solve homelessness?
01:42 - Rick’s family roots & the rubber band on his money clip 
03:59 - Dealing with his father’s legal trouble and prison sentence 
07:23 - The "Dollar Rent A Car" comeback story 
10:49 - Rick’s plan to fix the homeless crisis in LA 
14:40 - Why you need to do the "shit work" to succeed 
17:37 - Is college necessary today? (USC & Marshall School) 
22:34 - Rick’s first real estate deal: The Midvale Duplex 
24:05 - The "Parking Lot Strategy" and 100% financing 
31:43 - The vision behind The Grove & the famous trolley 
35:39 - The art of Cold Calling & Networking
38:17 - Why Caruso properties earn 3x the national average 
41:34 - Building the Rosewood Miramar Beach & defying NIMBYs 

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About the Guest
Rick Caruso is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Caruso, one of the largest and most admired privately held real estate and hospitality companies in the United States. A visionary developer, Rick is known for creating community-centric destinations like The Grove, The Americana at Brand, and Palisades Village that have redefined the retail experience. He served as the President of the Los Angeles Police Commission and the President of the USC Board of Trustees, and in 2022, he ran for Mayor of Los Angeles.

Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching
 
Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs
 
Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...
 
For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/
 
Follow Randall!
Instagram: @randallkaplan 
LinkedIn:  @randallkaplan 
TikTok:  @randall_kaplan 
Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/
1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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