Revisiting the History of Digital Nomadism, AI For Connecting Founders, and the Big Focus Problem

This week, Dan & Ian talk about the early days of digital nomadism, what it says about the future, and how to spot new opportunities in life and business.
They'll also explore new topics like compound startup theory, why focus can steer you in the wrong direction, and whether TikTok is the blue ocean Amazon was in 2014.
Stay tuned to learn about the new AI feature, enabling founders to make connections more swiftly than ever.
All this and more in today's fully booked episode, so buckle up and charge your earbuds.
Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
The Newsletter (https://tropicalmba.com/subscribe)
“The DC” (https://dynamitecircle.com/join-dc/)
DC Black (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
Global events (https://dynamitecircle.com/events)
Hire remote talent (https://remotefirstrecruiting.com/)
Find a remote job (https://dynamitejobs.com/)
Listen on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialTropicalMBA)
Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tropicalmba/)
@TropicalMBA (https://twitter.com/TropicalMBA)
@AnythingIan (https://twitter.com/AnythingIan)
Show Notes:
0:00:53 Intro
0:02:58 Childhood lessons that helped us succeed in business
0:08:35 The biggest DCBKK in history
0:10:55 Dan & Ian’s travel tips & never agains
0:13:22 The new AI feature that helps you connect with relevant founders instantly
0:16:04 Is TikTok what Amazon was in 2014?
0:20:39 The problem with limiting definitions and the theory of the compound startup
0:28:20 Reacting to Steph Smith’s take on the history of digital nomadism
0:30:20 A brief history of digital nomadism from our perspective
0:45:54 What does the future look like for digital nomadism?
0:48:40 Why understanding key trends ahead of their time can make for a highly successful business
Links:
The Secret (https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Rhonda-Byrne/dp/1847370292/ref=asc_df_1847370292/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343187902048&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13419185491195641939&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028277&hvtargid=pla-318206917580&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=66484626902&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343187902048&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13419185491195641939&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028277&hvtargid=pla-318206917580)
Dave’s Vice segment about dumpster diving (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR6XFDAfLuk)
Dave’s business (https://www.buffalobottlecraft.com/)
- Herb Kelleher on Founders (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1gItcgy8FHgOF46TiEjKBL?si=ea68855e8b9c49e0)
The Elon Musk biography (https://www.amazon.com/Elon-Musk-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1982181281/ref=asc_df_1982181281/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=658715255517&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17403256148468025508&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028277&hvtargid=pla-2273195873232&psc=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwgsqoBhBNEiwAwe5w0_Gqotj7nmjvYjFfde0GI_2jCNCQNu6co-Q2PCqA8iskrxbNemtf9BoCSvkQAvD_BwE)
Steph’s episode (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zB29YPDEA8GprPU5pRs7Y?si=47981881a9fd4a5a)
TMBA History of Digital Nomadism (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bF2L6M2rTgcZfXhQNyK6O?si=8a9yWNoBSTevLUIHXotYmA)
James Clarke’s Full History (https://www.nomadicnotes.com/digital-nomad-history/)
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber
Additional episodes you might enjoy:
The History of Digital Nomadism (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/digital-nomadism-history)
Digital Nomad Cities for 2023 and Choosing Between ‘Scaling Up’ And ‘Traction’ (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/digital-nomad-cities-2023)
Brian Balfour’s $33M Growth Insights: Product-Market Fit, Durability, & Knowing Your Natural Limits (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/33mil-growth-insights)

This week, Dan & Ian talk about the early days of digital nomadism, what it says about the future, and how to spot new opportunities in life and business.

They'll also explore new topics like compound startup theory, why focus can steer you in the wrong direction, and whether TikTok is the blue ocean Amazon was in 2014.

Stay tuned to learn about the new AI feature, enabling founders to make connections more swiftly than ever.

All this and more in today's fully booked episode, so buckle up and charge your earbuds.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter

“The DC”

DC Black

Global events

Hire remote talent

Find a remote job

Listen on YouTube

Follow on Instagram

@TropicalMBA

@AnythingIan

Show Notes:

0:00:53 Intro
0:02:58 Childhood lessons that helped us succeed in business
0:08:35 The biggest DCBKK in history
0:10:55 Dan & Ian’s travel tips & never agains
0:13:22 The new AI feature that helps you connect with relevant founders instantly
0:16:04 Is TikTok what Amazon was in 2014?
0:20:39 The problem with limiting definitions and the theory of the compound startup
0:28:20 Reacting to Steph Smith’s take on the history of digital nomadism
0:30:20 A brief history of digital nomadism from our perspective
0:45:54 What does the future look like for digital nomadism?
0:48:40 Why understanding key trends ahead of their time can make for a highly successful business

Links:

The Secret
Dave’s Vice segment about dumpster diving
Dave’s business
- Herb Kelleher on Founders
The Elon Musk biography
Steph’s episode
TMBA History of Digital Nomadism
James Clarke’s Full History

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The History of Digital Nomadism

Digital Nomad Cities for 2023 and Choosing Between ‘Scaling Up’ And ‘Traction’

Brian Balfour’s $33M Growth Insights: Product-Market Fit, Durability, & Knowing Your Natural Limits