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cover of episode Tommy Potter — Building the CIA for Entrepreneurs (EP.264)

Tommy Potter — Building the CIA for Entrepreneurs (EP.264)

2025/4/17
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Infinite Loops
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Tommy Potter's origin story begins in Moline, Illinois, where he displayed entrepreneurial traits from a young age. His path has been non-linear, encompassing competitive golf, online high school, and diverse projects like building solar houses and documenting homelessness. He emphasizes the value of polymathic learning and non-linear career paths.
  • Early entrepreneurial activities (lemonade stands, cookies)
  • Non-linear career path
  • Emphasis on polymathic learning
  • Experience with online high school
  • Documentary on homelessness in Ann Arbor

Shownotes Transcript

Young, polymathic, and full of energy — Tommy Potter is on a quest to build a “CIA for Entrepreneurs.” He calls it “The Power Hour” — a startup community in Michigan that hosts dropouts, undergrads and PhDs across many industries: enterprise, consumer, CPG, aviation, gaming, robotics and AR/VR, as they work together to build cool projects.

I had a great time chatting with Tommy as we spoke about non-linear career paths, embracing authenticity, working with dazzling, delusional people and more!

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, “Hmm, that’s interesting!”, check out our Substack).

Important Links:

Show Notes:

  • Tommy’s Origin Story
  • Using The Third Door
  • Lessons from Documenting the Homeless
  • Can We Ever Be Our Authentic Self?
  • What Traits Tommy Looks for in People
  • Bringing Delusional People Together
  • The East Coast - West Coast Bubbles
  • Being a ‘Weirdo Broker’
  • Process Over Outcomes. Serendipity Over Itinerary.
  • Different Personalities in Public vs. Private Markets
  • The Importance of Learning People
  • Life Isn’t a Highlight Reel - Live It All
  • Tommy As World Emperor

Books Mentioned:

  • The Third Door: The Mindset of Success; by Alex Banayan
  • One-upmanship; by Stephen Potter
  • Class: Style and Status in the USA; by Paul Fussell
  • Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America; by Chris Arnade
  • The Science of Getting Rich; by Wallace D. Wattles
  • The Act of Creation; by Arthur Koestler