Brief Summary
This podcast episode features Vlad, also known as Mr. Beeza, discussing his journey, values, and perspectives on various topics, including social media, business, family, and personal growth. He emphasises the importance of authenticity, hard work, and making informed decisions, particularly regarding education and career paths. Vlad also touches on the downsides of fame and the need for personal boundaries.
- Authenticity and personal values are key to long-term success.
- Traditional education isn't always the best path to financial freedom.
- Social media presence should be balanced with real-world business and personal life.
Intro and Guest Introduction
The Nonchalant Podcast introduces Vlad, also known as Mr. Beeza, as their second guest. The hosts express their appreciation for Vlad's promptness in accepting the invitation. Vlad explains that he prefers to spend as little time as possible in the US, which is why he agreed to the podcast while in LA, making an exception to his rule of not doing podcasts for a while.
Views on America
Vlad shares his mixed feelings about America, clarifying that his experience is mainly limited to cities like LA, Miami, and New York. He feels New York is the most authentic of the three. He expresses a desire to explore Middle America and more rural areas to gain a truer understanding of the country. Vlad admits to disliking America's geopolitical involvement but appreciates the American spirit and certain aspects of the culture, though he hasn't had the chance to fully experience them. The hosts agree that LA has a strange and somewhat unsettling atmosphere.
Religion and Personal Values
Vlad discusses his religious beliefs, stating that he has prayed since a young age and believes in God. However, he prefers to keep his religion private, noting that some people weaponise religion to gain a specific audience. He avoids taking photos with fans at his home or place of worship, viewing the latter as a personal space between him and God. The hosts commend Vlad for his values, which are evident in his videos, such as one with 2 million views speaking out against porn. Vlad clarifies that he is not perfect but strives to share what he has learned, particularly with young men, due to growing up without a father.
Family and Goal Setting
Vlad discusses his close relationship with his mother and how he intentionally set goals to provide for her, including buying her a house. He believes in sharing dreams and aspirations with family, as they generally have the best intentions. Vlad mentions that most of his family is in Russia, and he tries to bring them to Dubai to visit. He is an only child and feels a strong sense of responsibility to care for his mother, influenced by his Russian and Dagestani background.
Relationships and Marriage
Vlad reveals that his biological father and half-brothers have reached out to him, but he is not interested in forming relationships with them, as they missed out on his life's difficult times. He expresses a strong desire to start his own traditional family with a wife and children, emphasising his belief in monogamy. Vlad clarifies past statements about not wanting to get married due to a fear of cheating, explaining that he was being honest about his inability to be monogamous at the time. He keeps a "vault" of luxury items for his future wife but intends to keep his relationship private, as he believes social media can negatively impact relationships. He anticipates opening the vault sooner than he previously imagined.
Early YouTube Success and Transition to Organic Content
Vlad recalls his early success using ads to grow his YouTube channel, acquiring subscribers for as little as half a dollar each. He then transitioned to organic content, which he initially struggled with. He made mistakes such as turning off monetisation. Vlad credits his business partner for convincing him to stay on social media, highlighting the potential for exponential growth. He praises his team for their efforts in achieving significant subscriber growth, emphasising the strategic planning and execution behind their success.
Content Strategy and Team
Vlad shares some of his content strategy, including having a dedicated team of three full-time thumbnail creators who produce multiple options for each video. He also mentions his short-form content team, which creates thousands of pieces of content per month, generating millions of views. Vlad wanted to maintain control over his brand and messaging, which is why he built an internal team instead of relying on affiliates.
Educate.io and Views on University
Vlad discusses his new business, Educate.io, which aims to provide masterclasses for hard skills at a fraction of the cost of a college education. He wants to offer practical skills that can quickly impact someone's income. Vlad expresses his views on university, stating that he doesn't hate it but wishes people understood that student loans drive up the cost. He believes that university is not always the best path to financial and time freedom, urging people to consider what they truly want in life.
Advice on Education and Career Paths
Vlad advises TJ, one of the hosts who plans to study computer science, to reconsider his path. He suggests that TJ's parents' advice may be outdated and that he should focus on developing skills that align with his passions. Vlad recommends online education and apprenticeships as alternatives to traditional college, emphasising the importance of real-world experience. He believes that skills are the true insurance policy, not a degree.
Risk and Failure in Business
Vlad advises against quitting a job to start a business, especially for those with families, but acknowledges that TJ is in a unique position with nothing to lose. He promotes business models where failure doesn't ruin you, cautioning against high-risk ventures like crypto trading for beginners. Vlad believes that the skills learned from trying and failing in business are valuable, and that failure should not be feared. He stresses the importance of setting realistic expectations and understanding that success often takes time.
Social Media Image vs. Reality
Vlad discusses his Instagram presence, admitting that it's a snapshot of his life but not necessarily representative of his daily experiences. He shares that he enjoys simple pleasures and values experiences like travelling in Nepal more than high-class events. Vlad states that he never poses for content and prefers to capture authentic moments. He uses TikTok and acknowledges that he is a normal human being despite his luxurious lifestyle.
Gambling Stance
Vlad shares his recent stance against gambling, prompted by his experience in Las Vegas. He finds it strange that gambling is openly promoted despite its addictive nature and potential for harm. Vlad mentions that he turned down an eight-figure deal to promote gambling, as he felt it was unethical. He acknowledges Drake's success but disagrees with his involvement in promoting gambling.
Avoiding Burnout and Future Plans
Vlad discusses how he avoids burnout by living a life that is authentic to him. He doesn't have another life in mind and doesn't want to retire. However, he has considered quitting social media, as he knows his relevance will eventually fade. Vlad believes there is something poetic about going out on top and plans to focus on his business career. He acknowledges that social media can be a distraction and that he could achieve more in business by going offline.
Daily Life and Style
Vlad describes his daily life as filled with meetings, calls, and managing his various businesses. He spends a lot of time studying financial markets and working with his team. Vlad discusses his style, attributing it to growing up in Europe and having friends with good taste. He believes that making money at a young age has allowed him to feel like he has nothing to prove. Vlad avoids flashy labels and logos, as he wants to attract people who value substance over appearances.
Fan Interactions and Security
Vlad shares that he has frequent fan encounters, with people even trying to come to his house. He has implemented security measures, including an outpost and 24-hour patrols, to protect his privacy. Vlad clarifies that he has security not because he is in danger but because of fan interactions. He has specific signs and gestures to communicate with his security team, allowing them to handle situations discreetly. Vlad also mentions that he avoids physical contact with female fans in photos to avoid any misunderstandings.
