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Warren BuffettBusinessman. Investor. Philanthropist. The “Oracle of Omaha.” These are all titles used to describe investing legend Warren Buffett.
Buffett is the former CEO of the world’s largest holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, and is largely considered the most successful investor in history. His philosophy and decisions are widely followed by others in the industry, and Berkshire's shareholder letter is eagerly anticipated each year.
Born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska (where he still resides), Buffett bought his first stock at age 11 and made his first real estate investment at age 14.
In 1965, Buffett took over Berkshire Hathaway after purchasing enough of its dying stock. It was originally a textile company, but Buffett transformed it into the most successful holding company in the world, liquidating its textile assets and instead investing in insurance companies. From when he took over through the 1990s, Berkshire Hathaway's stock rose between 10% and 20% every year.Explore Warren Buffett
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One of LVMH's key business innovations was widening the luxury market's target audienceWhile certain items under the LVMH umbrella can cost thousands of dollars, like large Louis Vuitton bags, others, like coin purses or lipstick, cost significantly less. Some argue that these comparatively lower-priced items allows LVMH's target audience to be much larger in size than it would have been if it only targeted the world's wealthiest shoppers, whereas others argue that it makes the brand more vulnerable to economic downturns. AcquiredHow a Philadelphia soup kitchen taught business students about ethical decision-makingAs the St. Francis Inn—a Philadelphia soup kitchen—struggled with decisions about moving its operations to serve more people, a management professor at St. Joseph's University realized his students might have been able to help. Business students used ethical decision-making frameworks to help the soup kitchen serve more people and attract more volunteers. The ConversationThe modern large chain dollar store business model originated in the SouthThe first Dollar General store opened in Kentucky, the first Family Dollar in North Carolina, and the first Dollar Tree in Southern Virginia. To this day, dollar stores have more distribution centers in the South than anywhere else in the US. TuftsAl Capone's business structure kept him from ever getting charged for bootleggingDuring the Prohibition era, Al Capone sold then-illegal alcohol through people who funneled cash and held bank accounts for him. His name never showed up on any paperwork, meaning it was impossible to actually charge him with bootlegging or any of his violent crimes. But no paper trail for his lavish lifestyle also meant he wasn't paying taxes, which is how prosecutors ultimately put Capone in jail. How History WorksThe business model for many dating apps is paradoxicalWhile these apps are designed to help people create romantic relationships, dating apps lose money when people find a monogamous relationship and stop using the app as a result. Some call it the dating app paradox. NPRDating apps adopted 'freemium' business models as the market became more saturatedAs dating app user growth slowed and companies like Tinder saw increased competition from upstarts like Bumble and Hinge, the industry has pushed for subscription tier adoption due to pressure from investors for predictable profits and more. 'My model for business is The Beatles: They were four guys that kept each others' negative tendencies in check; they balanced each other. And the total was greater than the sum of the parts.'-Apple co-founder Steve Jobs (1955-2011) CNETThe business plan for Blue Ribbon Sports came from a Stanford assignmentNike cofounder Phil Knight’s original idea was to begin selling Japanese shoes, which were cheaper and just as light and durable as the leading German shoes from Adidas and Puma, at a lower price in the American market. His last assignment in business school at Stanford became the original business plan for Blue Ribbon Sports. QuartrSushi is an estimated $33B business in the USUS fishermen stock most of the country's more than 17,000 sushi restaurants. Distributors frequently adjust prices for different fish, based on their availability and the quality of the meat. This podcast unpacks how that industry operates. The Economics of Everyday ThingsThe business major became increasingly popular in the 1980sWomen were the primary driving force behind the increase. In 1966, slightly more than 2% of all women in college studied business—but by 1985, that percentage had increased to almost 22%. PriceonomicsDegrees in business, law, and health are among the most common US master’s degreesWhile popular worldwide, these degrees aren’t necessarily the most popular in every country. In Japan, for instance, engineering is the most popular subject for master’s degrees. This data visualization ranks the most popular master’s degrees in dozens of countries around the world. Visual CapitalistSee US News’ most recent business school rankingAlthough Harvard is often cited as the most prestigious MBA program in the US (given that it is considered to have pioneered the modern version of the MBA), US News ranked the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton as 2025’s best business school. US NewsHarvard Business School adapted its law school's ‘case method’ in MBA classesMany MBA programs include classes structured around the “case method” rather than traditional lectures. In classes using the case method, students solve real-world business problems without being given the answers ahead of time, rather than listening to a lecture and taking notes. YouTubeClimate change skepticism and business interests politicized environmental protectionThe EPA was created under a Republican administration with bipartisan support in response to overwhelming public demand during a time of visible pollution and environmental crises. Beginning with President Reagan, the agency was recast as burdensome, and environmental regulations have been gradually rolled back. On The MediaBoth individuals and businesses can establish trustsBusiness trusts can allow trustees to manage a beneficiary’s stake in a business, and more. There are many different specific types of business trusts. Smart AssetMultiple business choices may have hindered Sears’ financial successThere’s no shortage of potential culprits for Sears’ death, from hedge fund manager Eddie Lampert, to Amazon, to the 2008 stock market crash. InvestopediaBehind IKEA's unique business modelIKEA is known for its massive warehouses showcasing furniture, in-house restaurant, and build-it-yourself products. How did the Swedish company hack the furniture world, where it retains a well-regarded brand while achieving mainstream status? This video breaks down the company's wild success. The Wall Street JournalHBO's business model is based on driving the cultural conversationHBO CEO Casey Bloys steered the network’s programming to critical acclaim and cultural relevance with hits like “Succession” and “The White Lotus.” Bloys discusses how the network’s programming evolved as it shifted toward streaming—and how the success of shows like “House of the Dragon” informs HBO’s future. Ringer NBAPicturing the booming business of satellite internetSpaceX currently dominates the satellite internet market worldwide, but a group of competitors is making headway, including Amazon's Project Kuiper and China's QianFan. A megaconstellation of such satellites for any given company costs roughly $10B. Rest of WorldOne Chinese businessman controls 70% of the fireworks entering the USA warehouse explosion in 2008 forced all pyrotechnic shipments to travel through the Shanghai port under a special permit Ding Yan Zhong was given. Since then, he has established a near-monopoly over the global fireworks distribution chain, with manufacturing hubs in China and a logistics company in California. Washington PostWhat are business credit scores?Businesses have credit scores the same way individuals do—with a few key differences. For one thing, business credit scores range from 0 to 100 instead of 300 to 850, and are based on factors such as bankruptcy and bill-paying habits. InvestopediaWhat business leaders can learn from Stephen KingStephen King's "On Writing" is one of the definitive craft books, a subgenre of nonfiction aimed at writers looking to learn from the titans of literature. This podcast explores the book's lessons from a business perspective, gleaning lessons in leadership from King's famous text. Founders PodcastStandard Oil’s predatory business practices included temporarily operating at a loss to drive competitors out of businessRockefeller's oil monopoly had a dark side, including cutting oil prices so low that Standard Oil was sometimes temporarily operating at a loss in order to drive competitors out of business. OilPrice.comRobber barons, the monopolistic business people of the 19th century, explained“Robber baron” was a term used to describe 19th-century businesspeople who engaged in monopolistic business practices and didn’t face much business regulation, resulting in significant wealth. ThoughtCoHow Walt Disney's life impacted his businessWalt Disney has a legacy of ingenious innovation and undying creativity. This podcast walks listeners chronologically through the major events of his life, as reported in Neal Gabler's biography "Walt Disney: the Triumph of the American Imagination," and explains how they led to his groundbreaking work in film, storytelling, and business. Founders PodcastUnlike small businesses, startups aim to disrupt entire industriesThey also differ from small businesses in that startups have a higher level of risk, may take on outside funding from venture capital firms to boost growth, and more. NerdWalletOne of the most important pieces of Amazon’s corporate empire? Its Prime subscription businessPrime drives customer loyalty and boosts Amazon’s revenue through its monthly and yearly fees. The key components included with a Prime subscription include free two-day shipping on eligible items, as well as access to services like Amazon Music and Prime Video. Tom's GuideHow AI threatens Google's core businessAn estimated 75% of Google parent company Alphabet’s annual revenue comes from Google selling ads—something it is uniquely good at due to its ability to know what users are searching for. But new AI chatbots provide human-like answers, deemphasizing the need for third-party links, undermining that core business. In a race to catch up, Google began offering AI responses above links in 2024. TechopediaWords used in cannabis business namesAs selling recreational cannabis becomes legal in many states across the US, cannabis dispensaries are increasingly common. While one might expect each of these dispensaries to have vastly different names, one study found that the names have some consistent similarities. Businesses with "beach vibes" or "green" in the name seem particularly common. Explore the full data visual here. FlowingDataElon Musk: Business Icon, Innovator, and Controversial LeaderDiscover how Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, transformed the tech world and rose to prominence as a top innovator and one of the wealthiest individuals globally. InvestopediaUnderstanding TikTok-owner ByteDance's business modelByteDance has ridden TikTok's major success to become the world's most valuable startup. This deep dive showcases some of the company's smartest moves and tactics, and where it's headed next. SubstackThe business models behind vaccinesWatch experts weigh in on the prevailing business models of vaccine production, including how the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the industry for good in this 20-minute video from Financial Times. Financial TimesThe Roth IRA was named after Senator William V. Roth, Jr.The Roth IRA was established by Senator William Roth in 1997 as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act. Roth IRAs differ from traditional IRAs in that they allow individuals to invest after-tax income for retirement rather than pre-tax income. EBSCOThe Wright brothers began as bicycle manufacturers in Dayton, OhioIn the late 1800s, the duo managed several bike shops in the Dayton, Ohio area, where they would sharpen their teeth in engineering and design. Some of their earliest aviation efforts were funded by their bicycle business and initiated in their bike shops. Henry FordHear how Advent calendars have become a pricy branding toolAdvent calendars have shifted into a high-margin branding vehicle, with retailers prioritizing elaborate design and reusable packaging. This episode questions whether premium calendars—despite their rising prices, environmental concerns, and flashy marketing—actually deliver products worth the cost. Business DailyThe Dow Jones Industrial Average was created in 1896Charles Dow introduced the DJIA on May 26, 1896, as a simple average of 12 industrial stocks. Although it became the nation’s most enduring market index, none of its original companies remain in the Dow today. Library of CongressThe BNPL industry boomed amid a surge in online shopping during pandemic-era lockdownsThe buy now, pay later industry allows consumers to buy something immediately and pay in installments without the need for lengthy application and approval processes or high credit scores—and fintech companies Affirm, Klarna, and Afterpay are leading the charge by targeting young adults. WSJConsumers will use digital payment processing for nearly $40T in spending by 2028That's just one signal of the industry's massive growth. Investments in the global fintech industry have grown from $4B in 2010 to $92.3B in 2021, as both businesses and consumers seem to quickly adopt new fintech products, from digital payment apps to robo-advisers. BusinessTemu works with individual sellers who list and promote their products on the platformTemu not only takes a roughly 5% to 15% commission rate, but also earns the money its sellers pay to advertise their products on the Temu platform. ECDBThe Rockefellers’ family office expanded to become a multifamily officeThe Rockefellers created the first known single-family office in the late 1800s but the firm has evolved since to serve many wealthy American families. SpotifyHow stock exchanges like Chicago Mercantile act as trading refereesAs opposed to New York's stock exchange, Chicago's Mercantile exchange emphasizes futures contracts on commodities. This podcast episode breaks down how exchanges actually work, make money, and streamline the market. Business BreakdownsWinning a James Beard Award can have mixed effectsWinning the honor doesn't mean a restaurant will be set for the future. Most found that while winning gave an initial bump in the number of reservations, that pattern didn’t necessarily hold for long enough to make a real difference in the numbers. EaterEstimates say the creator economy market size will reach $500B by 2026The creator economy, a system powered by people creating online content for monetizable audiences, has democratized fame and influence. Much of influencers' recent power comes from Gen Z's preference for authenticity over the polished approach of legacy media. Day One AgencyNvidia’s attempted Arm acquisition revealed its hopes of becoming the world's leading AI companyThough Nvidia’s acquisition of Arm was ultimately quashed on antitrust concerns, the attempt offered insights into Nvidia’s business strategy. Over time, Nvidia has increasingly focused on using its graphics cards to power machine learning, and its platform CUDA is dominant in the sector. StratecheryThe Failure Museum is a curated collection of over 1,000 items representing failed products and companiesSean Jacobsohn, a tech investor and founder of the Failure Museum, uses items from failed businesses to explain the six primary forces behind their flops, from a Theranos mug to a Blockbuster membership card. Harvard Business ReviewBezos' wealth primarily stems from his Amazon ownership stakeThree decades after founding Amazon, Jeff Bezos has built a sprawling empire of business and financial interests. A chart from Visual Capitalist details his many business interests outside of Amazon, including his ownership of the Washington Post; his private aerospace company, Blue Origin; and his personal stake in companies ranging from Airbnb to Uber and Google. Visual CapitalistTargeted ads accounted for 80% of Google's parent company's total revenue in 2020Ads in Google Search, YouTube, and other products brought in $147B for Alphabet, with ad click costs ranging from $7 to several hundred dollars. YouTube’s ad revenue alone jumped 49% year-over-year in one quarter. CNBCHow Netflix battled BlockbusterThe most consequential business stories involve intense rivalries. The story of Netflix versus Blockbuster is one of those: an agile upstart versus an entrenched incumbent. This nine-part podcast explores the key strategies and pivotal moments in the rivalry that upended the entertainment business, setting the stage for the streaming wars. WonderyThe plasma-selling industry is expected to reach $50B by the end of the decadeAbout 55% of your blood volume is plasma, the liquid part of blood created from water, proteins, minerals, and salts absorbed through the digestive tract. This 49-minute podcast episode explores the business of plasma—part of a global industry expected to be worth $50B by 2029. WBURTikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms of all timeCentered around user-generated short videos, the platform was created by the Chinese technology company ByteDance Ltd. With over 1.8 billion users, the app has become a global force. Acquired
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