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After watching Elon build out his rocket (and AI) company over the past 20 years, Jason celebrates the SpaceX IPO on a new TWiST. He explains why some investments are evaluated based on earnings and current numbers, while other stocks are bets on expensive visions for the future, and why SpaceX why likely pay off across multiple time horizons.
PLUS Polsia solo founder Ben Cera is back with guidance for founders on creating a “Purple Cow”: a unique experience that makes their brand memorable.
Guest:
Ben Cera on X: https://x.com/Bencera
Polsia: https://polsia.com/
Polsia on X: https://x.com/polsia
Ben on TWiST E2256 (Feb 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCce8e02Isw
Relevant Links:
SpaceX: https://www.spacex.com/
SPCX on Yahoo Finance: https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/SPCX/
Starlink: https://www.starlink.com/
Planet Labs: https://www.planet.com/
Palantir: https://www.palantir.com/
Valor Equity Partners: https://www.valorep.com/
Seth Godin’s “Purple Cow” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Purple-Cow-New-Transform-Remarkable/dp/1591843170
Uber Ice Cream stunt article: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ubers-brilliant-marketing-stunt-hail-195946535.html
Hillsborough Flintstones House article: https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/The-Flintstone-House-is-now-for-rent-on-Airbnb-10420107.php
“19 Hours Inside the Airbnb X-Mansion” article: https://www.theringer.com/2024/05/29/pop-culture/x-mansion-airbnb-x-men-icons-experience
Was The Pepsi Challenge based on LIES? https://www.historyoasis.com/post/the-pepsi-challenge
CloudKitchens: https://cloudkitchens.com/
Cluely: https://cluely.com/
0:00 SpaceX IPO details
2:12 Plaud: If your work depends on conversations — interviews, meetings, calls — you need a Plaud NotePin. You can check it out at https://Plaud.ai/twist and use code TWIST for 10% off!
7:21 The voting vs. weighing investment framework
9:41 Pilot: Focus on your product, let Pilot handle your bookkeeping. Pilot provides the most reliable accounting, CFO, and tax services for startups and small businesses. Head to https://pilot.com/twist and get $1,200 off your first year.
19:53 Agree - Stop chasing invoices at https://agree.com and tell them Jason sent you to get 50% off for life!
22:25 The media's SpaceX criticisms and "hot takes"
23:54 Ben Cera of Polsia is back
26:53 Why Jason says no to a free tier
29:10 IM8 Health: Start feeling like your best self every day. Go to https://IM8health.com/twist and use the code TWiST to get a free welcome kit, five free travel sachets, and 10% off your order.
34:27 The wisdom of Seth Godin's "Purple Cow"
50:37 The "Pepsi Challenge" model
1:05:45 Lon got a dog, Jason got routers
1:10:37 The YouTuber to movie theater pipeline
1:15:20 Jason's new favorite travel bag
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