Episode 810: Burn The Boats with Matt Higgins

On today's episode, Dennis speaks with author, businessman,
co-founder of RSEVentures and guest on the hit show Shark tank,
Matt Higgins. Matt Higgins is a noted serial entrepreneur and
growth equity investor as Co-founder and CEO of private
investment firm, RSE Ventures. He is also an Executive Fellow at
the Harvard Business School where he co-teaches the course
“Moving Beyond Direct-to-Consumer.”  Mr. Higgins’ deep
operating experience spans multiple industries over his 25-year
career, which he draws upon to help founders navigate complex
situations in order to reach their full potential.


Mr. Higgins began his career in public service as a journalist
before becoming the youngest mayoral press secretary in New York
City at 26, where he managed the global media response to the
September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He became one of the first
employees – and ultimately Chief Operating Officer – of the Lower
Manhattan Development Corporation, the federally funded
government agency created to plan the rebuilding of the World
Trade Center site. Mr. Higgins helped organize the largest
international design competition in history culminating in
Reflecting Absence, the September 11th National Memorial, and the
development of the 1,776-feet-tall One World Trade Center, the
tallest building in the northern hemisphere.


After transitioning to the private sector, Mr. Higgins spent 15
years in senior leadership positions with National Football
League teams. He made his mark with two NFL franchises,
overseeing the revenue functions of the New York Jets as
Executive Vice President of Business Operations, and after
leaving the Jets, serving as Vice Chairman of the Miami Dolphins
from 2012 – 2021. Higgins co-founded New York City-based RSE
Ventures in 2012, amassing a multi-billion-dollar investment
portfolio of leading brands across sports and entertainment,
media and marketing, consumer and technology industries –
including several of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies.


RSE’s backings include Resy, an Open Table competitor that
American Express acquired in 2019; the world’s premier drone
racing circuit, the Drone Racing League; the International
Champions Cup, the largest privately owned soccer tournament
featuring Europe’s top clubs; and Derris, a brand strategy and
communications firm that has helped grow many leading brands such
as Warby Parker and Glossier. Higgins is also co-owner of
VaynerMedia, the largest social-media first agency in the world
founded by Gary Vaynerchuk. In 2016, he broadened RSE’s
investment focus to rapidly expanding fine dining and fast casual
concepts, including NYC’s iconic Magnolia Bakery, David Chang’s
Momofuku and Fuku, Milk Bar, &pizza and Bluestone Lane.Mr.
Higgins received his Bachelor of Arts in political science and
honorary doctorate from Queens College and his J.D. from Fordham
Law, where he was a member of the Fordham Law Review.


Today, Dennis and Matt discuss Matt's amazing life story and
overcoming adversity, his experience as the press secretary for
Mayor Giuliani during 9/11, finding purpose in life, believing in
yourself and executing action, his best selling book "Burn The
Boats", how to change your perspective on the world and how to
achieve your goals.


Pick up a copy of "Burn The Boats" by Matt Higgins here:
https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Boats-Overboard-Unleash-Potential/dp/006308886X


If you like what you are hearing and want to stay in the loop
with the latest in Street Cop Training, please follow our
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/StreetCopTraining


Don't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast, it truly helps!


Sign up for classes here:
https://streetcoptraining.com/course-list/Follow our podcast
here: https://streetcoptraining.com/street-cop-podcast/
   or
   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/street-cop-podcast/id1538474515