Larry Gagosian is currently a leading art dealer. He built an empire in the unregulated art market much like his predecessor, Joseph Duveen. Duveen was a pioneer in the art world. He connected European masterpieces with wealthy American industrialists. This was during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Strategic market manipulation, aggressive marketing, and a deep understanding of his clients’ desires. That’s the lore of Duveen. His tactics included learning intimate details about potenti

Larry Gagosian is currently a leading art dealer. He built an empire in the unregulated art market much like his predecessor, Joseph Duveen. Duveen was a pioneer in the art world. He connected European masterpieces with wealthy American industrialists. This was during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Strategic market manipulation, aggressive marketing, and a deep understanding of his clients’ desires. That’s the lore of Duveen. His tactics included learning intimate details about potenti

He went from barista to owner of the top interface design agency in North America. It had only been a few years. Andrew Wilkinson’s company, MetaLab, ran like a machine without him needing to be there. Then it generated half a million dollars. He faced the typical pressures of entrepreneurship. This included financial risks, which led him to join a support network called Forum. This brought to his attention the need for financial oversight. Andrew recruited Chris Sparling as CFO, who later b

He went from barista to owner of the top interface design agency in North America. It had only been a few years. Andrew Wilkinson’s company, MetaLab, ran like a machine without him needing to be there. Then it generated half a million dollars. He faced the typical pressures of entrepreneurship. This included financial risks, which led him to join a support network called Forum. This brought to his attention the need for financial oversight. Andrew recruited Chris Sparling as CFO, who later b

In the late 1970s, Larry Gagosian contacted photographer Ralph Gibson for a show. Which led to Gagosian’s pivotal introduction to legendary dealer Leo Castelli. Castelli was influential in the postwar American art scene. He mentored Gagosian. Leo granted Larry access to prominent artists. Artists including Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol and Jean Michel Basquiat. Gagosian’s career flourished. He moved to New York in the mid-1980s, opening a significant gallery in Chelsea. He became known

In the late 1970s, Larry Gagosian contacted photographer Ralph Gibson for a show. Which led to Gagosian’s pivotal introduction to legendary dealer Leo Castelli. Castelli was influential in the postwar American art scene. He mentored Gagosian. Leo granted Larry access to prominent artists. Artists including Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol and Jean Michel Basquiat. Gagosian’s career flourished. He moved to New York in the mid-1980s, opening a significant gallery in Chelsea. He became known

In 1981, art dealer Larry Gagosian bought three works of art at a group show. They were pieces from Jean-Michel Basquiatat. This led to Basquiat’s first exhibition in Los Angeles. Basquiat and his then-girlfriend, Madonna, stayed with Gagosian at his Venice home. Larry Gagosian was born in 1945 in L.A. to Armenian parents. He had a rocky start. He struggled with a lack of direction in his early years. This era included a brief marriage, various odd jobs, and legal issues related to forgery. Hi

In 1981, art dealer Larry Gagosian bought three works of art at a group show. They were pieces from Jean-Michel Basquiatat. This led to Basquiat’s first exhibition in Los Angeles. Basquiat and his then-girlfriend, Madonna, stayed with Gagosian at his Venice home. Larry Gagosian was born in 1945 in L.A. to Armenian parents. He had a rocky start. He struggled with a lack of direction in his early years. This era included a brief marriage, various odd jobs, and legal issues related to forgery. Hi

“I am a better investor because I am a businessman and I am a better businessman because I am an investor.” – Warren Buffett Warren Buffett emphasizes the synergy between being an investor and a businessman. He advocates that success doesn't always require extreme risks. There is potential for extraordinary outcomes in entrepreneurship, despite a high failure rate. Mohnish Pabrai is a devoted follower of Buffett’s investment principles. Inspired by his entrepreneurial father, he learned early

“I am a better investor because I am a businessman and I am a better businessman because I am an investor.” – Warren Buffett Warren Buffett emphasizes the synergy between being an investor and a businessman. He advocates that success doesn't always require extreme risks. There is potential for extraordinary outcomes in entrepreneurship, despite a high failure rate. Mohnish Pabrai is a devoted follower of Buffett’s investment principles. Inspired by his entrepreneurial father, he learned early

Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian Renaissance political philosopher. He argued that it was good for politicians to be deceitful because it made them more effective. This is the origin of Machiavellianism. It describes a personality trait deprived of principles. A Machiavellian personality is manipulative and cynical. He will attempt to get his way “by whatever means necessary”. There’s a character from Roman poetry who fell in love with his own reflection. His name was Narcissus. The Roman p...

Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian Renaissance political philosopher. He argued that it was good for politicians to be deceitful because it made them more effective. This is the origin of Machiavellianism. It describes a personality trait deprived of principles. A Machiavellian personality is manipulative and cynical. He will attempt to get his way “by whatever means necessary”. There’s a character from Roman poetry who fell in love with his own reflection. His name was Narcissus. The Roman p...

Imagine giving up control of your company to a slick business guy. He seems to be the perfect CEO. Everyone is happy with him, and the finances are strong. Until one day, a shadow of a doubt strikes you. Your CEO suggested bribing a building inspector. That’s an offense which could land you both in jail. The facade starts to peel away. That’s when you realize he appointed himself as CEO. He manipulated you into thinking it was your idea. The candidates he chose? He knew they weren’t qualified...

Imagine giving up control of your company to a slick business guy. He seems to be the perfect CEO. Everyone is happy with him, and the finances are strong. Until one day, a shadow of a doubt strikes you. Your CEO suggested bribing a building inspector. That’s an offense which could land you both in jail. The facade starts to peel away. That’s when you realize he appointed himself as CEO. He manipulated you into thinking it was your idea. The candidates he chose? He knew they weren’t qualified...

Happy Hanukkah! Did you know I recorded this song for the holidays? Disclaimer: the author is not a financial adviser. ✅ Consult with a tax advisor for your country’s specific laws. NFA. DYOR. As of May 2025, Andrew Wilkinson’s net worth is around $400M. His book is titled: Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire. Last week on Methods of Prosperity Brian had been interim CEO of MetaLab for a while. Then he raised Andrew’s suspicions. Upon investigation, Andrew discovered Brian was embezzling .

Happy Hanukkah! Did you know I recorded this song for the holidays? Disclaimer: the author is not a financial adviser. ✅ Consult with a tax advisor for your country’s specific laws. NFA. DYOR. As of May 2025, Andrew Wilkinson’s net worth is around $400M. His book is titled: Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire. Last week on Methods of Prosperity Brian had been interim CEO of MetaLab for a while. Then he raised Andrew’s suspicions. Upon investigation, Andrew discovered Brian was embezzling .

“Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.” – Warren Buffett You must do all the work yourself before you can make a profit. That’s a lie. The opposite is true. Get someone else to do the work. Take profits. The internet makes it easier than ever before. Physical, brick-and-mortar businesses require upfront capital to start. A service business, like power-washing or landscaping doesn’t demand much upfront capital. There’s a big downside to those kinds of service bu

“Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.” – Warren Buffett You must do all the work yourself before you can make a profit. That’s a lie. The opposite is true. Get someone else to do the work. Take profits. The internet makes it easier than ever before. Physical, brick-and-mortar businesses require upfront capital to start. A service business, like power-washing or landscaping doesn’t demand much upfront capital. There’s a big downside to those kinds of service bu

Shiny object syndrome. Have you heard of it? This occurs when an entrepreneur gets distracted by the next “shiny object”. We flit about like cosmic moths, drawn to every glimmering new idea. Often it’s a trend, or opportunity that sparkles in the vast expanse of the business universe. You know a guy like this. He’s blessed with vision yet cursed with distraction. He will often abandon his main quest for a side quest. Andrew Wilkinson’s main quest, MetaLab, was crushing it. If there’s such a ...

Shiny object syndrome. Have you heard of it? This occurs when an entrepreneur gets distracted by the next “shiny object”. We flit about like cosmic moths, drawn to every glimmering new idea. Often it’s a trend, or opportunity that sparkles in the vast expanse of the business universe. You know a guy like this. He’s blessed with vision yet cursed with distraction. He will often abandon his main quest for a side quest. Andrew Wilkinson’s main quest, MetaLab, was crushing it. If there’s such a ...