<p>Have you ever thought about investing before?</p> <p>What would you do if you could invest without needing experience?</p> <p>Today, Jay sits down with Vlad Tenev, CEO and Co-Founder of Robinhood, the revolutionary financial platform that brought commission-free investing to millions. Vlad shares his fascinating journey from being a first-generation immigrant from Bulgaria to building a company that redefined access to investing.</p> <p>Vlad shares candid reflections on his childhood, marked by resilience and an acute financial awareness. He recounts pivotal moments, from immigrating to the U.S. during Bulgaria's economic turmoil to his early fascination with math and finance. Vlad also shares how he manages stress and stays grounded while navigating the demands of leading a high-impact, rapidly evolving company.</p> <p>Jay and Vlad dive deep into the origins of Robinhood, exploring how the platform sought to democratize investing by eliminating barriers like account minimums and trading fees. Vlad highlights the company’s commitment to innovation and its mission to empower everyday investors. He also shares lessons learned from Robinhood's challenges, including the high-profile GameStop incident, and reflects on the importance of transparency, authenticity, and adapting to evolving market conditions.</p> <p>In this interview, you'll learn:</p> <p>How to Build Financial Knowledge Early</p> <p>How to Balance Work and Wellness Daily</p> <p>How to Innovate in a Crowded Market</p> <p>How to Use Feedback to Improve Products</p> <p>How to Overcome Fear of Investing Mistakes</p> <p>How to Scale a Business for Long-Term Success</p> <p>How to Prioritize Customers' Needs in Business</p> <p>Change can be a powerful and uplifting journey when approached with self-compassion and intention. The power to transform is already within you—let it shine.</p> <p>With Love and Gratitude,</p> <p>Jay Shetty</p> <p><strong>What We Discuss:</strong></p> <p>00:00 Intro</p> <p>01:19 Learning the Value of Money at a Young Age</p> <p>05:50 Reuniting with Parents After Years Apart</p> <p>09:13 Challenges Faced by Young Immigrants in School</p> <p>13:57 How Math Became a Gateway to Academic Success</p> <p>19:00 The Inspiration Behind the Name Robinhood</p> <p>21:29 A Look Back at the First-Ever Investment</p> <p>24:32 The Benefits of Starting Young in Business</p> <p>25:26 The Role of IQ in Early Achievement</p> <p>29:27 Witnessing the Collapse of the Financial World</p> <p>34:42 Investing in Crypto Before the Hype</p> <p>36:58 Starting an Investment Journey with Just $10</p> <p>39:40 Common Mistakes New Investors Should Avoid</p> <p>43:45 Choosing Companies That Build Everyday Products</p> <p>47:52 How AI Is Reshaping Financial Services</p> <p>50:49 Renting vs Buying in Today’s Economy</p> <p>55:06 The $72 Trillion Wealth Transfer Explained</p> <p>57:09 Breaking Barriers to Financial Access</p> <p>58:25 Rethinking Retirement and Long-Term Planning</p> <p>01:01:17 Offering a Smarter Approach to Retirement Savings</p> <p>01:02:36 Robinhood in the Media: What They Got Right (and Wrong)</p> <p>01:05:15 Representing a Company in the Public Eye</p> <p>01:09:31 Transforming the Customer Experience from the Inside Out</p> <p>01:12:46 How Mistakes Shape Company Growth</p> <p>01:13:46 The Pitfalls of Premature Optimization</p> <p>01:14:59 Inflation, Interest Rates, and the 2022 Reset</p> <p>01:20:21 Enhancing the Experience for Active Traders</p> <p>01:24:46 Making Professional-Grade Trading More Accessible</p> <p>01:27:00 Prioritizing Customer Needs to Solve Core Issues</p> <p>01:28:16 Managing the Pressure of Negative Publicity</p> <p>01:31:38 Balancing Leadership with Personal Life</p> <p>01:35:19 Navigating Marriage and Work as a Founder</p> <p>01:36:26 Rethinking the Traditional Credit Card Model</p> <p>01:40:52 Vlad on Final Five    </p> <p><strong>Episode Resources:</strong></p> <p>Vlad Tenev | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vlad-tenev-7037591b/">LinkedIn</a></p> <p><a href="https://robinhood.com/us/en/">Robinhood</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>