Good Afternoon, and welcome back to ToTheUnknown,
The newsletter that’s like a buffet of inspiration, where you pile your plate with entrepreneurial wisdom, sprinkle it with humor, and occasionally spill some life-changing advice down your shirt.

Today, we’re diving into the story of a man who’s not just built businesses but also an obsession with men’s calves (yes, you read that right) and sometimes might seem gay.

If you’re scratching your head wondering, “Wait, is this guy serious?” – the answer is yes.

Sort of.

It’s none other than Sam Parr – the guy who makes you laugh, hustle, and question your leg day routine, all at the same time.

Before we dive into Sam’s winding journey to success, let’s kick things off with a quote from the man himself.

Well, actually, it’s probably someone else’s quote that he “borrowed” (as white guys tend to do 🤔, or for some of you: like common to white men, they steall everything 👀), but okes aside, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt:

Oh, and the menu, (for those who actually use it):

• 👶The Early Days – Hustling Before It Was Cool (Teen Years)

• 👦College Hustles – When Scrappiness Becomes a Superpower (20s)

• 👨Finding Mentors and Moving Fast (Early Career)

• 👨‍💻The Hustle That Changed Everything – The Hustle (Mid-20s)

• 👨‍🦳Life After the Hustle – Sharing the Blueprint (Now)

• 🤓What we can learn from Sam Parr’s Journey

👶The Early Days – Hustling Before It Was Cool (Teen Years)

Sam Parr didn’t grow up dreaming of Silicon Valley or million-dollar deals.

In fact, his entrepreneurial journey began in a much humbler (and greasier) setting—a hot dog stand in Nashville, Tennessee.

That’s right, a hot dog stand.

While most teenagers were busy playing video games or hanging out, Sam was flipping wieners and learning a lesson many overlook: work ethic matters.

Sam didn’t just sell hot dogs; he built relationships.

He figured out what customers liked, tested different locations, and learned the art of upselling.

By the time most people his age were applying for minimum-wage jobs, Sam already had a taste of what it meant to create his own paycheck.

Lesson?

It’s not about where you start; it’s about starting, period.

👦College Hustles – When Scrappiness Becomes a Superpower (20s)

Sam eventually went to Belmont University in Nashville.

But unlike most students focused solely on academics, Sam had a different agenda: make money, build something, and learn by doing. 

He started small businesses on campus—selling stuff, organizing events, anything that would earn him a buck and teach him a skill.

One of his most memorable ventures?

Renting out scooters to college students.

He noticed a gap—students needed quick transportation but didn’t have cars. So, Sam bought a few scooters, rented them out, and scaled the operation.

Key takeaway?

Opportunities are everywhere; you just need to pay attention.

👨Finding Mentors and Moving Fast (Early Career)

After college, Sam landed a gig with a successful entrepreneur named Mike Wolfe (from American Pickers fame).

Working with Mike wasn’t just a job; it was a masterclass in business. Sam absorbed everything he could about marketing, storytelling, and scaling ventures.

But here’s the kicker: Sam didn’t wait for opportunities to fall into his lap.

He reached out, networked, and made himself indispensable.

Want a mentor?

Don’t just ask for advice—find ways to add value.

👨‍💻The Hustle That Changed Everything – The Hustle (Mid-20s)

While working odd jobs and side hustles, Sam stumbled upon a big idea: people love learning about money, business, and success stories, but they want it in an easy-to-digest format. 

Enter The Hustle, a newsletter that simplified complex business topics into entertaining and actionable stories.

Sam started small, writing the newsletter himself and growing it through word-of-mouth.

But he didn’t stop there.

He understood the power of community. Sam launched Hustle Con, a conference for entrepreneurs, which became a revenue-driving powerhouse.

By focusing on consistency, quality, and audience-first thinking, The Hustle exploded in popularity.

Soon, Sam had built a newsletter empire with millions of readers.

The big payoff?

He sold The Hustle to HubSpot for a reported $27 million. (Don’t expect me to sell this newsletter. Honestly I can’t sell it, because I’m talking about myself and life. Don’t worry,… but there could always be workarounds 👀)

Lesson?

Solve a real problem, keep it simple, and scale like crazy.

👨‍🦳Life After the Hustle – Sharing the Blueprint (Now)

Today, Sam Parr isn’t just kicking back on a beach (though he probably could if he wanted to).

Instead, he’s focused on teaching others.

Through his podcast (My First Million) and social media, Sam shares the lessons he’s learned—no fluff, just actionable advice.

One of his favorite tips?

Start small, but think big. 

Whether it’s flipping hot dogs or writing newsletters, every great business starts with solving one small problem really well.

🤓What we can learn from Sam Parr’s Journey

1/ Spot the Opportunity: Whether it’s scooters, hot dogs, or newsletters, opportunities are everywhere. Train yourself to see them.

2/ Learn by Doing: Don’t overthink it. The best way to learn business is to get your hands dirty.

3/ Build Relationships: From customers to mentors, people are the key to scaling any venture.

4/ Add Value First: Want something from someone? Find ways to help them first.

5/ Be Consistent: Whether it’s writing a newsletter or running a business, showing up daily is half the battle.

6/ Think Big, Act Small: Dream of the millions, but start with what’s in front of you.

That’s a wrap for today, folks!

Hope you enjoyed the wild, winding tale of my guy, Sam Parr – the king of calf commentary and entrepreneurial goldmines.

Now, let me get real with you for a second.

I really want to have an mentor, and I know that it means prooviding value to them, and with my agency, I hope to provide value to many high-networth people for their mentorship.

Because, mentors (you know, the people who take your potential and multiply it by 10x, 100x, heck, maybe even 1,000x. Basically the human equivalent of finding the next $TRUMP coin… but with less volatility and more wisdom).

The thing about mentors is this: they aren’t optional. Know that mentors are a MUST in your 20s. (Yes, even in any stage. There’s no age that mentors are not valuable.)

A great mentor is like a cheat code for life.

One thing that stood out in Sam’s story – and pretty much every success story ever – is this: they didn’t care what anyone thought of them. 

Zero fucks given.

They showed up, put themselves out there, and made it happen.

Honestly, not caring about what people think has been a game-changer for me too. The clarity, the confidence, the decisions – everything just flows.

When you stop living for others and start living for impact, the whole game changes.

So here’s my advice: Get out there.

Stop playing small.

Don’t let the system keep you stuck.

Do the thing that makes waves, not ripples.

Be out there (if yu don’t want to be living in the system), and do what really makes an impact.

See you on Sunday.