In this episode of the podcast, I sat down with Trey Layton for a more personal conversation following our previous discussion about his journey from Harvard to Silicon Valley. We explored various topics including:

• Trey's current interests, particularly in the field of incentives and their impact on different sectors

• His thoughts on democracy and political systems

• Concerns about the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of AI

• Trey's daily routine, including his 5 AM wake-up and productivity habits

• Favorite software tools like Superhuman for emails and Screen Studio for video editing

• Personal habits and life hacks, such as Trey's passion for coffee and weekly planning

• Media consumption habits, with Trey enjoying college football podcasts and books on topics like scotch whiskey

• A fun discussion about what problem we'd solve with unlimited resources (Trey chose eliminating bedbugs)

Throughout the conversation, we delved into Trey's perspectives on work-life balance, productivity, and personal growth. The episode provided listeners with a more intimate look at Trey's life, thoughts, and habits beyond his professional achievements.

Timestamps

00:00:00 -Introduction and Overview
Welcome back to the podcast with host Shashank and guest Trey Blakeney.

00:00:30 -Current Interests and Obsessions
Trey discusses his fascination with incentives and their impact on various outcomes.

00:01:56 -Researching Incentives
Exploring the disconnect between long-term optimization and short-term political gains.

00:02:36 -Flaws in Democracy
Trey shares his thoughts on the flaws of democracy and potential authoritarian solutions.

00:04:02 -Reflections on Recent Changes
Trey reflects on his recent life changes and how they have shaped his perspective on work.

00:05:30 -Reevaluating Goals
Discussion on the shift from building unicorns to seeking steady cash flow in business.

00:06:18 -The Role of Venture Capitalists
Trey and Shashank discuss the evolving role of VCs in the current business landscape.

00:07:43 -Future of Venture Capital
Exploring whether VCs will remain relevant as startup costs decrease.

00:09:01 -Impact of AI on Jobs
Trey shares concerns about AI's potential to displace jobs and its socioeconomic implications.

00:10:40 -Historical Context of Job Displacement
Comparison of AI's impact on jobs to historical shifts caused by technological advancements.

00:12:06 -Universal Basic Income Discussion
Debating the merits and challenges of implementing UBI in response to job displacement.

00:14:45 -Balancing Work and Personal Life
Trey discusses his morning routine and the importance of fitness in his life.

00:15:30 -Managing Work-Life Balance
Trey shares his struggles with balancing work and personal time.

00:20:22 -Productivity Tools and Software
Discussion on favorite productivity tools that enhance organization and efficiency.

00:22:28 -Life Hacks and Daily Routines
Trey shares his coffee ritual and weekly planning techniques.

00:30:43 -Content Consumption
Trey talks about his preferences for reading, watching, and listening to various media.

00:32:40 -Personal Interests in Whiskey
Discussion on Trey's interest in whiskey and his current reading material.

00:34:17 -Fun Question: Solving World Problems
Trey shares a humorous take on solving the bedbug problem.

00:37:17 -Addressing Poverty with Microloans
Shashank discusses his interest in tackling poverty through sustainable financial solutions.

00:39:04 -Closing Remarks and Socials
Trey shares his social media handles and invites feedback from listeners.

Synopsis

In this episode, host Shashank interviews Trey, a Harvard graduate who transitioned from studying government and economics to entrepreneurship and tech. Trey shares his journey of self-learning programming after struggling to find a technical co-founder for his ideas. He discusses his experiences working at startups in Silicon Valley, including his role at Infobot, where he was the first hire and focused on growth.

Trey emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of rejection and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to be proactive in reaching out to founders and exploring opportunities. He reflects on his time at Harvard, noting the diverse backgrounds of his peers and the value of networking.

After leaving Infobot, Trey started his own venture, PostOnce, aimed at helping content creators automate social media posts. Although he found success, he recognized the limitations of the product and decided to pivot.

Trey concludes with advice for future founders: embrace mistakes, take action, and be willing to hustle. He also hints at his next steps in the B2B space, focusing on solving specific problems in the industry.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:00:34 - Trey's Journey to Programming
00:01:01 - Transitioning from Harvard to Startups
00:02:15 - Experiences at Harvard
00:04:18 - The Reputation of Harvard
00:05:22 - Moving to San Francisco
00:06:12 - Finding Opportunities in Startups
00:09:30 - Role at Infobot
00:10:21 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
00:12:25 - Transitioning from Infobot to Personal Projects
00:16:11 - Overview of PostOnce
00:18:23 - Lessons Learned from Building PostOnce
00:18:54 - Insights on AI Tools
00:20:27 - Future Plans and Next Steps
00:24:57 - The Importance of Being Scrappy
00:26:29 - Closing Thoughts and Social Media Links

Quotes

1. "I think I've always had a bit of an entrepreneurial push somewhere inside of me." - 00:01:01

2. "I was always looking for someone to be that technical co-founder to really help me take that idea and sort of work collaboratively to bring it to life." - 00:01:57

3. "I do think it is just kind of what I've learned and taught myself to do on the side and what I was, I guess, lacking in those classes." - 00:04:08

4. "You will send hundreds and hundreds of emails and DMs and things like that." - 00:10:36

5. "If you can't sell them on you, then it's going to be hard for them to, you know, they just can't know you as well as you know you." - 00:11:29

6. "I think at some point there really is no more preparation you can do. You just have to get in there and learn how to do it yourself." - 00:22:03

7. "You kind of just have to fake it until you make it." - 00:22:34

8. "Every single one of them has been through sitting in a DM or an email or something like that." - 00:25:08

9. "You just have to be able to, or be willing, really, to do the things that other people won't, even if it seems embarrassing at first." - 00:26:15

10. "Stop caring." - 00:26:29