18 Years, 20 Brands: Wayne Wu on What Actually Builds Enduring Companies

Wayne Wu has spent 18 years at VMG Partners backing some of the most iconic consumer brands in the industry. In this episode, he joins host Elliot to break down what separates the companies that endure from those that don't.They cover the metrics that actually matter (landed gross margin over vanity revenue), why you can't skip the doer phase as a founder, how to know when it's time to build out your team, and why the biggest limiter on a business's growth is often the founder's own inner evolution.Key themes:Operating discipline & landed gross marginThe three phases of founder evolution: doer → architect → builder of capacityTeam-building timing and building culture before you need itRuthless focus vs. vision — and why balance between the two winsInner evolution: curiosity and vulnerability as founder superpowers