Knowledge Marketplace
My First Million

My First Million

The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.

Back to Mental Models

Family Heirloom Business Model

Viewing your business as a family heirloom to be passed down through generations rather than an asset to be optimized for sale.

Decision Rule

When making business decisions, ask 'How will this affect the company 50 years from now?' rather than 'How will this affect next quarter's metrics or exit valuation?'

How It Works

Long-term thinking enables sustainable competitive advantages, better customer relationships, and compound returns that short-term optimized businesses cannot achieve.

Failure Modes

Becoming too conservative and missing growth opportunities

Ignoring market changes due to attachment to legacy approaches

Failing to adapt business model to new realities

Example Decision

Rejecting a $10B acquisition offer because you want your children to inherit and continue building the company you've spent decades creating.