My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Brand moats are undervalued by tech entrepreneurs compared to technology and network effects, but can be more durable in many industries
The Reasoning
Tech people understand measurable moats but dismiss brand because it's harder to quantify. However, brands can last centuries while technology becomes obsolete quickly.
What Needs to Be True
- Products have emotional or status components beyond utility
- Consumers care about heritage and story
- Distribution channels reward brand recognition
- Category has room for premium positioning
Counterargument
Technology moats can be more defensible because they create functional superiority rather than just perception
What Would Change This View
If AI commoditizes brand creation or if consumers become purely utility-focused
Implications for Builders
Don't dismiss brand-first strategies
Combine operational excellence with brand building
Think decades ahead for brand sustainability
Price for brand value, not just cost-plus
Example Application
“Louis Vuitton founded in 1854 still commands premium pricing while most tech companies from even 20 years ago are obsolete.”