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The Knowledge Project Podcast

[Outliers] J.W. Marriott: Building an Empire Without a Master Plan

Bill Marriott built the largest hotel company in the world. But he didn’t open his first hotel until he was 55 and he fought against it the whole way.

Public Release: March 10.
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In fact, the man that would go on to build the world’s largest hotel chain started with a nine-seat root beer stand in Washington, DC with $6,000 and a simple goal: serve people well and build something that lasts. 

In this episode of Outliers, we explore how Marriott turned that single stand into a $4 billion empire without a master plan. We break down his obsession with downside risk, how he isolated variables like location, and why his refusal to rely on forces he couldn’t control allowed him to expand during the Great Depression while his competitors folded.

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The Knowledge Project Podcast with Shane Parrish

The Knowledge Project

A podcast about mastering the best of what other people have already figured out. The Knowledge Project focuses on insights and lessons that never expire. You’ll walk away from every episode with actionable insights that help you get better results and live a more meaningful life.

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