Things I Didn't Learn In School Paul Podolsky

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“In spite of all the farmer’s work and worry, he can’t reach down to where the seed is slowly transmuted into summer. The earth bestows.”
Rainer Maria Rilke, 1875-1926
The difference between the Soviet Union and the United States is the former repelled people and the latter attracted (and continues to attract) them. That’s true despite the US’s many flaws. The attraction is related to an idea that is abstract until you lose it—freedom. That’s what led Rob Koyfman’s parents to leave Ukraine many years ago and come to New Jersey.
An element of liberty is the ability to create a business from scratch. Yes, many of these businesses fail and being an entrepreneur is hard. Yet, the pride in ownership is fundamental, like cooking your own food versus eating in a cafeteria. Still Press Media is a creation out of thin air, ditto Kate Capital. Rob has been an entrepreneur longer than me and created something amazing, Koyfin.
For those not in finance, some context is helpful. In regular life, only two companies create the phones most of us use, Apple and Samsung. In finance, one company, Bloomberg, has a lock on the software many professionals use. A single subscription costs about $35,000 without all the bells and whistles. While many have tried to disrupt this business, little has worked. Mike Bloomberg is worth over $100 billion.
Rob’s product, Koyfin, is making inroads into that cash flow kingdom. I was interested in his path and philosophy so I cold emailed him and he was kind enough to share his story.
A few highlights:
On the balance between ego and humility:
“You don’t have to be an egomaniac, you don’t have to be an a*****e to also be ambitious and confident.”
On choosing what features to add and what to leave out of Koyfin:
“We are so constrained on resources we need to be very focussed in what we deliver.”
A surprising insight:
“Having someone who can communicate well is a superpower.”
I am leaving tomorrow morning for a multi-day wedding. I’ll try to find time to update you with my thoughts on markets, but the post won’t come out Friday. To my US readers, Happy Memorial Day.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit paulpodolsky.substack.com

We hear about sanctions all the time. Biden just put more on China.
Do they matter? If so, in what way?J provides a framework to help us all understand.
This is J’s second appearance. In our conversation last year, here, you can hear J’s background and how he created his shipping advisory service, Value Investor’s Edge.
He is the perfect guy to discuss s…

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David is former CIA and the author of Damascus Station and Moscow X.
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Barton is trained as an accountant and equity investor. We all know how much tech is driving the stock market. He sheds light on how to make sense of what is going on. 
Talking Trading - Expert trading tactics so you can excel in the sharemarket.
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Jim returns to the show to share his perspective on Ukraine, the border and the November election. 
Talking Trading - Expert trading tactics so you can excel in the sharemarket.
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Jason is an accountant, fluent Chinese speaker and Wall Street veteran. I always learn from my talks with Jason and I think you will too. 
Talking Trading - Expert trading tactics so you can excel in the sharemarket.
This is how traders and investors excel.
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This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulpodolsky.substack.com/subscribe