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Kerner argues that a lack of startup capital and a refusal to risk embarrassment are incompatible. Starting from little requires accepting uncomfortable outreach and the possibility of rejection.
“You can't have no money and pride. That doesn't work.”
Sanchez frames Kerner's career around unusual side hustles that became operating companies. She distinguishes these businesses from venture-backed startups by emphasizing that they produce cash flow and can be started by ordinary people willing to work and take risk.
“These are cash flow-producing, non-venture-backed companies.”
“Almost anybody could start if they were willing to take the risk and do the hard thing of actually working them.”
Kerner says he added up the rejection he had experienced and arrived at roughly 24,000 instances. The figure illustrates the volume of unsuccessful attempts behind his business record rather than a frictionless path to success.
“I added up how many times I got rejected. It's like 24,000 times.”
Kerner describes visiting Cameron, Missouri, a town he identifies as having 8,000 residents. Outside a hardware store, he noticed a couple in their thirties selling pizzas by the road with their children present, prompting him to stop and learn more.
“I was in Cameron, Missouri last week. Population, 8,000 people.”
“I pull into this hardware store and I see this cute couple, 30s, kids out by the road selling pizzas, right?”
Asked which current business most interests him, Kerner resists choosing one. His answer conveys that the attraction is business itself rather than a single fashionable opportunity.
“Man, I it's like asking which kid is my favorite. I I just love business.”