Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa

Episode 69

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Published on:

21st Sep 2021

Think Like a Navy SEAL with William Branum

"The only easy day was yesterday." That's the motto of the Navy SEAL, an elite military unit in the US Navy known for its tough training program, which includes Hell Week. You can just imagine what kind of person survives and thrives in such an environment.

Today’s guest is one such guy, Senior Chief William Branum. A retired US Navy SEAL turned entrepreneur. William served as a SEAL for 26 years and trained many other men in the military. He’s here to share how his background served him well as he transitioned to entrepreneurship. Listen to some real talk on how to do hard things, how to ask for help, and how to think like a Navy SEAL to get whatever you want in life. Prepare to get NAKED.

Download 5 Seal Secrets: https://www.5sealsecrets.com/

“If you're making small micro-adjustments and things aren't really changing for you, make BOLD adjustments.”

- William Branum

Timestamps:

00:00 This is what makes Sharran proud to be an American

01:04 What are POTUS-approved missions

05:20 The skill that makes Navy SEALs good at what they do

11:10 How does a former military man transition to becoming a successful business owner

15:33 Do you believe that you can learn almost anything or find someone who can teach you anything you want to learn?

19:51 How William trained for the Navy and raised his hand to become a SEAL

23:50 The one thing that is CONSTANT during Hell Week (you just have to make it to the next meal)

29:21 There’s no guarantee of success; you just have to do the work

31:43 How to practice the “Get NAKED” mindset and see what it can do for you

34:40 You’re not going to do it until you’re ready to do it (discipline vs. accountability)

39:47 How William taught his team to be honest with themselves

42:46 Practice while it’s easy, so you’re ready when things become hard

Resources:

- Download 5 Seal Secrets

- Grab Sharran’s 4-Week MBA for Free

Connect with William Branum:

Connect with Sharran:

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About the Podcast

Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa

Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa is the no-fluff, tactical podcast for founders, operators, and underdogs who want to grow with clarity, intention, and results. Hosted by entrepreneur, investor, and operator Sharran Srivatsaa—President and Managing Partner at Acquisition.com—this show cuts through the noise to deliver real-world strategies from someone who's built and exited five companies across multiple industries.

Sharran has helped scale two billion-dollar businesses, served as President of Real (NASDAQ: REAX), and led the 10x growth and sale of Teles Properties to Douglas Elliman (NYSE: DOUG). He brings lessons from Wall Street to Main Street, sharing what actually works—because he’s lived through what doesn’t.

Every episode offers simple, actionable playbooks for those who want to build extraordinary companies without the chaos. Whether you're a scrappy operator, a first-time founder, or a seasoned executive, Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa is your blueprint for building with purpose and winning on your terms.

For more free resources, visit Sharran.com

About your host

Sharran Srivatsaa

Sharran is a serial entrepreneur, sought after keynote speaker, and a respected thought-leadership resource for publications such as the Wall Street Journal, SUCCESS magazine, Huffington Post and Forbes.

While Sharran has had 5 exits in the last 19 years, and also a several humbling failed investments and business initiatives. He talks all about them on his top rated Spotify podcast, Business School.

Most recently, Sharran led Teles Properties’ unprecedented 10x growth over 5 years and a 4-year consecutive streak on the Inc. 500 fastest growing companies list resulting in its acquisition by national real estate powerhouse Douglas Elliman.

Prior to Teles, Sharran worked at both Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, where he collaborated with management teams of fast-growing businesses around the country on investment advisory and corporate strategy. Sharran also spent several years building recreational programs in the Caribbean, Middle East, and Hawaii for some of the finest international resorts such as the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, also has deep experience working with technology companies such as Lightera (acquired by CIENA) and Obopay, a fast-growth mobile payments company.

Sharran is a Principal at Srilo Ventures, a multi-factor private investment fund that focuses investing in and advising technology companies and operating businesses in the consumer space. Having successfully completed many acquisitions, joint-ventures, management buyouts, mergers, and capital raises, Sharran serves as a director and advisor on numerous company boards.

He is also a member of the Genius Network, the highest-level marketing mastermind in the world led by whizkid Joe Polish, and also a member of Young President’s Organization (YPO).

After competing on the professional tennis tour, Sharran received his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Luther College and his MBA with Honors from Vanderbilt University.