05 Dec 2025
1h 10m

The (Improbable) Story of Savannah Bananas' Rise to a $1B Empire

Podcast cover

My First Million

In this episode of the podcast, Jesse Cole, the founder of Fans First Entertainment and owner of the Savannah Bananas, shares his entrepreneurial journey with hosts Shaan Puri and Sam Parr. He discusses his early days managing a low-level baseball team with minimal resources, his inspirations from figures like Walt Disney and P.T. Barnum, and the innovative strategies he implemented to create a unique and fan-centric entertainment experience. Cole emphasizes the importance of generating attention, challenging norms, and prioritizing fan experience over traditional business metrics. He recounts the challenges and criticisms he faced, including near bankruptcy and initial local backlash against the Savannah Bananas, and highlights the importance of his wife's support during those difficult times. He also dives into his creative process, his team's culture of experimentation, and his approach to talent acquisition, emphasizing his focus on creating moments and building a world around the Banana brand.

Outlines

Part 1: Genesis and Early Experiments

Part 2: Creative Process and Learning

Part 3: Core Principles and Operations

Part 4: Reflections and Motivation

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