Episodi

  • 37. The art of CRM turned into science

    37. The art of CRM turned into science
    Jan 25 2026
    For our thirty-seventh episode, we’re talking about the company that killed the CD-ROM. The company that looked at the old, clunky, and expensive way businesses bought software and said... [pause] "there has to be a better way." They pioneered the idea that powerful software shouldn't be a product you install, but a service you subscribe to through the internet. They are the undisputed king of their category and the company that truly brought the business world into the cloud. We are talking about Salesforce.

    When you hear the name Salesforce ($CRM), you think of the original cloud software titan, the company that pioneered the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model and became the undisputed king of Customer Relationship Management. For years, its story has been one of relentless, trailblazing growth.

    But the real story of Salesforce today is its evolution from a single product into a sprawling, integrated platform. Through massive acquisitions like Slack, MuleSoft, and Tableau, it has transformed into an all-encompassing ecosystem for digital transformation. This growth-by-acquisition strategy has made its platform incredibly sticky, but it has also drawn intense scrutiny from investors who are now demanding profitability over growth-at-any-cost. Can the company successfully pivot from its old playbook?

    We're logging into the cloud to determine if Salesforce can successfully integrate its massive empire and deliver the high-margin, profitable growth that investors now demand.


    Created with love by Emil Lazzaroni
    2 new episodes per week, until I can find good companies to hold forever.

    This is not in any way, shape or form financial advice. You are the sole responsible for the action you take after listening to any of my content.

    Always consult a professional before investing.
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    10 min
  • 36. When treatments means rewriting genetic code

    36. When treatments means rewriting genetic code
    Jan 21 2026
    For our thirty-sixth episode, we're stepping into the world of cutting-edge science. We're talking about a company that is on the front lines in the fight against humanity's toughest diseases—heart disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis. It’s a business built on decades of research, billions of dollars of investment, and the hope of creating blockbuster drugs that can change the world. We are talking about the Swiss giant... Novartis.

    When you hear the name Novartis ($NVS), you probably think of a sprawling Swiss healthcare conglomerate, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world with a hand in everything from prescription drugs to generics. For years, it has been a defensive staple in portfolios, known for its broad diversification and steady dividend.

    But the real story is that Novartis has fundamentally changed. Through major strategic moves, including the recent spinoff of its Sandoz generics division, the company has transformed into a "pure-play" innovative medicines company. The new focus is laser-sharp: developing high-margin, patent-protected blockbuster drugs in cutting-edge therapeutic areas like oncology and cardiology. However, by shedding its more stable businesses, Novartis is now entirely dependent on the high-stakes, high-reward game of drug discovery.
    We're putting the pipeline under the microscope to determine if this leaner, more focused Novartis is poised for a new era of growth or if it has simply traded stability for a much riskier gamble on innovation.


    Created with love by Emil Lazzaroni
    2 new episodes per week, until I can find good companies to hold forever.

    This is not in any way, shape or form financial advice. You are the sole responsible for the action you take after listening to any of my content.

    Always consult a professional before investing.
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    9 min
  • 35. Making money on 50% of payments worldwide

    35. Making money on 50% of payments worldwide
    Jan 18 2026
    For our thirty-fifth episode, we're exploring a company whose logo is in billions of wallets and on millions of storefronts around the globe. It's a business that operates silently in the background of our daily lives, taking a tiny slice of trillions of dollars in global commerce. Like its famous rival, this company is not a bank... [pause] it's a technology network, a secure and vital pipeline for money that makes the modern economy possible. We are talking about Mastercard.

    When you see the Mastercard ($MA) logo on your credit or debit card, you probably think of it as a bank—a company that lends you money. The name is synonymous with the plastic in your wallet, a giant in the world of consumer credit.


    But the real story behind Mastercard is that it's not a bank at all. It takes on zero credit risk. Instead, it's a technology company that operates a massive, global payments network. Think of it as a secure toll road for money; every time you tap, swipe, or click, Mastercard's network connects your bank to the merchant's bank and collects a small, high-margin fee for facilitating the transaction. This has created a powerful duopoly with Visa, benefiting from the massive secular trend of the world moving away from cash. However, this dominance has also attracted intense regulatory scrutiny and a wave of fintech challengers.
    We're swiping right to determine if Mastercard's powerful network effect is strong enough to fend off the threats of regulation and disruption, making it a priceless addition to a growth portfolio.


    Created with love by Emil Lazzaroni
    2 new episodes per week, until I can find good companies to hold forever.

    This is not in any way, shape or form financial advice. You are the sole responsible for the action you take after listening to any of my content.

    Always consult a professional before investing.
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    9 min
  • 34. The company who changed Santa Claus Color to Red

    34. The company who changed Santa Claus Color to Red
    Jan 14 2026
    For our thirty-fourth episode, we're talking about what is arguably the most famous brand ever created. A company whose secret formula is locked away in a vault in Atlanta, a brand that is recognized by an estimated 94% of the world's population. This is the story of how a simple soda fountain drink became a global empire and one of the most perfect business models ever conceived. We are talking about The Coca-Cola Company.

    When you hear the name Coca-Cola ($KO), you think of one of the most iconic and valuable brands in history. It's a global behemoth, selling its famous red-labeled soda in nearly every country on Earth. Most people assume the company is a massive beverage manufacturer, bottling and distributing its products worldwide.
    But the real story behind Coca-Cola's incredible profitability is that it's not primarily a bottler; it's a concentrate company. Coca-Cola creates the secret syrups and sells them to a vast network of independent bottling partners who handle the capital-intensive work of manufacturing and distribution. This creates a fantastically high-margin, asset-light business model. However, this dividend king faces a major headwind: the global consumer shift away from sugary drinks. Can the world's greatest marketing machine adapt to a healthier future?
    We're popping the top to see if Coca-Cola's diversification and brand power can keep its growth from going flat in a changing world.


    Created with love by Emil Lazzaroni
    2 new episodes per week, until I can find good companies to hold forever.

    This is not in any way, shape or form financial advice. You are the sole responsible for the action you take after listening to any of my content.

    Always consult a professional before investing.
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    9 min
  • 33. Who is behind KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut

    33. Who is behind KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut
    Jan 11 2026
    For our thirty-third episode, we're talking about a company that is a master of the franchise model. A company that owns a portfolio of some of the most iconic fast-food brands on the planet... [pause] the red roof of Pizza Hut, the "Live Más" spirit of Taco Bell, and the secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices from KFC. This is a story of how these seemingly separate empires are all part of one massive, global, cash-gushing machine. We are talking about Yum! Brands.

    When you hear the name Yum! Brands ($YUM), you immediately think of its iconic fast-food chains: KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut. It’s one of the largest restaurant companies in the world, with tens of thousands of locations serving millions of customers daily. The common perception is that they are in the business of operating a massive global restaurant empire.
    But the real story behind Yum! Brands is its transformation into an "asset-light" franchising powerhouse. The company now franchises over 98% of its restaurants, meaning its primary business isn't making food; it's licensing its world-famous brands to operators and collecting high-margin, recurring royalty fees. This capital-efficient model has allowed it to scale globally with incredible speed. However, managing a diverse portfolio of legacy brands in a hyper-competitive market presents its own challenges. Can the strength of Taco Bell and KFC offset the struggles in the pizza category?
    We're ordering from the value menu to see if Yum's franchise-focused business model is a recipe for long-term growth or if its different brands are pulling the company in too many directions.


    Created with love by Emil Lazzaroni
    2 new episodes per week, until I can find good companies to hold forever.

    This is not in any way, shape or form financial advice. You are the sole responsible for the action you take after listening to any of my content.

    Always consult a professional before investing.
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    9 min
  • 32. We create the machinery that brings food to your table

    32. We create the machinery that brings food to your table
    Jan 7 2026
    For our thirty-second episode, we're talking about a store that feels different. It's a place where you can buy a bag of chicken feed, a pair of Carhartt boots, a welder, and a jar of local honey all under one roof. It's a company that has built a powerful moat not in the bustling cities, but on the outskirts of town, serving the passionate and growing community of people who live what they call the "Life Out Here." We are talking about the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States... Tractor Supply Company.

    When you hear the name Tractor Supply ($TSCO), you probably picture a store exclusively for large-scale farmers and ranchers. It's known as the place to buy feed, fencing, and farm equipment, a retailer seemingly tied to the traditional agricultural industry.
    But the real story behind Tractor Supply's incredible success isn't big agriculture; it's the booming demographic of "lifestyle farmers" and rural hobbyists. The company has masterfully built an empire catering to the needs of the modern homesteader—the family with backyard chickens, a horse, and a large garden. This focus on a passionate and underserved niche has created a powerful brand with a loyal customer base and a defensible moat against big-box competitors. But as the company grows, can it maintain its unique culture and fend off e-commerce threats?
    We're heading out to the country to determine if Tractor Supply can continue to cultivate market-beating returns or if its growth is beginning to run out of land.


    Created with love by Emil Lazzaroni
    2 new episodes per week, until I can find good companies to hold forever.

    This is not in any way, shape or form financial advice. You are the sole responsible for the action you take after listening to any of my content.

    Always consult a professional before investing.
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    9 min
  • 31. The Warehouse that built the American Suburbs

    31. The Warehouse that built the American Suburbs
    Jan 4 2026
    For our thirty-first episode, we're talking about the smell of fresh-cut lumber... the endless aisles of power tools... and that feeling of starting a weekend project. This is a company that has become the command center for homeowners and professional contractors alike. It's a business that thrives when people invest in their homes, a trend that is as old and reliable as time itself. We are talking about the largest home improvement retailer in the world... The Home Depot.

    When you hear the name Home Depot ($HD), you probably think of a massive warehouse for weekend DIY projects—the go-to place for paint, lumber, and garden supplies. It's the undisputed king of home improvement retail, a cultural icon for homeowners across North America.
    But the real engine driving this orange-aproned giant isn't the casual DIYer; it's the professional contractor. The "Pro" customer is the heart of Home Depot's business, and the company has built an incredibly efficient supply chain and service ecosystem to become the indispensable partner for builders, plumbers, and electricians. This focus has turned it into a blue-chip, dividend-paying powerhouse. However, after years of a booming housing market, the environment is changing. With higher interest rates cooling home sales and remodeling projects, is Home Depot's fortress strong enough to withstand the pressure?
    We're grabbing our tool belts to determine if Home Depot's dominance with the Pro customer can insulate it from a housing slowdown or if this retail titan is too dependent on a cyclical market.


    Created with love by Emil Lazzaroni
    2 new episodes per week, until I can find good companies to hold forever.

    This is not in any way, shape or form financial advice. You are the sole responsible for the action you take after listening to any of my content.

    Always consult a professional before investing.
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    9 min
  • 30. Your Virtual Real Estate, Rented All Year Long

    30. Your Virtual Real Estate, Rented All Year Long
    Dec 28 2025
    For our thirtieth episode, we're exploring a company that has so much confidence in its business model, it trademarked a nickname: The Monthly Dividend Company®. This isn't just a marketing slogan; it's a promise. It's the entire mission of the company. We're going to dive into the world of real estate and uncover how a simple, elegant strategy can create one of the most reliable income streams in the entire stock market. We are talking about the "blue-chip" of real estate investment trusts... Realty Income.

    When you hear the name Realty Income ($O), one phrase comes to mind: "The Monthly Dividend Company." This blue-chip REIT is a cornerstone of income portfolios, famous for its decades-long history of paying reliable monthly dividends. Investors know it as the landlord for thousands of familiar, freestanding properties like your local Walgreens, Dollar General, or 7-Eleven.
    But the real story behind its incredible consistency isn't just owning property; it's the power of the "triple-net lease." Under this structure, the tenants are responsible for paying taxes, maintenance, and insurance, creating an incredibly stable and predictable cash flow stream for Realty Income with minimal landlord obligations. This makes it less of a hands-on property manager and more of a financing partner for America's most durable businesses. However, in an environment of rising interest rates, the appeal of its dividend yield is being tested. Can this income-investing stalwart continue to thrive?
    We're collecting the rent to determine if Realty Income's business model can withstand a new economic climate and remain a foundational piece of a dividend portfolio.


    Created with love by Emil Lazzaroni
    2 new episodes per week, until I can find good companies to hold forever.

    This is not in any way, shape or form financial advice. You are the sole responsible for the action you take after listening to any of my content.

    Always consult a professional before investing.
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    9 min