How Motley Fool Grew to A $18M/Month Business
The Motley Fool Revenue
About The The Motley Fool Founders
Who is David Gardner ?
David and Tom Gardner are American entrepreneurs and co-founders of The Motley Fool, a multimedia financial services company.
Despite having no formal training in finance, the brothers developed a unique concept for a forum that offered a platform for individuals to discuss and improve their financial decisions, all for free.
The Gardners were successful students who had shown an interest in money management (they began investing at age 18), but they resisted the lure of Wall Street.
Instead, they created a service that could help people make better financial decisions.
About The Business
Idea
How did David Gardner get the idea for The Motley Fool?
The Motley Fool was founded as a traditional print newsletter in a backyard shed in Alexandria, Virginia.
They wrote essays, provided market insights, recommended how much, when, and where subscribers should invest, and suggested the kind of return subscribers could expect on their money.
In 1993, David began an investment newsletter, which was largely unsuccessful until the following year, when Tom promoted it on America Online (AOL).
Realizing that the Internet was a perfect forum for their product, they launched the Motley Fool site on AOL in August 1994.
The Gardners’ portfolio was proof of their genius (or foolhardiness), as they consistently outperformed Standard & Poor’s Market Index.
In the first year, they finished 40 points ahead of the market.
The Gardners emphasized that their product was revolutionary because it created a shift in power from big-money investors and brokers to “the little guy” who had never before had convenient and affordable access to investment information.
Build
How did David Gardner build the initial version of The Motley Fool?
Brothers David and Tom started with an investment newsletter in 1993 that didn't gain much traction until 1994 when Tom promoted it on America Online (AOL).
Recognizing the potential of the internet, they launched the Motley Fool site on AOL in August 1994, and later added a separate website.
They named their service "Motley Fool" to maintain a lighthearted approach, suggesting they could claim folly if their advice failed.
The brothers provided essays, market insights, investment recommendations, and expected return guidance from what they dubbed the "Fool Global Headquarters," located in David's shed in Alexandria, Virginia.
Their unique approach allowed them to build a successful platform for financial advice and investment insights.
Growth
What is the growth strategy for The Motley Fool?
SEO:
With Motley Fool’s success, it was the most frequently consulted financial service on AOL by late 1996.
The brothers also partnered with Universal Press in 1997 to write a weekly column published in newspapers nationwide and launched a British version of their website in 1998.
The following year, Motley Fool won a Webby Award for Best Finance Site, an achievement that earned the business considerable traction.
In 2001, The Motley Fool Radio Show debuted on National Public Radio (NPR). It ran until 2006, when the company focused on online ventures, including Motley Fool Video.
Pricing
How does The Motley Fool price their products?
The Motley Fool offers two different memberships, both with a yearly fee of $99.
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More about The Motley Fool
Who is the owner of The Motley Fool?
David Gardner is the founder of The Motley Fool.
When did David Gardner start The Motley Fool?
1994
What is David Gardner 's net worth?
David Gardner 's business makes an average of $18.8M/month.
How much money has David Gardner made from The Motley Fool?
David Gardner started the business in 1994, and currently makes an average of $226M/year.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
