How to find your arbitrage (from the guy who’s done it 3x) ft. Nick Kokonas

Career success stems from identifying arbitrage opportunities by manipulating timescales and embracing the "tingle of uncomfortableness" as a necessary indicator of growth. Entrepreneur Nick Kokonas, who transitioned from options trading to founding world-class restaurants and software companies, argues that expertise is a trap; true innovation requires the willingness to return to the bottom of the mountain and start over. By applying first-principles thinking and reverse-engineering successful effects—whether in high-frequency trading or immersive theater—one can bypass conventional industry limitations. Excellence is not a singular achievement but the byproduct of daily, disciplined repetition, such as preparing dozens of sauce variations to find the perfect profile. Currently, this philosophy drives the development of "Strange House," an immersive, purpose-built theater project designed to foster human connection through moments of genuine wonder, proving that in-person experiences remain the ultimate high-value, scarce resource.