Mar-a-Lago in 1985:
A 126-room mansion nobody wanted.
Then, Donald Trump bought it for M.
It hemorrhaged money for years... Until Trump had a genius idea that transformed it into a M a year cash cow.
Here's the full story🧵 https://t.co/iewIhS9wbk
Mar-a-Lago wasn't just any property.
Built in the 1920s by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, it was designated as a National Historic Landmark.
The name means "Sea to Lake" in Spanish - reflecting its unique location.
Here's where it gets interesting: https://t.co/Zjz5j0pXnp
When Post died, she willed the estate to the US government.
But they returned it to her foundation. The maintenance costs were too high.
For years, the property sat empty. No one wanted to take on the financial burden.
Until Trump came along... https://t.co/yCJ2a1tLzX
In 1985, Trump saw an opportunity others missed. But his initial bid for Mar-a-Lago was denied.
So, he strategically bought land between Mar-a-Lago and the ocean for M, causing competing interest to decline.
Result? https://t.co/8TJ0mYyEch
He nabbed the 126-room mansion for just M. But he soon realized why others stayed away.
The property was hemorrhaging money... https://t.co/mpuYPFM1oO
Due to its historical significance, there were preservation requirements.
Plus:
• High-end amenities to maintain
• Extensive renovations needed
• Massive operational costs
For years, it seemed like a massive mistake... https://t.co/Lq9Re03xkU
Then Trump had an idea that would change everything:
Instead of keeping it as a private residence, he'd turn it into an exclusive private club.
But not just any club...
He'd make it the most prestigious club in Palm Beach.
The transformation began in 1994:
• Five clay tennis courts
• Trump Spa and Salon
• Luxury guest suites
• Beach Club access
• Waterfront pool
But the real genius was in the membership structure:
Trump created artificial scarcity.
He capped membership at 500 people with an initiation fee of ,000.
The wealthy elite of Palm Beach were practically begging to join.
By 2014? https://t.co/Gm4rIff7cg
It was generating .6M annually.
The property that was once bleeding money became a cash cow.
And today? It makes over M a year.
Having a Mar-a-Lago membership meant you were "somebody."
This is where it gets interesting...
The member list reads like a Who's Who:
• Billionaire William I. Koch
• Finance mogul Thomas Peterffy
• Real estate titan Richard LeFrak
• Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy
Trump wasn't just selling access. He was selling status. https://t.co/3PDQZbMKP4
That's why I love this story so much:
Trump took a product and turned it into a story people wanted to be a part of.
And we've spent the past 2 years developing a way for founders to do the same thing...
You see, people today don't buy from companies. They buy from people. From stories.
They don't trust the swathes of AI-generated content & corporate BS anymore.
Think about it:
Elon Musk. Logan Paul. The Kardashians... https://t.co/EBNU5FIl7Q
They're businesses dependent on the stories of PEOPLE. And the best way to create this same effect?
The same thing Trump's been doing all his life:
Cultivate a personal brand. It's an asset that'll pay dividends for life...
When you build a strong personal brand, you create your own Mar-a-Lago effect:
• Customers seek YOU out
• Investors want to back YOU
• Top talent wants to work with YOU
All while you sleep.
Ready to get started? https://t.co/s8OKgsBVHe
Founders: We’ll build your personal/company brand on 𝕏 (and beyond) without you lifting a finger.
To date, we've already helped 100+ founders get 3+ Billion combined views.
Interested in how we can do this for you? Book your free discovery call here: https://t.co/idPRe1WHrX
Thanks for reading! A bit about me:
2 years ago, I cofounded @ThoughtleadrX — a premium personal branding agency for world-class founders, executives, and investors looking to dominate socials.
If you enjoyed this, hit "follow" for more breakdowns! https://t.co/WLlJeyWvrO
