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297. From $180M Collapse to Gaming Empire: Greg Selkoe on Ego, Failure & Building XSET
“Losing everything wasn’t the failure—the failure would’ve been not learning from it. Ego will build you fast, but it’ll also take you down faster.” - Greg Selkoe What happens when you lose everything… and have to rebuild from the ground up? In this powerful episode of Turmeric & Tequila, Kristen Olson sits down with entrepreneur and gaming industry leader Greg Selkoe—CEO & Co-Founder of XSET, former founder of Karmaloop, and past CEO of FaZe Clan. Greg opens up about building Karmaloop into a $180M business… and the public collapse that forced him to confront his ego, identity, and leadership style. What followed wasn’t just a comeback—it was a complete reinvention. This conversation dives deep into: The hard truth about ego in entrepreneurship Lessons from failure (and why they’re your greatest advantage) The rise of gaming, esports, and digital culture Building an authentic brand in a fast-changing world Leadership, resilience, and starting over If you’re navigating growth, identity shifts, or chasing something bigger—this episode will challenge and ground you. Listen now and step into your next level. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome + intro to gaming & branding 02:10 – Greg Selkoe’s background and early journey 05:20 – Building Karmaloop into a $180M business 10:30 – The collapse: what actually happened 15:00 – Ego, identity, and hard personal truths 20:40 – Lessons learned from failure 26:50 – Rebuilding mindset + starting over 31:30 – Transition into gaming & esports 37:45 – Founding XSET and brand vision 43:30 – The future of gaming, culture & community 48:10 – Leadership evolution + self-awareness 51:00 – Final thoughts + where to find Greg Greg Selkoe is the CEO & Co-Founder of XSET, a leading lifestyle gaming and esports brand. He previously founded Karmaloop, growing it into a $180M streetwear powerhouse before its public collapse—an experience that reshaped his approach to leadership and entrepreneurship. Greg later served as President and CEO of FaZe Clan and has been recognized as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and one of Goldman Sachs’ 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs. A Y Combinator alum, he holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wlqXaYvjxU  https://www.instagram.com/xset/?hl=en  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY6e0vUcyYrJFbI1ioakRpw  https://www.tiktok.com/@xset  https://www.facebook.com/XSETGAMING Connect with T&T: IG: @TurmericTequila Facebook: @TurmericAndTequila Website: www.TurmericAndTequila.com Host: Kristen Olson IG: @Madonnashero Tik Tok: @Madonnashero Website: www.KOAlliance.com WATCH HERE MORE LIKE THIS: https://youtu.be/ZCFQSpFoAgI?si=Erg8_2eH8uyEgYZF   https://youtu.be/piCU9JboWuY?si=qLdhFKCGdBzuAeuI https://youtu.be/9Vs2JDzJJXk?si=dpjV31GDqTroUKWH
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