Scheme

Scheme


Latest Episodes

Episode 17: Waste Management
July 31, 2023

In the 1990s, Waste Management was the largest garbage company in the world. What had begun as the dream of a Dutch immigrant had grown into a billion-dollar company over the course of a hundred years.But Waste Management had a dirty secret. Its acco

Episode 16: Yale Med School
May 31, 2023

Jamie Petrone-Codrington was living the high life. She owned 4 homes, 6 luxury cars, and traveled the world.How did she fund such an extravagant lifestyle? Well, Petrone wasnt a famous actress, physician, or CEO. She was the director of finance and

Episode 15: Rollins, Inc.
April 30, 2023

The largest pest control company in the world is Rollins, Inc. Rollins has been very profitable, and its executives say the company is recession-proof. After all, cockroaches and rats arent going away.At the start of 2017, Rollins seemed poised for m

Episode 14: Contempo
March 31, 2023

Finding a good controller isnt easy. The controller is responsible for the companys accounting, so you want someone who is an accounting expert. You also want that person to be reliable, and to possess impeccable integrity. You probably dont want some

Episode 13: Puda Coal
February 28, 2023

In 2009 Puda Coal was a successful company, with a little over $5 million in profit. But the company was about to expand in a major way. The Chinese government had chosen Pudas subsidiary, Shanxi Coal, to act as a consolidator of small coal mines thro

Episode 12: Boom Global Media
January 31, 2023

One of the most difficult things about starting a business is getting clients. Customers dont just walk in off the street and throw money at you, unless youre a bank, a grocery store, or a gentlemans club. Even if youve got a great product or service

Episode 11: DHB Industries
December 31, 2022

David Brooks had it all. Hed taken a small company on the verge of bankruptcy and turned it into one of the worlds largest manufacturers of bulletproof vests. Those vests were used by U.S. soldiers in the War on Terror, so Brooks was hailed as an Ame

Episode 10: Take-Two Interactive Software
March 29, 2021

Take-Two Interactive was forced to restate its financials 3 times in a span of just 5 years. Each time you thought it was over, Take-Two ended up in the news again. And the companys founder was rig

Episode 9: Cobalt Family Investors
January 12, 2021

The story of Cobalt involves a former associate of the Wolf of Wall Street, and a Ponzi scheme run by a convicted fraudster. Then, Donald Trump got involved.

Episode 8: Interpublic Group
December 14, 2020

In the early 2000s, Interpublic Group was a successful advertising firm with over $6 billion in annual revenue. Interpublic had dominated the ad industry for decades and had a stellar reputation. But the companys public image was about to change.In 20