#678: Jake Muise — The Relentless Pursuit of Innovation, Quality, and Meaning

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Jake Muise (@mauinuivenison) is CEO at Maui Nui Venison, a company he co-founded in 2017 that works to balance invasive axis deer populations on the island of Maui, channeling that management into incredible nutrient-dense food. Maui Nui was selected for Fast Company’s “Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Agriculture of 2023,” and its venison has been served in restaurants across the country, including Alinea, The French Laundry, and Saison. Prior to Maui Nui, Jake was executive director of the Axis Deer Institute for 12 years, part of a two-decades-long project focused on axis deer and their long-term management in Hawai’i.

Please enjoy!

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[06:05] Lava cowboys.

[14:00] What does Maui Nui mean?

[15:07] A Hawai’i history primer.

[22:26] The problem with (and delicious solution to) axis deer in Hawai’i.

[30:18] The three-year hunt that became the Maui Nui springboard.

[43:54] The life-changing power of volleyball and free pizza.

[52:18] Seven on, seven off.

[57:01] Processes, metrics, and moon-fluence.

[1:00:41] Surpassing USDA regulations — in the wild.

[1:07:59] A typical night of harvesting.

[1:15:09] The humble, hungry, and smart way to build a world-class team.

[1:21:46] Feedback that separates the As and Bs from the Cs.

[1:30:21] Assigned and recommended reading.

[1:35:01] Nutrient density.

[1:46:10] Clawback allowances.

[1:49:20] Secret Pinterest boards.

[1:52:59] The old lady on the couch game.

[1:57:06] Tug of war.

[1:59:57] Can the business sustainably scale up without selling out?

[2:03:57] Jake’s billboard.

[2:06:00] Parting thoughts.

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