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Deep Dive with Ari Crane: Records, China, Alpha Schools, and Strategic Ventures

Summary​

An extensive conversation covering Ari Crane's multifaceted background as a former military officer, rare records expert, and business connector. The discussion revealed major opportunities including a $5 million education deal with China, potential Alpha Schools expansion internationally, government contract expertise, and innovative approaches to music preservation through NFTs. Ari interviewed with Bernard for an Alpha Schools position and brought rare vinyl records as gifts.

Major Revelations​

$5 Million China Education Deal​

Ari revealed a stunning development - a $5 million deal on the table from Chinese investors who want to:

  • License Elon Musk's Ad Astra/Astranova educational model
  • Use Alpha Schools technology and curriculum
  • Build campuses in China using the Alpha model
  • Pay perpetual revenue share per enrolled student

Key Quote: "We went in and got $5 million of funding today. We were funded today. So they said, if you bring if you bring Alpha to the table. We'd love to work a deal using their model and build campuses and pay them a percentage of revenue for every student that's enrolled in perpetuity."

Chinese Government Connections​

Through Sherman Taylor (Allen Zhou / 周艾伦) (his business partner), Ari has connections to:

  • Lady Ping (First Lady of China) - Gary noted he's working with her too
  • Mayor Wu (potential next CCP leader after Xi Jinping)
  • Squirrel AI claims of 30 million students (though not actually implemented)

Ari on working with Chinese government: "I don't think so. What do you mean? I'm a patriot. Like patriot first... It's education and education skirts out through a lot of it. Can be a solid bridge to build, to build a really nice a warm friendship between the two countries."

Alpha Schools Interview & Strategy​

Bernard Interview Performance​

Ari had just interviewed with Bernard (Alpha's HR) and received strong scores:

  • Read score: 90%
  • Engagement score: 94%
  • Sentiment score: 86%
  • Overall meeting effectiveness: 90%

He anticipated 95% of Bernard's questions and came prepared with three different 30-60-90 day plans for parent enrollment and engagement.

Key Interview Moment: Bernard asked about a billionaire parent wanting personal bodyguard at school. Ari's response matched exactly what Alpha did - find ethical ways to incorporate their security suggestions while maintaining policies.

Vision for Alpha Role​

  • Wants to enroll his 8-year-old son Jetson (who would "test in the top one percentile")
  • Sees himself as the person Alpha needs for parent engagement
  • Has three unique plans for parent enrollment that haven't been tried yet
  • Ready to relocate to Austin for the role

Rare Records Empire & Music NFT Vision​

Heritage Auctions Background​

  • Former Director of rare music consignments at Heritage Auctions (largest collectibles auction house)
  • Set 183 world record prices in one year
  • Notable sales:
    • John Lennon's White Album UK #6: Part of $827,000 Ringo Starr collection
    • Prince's Black Album (one of 5 known sealed promos): From MGM executive's daughter
    • Built $26 million backlog for estates

Current Rare Music Holdings​

Brought to Austin what he claims is "the rarest music in Austin, period":

  • First ever Ska record (only 3 known copies exist)
  • Billy Graham's second or third record
  • Multiple Ayn Rand records (for Joe Liemandt)
  • Gospel records collection
  • Sister Rosetta Tharpe (influenced Elvis)
  • Muddy Waters last recording (only known copy)

Music NFT Strategy​

Ari proposes creating "the only tangible NFT" through analog-to-digital music NFTs:

  • Preserve lost music history
  • Create perpetual revenue through trading
  • Focus on music that's not on streaming platforms
  • Build fractional ownership vaults

Key Quote: "Without reggae, there's no punk rock. I can go down the line. I can start a million genres that wouldn't exist without Ska music."

Government Contracts & Energy Expertise​

Military & Project Management Background​

  • 18 years Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 12 years Muay Thai, 18 years Taekwondo
  • Former Army officer, every tactical driving school
  • PMP certified senior project manager
  • Built government division for Matrix Service (largest oil & gas storage contractor)

Remarkable Government Contract Success​

  • Brought $2.6 billion in projects first year
  • Achieved 80% win rate on government contracts (vs. industry norm of 18%)
  • Revolutionized tank inspection, saving industry $13 billion/year
  • Implemented ESG programs and LLM integration

Key Quote: "You guys don't know this, but that's unheard of. To win 80% of all your projects is. That's unheard of."

Strategic Partnerships & Networks​

Rogers Healy Connection​

  • Ari's business partner who owns largest real estate company in Dallas
  • First round investor in Liquid Death (10% stake)
  • Board member with Steve Aoki, Eminem, and Questlove
  • Hosts exclusive "Men of Music" nights with major industry figures
  • Lives near Mark Cuban

Sherman Taylor (Allen Zhou / 周艾伦) - The China Connection​

  • Has exclusive rights to Elon Musk's education model in Asia
  • Built schools in South Korea and China
  • Introduced Ultimate Frisbee to China
  • Co-captain of China's national Ultimate Frisbee team
  • Planning June 2025 trip to China/Korea

Key Business Opportunities Identified​

1. China Education Expansion​

  • $5 million ready to deploy
  • Potential to scale to $100 million - $1 billion
  • Indonesia and South Korea also interested
  • Translation and localization straightforward

2. Music Preservation Empire​

  • Create fractional NFT ownership of rare records
  • Build digital vaults for collectors
  • Partner with estates for monetization
  • Leverage AI for grant writing and preservation funding

3. Government Contract Consulting​

  • Partner with Lyell Alexander on complex projects
  • Take commission on deals brought to technical experts
  • Focus on projects others "aren't smart enough to figure out"
  • Leverage Ari's proven 80% win rate methodology

4. Alpha Schools Growth​

  • International licensing deals
  • Parent engagement strategies
  • Sports academy development
  • Integration with existing portfolio companies

Personal Background & Philosophy​

Life Journey​

  • 45 years old, been through "eight winds already"
  • First marriage to anesthesiologist's daughter in Michigan
  • 19-year-old daughter from first marriage (hasn't seen since age 1)
  • Current family: Wife and two boys (5 and 8 years old)
  • Grew up in religious "two-by-twos" cult (now FBI investigated)
  • Joined military against family's conscientious objector tradition

Alaska Roots​

  • Grew up on Alaskan islands with honor-system art galleries
  • Family property between ocean and lake with moose and bears
  • Commercial fishing background (halibut, king crab)
  • Gold panning knowledge from glacial deposits

Core Philosophy​

On being on the spectrum: "I know I'm on the spectrum. I don't know how deep or far or anything, but I know I am, I just don't know where. So, kind of scared to look, to be honest."

On focus: "I had to join the army to learn how to focus."

On business approach: "I'm observant... I find processes and ways to to just put it on repeat."

Memorable Moments & Quotes​

On driving: "I went through every tactical driving school that the military and the government had... I tell my wife I'm just very efficient in my movement. She doesn't buy it."

On China trust: "It's really because I bring them proof. I mean, I, you know, lived in Missouri, met my wife in Show Me State. So, I show them, and I build trust because I'm a genuine person."

On Kansas City: "Two of our neighbors were Team USA soccer players. They both play for Sporting KC... I have buddies that are 10% owners of Sporting KC."

On goal setting: "My goal was to be the number one music expert on the planet."

Action Items & Next Steps​

  1. Alpha Schools Integration

    • Bernard follow-up meeting with MacKenzie Price
    • Present $5 million China opportunity to Joe Liemandt
    • Develop international licensing framework

  2. Music NFT Venture

    • Create fractional ownership platform
    • Partner with estates and collectors
    • Develop "tangible NFT" concept

  3. Government Contracts

    • Partner with Lyell Alexander
    • Identify high-value projects
    • Leverage Ari's methodology and connections

  4. Strategic Introductions

    • Connect with Rogers Healy in Dallas
    • Attend Men of Music night (June 6th)
    • Meet Tyler the Creator through Ron Roberts

Final Assessment​

Ari Crane represents a unique combination of military discipline, entrepreneurial creativity, and deep domain expertise across multiple valuable sectors. His connection to both rare tangible assets (vinyl) and intangible opportunities (education licensing, government contracts) positions him as an extremely valuable addition to any strategic venture. The $5 million China deal alone could transform Alpha Schools' international trajectory.