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Transcript Summary: Gary Sheng & Hien Nguyen - Mining Operations Follow-up Discussion

Date: 2025-06-23 (Follow-up conversation) Participants: Gary Sheng (@gary-sheng.md), Hien Nguyen (@hien-nguyen.md) Context: Detailed discussion of Horizon Mining Company involvement, partnership challenges, and strategic planning for Dr. Alexander collaboration

Executive Summary​

Hien provided extensive details about his involvement with Brent's Horizon Mining Company, revealing both significant revenue potential and serious operational challenges. The conversation covered partnership dynamics, financial arrangements, operational crises, and strategic considerations for the Dr. Alexander collaboration. Key themes included the challenges of passive partnerships, the importance of proper board governance, and Hien's Oklahoma background.

Mining Company Situation​

Company Overview & Financial Performance​

"It's a shit show, but it made five million dollars revenue in the second month of operation."

The Horizon Mining Company represents a complex opportunity with strong revenue generation but poor management support:

  • $5M revenue in second month of operations
  • Hien holds 5% equity stake with quarterly distribution rights
  • Targeting $15K/month consulting fee for 20 hours/week
  • Potential $100K-200K "slug" payout within 45 days

Partnership Structure Problems​

Hien detailed the problematic partnership dynamics:

"So I've got Sean Chipman, who's part of the network, or the team, rather. He's a family office CPA, CFO type guy... And then Joel Weiner, who's one of the lawyers, was another third, so it kind of kicked him out. So he's back in control, 85, 15, from an equity point of view."

The partnership restructuring reduced Sean Chipman and Joel Weiner from 1/3 partners each to minority stakes, giving Brent 85% control.

Critical Operational Crisis - Robert Wood Situation​

Hien explained the vendor payment crisis:

"Robert Wood guy is, like, paying funny money. So, what Robert Wood did was he got a line of credit, and we, because he has good credit as well. And the company had no credit. He got all the service contracts for the employees and the equipment, about $8 million worth of equipment through his company... And so, Wood has not been paying, right?"

"Robert Wood's coming aggressive as well. Like, oh, you know, we've lent you, we gave you five million line of credit. You don't really have anything. We want equity."

Professional Partnership Failures​

Hien criticized the inadequate support from professional partners:

"Joel and fucking Sean is like... they should have been at the deal table with Brent, clearly they weren't, because he's flapping around now with this motherfucker... they should have been up this guy's ass with, like, I don't know, the fucking, like, SWAT team, like, you know, like, the first week after when he was not paid to the vendor."

Comparison to Proper Management​

"Trish would never let this fucking shit go down, she would fucking be on, you know, dealing with it straight away, if not, like, preventing it altogether."

AI Mining Technology Opportunity​

Australian Mining Model​

Hien outlined the technological opportunity:

"In Australia, you know, one, about a third of our stock exchange and economy is mining, and so we've got like three public companies that take up like 40% of the stock exchange value... since 2014, they've been using AI and autonomous mining vehicles, and they've got fleets of them... whereas in Australia, it's like the standard of business, right, and so... the actual situation in the US, we're really behind in mining technology."

AI-First Business Strategy​

"Most companies now, or at least if you see yourself as a technology sort of educated startup or whatever, should be AI first, should be automation first, right?"

Hien proposed two buckets of technology implementation:

  1. Basic business functions (communications, finance, accounting, marketing)
  2. Specialized mining technology (machine learning, autonomous vehicles, robotics)

Separate IP Strategy​

"The tech stuff goes into the tech company, which can be, then after that, be either divested off, separated, so there's no conflict of interest, that's, you go out and provide services to your competitors of the mining company."

Strategic Positioning Questions​

Gary's Skepticism about Mining Focus​

Gary: "I just find it interesting that your only options that are like meaningful potential are all related to Brent."

Hien: "No, he's got money, and I, he's got money, and he owes me, okay? That's why I'm working with him."

Short-term vs Long-term Objectives​

"I asked him for 15 grand... Whatever, it's only going to be for a couple of months, but at least, you know, like, anyway."

Gary: "So, so, so, so this is just kind of like a vehicle for, it's not even really consulting, it's really just a way for you to get paid out, right?"

Hien: "Well, I'm gonna, I'm gonna do work... if I was gonna do something for him, it would be to fill the, the hole that they're not filling right now as board members and senior advisors to the company, because he needs help."

Dr. Alexander Partnership Considerations​

Financial Pressure Dynamics​

"Money, is going to be, such a, two edged, concept here, where like, if we brought some, like real money, and he could get some, to make his life a bit better, like, he will fucking follow you to the gates of hell. If it drags on for too long, and like, there are money struggles, then, he'll become skeptical."

Current Situation Assessment​

Gary: "He reminds me of you, man, where, he's like, a genius that lives paycheck to paycheck."

"Right now, where I'm at is, trying to get 130K, for my monthly bills."

Mining Company as Potential Resource​

Gary: "Do you think that's a, basically a waste of time, to try to loop in, Dr. Alexander on this company, that you don't even want to be a part of?"

Hien: "Unless he's got some, very obvious, sort of, the customers of Horizon, you know, are CSX, it is a Fortune 500, you know, it's a good customer, and it's a legit, operation."

Oklahoma Background & Reputation Considerations​

Tribal Connections​

"I was the medical advisor, five civilized tribes, which, are in Oklahoma, it's like, Cherokee, Creek, whatever, combined revenues, are like 20 billion... interesting powerhouse, of the Midwest."

Reputation Management Issues​

"I spent, a year and a half, in Oklahoma, and, lots of highs and lows, got, a few friends, a lot of enemies... I just wanted you to know that up front, because it's a very, Tulsa, especially, it's a very, small community."

Specific Legal/Financial Obligations​

"There were a few investors, for like 25 to 50 grand, and who got fucked over in that process... me and Trish have already written out a long list of, people that I'm going to pay back."

"One of my best friends ever, Frank my lawyer, and Ross and all that, forged documents, and basically convinced my buddy Robbie, who's a cardiologist in Tulsa, that I stole 500K out of escrow from him."

Trish & Strategic Guidance​

Current Limitations​

"She's limited in the people she's allowed to consult, and advise now, as part of the security protocol from the US government... I've got to get clearance."

Aging and Availability​

"She's not the same person that she was two years ago... she's getting old, and that just breaks my heart... she used to just be like, fucking 24 seven... she's like, and you know, so last time... she's, like, she's legit, like, being with the president, a lot of times, and especially now, with the war going on."

Spiritual Connection Recommendation​

Gary: "Do you think it's valuable for me to try to build a relationship with Trish?"

Hien: "You can reach out to her, like spiritually, and it's for real... I trust my soul to her, my life to her, everything to her... I think she's more active, much more active now, in those planes, than in physical reality."

Strategic Insights & Lessons​

Partnership Quality Assessment​

The conversation revealed Hien's sophisticated understanding of partnership dynamics and the critical importance of committed, competent partners during operational crises.

Financial Pressure Management​

Both Gary and Hien recognized the challenge of managing brilliant but financially constrained partners, with money serving as both motivator and potential source of skepticism.

Reputation & Relationship Management​

Hien demonstrated awareness of how past actions in small communities (like Tulsa) can create ongoing challenges and the importance of systematic reputation repair.

Technology Commercialization Strategy​

The discussion revealed potential synergies between Hien's mining technology insights and Dr. Alexander's IP commercialization expertise.

Key Takeaways for Gary​

  1. Partnership Assessment: Understanding the critical importance of committed, competent partners
  2. Financial Strategy: Recognizing how financial pressure affects brilliant individuals and strategic decisions
  3. Reputation Management: Awareness of how past actions in small communities affect future opportunities
  4. Technology Opportunities: Potential mining/AI synergies with Dr. Alexander's expertise
  5. Spiritual/Strategic Guidance: Value of connecting with Trish for broader strategic perspective

Follow-up Actions Planned​

  • Coordinate meeting with Trish (either in Vegas or Arizona)
  • Continue developing Dr. Alexander partnership strategy
  • Monitor Horizon Mining situation for potential collaboration opportunities
  • Address Oklahoma reputation issues systematically

Notes​

This conversation revealed the complexity of managing multiple business relationships while building new strategic partnerships. Hien's mining company involvement serves multiple purposes: short-term financial stability, potential technology commercialization platform, and demonstration of operational expertise. However, the partnership challenges also illustrate the importance of proper governance structures and committed professional support during growth phases.