👋 Hi! I'm Dan. I help makers, artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives find the clarity and motivation to get their work out into the world. If that sounds good, let's go! 🚀

Hi Reader,

I've been busy with some things that are coming your way shortly. Stay tuned!

Today, we have a short lesson I learned the hard way (as usual...), our first ever SPONSOR (!!!) and then some favorite things — from YOU! Readers! And a few from me.

Let's get into it!

Lessons Learned

I left the c-suite to build my dream business.

It worked, but had a lethal flaw.

In 2019, I started a software venture studio.

A "venture studio" is a core team that shares resource and launches multiple projects.
I didn’t have a name for it.
Our MO was build fast, launch, and iterate.

I had a core team of 12 members — all contractors.
We went from $0 to low seven figures in top-line revenue, totally bootstrapped.

It was incredible.

I had one secret weapon:
Partnerships.

I had two partners in the studio.
We were aligned and complemented each other.
One led sales.
The other was our CTO.

My role: bring everyone together.
Keep everyone together.
And keep us rowing in the same direction.

I did it well. Until I didn't.

We grew through partnerships.
We worked with affiliates to launch and scale.

Everything was going well until…

Our CTO was invited to join a project with a mentor.
It was her passion. And it paid great.
She was generous in her exit.

We tried to replace her with another partner.
I thought it would be like it was before.

That was my blind spot.
I was wrong.

We weren’t aligned.
I put in blood and sweat.
I put in my network and name.
The only skin they had in the game was their investment.

We were there to build value.
They were there to extract it.

I spent a year on that project.
I was the face of the company.
And will never see anything from it.

I’m convinced now more than ever:
Partnerships are the fastest way to grow a business.
AND partnerships are the fastest way to kill one.

The real trick is knowing which you’re getting.

Align values.
Align incentives.
Protect your downside.

Your Turn:

Have thoughts? Hit reply. I'd love to hear them.

Favorites!

I love sharing what I'm into. And I love hearing what you're into as well!

Here's some of mine and one of yours:

🎸 Noah Gundersen's Counting Crows Cover

I've seen and heard Noah Gundersen play a few times. He's local to the PNW. He's great. But not in my usual music rotation.

Until now. Until this.

He covered Round Here by the Counting Crows and I have goosebumps just thinking about it.

I'm a sucker for covers. I have a playlist of some of my favorites.

Gundersen doesn't just cover this song. He embodies it. It's moving. It's so beautiful. I can't get enough:

📚 Ryan Holiday's Books

I'm a huge fan of Ryan Holiday's work. Turns out some of you are too! Joey S. shared this:

I just got done burning through almost all of Ryan Holiday’s books! I love his style of writing and how he takes stoic philosophies from thousands of years ago and applies them to today. His books on courage and discipline were easy reads and a wake up call to what true courage and discipline looks like.

Right now I’m enjoying his book, The Daily Dad. It has 366 meditations that is meant to be read daily. It has been a huge help on dealing with the daily tasks of parenting. From being more focused on the present to having more discipline to simply having better conversations with your kids, it has been invaluable with its advice and reminders!

This is a book I’m gifting to family and friends and I highly recommend it to all parents, not just the dads!

- Joey S

🎙️ People in Transition Podcast

I had the fun chance to be on Bob Gerst's People in Transition podcast. It was fun to dig into the wild transition I've been in over the past few years.

I share about depression, leaving ministry, becoming an entrepreneur, testing career hypothesis, and more.

Would love for you to give it a listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/803141/10459661

Your turn

Anything great you've been enjoying? Hit reply and send it along! I'd love to know. Seriously.

8,000+ people are getting this email, and I can count on one hand how many responses I usually get. You have the chance to change that! Hit reply. Tell me what's good!

Yours in meaning making,