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2025 Is All About Bringing More Value
Andres Sanchez
January 02, 2025
Happy New Year!
2024 has been a year for the books, and our community has grown bigger than I could have ever imagined!
Over the past year, we managed to grow the podcast from 350 subscribers to over 1,500 subscribers across platforms. Our newsletter community expanded from 2,000 readers to over 14,000 active readers! Lastly, we generated over 1 million views across platforms for our featured founders and CEOs.
None of this growth would have been possible without all of you reading this, and I cannot thank you enough!
With that being said, I’m excited to announce a few changes to kick off the new year strong. After gathering tons of feedback from readers, here are the main points you shared with me:
1. More personal content from me
Many of you mentioned that while you enjoy the interview recaps, you miss the personal updates about the brand and my journey.
Starting today, every newsletter will include a section at the top where I’ll share insights, advice for fellow founders, and updates on my journey of building in public.
2. More free trials and opportunities to test the tools I personally use
You’ve asked for more ways to try the tools I advertise and personally rely on.
Starting next week, I’ll compile a list of my favorite tools that I use daily to run my company solo. I’ll also connect with their founders to secure the best offers and trials exclusively for you!
3. More value in every send
While this feedback was a bit broad, I understand the desire to get the most value out of every email.
To address this, I’ll focus heavily on gathering more input from you through polls, questionnaires, and forms. This will help me improve the newsletter incrementally each month, tailoring it to meet your needs as a community.
Thank you again for an incredible 2024! You have my full commitment to help us all create the best possible 2025. Let’s make it happen!
From Cannes to Netflix: Jijo Sengupta’s Journey in Film and Storytelling
This week on Beyond The Wealth, I spoke with Jijo Sengupta, founder of AAJ Media Productions and AAJ Film Academy, who’s creating waves in the film industry. From working on Minions at Illumination Entertainment to having his short film Countless showcased at Cannes, Jijo’s journey highlights the power of storytelling, creativity, and authentic networking.
For aspiring filmmakers and business owners alike, Jijo’s philosophy—chase satisfaction, not just success—offers a refreshing perspective on building a fulfilling career.
The Art of Storytelling and Entrepreneurship
Jijo’s career is rooted in passion and persistence:
A Lifelong Calling: From sketching characters like Scooby-Doo as a child to directing and producing films that touch global audiences, storytelling has always been at the core of his journey.
Networking with Intention: Jijo believes, “Your network is your net worth,” but emphasizes nurturing genuine connections rather than transactional ones.
“If you like someone as a person, stay in touch—not because of what they can do for you, but because of the value of the relationship.”
Key Lessons from Jijo Sengupta
Define Your Purpose Before Starting
Ask yourself: Are you in it for the art, the process, or the clout? True clarity will guide your direction.
Master the Business Side
Running a production house isn’t just about creativity; it’s also about managing HR, finances, and client relationships.
Always Keep Learning
Whether it’s understanding camera angles, editing techniques, or storytelling fundamentals, continual learning is essential.
On AI in Filmmaking
Jijo sees AI as a tool to enhance workflows but not as a replacement for human creativity.
What AI Can Do: Speed up previsualization, assist with graphic design, and automate repetitive tasks.
What AI Can’t Do: Replace the subtlety and consciousness of human emotion and storytelling.
“AI will never recreate the Mona Lisa. Consciousness and human emotion can’t be replicated.”
Takeaways for Founders
Chase Satisfaction, Not Success: Redefine success as what brings you joy and fulfillment, not just external accolades.
Leverage Networking: Build genuine relationships, not just transactional connections.
Adapt and Innovate: Use tools like AI to complement your work, but never lose sight of the human touch that makes your craft unique.
What inspired you most about Jijo’s story? Let’s discuss how storytelling can transform your business.
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