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Today’s Newsletter

Soooo…what do you think of our new makeover?

After hearing from so many people suggesting we drop the red and focus on green—because of our name—I finally sat down and made the change.

With this change also comes a fresh new style for you all!

Our goal is to drive value and provide an engaging reading experience for our almost 17,000 weekly readers.

Here’s what you can expect in today’s newsletter:

• Interesting business news from this week! (Deepseek, Larry Page, and Saunas)

• How to manage your SaaS tool stack as a founder

• Our Executive Podcast Experience

• My favorite newsletters to read

We will constantly refine our format until we find the perfect fit!

There’s a poll at the bottom of this newsletter—I’d love it if you could take a second to share your feedback!

One more quick ask from me to you

Enough with the requests! Hope you enjoy our new branding and format!

This Week’s Interesting News

DeepSeek's AI Models Stir Industry Discussion

During recent earnings calls, DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has become a major topic. Executives from companies like Alphabet and AMD have noted DeepSeek's cost-effective AI models, highlighting both opportunities and competitive challenges.

Larry Page Engages with Y Combinator Startups

Google co-founder Larry Page made a rare appearance at a Y Combinator event in San Francisco, offering insights to emerging startups. His involvement underscores the ongoing support from tech veterans to new entrepreneurs.

Saunas Emerge as New Networking Hubs

In Silicon Valley, traditional networking is being complemented by wellness-focused activities like 'social saunas.' These gatherings offer a relaxed environment for founders and investors to connect, promoting health-conscious networking.

The Software Tool Epidemic

As a founder in today’s world, it’s easy to rack up a massive software bill with all the new, shiny tools constantly being released.

It feels like a new niche SaaS tool emerges every day, making it tempting to build an extensive tool stack that you probably don’t need.

Before you know it, you’re spending $500+ per month on software, when you could accomplish the same results for half the cost and fewer tools.

The Lean Startup Mindset

Early-stage founders often believe they need the best tools to compete—at least, that’s what the marketing tells you. But I can tell you firsthand that’s not true.

Running your business as lean as possible in the early and mid-stages frees up your budget for more important investments, such as marketing, learning, and growth.

I’m currently reading The Lean Startup, and it emphasizes how staying lean allows for faster testing and experimentation, which is critical for success.

Monday’s newsletter covered the importance of pivoting quickly, and that’s only possible if you’re operating lean from the start.

Do You Really Need That Many Tools?

You might think you need a separate tool for sales, marketing, AI integrations, and so on.

However, I encourage you to seek out all-in-one solutions instead of piling on multiple subscriptions.

The goal?

Be in a position where growth forces you to add tools, rather than cutting tools due to lack of growth.

One example of an all-in-one tool is PipelinePro, today’s sponsor. PipelinePro is an Inc. 5000 company and one of the fastest-growing sales and marketing platforms, offering a single subscription that consolidates multiple business functions.

My Experience with Tool Overload

I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve tried countless tools out of curiosity, but rarely have I found them essential after the trial period ends.

The leaner you operate early on, the stronger your foundation will be in the long run.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try new tools—it’s important to stay ahead of the technology curve—but be smart about what you truly need.

My Lean Tool Stack

I currently run my podcast and newsletter solo, with one overseas editor.

Here’s what my lean tool stack helps me accomplish:

✅ Video editing
✅ Post-production
✅ Writing
✅ Outreach
✅ Publishing
✅ Marketing & sales

All of this for less than $350 per month.

Final Thoughts

I could probably be even leaner, but it’s working for me.

How incredible is it that we live in a time where I can run a podcast and newsletter while working a full-time job for less than $500 per month?

We are truly living in the golden age of entrepreneurship—take advantage of it!

Founders and CEOs Are You Looking For More Exposure On Social Media?

In my conversations with hundreds of founders, one recurring challenge stands out: building a brand on social media. Many founders either lack the time or the resources to make it happen. That’s where I come in.

The Executive Podcast Experience

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of our Executive Podcast Experience—designed specifically for founders and CEOs who want to amplify their brand with minimal time investment. With just one hour of your time, you’ll walk away with months of high-quality, evergreen content that boosts your visibility and credibility.

Here’s what you’ll receive:

• A professionally edited 1-hour podcast: Published on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and X, and seen by thousands of people.

• 5-7 short-form video clips: Perfectly edited for all social media platforms to maximize engagement.

• An SEO-optimized blog post: Showcasing you and your brand, ensuring evergreen visibility on Google.

• A feature in our newsletter: Highlighting you and your brand to over 17,000 CEOs and business owners.

• A dedicated time for you to pitch your offer during our interview!

• Full access to all raw footage: Giving you and your team the flexibility to create additional content for months.

Why This Matters

As a founder or CEO, your time is your most valuable resource. The Executive Podcast Experience is designed to maximize your return on investment, giving you the tools to grow your brand without sacrificing your focus on running your business.

How to Get Started

If you’re ready to elevate your brand and benefit from this comprehensive content package, apply now to secure one of our limited Q1 spots.

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