How AI Gives You Hours Back (and Helps You Sleep Better) Ever felt pulled in every direction at once? Most founders feel this way. They juggle product launches, customer needs, and their own well-being. Let’s dive deeper into how AI voice bots, better workflows, and self-care can keep you moving. Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe Here. Early-Morning CrossFit vs. Non-Stop Startup Chaos Years ago, I committed to a 6 a.m. CrossFit class three times a week. It was about more than...
7 days ago • 3 min read
Founder Mode, Now in Stereo: The Podcast Is Here Founder Mode shares tips for building and growing businesses. Now, I'm launching a podcast. Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe Here. I'm partnering with Jason Shafton, a marketing expert. He has scaled products at Google, Headspace, and startups. We’ve seen how great founders make their own luck. That’s where we start in Episode 1: Founder Mode - Luck is a Skill, You Can Manufacture It 🔹 Is luck random, or can you create it? 🔹 How...
15 days ago • 1 min read
The Boat: The Tough Call That Speeds Everybody Up Ever feel that gut twist when you realize someone on your team isn’t rowing in the same direction? It’s a tough spot. Letting people go is rarely fun, but it can be the best way to speed everyone else up. Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe Here. 1. The Rowers Who Slow You Down I talked with a technical CEO a while ago who had to let go of an underperforming dev team. All of them. They held on for too long, hoping things would...
20 days ago • 3 min read
Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe Here. Never Eat Alone—Why Relationships Are Your Most Valuable Asset "Dad, isn't that more like dating or hanging out than working?" My 15-year-old daughter, Brooke, caught me off guard during dinner last night. I shared some highlights of my week. I had two dinners with entrepreneurs, three lunches, several coffee meetings, and even a 'business walk." She's right; it sounded more like hangouts than work. Maybe that's precisely how it should be....
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe Here. The Health Stack That Changed Everything Fifteen years ago, I thought I understood health. I’d read Tim Ferriss's 4-Hour Body, tested slow-carb eating, and saw quick results in 2013. But like many founders, I let startups, stress, and the endless grind push health to the back seat. I’d gain weight, lose some weight for a short period, then gain it back. I've tried over 15 different trainers. I've done Crossfit, F45, Barry's, and many others....
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe Here. Founder Mode How to Build Focus as an Organization Every founder and leader wants their team to move fast and execute well. But most companies—big and small—waste time on distractions that don’t drive results. I’ve seen this happen at every level: Early-stage startups struggle to pick the right priorities. Growing companies get pulled in too many directions. Large teams slow down due to process and bureaucracy. The best organizations use...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe Here. Founder Mode Decision Making, Mental Models, and a Simple Health Hack One of the most significant decisions I made last year was how to spend my time. I wanted to balance health, work, and personal relationships AND boost my productivity. I stopped only focusing on work or money. Now, I think about long-term sustainability. Am I building my life to grow the way I want over time? That shift led me to set goals; honestly, I feel more in...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe Here. Founder Mode Ever feel like you're juggling too much? You've got to balance team building, product speed, design, user needs, and your life outside of work. Trust me, you’re not alone. The biggest puzzle I've solved is how to keep momentum. I need enough attention or feedback to take the next step. I don't always need to figure out the end state. 1. Speed vs. Design: Why Getting to Market (Fast) Matters I've led teams that spent months...
2 months ago • 5 min read
Founder Mode - Negotiating Vendor Contracts Negotiating vendor contracts goes beyond cutting costs. It's about flexibility, leverage, and protecting your company's interests. Many teams lack structure in dealing with vendors. This leads to mistakes in selecting, evaluating, negotiating, and implementing them. You can turn these talks into a competitive advantage with the right approach. Key Areas in Vendor Negotiations 1. Common Process & Pitfalls Most companies have an unstructured process....
2 months ago • 4 min read