Work
Building a business should give you more control over your life, not less. These essays explore working for yourself, doing useful work, and deciding how much you want your business to grow.
38 essays · Newest first
- Just tell me when you’ll be here.
Most people communicate what's in their own head instead of what the other person needs to hear. A nurse, a boardroom, and the difference between the two.
- One person away.
A sushi speakeasy that seats eight. A hidden door. A chef who changed careers at 40. One person can change everything.
- Being a purple squirrel.
Eleven years ago, I watched a sales guy tape together a paper pyramid in a WeWork. What happened next taught me what 'purple squirrels' are — and why you want to be one.
- Nobody's even trying.
Everyone says the market is saturated. But when I look around, most people aren't even doing the basics.
- Nobody is coming to save you.
My boss told me to move to San Francisco in two weeks and fire the entire sales team. I'd never even visited the city.
- Hustling your way to nowhere.
Back in 2018, I was burning out and had no idea how to get attention for a consulting business. The hustle advice almost ruined me.
- The wallet that came back.
My wife lost her wallet in a NYC cab. What happened next reminded me of something I'd been taking for granted in business.
- Leverage is the solopreneur cheat code.
I used to think growing a business meant adding complexity. After $10.5M as a solopreneur, I've learned the opposite.
- I'll draw your dog for $350.
A woman in a tiny shop inside Fishs Eddy in NYC was selling custom dog portraits for $350. She was booked solid. Here's what she understood about business.
- Reverse engineering attention in 2025.
I used to think getting attention was about great hooks. After all these years, I've landed on a completely different formula.