A Boston nurse was injured after driving off the top floor of a parking <strong>garage</strong> earlier this month.

Nurse Who Slept in Her Car Accidentally Drove Off Top Floor of Hospital Parking Garage

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Garage

HackerNoon Reporter: Please tell us briefly about your background. Hello, my name is Grant Michael Leingang. I am 28 and currently reside in Portland, OR. I have an extensive history in advanced arts, design, and programming. What's your startup called? And in a sentence or two, what does it do? BLVCK DIVMOND is a digital design and programming firm for entrepreneurial ventures looking to succeed in a highly competitive environment. What is the origin story? BLVCK DIVMOND was created and founded in my father’s garage when I was 23. The concept was to establish a company that focused on original creative designs and to use digital guerilla marketing tactics that caught people’s attention and to generate new leads. At the moment, how do you measure success? What are your core metrics? I define success as anything you personally desire becomes a reality. What’s most exciting about your traction to date? Creating a “word” and company that completely changed the marketing and advertising world. What technologies are you currently most excited about, and most worried about? And why? I’m currently excited about new and upcoming VR headsets. Software developers have been providing new internet browsers/applications, for example, Quest OS, for users to experience a revolutionary way to interact with websites, games, and TV. I’m not really worried about anything in particular when it comes to new technology being developed. What advice would you give to the 21-year-old version of yourself? Buy. More. Bitcoin. What is something surprising you've learned this year that your contemporaries would benefit from knowing? Create what you love. Do what you love. Do not let anyone ever tell you what you can and cannot do. Save your money - jealousy makes people act in weird ways and triggers psychological behavioral patterns that you would not normally be able to predict. _ As an entrepreneur the rules of life are: _ Don’t trust anyone other than yourself. Save your money Lie about your income. Don’t flaunt your money. Live with little. Have a lot. Focus on digital assets. Become friends with lawyers. Pay attention to those who are succeeding. Hide your laptop. Vote for BLVCK DIVMOND for Startup of The Year in Portland at https://startups.hackernoon.com/us/portland

Grant Michael Leingang founded BLVCK DIVMOND in his father’s garage when he was 23

When we think of the world's most successful companies, we think about large offices and employees that were there from the very beginning. In fact, many companies started their business in the founder's bedroom or garage. The fact that some of the most prosperous and highest rated companies in the world began in a garage, a room that is so small and unimportant that most of us have access to something, is inspirational. In fact, the following stories are so inspirational that a lot of startups with little or no funds launched their businesses from their own garages. Mark Rodney of explains how many new business owners require garage door upgrades, insulated garage doors, and even garage door repairs because they want to use their garages as a launchpad for their new business. A1garages If you need objective evidence, here are some of the largest companies in the world, all of which started out in garages. 1. Google Yes, the most famous search engine in the world was . launched in a garage Stanford University graduates, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, used Susan Wójcicki’s garage, in September 1998. They worked day and night for several months and developed what we know today as Google. The main purpose of Google was to organize and maintain information on one platform so that it is available to ordinary people around the world. Today, Google is the most-used search engine in the world and has launched other useful sites and applications. 2. Apple Apple is one of the most valuable brands today and often surprises people who find out that the first Apple computers were built in a small garage in Cupertino, California. In 1976, Steve Woźniak created the first Apple computer. He then partnered with the late Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne (another partner) to launch Apple Computer Co. from Jobs parents' garage. One of the first large orders came from a local vendor who ordered 50 computers for $ 500 per unit, which they were able to produce in just 30 days. Today, the story of Apple as a global brand is known worldwide and no one remembers their modest inception. 3. Amazon In 1994, Jeff Bezos founded Amazon as an online bookstore. At that time, his garage in Bellevue, Washington was his office, warehouse, and everything else. He sold his first book in July 1995, and two years later in 1997. Today Amazon is the world's largest online retailer. 4. Microsoft is another technology giant that began small. When Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft, they had very little money and worked out of a small garage. Microsoft However, they had a lot of programming skills that they used to build their first operating system which they licensed for $80,000. Windows was born a few years later and we know how it went. With a value of over $ 400 billion, Microsoft has dominated the PC market for over two decades, making Bill Gates the richest man in the world. 5. Dell Michael Dell is another well-known entrepreneur who dropped out of college. He began building custom computers in his garage in 1984, but it wasn't until a year later that he decided it was time to leave college and move to North Austin to grow the company from a small office. Since then, Dell has become one of the strongest competitors on the  market and one of the most successful companies. 6. The Walt Disney Co. It's the world's largest media conglomerate, and it all began in the summer of 1923, in a garage belonging to Robert Disney, Walt Disney’s Uncle. In this small space, the company made Alice comedies that will later inspire the version of Alice in Disney Wonderland. A few months later, Disney and his brother Roy moved to a larger spot near their uncle's house. There Disney signed a contract with Universal Studios for the distribution of the comedy Alice. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. 7. Mattel Not every garage business is tied to the world of technology. Some had a different market niche. was one of these exceptional ventures and phenomenal success, as are many others. Mattel In 1945, Elliot Handler and his wife Ruth partnered with Harold Matson and began building photo frames from their workshop. While frame making was successful, they decided to add doll furniture by using the remaining materials from picture frames. What originally began as a side business soon developed into one of the biggest doll-making companies world known today.

7 Giant Businesses That Started in Garages and Basements 

A version of this article previously appeared in . Forbes I recently interviewed Bruce Heavin, Co-Founder and Head of Innovation at Lynda.com, as part of . Bruce, along with his wife Lynda, created a learning company from their garage, initially by holding in-person classes and later selling VHS tapes via mail order. Under Bruce’s innovative guidance, the company was an early adopter of the Internet, creating online videos long before platforms such as YouTube became ubiquitous. UC Santa Barbara’s Innovator Stories series Bruce and Lynda eventually grew their into a global powerhouse, offering 5,700 classes and 255,000 video tutorials to over 4 million users. startup In 2015, LinkedIn purchased Lynda.com for $1.5 billion, making it a bonafide . The outcome was especially impressive, as the company was entirely self-funded for its first 17-years. unicorn You can listen to our discussion in the background, while you work, run or play. If you’d rather download my talk with Bruce for free on iTunes, you can do so . here For those who don’t have the time to listen to our entire talk, I’ve highlighted several key takeaways below, along with the corresponding video timestamp, to facilitate quick access to issues of interest to entrepreneurs. Frustrated Students Create A New-Fangled Learning Company The book greatly impacted Lynda as a child. Like a true entrepreneur, even though she was young, she took control of her life and pursued an alternative education. Summerhill School Bruce also experienced a challenging time at school, struggling with the limitations of a 1970’s public school education which emphasized conformity over creativity. [3:27] “I had all kind of disabilities that I didn’t understand and I was failing in third grade. I had problems with reading and writing and comprehension and a lot of social abilities. While the kids played in the playground, I was in the trailer learning speech, how to write my letters the right way right and that was really hard because I did really well at everything, but then there are areas where, no matter how hard I work, I’d I’d fail and… it just made me really hate going into the school every day. I would go there knowing that I can’t get through certain things and that was very frustrating.” Because of their unsatisfying academic experiences, Bruce and Lynda shared a desire to create an alternative learning organization by which students would only answer to themselves. In 1995, Lynda wrote one of the first books on web design, Designing Web Graphics. The success of her initial book established her as a thought leader and made it clear that a sizable market existed to educate non-technical enthusiasts about the then-emerging Internet. [04:29] “What I’ve learned, in time, is that there are different ways and styles of learning. We don’t have any units, we don’t have any credits, we didn’t have any tests. It’s just like, ‘Oh, I’ll learn something, I’ll learn it for the sake of learning.’ You don’t have to prove to anyone else but yourself.” Lesson: Identify a problem that you passionately want to solve. Self Taught Is Well Taught Both Bruce and Lynda were both self-educated technologists. In Bruce’s case, he was fortunate that his father was a rocket scientist, which afforded him access to computers at an early age. [8:54] “My dad was literally a rocket scientist. He worked for Boeing… I had access to computers in 1977 in (my) home. They wouldn’t let me have video games, so I’d program my own. I learned programming, Basic and, God forbid, COBOL and later Fortran. These really were things I did that built the bedrock for going in other directions and understanding computer graphics, even when they weren’t that great. Just understanding these things early… (was important because) when they started coming out on the consumer level it was a lot easier to explain to the consumers what they’re getting into.” Lesson: Be curious and never stop seeking new knowledge. The Failed Knife Salesman Bruce attempted to pay his way through art college by selling knives. He didn’t last long. Interestingly, when she was a teenager, Lynda worked at a hotdog stand, making $80/month. , she told me that this failure taught her, In this interview “That doing something you hate makes for an unhappy life. That there is always a way to get what you want, for me, it was to pay for a private education, even when it seems like there is no possibility.” Similarly, Bruce’s short-lived career in sales reinforced that his talents were better applied creating technology, rather than trying to sell it. [10:10] “I completely failed. I did not do well. I lasted about two weeks doing it and I just learned I was a horrible salesperson. I don’t have it in me to pressure people. I’m not a high-pressure person. I don’t push myself on people and what they wanted out of me is not who I was. It’s very important to understand what you are not… (it) is one of the hardest things as our company is growing. When you start your own company, you do everything. You take out the trash, you wash the windows, you go buy office supplies. If it’s just you and your wife, or you and five others, there’s almost no organizational level with that small size. You’re doing everything. You have to keep giving your jobs away as you get bigger and bigger and bigger, but it’s understanding how to surround yourself with the people that are really smart that can help you with your deficiencies.” I then pointed out the obvious fact that you must be self-aware to recruit people who can shore up your weaknesses. Bruce agreed, stating, [11:29] “It’s painfully hard (to be self-aware). I just thought I was good at everything but it’s horrible how many things I just couldn’t do. Certain things like sales was a good example. I am NOT the salesperson.” Lesson: By understanding what you are not, you’ll get one step closer to discover what you are. The Opposite Of Work Is Boredom Bruce also shared that he was taken aback by how quickly the deal came together, causing him to initially become bored, once the sale was consummated. [15:30] “(Initially) there’s a lot of boredom, not as much now, but you know, I didn’t have a plan B and I didn’t think the company was going to sell so fast. From the initial, ‘Maybe we’ll buy you’ to, ‘we’ll buy you’ was under a month and, when they said they would buy us to when it sold, was under a month. Things went by very fast, so even up to the last minute I’m like, ‘I don’t think this is going to happen.’” We then explored how Bruce initially dealt with the company’s sale. Given the rapidity with which the deal closed, he didn’t have enough time to consider what life after Lynda.com would entail. Per Bruce, the day after the transaction closed, [16:50] “I just sat home on the couch. I was kind of dumbfounded. It wasn’t my goal, it wasn’t my endgame. I thought there’s some bigger goals within what I was doing. I thought I could take this much further, so I was just kind of shell-shocked, to be honest. You know it’s a first-world problem when you actually sell. I had a lot of self-worth in what I was able to do there. I’m more of a maker and a creator, so I am more happy when I am doing it, when I’m making, and when I had that taken away from me, I was like, ‘Wow.’ I think I just invested so much in that company that when I left it, I didn’t know what I had, so it took a little while for me the kind of find my feet.” Lesson: Don’t dwell on your potential exit, but invest enough time to thoughtfully consider life after your venture. You can follow John on Twitter: @johngreathouse .

An Unlikely Unicorn: Lynda.com’s Journey From Garage To $1.3B Sale

A short overview of the recent pilot, where 19 investors from 4 different continents invested in a single tokenized real estate asset. When we posted news in that the pilot project would involve a garage parking in Tech Park Ljubljana, one of our active community members inventively commented: ”Well, many successful companies started their in a garage, why should Blocksquare be any different,” with the below picture following shortly after. Blocksquare’s Telegram group tokenization business Small garage projects turning into international success stories are rare, but stories we’ve all heard of. They show us that e strong idea is not worth much without focus, determination, and perseverance. At Blocksquare we aspire to these garage stories and strive to deliver the best blockchain-based tools for real estate businesses. Blocksquare’s vision is simple — to make real estate investing accessible, digital and global — and the recently concluded pilot proves our team is on the right track! While the full pilot report can be found here , this short review will focus mainly on the execution part, how it applies on BST token holders and how established real estate businesses can benefit from our technology. About Blocksquare For those who are not familiar, Blocksquare is a startup developing the world’s leading blockchain-based tokenization system for commercial real estate properties. With a team of dedicated professionals and digital currency enthusiasts based in Ljubljana, Slovenia (EU), Blocksquare is on a mission to bring real estate investments to anyone with an internet connection. The project At Blocksquare we’re creating an out-of-the-box solution for more or less established businesses like real estate crowdfunding platforms, asset management companies, real estate developers and other similar players. Each of these businesses is by itself already a working platform — they source real estate investment deals in their region to a pool of investors. What these businesses don’t have is the tools to offer a new emerging asset class — tokenized real estate investments. And that is where Blocksquare comes in! A local asset management company NDP successfully tokenized a small real estate property in Slovenia — an underground garage parking space located in Technology Park Ljubljana. This Minimum Viable Property (MVP) attracted small investors from all around the world that participated through a 16 days long crowdfunding cycle. Technology park in Ljubljana Our primary goal was to test the beta version of the PropToken system in the everyday environment. The small size of the property, a single garage parking space in Technology Park Ljubljana gave the opportunity to our team to mainly focus on execution, rather than investor relations. Digital Shares Digital shares — or PropTokens (BSPT), how we call them at Blocksquare — were distributed to 19 investors from 8 different countries. BSPT stands for Blocksquare Property Tokens, and they are distinguishable to 100,000 digital shares that represent a 100% stake in a given property. Each set of digital shares is managed by a separate smart contract deployed on the Ethereum blockchain, meaning 100s or even 1000s of users can now become invested in a single property without the downsides of other co-investment models that bound investors to the decisions of others. Source: Etherscan The maximum purchase in the garage was limited to 30,000 BSPT or 30% of the tokenized property, resulting in a fair distribution of stakeholders. The PropToken system automatically tracks and records stakeholders even on the secondary market. The fact that every transaction is recorded on the Ethereum blockchain gives investors ultimate transparency and insight. Rent distribution Every property has its own unique smart contract address used by the certified partner when specifying a deposit made to the PropTokenRENT contract. Looking at this contract address on a blockchain indexing platform like Etherscan, anyone can verify the total amount of BST bought from generated rent, as well as the amount of BST already claimed by stakeholders. Source: Etherscan As all addresses are public, we also know the certified partner’s main address that is used by NDP Asset Management to tokenize new properties and make rental yield deposits. Taking a closer look at the address, we see that NDP sent 0.58 ETH (or approximately 100€) on the 14th of September to — an exchange where BST trading is currently available. IDEX Source: Etherscan A subsequent incoming transaction of 3,622 BST from IDEX to NDP’s Ethereum address clearly shows that BST was bought by NDP and later deposited to the PropTokenRENT smart contract. Everything is TRANSPARENT and publicly auditable! Source: Etherscan NDP will continue to make these distributions on a monthly basis, usually around the 15th of each month. Other Certified Partners and tokenized properties may need a different distribution schedule, and Blocksquare is built to allow any distribution schedule. On the investor’s side, stakeholders need to withdraw their rent appropriations either using one’s Blocksquare account or directly by interacting with the PropTokenRENT contract. Stakeholders can do so more or less regularly, resting assured they are the sole beneficiaries, and their total unclaimed share is cryptographically secured and always available for withdrawal. BST liquidity This first tokenized real estate property sets a clear example of how a rent-generating property increases liquidity of BST. The garage parking adds demand for BST of about 1200€ on an annual basis. Not much, but the fact that this liquidity is provided by fresh capital and not artificial market making is a very important consideration — with new Certified Partners the number of properties under tokenization will increase, subsequently influencing BST liquidity levels. BST utility First Buyers are investors who participate in a PropToken Generation Event to purchase PropTokens (BSPT) directly from a Certified Partner and not later on when digital shares are trading on the secondary market. First Buyers of a specific PropToken are permanently recorded on the blockchain and will split 0.3% transaction fee each time the specific digital shares change hands. An investor’s First Buyer share of the transaction fee is calculated based on: (a) the amount of BSPT the investor purchased, and(b) the amount of BST the investor holds at time of purchase. The higher an investor’s First Buyer Power (FBP), the more significant the transaction fee share. The below table displays a simplified example of FBP calculation with only 4 participants in a PropToken Generation Event: Simplified FBP % share calculation example Grow with us Tokenization of commercial real estate properties enables and similar real estate business, to increase the number of deals, expedite deal flow, expand operations into new markets and exponentially grow their business. asset management companies, real estate crowdfunding platforms, multi-family offices, real estate developers We offer a global solution to a local problem. We understand that it is not about who your consumers and employees are today… but who your consumers and employees are tomorrow! Any established real estate business should the business model offered by tokenization of real estate properties. with Blocksquare will allow you to as NDP Asset Management did by working with us on the garage parking pilot. embrace and understand Engaging experiment and learn We love creating win-win situations — collaborating with us will your company’s capabilities and value propositions, both internally and externally, enhance encouraging innovation preparing your today’s employees for your future customers! Get in touch: join our telegram group • follow us on twitter • like our facebook page …or simply email us at future@blocksquare.io ;) Fusion accelerator program in Geneva, Switzerland The pilot proved to be even more important for Blocksquare Our hard work placed us amongst the top from 100s of startups world-wide, and we are looking forward to starting the fellowship, learn from the best and shape our product to best fit today’s market. — we got accepted into Fusion PropTech !

The World’s First Tokenized Garage

The Garage under SQ5 is outlined with a rectangle Disclaimer: This work was done as part of a class assignment for Georgia Tech’s CS4464/6465 Fall 2016 (https://github.com/jacobeisenstein/gt-compj-class/). The opinions expressed here, if any, are solely those of the students working on this assignment and not of the Instructor or Georgia Tech. Startup Exchange Startup Exchange held its first meeting of 2016 at The Garage under SQ5. People from all over the Georgia Tech community were invited to start the semester off with light refreshments, industry talks, and entrepreneurial workshops — and of course to see what Startup Exchange has planned for the coming weeks. What is Startup Exchange? From their : website Startup Exchange is the entrepreneurial community that empowers students to support and inspire each other to build their dreams and live an alternative lifestyle. To be less hand-wavy, Startup Exchange is a club run by Georgia Tech students that aims to connect people interested in entrepreneurship and to help them hone their craft. , a student at Georgia Tech studying Computer Science, said “The club offers a space for members to socialize and learn from the other members. The club brings in guest speakers with a wealth of experience who can provide guidance. Most important, the club puts you in contact with other students who have similar goals and aspirations which facilitates finding the right people to grow your startup.” Brett Garcia As for why people come to these meetings, — another Computer Science student at GT — says it’s about “the motivation and wisdom of the people that attend the sessions”. He continues: “They say in order to better yourself, you should surround yourself with people that are better than you but have like-minded interests — that’s exactly what I’m attempting to do.” Naveen Chandran The club hosts weekly meetings where attendees can share their ideas, stories, and struggles in the space. Startup Exchange Logo. Source: https://www.facebook.com/StartupExchange/ The Event The 2016 inaugural event kicked off with attendees introducing themselves to the crowd. Each person stood up, was given a microphone, and answered the prompt: What is your name? What is your major? (If you’re still in school) Why are you here/why are you interested in Startup Exchange? If you have a startup, pitch it to us in 60 seconds. If not, what is your favorite startup? Of those in attendance, a vast majority were current students at Georgia Tech. Others were recent alumni or people who worked in and around Tech Square. Surprisingly, only about 1 in 5 people shared that they were currently building a startup. Unsurprisingly, the unanimous answer to “Why are you here?” was something along the lines of learning more about entrepreneurship, finding a place/people to bounce ideas off of, and connecting with people who are also interested in creating their own company. The Keynote “Whatever you do, do the shit out of it” After the introductions, , the CEO of , took the stage. Kyle is a GT Alum (MGT-2004) who started out under the College of Engineering before jumping on the M-Train. He told his story of evolution from living the college life party to party to CEO of a company rated by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Kyle Porter SalesLoft #1 best place to work for midsize companies Along the way, he shared some advice that he’d gained in his time building his company such as: “Whatever you do, do the shit out of it” Enmesh your core values into your business at every level Figure out what you’re good at and partner for the things you aren’t Have a clear vision of what your business’ purpose is, how you’re going to accomplish it, and why you’re going to accomplish it. The Alumnus The next speaker to take the stage was Hunter Rosenblume, CEO of Cosmos Labs and past director of Startup Semester at Georgia Tech. He began by saying he was part of the crowd listening to speakers talk at Startup Exchange just a year ago and now he’s CEO of his own company. Hunter shared his own advice about being an entrepreneur: “Be around people doing cool shit all the time.” “Pickup side projects you don’t have time to do”, especially those that look cool or that will make you learn a lot. The Garage The Garage The last speaker to take the stage was , CEO and Co-founder of Sandbox Communities. Around Tech Square, he’s most known for the Atlanta division SandboxATL — a company that “connect[s] you to events, media content, and collaborative spaces at the heart of Atlanta’s tech scene.” They host events at various tech spaces around the city that encourage members to mingle and share ideas. Scott Henderson The Garage’s location. Source: http://startupexchange.gatech.edu/ The Garage is a new event space under the Square on Fifth (SQ5) tower that is run by SandboxATL. Scott pitched it as a clubhouse for “people creating the of tech.” The space is aptly named, evoking a no-frills, functional vibe with exposed concrete walls, bare wood, and metal components. future It’s split into two levels. The top floor has three medium-sized areas with desks along the railing overlooking the bottom floor and stage. Along the interior wall, it sports a few break-out rooms furnished by a small desk and door, providing some privacy in an otherwise communal space. The bottom floor has an open floor plan with an overhang under the cover of the second story as you first walk in. The check-in desk sits nestled against the stairs that curl up to your left. Further in, the space opens up around the stage — a raised platform where audience seating (accommodating up to 250 guests, according to the ) can be arranged. website Startup Academy The last piece of programming for the night was the first instance of Startup Academy. Startup Academy is the educational offshoot of Startup Exchange that provides workshops and other interactive activities for club attendees. ever The first lesson was on Ideation — or the process of coming up with ideas for start ups. It involved a short presentation introducing the concept followed by an interactive portion grouping people into teams to brainstorm and categorize on the fly using of sticky notes. lots Startup Exchange meets weekly on Fridays from 4–6PM at The Garage with Startup Academy directly after semiweekly. Hamilton Greene is a current student at Georgia Tech studying Computer Science. If you liked this post, consider clicking the heart icon or following him on Medium. For more info, visit his website at http://sirhamy.com .

The Garage hosts Startup Exchange in 2016

Holiday marketing, as it’s preached, is a con. A ritualized scam sold to startups by ad platforms, agencies, and marketers who profit from your desperation. Do you really think you can outspend Amazon, out-charm Coca-Cola, or outmaneuver Nike? Unless you’re secretly printing money in your garage, no. Christmas isn’t for playing Santa with jingles and 20% off codes—it’s for hunting a whale. Next year, turn your entire marketing strategy into a public obsession with one person. Not a “demographic market.” Not a target persona. A single, breathing, flesh-and-blood human being whose “yes”could grant you permanent access to Cuban’s Cabo cocktail club. Bet it all on a campaign so precise it’s borderline psychotic. Dangerous? Stupid? Obviously, and probably. But boring? Never. If it crashes, people will talk. If it flies, you’ll own the year. Either is better than begging the Internet for clicks, plus it’ll give you a great story (or a great excuse to drink). Holiday Marketing Sucks. This is a classic David vs. Goliath scenario—except Goliath has a machine gun and David forgot his slingshot. Here’s why it’s a losing battle: You’re Outgunned And Outclassed Every big brand with deep pockets is jacking up CPMs. Ad costs more than double, competition spikes, and algorithms prioritize whoever spends the most. Yeah, obviously not you. If your $10K campaign could talk, it would whisper: "Help." You’re Selling To Zombies By mid-December, your CTA is competing with drunken relatives, shipping delays, and 87 ads about the perfect gift for canine therapists. Your audience is fried and their brains are coasting on autopilot—barely capable of choosing between two brands of wrapping paper. You’re Competing With Santa Claus—Not Other Businesses Know why Apple kills it every Christmas? It’s not with Siri, but with sentiment. The holiday giants use their war chests to craft masterpieces that ride on the emotional meaning of the season—nostalgia, tradition, family values—and if you’re not on par, you come off like a door-to-door salesman in a Saint Nick suit. ROI = Regret On Investment December sales bring January sobs. Whatever you make from your festive push will be eaten alive by your CPA—and you’ll wake up next month drowning in remorse, invoices, and wondering where the cash went. (Hint: Zuck’s back pocket) Why Serenading One Person Is The Smartest Play The best presents don’t come in mass-produced packages. Neither should your holiday marketing. A custom campaign is as much a gift to them as it is to you. It’s Psychological Warfare People hate being sold to, but they love feeling chosen. Focusing on one person creates a psychological bind: If they respond, they know they’re winning because you’ve done all the work to court them.If they don’t respond, they wonder if someone else will—and if they’ll miss their shot. It’s The Ultimate Litmus Test For Your Product If you can’t convince one perfect-fit customer, how will you convince hundreds? A campaign por uno is the fastest way to figure out if your pitch, product, and strategy are sharp enough to scale. It’s The Best Marketing Boot Camp A one-person campaign is combat training. No crutches of generic strategies, no Canva, no “but our CTR was decent” excuses—survival here relies on raw ingenuity, superhuman agility, and uncompromising precision. Success isn’t guaranteed, but clarity is. The hard lessons will stick, and your team becomes immune to mediocrity. After this, they’ll be more than competent: they’ll be dangerous. It Turns Failure Into Success Even if it “fails,” it doesn’t. People appreciate balls. The audacity of your move becomes its own currency, generating buzz, controversy, and respect—all of which could bag you a new client, partner, or investor. In a one-person campaign, failure is just another kind of success. How To Execute A Campaign That Borders On Maniacal Step 1: Pick Your Whale A Dream Customer: E.g., the enterprise client whose logo would give your sales team goosebumps.A Key Partner: E.g., the CMO that could double your reach if they said yes.An Influential Investor: Not just for the check, but for the name on the cap table. Be ambitious, but realistic. Elon’s too busy running Government Efficiency. Aim for the guys two rungs below him. Step 2: Stalk Your Prey Just because you’re targeting one person doesn’t mean you get to skip the user insight phase. Oh no, this research matters even more when you’re professing love, and it doesn’t stop at their LinkedIn profile. Do they like having their ego massaged? Have a fetish for cryptic puzzles? Are they nosing around for gaming collaborations? Stalk (ethically), snoop (strategically), and build a dossier so good it’d make the FBI sweat. Just remember there’s a fine line between research and “why is there a black van outside my house?” Step 3: Unleash Controlled Madness. Now that you understand your whale’s appetite, cook up the bait. Go brazen, or don’t bother. But your bravado and performance art means nothing without an unapologetic CTA and irresistible pitch. That ask needs to be so direct it’s borderline confrontational, and that pitch better feel like a bespoke Italian suit. Here are some thought-starters: Sponsor Their Daily Coffee: Find out where they get their morning coffee and prepay for a week of their orders. Include a personalized note on every receipt that says: “Fuel for your next great decision—working with us.” Ship A Literal Door: Send them a door (yes, an actual door) with a key attached and a note: “This is the key to unlocking something extraordinary. Let’s talk.” Buy An Editorial: Call up some prestigious publication they subscribe to and splurge on a paid piece. Write an open letter addressed to them, full of specifics about why they should engage with you. Be cheeky: “Hey [Their Name], Playing Small Looks Weird on You.” Step 4: Make Sure The World Knows You’re Crazy. Exclusivity is no fun if no one’s watching. Turn your serenade into a spectacle. More thought-starters: Build a Public Countdown: Launch a countdown clock on social media, with posts teasing, “6 Days Until [Target’s Name] Changes Everything.” Make sure they’re mentioned, their employees are tagged, their peers are targeted. Go Guerrilla (Literally): Hire street performers or actors to “protest” outside their HQ, carrying signs with slogans like, “[Target’s Name], Take the Meeting!”. Extra karma if it’s themed to their industry or product. Rent Their Attention: Buy ad space outside their office. A billboard. Graffiti a building (legally). Be loud to the point you start the water cooler gossip: “Dear [Name], If You Don’t Call Us, We’ll Have to Buy More Billboards. And That’s Awkward for Everyone.” Final Thoughts: Maybe It’s Not You—Maybe It’s Just Dumb Sometimes, you’re not bad at the game—the game is (likely) a waste of time. Holiday marketing for startups? That’s the house always winning, with you just the festive confetti. Stop groveling for attention in a system that turns startups into cannon fodder for ad giants. That’s not persistence—it’s herd mentality dressed up as hustle. Do something irrationally ambitious. Go unhinged, go nuclear. Not because it’s guaranteed success, but because it’s not preordained defeat. At least you’ll have had some fun, and failed in style—on your own terms, not theirs. It’s Christmas. Use the season for what it’s meant for—walking away from bad ideas. Holiday marketing, as it’s preached, is a con. A ritualized scam sold to startups by ad platforms, agencies, and marketers who profit from your desperation. Do you really think you can outspend Amazon, out-charm Coca-Cola, or outmaneuver Nike? Unless you’re secretly printing money in your garage, no. Holiday marketing, as it’s preached, is a con. Christmas isn’t for playing Santa with jingles and 20% off codes—it’s for hunting a whale. Next year, turn your entire marketing strategy into a public obsession with one person. Not a “demographic market.” Not a target persona. A single, breathing, flesh-and-blood human being whose “yes”could grant you permanent access to Cuban’s Cabo cocktail club. Next year, turn your entire marketing strategy into a public obsession with one person. Bet it all on a campaign so precise it’s borderline psychotic . Dangerous? Stupid? Obviously, and probably. But boring? Never. so precise it’s borderline psychotic so precise it’s borderline psychotic But boring? Never. If it crashes, people will talk. If it flies, you’ll own the year. Either is better than begging the Internet for clicks, plus it’ll give you a great story (or a great excuse to drink). Holiday Marketing Sucks. Holiday Marketing Sucks. This is a classic David vs. Goliath scenario— except Goliath has a machine gun and David forgot his slingshot . Here’s why it’s a losing battle: except Goliath has a machine gun and David forgot his slingshot except Goliath has a machine gun and David forgot his slingshot You’re Outgunned And Outclassed You’re Outgunned And Outclassed Every big brand with deep pockets is jacking up CPMs. Ad costs more than double, competition spikes, and algorithms prioritize whoever spends the most. Yeah, obviously not you. If your $10K campaign could talk, it would whisper: "Help." If your $10K campaign could talk, it would whisper: "Help." You’re Selling To Zombies You’re Selling To Zombies By mid-December, your CTA is competing with drunken relatives, shipping delays, and 87 ads about the perfect gift for canine therapists. Your audience is fried and their brains are coasting on autopilot—barely capable of choosing between two brands of wrapping paper. You’re Competing With Santa Claus—Not Other Businesses You’re Competing With Santa Claus—Not Other Businesses Know why Apple kills it every Christmas? It’s not with Siri, but with sentiment . The holiday giants use their war chests to craft masterpieces that ride on the emotional meaning of the season —nostalgia, tradition, family values—and if you’re not on par, you come off like a door-to-door salesman in a Saint Nick suit. sentiment that ride on the emotional meaning of the season that ride on the emotional meaning of the season ROI = Regret On Investment ROI = Regret On Investment December sales bring January sobs. Whatever you make from your festive push will be eaten alive by your CPA —and you’ll wake up next month drowning in remorse, invoices, and wondering where the cash went. (Hint: Zuck’s back pocket) Whatever you make from your festive push will be eaten alive by your CPA Whatever you make from your festive push will be eaten alive by your CPA Why Serenading One Person Is The Smartest Play Why Serenading One Person Is The Smartest Play The best presents don’t come in mass-produced packages. Neither should your holiday marketing. A custom campaign is as much a gift to them as it is to you. A custom campaign is as much a gift to them as it is to you. A custom campaign is as much a gift to them as it is to you. It’s Psychological Warfare It’s Psychological Warfare People hate being sold to, but they love feeling chosen. Focusing on one person creates a psychological bind: If they respond, they know they’re winning because you’ve done all the work to court them. If they don’t respond, they wonder if someone else will—and if they’ll miss their shot. If they respond, they know they’re winning because you’ve done all the work to court them. If they don’t respond, they wonder if someone else will—and if they’ll miss their shot. It’s The Ultimate Litmus Test For Your Product It’s The Ultimate Litmus Test For Your Product If you can’t convince one perfect-fit customer, how will you convince hundreds? A campaign por uno is the fastest way to figure out if your pitch, product, and strategy are sharp enough to scale. It’s The Best Marketing Boot Camp It’s The Best Marketing Boot Camp A one-person campaign is combat training. No crutches of generic strategies, no Canva, no “but our CTR was decent” excuses—survival here relies on raw ingenuity, superhuman agility, and uncompromising precision. Success isn’t guaranteed, but clarity is. The hard lessons will stick, and your team becomes immune to mediocrity. After this, they’ll be more than competent: they’ll be dangerous. Success isn’t guaranteed, but clarity is. It Turns Failure Into Success It Turns Failure Into Success Even if it “fails,” it doesn’t. People appreciate balls. The audacity of your move becomes its own currency, generating buzz, controversy, and respect— all of which could bag you a new client, partner, or investor. In a one-person campaign, failure is just another kind of success. all of which could bag you a new client, partner, or investor. all of which could bag you a new client, partner, or investor. How To Execute A Campaign That Borders On Maniacal How To Execute A Campaign That Borders On Maniacal Step 1: Pick Your Whale Step 1: Pick Your Whale A Dream Customer: E.g., the enterprise client whose logo would give your sales team goosebumps. A Key Partner: E.g., the CMO that could double your reach if they said yes. An Influential Investor: Not just for the check, but for the name on the cap table. A Dream Customer: E.g., the enterprise client whose logo would give your sales team goosebumps. A Dream Customer: A Key Partner: E.g., the CMO that could double your reach if they said yes. A Key Partner: An Influential Investor: Not just for the check, but for the name on the cap table. An Influential Investor: Be ambitious, but realistic. Elon’s too busy running Government Efficiency. Aim for the guys two rungs below him. Step 2: Stalk Your Prey Step 2: Stalk Your Prey Just because you’re targeting one person doesn’t mean you get to skip the user insight phase . Oh no, this research matters even more when you’re professing love, and it doesn’t stop at their LinkedIn profile. Do they like having their ego massaged? Have a fetish for cryptic puzzles? Are they nosing around for gaming collaborations? doesn’t mean you get to skip the user insight phase doesn’t mean you get to skip the user insight phase Stalk (ethically), snoop (strategically), and build a dossier so good it’d make the FBI sweat. Just remember there’s a fine line between research and “why is there a black van outside my house?” Just remember there’s a fine line between research and “why is there a black van outside my house?” Step 3: Unleash Controlled Madness. Step 3: Unleash Controlled Madness. Now that you understand your whale’s appetite, cook up the bait. Go brazen, or don’t bother. But your bravado and performance art means nothing without an unapologetic CTA and irresistible pitch. That ask needs to be so direct it’s borderline confrontational , and that pitch better feel like a bespoke Italian suit. But your bravado and performance art means nothing without an unapologetic CTA and irresistible pitch. so direct it’s borderline confrontational Here are some thought-starters: Here are some thought-starters: Sponsor Their Daily Coffee: Find out where they get their morning coffee and prepay for a week of their orders. Include a personalized note on every receipt that says: “ Fuel for your next great decision—working with us. ” Sponsor Their Daily Coffee: Fuel for your next great decision—working with us. Ship A Literal Door: Send them a door (yes, an actual door) with a key attached and a note: “ This is the key to unlocking something extraordinary. Let’s talk. ” Ship A Literal Door: This is the key to unlocking something extraordinary. Let’s talk. Buy An Editorial: Call up some prestigious publication they subscribe to and splurge on a paid piece. Write an open letter addressed to them, full of specifics about why they should engage with you. Be cheeky: “ Hey [Their Name], Playing Small Looks Weird on You .” Buy An Editorial: Hey [Their Name], Playing Small Looks Weird on You Step 4: Make Sure The World Knows You’re Crazy. Step 4: Make Sure The World Knows You’re Crazy. Exclusivity is no fun if no one’s watching. Turn your serenade into a spectacle. More thought-starters: More thought-starters: Build a Public Countdown: Launch a countdown clock on social media, with posts teasing, “ 6 Days Until [Target’s Name] Changes Everything. ” Make sure they’re mentioned, their employees are tagged, their peers are targeted. Build a Public Countdown: 6 Days Until [Target’s Name] Changes Everything. Go Guerrilla (Literally) : Hire street performers or actors to “protest” outside their HQ, carrying signs with slogans like, “ [Target’s Name], Take the Meeting! ”. Extra karma if it’s themed to their industry or product. Go Guerrilla (Literally) [Target’s Name], Take the Meeting! Rent Their Attention: Buy ad space outside their office. A billboard. Graffiti a building (legally). Be loud to the point you start the water cooler gossip: “ Dear [Name], If You Don’t Call Us, We’ll Have to Buy More Billboards. And That’s Awkward for Everyone. ” Rent Their Attention: Dear [Name], If You Don’t Call Us, We’ll Have to Buy More Billboards. And That’s Awkward for Everyone. Final Thoughts: Maybe It’s Not You—Maybe It’s Just Dumb Final Thoughts: Maybe It’s Not You—Maybe It’s Just Dumb Sometimes, you’re not bad at the game—the game is (likely) a waste of time. Holiday marketing for startups? That’s the house always winning, with you just the festive confetti. Stop groveling for attention in a system that turns startups into cannon fodder for ad giants. That’s not persistence— it’s herd mentality dressed up as hustle . Do something irrationally ambitious. Go unhinged, go nuclear . Not because it’s guaranteed success, but because it’s not preordained defeat. At least you’ll have had some fun, and failed in style— on your own terms, not theirs . it’s herd mentality dressed up as hustle it’s herd mentality dressed up as hustle Go unhinged, go nuclear Not because it’s guaranteed success, but because it’s not preordained defeat. on your own terms, not theirs It’s Christmas. Use the season for what it’s meant for—walking away from bad ideas. It’s Christmas. Use the season for what it’s meant for—walking away from bad ideas.

Next Holiday Season, Ignore Everyone Except One Customer

I næste feriesæson, ignorer alle undtagen én kunde

La próxima temporada navideña, ignore a todos excepto a un cliente

Sljedeće blagdanske sezone zanemarite sve osim jednog kupca

次のホリデーシーズンは、1人の顧客以外全員を無視する

შემდეგი სადღესასწაულო სეზონი, იგნორირება გაუკეთეთ ყველას გარდა ერთი მომხმარებლისა

រដូវកាលឈប់សម្រាកបន្ទាប់ មិនអើពើនឹងអ្នកគ្រប់គ្នា លើកលែងតែអតិថិជនម្នាក់

다음 휴가 시즌에는 한 명의 고객을 제외한 모든 사람을 무시하세요

Saison ya ba fêtes oyo ekoya, Ignorer mutu nionso sauf Client moko

Hamuq Fiesta pacha, Llapa runata mana kasuychu, huk rantiqmanta aswanta

Следеће празничне сезоне, игноришите све осим једног купца

Susunod na Holiday Season, Balewalain ang Lahat Maliban sa Isang Customer

Keyingi bayram mavsumida bitta mijozdan tashqari hammaga e'tibor bermang

"If you have four hours to cut a tree with an axe, spend three sharpening the axe. If you have six hours, find a chainsaw." ~ Praise J.J. The world doesn’t reward effort. It rewards results. Yet, effort can lead to results if applied correctly. The secret? leverage. Let’s start with the question that matters: Are you right enough? Success Isn’t About Dreams—It’s About Systems Unlike the feel-good narrative Hollywood sells, success isn’t about bad childhoods and big aspirations. It’s about having the right systems. Everyone running with Usain Bolt has the same goal: finish first. The winner isn’t the one who wants it most—it’s the one with the right combination of diet, training, and strategy. The world operates efficiently. Unlike school, where you get points for showing your work, the real world only cares about the answer. Effort ≠ Justification. Results = justification. $10,000 in value earns $10,000, whether it takes 20 minutes or 200 hours. Even if it’s 10 lines of code. The question isn’t whether you’re working hard or smart. The question is: Are you doing what it takes? “Work Hard" Is Overrated Let’s break down the world’s advice: 49% say: Work hard. I disagree.
Another 49% say: Work smart. I disagree.
The final 1% say: Work hard AND smart. I still disagree. The problem? These phrases are overloaded—they mean different things to different people. The better word is diligence: doing the work required, with or without recognition, for as long as it takes. Not your best, not your hardest, not your smartest. Just what the problem demands. Work = Volume × Leverage The work equation is simple: Volume is the intensity of inputs: 100 cold emails, 10,000 words, 500 squats.
Leverage is the multiplier: the tools or systems that amplify your efforts. To achieve success, you need the right balance of volume and leverage. Increase volume: "Do more."
Find leverage: tools, systems, or strategies that multiply your inputs. There are two types of leverage: Permissioned: Somebody has to give it to you (e.g., labor, capital).
Permissionless: You don't need consent (e.g., code, content creation). Leverage is non-negotiable. Without it, you’re playing the wrong game. Linear vs. Exponential Growth You either grow or die. The stock market grows by 9% annually. Money is inflating. Everything is dynamic. So, being stagnant means you're growing at the same rate the world moves. Anything less is dying. There are two types of growth paths: Linear Growth
Exponential Growth Linear Growth: Climbing the Ladder Linear growth is when the value of leverage is 1. Most people are taught to grow linearly: Climb the corporate ladder.
Add one rung at a time.
Earn slightly more each year. Linear growth is predictable: Input X → Output X.
Input 2X → Output 2X. The problem? You always have to push. If you stop, you die. Linear growth works for specialists: surgeons, lawyers, and pilots. They’re expensive because they provide immense value. But their value depends entirely on them showing up. No surgeon, no surgery. If your goal is to build something bigger than yourself, linear growth won’t cut it. Exponential Growth: Leveraging Multipliers Exponential growth is where the magic happens. Here the value of leverage skyrockets. You can work for five years and see nothing, then one weekend in a garage changes everything. Examples: Facebook isn’t about the code—it’s the network effects.
Tesla’s worth isn’t in cars—it’s in the gigafactories and IP.
MrBeast’s success isn’t from one viral video—it’s consistency meeting exponential reach. Exponential growth is uncomfortable because it's not easy to predict. In exponential growth, you will always get the big payoff, but you can't know when. If you know when, you've already had the payoff. In linear growth, you will usually be right because you're not doing anything new. 1+1 will always equal 2. Millions of people have already lived their lives and gotten the same results. It's a framework that always delivers. It's based on simple and concrete truths. You'll only be wrong a few times (accidents and unfortunate circumstances). In exponential growth, you will be wrong 99% of the time. Just like Thomas Edison, just like the Wright brothers, just like Elon Musk, just like MrBeast and thousands of others that are building things bigger than themselves.But the only thing that matters is the big one at the end. That's what makes you 100% right. Linear people are 99% right but 100% wrong. The 1% that works overshadows all the failures. Exponential growth rewards patience, persistence, and adaptability. Every failed iteration builds the foundation for eventual success. Start Young, Start Small, Start Now The earlier you start chasing exponential growth, the easier it is. Early exponential growth: Late Exponential Growth: Here’s why: When you’re young, failure costs less.
As responsibilities grow, the cost of risk skyrockets. Consider this: If you earn $500/hour, risking 100 hours feels like losing $50,000.
If you earn $50/hour, those same 100 hours only risk $5,000.
If you earn $0/hour, you have nothing to lose. Start today. Every day you wait makes it harder to escape the linear trap. Leverage: The Skeleton Key to Tech Giants Leverage simply takes a decision that linear people would have to make repeatedly and does it at scale while you sleep. Tech giants leveraged systems that multiplied their efforts. Here’s how: Intellectual Property


Protect unique assets others can’t copy.


Example: Google’s search algorithm, Coca-Cola’s secret formula.


Takeaway: Build moats around your core value.



Network Effects


Users amplify the product’s value.


Example: Uber, LinkedIn, and Airbnb thrive because every new user strengthens the ecosystem.


Takeaway: Create flywheels where users drive growth.



Vertical Integration


Control your supply chain. Keep profits in-house.


Example: Apple builds hardware and software; Shopify owns its e-commerce stack.


Takeaway: Maximize profits by owning the stack.



Government Contracts


Secure recurring revenue and legitimacy.


Example: Palantir thrives on defense contracts.


Takeaway: Look for opportunities in regulated industries.



Productized Simplicity

Nail one thing.
Example: The "Yo" app (just sends “Yo”), yet it dominated for its simplicity.
Takeaway: Complexity isn’t always an asset. The Catapult Principle: Consistency Beats Entropy Success is like a catapult. The more you consistently pull, the farther you shoot. But inconsistency lets the stone fall off. Be diligent. Show up every day, especially when it feels pointless. Closing Thoughts: The Best Time to Start The best time to chase exponential growth was when you were a child. The second-best time is today. Linear growth gives comfort, but exponential growth gives freedom. Leverage your unique skills. Start small. Stay consistent. And one day, people will call you an overnight success. Rooting for you. Enjoy the rest of your day. PS: Want to unlock exponential growth and mental clarity? Join my newsletter: https://crive.substack.com "If you have four hours to cut a tree with an axe, spend three sharpening the axe. If you have six hours, find a chainsaw." ~ Praise J.J. "If you have four hours to cut a tree with an axe, spend three sharpening the axe. If you have six hours, find a chainsaw." ~ Praise J.J. "If you have four hours to cut a tree with an axe, spend three sharpening the axe. If you have six hours, find a chainsaw." The world doesn’t reward effort. It rewards results. Yet, effort can lead to results if applied correctly. The secret? leverage. Let’s start with the question that matters: Are you right enough? Are you right enough? Success Isn’t About Dreams—It’s About Systems Success Isn’t About Dreams—It’s About Systems Unlike the feel-good narrative Hollywood sells, success isn’t about bad childhoods and big aspirations. It’s about having the right systems. Everyone running with Usain Bolt has the same goal: finish first . The winner isn’t the one who wants it most—it’s the one with the right combination of diet, training, and strategy. finish first The world operates efficiently. Unlike school, where you get points for showing your work, the real world only cares about the answer. Effort ≠ Justification. Results = justification. $10,000 in value earns $10,000, whether it takes 20 minutes or 200 hours. Even if it’s 10 lines of code. The question isn’t whether you’re working hard or smart. The question is: Are you doing what it takes? Are you doing what it takes? “Work Hard" Is Overrated “Work Hard" Is Overrated Let’s break down the world’s advice: 49% say: Work hard. I disagree. Another 49% say: Work smart. I disagree. The final 1% say: Work hard AND smart. I still disagree. 49% say: Work hard. I disagree. Work hard. Another 49% say: Work smart. I disagree. Work smart. The final 1% say: Work hard AND smart. I still disagree. Work hard AND smart. The problem? These phrases are overloaded—they mean different things to different people. The better word is diligence : doing the work required, with or without recognition, for as long as it takes. Not your best, not your hardest, not your smartest. Just what the problem demands. diligence Work = Volume × Leverage Work = Volume × Leverage The work equation is simple: Volume is the intensity of inputs: 100 cold emails, 10,000 words, 500 squats. Leverage is the multiplier: the tools or systems that amplify your efforts. Volume is the intensity of inputs: 100 cold emails, 10,000 words, 500 squats. Volume Leverage is the multiplier: the tools or systems that amplify your efforts. Leverage To achieve success, you need the right balance of volume and leverage. Increase volume: "Do more." Find leverage: tools, systems, or strategies that multiply your inputs. Increase volume : "Do more." volume Find leverage : tools, systems, or strategies that multiply your inputs. leverage There are two types of leverage: Permissioned: Somebody has to give it to you (e.g., labor, capital). Permissionless: You don't need consent (e.g., code, content creation). Permissioned: Somebody has to give it to you (e.g., labor, capital). Permissioned: Permissionless: You don't need consent (e.g., code, content creation). Permissionless: Leverage is non-negotiable. Without it, you’re playing the wrong game. Linear vs. Exponential Growth Linear vs. Exponential Growth You either grow or die. The stock market grows by 9% annually. Money is inflating. Everything is dynamic. So, being stagnant means you're growing at the same rate the world moves. Anything less is dying. There are two types of growth paths: Linear Growth Exponential Growth Linear Growth Linear Growth Exponential Growth Exponential Growth Linear Growth: Climbing the Ladder Linear Growth: Climbing the Ladder Linear growth is when the value of leverage is 1. Most people are taught to grow linearly: Climb the corporate ladder. Add one rung at a time. Earn slightly more each year. Climb the corporate ladder. Add one rung at a time. Earn slightly more each year. Linear growth is predictable: Input X → Output X. Input 2X → Output 2X. Input X → Output X. Input 2X → Output 2X. The problem? You always have to push. If you stop, you die. Linear growth works for specialists: surgeons, lawyers, and pilots. They’re expensive because they provide immense value. But their value depends entirely on them showing up. No surgeon, no surgery. If your goal is to build something bigger than yourself, linear growth won’t cut it. Exponential Growth: Leveraging Multipliers Exponential Growth: Leveraging Multipliers Exponential growth is where the magic happens. Here the value of leverage skyrockets. You can work for five years and see nothing, then one weekend in a garage changes everything. Examples: Facebook isn’t about the code—it’s the network effects. Tesla’s worth isn’t in cars—it’s in the gigafactories and IP. MrBeast’s success isn’t from one viral video—it’s consistency meeting exponential reach. Facebook isn’t about the code—it’s the network effects. Tesla’s worth isn’t in cars—it’s in the gigafactories and IP. MrBeast’s success isn’t from one viral video—it’s consistency meeting exponential reach. Exponential growth is uncomfortable because it's not easy to predict. In exponential growth, you will always get the big payoff, but you can't know when. If you know when, you've already had the payoff. In linear growth, you will usually be right because you're not doing anything new. 1+1 will always equal 2. Millions of people have already lived their lives and gotten the same results. It's a framework that always delivers. It's based on simple and concrete truths. You'll only be wrong a few times (accidents and unfortunate circumstances). In exponential growth, you will be wrong 99% of the time. Just like Thomas Edison, just like the Wright brothers, just like Elon Musk, just like MrBeast and thousands of others that are building things bigger than themselves. But the only thing that matters is the big one at the end. That's what makes you 100% right. Linear people are 99% right but 100% wrong. The 1% that works overshadows all the failures. Exponential growth rewards patience, persistence, and adaptability. Every failed iteration builds the foundation for eventual success. Start Young, Start Small, Start Now Start Young, Start Small, Start Now The earlier you start chasing exponential growth, the easier it is. Early exponential growth: Early exponential growth: Late Exponential Growth: Late Exponential Growth: Here’s why: When you’re young, failure costs less. As responsibilities grow, the cost of risk skyrockets. When you’re young, failure costs less. As responsibilities grow, the cost of risk skyrockets. Consider this: If you earn $500/hour, risking 100 hours feels like losing $50,000. If you earn $50/hour, those same 100 hours only risk $5,000. If you earn $0/hour, you have nothing to lose. If you earn $500/hour, risking 100 hours feels like losing $50,000. If you earn $50/hour, those same 100 hours only risk $5,000. If you earn $0/hour, you have nothing to lose. Start today. Every day you wait makes it harder to escape the linear trap. Leverage: The Skeleton Key to Tech Giants Leverage: The Skeleton Key to Tech Giants Leverage simply takes a decision that linear people would have to make repeatedly and does it at scale while you sleep. Tech giants leveraged systems that multiplied their efforts. Here’s how: Intellectual Property


Protect unique assets others can’t copy.


Example: Google’s search algorithm, Coca-Cola’s secret formula.


Takeaway: Build moats around your core value. Network Effects


Users amplify the product’s value.


Example: Uber, LinkedIn, and Airbnb thrive because every new user strengthens the ecosystem.


Takeaway: Create flywheels where users drive growth. Vertical Integration


Control your supply chain. Keep profits in-house.


Example: Apple builds hardware and software; Shopify owns its e-commerce stack.


Takeaway: Maximize profits by owning the stack. Government Contracts


Secure recurring revenue and legitimacy.


Example: Palantir thrives on defense contracts.


Takeaway: Look for opportunities in regulated industries. Productized Simplicity

Nail one thing.
Example: The "Yo" app (just sends “Yo”), yet it dominated for its simplicity.
Takeaway: Complexity isn’t always an asset. Intellectual Property Protect unique assets others can’t copy.


Example: Google’s search algorithm, Coca-Cola’s secret formula.


Takeaway: Build moats around your core value. Intellectual Property Protect unique assets others can’t copy. Example: Google’s search algorithm, Coca-Cola’s secret formula. Takeaway: Build moats around your core value. Protect unique assets others can’t copy. Protect unique assets others can’t copy. Example: Google’s search algorithm, Coca-Cola’s secret formula. Example: Google’s search algorithm, Coca-Cola’s secret formula. Takeaway: Build moats around your core value. Takeaway: Build moats around your core value. Takeaway: Network Effects Users amplify the product’s value.


Example: Uber, LinkedIn, and Airbnb thrive because every new user strengthens the ecosystem.


Takeaway: Create flywheels where users drive growth. Network Effects Users amplify the product’s value. Example: Uber, LinkedIn, and Airbnb thrive because every new user strengthens the ecosystem. Takeaway: Create flywheels where users drive growth. Users amplify the product’s value. Users amplify the product’s value. Example: Uber, LinkedIn, and Airbnb thrive because every new user strengthens the ecosystem. Example: Uber, LinkedIn, and Airbnb thrive because every new user strengthens the ecosystem. Takeaway: Create flywheels where users drive growth. Takeaway: Create flywheels where users drive growth. Takeaway: Vertical Integration Control your supply chain. Keep profits in-house.


Example: Apple builds hardware and software; Shopify owns its e-commerce stack.


Takeaway: Maximize profits by owning the stack. Vertical Integration Control your supply chain. Keep profits in-house. Example: Apple builds hardware and software; Shopify owns its e-commerce stack. Takeaway: Maximize profits by owning the stack. Control your supply chain. Keep profits in-house. Control your supply chain. Keep profits in-house. Example: Apple builds hardware and software; Shopify owns its e-commerce stack. Example: Apple builds hardware and software; Shopify owns its e-commerce stack. Takeaway: Maximize profits by owning the stack. Takeaway: Maximize profits by owning the stack. Takeaway: Government Contracts Secure recurring revenue and legitimacy.


Example: Palantir thrives on defense contracts.


Takeaway: Look for opportunities in regulated industries. Government Contracts Secure recurring revenue and legitimacy. Example: Palantir thrives on defense contracts. Takeaway: Look for opportunities in regulated industries. Secure recurring revenue and legitimacy. Secure recurring revenue and legitimacy. Example: Palantir thrives on defense contracts. Example: Palantir thrives on defense contracts. Takeaway: Look for opportunities in regulated industries. Takeaway: Look for opportunities in regulated industries. Takeaway: Productized Simplicity Nail one thing.
Example: The "Yo" app (just sends “Yo”), yet it dominated for its simplicity.
Takeaway: Complexity isn’t always an asset. Productized Simplicity Nail one thing. Example: The "Yo" app (just sends “Yo”), yet it dominated for its simplicity. Takeaway: Complexity isn’t always an asset. Nail one thing. Example: The "Yo" app (just sends “Yo”), yet it dominated for its simplicity. Takeaway: Complexity isn’t always an asset. Takeaway: The Catapult Principle: Consistency Beats Entropy The Catapult Principle: Consistency Beats Entropy Success is like a catapult. The more you consistently pull, the farther you shoot. But inconsistency lets the stone fall off. Be diligent. Show up every day, especially when it feels pointless. Closing Thoughts: The Best Time to Start Closing Thoughts: The Best Time to Start The best time to chase exponential growth was when you were a child. The second-best time is today. Linear growth gives comfort, but exponential growth gives freedom. Leverage your unique skills. Start small. Stay consistent. And one day, people will call you an overnight success. Rooting for you. Enjoy the rest of your day. PS: Want to unlock exponential growth and mental clarity? Join my newsletter: https://crive.substack.com PS: Want to unlock exponential growth and mental clarity?

Leverage: The Shortcut to Outperforming Everyone

Hi! I haven’t posted for a while as TTY lessons, articles about it, and future algorithm lessons stopped me a little. Those who read my other article, Falling in love with Ruby, might know I wasted some time fixing up my car last time. Well… This time, I had a massive coolant leak but decided to give it to the garage as this time, I had no room and access to tools to work on that. I was a bit lucky as the fixup turned out not to be too expensive, and I could focus on learning again. Event Manager The Event Manager project was a deep dive into working with JSON, manipulating files, and reading CSV files. It was a longer project, and for the first time, The Odin Project guided us step by step. I appreciated this approach because it felt like a solid introduction to concepts I’ll likely revisit. It’s a great project to bookmark for future reference, especially since these skills will become second nature after repeated use. Understanding how to build a hash for serialization took some time to click. Up until now, I relied heavily on arrays to solve most problems. This project highlighted the importance of hashes, and I’ve decided to focus on using them more in upcoming projects. If you want to see a code, give my repo a look! Hangman The Hangman project was one of my favorites so far. It reminded me of the calculator project, which was the final task in the foundations section. Every step felt intuitive like I knew exactly what to do to solve each small problem. That said, I hit a few roadblocks toward the end—especially when trying to save the game state. Figuring out how to write valid JSON files and store them correctly took the most time. I had to revisit earlier lessons and piece everything together to make it work, but the effort was worth it. If you’re curious about the code, there it is! Advanced Ruby The next in the line was Pattern Matching and Blocks. These lessons passed quite quickly and were not too difficult to understand. Yeah, let’s see in the future 😀I can bet I will be coming to review them as well. But to be honest, it wasn’t as bad. Pattern Matching and Blocks opened my eyes to more efficient ways to process data and pass instructions to methods. While these concepts are still new to me, I see how they can streamline collaboration in larger applications. Final Words I’m currently working through the “A Bit of Computer Science” lesson, and I have no idea how long it’ll take to finish. Once I complete the Ruby course, I’m considering writing a summary of the total hours I’ve spent on these lessons—similar to my previous article. I’ve been tracking my progress daily, and it might be interesting to share those numbers. Let me know in the comments if there’s anything specific you’d like me to elaborate on! Hi! I haven’t posted for a while as TTY lessons, articles about it, and future algorithm lessons stopped me a little. Those who read my other article, Falling in love with Ruby , might know I wasted some time fixing up my car last time. Falling in love with Ruby Well… This time, I had a massive coolant leak but decided to give it to the garage as this time, I had no room and access to tools to work on that. I was a bit lucky as the fixup turned out not to be too expensive, and I could focus on learning again. Event Manager The Event Manager project was a deep dive into working with JSON, manipulating files, and reading CSV files. It was a longer project, and for the first time, The Odin Project guided us step by step. I appreciated this approach because it felt like a solid introduction to concepts I’ll likely revisit. It’s a great project to bookmark for future reference, especially since these skills will become second nature after repeated use. Understanding how to build a hash for serialization took some time to click. Up until now, I relied heavily on arrays to solve most problems. This project highlighted the importance of hashes, and I’ve decided to focus on using them more in upcoming projects. If you want to see a code, give my repo a look ! give my repo a look Hangman The Hangman project was one of my favorites so far. It reminded me of the calculator project , which was the final task in the foundations section. Every step felt intuitive like I knew exactly what to do to solve each small problem. calculator project That said, I hit a few roadblocks toward the end—especially when trying to save the game state. Figuring out how to write valid JSON files and store them correctly took the most time. I had to revisit earlier lessons and piece everything together to make it work, but the effort was worth it. If you’re curious about the code, there it is ! there it is Advanced Ruby The next in the line was Pattern Matching and Blocks. These lessons passed quite quickly and were not too difficult to understand. Yeah, let’s see in the future 😀I can bet I will be coming to review them as well. But to be honest, it wasn’t as bad. Pattern Matching and Blocks opened my eyes to more efficient ways to process data and pass instructions to methods. While these concepts are still new to me, I see how they can streamline collaboration in larger applications. Final Words I’m currently working through the “A Bit of Computer Science” lesson, and I have no idea how long it’ll take to finish. Once I complete the Ruby course, I’m considering writing a summary of the total hours I’ve spent on these lessons—similar to my previous article. I’ve been tracking my progress daily, and it might be interesting to share those numbers. Let me know in the comments if there’s anything specific you’d like me to elaborate on!

GARAGE

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GARAGE

meetgarage.app

-- employees

Since n.d.

COMPANY RANKING

GARAGE

EVERGREEN INDEX #177

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