✨The Reality Distortion Field✨ 

Change the World by Convincing Others to Share Your Dream

I read recently, that in 1984, while working on the development of the Mac computer, Steve Jobs challenged an engineer named Larry Kenyon to reduce the boot time by ten seconds. When Kenyon insisted that it was impossible, Jobs posed a thought-provoking question: could he find a way to cut ten seconds if it meant saving someone's life? Confronted with this hypothetical scenario, Kenyon admitted he could. Jobs then illustrated on a whiteboard that if 5 million people wasted an extra 10 seconds on booting, it would collectively amount to 100 human lifetimes lost every year. This compelling perspective motivated Kenyon to come up with new code that ultimately reduced the boot time by 28 seconds within a few weeks.

This incident exemplifies what came to be known as Steve Jobs' "Reality Distortion Field." This concept played a crucial role in Jobs' life, acting like a personal force field that deflected doubts, fears, distractions, and negativity—elements that often prevent people from reaching their goals. His ability to reshape his perception of reality allowed him to turn the seemingly impossible into the probable, driving incredible innovations at Apple.

As founders, raise the bar by crafting your unique, visionary reality and then reverse engineering it to bring it to life. This is my personal belief on how to shift the world from the mainstream and conventional reality to your own exclusive sphere where no one can compete because it is your vision that sets the benchmark.

It might sound crazy. It probably is. But, significant changes often lie at the edge of what seems reasonable. How will you move the needle today?

Micros SaaS that are making millions. Heres a list compiled by Pat Walls. You have the opportunity to change your outcomes by doing research, by being inspired, by trying some thing new, by learning some thing different, by wanting change and then acting on it. I would suggest that if you find the report helpful go sign up on his newsletter. Link to report here, because I am convinced most people wont sign up to get the link then email asking where is the link:)

The New York Stock Exchange is owned by a company called Intercontinental Exchange, which has its stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) is an American company formed in 2000 that operates global financial exchanges and clearing houses and provides mortgage technology, data and listing services. Listed on the Fortune 500, S&P 500, and Russell 1000, the company owns exchanges for financial and commodity markets, and operates 12 regulated exchanges and marketplaces. This includes ICE futures exchanges in the United States, Canada, and Europe; the Liffe futures exchanges in Europe; the New York Stock Exchange; equity options exchanges; and OTC energy, credit, and equity markets. ICE also owns and operates six central clearing houses: ICE Clear U.S., ICE Clear Europe, ICE Clear Singapore, ICE Clear Credit, ICE Clear Netherlands, and ICE NGX. Seems like an infinite loop glitch, but wildly interesting.

I read a tweet earlier, It had some of the most profound simple/boring ideas that can help any one scale. Some being contrarian helps.

Here is the thread.

The Spider's Web: Britain's Second Empire, is a documentary film that shows how Britain transformed from a colonial power into a global financial power. At the demise of empire, City of London financial interests created a web of offshore secrecy jurisdictions that captured wealth from across the globe and hid it behind obscure financial structures in a web of offshore islands. Today, up to half of global offshore wealth may be hidden in British offshore jurisdictions and Britain and its offshore jurisdictions are the largest global players in the world of international finance. How did this come about, and what impact does it have on the world today? This is what the Spider's Web sets out to investigate.

By thinking about the basics. With global warming in full swing, longer summers and hotter summers every where, most markets continue to have the same 2 or 3 old fashioned boomer brands for electrolytes. How hard is it to build a brand in the age of TikTok to take down the incumbents? Or finding your own market share? Some one wanted it to do for K9s, but I feel before we go there, the human market is well underserved. Borrowing from their process, heres how you’d do it :

Why? Because people feel they need it.

Will it work? Younger folks don’t par-take in most markets because of boomer branding association. So my initial research in 2-3 markets says it has the potential to scale rapidly.

What's the launch plan? Have a co-packer package sodium, magnesium and potassium into a shaker and brand it the active generation.

Marketing strategy? Partner with fitness influencers and send samples to curated stores. + Paid FB ads and short form video. + Tug at the heartstrings some ideas:

"So you know why you are always hungry and crave ice cream and drinks? That's because your are low on electrolytes."

Before you try ozempic try “X Pack HyDration”

“Whats the worse that can happen in consuming water + salts?”

Logistics plan? In western markets send it to a 3PL to manage everything end to end.

Gross margins? 60-80% Competition? Some, but not much depends on the segment you target?

Its all about branding, can you make it work?

How the Underdog Became the New Contender in the Cola Wars

For decades, the epic "Cola Wars" between Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have been dubbed the fiercest battle in the annals of capitalism. This rivalry, rife with lawsuits, jab-filled advertisements, and outright refusals to acknowledge each other by name, has captivated the market and consumers alike.

However, the fierce clash has significantly cooled off. Coca-Cola now holds a market share more than double that of its nearest competitor, and Pepsi is no longer the undisputed runner-up in the soda market.

Enter Dr Pepper

In 2004, Dr Pepper ranked as America's sixth-favorite soda. Fast forward to 2024, and it has surged past Pepsi to secure the number two spot. How did this historic brand, 139 years in the making, manage such an impressive comeback?

Embracing the Youth

Dr Pepper has become the fastest-growing soda brand among Gen Z, thanks largely to its innovative flavor additions. Permanent offerings like dark berry and strawberries-and-cream have resonated with younger consumers, while the new creamy coconut variant has taken off, shattering expectations.

Staying Relevant and Playful

Despite its long history, Dr Pepper has adeptly adapted to modern trends. It capitalized on quirky TikTok trends, such as the bizarre pickles-in-Dr Pepper phenomenon, and playfully addressed viral rumors about its discontinuation, keeping the brand fresh and engaging.

Sweet Indulgence

Recognizing a shift in consumer habits, Dr Pepper repositioned itself as an indulgent treat. With soda drinkers increasingly viewing their consumption as an occasional indulgence, Dr Pepper marketed itself as the go-to choice for those moments of sweet escape.

The Ultimate Strategy: Playing Nice

While Coca-Cola and Pepsi have fiercely competed for exclusive distribution deals with national dining chains, Dr Pepper has taken a different approach. By maintaining cordial relations with both giants, it has secured placement in more soda fountains across the U.S. than any other soft drink. This strategic move ensures Dr Pepper's widespread availability, catering to a broad range of consumers.

In the end, Dr Pepper's rise to the number two spot demonstrates the power of strategic positioning, adaptability, and a bit of playful ingenuity. In the great cola race, sometimes being the third horse is the winning strategy.

Bonus! Thought of the week

This has to be the most impactful thing Ive read in a while. As a founder, what are you focusing on to use AI for? Will it make our lives easier for the things we really want or will it make us a tool that AI will depend on. Think about it.. How can you really use AI to make life easy vs not.