Acting on your own Ideas 💼📈💪🧠💡🚀

“All behavior makes sense when you look at it in the context of the system to which it is an act of loyalty.” –John Whittington

Today I was thinking of this quote, and it reminded me of Micael J. Cullen. You can be forgiven for not knowing who that is.

Born in April 1884 to Irish immigrant parents, Michael J. Cullen learned about the grocery business during his early years of employment. In 1902, at the age of 18, he worked as a clerk for the Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., where he worked his way up to division superintendent.

Cullen Envisions a Revolutionized Industry

While employed as the manager of 94 small Kroger Grocery & Baking Company stores in Illinois, Cullen wrote a letter to a Kroger Vice President, describing his ideas that would eventually revolutionize the industry.

His letter detailed his vision of “monstrous stores, size of same to be about forty feet wide and hundred and thirty to a hundred and sixty feet deep, and the ought to be located one to three blocks off the high rent district with plenty of parking space, and same to be operated as a semi-self-service store – twenty percent service and eighty percent self-service.”

Cullen’s letter went unanswered. Undaunted and confident in his ability to see his idea become a reality, Cullen resigned and moved his family to Long Island. This is the purest example of permission less re-entry. You give your self the ability to no longer seek permission to do some thing.

On August 4th, 1930, a 46-year old Cullen opened the doors to America’s first supermarket, King Kullen Grocery Company. The Smithsonian Institute acknowledges King Kullen as America’s first supermarket, as it was “the first to fulfill all five criteria that define the modern supermarket: separate departments; self-service; discount pricing; chain marketing; and volume dealing.”

Success of the supermarket was instantaneous. People came from miles around. To the public, King Kullen was more than a convenience – King Kullen supermarkets meant affordable food and gained recognition as the “World’s Greatest Price Wrecker.”

Why I find this fascinating

Cullen's idea of selling groceries, baked goods, and household items under one roof laid the foundation for the "superstore" concept that transformed the retail landscape.

But what was prolific is how he ended his letter “.. Before you throw this letter in the wastebasket, read it again and then wire me to come to Cincinnati so I can tell you more about this plan and what it will do for you and your company.”

Cullen operated on a shoestring budget but relied on his knowledge of consumer behavior, particularly the growing trend of suburbanization and car ownership, to create stores that prioritized convenience and affordability. While King Cullen itself did not grow into a mega-chain, the model inspired countless imitators, changing the way people shopped forever.

This story remains a testament to how a small idea can disrupt an entire industry. Though King Cullen's name faded, its impact on modern retail systems still resonates today.

Hard pill to swallow:

Your bank account doesn’t care about what you think you deserve. It cares about the value you bring to the table.

Instead of yelling, “Show me the money!” try whispering, “How can I make people’s lives ridiculously better?”

Spoiler: The money will show itself when you do. 💸

The Moral of the Story: The key to earning more isn’t demanding more—it’s delivering more. Focus on creating value, and the rewards will take care of themselves.

(he hardest thing to do is to demonstrate how you add or bring value to the table and how to monetize it. It gets worse ..before it gets better..

1. Brainiac blind spot – They’re curing diseases in their heads but can’t explain it to someone in line at Starbucks.

2. Analysis paralysis – They’re busy optimizing a toaster while everyone just wants bread that’s not burnt.

3. Genius goggles – They assume everyone obviously gets their brilliance... spoiler: they don’t.

4. Monetization? What’s that? – They’ve unlocked the secrets of the universe but still can’t figure out an invoice template. 💸

What ever you build next, dont think Gotchya, think Gacha. In Japan, a prevalent yet often overlooked microtransaction involves capsule toy vending machines, known as gachapon or gacha machines. These machines dispense small, collectible toys encased in plastic capsules, typically priced between 100 and 500 yen (approximately $1 to $5 USD). The allure lies in the element of chance; consumers insert coins without knowing exactly which toy they'll receive, encouraging repeated purchases to complete a set or obtain a desired item. This model has been so successful that it has been adopted in various digital formats worldwide, particularly in mobile gaming, where players spend small amounts for randomized virtual items. The gacha system exemplifies how a simple, low-cost transaction can generate significant revenue through the appeal of randomness and collectibility.

Geo-Access Partnerships

In a globalized world, geographic access is an underrated lever for scaling businesses, especially in the digital age. The idea is simple but powerful: partner with someone in a specific geography to unlock value that exists uniquely in their location—be it cost savings, cultural access, or specialized resources. These partnerships enable micro-entrepreneurs to create scalable business models by bridging gaps across regions.

Educational Course Bundles

• Partner with providers in Country A to buy high-quality, low-cost online courses or certifications. Repackage these for learners in Country B, adding cultural or localized content to increase relevance (and price). For example, Indian tech certifications + US soft skills training = premium offerings in Africa.

Rare-Ingredient Export/Import Hub

• Certain countries have unique natural resources or ingredients (e.g., spices, teas, or organic products) that are not easily available elsewhere. Partner with small-scale producers or co-ops in those regions and build a direct-to-consumer brand in a geography where the product has novelty or premium value.

Unique Data Access

• Partner with someone in a region where public data, legal resources, or government records are digitized but inaccessible to outsiders. Build services like regulatory compliance platforms, visa application support, or localized legal consultation leveraging that unique access.

Iterative Thought Process: Unlocking Value Beyond Money

1. Start with What’s Expensive Elsewhere:
   Look at the price discrepancies for a product/service between two regions. Ask yourself, "What’s cheap here that’s a luxury there?"

2. Think Beyond Price:

   • What skills are unique to this region?

   • What local insights, cultural nuances, or trends exist here that outsiders can’t replicate?

3. Scale Slowly:
   Start with a single product, region, or service. Build partnerships with micro-entrepreneurs in those geographies to test your model. The more you scale, the more these regional partnerships become your backbone.

The rise of AI could have profound implications for geopolitics given the decisions about where AI infrastructure is going to get built. Jared Cohen, president of global affairs and co-head of the Goldman Sachs Global Institute, discusses the data center diplomacy that is shaping geopolitics.

23 Days to a Better Financial Future

With 23 days left until the New Year, here’s the deal: you’ve got 552 hours to make a strategic move that could enhance your financial outcomes. It’s not about hustling harder—it’s about working smarter. Here’s what you can do in the next 23 days to monetize your time effectively:

1. Create a Digital Product

• What to Do: Write an eBook, build a simple online course, or design templates/tools people need.

• Why: Digital products require upfront effort but can generate income indefinitely with little upkeep.

• How to Start:

  • Day 1–7: Research your niche and validate your idea.

  • Day 8–15: Build the product. Keep it simple.

  • Day 16–23: Launch and market it on platforms like Gumroad, Etsy, or even social media.

2. Start Freelancing on Steroids

• What to Do: Leverage your existing skills (writing, graphic design, marketing, coding) to land a high-paying gig.

• Why: Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr are saturated with low-paying jobs, but if you spend 23 days targeting niche, high-value clients, you can charge a premium.

• How to Start:

  • Day 1–5: Polish your portfolio and optimize your LinkedIn profile.

  • Day 6–15: Reach out to 5 potential clients daily with tailored pitches.

  • Day 16–23: Deliver results and start asking for referrals.

3. Launch a Micro-Service Business

• What to Do: Solve one small but annoying problem for people—social media management, resume writing, or virtual assistant services.

• Why: People are busy wrapping up the year; they’ll gladly pay someone to handle their to-do list.

• How to Start:

  • Day 1–7: Define your service and target market.

  • Day 8–15: Promote on social media, offer a holiday discount for quick sign-ups.

  • Day 16–23: Deliver excellent service and upsell a subscription for the new year.

4. Learn a High-Income Skill

• What to Do: Dedicate the next 23 days to mastering one skill with immediate earning potential (copywriting, SEO, coding, or ad management).

• Why: Even a basic understanding of a high-demand skill can land you a paying gig.

• How to Start:

  • Day 1–7: Choose a skill and find a course (many are free or cheap online).

  • Day 8–15: Practice daily; work on mini-projects.

  • Day 16–23: Start pitching clients or applying for freelance jobs.

Bananas are berries, but strawberries are not. Botanically speaking, a berry is defined as a fleshy fruit produced from a single flower and containing one ovary. Since bananas develop from one single flower with one ovary and have seeds embedded in the flesh, they qualify as berries. Strawberries, however, are not true berries because their seeds are on the outside, making them an aggregate fruit, where each seed represents an individual fruit from a single flower. Why am I sharing this? Be open to change, wildly popular held beliefs may be un true, or mis classifications. Have strong opinions but loosely held. In the new year the new you is dependent on how you allow your self to change your mind. Un learning is the key to winning!

Bonus! Thought of the week

Fun Fact: The number 180 is commonly referenced in the "Maffetone Method," a formula to calculate the ideal maximum aerobic training heart rate (180 minus your age).