The Uncomfortable Leap 🦘

Let’s talk about the leap. You know, that moment when you decide to stop dreaming about being an entrepreneur and actually start building something. It’s messy, it’s uncertain, and it’s often uncomfortable. But here’s the thing: the most successful entrepreneurs I know didn’t just take the leap—they embraced the grind that came with it.

Early in my career, I learned a lesson that changed everything: Be the person who’s willing to do the work(also read shit) no one else wants to do.

It’s not glamorous. It’s not flashy. But it’s powerful.

When I was starting out, I volunteered for the tasks everyone else avoided—whether it was cleaning up a messy database, cold-calling leads, or staying late to organize a chaotic inventory system. I didn’t just do it; I obsessed over it. I asked myself, How can I do this better than it’s ever been done before?

For example, I remember taking over a tedious reporting process that everyone hated. Instead of just slogging through it, I spent nights figuring out how to automate it. It wasn’t easy, but by the end of the year, I’d cut the time it took by 80%. Suddenly, I wasn’t just the person who did the grunt work—I was the person who solved the problem. Extra credit was the realization that I could package my solution for $1800 and sell it many times over to 20 other types of businesses….

Here’s the truth: The work no one wants to do is often the work that matters most. It’s where you learn the most, where you build resilience, and where you create value that’s impossible to ignore.

If you’re just starting out—whether in your career or as an entrepreneur—this is your secret weapon. Commit to doing the “unwanted” work for a year. Do it better than anyone expects. Find ways to innovate, automate, or streamline it. Let AI be your friend in figuring out how to make it the most optimized, vs the most clever. Clever doesn’t pay bills, optimized changes outcomes.

And here’s the kicker: There’s zero chance you won’t move up. You’ll stand out. You’ll build trust. And you’ll develop the kind of grit that’s essential for entrepreneurship.

So, take the leap. But don’t just leap—dig in. Do the work no one else will. Because that’s where the magic happens.

Talkers vs. Doers: Why Your Startup’s Stuck—and How to Fix It Fast

I know because I’ve seen it time and time again. Over the years, I’ve worked with dozens of founders and executives, and there’s one pattern that keeps showing up: They’re stuck trying to be something they’re not hence destroying their outcomes.

Here’s the truth: There are two types of entrepreneurs—Talkers and Doers.

The Talkers are the visionaries. They see possibilities others don’t. They inspire. They strategize. They connect with people. But here’s the uncomfortable part: They’re often terrible at execution.

Their brains aren’t wired for it.

They can force themselves to execute when deadlines loom, but they drift into rabbit holes, chase shiny objects, and secretly resent the mundane work that actually builds businesses.

The Doers, on the other hand, thrive on execution. They love systems, processes, and getting things done. But they often struggle to see the big picture or inspire a team.

The most successful founders I’ve worked with understand this dichotomy—and they embrace it. They know their strengths and build systems (and teams) to compensate for their weaknesses.

But here’s the kicker: Most founders don’t want to admit they’re not good at everything.

The Luck Surface Area Problem

There’s a concept in entrepreneurship called Luck Surface Area. The idea is simple: The more you put yourself out there—through action, experimentation, and execution—the more opportunities for luck you create.

Think of it like casting a net. The bigger your net, the more chances you have to catch something valuable. But if you’re a Talker, your net is often smaller than it should be. Why? Because you’re not executing. You’re dreaming, strategizing, and planning—but not doing.

I’ll never forget working with a founder named Maria (name changed, of course). She ran a boutique fitness studio—a passion project that had grown into a thriving local business. Maria had a gift for creating an incredible customer experience. Her clients loved her energy, and she had a knack for designing classes that kept people coming back.

But her business was stuck.

Why? Because Maria was spending all her time teaching classes, managing schedules, and handling payroll. She was so bogged down in the day-to-day that she didn’t have time to grow the business. Her Luck Surface Area was tiny because she wasn’t putting herself out there to explore new opportunities—like opening a second location, launching an online program, or partnering with local brands.

The solution? She needed a Doer.

The Steps to Success: How Founders Learn to Let Go

Here’s how this discovery played out for Maria—and how I helped her embrace it. Think of it as a roadmap for any founder who’s ready to stop doing it all and start building something that lasts:

Step 1: Admitting You Need Systems
When I first met Maria, she was drowning in spreadsheets and to-do lists. She was working 12-hour days, but nothing felt like it was moving forward.

The first step was admitting she couldn’t keep doing it all. Together, we implemented simple systems—like a scheduling tool for classes, a CRM to track client relationships, and a project management tool to organize her growing list of ideas.

This was a small step, but it made a big difference. Maria started to see that she didn’t have to do everything herself—she just needed the right systems in place.

Step 2: Delegating the Small Stuff
The next step was learning to delegate. This was hard for Maria because she was so hands-on with her clients. But once she started handing off tasks like payroll, social media, and class scheduling to her team, she realized how much time and energy it freed up.

I encouraged her to hire a studio manager—someone who could handle the day-to-day operations so Maria could focus on growth. At first, she resisted. “What if they don’t do it right?” she asked. But once she found the right person, she realized how much better things ran when she wasn’t micromanaging every detail.

Step 3: Hiring Leaders, Not Just Doers (A Leader is Doer ++)
With the studio manager in place, Maria was able to focus on bigger opportunities. But she quickly realized she couldn’t do it alone.

That’s when we started hiring leaders—not just doers. Maria brought on a marketing director to handle promotions and partnerships, a head trainer to oversee class development, and a sales lead to manage memberships.

This was a game-changer. Suddenly, Maria wasn’t just delegating tasks—she was empowering others to take ownership.

Step 4: Letting Go of the CEO Role
This is where the real magic happened. Maria realized she didn’t need to be involved in every decision. She promoted her studio manager to COO and gave her full control over operations.

It was a humbling moment for Maria. She had to admit that her COO was better at running the business than she was. But once she did, she was able to focus on what she did best—creating an incredible customer experience and exploring new growth opportunities.

Step 5: Shifting from Operator to Owner
With her COO running the business, Maria was no longer an operator—she was an owner. She could focus on the big picture, like opening a second location and launching an online program.

Her Luck Surface Area exploded. By stepping back from the day-to-day, Maria was able to explore new opportunities and grow her business in ways she never thought possible.

Step 6: Narrowing the Focus
Even at this stage, Maria found herself slipping back into old habits—micromanaging, taking on tasks she hated, or getting bogged down in details. That’s when we realized she needed to go one step further: Hire a CEO for her growing fitness empire.

Maria finally let go of the last remnants of control and focused on what she did best—vision, strategy, and culture.

The Hardest Pill to Swallow

The most painful lesson for any founder is this: You have to get out of your own way.

If you’re a Talker, you need a Doer. If you’re a Doer, you need a Talker. It’s that simple.

But here’s the thing: Embracing this truth doesn’t make you weak—it makes you strong. It allows you to focus on what you do best and build a team that compensates for your weaknesses.

What’s Your Next Move?

If any of this hits too close to home, you have a choice to make. You can keep pretending you’re good at everything, or you can do what the most successful founders do: Surrender.

Let go of the tasks that drain you. Build systems that compensate for your weaknesses. And focus on what you do best—because that’s where the magic happens.

The question is: Are you ready to let go?

From Dumpster to Destiny: Nzambi Matee’s Brick Revolution

She quit her oil industry job to dig through trash. Nzambi Matee, a 29-year-old Kenyan engineer, turned Nairobi’s plastic pollution nightmare into a game-changer: bricks five times stronger than concrete. Armed with zero funding and relentless grit, she taught herself chemistry, welded scrap metal into machinery, and silenced skeptics who laughed at her “garbage houses.”

Her breakthrough? Melting recycled plastic with sand to forge lightweight, unbreakable bricks. Today, her company, Gjenge Makers, pumps out 1,500 daily—slashing costs by 15%, recycling 50+ tons of plastic, and building East Africa’s future. In 2020, she became Kenya’s first UN Young Champion of the Earth.

This isn’t just innovation—it’s defiance. Nzambi didn’t wait for a handout or a hero. She saw trash and built treasure.

What’s your impossible waiting to be rewritten?

Meet my friend Dave, the "Domain Whisperer." No fancy AI or blockchain—just a guy with a knack for spotting expired domain names, he’s not even particularly technical:) I know he will be reading this and agreeing with this fact too. Its the same guy who used his blue tooth steak thermometers to get his bath water to the perfect temp(story for an other day) . Back in 2002, while others chased the next big startup, Dave quietly scooped up forgotten domains for pennies, then flipped them to buyers for thousands. His tools? A spreadsheet, a cup of coffee, and relentless patience. He targets the lowest common area of interest for others. He has used the frame work to build assets in the millions beyond domains as well.

My fav tale is that, one day, he snagged a warehouse related domain for $20. A month later, a frantic warehousing startup paid him $10,000. It wasn’t sexy, but it was pure gold. Dave didn’t need venture capital or a pitch deck—he just knew that the quiet hustles scale loudest.

Takeaway: Forget the hype. Sometimes, the simplest moves—like owning a killer domain—build empires.

If you watch one video today, let it be the one with this post!

By Following The Secret Reddit Hack to Build Products People Actually Want

Tired of guessing what customers want? There’s a goldmine of insights hiding in plain sight on Reddit. No, it’s not some shady trick—it’s a simple, legal way to tap into real user frustrations and build something they’ll actually pay for. Here’s how you can use Reddit to spot pain points, find unmet needs, and create a product that practically sells itself.

The Workflow

1. Visit Reddit
   Head to Reddit, the land of brutally honest opinions and niche communities. It’s where people vent, rave, and—most importantly—search for better options.

2. Search for "Alternatives"
   Type “alternatives to [product/service]” in the search bar. Boom—you’ve just unlocked a treasure trove of people begging for something better.

3. Identify Pain Points
   Scroll through the comments. Look for recurring complaints like “too expensive,” “clunky interface,” or “terrible customer support.” These are your cheat codes.

4. Develop a Better Alternative
   Build a product that fixes these exact issues. Don’t overcomplicate it—just make it better where it counts. Position it as the solution frustrated users have been craving. 

Bonus! Thought of the week

Are you investing in your self?

The 30-Minute Tune-Up
Even Ferraris need pit stops. A bi-weekly/ monthly 30-minute mentorship “diagnostic” can reset your trajectory:

1. Assess: What’s working (and what’s merely keeping you busy)?

2. Adjust: Which skill or mindset needs a micro-upgrade?

3. Accelerate: What’s the one action to dominate your next sprint?

Final Question:
When did you last pause to recalibrate how you win—not just that you’re winning? If your engine’s hum feels routine, it’s time to rethink your pit crew. Excellence isn’t static—it’s engineered.

Your career deserves more than momentum. It deserves mastery. Shameless plug, if you genuinely want to accelerate your outcomes. Book A 30 Min Mentoring Slot with me or some one else who can help you, to add jet fuel to your 🚀. Investing in your self is key, find the mentor that works for you! But if you do not invest in your self, no one else will! A life lesson I learnt at age 21. Its not too late.

This Weeks Contrarian Take: 

🚀 Update, Gratitude & a Quick Poll—We’re Back!

🌻 A Moment of Gratitude
First, thank you. This newsletter—a labor of love—has thrived for 3+ years (185 editions!) because of you. Your curiosity, replies, and quiet support have turned this into something far bigger than I ever imagined. To the hundreds who reached out these past months asking, “Where’s the next edition?”—your messages meant the world. This community is why I keep writing.

🔍 The Brief Hiatus Explained
Between January-March, things slowed—not for lack of passion, but due to a potential licensing opportunity (details soon!). While negotiations unfolded, I paused new content to honor the partner’s first right of refusal. Though the deal is still brewing, I’m thrilled to share: The newsletter is back to its weekly rhythm, landing in your inbox every weekend (Sat/Sun, depending on your time zone!).

🗳️ Quick Poll: Your Voice Matters!
As we relaunch, I’d love your input:
👉 Weekly (as before)
👉 Bi-weekly (deeper dives, less frequency)
Reply to this email or comment below—your preference will shape our cadence!

✨ Why This Matters
This isn’t just a newsletter; it’s a dialogue. Whether you’ve been here since Edition 1 or joined recently, you make this space meaningful. Let’s keep refining it together.

Final Note: The cat’s out of the bag—no more delays, just consistent insights and momentum. Ready to dive back in? Let’s go.

With gratitude,

-Faizan