A Fire lit Lesson

Back in my late twenties, I faced a tough call: take a cushy VP role or strike out on my own. So I turned to my mentor, Victor, for advice. What I got that night on his Colorado ranch—where the air smelled of pine smoke and truth—still shapes me 20 years later. Names are swapped here for privacy, but the wisdom’s as real as it gets.

Victor was 68, the kind of wealthy Forbes whispered about, yet he sat there in worn flannel and muddy boots. He saw me wrestling with the decision. That VP offer still gnawing at you? he asked, peering over his glasses. I admitted it was safe, prestigious—but something felt off. He grinned, like he’d heard it before, and launched into a tale about his kids.

Clara, his eldest, had a Harvard MBA and a director gig at a Fortune 50. She jetted first-class, owned a penthouse, and lived in a whirlwind of meetings. But recently, she’d crumbled in his kitchen, drained, after her CEO praised her “attention to detail”—a pat on the head she’d outgrown. Then there was Javi, the dropout turned visionary. He’d gone from odd jobs to running a farm-to-table collective, no tie required. With an 8,000-person waitlist and Michelin scouts on his tail, he didn’t just walk into a room—he lit it up.

Here’s the kicker, Victor said. Clara’s brilliant but stuck chasing someone else’s playbook. Javi? He’s writing his own. The VP job might promise control, but real power comes from the ground up. He nodded toward the foothills outside. Wolves don’t care about your title—they care if you can lead. Clara’s bosses are cogs in a fading system; Javi’s building his own empire. Guess who sleeps better?

I asked what separated them. Hunger, he said. Clara runs on approval; Javi fuels others. One’s a gear, the other’s a flame. He gripped my shoulder. Don’t waste your spark heating someone else’s house, he urged. Build your own fire.

20 years later my take away is simple, Legacy isn’t a ladder—it’s the spark you leave in people’s bones. Burn bright.

Watch this Video. Its from the German supermarket Edeka. It’s a little simplistic, but sometimes those messages are the clearest.

Interpretation & Reflection:

The Edeka video’s metaphor cuts deeper than diet—it’s a manifesto for intentional living. That “grey slop” isn’t just stripped-down ultra-processed food; it’s a mirror for the hollow shortcuts we tolerate in our lives. Think about it: when you remove the artificial “hacks” (the flashy additives, the quick fixes), what’s left? A bland, lifeless residue—no substance, no vitality.

Now, apply that lens beyond the plate.

• Entrepreneurship: So many chase “hustle porn” tactics—viral hacks, soulless automation, empty metrics—that look appetizing but leave their businesses (and souls) malnourished. Strip away the illusion, and you’re left with a hollow brand, no real connection, no legacy.

• Lifestyle: Ever met someone with a “perfect” Instagram life? Glossy filters, curated wins. Remove the facade, and there’s often chaos beneath—burnout, debt, loneliness. The “grey slop” of performative living.

“Eat a rainbow” isn’t just about kale and berries. It’s about consuming what nourishes your purpose:

• Feed your mind with ideas that challenge, not just comfort.

• Feed your network with relationships that spark growth, not just clout.

• Feed your work with integrity, not just profit margins.

The video’s genius? It whispers: You are what you tolerate.
Entrepreneurs grind to build empires, yet often starve themselves of the very things that make those empires meaningful. They binge on caffeine and accolades while starving for creativity and connection.

So here’s the question: What’s the “grey slop” in your world?
Is it:

• The mindless scrolling replacing deep work?

• The toxic clients you keep to hit targets?

• The “good enough” habits eroding your potential?

Burn the slop.

P.S. Want to “eat like a founder”? Start by fasting from bullsht.*

The jute industry began as a byproduct of the whaling industry, when it was discovered that mixing whale oil with raw jute fiber made it possible to spin that fiber into fabric.

Turn Trade Turbulence into a Competitive Edge

The U.S. tariff and sanctions landscape is a minefield for tech founders—but those who master it can outmaneuver competitors. Here’s why a deep dive into export controls, sanctions, and tariffs isn’t just compliance—it’s strategy.

Why It Matters

1. Avoid Costly Blunders: Overlooking export controls can lead to fines, seized shipments, or even bans. Example: In 2021, a U.S. drone startup faced $2M+ penalties for accidentally shipping tech to a sanctioned entity.

2. Spot Market Gaps: Sanctions create vacuums. Example: When Huawei was restricted, savvy competitors pivoted to supply compliant 5G components in emerging markets.

3. Build Trust: Partners and investors favor founders who proactively navigate regulations.

What Happens When You Ignore This?

• Zoom’s Oversight: In 2020, Zoom faced backlash (and a 15% stock drop) after routing data through China, violating U.S. data controls. Competitors like Microsoft Teams capitalized on their misstep.

• Drone Startup Downfall: A founder ignored tariff shifts on Chinese components, raising production costs by 30%. Rivals using Southeast Asian suppliers undercut them swiftly.

Action Steps

1. Audit your supply chain and tech stack for hidden compliance risks.

2. Consult trade lawyers or customs brokers to decode regulations.

3. Monitor updates via tools like the U.S. Consolidated Screening List.

4. Train your team—one oversight can sink a deal (or your reputation).

Bottom Line: In a chaotic global trade environment, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s profit. Turn compliance into your secret weapon.

"Economical Writing" by Deirdre N. McCloskey is a vital resource for entrepreneurs because it equips them with the tools to master storytelling, a critical skill for pitching investors, engaging customers, and inspiring teams. Originally written for economists, the book’s 35 rules—like using concrete language, avoiding jargon, and ensuring logical flow—teach entrepreneurs how to craft clear, persuasive narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. In a fast-paced business world where attention spans are short, McCloskey’s emphasis on concise, active, and audience-focused communication helps entrepreneurs stand out, whether they’re delivering an elevator pitch or crafting a marketing campaign. Her insights on building confidence in writing also empower entrepreneurs to ditch pomposity and connect authentically, fostering trust and driving business success.

By checking out this fantastic AI Prompt.(that some one sent me)

You are a hyper-rational, first-principles problem solver with: •⁠ ⁠Zero tolerance for excuses, rationalizations or bullshit •⁠ ⁠Pure focus on deconstructing problems to fundamental truths •⁠ ⁠Relentless drive for actionable solutions and results •⁠ ⁠No regard for conventional wisdom or "common knowledge" •⁠ ⁠Absolute commitment to intellectual honesty

OPERATING PRINCIPLES:

1.⁠ ⁠DECONSTRUCTION •⁠ ⁠Break everything down to foundational truths •⁠ ⁠Challenge ALL assumptions ruthlessly •⁠ ⁠Identify core variables and dependencies
•⁠ ⁠Map causal relationships explicitly •⁠ ⁠Find the smallest actionable units

2.⁠ ⁠SOLUTION ENGINEERING •⁠ ⁠Design interventions at leverage points •⁠ ⁠Prioritize by impact-to-effort ratio •⁠ ⁠Create specific, measurable action steps •⁠ ⁠Build feedback loops into every plan •⁠ ⁠Focus on speed of execution

3.⁠ ⁠DELIVERY PROTOCOL
•⁠ ⁠Call out fuzzy thinking immediately •⁠ ⁠Demand specificity in all things •⁠ ⁠Push back on vague goals/metrics •⁠ ⁠Force clarity through pointed questions •⁠ ⁠Insist on concrete next actions

4.⁠ ⁠INTERACTION RULES •⁠ ⁠Never console or sympathize •⁠ ⁠Cut off excuses instantly
•⁠ ⁠Redirect all complaints to solutions •⁠ ⁠Challenge limiting beliefs aggressively •⁠ ⁠Push for better when given weak plans

RESPONSE FORMAT:

1.⁠ ⁠SITUATION ANALYSIS •⁠ ⁠Core problem statement •⁠ ⁠Key assumptions identified
•⁠ ⁠First principles breakdown •⁠ ⁠Critical variables isolated

2.⁠ ⁠SOLUTION ARCHITECTURE •⁠ ⁠Strategic intervention points •⁠ ⁠Specific action steps •⁠ ⁠Success metrics •⁠ ⁠Risk mitigation

3.⁠ ⁠EXECUTION FRAMEWORK
•⁠ ⁠Immediate next actions •⁠ ⁠Progress tracking method •⁠ ⁠Course correction triggers •⁠ ⁠Accountability measures

VOICE CHARACTERISTICS: •⁠ ⁠Direct and unsparing •⁠ ⁠Intellectually ruthless •⁠ ⁠Solutions-obsessed •⁠ ⁠Zero fluff or padding •⁠ ⁠Pushes for excellence

KEY PHRASES: "Let's break this down to first principles..." "Your actual problem is..." "That's an excuse. Here's what you need to do..." "Be more specific. What exactly do you mean by..." "Your plan is weak because..." "Here's your action plan, starting now..." "Let's identify your real constraints..." "That assumption is flawed because..."

CONSTRAINTS: •⁠ ⁠No motivational fluff •⁠ ⁠No vague advice •⁠ ⁠No social niceties •⁠ ⁠No unnecessary context •⁠ ⁠No theoretical discussions without immediate application

OBJECTIVE: Transform any problem, goal or desire into: 1.⁠ ⁠Clear fundamental truths 2.⁠ ⁠Specific action steps
3.⁠ ⁠Measurable outcomes 4.⁠ ⁠Immediate next actions

Bonus! Thought of the week

Contrarian Take: 

"Passion is Overrated: Why Obsessing Over 'Purpose' Can Sink Your Startup"

The most successful entrepreneurs don’t fall in love with their ideas—they fall in love with solving problems. Obsessing over passion can blind you to what the market actually needs.

Why It Works:
The startup world relentlessly preaches "follow your passion," but this mantra often leads to tunnel vision. Passion projects frequently ignore cold, hard truths: Is there demand? Are margins viable? Does anyone actually care?

Case in Point:
Instagram began as a clunky check-in app (Burbn), Airbnb started as a way to pay rent with air mattresses, and Slack emerged from a failed gaming venture. These founders prioritized adapting to problems over clinging to their original "passion."

Instead of asking, "What do I love?" ask, "What’s broken, and how can I fix it better than anyone else?" Purpose isn’t something you start with—it’s something you uncover by engaging with the market. Passion fuels persistence, but obsession with your own vision breeds deafness. The market doesn’t care about your dreams—it cares about solutions. Be a mercenary, not a missionary.(most of the time)