Howdy Reader! I have a like-minded side hustler I chat with fairly regularly. Not unlike myself, he has a lot of things he wants to do. One of these things is dropshipping, a form of retail arbitrage. Lots of people do this, and there is lots of material, free and paid, on how to do it. If I were to take it on, I'd likely start it myself and do all the things. I'd buy a course, learn it, and do it. Not my friend. He handed the course to a VA and instructed her to implement it. Even made a few...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! Whatever your creative journey entails ... ... there's going to be fun stuff ... ... and there's going to be some boring stuff. Take eBay reselling, for example. I've heard this many times in my online travels. Sourcing product is fun. Putting listings up is boring. (And I can agree!) Here's the thing about listings, though. The listings sell your product. No listings, no sales. The boring stuff tends to be where the value lies. Let's grow togoether! ~ John Note: Some links in...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! I'm a church-going kind of person. Maybe you are as well. If so, you've likely had a sermon (or ten) that spoke directly to you. Today's was one of those. Pastor was talking about habits. He quoted James Clear: "You don't rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems." He was speaking about spiritual disciplines and habits. It is the new year, after all! This is advice I know by heart ... ... and yet it's eluded me again, and again. The point of the...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! Maybe you've read advice about limiting beliefs. Like this quote attributed to Henry Ford: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right." It's good to test boundaries, to stretch. But it's also good to know where you are, and what you know. I've made the mistake too many times of buying in more than I should have. Buying courses that I wasn't ready for. Buying business packages without really knowing what was involved. After having done these things, I am...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! Happy New Year! This is the time of year when most everyone is talking about their goals. People get high off of that new-calendar smell. Make it public so there's accountability. There's a trap hidden in there, though. Announcing goals feels good. It feels so good, that it may actually be counterproductive. From my own experience, I've mistaken the praise and validation that comes after for actually achieving the goal. This has reduced my drive to work for it, and I've often...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! My monthly mastermind call didn't disappoint! As advertised, we batted around business growth plans for 2026. Lots of excitement, and lots of back and forth. Most importantly, lots of directions to try. Things were cooking. Then my friend asked me to be honest. I suggested that he pick one. Just like he had suggested to me earlier to pick one thing to focus on. At least for a few months. So, going into 2026, I'll be hitting just one of my side hustles hard. Focusing on one...
10 days ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! Today is a day I look forward to each month. Mastermind call. The topic this month is plans for 2026. You know things are cooking when you come away energized. Let's grow together! ~ John Note: Some links in this email may be affiliate links, and I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Just so you know ;)
11 days ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! If you're building something on the side, that's great. You're looking to improve your financial position, and buy back your time. Awesome! While you're doing this, take some time to be thankful for where you are. Where you are in your career. Where you are in your relationships and friendships. Where you live, and the creature comforts you have. Those make your side hustles and creator journeys a laboratory, rather than a lifeline. You may have taken some time this month to...
12 days ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! You always remember your first. Your first public post. Your first comment. Your first sale. Your first client. Your first affiliate commission. Your first payout. Everything gets easier after that first. What will be your first this coming year? Let's grow together! ~ John Note: Some links in this email may be affiliate links, and I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Just so you know ;)
14 days ago • 1 min read