Learning to be a better leader
Teaching and building Shovels have made me think about my own development as a leader, and what kind of learning works for me.
Filed under Business.
Founders, fundraising, failure, and the slow work of building.
2026
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Wed 04 November 2026
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Sat 16 May 2026
The purpose of building
I hope I never lose the drive to build. If I have one superpower, it's the interest and ability to build over a long period of time. This is what it takes to make a durable business. A durable business takes time. If it's built fast, it can end fast …
2025
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Sun 29 June 2025
0 to 1, 1 to 10
The journey from rejecting venture capital to raising $5M for Shovels, building a big data business focused on the physical world and climate companies.
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Sun 27 April 2025
My best advice for entrepreneurs
Celebrating Shovels reaching $80K MRR and sharing the most important lesson: the quality of your idea determines your success more than execution alone.
2024
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Wed 25 December 2024
Thoughts on building a brand
Brand as promise: why logos don't make companies, culture drives brand success, and why Shovels doesn't need a rebrand but better execution.
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Sun 29 September 2024
The process
My messy but organized fundraising process: evolving strategy, transparent team communication, and learning through real-time Discord documentation.
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Sun 01 September 2024
The vertical approach
Platform vs point solution strategy: why companies must become platforms first, then add vertical solutions, not the other way around for Shovels.
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Fri 05 July 2024
I'm down with ICP
Deep dive into ideal customer profile (ICP) development for Shovels, exploring the matrix of 'what' we offer versus 'who' we serve across multiple dimensions.
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