Helping 9-5 pros escape the grind and build profitable businesses. Founder of Lean Launch Lab. Teaching you how to start, validate, and scale your side hustle.
3 months on X down and I'm at 1,016 followers.
Here are the wins I've experienced
the failures and mistakes I've made
and the beliefs that I've changed my mind about:
🧵
This wraps up my second month of X!
I'm posting this a day early as I'm going on vacation to celebrate a huge win
here's what I learned by showing up every day for 60 days.
🧵
Stop romanticizing the grind.
Working 80-hour weeks on something you’re 'passionate' about isn’t sustainable or smart.
Burnout is real, and it doesn’t care how much you love what you do.
Build smarter, not harder.
Find balance and create systems that allow you to scale.
Your gut might be telling you your idea is gold, but your customers might think it’s trash.
That’s why feedback is everything.
Ask the damn questions, listen to the answers, and don’t be afraid to pivot when your 'brilliant' idea isn’t so brilliant after all.
Every product I’ve launched started with a simple question:
“What does the customer actually need?”
When you focus on solving real problems, success follows.
When I first started, I thought passion was enough.
Turns out, you need systems to match that passion.
Burnout is real—build a process that lets you thrive, not just survive.
Embrace discomfort.
It's where growth happens.
You have 2 options.
1. You can do things that scare the shit out of you and do them anyway.
2. You can die at 40 and be buried at 80.
Want to build a personal brand?
Create content.
Want a business?
Create content.
Want authority?
Create content.
Want leads?
Create content.
Content is connected to your goals.
Missed the coding train? There's still time to build the next SaaS giant.
Unlock your potential as a SaaS founder with my free 5 step beginner's guide. No coding skills required.
Like, reply 'NOCODE', and follow NOW to start your SaaS journey today.
Your 24 hours starts now!
I’ve built a lot of things, but nothing beats the satisfaction of solving a real problem for someone.
That’s the heart of entrepreneurship—creating value that others can’t live without.
Somebody is looking for what you knew 2 years ago.
Or 2 months ago.
Or 2 days ago.
There is always someone right behind you searching for what you've found.
Despite what you heard in the news, automation isn't about replacing humans.
It's about giving you time back from repetitive tasks.
If all you perform are repetitive tasks, learn a new skill.
The world is changing whether you're ready or not.
Take some time each day to visualize your goals.
Picture yourself achieving them and feel the emotions associated with that success.
This practice can keep you motivated and focused on your path.
No-code and AI: A match made in heaven.
Combine the power of no-code development with AI to create smart, scalable solutions.
How are you integrating these technologies?
As a solopreneur, the only person holding you back is you.
I’ve seen the power of mindset firsthand—what you believe, you achieve.
Get out of your own way and make it happen.
Samuel Whittemore, born on July 27, 1696, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, is one of the most extraordinary figures of the American Revolution. 🇺🇸
Despite being in his 70s when the Revolutionary War began, he became a symbol of American grit and determination.
Here's his story:
Finding a profitable niche isn’t about spending weeks on research—it’s about knowing where to look and how to validate your ideas quickly.
Start with your passions, research market demand, and analyze competitors.
A solid niche is within reach if you’re methodical.
Dream of ditching your 9 to 5?
It's possible, but don't quit your job yet.
ChatGPT can help you create a side hustle and you can turn it into a full fledged business.
Then you fire your boss.
Here's the 5-step blueprint: 🧵
70% of companies will be using no code tools in the next 5 years.
I'm telling you about the gold rush before it happens.
It's time to start selling shovels now.
You know that thing you've been putting off?
The one that makes you nervous?
It's time to tackle it.
Take a deep breath and get to work.
You will surprise yourself with what you can do.
Ever had friends say they love trying new foods?
Then you suggest sushi, and suddenly it’s 'Maybe just pizza?'
That’s the gap between what people say they want and what they really choose.
It’s a reminder: real behavior beats wishful thinking every time.
To hit 20 monthly calls:
500k LinkedIn views,
5k website views,
1k product views,
2% conversion.
What's your current content strategy?
How might you adapt it to reach these numbers?
Let's brainstorm growth tactics!
Avoidable trap: Trying to write 100% original content for clients.
Instead, audit existing content, draw connections, and repackage for a new audience.
People pay $1,000s for this.
Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you.
Their energy and perspectives can fuel your own drive and creativity.
Reach out to someone who motivates you and start a conversation.
Testing your niche idea doesn’t require a huge budget or a lot of time.
A simple landing page, a quick ad campaign, or even a survey can give you valuable insights.
The sooner you test, the sooner you’ll know if you’re onto something profitable.
Want to validate your idea fast?
Throw up a landing page, send some DMs, and see if anyone bites.
Worst case, you’ve got a shiny new page and a few awkward conversations.
The 5 pillars cover fundamentals, providing clarity.
Fitness example:
Nutrition,
Workouts,
Time Management,
Recovery,
Accountability.
Biz example:
Content Marketing,
Lead Gen,
Email Marketing,
Sales,
Automation.
What pillars fit your niche?
The most valuable approach in 2024 isn’t burning out in your 9-to-5 and hoping for a lucky break.
It's leveraging the Lean Startup methodology to build your side hustle smartly and efficiently.
Here are 5 things successful side hustlers are actively doing:
Validating Ideas
Hype your course in newsletters and social media.
Set up a waitlist with a simple landing page.
Be transparent about pricing and course details.
How do you build anticipation for your launches?
Share your pre-launch strategies!
When's the last time you asked 'why'?
You have to cultivate curiosity.
Find a rabbit hole on a topic you've never heard of.
There's so much more world beyond your own viewpoint.
Never stop learning.
Don’t overcomplicate niche research.
You’re not looking for a unicorn; you’re looking for a market with demand and a problem you can solve.
By narrowing down your interests and focusing on gaps in the market, you can position yourself as the go-to solution.
No-code tools are democratizing entrepreneurship.
Whether you're tech-savvy or not, you can now build and scale products like never before.
What's your next big idea?
The beauty of business ideas? They’re everywhere—if you know where to look.
Start by solving your own problems, and you might just stumble upon the next big thing.
PS - not every idea has to be a billion dollar idea.
You get out what you put in.
I think this is my single biggest lesson so far.
I tried the AI content route. It sucked.
I tried the please everybody route. That sucked.
I tried posting 6 times every 18 minutes or whatever the latest guru says. That also sucked.
Being me
I've been getting into stoicism a lot.
No, I'm not the next Ryan Holiday.
But it is super interesting.
I wonder why this ever got wiped out as a philosophy.
Want to know the secret for using AI for content creation?
Don't let it write your posts.
They can help you generate ideas.
They can help you research ideas.
They can help you get rid of writers block.
But don't let them replace your voice.
AI levels the playing field for everyone.
If you have a small business or want to start one, start with chatbots.
They can be your customer service or can give you actionable data analytics.
The key is to not get intimidated by the amount of tools out there.
Listen more than you speak.
Understanding different viewpoints doesn't mean abandoning your own.
It does help you build critical thinking skills, though.
It also helps you build empathy.
The world could use a lot more empathy.
You have to step into leadership.
You aren't ready? Who cares.
Mentor somebody.
Take a new project at work.
Take some initiative somewhere in your life.
That feeling after you do it builds confidence.
Be you.
Dan Koe is
@thedankoe
.
Dakota Robertson is
@WrongsToWrite
.
Greg Isenberg is
@gregisenberg
.
These are all prolific creators. You know who else could be?
You.
Stick with it and find your own voice.
Everyone else's is taken.
Passion without a plan is just a hobby.
Too many entrepreneurs jump in headfirst without a strategy, thinking enthusiasm will carry them through.
Newsflash: It won’t.
Know your market, validate your idea, and map out your steps.
Passion needs direction to become profit.
Consistency is your best friend.
Don't feel like it? Post anyway.
Don't have anything to say? Post anyway.
Think you're stupid? Post anyway.
Learning to write content is a skill, not an innate ability
The more you do it, the better you get.
I just want to take a minute to recognize how lucky I am to be where I am in life.
It's not because of how much money I make, or how many internet points I get on X today.
I just try to practice real life gratitude every day.
It's something worth investing in.
"Recognize that there will be failures, and acknowledge that there will be obstacles. But you will learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others."
- Michael Dell
You need to focus.
If you aren't careful, you'll get consumed by too much media.
There's a book saying this and a video saying that.
That's digital junk food.
The only way you're ever going to win is to take action.
Otherwise your mind will look like this.
In my early days, I made the mistake of building in isolation.
Now, I involve my community at every step.
Your audience is your biggest asset—use them wisely.
AI enhances human creativity.
Use AI to handle mundane tasks, so you can focus on what you do best—being creative.
How are you using AI in your creative process?
I’ve wasted months building features no one wanted.
Now, I let customer feedback shape my MVP.
Don’t fall in love with your idea—fall in love with solving problems that actually matter.
Embrace discomfort.
Growth happens when you push beyond your comfort zone.
Each small step outside familiar territory builds resilience and expands your capabilities.
Founded Lean Launch Labs to show founders they can build a business that fuels their dreams.
Systems for
hiring,
content,
newsletters,
onboarding,
monetization,
audience growth,
and customer success.
We’ve all been there:
people say they want the latest, healthiest snack, but what do they actually buy?
Chips. Lots of chips.
This is the classic 'stated vs. actual behavior' dilemma.
Lesson learned: watch what your customers do, not just what they say.
Struggling with what to build?
There's only 4 steps.
1. Identify a problem. A painkiller, not a vitamin.
2. Define your audience. Who's your first customers?
3. Research competitors. What are they doing wrong?
4. Validate. Don't waste time or money. Get a yes first.
If you’re feeling stuck, try breaking your task into smaller, manageable steps.
Focus on completing one small task at a time.
Before you know it, you’ll have made progress.
The worst advice I ever followed was to “stay in my lane.”
I veered off the path, tried new things, and found my real passion.
Your lane is wherever you make it.
What are you doing to grow today?
I'm becoming a Bubble engineer slowly but surely.
If you've already been down this path, lets connect.
I'd love to learn from you.
Why build from scratch when you can build smarter?
No-code platforms allow you to launch faster and iterate quickly.
Turn your idea into reality today.
Start with market research.
Ask your audience about challenges, goals, and content preferences.
Use their answers to shape your course and marketing.
How do you currently gather audience insights?
Let's discuss effective research methods.
Your idea is like a first date: exciting but full of unknowns.
Don’t get too attached until you know it’s worth your time.
Validate before you escalate.
A little market research now saves a hell of a lot of regret later.