Nik

Taking accountability is not only an S-tier leadership trait (because it conveys emotional regulation, integrity, and a desire to change for the better) - it’s also incredibly attractive.

I believe that the farther you go, the closer you get to becoming the person you’re meant to be and building the life you’re meant to have.
#Colombia

Rule # 13. When a new idea is introduced to you, don’t immediately think “no”, think “maybe”

Often, new ideas can sound impossible, or ridiculous, or both.

Keep an open mind - it might change everything for the better.

So the question is: who will give you enough money to chase an idea that may ultimately fail?

1. Facebook (Meta): $500 million
2. Apple: $250k (1976)
3. Amazon: $108 million
4. Netflix: $110 million
5. Google: $36 million
6. Nvidia: $20 million

You don’t need a degree, or even be very smart, to get rich (of course, they help), but what you really need is simple: wealthy backers.

For each FAANG company, plus NVIDIA, here’s how much they had fundraised before they became profitable:

Learn how to make money with margins:

Bottom line: Buy low, sell high — but be smart about it.

Master the art of sourcing undervalued assets, and then price to sell at a profit well below your competition.

You’ll make sales at a high clip - and that margin goes right into your pocket.

The first person that needs to believe in you - is you.

But if you’re really someone who wants to build something great, then this is the exact life you want, and you wouldn’t trade it for anything.

As an entrepreneur:

You’ll be on cloud 9, then having an anxiety attack - in the same day.

You’ll have a five, six, or seven-plus (!) figure deal, and watch it fall through at the last minute.

You’ll be simultaneously living your wildest dream and worst nightmare every day.

When you’re listening to someone give their opinion, which of these matters the most in how seriously you take it?

You can only pick one

Their:

1. Level of Education
2. Financial Success
3. Direct Experience
4. Appearance
5. Moral Character

Luxury items can be assets. IYKYK.

First, ensure you have good credit, stable income, and assets in less volatile classes like index funds or real estate.

Only then can investing turn into shopping at the mall.

Your habits predict your future more than your dreams do.

This means we will likely strengthen our pricing power for goods in and out of the canal ports, and also limit any risk of Chinese influence in the Americas (although the port is meant to maintain neutrality for global trade).

The BlackRock / Panama Canal deal looks like greed, but it may be beneficial to the US.

It gives a US company (and some in Europe) control of the two biggest ports in the canal previously owned by China. Today, almost 2 thirds of all canal traffic serves the US.

Rule # 12. Respect people who are themselves

While admirable, this is unrealistic in the short term, and will cost Americans millions.

Project 2025 discusses tariffs in detail, and its arguments are based on the goal of increasing domestic manufacturing and enabling “fairer” tariff treatment through the world trade organization, as the US is charged more for many goods vs. what we charge other countries.

I wrote about tariffs before - tariffs are inflationary, but it’s the resulting trade war that has stocks down across the globe.

That New Book, Chai, and French toast vibe

Listening to Lil Boosie 🤷🏾‍♂️

#FrenchQuarter

BTC was a buy all day under $80k

If you bought had bought Friday when it was there, you'd be up 15-20% already (yeah Trump news, but bigger picture too).

BTC will continue to rise, but unfortunately that means inflation has to get worse first

Rule # 11. Offer help to people, because somebody needs your help today and might not say so

4 out of 7 seas down

Recognize patterns in people’s behavior and never let disrespect go unchecked!

I still say buy now, because the Trump admins goals and actions sum up to increased inflation over his term

Bottom line: The prices of homes will continue to rise, and inflation likely won’t be decreasing dramatically anytime soon

Rates are ~6.78% today

The real estate market won’t get any better, anytime soon

CPI data from this month shows that home prices (one of the largest contributors to inflation) rose again, more than last year, and are on pace to be even pricier by end of year

Don’t play games but watch them often!

The locations are already vetted for the “breastaurant” category, and it’d be easier to transition staff while working on a new menu and branding, which would be a fraction of the cost of net new stores.

No one goes to Hooters for wings.

Or at all, given their recent announcement about bankruptcy.

From the M&A lens, competitors might go, but only to buy the locations.

With a potential bankruptcy, they more than likely will sell to a strategic buyer (think competitors like Twin Peaks).

“The key to long term success is survival.”
- Michael Covel

Most of the time, people fail because people quit.

Keep grinding, trust the process, and your hard work will pay off!