$219K

My business hit $219K in December.

It’s pretty dope, but let me be honest and say that I feel just as “behind” as when I was at $20K/m.

All I need to do is compare myself to a 19-year-old making $1M/m with an AI app to have all my happiness washed away…

^ I’m joking a bit here but not entirely. Lol.

Such is life. You achieve some success, but there’ll always be someone richer and cooler than you.

All good though. I’m grateful for what I have and remain stoked to write this newsletter for you.

I'll now step off my soapbox. Let me share some practical advice following the mandatory Stripe credibility screenshot.

Here are 5 hyper-potent, distilled business lessons after scaling my biz to $200K/m:

1) Literally just do one specific thing for a super long time

Caveats:

1. The industry you serve should be growing. Ideally over 10% per year.

2. You should strive to become your industry leader through continuous improvement.

You don’t even have to be smart to succeed this way. Just don't get addicted to meth and you'll be good.

Also, if you want a “lifestyle” business, this is the way. Staying focused on one thing over a long time allows you to take it slow and chill.

What should that one thing be?

Well, a great place to start is something you already know.

If your parents own a small business, help your parents and then help other businesses like them. That's what I did.

If you don't like your job but have deep industry experience, quit your job but stay in your industry. This way, you're not starting from scratch.

2) Solve rich people problems

Let’s say you want to make $10,000.

It's easier to get one person with $1M to spend $10K than get 10 people with $10K to each spend $1,000.

This is because $10K is only 1% of the millionaire's wealth.

For someone with only $10,000, $1,000 is 10% of their wealth.

Getting them to part with $1,000 is a bigger ask (in relative terms), PLUS you have to convince 10 people instead of 1.

Yes, you can make millions selling to the masses.

Just don’t start with that. Start with a small number of high-paying clients and then go mass-market from there.

Dan Kennedy's No B.S. Marketing to the Affluent is a great book to read for selling to rich people.

3) Immerse yourself in AI

There's SO MUCH money to be made as the "middleman" between AI and people with problems.

Think of all the old and rich business owners who don't want to figure out all this AI stuff themselves.

They will pay for someone to figure it out for them. You can be that person.

In 2025, AI agents will play a huge role in this. Educate yourself as much as possible.

There’s a guy named Liam Ottley who has a great YouTube channel for this. Check it out here.

4) Don’t avoid sales

Even if you’re terrified of sales, do it anyway.

You don't have to do it forever. Do it until you understand how to be persuasive.

One-to-one persuasion (sales) then translates to one-to-many persuasion (marketing).

Business is much easier when you're good at marketing.

You'll also become a better communicator, which is great for building a team.

So don't shy away from sales. It will handicap you if you do.5

5) Start an email list and YouTube channel

An email list combined with a YouTube channel is a deadly combination that will make you lots of money.

I have already written emails on why you need both. Read below if you need some convincing:

Why you should start a YouTube channel

Why you should start an email list

Ravi Abuala also has a great video on YouTube strategy for businesses. Check it out here.

And no, it's not too late.

There’s NEVER been a better time to take action on this stuff.

It’s 2025 and there’s opportunity everywhere. Almost too much opportunity. (Still better than too little, though. 😉)

So get out there and make it happen.

When I make more money in my business, I’ll take another Stripe screenshot and give some more advice.

See you next week.

Graydon

If you found this post helpful/entertaining or know someone who would, I’d love if you could share it with them and invite them to subscribe:

https://www.entreflaneur.com/p/219k-m

Cool things I found during my weekly internet stroll.

“FireDome” - the AI-powered home defense system for wildfires. So sick. I love seeing technology solve the world’s biggest problems.

Korean scientists found an “undo” button that turns tumor cells into normal ones.

Kuluko - enter your idea and they generate a full novel and turn it into your personal audiobook using AI.

Most insane takedown I’ve ever seen.

Served up by Spijker & me.

All By Myself | Mita Gami

All I Need | Maribou State, Andreya Triana

Me Gusta (Bird Of Mind Remix) | AZZUR, Meloko, Baron (FR), Selim Sivade, Konvex (FR)