end of the beginning

I just crossed $5K in revenue.

The past few weeks have been easily the first and best weeks for business.

Closed 4 clients,

Realised what a cheatcode geo-arbitrage really is and,

finally understood what the importance of ‘opportunity cost’ is, and how you should say no sometimes.

If you aren’t familiar with what I do, I run an AI agency (Dialed In AI) that helps other businesses save time, make money, or save money by implementing AI and automations.

I started this last July while I was working, and then went on to run it full-time for the last 7 months.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I don’t talk much about the business in my weekly letters.

(I wrote only one in Feb, called ‘the startup spiral’. You can find it here.)

I’ll tell you why, 2 reasons:

1. I hadn’t made $$$.

If there’s one thing I’ve come to learn about why people listen to other people, it’s because they have social proof. I listen to my dad’s advice about driving because he’s driven before, and he’s driven more than me. Simple.

So if I was going to preach about my business then, there is no reason for me to expect you to spend your time listening to me, someone who doesn’t have proof it works.

(I know I wouldn’t have listened to me if I were in your position.)

2. I was too embarrassed.

This one’s more of a consequence of point 1.

I had major impostor syndrome, fearing I wasn’t living what I preached in these newsletters. So, I waited until I had good reason.

(Maybe I shouldn’t have cared, and shared anyway. But nevertheless, these were my reasons.)

I’d be lying through my teeth if I said I haven’t thought about quitting along the way.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve had those thoughts. Really.

“Just drop everything, admit I was too full of myself and in over my head, and go back to a job or get another degree.“

At first, it was overwhelming. The months of February and March were bad.

But then over time, it became natural. I persevered.

I’m still here, aren’t I? ;)

January 1st, 2025. 6 months ago.

I wrote down my business goals on a sticky note and put it on top of my monitor, so I would see it every day.

Goals to hit by mid-year.

“Hit $5K in revenue by mid-year.”

I’ll be honest, I never thought I’d hit it after March.

Then in one random week, everything changes lol.

I guess it really is true.

‘When it rains, it pours.’

I have learnt a fuck ton over these past 12 months when it comes to entrepreneurship, business, sales, marketing, copywriting, service delivery, offers, pricing, research, customer psychology.

I promise to compile some of them and write full letters in the coming weeks, giving you real examples and instances where I’ve tripped on my way here at this milestone, and what I would do differently.

The more I learn, the more I learn that there is more to learn.

I titled this letter ‘the end of the beginning’, because that’s what it is.

I think it’s safe to say I’m out of the initial bubble of “is what I’m doing really of value?”

Trust me, the feeling of knowing that some stranger you met out there miles away, is willing to exchange their time and hard-earned money for your value, nothing beats it.

Of course, it is added pressure once that payment comes through, because now you gotta deliver on the promises you’ve made (fulfillment).

All part of the game, my friend.

I’m glad I’m still here.

I don’t know how.
But I am here.

I’m only getting started ;)

Everything will be okay in the end.
And if it’s not okay, it is not the end.

Keep going.
Remember why you started.

Simple mentality.

If I can.
Why can’t you?

Bless, and Godspeed.

I wish you great times ahead in whatever it is you do. 🦚