I’m 55 days into this 𝕏 game.
It’s been fun! Connected with great people, learned a ton, and changed for the better.
More than 700 posts in total of which >90% are replies as I average one original post per day.
Yes, I'm a reply guy.
Let me reintroduce myself:
Anonymous W2
I hired a coach.
There’s no way I can make this journey alone.
I need allies on my team. Allies who’ve been there & done that.
Found one of the best & brought him on to be in my corner.
If you know him, you agree. If you don’t, get to know him & I bet you’ll agree too.
She’s here!
Eliza Grace
06.30.24 @ 12:47pm
9lbs & 12oz & 22.5in
All the love for this sweet princess.
She and mom are doing well.
Life is a miracle! Blessed.
Perfect timing!
Sometimes that’s what it takes.
But you never know with the algo.
Chance is always at play. 🎲
You control content & consistency.
Keep putting in reps.
Some months will be better than others.
Keep going! You'll grow.
See this 28D view of 𝕏 distribution.
I took the first step this week. And then another. Now I’m moving.
No stalling. No waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect plan.
“Just go man.”
Where am I going? IDK exactly. That's okay.
What am I doing? That's not the point.
I'm writing about action today. You ready?
Here’s how I made money off a hurricane:
It was 2018. My wife and I were living downtown in a 1BR apartment.
Electric scooters were all the rage. They were on every street corner.
I had the perfect setup for this gig economy and got lucky with the timing of a perfect storm.
Grateful for the connections I’ve made on 𝕏.
Yall are awesome. Watching how you navigate the highs and lows of building inspires me.
Also, the support in this community is unreal. Not sure what drives the SMB culture of giving back, but I’m here for it!
Dads, what traditions have you built with the kids to help make Mother’s Day special?
Help me out here! Four days left.
My family is young (4 & under), but want to create something early so we can repeat over the years.
Any ideas?
Later this week 𝕏 will be in person.
I’m driving to the coast for an SMB meetup event in Wilmington, NC.
Look forward to shaking hands with others I’ve met here and the ripple effects from this growing community.
HMU if you want details.
What’s got you excited this week?
Wrap your arms around your why and the how will come.
This is my approach to fatherhood.
Lead with love - kindness, gratitude, and faithfulness.
There’s no playbook on navigating all the ins and outs of this responsibility.
It’s a day to day journey full of sacrifice and joy.
What’s your monthly food budget?
We’re spending $1500 (or more) on groceries and eating out.
Trying to cut back on this with lifestyle changes. Pro tips welcome!
Thank you
@RandBusiness
@TRUmav
@msaskin
for hosting Raleigh's SMB meetup last night. 👊
Great to hang with local entrepreneurs for a bit. Some I already knew and some I met for the first time. All inspire me to keep going.
There's power in community. Let's meet up again soon!
PG? SDE? CIM?
🤷♂️SMB, WDYM?!🤷♂️
If you're new to SMB Twitter, check out this glossary of 27 terms AND 1 bonus term in honor of
@SMB_Attorney
#SMB
#ETA
𝕏 is a daily drama.
Are you an NPC or main character?
Level up with archetypes and grow your audience.
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 🧵 to find your archetype in 3 steps using AI as a guide & check out how 12 accounts play to their archetype.👇👇
Don’t let the avatar fool you guys!
I'm a real person, Scout's honor.
Leading with kindness.
Wanting to connect.
DMs open.
This week I spoke with:
1)
@Chris1Ryan
- SMB Wealth Advisor
2)
@financeholic
– Fintech Investor / VC
Look forward to more connections like this!
We were made to promote.
"It is frustrating to have discovered a new author and not to be able to tell anyone how good he is"
-C.S. Lewis
In other words, sharing our joy in something completes our enjoyment.
Don't be silent or fake, but do share.
You'll be happier.
Eight years ago I landed my dream job.
The offer more than doubled my pay & unlocked amazing benefits.
Still consider this event the biggest blessing in my career.
A blessing that keeps giving as I see this W2 as a launch pad for greater things.
The best is yet to come. 🙏🏻
Thank you to
@trentjhughes
and
@mattrbowles
for hosting the great meetup last night.
Cool to finally meet connections on here and discover new ones too.
This community keeps pushing me to grow as I figure out my own path.
Appreciate all the support and encouragement! 👊
When you post, you never know what will happen. This keeps it fun, right?
Here’s a positive one:
Over a week ago
@gas_biz
shared about starting a couch to 5K program. His story pushed me to get going myself. So I searched these plans, picked the first one I saw, and ran
I’m working on myself.
Solving “me” problems so I can solve other problems too.
It's not always easy and feels heavy at times. Doubt can overwhelm and fear can paralyze.
But I’m learning it’s a day-by-day thing and 1% compounded adds up quickly.
Networking is better than not working.
Another great intro call this week. This time with
@JonathanShoff
Solid learnings from hearing his story. He's built a well-oiled machine in the form of an accounting practice.
Another great guy bringing value to SMB 𝕏! Check him out.
What beats family time at the local breakfast diner on Saturday morning?
Americana, bacon, & the friendliest people in town.
Diners are time capsules filled with guests enjoying a break from today’s timeline.
We escape to Pam’s weekly.
Do you like the diner experience too?
Know yourself.
Your true self.
Techniques:
1) Journaling ✍️
2) Meditation & mindfulness 🧘
3) Feedback from close friends & mentors ♻️
These don’t come naturally to me except maybe the last one.
Who’s got techniques to sharpen sense of identity?
Okay I’m going to the Main Street Summit in October. This will be a first for me and I’m looking forward to meeting a bunch of you in person.
Should I get the classic or flagship pass? I’ve seen the hype around having access to the atrium. Do you think it’s worth the extra cost?
Networking is better than not working.
It's Friday after all.
If you would have told me last month that I would meet someone on X & on that same day plan a meetup with them for next week, I would've laughed in your face.
Well, I'm eating crow right now.
Met
@cashrulesNC
Last week, I decided to go for it.
"WE’LL DO IT LIVE!!"—minus the expletives. Or at least less than Bill.
I interviewed SMB owners to get reps in for the podcast. It was messy.
Now real interviews are scheduled. More messes to come. Wish me luck!
One thing leads to another.
We moved our Saturday family tradition up by a day this week. No complaints!
If you’re ever in Raleigh and want the Carolina diner experience, look no further.
10/10 TBH
As a freshman in this business school, I agree. The best way to discover, learn, and grow in business is 𝕏.
I started drinking from the firehose back in April. You know what's crazy? I don't even recognize myself from 4 months ago. This community has not only reshaped my mind,
Don’t get an MBA. You don’t need to spend $200k to learn how to be a business leader or an entrepreneur.
You can get a better business education for $8 per month on Twitter, and in way less time than two years.
From finance to marketing to business law, here’s who to follow! 👇
You’re at the center of a network.
You will know at least 1,000 people during your life.
The network grows quickly too.
Your connections will also know 1,000 people each.
See how the network expands:
1,000 𝕏 1,000 = 1,000,000
"You’re just one person away from a million."
"Make your move before you're ready."
These words pulled me out of a doom scroll 145 days ago. I wasn't ready, but I set up this 𝕏 account and started sharing.
A spark lit. Now my planning place is burning down. 🔥
Who do you want to be…
In 6 months? In 1 year? In 5 years?
Write this vision down. Aim toward it.
Want help focusing your aim?
Gaze into the dark.
🚨DISCLAIMER🚨
This idea will challenge you to go where you may not want to go.
Bookmark this for later if you’re not feeling
T-minus 25 days until third baby arrives!
We’re the least prepared, but most ready for this round of infancy.
Any experienced coaches out there with tips on moving to a zone defense strategy?
Our players will be 4 y/o girl, 2 y/o boy, and newborn girl. 😊
Networking is better than not working.
There’s only one
@TS_Secrets
on 𝕏. Do you know him?
We spoke today for the first time. He’s building his thing with trade schools. He knows sales too!
He’s a standup guy with a willingness to help others. Get to know him if you don’t!
I spoke with
@DustinKamali
earlier today.
Great guy helping build a marketplace for businesses to access high-interest banking.
Somehow, I missed all the meowing of late, but now I'm tuned in. 😺
Give this guy your follow.
Four years ago today, my journey changed forever.
My firstborn arrived.
Witnessing her birth was an outer of body experience. The instant rush of love for her flooded me.
If you’re a parent, you understand. If you’re not, it’s hard to translate this miracle.
Your ego dies.
How are you today? → wHo are you today?
Moving one letter's position changed:
A generic question → A generative question
Responses will vary, but will be better.
"I'm good, thanks" → "I'm…wait, what?"
Reinforcements arrived.
My in-laws will stay for a few days to help manage our slice of chaos. Grateful my kids benefit from involved grandparents on both sides.
Who knows? We may move to be closer to both sets. Seems like a no brainer to have your village nearby if possible.
Happy for this guy! Proud too.
He’s firstborn of seven & he’s the first of his family to:
✅ Complete HS
🎓Graduate college
💼 Land job with F100
🇺🇸 Become citizen of US
Today, he got married.
Despite tough odds early on, he continues to rise and make the most of this life.
@trentjhughes
100% agree.
I've never had 500K year, but peers of mine have made that kind of money.
Also, sales is great launching pad for entrepreneurship IMO. I'll confirm this one day. 👊
Do you like sandbaggers? I do.
People who under promise & over deliver.
Last week we ordered hospital room service 5x.
Expectation set: 1 hour wait for meal delivery
Actual time to deliver: 30 minutes or less
Whether intended or not, this boosted our CX.
Do you sandbag? 💰
@trentjhughes
Yeah not a sexy take for social, but it’s truth! Seems like even if you’re a poor entrepreneur, you’d probably still make a great employee somewhere and could rise the ranks with time.
What's your close rate?
You're selling something. How often do you win deals?
If you have revenue targets, know your close ratio and build your sales pipeline to cover it.
1/3 ➡️ 3X
1/4 ➡️ 4X
1/5 ➡️ 5X
I lost a $100 bet.
It sucks, but I'm confident I'll get the money back one day.
No, I'm not wasting away at the casino and chasing my losses.
I'm making asymmetrical bets on myself.
Even if I lose early bets, I'll come out ahead.
Let me know what you think about this one. 🎲
Hitting the final stretch with the weekly check up routine.
Trying to soak up these sweet fleeting moments as a family of four.
Looking forward to being a party of five soon!
Can you see we’re excited? 🤗
Does your area have a local newsletter like this one?
The Raleigh edition gets my eyes weekly when I’m looking for fun family activities.
This brand covers areas in Florida, Missouri, and Texas too. Simple enough so I’m sure there’s copycats around you.
Have a great weekend!
Do your little ones like eating greens?
Didn’t think so. 😂
One thing that’s helped us provide these nutrients:
JUICING!
Can’t say it’s an every morning routine, but juice days are better days.
This morning we had cucumber, kale, and spinach.➕🍓🍐🥕
🚨RALEIGH SMB/ETA Community!!🚨
We’re meeting up August 14th for drinks, laughter, and fun conversations with some SMB LEGENDS.
“SMB Legends? OMG! who is Rand talking about?!?!”
Well folks, I’ve outdone myself this time.
I've convinced my friend Matt Saskin to give us a TOUR
Who feels overstimulated today? I do.
Better question: Who does NOT feel overstimulated?
If you’re active on 𝕏, operate a business, and don’t feel overstimulated, please speak up.
I’m curious to learn your how hacks, but more curious to know your why.
Click for 1 How Hack 👉
12 days to go in calendar Q2!
What's your playbook for closing strong?
We use exploding offers with EOQ incentives attached.
💥 𝗧𝗜𝗣: Avoid setting these deadlines on last day of quarter. Give yourself cushion to win the deal!
What’s everybody in SMB use for CRM?
Big SFDC fan here! At W2, I have enterprise instance with all the bells and whistles imaginable.
I’ve used Hubspot in previous life too.
Any smaller CRM players worth a look?
IDK…what do you use? What’s your favorite feature?
@girdley
W2 at F100 with this kind of culture and I don’t see this changing without some flattening of the org chart. Bottom of hierarchy running the day to day is too afraid to speak openly because of internal political blowback will come back to bite them.
5 Anon Accounts with Good Vibes✌️
1)
@ForecastSuccess
- Sharing the best of self-improvement and growth mindset ideas. Follow for motivation and success!
2)
@YourSMBCFO
- Building fractional CFO practice to serve SMB owners. Also, my avatar's twin.
3)
@SkyyTheeGuy
- Tracking
What's the consensus on 𝕏 spaces?
Seems like an easy setup and brings an audience together. Right?
Good conversations make communities stronger too.
Why don't we see more SMB ones?
Would love to see the OGs host them.
IDK what do you think?
Heading to Wilmington!
Why do cities in other states copy North Carolina city names? 🤔
1. Wilmington, DE
2. Jacksonville, FL
3. Dallas, TX
4. Madison, WI
5. Greenville, SC
New Mom Mocktail
8 oz ginger ale
4 oz apple juice
4 oz cranberry juice
Add extra crushed ice
Hospital reviews say it helps with post-delivery recovery and reduces nausea.
NC is the place to SMB!
Dennis saved the best state for last in his 50 States in 50 Days series. Great campaign highlighting boring businesses for sale across the country.
What’s on sale in your state? I bet Dennis knows.
Today's Boring Biz: Asphalt Paving Company
- $1.3M Revenue
- $531K Cashflow
- North Carolina
- Day 50 of "50 States In 50 Days"
Note: We do not represent this deal, highlighting for informational purposes only for viewers
What does the company do?
1. Asphalt paving roads,
The USA invented M&A.
Heard some patriot acquired Zyn from the Swedes and released a new American flavor.
Anybody seen this one yet?
Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸