Cringe Mountain, Non-Influencers, & Mornings

Startup Playbook: Climbing Cringe Mountain

Alright, strap in folks, ‘cause we’re diving headfirst into the whirlwind world of organic content and short-form video.

Hear me out: When you’re at the starting line of launching a brand, you’re sitting on a goldmine of raw, unfiltered opportunity.

People out there are literally craving to see someone else take the plunge into the unknown. They want the behind the scenes, the drama, the dreams, and the occasional disasters.

Back in 2015 and 2016 we were just getting started with Western Rise, showing our brand dream and vibe before "building in public" became the cool thing to do. (scroll way back in our IG to check it out)

Picture this: over 25k followers hitching a ride on our journey, consuming every bit of content that showcased our grind. That, my friends, is how you build a brand that resonates, not just another product lost in the Amazon jungle.

Flash forward to now, with TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Stories getting lots of attention, there’s never been a better stage for showcasing your brand’s baby steps.

Forget about burning cash on ads for your launch. What you want is a tribe, a crowd that’s got your back, ready to throw ideas around and maybe, just maybe, help you via Kickstarter to fund your first production run. (check out our original $600k Kickstarter.)

But here’s the kicker: putting yourself out there? Terrifying.

There’s this thing we call “cringe mountain” in the video class I’m taking, and trust me, it’s a steep climb.

Yet, here’s the thing—if launching a business is your kind of crazy, then believe me, it’s time to pair that leap with some content. You don’t need a good camera. Just hop on your phone and start talking.

Feeling like you’re staring at a blank canvas? Here’s a cheat sheet to get the ideas flowing:

• Start with your idea. Why are you even doing this?

• Get real about your excitement for the biz.

• Why this business, why now.

• The why behind what you’re bringing to the table (your background story).

• Take us back to day one and walk us through the baby steps.

• Lessons learned—the good, the bad, and the ugly.

• Face-to-face with the folks that matter: your customers.

• Nailing down manufacturing.

• What it’s like day-to-day running the show, top to bottom.

• Show the hurdles still tripping you up.

Once you put yourself out there, you’ll be surprised how many people will be cheering for you and how many are willing to help!

So, what are you waiting for? Jump in. The water’s fine, and the world’s waiting for your brand’s story to unfold. It’s time to turn “cringe mountain” into your stage. You’ve got this, and believe me, it’s going to be epic.

Founder Playbook: Putting Yourself Out There

Alright, let’s talk shop about something that’s as essential as your morning cup of coffee: building your personal brand.

Now, don’t go rolling your eyes, thinking it’s just for the entrepreneurs or the influencers flooding your feed. Nope.

Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, launching a startup, or anywhere in between, listen up: You’ve got a personal brand, whether you like it or not.

Here’s the details: Your personal brand is how the world sees you, the vibe you give off, and the expectations people stitch together from every piece of you they encounter.

For most folks, their personal brand is like a patchwork quilt—comforting but a bit chaotic, a mishmash of impressions that sometimes clash.

To your close group, that’s fine. They see the masterpiece in the mosaic, the full “you” picture, where every new thing just adds depth.

But outside your warm circle, it’s a different ball game. You need to be the artist actively painting your image, not leaving it to chance.

So let’s get to building.

Take some time to brainstorm. Then write down everything that you bring to the table, everything that informs your point of view. Consider your:

• Industry

• Goals

• Education

• Personal strengths

• Personal weaknesses

• Geography

• Interests

• Philosophy

A lot of people fail to recognize — and capitalize on — the things that make them interesting. It’s rarely an individual element on the list. It’s an unexpected combination. Put a little mark beside any items on the list that come together in dynamic or intriguing ways.

Your personal brand stems from your identity, but it’s a lot more targeted than that. Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Be one thing to a carefully cultivated group.

You’ll also need to find your unique value proposition: the fundamental reason that people should and will pay attention.

• Why. The innermost circle. Why do you do what you do? What’s your mission or vision?

• How. The middle circle. How do you fulfill your why and provide your what?

• What. The outermost circle. What do you offer your audience or community?

If you need help with this, check out this Ted Talk from Simon Sinek.

Creating a personal brand isn’t about putting on a show; it’s about honing in on what makes you, you, and sharing it with the world in a way that clicks and maybe even interests a few. You’ll be surprised what doors this opens.

So, before you dismiss personal branding as fluff for influencers, remember: in today’s world, where everyone’s vying for a spot on the radar, a personal brand isn’t just nice to have; it’s your secret sauce.

Automation Playbook: Automate Your Morning

Let's dive into the holy grail of productivity: a morning routine that practically runs itself.

Why? Because kicking off your day with a series of small wins isn’t just nice—it’s a game changer.

It primes you for success, gets your mindset in the right mode, and, gives you a feeling of “I’ve got this” before your coffee’s even ready.

Now, you might be thinking, “That’s great, but you haven’t met my chaos.” Oh, believe me, I get it. With two kiddos under four running the show, my mornings could easily turn into a sitcom. But that’s exactly where the magic of automation comes in.

Step 1: Sleep Like a Pro

First off, quality sleep is your best friend. It’s the foundation, the bedrock, the starting line. Without good sleep, you’re running on fumes. So, get cozy with a bedtime routine that sends you off to dreamland on the regular.

Step 2: Rise and Shine—Consistently

Alarm goes off, and boom, you’re up. Same time, every day. Yes, even on weekends. This isn’t just about discipline; it’s about tuning your body’s clock to a rhythm that doesn’t need a snooze button.

Step 3: Make That Bed

Sounds trivial, right? Wrong. Making your bed is the first win of the day. It’s a small task, sure, but it’s a tangible one. You’ve literally made your bed, and now you have accomplished something before the day’s chaos unfolds.

Step 4: Get Moving, Get Sun

Here’s where we get creative. With a couple of little ones, I’m not exactly hitting the trails at dawn. But a quick set of pushups and situps? That’s doable. It’s about waking up your body and mind. And if you can, step outside. Morning light is like a shot of espresso for your circadian rhythm.

Step 5: Hydrate Like and Athlete

Forget your morning coffee for just a sec. Water is where it’s at. I kick off with a glass of what I call “morning Gatorade” (Trace Minerals, Himalayan Sea Salt, & half a lime squeezed in). It’s about rehydrating, folks. Give your body what it’s been missing for the last 7-8 hours.

Step 6: Blueprint Your Day

Grab a quiet moment to jot down the 3-4 most crucial things you want to conquer today. This isn’t about crafting a schedule; it’s about setting clear, achievable targets. What are the big wins waiting for you today?

So there you have it. A morning routine that doesn’t just start your day but launches it. Because, at the end of the day, success isn’t just about what you do; it’s about making what you do automatic.

That’s it for this week! If you want to add anything, or just want to say hey, shoot me a response!

Will

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