✨ The Business Within ~ Breaking the Rules

Because they don't work anymore

So, this is the first “official” issue of “The Business Within” (the artist newsletter formerly known as the SPARK — hat tip to Prince for the ‘formerly known as’).

You’ll notice I’ve kept my ‘spark’ (I could totally do some sort of metaphor/analogy for my own ‘spark’ here, but I’ll save you the eye roll 😉).

I kept the spark emoji for two reasons:

1. I like it

2. After sending emails for a few years with it, I hope you associate that with me when you see it in your inbox.

As of now, I will stop numbering the issues. I’m pretty proud of having sent 235 newsletters every week without fail, but I’m good with leaving that in the past.

On to today’s topic…

Let’s just say it:

Most of the old playbooks are trash.

Not because they never worked, but because they were built for a world that no longer exists. A world of rigid hierarchies, gatekeepers, bro marketing, and rules written by men in the 1950s who never imagined people would be building empires from their laptops in Costa Rica, Montana… or the local coffee shop down the street.

And yet… those outdated templates still get handed around like gospel.

We’re living through one of the most creatively liberating and wildly uncertain times in online marketing—and that’s a good thing.

Because now? We get to make it up.

We get to channel that curious kid within ourselves to explore with some abandon.

Breaking the Rules (On Purpose)

The best things I’ve created in my business never came from following someone else’s “proven blueprint.” They came from trusting my gut, testing their ideas, and letting curiosity lead the way.

AND… Every-Single-Thing I’ve done that has worked (i.e., succeeded in terms of profitability), succeeded because it was something I wanted to do AND solved a problem I had.

Take vibe coding, for example.

If you’re not familiar with vibe coding, here’s Google’s definition:

In simple terms, you can type/talk your way into creating software.

Literally.

My mind is BLOWN. I have two apps I’m working on - one of which you’ll be able to ‘experience’ next week (and the complete app done by the end of the month), and the other should be done early next month (and only because I can’t work on these 24/7 😜).

Of course, I’ll be sharing the journey with you as I do this, and mainly to show you what’s possible.

When I had my outsourcing company, I had a team of developers and designers I would send work to in the evening and hope that when I woke up, the tasks would be completed (they usually were, but it wasn’t uncommon for something still to be ‘off’- which added another 24+ hours to getting ONE thing fixed).

The insight and ability I have to do this is simply from the work I’ve done over the last 17 years in my own business, through hands-on practical application, as well as an insatiable curiosity to learn - but I truly believe anyone can do this (if they have a genuine desire to).

That’s not a “strategy” in a traditional sense. It’s not in some funnel playbook or seven-figure course. But choosing to launch my own apps—on my own terms, in my own way—is Vibe Coding in action.

It’s rewriting the rulebook with every click, line of copy, and bold decision.

There’s no version of “just follow the steps” that would’ve brought me here. And I’m guessing the same is true for you.

I’ve created my own process and tool stack to do this. I dip into YouTube if there’s something I want to explore in more depth - but only for the things I’m working on.

Add to that the ability to ideate and connect the dots in terms of where this fits into my business and how I want to live my life, and I’m having more fun than I’ve had in my business in a long time.

Substack Is a Great Rule-breaking Example

Substack has shown us that people still want community, just not the kind that’s been engineered to please algorithms or extract attention.

They want connection that feels good.

That’s why so many of us are ditching the marketing that smells like desperation and leaning into showing up in a way that actually feels aligned. No manipulation. No fake scarcity. No robotic launches or “high-converting” templates that feel like someone else’s voice.

Just real people, sharing what they care about, in a space that welcomes nuance, personality, and imperfection.

(And if you need a step-by-step guide for setting up your Substack? I wrote one. Because no one should have to guess their way through that maze. 😉)

What If We Let Ourselves Just… Try?

The real flex isn’t pretending to have it all figured out.

It’s being willing to try.

Try something new. Try something weird. Try something you’ve never seen before.

The rules are being rewritten in real time. And the people who are going to thrive through this next evolution of business aren’t the ones clinging to old tactics… they’re the ones building something new.

You don’t need a massive audience, a massive budget, or a viral post to succeed.

You need courage. Clarity. Curiosity.

You need to start where you are and keep going.

And if you’re tired of the old marketing playbook, know that you’re living through the perfect time to toss it in the trash.

Noteworthy 🔥

A tool, product, or offer I’m loving this week—and why it matters.

OMG.

I’ve only been using this for a few days and it’s GAME-CHANGING.

Meet Wispr Flow.

This app allows you to dictate anywhere you type online. Yes. Anywhere.

I’ve already saved hours with this (after only 4 days, I upgraded to pro within a couple of hours, lol. It’s $15 a month).

I’m using it for a lot, but primarily with vibe coding. To be able to dictate things that need fixing, adjusting, etc., is a lifesaver. My hands and wrists are so much happier.

This is absolutely worth trying! It might take a hot minute to get used to it (sometimes I have to remind myself to use it instead of typing) - but you can literally just dictate the way you talk and it makes sense of everything.

A Little Brainpower 🧠

One simple word for this article by

Andi Bitay

- and that’s AMEN! “Not Justin Welsh? Good. That’s Your Edge.”

I love long-form content. “Long-Form Content Is Dead. Long Live Long-Form Content. No, not everyone has the attention span of a fruit fly, despite what internet gurus say.”

A little more fun and insight from ‘The Oatmeal.’ “Eight marvelous and melancholy things I’ve learned about creativity.”

Tool Time 🛠️

• AI Workflow: I’m going to try this this weekend. This could replace Zapier or Make - I’ll test it for something operational first. Try n8n.io free here.

• Google Meet: Using Google Meet instead of Zoom? This free Chrome extension lets you annotate live and record locally. Use G-Meet-Annotate free here.

• Notion: Thanks to my friend,

  Lee Drozak
  for this one. Embed Notion pages instantly - anywhere. Try Embed Notion Pages free here.

• Social Media: This looks pretty handy if you’re active on multiple platforms. Monitor, reply to, and manage comments from all platforms in one app. Try Repliz free here.

So true! 😂

That’s a wrap on the first official issue of The Business Within.

Here’s to building something that feels like you, burning old rulebooks, and trusting that your way is the right way. I’ll be here, sharing the journey—and cheering you on—every step of the way. 💥

With coffee & kindness,
Kim