Growth Is Not Linear
The Preparation - Entry #3: Becoming an Entrepreneur
This week didn’t move as fast as I expected. It did something better. It gave me clarity.
I realized the original three-month window I set for this preparation cycle wasn’t realistic for where I am right now. Between full-time work, family responsibilities, and raising a young child, I don’t have the hours required to force progress without cutting corners somewhere else. Instead of pretending otherwise, I adjusted the timeline and extended it through the end of next spring.
That change took the pressure off almost immediately. It also created enough space to step back and think through what I actually want this business to become, instead of rushing to build something that doesn’t fit my life. Moving fast feels productive, but moving deliberately usually saves time in the long run.
Preparation Cycle Progress
Most of this week’s work was mental rather than visible. I spent time thinking through business models and constraints while reading The Personal MBA. Josh Kaufman outlines the “12 Standard Forms of Value,” which include everything from services and subscriptions to resale, leasing, lending, and capital.
The value in that list wasn’t inspiration. It was elimination.
Several of those models simply don’t work for my current season. I don’t have the availability to run a service-based business. I’m not interested in managing inventory, logistics, or anything that requires constant hands-on involvement. Leasing, lending, and similar models also demand attention I can’t reliably give right now.
Once I stopped trying to make everything possible, the picture got simpler.
The three models that actually make sense for my life at the moment are products, subscriptions, and audience aggregation.
Digital products work because they can be created once and distributed repeatedly. Subscriptions fit naturally on Substack, where consistency and trust matter more than marketing theatrics. Over time, building an audience also opens doors to partnerships or advertising without forcing that prematurely.
Narrowing the options didn’t feel limiting. It felt clarifying.
Atlas Foundry already exists as a place to write, think, and test ideas, so it makes sense to use it as the foundation of my business instead of starting something new from scratch.
The majority of my content will stay free for everyone. At the same time, I’m beginning to plan a paid tier where I can offer more focused material. Practical resources for new dads. Digital tools that actually get used. Deeper work built slowly and intentionally, not rushed out the door.
Skills, Hobbies, and Life
Outside of business planning, it was a solid week. I ran and lifted five days and kept momentum until the entire household caught a cold near the end of the week. Two days of rest weren’t planned, but they were probably necessary. I’m feeling better now and ready to get back into a rhythm.
I also spent some time playing chess and poker, both in person and online. Those games force me to slow down and think ahead instead of reacting on autopilot. It’s a useful counterbalance.
With the holidays approaching, the seasons are shifting. The temperatures are dropping. The last of the autumn colors are fading. Everything feels like it’s moving into a different gear.
It wasn’t a big week on paper, but it wasn’t a step backward either. That counts.
Looking Ahead
Next week brings a new challenge at home. The baby started crawling, which means the house instantly turned into an obstacle course full of things that suddenly need padding or removal. Babyproofing moved straight to the top of the list.
It was also a reminder to slow down and pay attention. It’s easy to get caught up in planning and long-term goals, but watching a child figure out how to move and explore makes it clear how quickly these stages pass. I don’t want to miss them because I was too focused on my own timeline.
So the plan for next week is straightforward. Make steady progress on the business. Tighten up the house. Be present for this new phase. The work can grow at the right pace. The little one won’t stay this small for long.