Gem Essays

What is this thing anyway?

While I’m inspired, I might as well push something out.

I’m a (relatively) anonymous ex–7-figure founder who writes to himself. A lot. Every day. Sometimes every hour.

I’m also still relatively young for someone in my position, so I’m not “returning” to anything anytime soon. This isn’t a victory lap. I’m doing this because I enjoy thinking — and writing forces clarity.

While journaling to myself about productivity, relationships, entrepreneurship, investing, and life, it occurred to me that there are probably many people looking for real, experience-based insight — not recycled advice or motivational slop.

That’s what Gem Essays is.

I won’t have time to speak to everyone one-on-one. The intent here is to leave gems — ideas, frames, mental models — that you can take and apply yourself.

We’re entering an age where AI increases noise while narrowing opportunity. That’s pushing more people toward entrepreneurship, whether they planned for it or not. Even people already building are seeing the ground shift beneath them in real time.

This is meant to act as a lighthouse — not telling you where to go, but helping you orient yourself while navigating all the information, opinions, and incentives flying around.

I came from a place that felt bleak: broke, poor housing, rough areas, low self-esteem, limited options. What changed my life wasn’t luck — it was learning how to apply effort in the right direction.

I’m not a billionaire. I’m not the top 0.000001%. I’m a normal person who achieved something genuinely achievable for many others — if they’re willing to do the correct work.

I won’t sugar-coat things here. This will be blunt, honest, and grounded in what actually works.

If this resonates, you’re probably in the right place.

Let’s begin.