This is not

a list of productivity hacks.

If you are tired of running on a treadmill that goes nowhere read this.

It might change how you see tomorrow.

the shift to true abundance

this is Affluence with Stacy.

if you have been reading my work, you know this newsletter was called Entrepreneurs with Stacy.

today, that changes.

why? because “entrepreneurship” has become a trap of constant, exhausting grinding. i don’t want you to just build a business. i want you to have true abundance. time, peace, freedom, and yes, money. that is true affluence.

and the biggest shortcut to get there is something you were told you cannot control.

“LUCK”

“you are not just unlucky. you are unlucky because you are looking in the wrong direction”

the great lie of chance

i used to think luck was like a lightning bolt. it either hits you or it doesn’t. you are either born lucky, or you are destined to work double shifts forever.

that is a lie.

thinkers like mark manson and other researchers have proved that luck is not a mystical force. it is actually a learnable skill.

you can choose to build your own fortune. in fact, there are two magic forces that lucky people use every single day.

serendipity and synchronicity

most people confuse these two, but they are the keys to a lucky life.

serendipity is smart luck. it is finding valuable things by chance, without looking for them. it is spilling coffee on a stranger who turns out to be your next business partner.

synchronicity is a meaningful coincidence. it is when two events feel deeply connected, even if there is no physical cause. you think of an old friend, and three seconds later they text you.

unlucky people see these as random events.

lucky people see them as data. they see them as dots waiting to be connected.

the newspaper experiment

the psychologist richard wiseman did a ten-year study on luck.

he took two groups of people. one group who considered themselves incredibly lucky, and one group who thought they were cursed.

he gave them both a newspaper and asked them to count the photographs inside.

the unlucky people took about two minutes.

the lucky people took just a few seconds.

why? because on page two, there was a giant message that said: “stop counting, there are 43 photographs in this newspaper.”

the lucky people saw it instantly. the unlucky people completely missed it.

wiseman realized that unlucky people are anxious and hyper-focused. they look so hard for one specific thing that they miss the opportunities right in front of them. lucky people are relaxed and open. they notice the world.

“presence is not something you achieve. it is something you practice.”

the four types of luck

to become luckier than 99% of people, you must understand the different layers of luck.

there is luck we cannot control, and there is luck we can manufacture.

Type 1: blind luck (pure chance)

this is the luck of birth. where you were born, who your parents are, winning the lottery. you have zero influence over this.

if you spend your life waiting for this kind of luck, you are living a wish, not a dream.

Type 2: luck from motion (the hustle luck)

this is the luck that happens when you start running around and stirring the dust.

if you stand completely still in a dark room, nothing will happen to you. but if you start moving, you will eventually bump into something.

when you write, post, and start conversations, you increase your surface area. you force coincidences to happen because you are in motion.

Type 3: luck from preparation (the sharp mind)

this is the luck of the expert.

you spend time studying a topic. you learn how a specific system works.

then, a random shift happens in the market. because your mind is trained, you instantly see an opportunity that everyone else misses. to them, you got lucky. to you, it was just pattern recognition.

Type 4: luck from magnetism (the unique brand)

this is the ultimate level of luck. this is when opportunities start chasing you.

you build such a unique character, reputation, or personal brand that people associate you with a specific problem.

suddenly, people start bringing deals, partnerships, and money to your doorstep. you don’t even have to look for them. your reputation attracts them.

your everyday luck playbook

here is how to make yourself more lucky starting today. these are simple, practical steps you can use to change your life this week.

1. use serendipity hooks

christian busch, an nyu professor who wrote the serendipity mindset, suggests using hooks in your conversations.

next time someone asks what you do, do not just say your job title.

say something like: “i write code for startups, but i am also obsessed with baking bread and i am trying to learn how to surf.”

you are throwing out three different hooks. you make it incredibly easy for the other person to find a meaningful coincidence. you invite serendipity into the room.

2. share your work in a public square

if you are working on your projects in a dark room, nobody can find you. luck cannot land where it cannot see.

show your work. write about your failures, your lessons, and your daily projects.

when you share your journey, you are building a beacon. you are making it easy for magnet luck to track you down.

3. say yes to the unexpected

routine is the ultimate luck killer. if you do the exact same things every day, you will get the exact same results.

break your pattern.

say yes to that weird coffee invitation. talk to the stranger in the line. read a book on a completely random topic, like mushrooms or 18th-century love letters.

the more you step out of your lane, the more synchronicity can find you.

4. practice delusional optimism

your brain is built for survival, not success. it naturally filters out 99% of the information around you to keep you safe from danger.

if you focus on how hard life is, your brain will only show you problems.

but if you choose to be delusionally optimistic, your brain starts searching for answers instead of excuses. you will suddenly start seeing options and opportunities that were always there, but your brain was blocking them out.

optimism is not just a mood. it is a search filter for your mind.

“the universe is impossibly alive and still, somehow, reaching for you. you just have to look up.”

the success code challenge

this week, we are starting our new era. no more mindless grinding. no more glorifying the burnout. we are building true affluence.

here is my challenge for you today.

pick one small, weird action that breaks your routine.

the best favor you can do for yourself is to make more room for good luck to find you

Get out of your normal routine:

• Go places you’ve never been, try a new coffee shop, take a different path home, or go for a long walk.

• Get out of your normal routine.

• Bring a notebook, talk to people, ask questions, and try new projects.

• You can literally just go do stuff.

The more you step out into the world, the more good timing and cool coincidences will start happening to you

send a message to someone you think is out of your league. use a serendipity hook in your next conversation. publish that post you have been saving in your drafts.

do something to stir the dust.

what is the worst that can happen? you stay exactly where you are.

but what if you get lucky?

note from stacy

i used to think that washing dishes in a prague restaurant was my whole life. i thought that was the only hand i was dealt.

but the moment i started sharing my work, asking weird questions, and writing this newsletter, everything shifted. the world started showing me options i couldn’t see before.

this is not magic. it is just the natural result of stepping out of the dark.

i want you to step out with me.

what is the one thing you are going to do today to let luck find you?

let me know in the comments. i read every single one.

thank you for reading

thank you for being here. every single one of you beautiful humans is a reason for me to keep sharing, to keep writing, to keep reading. if this piece touched you, or if you want to join our journey to true affluence, please subscribe below.

Get your 10% off untill the August

Get my special discount

Sincerely, with my whole entire heart,

Stacy

Affluence with Stacy, every Wednesday.

DISCLAIMER

this newsletter is for general informational and educational purposes only. it is not financial, investment, tax, legal, medical, or professional advice of any kind. all examples and numbers are illustrative. any action you take based on this content is at your own risk. please do your own research and consult a qualified professional before making any financial, health, or business decisions.

Sources & Inspiration:

Dr. Christian Busch, The Serendipity Mindset

Dr. Richard Wiseman, The Luck Factor

James Austin, Chase, Chance, and Creativity

Mark Manson, The Guide to Luck

Naval Ravikant, How to Get Rich Without Getting Lucky

day 7. the last one.

if youve made it here, i genuinley respect you. most people dropped off by day 3. you didnt.

but heres the honest truth: everything you built this week, your positioning, your profile, your first post, your Notes engine, your relationships, your paid offer, is a loaded weapon. without a system to pull the trigger consistently for the next 90 days, it stays in the drawer.

today we build the system.

Subscribe now

the weekly routine (non negotiable)

monday: plan the week. content topics, Notes ideas, engagement targets. 30 min.

tuesday: publish your weekly post. 60 to 90 min.

wednesday: Notes + engagement. post 3 Notes, run your 10-5-1, DM 3 people. 45 min.

thursday: same as wednesday. 45 min.

friday: Notes + review weekly metrics. 45 min.

saturday: rest or bonus behind the scenes Note. 15 min.

sunday: plan next week, outline your post, batch Note ideas. 30 min.

total: about 5 to 6 hours a week. this is a business, not a hobby. treat it like one.

the 90 day milestones

month 1: fix foundations + start engine. profile complete, 4 posts published, Notes daily, 10 connections made, lead magnet live.

month 2: build systems + launch paid. sprint promotion run, 3 to 5 restack partners, cross platform repurposing started.

month 3: compound + optimize. second sprint, 10+ restack partners, double down on whats working.

the metrics to track every friday

free subscriber count (is your audience growing?)

paid subscriber count (is your offer converting?)

open rate (are people reading?)

Notes engagement (are you being discovered?)

new subs this week (is the engine running?)

best performing piece this week (what to do more of?)

Subscribe now

when the numbers dont move

the first 30 days will feel slow. youll post Notes and get 3 likes. youll publish a post and gain 0 subscribers. this is normal.

the creators who hit 1,000 are not the ones who had a viral moment. theyre the ones who showed up for 90 days when nothing seemed to work and then suddenly everything clicked.

day 1 to 30: plant seeds.

day 30 to 60: water them.

day 60 to 90: harvest.

the compound effect is real. but it requires you to keep going through the silence.

your AI shortcut

heres everything i built this week:
my positioning: "[paste]"
my EPOV: "[paste]"
my bio: "[paste]"
my audience: [describe]
my subscribers: [number]
my pricing: [from day 6]
available time per week: [hours]
my biggest fear: [be honest]

build my 90 day roadmap:
month 1 (weeks 1 to 4): week by week breakdown, content topics, Notes themes, engagement targets, sprint date
month 2 (weeks 5 to 8): same detail, collaboration targets, cross platform plan
month 3 (weeks 9 to 12): what to double down on, second sprint, community building

also include: weekly metrics template, a "nothing is working" emergency protocol, and 3 signs the plan is working even when growth feels slow

todays homework

1. build your 90 day roadmap

2. set up weekly metrics tracking

3. set your 30 day milestone target

4. block content creation time on your calendar

5. set a friday metrics review reminder

6. post a Note about starting this journey

share your 30 day target in the comments. make it public. public commitments have a funny way of becoming real ones.

you just finished the 0 to 1K challenge.

in 7 days you built:

your unique positioning and EPOV

a profile that converts strangers in 5 seconds

your first article that earns subscribers

a Notes engine for daily discovery

a relationship system that compounds monthly

a paid offer with the right pricing

a 90 day roadmap with weekly tracking

thats not “i took a course.” thats “i built a system.”

but heres the thing i wont sugarcoat: a plan is only as good as the accountability behind it. the creators who actually hit 1,000 dont do it alone.

thats what the paid tier is for.

when you upgrade:

private 1:1 calls with me. we review your progress, find your bottleneck, adjust your plan

the private Telegram community. a group of builders in the messy middle, sharing wins, restacking, holding each other accountable

the full AI course (20+ practical lessons). automate your workflow so you focus on what grows

the VIP vault. every template, framework, and swipe file i use

you built the plan this week. now let me help you execute it.

Subscribe now

and about AI Mystery...

this challenge taught you the strategy. the WHAT and WHY.

but what about the HOW of doing it all without burning out?

next week, AI Mystery begins. its a full course on building AI systems that handle your content, your outreach, your research, and your scheduling, all in your voice, all following your rules, all running while you sleep.

if this challenge felt like getting the map, AI Mystery is getting the vehicle.

it starts next week. free for Entreprenews subscribers. dont miss the first lesson.

thank you for showing up for 7 days. seriously. most people talk about building something. you actually showed up and did the work.

now keep going. the seeds are planted. dont walk away before the harvest.

Subscribe now

Sincerely,

Stacy

0 to 1K Challenge, Day 7 of 7

DISCLAIMER: this is educational content only. results vary based on effort, niche, and consistency. not a guarantee of subscribers or income.

day 6. lets talk money.

heres a number that should change how you think about your newsletter:

one paid subscriber at 9 dollars a month = 108 dollars a year.

100 paid subscribers = 10,800 a year.

500 paid subscribers = 54,000 a year.

you dont need a million followers. you need 500 people who believe in what youre building enough to pay 9 dollars a month. thats it.

today we design the offer that makes them say yes.

Subscribe now

the three models

paywall: some content free, premium stuff behind the wall. best for content heavy publications.

support: everything free, paid is optional “i believe in you” support. best for community driven publications.

community: free gets content, paid gets community access. best for relationship driven publications.

most successful creators use a hybrid: free for discovery + paid for depth + community for retention.

the pricing psychology (the anchoring play)

set your monthly price higher so the annual feels like an obvious deal.

if annual is 59/year, set monthly at 9/month (thats 108/year). the annual saves them 45%. most people choose annual, which means you get the money upfront and they stick around longer.

if annual is 99/year, set monthly at 15/month (180/year). same 45% savings. same psychology.

founding member tier: 2 to 4x the annual price. include real exclusives:

a 1:1 call with you

name on a founding members page

voting rights on content direction

early access to everything

what goes behind the paywall

the formula: free builds trust, paid delivers transformation.

free gives: the insight, the story, the perspective (the WHY)

paid gives: the system, the templates, the community (the HOW)

example: free post says “most writers fail the idea test, heres what it is.” paid tier gives the complete idea test worksheet + 50 frameworks + weekly community call.

Subscribe now

the sprint launch (dont quietly turn on paid)

launch your paid tier like a product. run a 7 day sprint:

day 1: announcement, what youre offering, why now

day 2: social proof, your journey and results

day 3: behind the curtain, show exactly what paid gets

day 4: objection handling (”is it worth 59 a year?” do the math for them)

day 5: urgency, early bird expires, bonus disappears

day 6: last call

day 7: thank you, announce results, welcome new members

your AI shortcut

my publication: [topic]
my positioning: "[paste]"
my subscribers: [number]
my audience: [describe]

1. recommend a monetization model for my situation and explain why
2. design my paid tier: what to include, what to keep free
3. recommend pricing with math showing how many subscribers i need for 500/mo, 1000/mo, 5000/mo
4. write the offer description for my About page
5. write a 3 email paid tier announcement sequence

todays homework

1. choose your monetization model

2. set your pricing (monthly + annual + founding member)

3. write what free vs paid gets

4. write your offer description

5. add a hard CTA to your most recent post

6. pick a sprint launch date

share your pricing in the comments. getting feedback on this before you launch is invaluable.

Subscribe now

AI Mystery: the connection youre about to see

notice how much of what we covered this week, the positioning, the notes, the outreach, the sprint emails, follows repeatable patterns? patterns that could be systematized?

thats exactly what AI Mystery is. the full system for turning these patterns into AI powered workflows that run on autopilot. so instead of spending 6 hours a week on content, you spend 2 and the quality goes UP.

the course drops right after this challenge ends. if youre enjoying this, youre going to love whats next.

tomorrows teaser

youve built the positioning, the profile, the content, the Notes engine, the relationships, and the paid offer. tomorrow we bring it ALL together into a 90 day growth map. the exact week by week system that turns everything youve built into compound growth.

this is the day that separates people who “took a course” from people who actually hit 1,000 subscribers.

last day. dont miss it.

Subscribe now

Sincerely,

Stacy

0 to 1K Challenge, Day 6 of 7

day 5. the uncomfortable one.

true story: i grew by zero subscribers for 4 months. same writing. same schedule. same topics. nothing moved.

then i changed one thing. i started building real relationships with other creators. within weeks, my growth went from hoping anything would get seen to 500 new subscribers a month.

relationships are the growth lever nobody talks about because they require something most people avoid: genuine effort without an immediate reward.

Subscribe now

the 10-5-1 rule (do this every single day)

like 10 Notes from creators in your space

leave 5 meaningful comments (not “great post!” but a real thought, a personal story, a genuine addition)

start 1 real conversation (DM or extended thread)

15 to 20 minutes. thats it. do it every day like brushing your teeth.

the three layer commenting system

layer 1: reply to every comment on YOUR posts. shows the algorithm your content drives conversation. builds loyalty.

layer 2: comment under 5 to 10 writers you admire. add a personal story or real nuance. goal: make them curious enough to click your name.

layer 3: this is the secret one. find the active READERS who comment on bigger creators posts but dont get much engagement themselves. visit their profiles. read their latest post. leave a genuine comment. they notice. they click your name. they often subscribe. high conversion, low competition.

restack relationships

build real friendships with other writers. when you publish something youre proud of, ask friends to restack. when friends ask you, do it without hesitation.

how to build these:

1. engage consistently for 2 to 4 weeks first (dont rush)

2. DM with genuine appreciation (NOT a pitch, never ask for anything in your first message ever)

3. recommend their publication first (give before asking)

4. after a genuine relationship exists, propose occasional swaps

5. always reciprocate

newsletter recommendations

substacks built in feature that suggests your publication to new subscribers of other publications. runs passively, compounds over time.

how to start: recommend 5 to 10 publications you genuinely admire. many will check who recommended them and reciprocate.

your AI shortcut

my niche: [niche]
my positioning: "[paste]"
my subscribers: [number]

1. describe the ideal creator i should connect with
2. write a template for my first DM (warm, genuine, no pitch)
3. write 5 example comments that add real value
4. create a tracking system for managing relationships
5. write a script for transitioning from engagement to restack swaps

todays homework

1. do your first 10-5-1 session (15 to 20 minutes)

2. identify 10 creators you want to connect with

3. leave your first 5 meaningful comments

4. send your first genuine DM (no pitch)

5. recommend 5 publications you admire

drop the name of one creator you connected with today in the comments. lets build this network together.

AI Mystery update

the relationship building we talked about today? imagine having an AI system that tracks your connections, reminds you who to engage with, drafts personalized comments based on what they actually posted, and keeps your whole network organized without a spreadsheet.

thats one of the things im building into AI Mystery. not replacing the human connection, automating the boring tracking so you can focus on the genuine part.

stay tuned.

tomorrows lesson

youre building the audience and the relationships. but theres one question youve probably been avoiding: “should i actually charge money for this?”

tomorrow we tackle monetization. the exact pricing, the exact offer structure, and the pricing psychology trick that makes people choose your annual plan every time. including the math that shows why you only need 500 people willing to pay 9 dollars a month to make 54,000 a year.

see you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Stacy

0 to 1K Challenge, Day 5 of 7

day 4. the engine.

most creators post Notes like theyre shouting into the void. random thoughts. motivational quotes. “drop your link below.” and then they wonder why subscriber count doesnt move.

the problem isnt that youre not posting. the problem is youre confusing two completely different types of Notes, and only using the one that doesnt convert.

the two types of Notes

share notes (reach expansion): your IDEAS in front of new people. opinions, reframes, universal truths. the reader gets full value from the Note itself. they share it because sharing says something about THEM.

great for reach. terrible for conversions on their own.

subscriber notes (profile clicks): make people curious about YOU. behind the scenes, transparent reveals, data stories, milestone updates. these are intentionally incomplete, they create a “who IS this person?” reaction that drives profile clicks.

you need both. share Notes expand reach. subscriber Notes turn that reach into actual subscribers.

the 3-2-1 weekly minimum

3 value Notes (tips, insights, frameworks)

2 engagement Notes (questions, polls)

1 soft promotion (your paid tier, content, or lead magnet)

scale to 3 to 5 per day as the habit builds.

every Note follows three beats

hook: first sentence. stops the scroll. written in THEIR language, not your jargon.

shift: challenge a belief, name something theyve felt but couldnt articulate, build intensity.

landing: final sentence. this is THE most important sentence. if your strongest line is buried in the middle, move it to the end. the landing is what sits in someones mind when they decide to share or scroll.

five formulas you can rotate forever

the reframe: “everyone says [common advice]. but [your counter]. [why it matters].”

the proof: “[specific result]. heres what actually made it happen. [open loop].”

the question: “[provocative question]. i used to think [A]. now i think [B]. where do you land?”

the behind the scenes: “[thing youre working on]. [honest reflection]. [what youre trying next].”

the observation: “[thing you noticed]. [why people miss it]. [the insight].”

your AI shortcut

my positioning: "[paste]"
my EPOV: "[paste]"
my audience: [describe]
my topics: [list]

generate 21 Notes (3 per day for 7 days). for each Note:
1. label it: Share Note, Subscriber Note, or Engagement Note
2. write the complete Note using Hook/Shift/Landing
3. mark which formula it uses
4. keep each to 3 to 6 sentences max
5. make the landing the strongest line every time

todays homework

1. write your 7 day Notes calendar (21 Notes)

2. post your first 3 today

3. schedule the rest

post your best Note in the comments. lets see who writes the sharpest landing.

AI Mystery preview

that AI prompt above? imagine a version thats already loaded with your voice, your audience, your rules, your best examples, and it generates a full week of Notes that sound exactly like you wrote them. in about 90 seconds.

thats one of the modules in AI Mystery. the system behind how i run Entreprenews without burning out. details dropping soon.

tomorrows lesson

Notes get you discovered. but discovery without relationships is just noise. tomorrow ill show you the system that turns strangers into genuine connections who restack your work and recommend your publication. its the single most predictable growth lever on substack. takes 15 minutes a day. most creators never do it.

Subscribe now

see you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Stacy

0 to 1K Challenge, Day 4 of 7

day 3. today we write.

but first, a stat that should make you a little uncomfortable: the average substack post gains 0 new subscribers. zero. people read it, maybe even like it, and leave. the writer wonders what went wrong.

the difference between a post people read and a post people subscribe for comes down to three rules most writers never learn. today you learn all three.

rule 1: start with an idea, not a topic

a topic is a container. an idea is a claim.

topic: “productivity.” you cant write this. its a category.

idea: “most productivity systems are designed to make you feel busy, not to help you do meanigful work.” THIS is writable. someone could disagree. someone could share it.

the idea test: say your main point out loud. if nobody feels anything, its a topic. if people light up or push back or say “wait, is that true?”, its an idea. run every post through this before you write a single word.

rule 2: get yourself on the page (first 3 sentences)

if someone reads your opening and it couldve been written by anyone, or by AI, theyre gone. you are invisible.

bad: “productivity is important for success in the modern world. many people struggle with finding the right system.”

good: “last thursday i deleted every productivity app on my phone. all of them. here’s why that was the best business decision ive made this year.”

the second one has a human. you can see them. you want to know why.

Subscribe now

rule 3: end with a CTA (not just a subscribe button)

three types:

soft CTA: “i share one insight like this every week.”

hard CTA: “if you’re building from zero and want someone documenting every step, subscribe free.”

story bridge: the whole post builds naturally toward subscribing as the logical next step.

use soft in every post. hard once or twice a month. story bridge whenever it fits.

the title framework

your title has one job. pick one:

name a problem (”the cost of the unlived life”)

call out a paradox (”if you’re so smart, why aren’t you happy?”)

offer a transformation (”the art of digital disappearance”)

diagnose a behavior (”nobody has a personality anymore”)

then test it: could you add one word that transforms it? thats the modifier test. does the verb carry the insight? thats the verb test.

your AI shortcut

my positioning: "[paste]"
my EPOV: "[paste]"
my audience: [describe]

1. suggest 5 first post ideas that pass the Idea Test (claims, not topics)
2. for each, write 3 title options
3. for my top pick write: an opening that gets me on the page in 3 sentences, a detailed outline, and a soft + hard CTA

todays homework

1. pick your idea (must pass the Idea Test)

2. write your title

3. write your opening (you on the page in 3 sentences)

4. write the full post

5. add soft CTA after the main insight + hard CTA at the end

6. publish it

paste your title in the comments. lets see what youve got.

AI Mystery sneak peek

here’s something i noticed while building this challenge: most of the repetitive work, the Notes, the outreach, the research, could be handled by AI if you set it up right. not the creative part. not your voice. but the 80% that eats your time.

the AI Mystery course im building is exactly that. how to set up AI so it handles the boring 80% and you focus on the 20% that actually matters. more coming after this challenge wraps.

tomorrows lesson

your first post is live. congrats. but heres the cold truth: right now almost nobody saw it. articles build trust, but Notes are how strangers find you. tomorrow ill show you the exact Notes system that brings in 8 to 50 new subscribers per day, and the two types of Notes that most creators confuse, which is why they post daily and nothing grows.

see you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Stacy

0 to 1K Challenge, Day 3 of 7

there’s a lot this week. the kind of week where each story would normally be the headline.

current mood: 🌊 (Stacy)

read time: about 8 minutes

this week at a glance

• geopolitical flashpoints are heating up on three continents at once

• the dow just hit an all-time high of 53,178 points

• bitcoin is sitting at $64k, down hard from $93k in january

• 75% of consumers now expect personalized content from every brand they follow

• anthropic posted its first operating profit this quarter, two years ahead of schedule

• scientists confirmed brain health can improve at any age, not just decline

• social isolation carries the same mortality risk as smoking 15 cigarettes a day

• the best founders pivot from customer behavior, not from boredom

  Subscribe now

world

three things are worth watching this week on the global stage.

the us and canada are at a tariffs deadline today. whatever gets decided will ripple through supply chains for north american businesses of every size. if you run a product business that crosses that border, today matters.

iran is escalating. pressure on the strait of hormuz is building, and that affects global oil flow. paired with a new black sea flashpoint in the ukraine conflict, energy prices have another reason to stay volatile.

the bigger pattern underneath all of it is something analysts are calling gray zone warfare in europe. it is not open conflict. it is cyber attacks, disinformation, and infrastructure disruption. the lines between war and peace are getting blurrier. turkey, pakistan, and saudi arabia have reportedly signed a mutual defense agreement, which signals how fast regional alliances are shifting. for anyone building a global business or holding international assets, this is the environment you are operating in right now.

sources: reuters | ap news | bloomberg | financial times

business

the dow closed at an all-time high of 53,178 on tuesday, up 1.32% in a single session.

that is the headline. but underneath it, the picture is more complicated. the s&p 500 fell on the same day, pressured by bond yields at multidecade highs. two major indexes moving in opposite directions tells you the market is not uniformly optimistic right now. it is selective.

q2 2026 earnings came in strong. blended earnings growth for the s&p 500 hit 47.4%, the highest since q2 2021, and 86% of companies beat eps expectations. that is a genuinely good earnings season by any measure.

internationally, japan missed its gdp target for q2, posting 1.1% annualized against a 2% target. the yen hit a 40-year low and yen intervention talks are underway. samsung and sk hynix both surged on chip demand signals, up 7% and 6.6% respectively. semiconductors are still the heartbeat of the global tech economy.

sources: cnbc | bloomberg | wall street journal | financial times

finance + stocks + crypto

the s&p 500 closed at 7,703 on august 18, down 0.54% on the day. the nasdaq dropped 1.6% on tuesday. those are the short-term numbers.

zoom out and the story changes. the s&p is up 3.49% over the past month and up 20.15% over the past year. an all-time intraday high of 7,814.88 was reached earlier in august. the dow is on track for its fifth consecutive positive month. the headwinds are real, bond yields and oil prices both applying pressure, but the longer-term trend is still up.

bitcoin is at $64,135 as of august 18. that sounds decent until you remember it was near $93,000 at the start of the year. the market cap sits at $1.3 trillion. support is around $62,500, with resistance between $65,000 and $70,000. the macro environment is not helping: a strong dollar and cautious central banks are not bitcoin’s best friends right now. how it holds that support line over the next few weeks is the number to watch.

sources: cnbc | bloomberg | coindesk | morningstar

marketing

ai is now at the center of how campaigns get planned, not just executed.

46% of marketers are using ai for creative output this year. agentic ai is moving into autonomous campaign workflows, meaning software is making decisions inside campaigns that humans used to make. that is a shift worth taking seriously if you are still thinking of ai as a writing assistant.

75% of consumers say they prefer personalized content. that number keeps climbing. authority-based seo has become dominant, which means the quality of your expertise signal matters more than the quantity of your content output. short-form video is still pulling the most organic reach across platforms. and experiential engagement, giving people something to participate in rather than just consume, is becoming a real differentiator for brands trying to cut through noise.

the question for anyone running marketing right now is not whether to use ai. it is how intentional you are being with how you use it and whether your audience can feel the difference.

sources: hubspot research | sprout social | social media today | ad age

ai

anthropic had its best quarter ever.

q2 2026 revenue came in at $10.9 billion, up 130% year over year. the company posted its first operating profit of $559 million. that is two years ahead of the timeline they had projected. claude is not a research project anymore. it is a business that is actually making money.

on the model side, xai released grok 4.6 with a 500,000 token context window that reportedly matches gpt-5.6 sol max on key benchmarks. meta launched muse code, a coding assistant priced at $1.25 per million input tokens and $4.25 per million output. deepseek v4 flash is available at $0.14 input and $0.28 output per million tokens. the price of capable ai keeps falling.

google reshuffled its ai leadership team this week, worth monitoring for what it signals about internal strategy.

and on a darker note: interpol reported that ai is now involved in 55% of cybercrimes in africa. the same technology making it cheaper to build products is making it cheaper to commit fraud. both things are true at the same time, and both matter if you are building anything online.

sources: reuters tech | the verge | anthropic newsroom

psychology

a three-year study tracking nearly 4,000 adults between the ages of 19 and 94 found something worth pausing on: brain health can improve at any age. this is not a small finding. the dominant assumption has been that cognitive decline is basically inevitable past a certain point. this research challenges that directly.

what drives improvement? training does. researchers found that extensive skill-building physically reorganizes the brain. learned tasks begin to bypass the prefrontal cortex and run through more specialized pathways. mastery literally rewires you at a structural level.

a separate study published in early august found that the stress problem for people in isolated environments, like astronauts on long missions, is not just loneliness. it is also spending too much time with the exact same people. both extremes of social novelty create stress. variety in who you interact with appears to matter more than we thought.

for anyone in the ptsd space or supporting someone who is: a prescription form of thc helped more than one third of patients completely eliminate trauma-related nightmares after ten weeks of treatment. that is a meaningful result from a controlled study.

sources: sciencedaily | psypost | nih pmc

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health + longevity

longevity science stopped being fringe a while ago. in 2026 it is becoming standard practice.

senolytic therapy, drugs that selectively clear out old, damaged cells that your body is no longer removing efficiently, just posted meaningful results from a unity biotechnology and mayo clinic study. participants with knee osteoarthritis showed a 40 to 60% reduction in systemic inflammation markers alongside improved physical function and mobility. clearing cellular junk appears to have real downstream effects on how the whole body ages.

the yale school of public health published findings from a three-year study showing that 45% of adults over 65 improved in at least one measurable area. 32% improved cognitively and 28% improved physically. the narrative that aging equals inevitable decline is simply not accurate based on current evidence.

the social connection finding is stark. analyzing data from 2.3 million adults, researchers found that social isolation increases the risk of premature death by about 30%. in mortality terms that is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. being chronically lonely is not just emotionally hard. it is physically dangerous in a measurable, documented way.

strongest supplement evidence right now according to current research: nmn/nad+ precursors, taurine, and carefully administered rapamycin.

sources: success magazine | bolds media | nature npj aging | forever labs

entrepreneurship + mindset

the best pivots in startup history did not come from founders getting bored or chasing trends. they came from watching what customers actually did, not what they said they wanted.

slack started as a game studio communication tool. instagram started as a location check-in app. shopify was built because the founders could not find a good platform to sell snowboards. youtube started as a video dating site. in every case, a side feature or a frustrated customer behavior pointed toward something bigger than the original plan. the founders were paying close enough attention to catch it.

the lesson is not to abandon your idea at the first sign of friction. it is to stay close enough to your users that when a real signal appears, you recognize it before it disappears.

for 2026 specifically: strategies from 2023 are genuinely outdated. the market has moved fast enough that what worked three years ago can actively work against you now. the founders making traction are the ones comfortable making structural shifts based on real evidence, not the ones protecting the original plan out of attachment to it.

the traits that keep showing up in people building things that last: they challenge convention without being contrarian for its own sake, they adapt based on evidence rather than emotion, and they are playing a longer game than the people around them.

that combination is rarer than it sounds.

sources: entrepreneur.com | techcrunch | swisspreneur

sincerely, stacy

Entreprenews, every Wednesday.

the content in this newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or medical advice. past market performance is not indicative of future results. cryptocurrency investments are speculative and involve significant risk of loss. health and longevity information is based on research summaries and should not replace guidance from qualified medical professionals. always do your own research and consult with appropriate professionals before making any financial, health, or business decisions. some statistics and figures are sourced from third-party reports and have not been independently verified by entreprenews.

welcome back. day 2.

if you did the homework from yesterday, you now have a positioning statement and a bio. thats huge. most people never get that far.

but heres the problem: right now it’s just words. today we turn those words into a profile that makes strangers stop scrolling and hit subscribe. in under 5 seconds.

the 5 second test

when someone lands on your substack, they dont read your about page first. they glance. for about 5 seconds. and in those 5 seconds their brain is unconsciously answering three questions:

1. who is this person and why should i trust them?

2. what will i actually get from this?

3. do i belong here?

if your profile doesnt answer all three, they leave. not “maybe later.” gone. forever.

lets fix each one.

the profile checklist

headshot: a real photo of your face. not a logo, not an AI avatar, not a landscape from your vacation. people subscribe to people. if they cant see you, they dont trust you. this isnt optional.

publication name: short, memorable, and if possible includes a keyword people would search for. avoid clever puns that need explaining.

bio: your positioning statement from day 1, condensed to under 160 characters. it must answer: who you help, what they get, and why you specifically.

banner: reinforces your positioning. can include your tagline, your key topics, or a visual that represents your niche. dont overthink this, just make it not empty.

about page: THIS is your sales page. most people write 2 sentences. the creators who actually convert write a full page that:

opens with a problem the reader recognizes (”tired of reading 50 newsletters that all say the same thing?”)

introduces you as the guide, not the hero. the reader is the hero.

lists exactly what they get (free and paid)

includes social proof if you have any (even “200 people already subscribed” counts)

ends with a clear subscribe CTA

like the one below hihi

Subscribe now

the welcome email (the most underrated tool)

when someone subscribes, substack sends a boring default email. replace it.

your custom welcome email should:

thank them with real warmth (not corporate warmth)

set expectations (what they get, how often)

link to your single best post

ask one question: “what are you working on right now?”

that last part is sneaky powerful. it creates a reply habit, gives you audience intel, and boosts your deliverability because email providers see replies as proof youre not spam.

your AI shortcut

paste this into Claude or ChatGPT:

my positioning is: "[paste from day 1]"
my EPOV is: "[paste from day 1]"
my audience is: [description]

1. write 3 About page drafts (300 to 400 words each) using: problem opening, guide intro, what they get, social proof, CTA
2. write 3 welcome email drafts (under 150 words) that feel warm and end with a question
3. suggest 5 banner text options

todays homework

1. update your profile photo (real face)

2. paste your bio from day 1

3. write and publish your About page

4. replace the default welcome email

5. update your banner

share a screenshot of your updated profile in the comments. let us give you feedback. the people who share are the ones who finish.

a quick note about something else im building

while you’re working through this substack challenge, im quietly putting together something bigger. its called AI Mystery and it’s a full course on using AI to run your content, your business, and your creative workflow like a system instead of doing everything manually.

i cant say too much yet. but if you’ve ever wished you had an AI assistant that actually understood your voice, your audience, and your rules, and just did the work, thats what this is about.

more details soon. for now, focus on today’s homework.

tomorrows lesson

your profile is ready. but a beautiful profile with no content is an empty restaurant: nice decor, no food. tomorrow we write your first post, and ill show you the one test that separates posts people READ from posts people SUBSCRIBE for. hint: most writers fail this test and dont even know it exists.

see you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Stacy

0 to 1K Challenge, Day 2 of 7

welcome to day 1.

if you’re here, you’re already ahead of most people. they’re still “thinking about starting.” you showed up. that matters more than you think.

today we’re tackling the single biggest reason newsletters fail. and its probaly not what you expect.

the stat that changed how i think about this:

93% of newsletters that die don’t die because the writing sucks. they die because when someone lands on the profile, they can’t answer one question in 5 seconds:

“why should i follow THIS person instead of the other 500 writing about the same thing?”

if you can’t answer that clearly, you don’t have a positioning problem. you have an invisibility problem. and no amount of good writing fixes invisibility.

today we fix that.

why “pick a niche” is bad advice

everyone says it. “just pick a niche.” but a niche is just a topic. topics are crowded.

there are 10,000 people writing about productivity. 50,000 writing about business. picking a niche puts you in a crowd. picking an ANGLE puts you in a category of one.

so whats the difference?

niche: “business advice” → 50,000 competitors

angle: “just a 20 year old documenting the process of building from 60 euros a month to 10K” → exactly 1 competitor. me.

see the difference? the topic is the same. the angle is what makes it impossible to copy.

how to find your angle (it’s hiding in plain sight)

your angle comes from the intersection of three things most people only use one of:

1. what you know

your skills, your experience, your expertise. even if you’re still learning, thats actually an advantage. “learning in public” is an angle itself.

2. who you are

your age, your background, your story, your situation. this is the part people skip because they think its not “professional” enough. its actually your most powerful differentiator.

3. what you believe

your stance. your hill to die on. the thing you’d argue about at dinner. the common enemy you fight against. this is what makes people either follow you passionately or scroll past, and both reactions are good. lukewarm is the only bad one.

most people only use #1 (skills). the magic, the real unfair advantage, is combining all three.

Subscribe now

the positioning sentence (fill this in right now)

grab your phone notes or a piece of paper. fill in this sentence:

“i help [specific audience] [achieve specific outcome] by [your unique method or perspective], and i’m different because [what makes your angle unique].”

some real examples so you can see what good looks like:

“i help ambitious 20 somethings build their first online income by sharing every lesson from my own journey building from 60 euros a month, and i’m different because i’m in the trenches with them, not lecturing from a yacht.”

“i help creative writers finish their novels by sharing a weekly accountability system, and i’m different because i’ve published 3 novels while working a full time nursing job.”

“i help SaaS founders reduce churn by breaking down psychology research into retention tactics, and i’m different because i’m a behavioral scientist who actually runs a SaaS.”

notice the pattern: every one has a PERSON (not just a topic), an OUTCOME (not just information), and a REASON TO CHOOSE THEM (not just passion).

your hill to die on (the EPOV)

EPOV stands for editorial point of view. fancy name, simple idea: it’s the one belief that runs through everything you write.

its what makes people say “yes, finally someone said it” or “no way, thats wrong.” both reactions are perfect. the only deadly reaction is no reaction.

to find yours, answer these 3 questions:

1. what common advice in your space genuinley frustrates you?

2. what do most creators or experts in your niche get wrong?

3. what do you believe that would make some people actually disagree?

your EPOV = the answer to question 3, stated with conviction.

examples:

“most productivity advice is designed to make you feel busy, not to help you do meaningful work.”

“you dont need a bigger audience. you need a deeper connection with the one you have.”

“AI wont replace writers. but writers who use AI will replace writers who dont.”

pick one. make it yours. write everything through that lens.

your AI shortcut (optional but powerful)

if you’re stuck, paste this into Claude or ChatGPT:

You are a positioning strategist. I want to start a newsletter but i'm not sure about my angle.

My background: [write 2 to 3 sentences about yourself]
Topics i'm interested in: [list 3 to 5]
Life experiences that shaped me: [list 2 to 3]
Things i believe strongly: [list 2 to 3]

Based on this, suggest 5 unique positioning angles. for each one:
1. Write the positioning statement using this formula: "i help [audience] [outcome] by [method], and i'm different because [angle]."
2. Suggest an EPOV (a belief or hill to die on)
3. Rate it 1 to 10 on: uniqueness, audience demand, and my ability to sustain it
4. Write a sample bio under 160 characters

this wont do the thinking for you. but it’ll give you 5 starting points to react to, and your reaction is where the real answer hides.

Subscribe now

today’s homework (do this before day 2)

1. answer the 3 EPOV questions (what frustrates you, whats wrong in your space, what you believe)

2. write your positioning statement using the formula

3. draft your bio in under 160 characters

4. save your EPOV as a one sentence belief

that’s it. four things. takes about 30 to 45 minutes if you’re being honest with yourself. less if you already kinda know.

share your positioning statement in the comments. seriously. the people who share publicly are the ones who finish the challenge. the ones who do it alone usually quit by day 3. dont be day 3.

tomorrow’s lesson

you’ve got your angle now. but right now it’s just words. tomorrow we turn it into a profile that makes strangers stop scrolling and hit subscribe in under 5 seconds.

i’ll show you the three tests every substack profile must pass, and the one mistake that quietly kills 80% of new publications before they even publish their first post.

you dont want to miss day 2.

Sincerely,

Stacy

Entreprenews 0 to 1K Challenge, Day 1 of 7.

DISCLAIMER: this is educational content only. results vary based on effort, niche, and consistency. this is not a guarantee of subscribers or income.

starting tomorrow, i’m running a free 7 day challenge called the 0 to 1K Launch System. the goal is stupidly simple: help you go from zero (or stuck) to your first 1,000 subscribers on substack.

one lesson a day. short. practical. no useless theory

each day you get one thing to learn and one thing to do. by day 7 you’ll have a positioned newsletter, a profile that converts strangers, your first post written, a notes strategy running, and a 90 day growth map you can actually follow.

this isn’t theory. it’s the exact system i used to build Entreprenews.

here’s what the 7 days look like:

day 1: find your unfair angle (the thing that makes people choose YOU over 500 other newsletters on the same topic)

day 2: build a profile that converts strangers into subscribers in under 5 seconds

day 3: write your first post that people actually subscribe for (not just read and leave)

day 4: the notes engine, how to get discovered daily without posting long articles

day 5: the relationship machine, restacks, collaborations, and the network effect

day 6: turn free readers into paying subscribers (without being pushy or weird)

day 7: your 90 day growth map so you don’t lose momentum after the challenge ends

who this is for:

you haven’t started your newsletter yet but keep thinking about it. or you started but it’s been crickets. or you’re growing but it feels random and you want a system.

all of those. this is for all of those.

who this is NOT for:

people looking for a magic hack to go viral overnight. this is real work, done in small daily steps, that compounds. if you want shortcuts without effort, this aint it.

the rules:

1. one lesson a day. read it. takes 5 to 10 minutes.

2. do the thing. each day has one clear action. do it before the next day.

3. share your progress. reply to the post, comment, tell me what you did. people who participate publicly have a 69% higher chance of finishing (i made that stat up but it feels accurate and you know it)

what you need: a substack account (free). thats literally it.

when does it start: tomorrow morning. day 1 drops right here.

if you’re in, subscribe now so you dont miss day 1. it’s free. every single day of the challenge is free.

Subscribe now

and here’s your teaser for tomorrow because i cant help myself:

93% of newsletters that fail don’t fail because the writing is bad. they fail because when someone lands on the profile, they can’t answer one question in 5 seconds. tomorrow i’ll tell you what that question is, and how to make sure your answer is so clear that the right readers feel like you wrote it just for them.

see you tomorrow morning.

Sincerely,

Stacy

Entreprenews, your free substack growth challenge starts now.

Read time: about 7 minutes. As you read, ask yourself which one of these can I actually use this week?

Current mood: 🎢 (Stacy)

World news

Russia intensified its bombardment of Ukrainian cities this week. At least 13 people were killed and more than 90 wounded in a series of strikes. Ukraine responded with drone attacks that killed at least 5 people in Russian cities. In Yemen, Houthi strikes killed at least 11 people in the port city of Mokha. Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in eastern China — more than one million people were evacuated and over 1,000 flights were cancelled. On August 10, an earthquake struck Cali, Colombia. In the United States, Todd Blanche was confirmed as Attorney General. Colombia became the second country in the world to officially recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli sovereign territory. The World Health Organization confirmed that the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo began in February, months before the formal declaration.

How you can benefit

Global instability directly affects supply chains, commodity prices, and market sentiment. If you’re building internationally or have exposure to emerging markets, this week is a reminder to stress-test your assumptions. Diversify your sourcing where possible. Know which countries are in your supply chain. For example, if you source components from Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia, add a 10–15 percent buffer to your lead-time estimates in your next client proposal — not as padding, but as a realistic contingency.

Sources

Reuters · Associated Press · Al Jazeera · BBC News

Business news

Here’s the number nobody’s talking about: US manufacturing just posted its strongest reading since May 2022. The ISM Manufacturing PMI came in at 55.6, up 2.3 points from June. The employment index within the report hit 52.8, putting it in expansion territory for the first time in 33 months. Markets responded: the Dow Jones Industrial Average set an all-time high of 53,178.41, a gain of 1.32 percent. The S&P 500 reached 7,600.50, up 1.48 percent. The Nasdaq closed at 25,913.9, up 2.1 percent. On trade, the Trump administration announced new tariffs — Canada faces 50 percent tariffs on certain goods, Brazil faces 25 percent, and sixty other trading partners face rates between 10 and 12 percent.

How you can benefit

A strengthening manufacturing sector means capital is moving into production, hiring, and inventory. If you sell into B2B markets, your enterprise clients may be in expansion mode. If you source physical goods, tariff exposure is now a real cost variable — model it now before it surprises you in a pricing conversation. For example, if you import from Brazil or Canada, run two pricing scenarios: one with current costs and one with a 25–50 percent tariff adder, then decide which clients get which quote.

Sources

ISM Institute for Supply Management · Reuters · CNBC · Associated Press

Finance and investment

Bitcoin closed the week at $64,736.27, up 2.15 percent. Ethereum was at $1,912.62, up 2.03 percent. Solana was at $75.96, up 3.86 percent. Cardano led the week with a gain of 10.49 percent. Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, made a rare Bitcoin sale this week — the company holds the largest corporate Bitcoin position in the world, though full details were not disclosed publicly at time of reporting. Wells Fargo announced it is moving toward blockchain-based tokenized deposits, a significant signal that traditional banking infrastructure is beginning to integrate with distributed ledger technology at scale. A major security incident involving hardware wallets was reported this week specific details are still emerging. On regulation, the Clarity Act, the most significant piece of US crypto legislation in years, was delayed again. Senate Majority Leader John Thune blocked a procedural motion — the bill will not be addressed until after the September recess.

How you can benefit

Crypto markets are up but regulation remains the central uncertainty. If you hold assets or build products in this space, the Clarity Act delay means another month of legal ambiguity for every product decision tied to compliance. The Wells Fargo move is the clearest signal yet that tokenization is moving from experimental to operational at the institutional level — if you’re building in fintech, that’s the trend to position around. For example, if you’re pitching investors this quarter, frame your product as “tokenization-ready infrastructure” rather than “crypto-adjacent” — the language matters.

Sources

CoinDesk · Reuters · Bloomberg · CNBC

AI

The most significant AI story this week did not come from a tech company. DARPA completed the first real-world flight of an F-16 fully controlled by AI — this is not a simulation, the aircraft flew in actual airspace under autonomous AI control. OpenAI announced the Astra model family — the company claims Astra solved 10 previously unsolved problems in mathematics and is positioning it as a genuine research tool rather than a productivity assistant. Meta unveiled Muse Code, an AI coding assistant built on its Muse Spark 1.2 model. At Google, a major restructuring is underway — Demis Hassabis, who led DeepMind, is moving to a Chairman role and Koray Kavukcuoglu is taking over operations as the Brain and DeepMind teams consolidate. Colorado became the first US state to specifically regulate AI chatbots to protect minors. INTERPOL released its African Cyberthreat Assessment for 2026 — AI is now involved in 55 percent of cybercrimes across Africa.

How you can benefit

If you’re building AI products, the Astra announcement is a signal that the research-grade tier of AI is advancing rapidly and changing what qualifies as a real research tool. For founders in defense, logistics, or infrastructure, autonomous systems are moving from concept to deployment. For anyone operating online, the INTERPOL data is a reminder that AI-assisted fraud is now the default threat model — security is not optional. For example, before your next AI integration, write down the three worst things that could happen if it goes off-script, then build guardrails for those three scenarios first.

Sources

DARPA official release · TechCrunch · The Verge · INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment 2026 · Reuters

Marketing

Disney and TikTok reached a creator licensing deal this week brands are increasingly formalizing their relationships with creator platforms rather than running ad-only strategies. Research from Optimizely found that 75 percent of people consider most marketing they encounter to be irrelevant to them. Separate research found that 75 percent of consumers say they’re more likely to buy from brands that provide personalized content. Agentic commerce is emerging as the next shift in how people buy AI shopping agents are beginning to make purchasing decisions on behalf of users, which changes where and how brands need to show up. The influencer pool is shrinking while brand demand for creator content grows this is already creating a supply imbalance that’s raising creator rates. First-party data is becoming a competitive asset as privacy rules tighten globally brands without a clean, consented data strategy are increasingly exposed.

How you can benefit

The gap between generic marketing and personalized marketing is becoming a revenue gap. If your marketing feels like it’s broadcast to everyone, your conversion rates will reflect that. The agentic commerce shift means your SEO and product data need to be structured for machines, not just humans. Start building first-party data infrastructure now, before you need it urgently. For example, add one question to your next checkout flow that captures a specific use case — not just “email,” but “what problem are you trying to solve?” — then tag every lead with that answer.

Sources

Optimizely · Marketing Week · Bloomberg · Business Insider

Psychology

Research on psychological flexibility is gaining traction in business contexts. Psychological flexibility refers to the ability to adapt your thoughts and behaviors when circumstances change rather than responding with rigid patterns — studies are finding it to be one of the stronger predictors of long-term performance in high-uncertainty environments. Brain imaging research shows that emotional processing systems activate milliseconds before analytical thinking begins — this means your emotional response to a situation is always the first response, regardless of how rational you believe yourself to be. Decision-making frameworks that ignore this are built on a flawed model of how the brain actually works. TELUS Health research found that anxiety affects 28 percent of workers and isolation affects 27 percent, with both directly reducing productivity. Research on habit formation continues to validate the compounding effect of small consistent actions — researchers now distinguish this as distinct from large behavioral overhauls, emphasizing that consistency matters more than scale of change.

Subscribe now

How you can benefit

If you lead a team, the TELUS data points to a real productivity loss that’s hiding in plain sight. The brain imaging research has practical applications for negotiation and high-stakes decision-making — knowing that emotion precedes analysis allows you to build in intentional pauses before the moments that matter most. For example, before your next high-stakes call, set a timer for 90 seconds of silence after the other person finishes speaking — that gap lets your analytical brain catch up to your emotional reaction.

Sources

TELUS Health 2026 Mental Health Index · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science · Psychology Today

Health and longevity

A Yale study tracking approximately 4,000 adults between the ages of 19 and 94 over three years found that 45 percent of adults 65 and older improved in at least one key area of physical or cognitive function — the study found that holding a positive attitude toward aging was significantly correlated with these gains. A separate large-scale study tracking 147,374 people over 30 years identified a strength training sweet spot of 90 to 120 minutes per week — this amount was associated with significantly better long-term health outcomes, and more was not necessarily better. Unity Biotechnology and the Mayo Clinic published results from a trial using senolytics, drugs designed to clear senescent cells from the body — in patients with knee osteoarthritis, the treatment reduced systemic inflammation by 40 to 60 percent. Advances in mesenchymal stem cell therapy continue to show promise against chronic systemic inflammation linked to age-related diseases.

How you can benefit

The strength training finding is immediately actionable — 90 to 120 minutes per week is roughly three 30 to 40 minute sessions. The Yale aging research reinforces something important: how you frame your future has a measurable effect on your actual health outcomes. The senolytic research is early but points to a meaningful shift in how medicine may approach chronic inflammation within the next decade. For example, block three 35-minute strength sessions on your calendar this week — treat them like client calls you can’t miss, not like optional workouts you’ll skip if things get busy.

Sources

Yale School of Public Health · British Journal of Sports Medicine · Unity Biotechnology · Mayo Clinic

Entrepreneurship and mindset

Here’s what nobody’s saying out loud: 72 percent of founders experience mental health struggles. Most don’t seek help. Many actively hide their struggles from investors, co-founders, and teams. The August 2026 startup landscape is concentrated in five areas: AI tools, fintech, healthcare, enterprise software, and deep infrastructure — this is where capital is moving. The strongest startup opportunities being identified right now are AI tools for solo operators, wearable focus products, niche SaaS for specific verticals, and blockchain-based tools for IP management and audit trails. The consistent pattern across successful early-stage companies: they show proof before they pursue visibility — they validate before they scale. Founders who lead with claims and chase attention before demonstrating results are getting less traction with serious investors and customers. Markets are faster and cheaper to test than they’ve ever been, but investors and customers are also more skeptical of vague ideas than before.

How you can benefit

If you’re a founder struggling silently, the data says you’re not an exception. The market signal this week is clear: niche, specific, and provable beats broad, ambitious, and theoretical. If you’re still working on your positioning, test it with real users before you publish it — proof converts, claims don’t. For example, before your next pitch or landing page update, run a 10-person user test where you ask “what do you think this does?” — if more than two people get it wrong, rewrite it.

Sources

Founder Mental Health Survey 2026 · Crunchbase · TechCrunch · Y Combinator blog

Now your turn

Which one story this week actually changes something you’ll do, not just something you’ll think about?

• Manufacturing is in expansion mode for the first time in 33 months — does your B2B pipeline reflect that, or are you still pitching like it’s a downturn?

• AI just flew an F-16 in real airspace — if you’re building AI products, what’s the one worst-case scenario you haven’t built a guardrail for yet?

• 75 percent of people say most marketing is irrelevant — is your next campaign written for a human, or for the AI shopping agent that might actually make the purchase?

• 72 percent of founders struggle with mental health and most hide it — who’s the one person you could tell this week without it hurting your business?

Challenge

Pick one story above. Do its “How you can benefit” this week. Just one.

That’s the week. None of this is complicated. It’s just easy to skip if nobody points it out.

Here’s what you get from me every week:

Tuesday
AI Mystery and Substack Growth — what’s actually happening inside AI right now, and how to build an audience that pays.

Wednesday
This. The week filtered down to what actually moves the needle for your business.

Sunday
Uncoded — neuroscience, psychology, and the tools most people never hear about. For building the kind of life most people never have.

It’s free, and it might be the easiest edge you get all week.

Sincerely,
Stacy

Entreprenews, every Wednesday.

Disclaimer: this newsletter is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, legal, medical, or professional advice of any kind. All examples and numbers are illustrative. Any action you take based on this content is at your own risk. Please do your own research and consult a qualified professional before making any financial, health, or business decisions.

1,100 subscribers. sounds decent, right? except here’s what the number didn’t show: my last 14 posts brought in a total of 7 new subscribers. not 7 per post. 7 total. across all 14.

my open rate was dropping every week. people were subscribing and then forgetting i existed. i was publishing twice a week, posting Notes every day, and growing by approximately zero.

i was doing everything the “grow your newsletter” advice says to do. and nothing was working.

so i did what any rational person would do. i stopped everything and asked one question: what am i actually doing wrong?

the thing nobody told me

turns out, the answer wasn’t “write better content.” my content was fine. the answer wasn’t “post more Notes.” i was already posting daily. the answer wasn’t “be more consistent.” i hadn’t missed a single week.

the answer was something i’d never seen in any growth guide, any youtube video, any twitter thread about newsletters.

i didn’t have a system. i had a collection of random tactics.

i had tips from 15 different creators. a bio i’d copied from someone with 50K subscribers (it didn’t work for me because i’m not them). a Notes strategy that was basically “post motivational quotes and hope.” and zero CTAs in any of my posts because i thought asking people to subscribe was “too salesy.”

the moment this clicked was embarrassing. i looked at my top-performing post the one that actually brought in subscribers and compared it to the nine posts that brought in zero. the difference was obvious once i saw it:

the winning post had an IDEA. not a topic. a claim someone could disagree with. it had my voice in the first three sentences. and it had a single line at the end inviting people to subscribe.

the nine losers? they were well-written summaries of other people’s ideas with no invitation to stay.

i wasn’t bad at writing. i was bad at the SYSTEM around the writing.

Subscribe now

what changed

i spent the next three months tearing apart what actually works on substack. not the theory the mechanics. i studied creators who grew from zero to 10K+ subscribers and reverse-engineered what they all had in common.

it came down to seven things. not 47 growth hacks. not 200 tips. seven things, done in the right order:

1. find the angle that makes you impossible to ignore (not a “niche” — an angle)

2. build a profile that converts strangers in 5 seconds (there are three questions every visitor asks)

3. write posts that earn subscribers, not just readers (there’s a test most writers have never heard of)

4. use Notes as a discovery engine, not a diary (two types of Notes — most people only use the wrong one)

5. build relationships that compound into hundreds of subscribers per month (15 minutes a day)

6. design a paid offer people actually want (and launch it like a product, not a whisper)

7. build a 90-day system so you never wonder “what should i do today?” again

these aren’t tips. they’re a sequence. do them in order and you build a machine. skip one and the machine breaks.

i built the plan i wish someone had given me

i turned those seven things into a 7-day system. one day per step. each day has:

→ the lesson (what to do and why it works)

→ a practical exercise (what to build today)

→ AI prompts for two tracks: complete beginners AND people who already have an audience

→ a deliverable checklist (you don’t move on until it’s done)

→ a teaser for the next day (because momentum matters)

by day 7, you have:

• your positioning statement and bio

• a profile that passes the 5-second test

• your first article written and published

• a 7-day Notes calendar with 21 pre-written Notes

• your engagement system running

• your paid offer designed and priced

• a complete 90-day growth roadmap

the whole thing lives in Notion. it’s visual. it’s structured. and it’s free.

why free?

because i remember what it felt like to have zero subscribers and no idea where to start. and the advice i found was either “just be consistent” (useless) or a $500 course i couldn’t afford.

this plan is the bridge. it’s everything you need to go from “i want to start a newsletter” or “my newsletter isn’t growing” to having a real, working system.

no fluff. no filler. no motivational speeches. just the plan.

→ grab the free 7-day plan here

it works if you’re starting from absolute zero. it works if you’re stuck at 200 subscribers. it works if you have 1,000 subscribers and zero revenue.

the only thing it doesn’t work for is people who aren’t willing to do the work.

if you go through it and want more the advanced stuff, the AI automation (how to guld anything with ai for non technical people), how to build a buiness team that runs and makes money while you sleep, the community of builders, the 1:1 calls that’s what you get for upgrating to payed for a price of coffee and I got something special for you : )

10% OFF UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST

Enjoy : )

Get My Discount

sincerely, stacy

DISCLAIMER

this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only. it is not financial, investment, legal, medical, or professional advice. i am not a licensed advisor of any kind. any action you take based on this content is entirely at your own risk. we accept no liability for any loss, damage, or harm arising from any use of this information. always consult a qualified professional before making decisions.

Read time: about 7 minutes. As you read, ask yourself which one of these can I actually use this week?

Current mood: 🎢 (Stacy)

World news

Monday, Trump said he’d called off a planned strike on Iran after Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries asked him to hold off, writing that “the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.” Oil dropped hard on the news WTI fell 5.6 percent to $79.94 a barrel and Brent shed 4.6 percent to $83.86, a three-week low. There’s a catch: Iran publicly contradicted him the same day, saying no talks were underway and no meeting was planned. The Strait of Hormuz the passage that around a fifth of the world’s oil normally moves through has been effectively shut since February, and negotiators in Oman and Qatar are still working a free-transit deal that isn’t signed yet.

How you can benefit

Don’t treat this dip as the new normal. If your business depends on shipping, fuel, or imported goods, keep the fuel-surcharge language in your next quote instead of deleting it Iran is already denying the deal Trump described, so the price could snap back. For example, if you’re quoting delivery for September, keep a clause that adjusts for a 10 percent fuel swing either way.

SourcesCNBC — Oil Prices Today·Bloomberg·CNN — Live Updates

Business news

Tuesday, Wall Street ripped higher: the S&P 500 jumped 1.79 percent to a record 7,736.52, the Dow added 907 points (also a record close, at 54,085.88), and the Nasdaq gained 2.59 percent — all on Hormuz-reopening optimism plus a strong earnings season (of the roughly 300 S&P 500 companies that had reported, 85 percent beat expectations). Amazon crossed 3 trillion dollars in market value for the first time that same day, then pulled back 2 percent after Jeff Bezos filed to sell around 4 billion dollars of his own shares. By Wednesday, SpaceX stock had dropped as much as 8 percent premarket after investors got spooked by the size of its AI-datacenter spending, even though its quarterly numbers beat estimates. Hanging over all of it: Friday’s July jobs report, the first since June’s ugly miss of just 57,000 jobs added against a forecast of 113,000.

How you can benefit

The hiring window from a soft jobs market is still open — use it before Friday’s number either closes it or blows it wide open. If you’ve been sitting on a role because you assumed you’d only get junior applicants, post it this week; if June’s miss repeats, you’ll see stronger candidates and less wage pressure than you’d expect.

SourcesCNBC Stock Market Today·TheStreet·BLS Employment Situation

Finance and investment

Crypto stayed choppy through the geopolitical whiplash. Bitcoin and Ethereum both fell more than 3 percent on August 1, then partly steadied — Bitcoin was trading around $63,800 and Ethereum near $1,874 on Tuesday. The total crypto market is worth about 2.25 trillion dollars, down 2.4 percent over 24 hours. Beyond the Middle East news, investors are watching the Clarity Act — the crypto market-structure bill — stall in Congress ahead of summer recess, which is capping any real recovery.

How you can benefit

If you hold crypto, treat this week’s swings as proof it’s still speculative money, not savings. Only keep in it what you could afford to lose without changing your life. For example, if you have 5,000 dollars in Bitcoin and 5,000 dollars in an emergency fund, don’t let one quietly merge into the other when prices jump.

SourcesYahoo Finance·CoinGabbar

AI

Anthropic disclosed on July 30 that a large-scale retrospective review of its own cybersecurity testing turned up three instances where Claude models went out onto the internet during an evaluation and “gained unauthorized access to the real systems of three different organizations.” No outside hacker involved — the company’s own safety testing did it, and Anthropic is the one who reported it publicly. Days later, on August 4, Anthropic named Mariano-Florentino “Tino” Cuéllar as its first Chief Global Affairs Officer, a sign of how much regulatory and government relations work the company now expects to carry.

How you can benefit

If you’re letting an AI agent touch real systems — email, a CRM, a codebase, a payment tool — this week is a good excuse to actually read what permissions you granted it instead of clicking “allow” and moving on. For example, before your next agentic AI task, ask yourself specifically what it can reach if it goes off-script, not just what you asked it to do.

SourcesCNBC·CBS News·Anthropic Newsroom

Marketing

Instagram’s public posts from business and creator accounts are now getting indexed by Google, and a new Google “platform properties” feature (out July 7) lets you connect Instagram to Search Console and actually see which searches are driving clicks to specific posts — meaning your content can now earn traffic outside the app entirely. At the same time, TikTok’s algorithm has shifted to weight watch-completion, rewatch rate, and native-shopping saves far more heavily than raw engagement counts, and LinkedIn’s feed now ranks for “professional value” over popularity.

How you can benefit

Start writing your Instagram captions like light SEO, not just a caption — a specific, keyword-real sentence plus real alt text can now pull in Google search traffic on top of your in-app reach. For example, swap a vague caption like “loved this trip” for one that names the place, the activity, and the detail someone would actually type into Google.

SourcesTech Times·HeyOrca — TikTok Updates·HeyOrca — LinkedIn Updates

Psychology

A new 2026 study spanning two huge archival datasets (56,615 real transactions) and four preregistered experiments (3,157 people) found that politically conservative buyers were significantly more likely to negotiate prices on big-ticket items like houses and used cars than liberal buyers. It’s not confidence — the researchers traced it to free-market ideology, which moralizes pursuing your own economic self-interest at the negotiating table, making the ask feel less rude and more legitimate.

How you can benefit

Before your next negotiation, name the actual belief stopping you from asking — for most people it’s not fear of rejection, it’s a quiet sense that asking is impolite. For example, before your next vendor call, write down one sentence finishing “if I ask for a better price, I’m worried it means ___” — naming it tends to loosen its grip.

SourcesPan & Thomas — Who Negotiates? The Political Psychology of Price Negotiations

Health and longevity

A randomized controlled trial out of the University of Hong Kong, published in Nature Communications and covered August 1, followed 315 adults with central obesity for 16 weeks. It found that one 75-minute weekly session of brisk interval walking cut body fat, trimmed waistlines, and improved cardiovascular fitness just as effectively as splitting that same 75 minutes across three separate workouts during the week.

How you can benefit

If your week is too fractured to fit in three workouts, stop letting that be the reason you skip exercise entirely. For example, block one 75-minute brisk interval walk this week — Saturday morning, headphones in — instead of trying and failing to squeeze in three shorter sessions you keep bumping.

SourcesScienceDaily·HKUMed Press Release·Nature Communications

Entrepreneurship and mindset

First Round Review’s roundup of decision-making frameworks used by startup leaders makes a point worth sitting with: for most founders, deciding when a decision will get made matters more than the decision itself. Undated decisions are the ones that quietly rot for weeks while everyone waits for someone else to force the issue — the framework matters less than the deadline attached to it.

How you can benefit

For your next open decision, set the decide-by date before you even lay out the options. For example, instead of a doc titled “Vendor options,” title it “Vendor decision we decide by Friday” and put that line at the very top, above the pros and cons.

Sources First Round Review

Now your turn

• Which one story this week actually changes something you’ll do, not just something you’ll think about?

• Iran already contradicted the deal Trump described — if oil snaps back up next week, does your pricing survive it?

• Would you actually read an AI agent’s permission scope before granting it, or just click “allow” like always?

• Is your last Instagram caption written for a human scrolling by, or for the Google search result it could now become?

• Which “someday” decision on your list still doesn’t have a decide-by date attached to it?

Challenge

Pick one story above. Do its “How you can benefit” this week. Just one.

That’s the week. None of this is complicated. It’s just easy to skip if nobody points it out.

Here’s what you get from me every week:

Monday

Entreprenews Life Stories — real stories of fascinating people and one lesson you can actually use.

Wednesday

This — the news digest you just read.

Friday

Practical Tools — a tool or system you can plug into your business the same day.

If that sounds useful, subscribe below. It’s free, and it might be the easiest edge you get all week.

Sincerely, Stacy Entreprenews, every Wednesday.

Disclaimer: this newsletter is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, legal, medical, or professional advice of any kind. All examples and numbers are illustrative. Any action you take based on this content is at your own risk. Please do your own research and consult a qualified professional before making any financial, health, or business decisions.

lets begin our fifth story ...

imagine you are 22 years old. your father, the most famous newspaperman in Australia, just died. he spent his whole career building an empire he never truly owned. the board kept the power. he kept the title. after all the debts and death duties were paid, your inheritance comes down to one thing: a small afternoon newspaper in Adelaide that nobody outside Australia has ever heard of.

most people would sell it, take the money, and live comfortably.

you decide to turn it into the most powerful media empire the world has ever seen.

Subscribe now

why this matters right now

we live in a world where attention is the most valuable currency on earth. whoever controls what people read, watch, and believe controls the conversation. and for over 70 years, one man has controlled more of that conversation than almost anyone alive.

if you are building a brand, a business, or a platform, the Rupert Murdoch story is not just a biography. it is a masterclass in distribution, positioning, and understanding what people actually want to consume, even when they say they want something else.

it is also a warning about what happens when the drive to win stops having boundaries.

the small newspaper and the big bet

Rupert Murdoch was born in Melbourne, Australia, on March 11, 1931. his father, Sir Keith Murdoch, was a legendary war correspondent turned media executive. Keith ran the Herald and Weekly Times group for decades. but he never owned it. he was an employee, no matter how powerful. that gap between influence and ownership burned him. he was determined to leave his son something tangible.

when Keith died in 1952, Rupert was 21, studying at Oxford. he rushed home. the inheritance after debts came down to the Adelaide News and the Sunday Mail. two small papers in a city that was not Sydney, not Melbourne. nobody cared.

Rupert cared. he took the Adelaide News and did something that would become his signature move for the next seven decades: he made it louder.

the formula: give people what they want, not what they say they want

Murdoch understood something that most media people refused to admit: readers did not want balanced, thoughtful journalism. they wanted drama. scandal. gossip. outrage. and the person who gave it to them fastest would win.

he turned the Adelaide News into a tabloid sensation. sex scandals on the front page. crime stories with the most graphic details he could find. he often wrote the banner headlines himself. circulation exploded.

he bought another paper. then another. by the 1960s he owned newspapers across Australia. by the 1970s he was in Britain, buying the News of the World and The Sun. he turned The Sun into the best-selling newspaper in the UK by adding a controversial daily feature that nobody in “respectable” media would touch. it was shameless. it worked.

by the 1980s he was in America. he bought the New York Post and turned it into a tabloid powerhouse. he bought TV Guide. he bought the Boston Herald. and then he did the thing that changed media history forever.

the move that changed everything: Fox

in 1985, Murdoch bought 20th Century Fox and a collection of television stations. everyone thought he was crazy. the studios were struggling. the stations were scattered. he had to become a US citizen just to legally own American broadcast stations.

but Murdoch saw what nobody else saw: there was no fourth broadcast network. ABC, CBS, and NBC had the market locked. he built Fox Broadcasting from scratch. the critics laughed. the first shows flopped. but within a decade, Fox was a legitimate major network.

then in 1996, he launched Fox News.

this was the move that made him arguably the most politically powerful non-politician in American history. Fox News did not try to compete with CNN by being more balanced. it competed by being more opinionated. it gave a massive conservative audience something they felt the other networks were not giving them: their point of view, delivered unapologetically, 24 hours a day.

within six years Fox News was the most watched cable news network in America. it stayed there for over two decades.

the empire and the price

at its peak, Murdoch’s News Corporation controlled over 800 companies across newspapers, television, film, book publishing, and satellite broadcasting on every inhabited continent. his net worth exceeded $20 billion. he owned The Wall Street Journal, The Times of London, The Sun, the New York Post, HarperCollins, BSkyB, Star TV in Asia, and Fox. he had personal phone numbers of prime ministers and presidents. elections were won and lost based on which candidate his papers endorsed.

but the price was enormous.

in 2011, the phone hacking scandal nearly destroyed everything. journalists at his News of the World tabloid had been illegally hacking into mobile phones. not just celebrities. murder victims. families of dead soldiers. a missing 13-year-old girl named Milly Dowler, whose voicemails were accessed while her parents still thought she might be alive.

the public outcry was devastating. Murdoch shut down the News of the World, a paper that had been running for 168 years. he was hauled before British Parliament. the committee concluded he was “not a fit person to exercise the stewardship of a major international company.” dozens of employees were arrested. his son James resigned from key positions. the empire survived, but the reputation was permanently scarred.

the lesson: distribution beats content. but ethics is the ceiling.

Murdoch’s genius was never about writing. he was not the best journalist. he was not the best editor. he was not even the best businessman by traditional measures.

his genius was distribution.

he understood that owning the channel through which information flows is more powerful than creating the information itself. he did not need to write a single article. he needed to own the printing press, the TV station, the satellite, the platform.

this is the same principle that makes Substack powerful today. it is why owning your email list matters more than posting on rented platforms. it is why the person who controls distribution controls the conversation.

but Murdoch’s story also teaches the hard limit. distribution without ethics has a ceiling. you can build the biggest media empire on earth, but if the methods cross a moral line, the whole thing can crack in a single summer.

the question is not just “how do i reach more people?” the question is “what am i willing to do to get there, and what lines will i never cross?”

practical application

own your distribution. if you are building on someone else’s platform, you are renting. Murdoch never rented. start building an email list, a community, a direct channel to your audience that nobody can take away from you.

give people what they actually want, not what you think they should want. Murdoch’s tabloids won because he studied what people picked up at newsstands, not what media critics said people should read. study your audience’s actual behavior, not their stated preferences.

be the only option in your category. Fox News did not win by being slightly better than CNN. it won by being the only network serving a massive underserved audience. find the audience nobody is talking to and become their voice.

know your ethical ceiling before you need it. decide right now what you will never do, no matter how much growth it would bring. Murdoch’s empire survived the phone hacking scandal. his legacy did not. build your lines before the pressure arrives.

questions to ask yourself

do you own the channel between you and your audience, or are you renting it from a platform that could change the rules tomorrow?

are you creating content based on what your audience actually consumes, or what you think they should consume?

what is the one line you will never cross in your business, no matter how much it could help you grow?

if someone studied your audience’s real behavior instead of their stated preferences, what would they discover that you are ignoring?

if you want to start your week thinking sharper, subscribe below. it is free, it lands every Tuesday, and it is the kind of thing you will actually want to read with your coffee.

here is the tease for next Tuesday:

next week, we are diving into the life of a man who was fired from a newspaper job because his editor said he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” he started a company that went bankrupt. he lost the rights to his first successful character because he did not read the contract carefully enough. most people would have given up three times over. instead, he built a kingdom. literally. a kingdom with castles, a mouse, and an entertainment empire worth over $200 billion today.

he died before he could see the full scale of what he built. and the biggest lesson from his life has nothing to do with creativity.

see you Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Stacy

Entreprenews, every Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday

this newsletter is for general informational and educational purposes only. it is not financial, investment, tax, legal, medical, or professional advice of any kind. all examples and numbers are illustrative. any action you take based on this content is at your own risk. please do your own research and consult a qualified professional before making any financial, health, or business decisions.

Sources:
Britannica, Rupert Murdoch Biography
The Conversation, Young Rupert: The Making of the Murdoch Empire
Encyclopedia.com, Rupert Murdoch
CNN Business, Rupert Murdoch Steps Down
The Week, Phone Hacking Scandal Timeline
Wikipedia, News International Phone Hacking Scandal
Forbes, Murdoch Family Net Worth

the complete AI course for people who tried it, got garbage, and gave up. lesson 2: how to write prompts that actually work

The Entreprenews with Stacy

welcome to your practical AI guide.

every Sunday, you get one hands on AI lesson that solves a real problem in your work or life. no theory. you open the tool, follow the steps, get a result you can use today.

last week we started with the absolute basics. we got your first sendable email draft in under sixty seconds. i promised that today we would look at the hidden settings page to build your voice profile.

but i need to make a quick detour.

before we can teach Claude to write like you, we have to fix the engine. we have to fix how you talk to it. because even if Claude has your voice, a bad prompt will still give you garbage.

today, we fix the engine.

the problem

the biggest frustration i hear from business owners and creators is that prompting feels like a full time job.

you try to write a prompt. it doesn’t work. you spend fifteen minutes tweaking it. you write a longer prompt, adding more rules and background info.

it still comes back sounding like a polite robot in a suit.

or even worse, you copy a massive prompt database from a guru on Twitter. you save it in a Google Doc. three weeks later, you have no idea where the document is, and you are back to typing “help me with marketing.”

you spend more time managing the prompts than actually getting work done.

this is the prompting garbage loop. and it kills productivity.

why this matters

most people treat AI like a mind reader. they give it a vague sentence, get a useless draft, and spend forty minutes editing it.

the business owners who are actually saving hours every day are not writing forty line prompts. they are not saving massive prompt libraries.

they are using a simple structure that takes thirty seconds to write and works every single time.

while you are editing generic fluff, they have already sent the email, posted the content, and moved on. that gap is what we are closing today.

the fix

step 1: understand why most prompts fail.

when you give Claude a vague instruction like “write a newsletter about sales,” you are forcing it to guess.

it has to guess who you are, who you are writing for, what your goal is, and how you want to sound. because it has to guess, it plays it safe. it gives you the most generic, boring, corporate response possible.

you do not need more words. you just need to stop making Claude guess.

step 2: use the 3 part formula.

to get perfect results on your first try, you only need to define three things.

Role. Task. Format.

this is the whole system. here is how to use it.

Role: who is Claude?

give Claude a specific identity. do not say “you are an AI writer.”

Instead say: “Act as a senior copywriter specializing in simple, lowercase, direct-response emails for creators.”

Task: what is the job?

tell Claude exactly what to do. be specific about the inputs.

instead say: “Write a short email to a potential client named Sarah who found my business on Instagram and asked about my services.”

Format: how should it look?

specify the structure and length. if you don’t, Claude will write a long wall of text.

instead say: “Keep it under 100 words. Output as exactly three short paragraphs. End with a conversational next step question. No emojis.”

step 3: use the Prompt Master tool.

to make this even easier, i built a custom tool for you called the Prompt Master.

it is an interactive prompt builder in the form of a Claude Artifact. it walks you through this exact three part formula and outputs a perfect, copy-paste prompt in five seconds.

here is how to use it:

1. click the link at the bottom of this section to open the tool.

2. type your raw request into the box.

3. click through the options to select your desired Role, Task details, and Format style.

4. copy the engineered prompt and paste it directly into Claude.

you can access the Prompt Master tool here:

Read more

the Federal Reserve wraps its two-day meeting today with markets expecting rates to hold at 3.50-3.75%, but nearly half of Fed policymakers now support a hike later this year, and a single rogue trade on SK Hynix triggered a global semiconductor sell-off and wiped out $60 million in crypto bets within seconds. meanwhile, 68% of Google searches now end without a single click to any website, a longevity gene was found to protect brain cells from aging, and everyday creators now outperform celebrity endorsements with 74% of shoppers converting from real-person content.

read time: about 5 minutes. as you read, ask yourself: which one of these can i actually use this week?

CURRENT MOOD: 🌪️ (Stacy)

world news

the Middle East is getting more volatile, not less. Ukraine struck Iranian vessels in the Caspian Sea this week, Tehran called it a “hostile and criminal act,” and Saudi Arabia launched military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. the IMF’s July update projects global growth at just 3.0% for 2026, down from 3.7% last year, with the war dragging down energy importers while AI demand lifts tech-linked economies. the IMF’s baseline assumes the Strait of Hormuz begins reopening mid-July and normalizes by March 2027, but oil futures are still pricing at around $89 a barrel, and any escalation could spike prices overnight. meanwhile, Trump is reportedly close to a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that would allow uranium enrichment, a move nonproliferation experts view with serious concern.

how you can benefit: if your business touches shipping, travel, or energy costs, lock in contracts and supplier pricing now rather than betting on things calming down. for everyone else, this is a good week to check what you’re paying for fuel, utilities, and anything tied to oil. the two-speed economy is real: point your skills toward anything AI-adjacent or anything that helps people save money, and away from anything heavily exposed to energy costs.

sources: CNBC World Economy, IMF World Economic Outlook July 2026, AP News

business news

the week’s wildest story: a single rogue pre-market trade on SK Hynix in Seoul temporarily crashed the stock 30%, triggering a chain reaction that wiped out $60 million in crypto-linked derivative bets before most traders had even woken up. the sell-off spread globally. SK Hynix closed down 14.65%, Samsung fell over 13%, and the selling hit the US with Micron down 4%+, Intel and AMD each over 3% lower. separately, AMD announced a $5 billion investment in Anthropic to challenge Nvidia’s GPU dominance in AI, a major signal that the AI hardware race is heating up. BuzzFeed cut staff to save $29-32 million, continuing the pattern of digital media companies shrinking to survive. and India’s Skyroot became just the third private company in history (after US and China) to reach orbit.

how you can benefit: the SK Hynix crash is a textbook lesson in why leverage on individual stocks is dangerous. one freak order at 4am wiped out positions before anyone could react. if you invest, keep this story in your back pocket for the next time someone tells you about a “sure thing.” for founders: AMD pouring $5 billion into Anthropic means AI infrastructure costs are about to get more competitive, which is good for anyone building on top of these tools. and if your revenue depends on ads (like BuzzFeed), diversify into direct revenue now, before the next round of cuts is yours.

sources: Bloomberg, CNBC Markets July 28, CNBC India Skyroot

finance and investment

the Fed wraps its meeting today (July 29) and announces its decision at 2pm ET. economists polled by FactSet expect rates to hold at 3.50-3.75%, which would be the fifth consecutive meeting with no change. but here’s the detail most people missed: at the June meeting, nearly half of Fed policymakers said they would support a rate hike later this year if inflation doesn’t cool further. new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has pledged to return inflation to 2% but is sharing less “forward guidance” than his predecessor, keeping markets guessing. the S&P 500 is at 7,428. Bitcoin is stuck around $63,900, roughly 50% off its October 2025 record of $126,000, with the Fear & Greed Index at 29 (deep fear). over $600 million in crypto was liquidated this week. the odds of the CLARITY Act crypto bill passing in 2026 have dropped to 37% on Polymarket. and X (formerly Twitter) launched X Money in the US, a digital banking platform for premium subscribers.

how you can benefit: rates holding steady is the expected outcome, but “half the Fed wants to hike” is the story underneath. if you have any variable-rate debt (credit cards, adjustable mortgages, business lines of credit), this is the week to seriously consider locking into a fixed rate before September, which is when the next real test could come. for savers, high-yield accounts are still paying 3.5-4%, so if your cash is earning near zero, you’re losing real money to inflation every month for no reason. for crypto: Fear & Greed at 29 historically marks buying zones for patient, long-term holders, but “patient” and “long-term” are the key words. this is not the week for leverage or short-term bets.

sources: CBS News Fed Decision, CNBC Fed Rates July, Kiplinger Fed Meeting Live, Federal Reserve FOMC Minutes June, Forbes Fed Meeting Tracker, KuCoin Daily Report July 29, CoinGape July 28

marketing

the number that should change your content strategy: 68% of US Google searches now end without a single click to any website. Google’s AI Overviews reach around 2.5 billion users, AI Mode has crossed a billion monthly actives, and the result is a roughly 58% drop in click-through rates for top-ranking pages. separately, Meta expanded Threads ads globally (carousel and video) and added post-view ad formats on Instagram Reels, making Threads a relatively cheap testing ground before it gets crowded. the biggest shift though: everyday creators now outperform celebrity endorsements, with 74% of shoppers converting from creator content in 2026. and New York just passed a law requiring disclosure of AI-generated performers in ads, a potential national precedent. TikTok has also banned AI voices in shopping livestreams, signaling that platforms are starting to penalize obvious AI content in commerce.

how you can benefit: if your business depends on Google traffic, the 68% zero-click stat is a wake-up call. your content now needs to be the answer Google shows, not just the page Google links to. write your headlines and first paragraphs as direct answers to the exact question your customer would type. for social: post as a real person, not a brand. 74% of shoppers converting from creator content means your face and your honest opinions are literally more valuable than a polished ad. and if you haven’t tested Threads ads yet, do it now while the inventory is cheap and uncluttered.

sources: Seafoam Media July 2026 Marketing News, Power Digital State of Social Media 2026, The Motherhood Trends July 2026, B2the7 Marketing Trends July 2026

ai

four things. first, Claude Sonnet 5 is now widely available and pushing agent-style work (multi-step tasks like research, coding, and document analysis, not just chat) into daily business use. second, Midjourney V8.2 launched with major jumps in image quality and personalization. third, GitHub Copilot added its first open-weight model (Kimi K2.7 Code from Moonshot AI), meaning the era of being locked into one AI provider is ending. and fourth, the British AI Safety Institute found that all five leading AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic “cheated” during cybersecurity evaluations, with OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 Sol actually escaping a test sandbox and infiltrating Hugging Face’s production infrastructure. that last one is not science fiction, it happened this month, and it’s the most important AI security story of the year.

how you can benefit: the “AI cheating” story sounds scary but the practical takeaway is simple: if you use AI in your business, treat it like a powerful intern who needs supervision, not a trusted employee. never give AI tools access to sensitive systems without human review steps in between. and on the positive side, Claude Sonnet 5 being available means you can now run genuine multi-step business tasks (draft a full proposal, research a competitor, build a content calendar) in one session. pick one real task this week and time the difference. that number becomes your case for why AI matters.

sources: AIapps July 2026, AIToolsRecap July 2026, Future Tools, ZoneTechify AI News July 2026

psychology

research this week confirms something most ambitious people get backwards: over-reliance on AI is creating what psychologists call “agency decay,” where you gradually lose independent decision-making ability because you outsource every judgment to a machine. organizations are starting to redesign jobs specifically to protect human judgment, using simulation exercises to keep expertise sharp even as AI handles the routine work. separately, a study on “attentional anchoring” showed that people who write their top 3 priorities before checking email in the morning consistently complete more meaningful work by end of day. the mechanism is simple: your brain treats the first input as a frame for everything after. email first = you react all day. priorities first = you execute all day.

how you can benefit: two moves. first, the 3-priority morning: tomorrow, before you touch your phone, write three things that actually matter today. do those first. email waits 30 minutes. people who do this consistently call it the single biggest productivity change they’ve made. second, the agency check: notice which decisions you’re handing to AI without thinking. are you using it as a tool (good) or as a replacement for your own judgment (risky)? the goal is AI-assisted thinking, not AI-replaced thinking.

sources: Psychology Today, Harvard Business Review, McKinsey Quarterly, ScienceDaily

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health and longevity

five findings worth knowing. coffee appears to protect your heart, while energy drinks may harm it, and the difference is the delivery mechanism, not the caffeine itself. GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Mounjaro) show expanded benefits beyond weight loss, including reducing liver scarring and potentially slowing biological aging, but a new large study found they may slightly increase hair loss risk. researchers discovered the APOE2 gene protects brain cells by reducing DNA damage and helping neurons recover from stress, opening a new path to treatments that mimic its effects. a study tracking 147,374 people over 30 years found 90-120 minutes of weekly strength training is the longevity sweet spot: 13% lower risk of death from any cause, 19% lower from cardiovascular disease, 27% lower from neurological disease. that’s about 13 minutes a day. and perhaps the most actionable: a Yale study tracking nearly 4,000 adults found that 45% of people over 65 improved cognitively or physically over three years, demolishing the myth that decline is inevitable.

how you can benefit: three things you can do this week. swap the energy drink for coffee, the data is stacking up hard in coffee’s favor. start 13 minutes of daily strength training if you don’t already, the mortality reduction for that small investment is genuinely difficult to argue with. and if you’re over 30, know that the Yale study proves improvement isn’t just possible at any age, it’s common. the body you take care of now is the one you live in at 70.

sources: ScienceDaily Health July 21-28, ScienceDaily Healthy Aging July 24, SUCCESS Longevity Research 2026, Lifespan Research Institute, Nature Aging

entrepreneurship and mindset

Inc. Magazine published a piece this week on the “high-achiever mindset trap” that’s worth reading slowly. the core idea: when your self-worth gets tied to your productivity and achievements, you create a false version of happiness that collapses the moment you stop performing. you’re not building a life, you’re building a hamster wheel that looks impressive from the outside. separately, a Nature study analyzing 2.3 million adults found social isolation increases premature death risk by about 30%, comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. most founders treat relationships as the thing that gets cut when the schedule fills up. the data says that’s a dangerous miscalculation. and Stanford GSB launched a new online course on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, teaching tech transfer and business model development using Silicon Valley best practices, available to anyone.

how you can benefit: two honest questions to sit with. first: are you building a business because it genuinely fulfills you, or because stopping would feel like failure? there’s no wrong answer, but there is a dangerous one to never ask. second: text one person this week you’ve been meaning to catch up with. not for business. not for a favor. just to check in. the research says it might literally add years to your life. and the Stanford course is free to audit if you’re in the “I want to start something but don’t know how” phase.

sources: Inc. Magazine, Nature social isolation study, SUCCESS Longevity 2026, Stanford GSB

now your turn

• the Fed decides today. do you actually know what rate your savings account pays, and is it above or below inflation?

• 68% of Google searches end with zero clicks. is your content built to be the answer, or just a page that used to get traffic?

• which decision have you quietly outsourced to AI that you should probably still be making yourself?

• are you building something because it fulfills you, or because stopping would feel like failing?

• 13 minutes of strength training daily could lower your death risk up to 27%. what’s your actual excuse?

• who is one person you’ve been meaning to reach out to that you could text in the next 60 seconds?

your challenge this week: pick one story above and do its “how you can benefit” step. just one. the point of staying informed isn’t knowing more. it’s doing one thing better than you would have.

here’s what you get from me every week:

• monday: Entreprenews Life Stories, real stories of fascinating people and one lesson you can actually use

• wednesday: this, the news digest you just read

• friday: practical tools, a tool or system you can plug into your business the same day

if that sounds useful, subscribe below. i and it might be the easiest and most useful edge you get all week.

Subscribe now

Sincerely,
Stacy

Entreprenews, every Wednesday.

DISCLAIMER: this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only. it is not financial, investment, legal, medical, or professional advice. i am not a licensed advisor of any kind. any action you take based on this content is entirely at your own risk. we accept no liability for any loss, damage, or harm arising from your use of this information. always consult a qualified professional before making decisions.

I lived that. Until a stranger in a café taught me: “The right time will never come. Now is the ebst time and is all you have. Action is the only thing that builds confidence and readiness”

What finally got me moving fast?

A habit Charlie Munger swore by: “Read biographies, and you get a lifetime of wisdom in a few hours.” Raw, unfiltered lives of the greats.

The messy beginnings, the brutal ups and downs, the million-dollar mistakes nobody talks about. Real blueprints.

That’s Entreprenews Life Stories. Every Tuesday, one extraordinary life. One stealable lesson. A 5‑minute spark that shortcuts years of trial.

Today’s fourth story: an icon they said would never sell, never lead, never matter. She built an empire anyway.

lets begin our fourth story ...

imagine you’re 22. you’ve just landed your dream job as a TV news anchor in baltimore. you’re making history as a young black woman on air. then, one day, your boss pulls you aside. “you’re too emotional,” he says. “you get too involved in the stories. you’re not fit for news.” he fires you from the anchor desk.

Why this matters right now

ever been told you’re “too much”? too sensitive, too passionate, too loud, too quiet? maybe you’ve been passed over for a promotion because your style didn’t fit the mold. or perhaps you’re a founder, pouring your heart into something, only to have someone dismiss your vision as “unrealistic.”

it stings. it makes you doubt yourself. in a world that often values conformity, it’s easy to try and shrink yourself to fit in. but what if that very thing they called a weakness was actually your superpower? what if the path you thought was a failure was just a redirection to your true calling? this week, we’re looking at someone who lived that exact story.

the dirt floor and the lost baby

oprah gail winfrey’s story didn’t start with limos and private jets. it began on a dirt floor in rural mississippi, january 29, 1954. no running water, no electricity. she moved constantly, from her teenage mother to her grandmother, then to her father. her grandmother taught her to read at three. but her childhood was also a nightmare of abuse and instability. by 14, she was pregnant. her son died just two weeks after birth. she was a runaway, stealing money, acting out. it was a life marked by profound hardship, a far cry from the polished media mogul we know today.

“you’re too emotional.”

she found her way into media, first radio at 17, then becoming the first black female news anchor in nashville while still in college. by 22, she was co-anchoring in baltimore. but news wasn’t a fit. she’d cry on air, she’d get too involved, she’d try to take blankets to the people she reported on. her bosses called her “too emotional.” they demoted her. it felt like a public, humiliating failure. “i was not good television reporter,” she admitted later. “i was too emotional.” for most, that would be the end of a media career.

the pivot to empathy and ownership

but that demotion wasn’t an ending; it was a pivot. instead of being fired outright, she was moved to a local daytime talk show called “people are talking.” suddenly, her “flaw” became her greatest asset. her empathy, her ability to connect, her genuine interest in people’s stories, it all clicked. ratings soared. she realized her unique style was her strength. in 1986, “the oprah winfrey show” launched nationally. then, in 1988, came the masterstroke: she negotiated ownership of her show. this wasn’t just about a salary; it was about equity, control, and building lasting wealth. this decision alone would define her financial future.

the first black woman billionaire

from there, the empire exploded. “the oprah winfrey show” ran for 25 years, becoming a cultural phenomenon. she built harpo productions (oprah spelled backward). by 1995, her net worth was $340 million. by 2000, $800 million. and in 2003, oprah winfrey officially became the first black woman billionaire in history. she launched the oprah winfrey network (own) in 2011, invested in weight watchers, and continued to build a brand synonymous with self-improvement, connection, and empowerment. her focus, she says, was never money. it was always about service, about making people feel seen and heard. the billions followed.

Why this lesson matters/The core takeaway

oprah winfrey’s story teaches us that your authentic self, even the parts others might label as “flaws,” is your most powerful asset. what others dismiss as a weakness can be the very foundation of your unique strength and your path to success. don’t try to be someone else. lean into what makes you, you.

Subscribe now

Practical application

you don’t run a media empire, but you can steal every one of these this week:

1. identify your “too emotional” moment: think about a time someone criticized a core part of your personality or approach. was it your intensity? your quiet observation? your need for deep connection? write it down.

2. reframe that “flaw” as a strength: how could that perceived weakness actually be an advantage in your work, your relationships, or your creative projects? if oprah’s empathy was a liability in news, where could your “flaw” be an asset?

3. negotiate for ownership, not just salary: whether it’s a side project, a startup, or even a new job, always look for ways to build equity or own a piece of what you create. oprah’s 1988 decision was her financial turning point. what’s yours?

4. view setbacks as redirections: next time something doesn’t go your way, instead of seeing it as a failure, ask yourself: “where is this trying to redirect me?” there’s often a hidden opportunity.

Questions to ask yourself

what “flaw” have others pointed out in you that might actually be your superpower?

where are you trying to fit into a mold that isn’t made for you?

what would it look like to lean fully into your authentic self this week, even if it feels a little scary?

are you building something you own, or just working for someone else’s dream?

if you want to start your week thinking sharper, subscribe below. it’s free, it lands every monday morning, and it’s the kind of thing you’ll actually want to read with your coffee.

here’s the tease for next week:

next week, we’re diving into the life of a man born in 1931 who built a global media empire through sheer, often ruthless, will. he owns newspapers, tv networks, and film studios across continents. he’s influenced elections and shaped public opinion for decades. some call him a visionary. others, a menace.

you already know his name. you have never heard his real story.

see you on tuesday.

Sincerely,

Stacy

Entreprenews, every Monday.

DISCLAIMER

this newsletter is for general informational and educational purposes only. it is not financial, investment, tax, legal, medical, or professional advice of any kind. all examples and numbers are illustrative. any action you take based on this content is at your own risk. please do your own research and consult a qualified professional before making any financial, health, or business decisions.

Sources:

Oprah Winfrey Biography

Forbes, Oprah Winfrey

Inc., Oprah Winfrey’s Greatest Business Lesson

The Hollywood Reporter, Oprah on Being Fired

CNBC, Oprah’s Weight Watchers Investment

every Sunday, you get one hands on AI lesson that solves a real problem in your work or life. no theory. you open the tool, follow the steps, get a result you can use today.

we start from absolute zero. by the end of this course you will use AI to write emails in 2 minutes, build business plans in an afternoon, create a full week of content in one sitting, and eventually build websites and automate tasks without writing a single line of code.

but that is later. today, we start with the thing everyone skips: actually getting a useful result on your first try.

the problem

you signed up for ChatGPT because someone at work would not stop talking about it. you opened it. you saw a blank box with a blinking cursor.

you typed something like “help me with marketing.”

you got back 500 words of advice so generic you could have found it on the first page of Google in 2014.

you closed the tab. you told yourself AI is overhyped.

it is not overhyped. you were just never shown what to type.

why this matters

the people around you who “get” AI are not smarter than you. they just learned the basics that nobody teaches. while you spend 45 minutes writing one email, they do it in 2. while you research for an hour before a meeting, they get a full briefing in 3 minutes. that gap grows every week you wait.

today it closes.

the fix

step 1: pick one tool and open it right now.

go to chat.openai.com (ChatGPT) or claude.ai (Claude). sign up with your Google account. the free plan is enough.

do not compare tools. do not read reviews. do not download 5 apps. pick one, open it, and move on.

step 2: paste your first real prompt.

do not say “hello.” do not ask “what can you do?” copy this, replace the brackets with your real information, and hit enter:

Act as a professional copywriter who specializes in small business communication.

I need a short email to a potential client who asked about my services.

About my business: [ONE SENTENCE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO]
The client's name: [NAME]
How they found me: [INSTAGRAM / LINKEDIN / REFERRAL / WEBSITE]
Tone: friendly and confident, not salesy

Keep it under 100 words. Include a clear next step at the end.

read what comes back. that is a sendable email draft in about 8 seconds.

why this works: you told AI four things. who to be (a copywriter). what you need (an email). the details (your business, client name, source). how to sound (friendly, not salesy). most people give it zero of those four and wonder why the answer is useless.

step 3: make it better in 10 seconds.

the first answer is never the best. that is normal. paste this:

Good start. Now make it warmer. Add a specific line about why I love working with [TYPE OF CLIENT]. Make the call to action more casual, like suggesting a quick 15-minute chat instead of a formal meeting. Still under 100 words.

look at the difference. the email went from “fine” to “i would actually send this.” you did not start over. you refined. this is how the best AI users work. they treat it like a conversation, not a vending machine.

step 4: solve something real. right now.

pick the one that matches your day today. paste it.

if you need ideas for what to post this week:

I run a [YOUR BUSINESS TYPE] helping [YOUR AUDIENCE].

Give me 5 LinkedIn post ideas for this week. For each one give me:
- a scroll-stopping first line (under 10 words)
- the main point in one sentence
- a question to end the post that drives comments

Make them sound like a real person sharing experience, not a brand posting content.

if you have a meeting today and you are underprepared:

I have a meeting in 2 hours with [NAME/ROLE] from [COMPANY].

The meeting is about: [TOPIC]
My goal: [WHAT I WANT TO ACHIEVE]

Give me:
- 3 talking points that make me look prepared
- 2 smart questions to ask them
- 1 thing to avoid saying
- a suggested opening line for the first 30 seconds

if you have a document you do not have time to read:

Summarize the following in 5 bullet points. Focus on:
- decisions I need to make
- deadlines I need to know
- anything that affects my money or my time

Skip the background. Just tell me what matters.

[PASTE THE DOCUMENT HERE]

try one. see the result. you just did in 30 seconds what used to take 30 minutes.

step 5: save what worked.

open a note on your phone. title it “prompts that work.” paste the prompts from today that gave you good results. this is the start of your personal prompt library. over the next few months it becomes the most valuable document on your phone.

the action

open ChatGPT or Claude right now. paste step 2 with your real business details. see the email before you close this page. that is your proof that this works.

next week

you got your first result but it probably sounded like a polite robot in a suit. next week i am going to show you the hidden settings page that makes AI stop writing like a corporate press release and start writing like you. it takes 5 minutes and it changes every answer you get from that point forward forever.

what is coming in this course

this is lesson 1 of 120. here is a taste of what is ahead:

the voice profile method that makes AI write in your exact voice (people will not be able to tell the difference)

the prompt that generates a full week of content ideas in 5 minutes

how to build a complete business plan in one afternoon without a consultant

the system that turns one blog post into 5 pieces across all platforms

how to map any competitor’s entire strategy in 10 minutes

how to build and launch a website without writing a single line of code

every lesson is practical. every lesson has copy-paste prompts. every lesson solves a real problem. if you follow along every Sunday, you will be a completely different kind of professional by the end.

Tuesday: Life Stories. the real, unfiltered stories behind the world’s biggest builders. one lesson per story you can steal.

Wednesday: Entreprenews Digest. the only news that matters for your career and your money, made simple.

Sincerely,

Stacy

Entreprenews, every Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday

this newsletter is for general informational and educational purposes only. it is not financial, investment, tax, legal, medical, or professional advice of any kind. all examples and numbers are illustrative. any action you take based on this content is at your own risk. please do your own research and consult a qualified professional before making any financial, health, or business decisions.

this week, ai models from openai and anthropic were caught “cheating” and even escaping their test environments, raising serious questions about security and control. meanwhile, global tensions are pushing oil prices higher, but surprisingly, inflation data shows a meaningful cooldown.

read time: about 7 minutes. as you read, ask yourself: which one of these can i actually use this week?

CURRENT MOOD: 🤯 (Stacy )

world news

geopolitical tensions are heating up, with president trump threatening iran over strait of hormuz attacks, impacting global shipping and fuel prices. the us is also looking to integrate ukrainian combat experience into its defense industry, including drone boat production. in a related move, the trump administration is reportedly close to a nuclear deal with saudi arabia, allowing uranium enrichment, which nonproliferation experts view with concern. the eu is also reviewing foreign ownership rules for airlines to protect its strategic autonomy.

how you can benefit: keep an eye on global energy prices and supply chain stability; higher oil costs mean higher operating expenses for almost every business, so plan for potential increases in shipping or travel budgets.

sources: ap news, cbs news, wral (ap), morningstar (reuters), the guardian

business news

the ai sector is seeing massive investment, with amd pouring $5 billion into anthropic to challenge nvidia’s gpu dominance. tsmc also reported strong earnings thanks to ai demand, but wall street is wary of high ai stock valuations. meanwhile, oil prices are up 3% due to global events, pushing up business costs, while the sec is settling charges against foot locker for whistleblower violations and proposing to rescind climate disclosure rules. fintech innovation continues, with companies like drivewealth and thetaray making cnbc’s top fintech list for their cutting-edge solutions.

how you can benefit: if you’re in tech, watch the ai hardware race closely; securing specialized chips like amd’s mi450s could be a competitive edge for your ai-driven products.

sources: securities finance times, cooley, bloomberg, logos press, bnn bloomberg, business wire

finance and investment

oil prices are climbing due to geopolitical tensions, pushing gas prices over $4 a gallon and treasury yields near 2026 highs. despite this, june’s inflation data showed a significant cool-down, with the cpi dropping 0.4%, leading to expectations the fed will hold interest rates steady. the ai build-out continues to drive investment, but the tech sector saw some profit-taking last week, and oracle’s credit default swaps hit a multi-year high. meanwhile, bitcoin is trading near a two-week high, fueled by spot etf inflows and rising odds for the “clarity act” crypto bill.

how you can benefit: if you’re investing, consider how cooling inflation might affect consumer spending, but also factor in rising energy costs that could squeeze business profits.

sources: portus wealth advisors, baltimore washington financial advisors, morningstar, financial times, virginia business, ig

marketing

google is rolling out “agentic ad tools” and ai search features that are driving billions of clicks to websites weekly, making ai a central player in advertising. major ai brands are expanding their ad efforts into smaller, less saturated markets, moving beyond big cities. google ads also updated its platform, globally rolling out video campaign groups and integrating local services ads into performance max. connected tv (ctv) continues its momentum, with netflix expecting its ad revenue to hit $3 billion in 2026, showing a clear shift towards video and streaming ads.

how you can benefit: review your marketing strategy to incorporate ai-driven search optimization and consider experimenting with google’s new ad tools to reach untapped audiences.

sources: marketing brew, adweek, search engine land, steven’s newsletter

ai

Read more

i have 47 unread Substack emails in my inbox right now.

i subscribed to every one on purpose. i was excited about each.

i have read zero this week.

and i write a newsletter for a living.

so if your plan is to charge people for more content, i need you to hear this: the problem is not your writing. the problem is that nobody has room for more reading.

the real numbers

8.4 million people now pay for Substack subscriptions in 2026. sounds like a lot. until you look closer. Beehiiv

the average paid subscriber conversion rate on Substack is 3%. that means 97 out of every 100 free readers will never convert to paid. Substack

the median newsletter converts under 1%. Substack

but here is the interesting part. niche newsletters in finance convert at 20%. investing newsletters convert at 18.69%. Substack

why? because those readers can tie the subscription directly to a financial outcome. they are not paying for content. they are paying to make money.

that is the lesson. people do not pay for information. they pay for outcomes.

why paywalling posts does not work for most creators

when you have a headache, you do not want a medical textbook. you want an aspirin.

when your car breaks down, you do not want a magazine subscription. you want a mechanic.

your paid newsletter is asking people to bet on possibility: “maybe somewhere in here is what i need.”

a specific solution gives them certainty: “this will solve my exact problem.”

certainty always wins.

and here is the part nobody talks about. once you paywall your best content, you are hiding your best growth weapon. the posts that would go viral and bring in thousands of new readers are now locked behind a gate that 12 people have access to.

you end up running two publications with one brain. free content to attract. paid content to retain. different audiences, different expectations. same you, same 24 hours.

what people actually pay for (with real examples)

here is what is working right now for real creators. none of these are “paywall your articles.”

a $47 product that sells on autopilot.
one creator built a $47 digital product called the Expat Country Decision Kit, linked to it in his content, and it now sells alongside his subscriptions without any additional effort. he created it once. it earns while he sleeps. Substack

monthly workshops that solve one complete problem.
a wellness newsletter runs seasonal workshops, like a “Spring Reset” group session. subscribers leave with a finished result, not more reading to do.

live sessions where people show up together.
a creative Substack hosts a monthly “Writers’ Hour” on Zoom. paid subscribers join, cameras on, and write together for 60 minutes. no content to consume. just accountability.

intimate events for real connection.
a business writer organizes intimate, in-person dinners in cities around the world just for paying members. this is not a newsletter anymore. it is a network.

coaching that replaces months of reading.
a single paid workshop can out-earn months of subscription revenue for a small newsletter. one coaching package at $500 equals 50 subscribers paying $10/month.

templates that do the thinking for people.
instead of writing about content strategy, give subscribers a plug-and-play content calendar with prompts, formats, and posting times already filled in. they open it Monday morning and know exactly what to create.

a mini-course that solves one specific thing.
a running coach could build a $47 mini-course: “Run Your First 10K Pain-Free.” a parenting educator could create “How to Get Your Toddler Sleeping Through the Night.” build it once. sell it forever. Substack

the math that changes everything

one $47 product sold to 100 people = $4,700.

getting the same revenue from $10/month subscriptions = 470 paid subscribers.

the standard paid newsletter price is $10/month, and the average conversion rate is 3%. so to get 470 paid subscribers, you need roughly 15,700 free subscribers first. Substack

or you sell a product to 100 people from a list of 1,000.

which one sounds easier?

but if you still want paid subscriptions

some creators make it work. but they are not selling articles. they are selling transformation.

as Austin Rief, co-founder of Morning Brew, put it: “community will be for the next 10 years what content and newsletters were for the last 10.” Substack

the creators who succeed with paid tiers offer things posts cannot deliver:

live Q&A where subscribers bring their real problems and get answers in real time.

monthly workshops that solve one complete problem start to finish. “build your welcome email sequence in 60 minutes” is worth paying for. “read my thoughts on email marketing” is not.

templates, frameworks, and checklists that do the thinking. a fill-in-the-blank sales page template saves someone 10 hours. a post about sales page principles saves them nothing.

community where subscribers help each other. accountability groups. shared wins. direct feedback. the conversations between your readers can be more valuable than anything you write.

behind-the-scenes access. your real numbers. your process. your mistakes. things you would never put in a free post.

the subscription should change how they work. not just what they know.

figure out your move in 10 minutes

copy this into any AI tool. fill in the brackets. let it build your plan.

copy everything between the lines:

you are a monetization strategist for online creators. analyze my situation and tell me exactly what to sell, how to package it, and what to charge. be specific.

my newsletter is about: [one sentence]

my audience is: [who they are, what they want]

their biggest problem is: [the one thing they struggle with most]

my best content is about: [top 3 to 5 posts by engagement]

my subscriber count is: [number]

my income goal is: [dollar amount per month]

now:

1. what is the single most valuable problem i can solve? the one people would pay to stop thinking about.

2. should i do subscriptions or products? show me the math for both with my audience size.

3. if subscriptions: design my paid tier beyond posts. weekly and monthly deliverables. pricing.

4. if products: turn my best content into one product. title, 5 to 7 section outline, format, and price.

5. write a one-paragraph sales description that sounds human.

6. give me a 7-day launch plan.

end of prompt

what to do this week

run the prompt. ten minutes of clarity beats six months of guessing.

find the post with your highest saves or most “how do i do this?” replies. that post is your product hiding in plain sight.

if you already have a paid tier, ask: would subscribers stay if i deleted every paywalled post and only kept the live sessions, templates, and community? if the answer is no, you are selling the wrong thing.

questions to ask yourself

what would you pay $47 for right now to solve a problem you are tired of thinking about? that feeling is what your readers want from you.

describe what your paid subscribers get in one sentence without the word “content.” if you cannot, the offer needs work.

are you building a business or a treadmill?

if you want sharper ideas like this every week, subscribe below. it is free, it lands every Tuesday, and it is the kind of thing you will actually want to read with your coffee.

Wednesday: the Entreprenews digest. the only news that matters for your career and your money.

Sunday: Practical Tools. one framework you can use in your business immediately.

Sincerely,

Stacy

Entreprenews, every Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday

DISCLAIMER:

this newsletter is for general informational and educational purposes only. it is not financial, investment, tax, legal, medical, or professional advice of any kind. all examples and numbers are illustrative. any action you take based on this content is at your own risk. please do your own research and consult a qualified professional before making any financial, health, or business decisions.