Hey all,

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Here's what's in this week's issue...

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Entrepreneur Corner:

→ Most ecom shoppers come from just 9 states.

→ Your CaC cost will determine your launch strategy.

→ Crucial steps business owners skip & more.

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Investor Corner:

→ Buying at the peak isn't always bad.

→ VC sitting on a mountain of dry powder.

→ Opportunities with CRE's $2.8T maturing soon.

→ ETFs or Dividend Growth Investing?

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Hey, entrepreneur...

The S&P 500 just hit an all-time high, breaking the coveted 5,000 mark.

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A few people are confused.

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Do you think we in for a reverse course soon?

Hit reply!

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🪵 ❤️ 🫵 🤔

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ENTREPRENEUR READS

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🤑 In 2023, over half of U.S. online sales came from just nine states. Geographical market focus just got way more important. DTC still has the 'top sales channel' crown:

• Retailers’ own websites (54%)
• Amazon (22%)
• Retail/B2B (9%)
• Etsy (3%)

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🤑 Creating amazing stuff isn't enough. You also have to be good at shouting about it on the internet. It's all about making noise and getting noticed.

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🤑 Having a single product is a huge risk. With CAC costs high, a compound startup approach suggests prioritizing multiple products and getting out of the single-product mindset is key.

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🤑 Your next trend to watch/jump on...Romantasy. A new category that lit the internet on fire in the last half of 2023...

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🤑 Do you have a detailed business plan? This is one of 5 crucial steps that can't be overlooked but often are by small business owners. All of these can derail success.

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​​​​INVESTOR READS

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🤑 Embrace the highs. Investing at all-time market peaks might feel risky, but history shows short-term gains often follow the peaks. This claims to not adjust your strategy simply because of market highs.

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🤑 Where'd all the cash go? Never mind...found it. VC firms raised $435 billion between 2020 and 2022, but only spent half. Ad that to the existing pile and they're sitting on = $300 billion + in dry powder.

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🤑 A digital dollar? Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) may give us some security, economic efficiency, and an alternative to traditional and crypto, but what about privacy, personal freedoms, and disruptions to existing financial systems?

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🤑 As $2.8 trillion in debt approaches maturity, CRE market braces for a wave of sh!t hitting the fan. Higher interest rates and no office space demand, investors, armed with caution and diligence, may find distressed properties ripe for revitalization.

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🤑 Only investing in ETFs? If you value control over your investment choices and are focused on generating income through dividends while (potentially) growing your capital, dividend growth investing offers another option.

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🤑 PE flexing their new playbook: Pump up returns with dividend recaps and dial down equity stakes for a balanced bet on success. (non paywall)

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👇 MEMBERS ONLY

Think.Collaborate.Build. ​ Come join us: Apply here.​

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A sampling of the great chats and threads from the community…

• Looking for feedback on my first commercial deal: I am looking at my first commercial deal, and thought I would share it here if anyone has any suggestions/feedback on it. I've done a number of residential investments, but this is my first commercial deal.
• Interesting opportunity with embedded tax losses in bond funds right now: TL;DR: Rolling some bond exposure into mutual funds might be tax advantaged
• ​Investment Opportunity in StepStone Private Markets (secondaries) for accredited investors.
• I've got a leadgen/ad website for sale that someone here may be interested in.
• Would need advice/suggestion/any GTM templates in the new market, etc. I have been actively targeting global brands for JV/exclusivity to sell in India.​

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In Snowball...

• Another amazing fireside chat on wealth planning and tax efficient wealth building.
• Another chat coming up in late February - keep an eye out for event notifications.
• Check out this week's deal round up in the Finance channel.
• The Resources section is full of awesome stuff and constantly updated.
• Take members up on offers!
• Once a month Travis will host a guest in a 'Fireside' chat - Members can access recordings of all our Fireside Chats anytime here.​
• You'll also find group deals for software and other membership and subscriptions.

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Interested in sponsoring our newsletter?

You'll find all the details here.​

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Disclaimer: Not financial, investing or tax advice. This newsletter is strictly for information, entertainment and education purposes. Nothing in here is investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. This newsletter is not tax advice. Talk to your professional advisors. Do your own research. There will also be affiliate links in here from time to time because we like free money.