Hi Reader,
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We are living in an incredibly pivotal time.
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All the information one could have ever dreamed of is at our fingertips.

We are a few clicks away from conversing with someone on the other side of the world.

Never before have we had access to so much. Both in products and in information.
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But at the same time, there is so much ignorance.
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​We are more connected than ever, but also more alone than ever before. With all the technological progress we've made it seems as if other aspects are being left behind.

An aspect that is particularly painful for many people is finding meaningful work.

The meaninglessness of some jobs is becoming more and more apparent to many of us in the workforce. After years of office culture, it seems to be unraveling before us.

What was once the default path is no longer an acceptable option for many people.
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​We are calling for work with meaning. Many want more than to be another corporate drone.

If we look back in history, the current model was not always the case.

We worked the land, some became apprentices to craftsmen. In some ways, this physical labor gave a tangible aspect to the work.

I'm not trying to glorify the past more than we already do, but when you can see what you've built with your bare hands it adds another layer to the satisfaction.

One could get lost in the flow. In the same way as a Zen monk tends to a garden.

It's incredibly challenging to get into a rhythm like that with the work we do today.

So we've not only lost the overall meaning of the work, but we've lost the small moments of flow we can all get absorbed in.

It's no wonder so many entrenched in this 9-5 culture are looking for a way out.

Looking for other sources of income. Looking to start a new career so a side hustle.
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I'd like to think that we are not looking for only monetary gains, but are looking for more meaning in our lives.

I know I would much rather work on meaningful projects for less money than be raking it in doing something I didn't believe in or that didn't align with my values. ​
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But right now we're setting up an incredibly dangerous Catch-22.
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Those so desperately looking to quit their jobs are finding solace in attempting to start an online business.

Only to hear all too quickly how easy it is, how quickly they will be making money soon.

All they need to do is to take the leap.

So have desperate people on one side, with content creators who are all too eager to encourage others on the other.

At the same time, a shift in workplace culture is desperately needed.

And what better place to start than the smaller and more dynamic online businesses...

Instead, what I see that is all too common, is those profiting off the naive.

Selling dreams and selling hope, with the consumer having no idea of what they are getting themselves.

Sure some might be able to make money quickly. Sure some might be able to make tons of money fast. But most don't.
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Most don't even make it past a few months, and most "online business owners" make no money.

Then they go back to a new job, potentially worse than the one they quit. And those selling the get rick quick schemes get to continue to profit.
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I know because I've been in the online business world for nearly half a decade, and I've seen this cycle happen time and time again.
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The true shame is that now is the time we need to start making change. And the best place for this to happen is for online business.
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So who I'm writing this to is those business owners who are not simply looking for a quick fix.
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They are not simply looking for a way to "escape the 9-5" but instead have a service or craft that helps others. And they are looking for a way to bring this into the world.
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The current economic landscape can only change if we start with the individual.
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True marketing is spreading the word for your business with the intent to help others.

Then by serving others, you are helping to contribute to a healthy online ecosystem.

The question to ask is are you contributing to the system or are you taking from it?
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If everyone acted how you did, would the conditions improve?

An ecosystem of only takers is unsustainable.

And there seems to be so much of this in digital marketing.
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But we can change that.
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​One step at a time.

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Best,
Jim