Welcome to another issue of the no-BS newsletter dedicated to demystifying the world of passive income, where we share practical, reliable strategies to build and sustain income streams that work for you.

If you want to help someone else make money while they sleep, forward this email to them.

In today's issue:

• The Mini-Me Mistake

• Dan Kennedy's Time Vampires Are Real

• Your Feelings Are Leaking into Your Emails

• Timeless Lessons from Three Decades of Online Business with Terry Dean

• One Bad Decision Can Change the World

FROM MY WORLD

The Mini-Me Mistake

Let me tell you a story about an employee I had named Justin.

Justin was a shining star—sharp, industrious, and eager to learn. He could sell, market, write emails, and even host webinars. He was becoming a mini-me, and I thought I'd struck gold.

So, I made what seemed like a smart move: I gave him a stake in the company and handed him more responsibility. My plan was simple: let Justin run the show while I kicked back and enjoyed the fruits of my labor.

It all went smoothly—until Justin realized he didn't need me.

Next thing I knew, Justin was pitching my clients—about 80 or 90 of them—the same service I provided, but at half the price. Within weeks, nearly half of my clients were gone, along with a good chunk of my income.

By the time I figured out what had happened, Justin had vanished into thin air. Some of those clients eventually returned, telling me how terrible their experience was, but the damage was done.

I learned the hard way that trying to create a "mini-me" in your business can backfire in unexpected ways.

You see, in the early days of my business, I was a massive control freak. I believed no one could do the job as well as I could—because let's be honest, I was probably right 80% of the time.

I wanted everything done my way, down to the smallest detail. I micromanaged every role, handing out checklists like candy and stifling any creativity that didn't fit into my exact vision.

And guess what? It worked... until it didn't.

The problem is, trying to clone yourself in your business rarely ends well. The more you try to find someone who can be a "mini-me," the more you set yourself up for disappointment—or worse, betrayal.

Justin was just one example of how that approach can backfire.

By clinging to control, I was suffocating my own growth. Some jobs need freedom to be creative. Too much control stifles new ideas that help businesses succeed.

It took me years—and a few painful lessons—to realize that not every role needs to be filled by someone who thinks exactly like I do. In fact, it's better if they don't. What I needed was a mix—a balance between reliability and creativity.

These days, I've learned to break things down. Instead of looking for a unicorn who can do it all, I hire specialists.

My podcast, for example. I used to do everything myself—recording, editing, scheduling guests, planning content—you name it. It was exhausting. Now, I have a five-person team handling everything. I show up, record, and leave. The team takes care of the rest.

Don't make the mistake of trying to find someone who can replace you in every way. It's a losing game.

Instead, focus on building a team where each person excels in their own lane. Give your creatives the freedom to do what they do best, and keep your operations tight with people who thrive on structure.

When you strike that balance, your business will grow beyond what you can do alone—without the stress of micromanaging every detail.

MY GIFT FOR YOU

I Want To Ship You a Copy of My Book

As our way of saying thanks for subscribing to the newsletter, we’d like to ship you a free copy of the Amazon best-seller List Building Lifestyle: Confessions of an Email Millionaire. This book shows how to build a scalable passive income online even if you’ve got no previous experience.

Claim your no cost copy by texting the word BOOK to +1 833-259-7282

You can also just click the button below if you’re reading this on your mobile device.

This book costs $20 on Amazon, but if you text the word BOOK to +1 833-259-7282, you’ll receive a special link allowing you to get a free copy of the book plus $3,251.88 in bonuses (just chip in on S&H).

LESSONS FROM LEGENDS

Dan Kennedy's Time Vampires Are Real

You know that sinking feeling when your day gets hijacked—unexpected calls, pointless meetings, and endless distractions that drain your energy? 

Dan Kennedy calls these “time vampires,” and they’re the silent killers of your productivity and wealth.

Kennedy isn’t just a marketing legend; he’s a master at guarding his time like it’s a vault. 

His strategy is brutally straightforward: if it’s not making you money or moving the needle, it’s not worth your time. 

Kennedy famously makes himself almost impossible to reach—no casual phone calls, no unnecessary meetings, and definitely no back-and-forth emails. The reason? He knows every wasted minute is money down the drain.

Here’s the kicker: time vampires aren’t just people—they’re habits, distractions, and low-value tasks that bleed your day dry without giving you anything in return. 

Think about all those “quick favors,” social media scrolls, or interruptions that pull you away from what really matters. 

According to Kennedy, if you want to protect your wealth, you need to defend your time first.

So how do you start slashing away at those time vampires? Adopt Kennedy’s no-nonsense approach:

1. Guard Your Schedule: Treat your time like it’s your most valuable asset. Plan your priorities and say no to everything that doesn’t fit.

2. Limit Access: Don’t make yourself too available. The more accessible you are, the more people will drag you into their time-wasting drama.

3. Outsource and Delegate: If a task isn’t directly contributing to your bottom line, delegate it. Focus only on high-impact activities.

The more disciplined you are with your time, the more freedom and income you’ll gain. Kennedy’s approach might seem ruthless, but it’s a proven strategy for building wealth while living on your terms. 

Remember, if you’re not in control of your time, someone—or something—else is.

MINDSET MAKEOVER

Your Feelings Are Leaking into Your Emails!

Here’s a truth bomb for you: however you feel when you sit down to write, that mood gets baked into your message—whether you realize it or not. Your tone isn’t just something you choose. It’s something that sneaks in based on what’s swirling around in your head at the moment.

Sometimes you fire off an email after a frustrating meeting, only to read it later and think, “Why does this sound so angry?” 

It’s because your emotions leak onto the page like ink on a blotter. Even if you’re writing about something totally unrelated, your emotional state is the invisible hand guiding the tone.

I’ve seen this in my own emails countless times. Maybe I just had an argument with my wife or reviewed someone’s sloppy work, and suddenly my email isn’t just a friendly tip—it’s got a bite to it. 

Not intentionally, but because that’s what I’m feeling in the moment.

The thing is, tone is crucial. Whether you’re trying to position yourself as an expert, build trust, or just engage your audience, if your tone is off, the whole message falls flat. So, how do you take control of it?

Here’s a little trick for you: instead of typing, try talking. Use a transcription tool like Otter.ai, put your phone to your ear, and just talk like you’re explaining the idea to a friend. You’ll notice that your tone becomes more natural, and you can tweak it as you go. 

You might slow down, speed up, or change your energy levels, just like you would in a real conversation. 

And the best part? It keeps your message consistent with the vibe you’re aiming for.

Another important point: timing matters. When I still had a day job, I quickly learned not to write emails after work. By then, my brain was mush—like a smashed avocado.

Creativity? Gone. 

All I wanted was to veg out and play video games. The emails I wrote at that time were flat and lifeless.

But in the morning, when I was fresh? That’s when the magic happened. I had more control over my mindset, and it showed in my writing.

Here’s another gem: be careful who you’re reading or listening to. Your mindset and tone are heavily influenced by the people you model. 

For example, when I was deep into reading Dan Kennedy, my writing started to sound more like him—pragmatic, blunt, and even a little ruthless. 

When I read Gary Halbert, my tone took on his excitement and flair. So, whatever you consume ends up shaping your own voice.

Your mindset isn’t just what you think; it’s how you communicate. Pay attention to your emotions, your influences, and your timing. Because they’ll always show up in your message, whether you like it or not.

FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Timeless Lessons from Three Decades of Online Business with Terry Dean

Way too many business owners accept long hours and stressful work as the only way to make it. It doesn’t have to be that way. You can have a great income and have a full life as well. 

Tune in to find out how Terry Dean went from delivering pizzas to designing an Internet Lifestyle business which gave him both the freedom and the money to enjoy life.

CURATED READS

One Bad Decision Can Change the World

If you’ve ever wondered how entire countries can go broke almost overnight, “Boomerang” by Michael Lewis is the book you need to read. 

Lewis, takes you on a wild ride through the world’s most epic financial disasters. He shows you how greed, stupidity, and denial led to economic collapses that no one saw coming—but should have.

From Iceland’s fantasy of becoming a global financial powerhouse to Greece’s mind-blowing government debt, Boomerang isn’t just about numbers and bank failures. It’s about the people—how they think, what they value, and how those values can lead to spectacular downfalls.

Lewis's sharp wit turns complex economics into addictive stories, making you laugh, cringe, and rethink your own finances.

If you’re into how economic disasters tie into human behavior—or just want to see global blunders in action—grab Boomerang. It’s a cautionary tale wrapped in a page-turner.

RIDDLE ME THIS

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And bring you closer to your goals, 

I'm often sought, but rarely given, 

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