From Experiment to Connection: What I’m Thankful For

Hey there,

It’s Yoela—torn between rolling out dough for a homemade pumpkin pie or giving in to the ease of pre-ordering one (because let’s be honest, it’s not my forte). As I pause for a moment of reflection, I’m reminded just how far this little experiment has come. Three months ago, I started this newsletter without knowing where it might lead. Now, with nearly 80 of you here, it’s clear: taking bold leaps often brings the most meaningful connections. Thank you for being part of this journey!

It’s funny how things evolve. What started as a small experiment to find my voice has grown into something so much more: a space to empower founders, builders, and dreamers to turn side hustles, passion projects, and startup ideas into real, tangible success. This isn’t about flashy shortcuts or hollow advice. It’s about sharing what works, the lessons learned through trial, error, and grit.

Now, let me take you to Los Cabos for a moment. Picture this: I’m sitting in a meeting room, listening to Scott Galloway as he challenges us to reflect on how we spend our time. He says, “Most of social media is either wealth porn or actual porn.” His words sent electricity through my veins. And I thought - how uncomfortably true and deeply unsettling.

In that moment, something shifted. I opened my phone, set an event in my calendar for 2pm the next day to delete Instagram. Not as a grand gesture, but because the truth hit me hard.

Time is finite, and I’m done spending mine on empty illusions.

This space, this newsletter and this growing community, is where the real stuff lives. And for that, I’m so deeply grateful. Thank you for being here, for showing up, and for building something meaningful alongside me.

With this realization, I have decided to pour my energy into what matters and cut out many of the distractions. For me, that means focusing on:

• Genuine connections that push me to grow

• Work that reflects my values and purpose

• Family who has embraced every version of me

• Friends who lovingly keep me grounded and honest

• Byron (because yes, my dog absolutely deserves his own spot)

Here’s what’s truly remarkable about running this newsletter:

1. It’s Teaching Me About Community

   You’re not just readers, you’re collaborators. Every reply, every story, every piece of feedback you share is shaping what this endeavor is becoming. This is the kind of connection I’ve always dreamed of building.

2. It’s Pushing Me to Grow

   I used to say vulnerability wasn’t my thing. Now, I hit 'send' on my personal thoughts every week. It’s uncomfortable, sure, but it’s the kind of growth you can’t script or control. It just happens, and it’s transformative.

3. It’s Evolving into Creative Therapy

   When you stop trying to sound like everyone else, you start to hear your own voice. Anti Status Quo isn’t just a newsletter anymore; it’s a creative lab where we’re rewriting the rules, together.

Gratitude feels different when you’re building something that stretches you - just enough to scare you, but also enough to keep you moving forward. It’s even more powerful when people show up, not because they have to, but because something in your message resonates with them.

This Thanksgiving, my gratitude list feels upgraded. I’m especially thankful for:

• The courage to start even when I didn’t feel ready

• The clarity to let go of what no longer serves me

• The community that has transformed this experiment into something truly meaningful

• The freedom to build in a way that feels honest and true

To the 80 of you who’ve joined this journey, thank you from the bottom of my heart. For reading, for sharing your thoughts, and for simply showing up. You’ve turned this into more than just a newsletter. You’ve created a channel for real conversation, connection, and growth.

Whether you’re indulging in a feast or chasing a big idea this week, I hope you pause to celebrate the people, moments, and truths that mean the most to you. Here’s to building with love, gratitude, and heart always.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁

With love,

Yoela