So... I Finally Have A Plan For This Thing

Hey there,

It’s Yoela, closing out 2024 with reflections on this newsletter and the journey we’ve been on together.

When I started writing a few months ago, it was like most of my experiments: dive in, test assumptions, see what sticks. But over the past few weeks, I noticed something, I was falling into a pattern I often caution founders against: moving forward without truly measuring impact.

Passion projects are funny like that. They start with inspiration, but there’s always a moment where you have to ask: Is this just a creative outlet, or are we building something real, something that deserves more focus, more fuel?

Your feedback and engagement have made it clear: this isn’t just a test. This newsletter is becoming something bigger: a laboratory for better thinking, built on shared curiosity.

One of the most meaningful ways I connect with my dad and honestly, the only way we really seem to bond is by revisiting books that spark our thinking. Around this time each year, we pick a favorite to reread, using it as a springboard for deeper, more thoughtful conversations. This year, my dad chose How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking by Jordan Ellenberg. And for those of you who know my dad or have heard some of our family stories, you won’t be surprised, this book might as well be his whole personality. Last year, I let the chaos of life pull me away and skipped our tradition, but his persistence in keeping it alive reminded me how grounding this ritual is and one that allows us to reflect together.

Ellenberg’s book is about much more than math. It’s about learning to ask better questions, avoid blind spots, and let data and logic sharpen our decision-making, all themes you have heard me talk about before. These lessons resonate deeply as I reflect on this newsletter and its evolution.

In Ellenberg’s words, “The beauty of math is how it forces us to confront what we don’t know and make progress anyway.” Revisiting this book has been humbling each time I’ve read it, especially as my own perspective grows. The examples that shaped me in 2016 hit differently today, just as I imagine they will in 2030. This is the value of re-engaging with challenging ideas, they adapt with you.

I want this newsletter to reflect that same spirit: a space where ideas grow alongside us, challenging assumptions and refining our thinking. And as 2024 winds down, I’m bringing the lessons from How Not to Be Wrong into focus for the year ahead:

• Measure impact thoughtfully. I’m taking a closer look at what resonates with this community and how we make it even more valuable.

• Ask better questions. Expect more thought provoking topics and tools that spark deeper discussions.

• Stay open to iteration. Whether it’s the format, themes, or engagement styles, this newsletter will remain a living experiment.

With all that in mind, and staying true to the theme of numbers, here’s what I’ve learned about you:

• 50% of you have an idea and are thinking about building it

• Most of you listen to ~2 thought leaders

• Most of you are get your information from social media (Instagram, Youtube, X, etc)

And here are the assumptions I’m testing next:

• Most of you are building while learning, and you’re hungry for frameworks that work in practice, not just in theory

• You value real connections just as much as actionable insights

• You’re here because you want to build, not just read

• You care about business cases that you can learn from and evaluate against your ideas

So, what does 2025 look like? I believe in building in public, so here’s what’s next:

1. A curated dinner series tackling specific challenges we all face (more on this soon)

2. Brainstorming sessions with fellow builders [Intellectual hackathons?]

3. A newsletter series debunking myths often heard in Silicon Valley

4. An Anti-Status Quo playbook challenging traditional startup advice (only available to you)

This shift isn’t just about doing more, it’s about doing better, together. Thank you for being part of this experiment and for proving that this community is worth building.

Before I finalize our roadmap, I want to make sure we're working on what's most valuable for you:

Wishing you a new year of clear thinking and bold moves. Here's to more building and making all of our dreams turn into a reality in 2025!

With love,
Yoela