Everything after this moment will be different (and better)

Starting a new chapter requires friends, guts, and a healthy dose of of naivety

When I was 21, I moved to Hong Kong to teach English and start a blog.

Every night, I’d clack away at my keyboard. Much of what I published was gibberish but I hardly knew it at the time.

I wondered why so few people read my work, even though I didn’t have the reps under my belt to warrant confidence.

Still, I was set on blogging my way into a full-time writing job.

But like a rookie ball player who blames a coach for a lack of playing time, I focused on many of the wrong levers early on.

I made business cards, revamped my site design, and studied social media strategy as if those were the things holding me back.

Luckily I had the wherewithal to write everyday — that’s what moved the needle most.

Early work is important practice but it is rarely good. The college version of me would say otherwise, but the stuff I was publishing then wasn’t worth staking a reputation on. It’s a good thing none of my first hundred essays gained traction online.

For a young and ambitious person, naivety is a secret weapon. It shrouds just how much work is required for progress. It makes uphill paths look flat and dreams appear within reach.

Writing half a million words on my blog opened more doors than I could have ever imagined. But since I quit my job to be an independent journalist earlier this year, it’s been harder to justify putting time into a side project.

I maintain enough naivety to be optimistic about starting a business, but I’ve learned to be cautious of work that is done for free.

That’s why I’ve relaunched my site on Substack (this is my inaugural post!).

Writing is no longer a hobby for me — it’s my livelihood.

What to expect

Expect essays and commentary at the intersection of work, business, and personal growth from the perspective of a financial reporter building a media startup.

To be clear, the majority of my work will remain free. That said, if I have ever helped you out, made you think critically, or taught you something new with my work, I hope you consider supporting this publication.

Subscriptions are $9 a month, roughly the price of a nice latte in New York City.

You can save 17% with an $90 annual plan.

If you would like to support me further, you can select the “Founding Member” option at $150 per year, which comes out to $12.50 a month, or less than a Netflix subscription.

Paid subscribers will unlock direct access to me through a community chat, as well as video content.

Existing readers range from Wall Street professionals and media executives to founders, college students, performance coaches, and friends and family.

People who like my work tend to be curious, hard-working, and interested in incisive, well-written, and actionable ideas on work and life.

Already, I’m working extremely hard to make sure the work will be valuable and worth your time.

I’m eager to find out what’s possible when I commit to writing specifically for readers who are committed to me. 

Thank you for your support.