A lesson I shared with my son that every founder should hear.

To Reader the magnificent! Hope you're enjoying this second day of Fall. About 14-weeks until 2026.

Not long ago, I was talking with my 13-year-old son about the habits that really shape us. Out of that conversation came a simple phrase that I ended up writing on a wall in my house: create more than you consume.

It’s advice I want him to carry into life, but it’s also something I try to live out myself, and it’s just as true for the founders I work with.

It’s easy to get stuck in consumption mode - another book, another podcast, another scroll through the social media feed. But real progress comes when we redirect that energy toward creating.

This could show up in multiple ways, for example, creating new offers that meet real client needs, building clearer systems that remove friction inside the business, investing in stronger relationships with the people we serve. Creating muscles! That’s when businesses start to compound.

We’ll get into what this looks like for founders in just a moment, but first, here’s a quick run down of what to expect from this month’s newsletter. 👇

Here’s what I’ve got for you this month:

• Create More Than You Consume
• Hot Takes
• Top Articles For You This Month
• Tech To Help You

🧠 “Create More Than You Consume”

When I first said this to my son, it wasn’t in the context of business at all. It actually came from a list of life lessons I wanted him to have before he turned 18.

At first glance, it sounds simple, but for me and for so many founders I meet, it’s a reminder we actually need.

It’s easy to get caught in the cycle of consumption. Another podcast, another book, another scroll through the feed. All of that feels productive, but it delays the one thing that really teaches us anything: execution.

Honestly, you won’t learn more until you get out there and just freakin’ do it. And I'll probably edit this next sentence out before this gets sent, but I really don't like people who consume more than they create. It's tough for me to get along with people like that. Surround yourself with creators. Become one.

When you commit to creating, you put signals into the world that give you real feedback. For a founder, that could be shaping a new offer, cleaning up a system that causes friction, or strengthening a client relationship.

Outside of business, it might be writing, making music, or building something with your kids. The common thread is action. Creation clarifies what matters and builds momentum in a way consumption never can.

AI has made this even more practical in my own work. As an example, I use it every day as a teammate to draft, summarize, or explore ideas. But I’m clear about its role: AI doesn’t replace trust or decision-making, it just helps me create faster and free up energy for the things that matter most.

I guess that’s the heart of this mantra for me. It’s not about working harder, it’s about tilting your energy toward creation instead of consumption - what compounds is what you create. CREATE MORE THAN YOU CONSUME!

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🔥 Hot Takes ⤵️

The Future of Founders and Finance - My Conversation on The Balance Podcast

In this interview, I shared lessons learned building Astero Group and where I see finance heading. If you tune in, here’s what you’ll take away:

• How to break out of “research mode” and learn faster by executing, not just preparing.
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• Why creating more than you consume leads to better offers, clearer systems, and stronger relationships.
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• What the next generation of CFO support will look like and how it can give you an edge today.
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• Practical ways to use AI to save time and sharpen decisions, without losing the human judgment that builds trust.
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• How values like confidence, clarity, and peace of mind can turn financial management from a burden into a growth tool.

🎙️ Listen here → [Podcast Episode Link]​

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🧮 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast - Free

This is the exact tool we use with clients, and we’re giving it to you for free, no email required. Just download it and go.

I made a short video on the page that shows how to use it. It comes in Excel format and you can easily save it as a Google Sheet too.

​Grab it here​

This forecast has helped hundreds of founders move from guessing to knowing. It can do the same for you.
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🧠 Top Articles

These are the three reads I’d put in front of any founder trying to grow smarter, not just bigger. Two are mine. (One’s a must-read no matter what you’re building).

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⚙️ Tech To Help You

Not every tool is worth the learning curve. These are ones we’ve used or seen work in the wild that actually earn their keep:

Even one small act of creation this week will teach you more than hours of research ever could. I’m certain of it. And if something here sparked a thought or better yet, an action, just hit reply - I always enjoy hearing what founders are working on.

Your Friend and Fan,

P.S. – If you’re under $2M/year, you’re probably not ready for CFO-level support just yet. But if you’re past that point and still relying on instinct over strategy, it’s time for a different kind of help. Click here to explore working with us. No pressure, just honest advice. First come, first serve.

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