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Don't Worry, Be Crappy

When we launched Buddy Media's first product in 2008, our software sucked.

It was buggy, basic, and missing most of the features we wanted. A perfectionist would have kept it in development for another six months.

We did not have six months.

I (Mike) went straight into the market with our head of sales, aggressively pitching workable but deeply imperfect software to anyone who would listen.

I (Kass) managed our operations and finance, making sure our engineering team focused only on fixing the exact pain points paying clients complained about.

We adopted Guy Kawasaki's mantra: "Don't worry, be crappy."

We did not wait for perfection. We launched, collected checks, took the direct hits from customer feedback, and iterated in real time. That speed allowed us to capture the market before competitors even got out of planning mode.

Why This Matters

Too many founders are constipated perfectionists.

They spend a year polishing a product in a vacuum, terrified of shipping anything with flaws. They convince themselves they are protecting their brand, but they are really just protecting their ego.

Your reputation is not ruined by an imperfect first release. Your company is ruined when you run out of runway while trying to make a prototype look like finished art.

Let paying customers and their complaints dictate your product roadmap.

Ship the Imperfect Version

Stop tweaking features that nobody has paid for yet.

Put your workable product in front of real buyers this week. Collect the feedback, embrace the rough edges, and fix the plane while it is flying.

A Question to Sit With

What product are you holding back right now because it isn't perfect yet?

Love,

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INSIGHT

🤖 The Real AI Opportunity — Building AI is crowded. Implementing AI for traditional businesses is wide open. Capitalize on the gap.

🔄 The Delegation Shift — The goal isn't to work harder. It's to learn how to delegate to AI so more of your time goes to the work only you can do.

👫 Building the Cult — Radical transparency and shared experiences are the glue of great culture. But nothing bonds a team like rallying around something bigger than yourselves.

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FOUR FAVORITE FINDS

👖 Lululemon’s Cool-Girl Problem — Lululemon is struggling as competitors like Alo and Vuori gain ground. Its incoming CEO now has to figure out how to win back shoppers.

🥒 The $8.5M Pickle — Two Gen Z founders quit their jobs to launch Good Girl Snacks. Their Hot Girl Pickles brand is now valued at $8.5 million.

🏭 The Tariff Backfire — New trade policies meant to protect America’s chip supply chain could put a Tennessee factory and 600 jobs at risk.

🚪 Leaving Big Tech — Legendary AI researcher Jeff Dean left Google after 27 years to launch Discovery Loop. The new AI startup is reportedly in talks to raise $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation.

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AROUND THE FARM

↗️ Starting Up, The Real Way — Harlan Cohen came to our home to talk to us about entrepreneurial mindset, selling yourself, and leaning into discomfort.

🎙 Scaling, Exits, and the AI Era — Mike joined Paul Morris to talk about building companies from golf.com to Buddy Media, and why timing and storytelling matter more than technology alone.

🤑 Money Mindset Deep Dive — We got real with Kareen Zahr about how we think about money, risk, and building wealth as entrepreneurs.

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FINALLY, WANNA GET INVOLVED?

🌾 Harvest Mentorship — Stuck? Get 1:1 mentorship with Kass & Mike and start moving. Reserve Your Spot

🚜 Farm Council — Bring your hardest problem. Leave with a plan from Kass, Mike & 4 sharp peers. Grab a Seat

📖 Bulk Orders for Your Team — Want to get the book into the hands of your whole crew? We've got you. Order Bulk Copies

⏰ Book Us to Speak — We'd love to bring the shoveling mindset to your next event. Invite Us

🤯 Join the Conversation — Share your thoughts on social using #FoundersFarm

⏩ Spread the Word — Know 3 entrepreneurs who should be getting this? [url=mailto:?subject=Thinking%20of%20you&body=I%20was%20thinking%20of%20you%20while%20reading%20Kass%20and%20Mike%20Lazerow%27s%20newsletter.%20It%20is%20an%20awesome%20resource%20for%20entrepreneurs%20and%20execs.%0A%0AYou%20can%20read%20the%20latest%20issue%20here:%20https://kassandmike.com/newsletters]Forward[/url] it to them!

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NEW MERCH

For people too busy building to do their hair. The new hats are here.

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STAY CONNECTED!

info@kassandmike.com

Follow us on LinkedIn:

Kass Lazerow | Mike Lazerow

Kass & Mike
1350 Avenue of the Americas, Floor 2, #1043
New York, NY 10019