GRATEFUL FOR YOU! THANK YOU! We're excited to announce that Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story debuted on the New York Times & USA Today bestseller lists! We couldn't have done it without the support of this community—the purchases, the shares, showing up to events, writing reviews and more! Thank you for sticking with us through the grit and grind! The success of Shoveling Shit: A Love Story is your success as well! INSIGHT 🤝 Power of Co-Founders: Kass and Mike stress the importance of having co-founders with complementary skill sets. By partnering with individuals who bring different strengths and perspectives to the table, you build a dynamic team that can effectively address challenges and seize opportunities. 🌟 Invest in Resilience: Mike highlights the importance of choosing entrepreneurs who demonstrate grit and adaptability. By supporting founders who are deeply committed to their vision and capable of navigating challenges, you align with leaders who are more likely to drive sustainable success. 💪 Embrace the Journey: Kass reminds us that entrepreneurship often lacks balance and a clear blueprint. It's a path defined by grit, sacrifice, and love for what you do. CHEAT CODE: HARNESSING THE POWER OF GRIT

In the relentless world of entrepreneurship, grit is more than just a buzzword—it's a cheat code that can propel entrepreneurs to new heights. We highlight grit as a defining trait that distinguishes successful entrepreneurs from the rest. By cultivating perseverance and passion for long-term goals, entrepreneurs can navigate the inevitable challenges and setbacks of the startup journey. This tenacity allows leaders to push through obstacles, maintain focus, and continue striving toward their vision, even when the path forward seems uncertain. Harnessing the power of grit means embracing persistence as a core value. We share personal stories of individuals whose unwavering determination led to pivotal moments in their ventures. These anecdotes illustrate how their commitment to their goals, despite facing significant hurdles, resulted in breakthroughs and innovative solutions. By fostering a culture that values perseverance, entrepreneurs can inspire their teams to remain dedicated and resilient, empowering them to tackle challenges with confidence and creativity. Building grit requires a steadfast commitment to one's vision and a willingness to endure the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial journey. Entrepreneurs need to focus on their long-term objectives, embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. This mindset not only accelerates progress but also builds a foundation of resilience and determination that can be leveraged in future endeavors. By harnessing the power of grit, entrepreneurs can drive their ventures forward, turning persistence into a strategic advantage. Ultimately, this mindset empowers leaders to navigate the complexities of the entrepreneurial landscape with unwavering resolve, ensuring long-term success and growth. 🆘 Access the 49 other cheat codes every entrepreneur needs to know from Shoveling $H!T: A Love Story. 🚜 Have you made a hard pivot? Jump into the Founders Farm and share some stories. KASS & MIKE'S FOUR FAVORITE FINDS 🌟 Business Insider spotlights NBA All-Star Baron Davis and his venture Business Inside the Game, a platform helping athletes become entrepreneurs and investors through culture-driven innovation. 🍛 CNBC’s “On The Side” tells the story of Brooklyn Curry Project—how Swetha and Venkat Raju turned their daughter’s lemonade stand into a weekend dosa pop-up in Brooklyn, now bringing in over $15K/month. 💡 Business Insider highlights how AI and new tech are modernizing family businesses—streamlining operations while challenging long-held traditions. 🚀 Entrepreneur highlights how generative AI is transforming go-to-market strategies by automating outreach, content, and data-driven decisions. AROUND THE FARM 🚜 The Latest Founders Farm Office Hours Were a Harvest of Insight. Thanks to everyone who joined our most recent Founders Farm session! We dug into the real, raw, and rewarding sides of entrepreneurship—here’s what we discussed: ✅ AI as a Productivity Tool, Not a Replacement – We explored how founders are using AI to speed up processes (like RFPs and outbound messaging), while emphasizing the importance of maintaining human connection, creativity, and oversight to ensure authenticity and value. ✅ Human Touch Still Matters – In an increasingly AI-saturated world, small, thoughtful gestures—like handwritten notes, 3D-printed tokens, or unique in-person experiences—were highlighted as ways to stand out and build deeper, lasting relationships in business and beyond. ✅ Build First, Then Scale – Many founders noted the value of starting small—whether with communities, tools, or ideas—and focusing on depth and authenticity before chasing growth. Prioritizing meaningful relationships and real utility over scale was a recurring theme throughout the conversation. Did you miss the event? Don't worry. We've got you covered. You can see the event in its entirety on Youtube. 👨‍🌾 Join the next Founders Farm session ⏰ Wednesday, July 16th | 12:00–12:45 PM ET 📍 Click here to add it to your calendar Got a topic you’d like to discuss? Email: info@kassandmike.com 🎤 We joined Forbes for a candid interview on their journey building companies like Buddy Media and Golf.com, the emotional and strategic pivots behind the scenes, and lessons from their new book Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story. 🎤 We joined Gary Vaynerchuk on The GaryVee Audio Experience for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, launching their book Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story, and the real cost of chasing purpose. 🎤 On Passion Struck, we opened up about the emotional reality of entrepreneurship—loneliness, identity loss, and the power of choosing love through it all. 🎤 On The Playbook with David Meltzer, we pulled back the curtain on what building a business—and a marriage—really takes. 🎤 On Right About Now with Ryan Alford, we break down the mindset and strategy behind building standout businesses and personal brands. 🎤 On The BossBabe Podcast, we sat down with Natalie Ellis for a raw conversation about building billion-dollar businesses while raising a family and staying married. FINALLY, WANNA GET INVOLVED? 📖 Get bulk copies for your team. 🤯 Share your thoughts on social: #FoundersFarm ⏩ Forward this dispatch to 3 entrepreneurs who should be getting it! Thanks for reading. And, never stop shoveling. An entrepreneur who loves to shovel is unstoppable! Love, Kass & Mike