INSIGHT
⏰ Every Distraction Costs – Stay focused! Each distraction drains resources and delays success.

🏗️ Culture by Design, Not Perks – True culture stems from clear values and intentional actions, not just flashy perks.

🔃 Gut + Data = Pivot Power – Trust your instincts but back them with data.

CHEAT CODE: EMBRACE THE UNHINGED FOR STARTUP SUCCESS



The ultimate cheat code for startup success is embracing the unhinged and doing things unconventionally. This means diving headfirst into your venture with relentless passion, making bold decisions, and welcoming risk and uncertainty as part of the journey. By defying conventional wisdom, you unlock new pathways and sustain your startup through its critical early stages.

Being unhinged also means having the courage to pivot when market feedback or unexpected challenges arise. Scrapping months of work and starting anew might seem chaotic, but it demonstrates adaptability and a relentless pursuit of product-market fit. This flexibility allows you to navigate the unpredictable business landscape and seize opportunities that others might miss.

Unconventional marketing tactics are a key part of this cheat code. Guerrilla marketing stunts, viral social media campaigns, and leveraging personal networks in unexpected ways can generate buzz without a hefty budget. By thinking outside the box and taking calculated risks, you differentiate your brand and capture the attention of potential customers and investors, propelling your startup toward growth and success. Embracing the unhinged is not just a strategy—it's the cheat code to thriving in the entrepreneurial world.

Want more on why we think student athletes are game changers? Follow along on Instagram.


🆘 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

✨ Warren Buffett's ultimate measure of success? One word: love—"the more you give love away, the more you get."

🚀 Top VCs live by the power law: one breakout startup can outweigh 100 failures—spotting it early is the real skill.

💡 He turned a flailing service business into a profit machine—by betting on trust over tech, keeping customers happy, and adding humans where others cut corners.

♻️ Tariffs drove up costs—now thrifting is booming as shoppers turn to resale for affordable, stylish finds.


AROUND THE FARM

👨‍🌾 Join the next Founders Farm session  

⏰ Tuesday, August 26th | 12:00–12:45 PM ET  

📍 Click here to add it to your calendar

🌪️ We spoke with CNBC about the emotional aftermath of a $745M exit—why even a massive win can feel numb, and what that means for founders chasing the dream.

🧹 We spoke with Forbes about why chaos breeds success—and why doing the "dirtiest" jobs often leads to the biggest breakthroughs.

💡 We sat down with Big Think to unpack how the startup pivot—done right—can be a billion-dollar masterstroke.

🎙️ We joined Unscripted with Amy Somerville to talk love, leadership, and what it really takes to win big while staying human.

📚 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!


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