My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Products as Permission Slips
The most successful products often give customers permission to express a version of themselves they want to be but can't normally access
Decision Rule
Ask not 'what does this product do?' but 'what behavior does this product permit that people want but can't normally access?'
How It Works
People have desired identities blocked by social norms or confidence barriers; products that remove these barriers create disproportionate emotional value
Failure Modes
Focusing on product features instead of identity expression
Misunderstanding what permission customers actually want
Overengineering the product when simple permission is enough
Example Decision
“Positioning fake teeth not as novelty items but as permission slips to be playful and silly in socially acceptable ways”
Related Knowledge
Marketing excellence beats product innovation for most businesses
Spend more resources on marketing systems than product development
Perfect Landing Page Framework
A systematic approach to landing page design that maximizes conversions through clear value proposition, social proof, u
Permission Slip Product Framework
Reframing simple products as tools that give customers permission to express a desired version of themselves
Anti-Positioning Strategy
Positioning your business as the opposite of a dominant trend, using that contrast to create value and differentiation
Build a local service business using viral content marketing
400,000+ views on videos, national brand recognition, premium pricing, constant demand pipeline
Build transferable money-making skills while working in any business
Owning a core business skill that transfers across industries and creates ownership opportunities