Stop Being Normal and Start Thriving

Welcome to another caffeine-fueled edition of OPEN Friday Coffee, where we ditch the mundane, embrace the wacky, and, of course, talk about how to make life (and business) just a little more profitable.

If you’ve never joined before, here’s the deal: OPEN Friday Coffee is a no-pressure, no-judgment space where entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and dreamers alike gather for creative ideas, business insights, and, most importantly, connection. And guess what? You don’t even need coffee to join (though I highly recommend it).

Your Weekly Dose of Wisdom & Wackiness

This week, we covered a ton of ground, so let’s break down some of the highlights.

I loved hearing your insights, questions, and that glorious moment when someone accidentally stayed on mute for way too long. (Hey, we’ve all been there. Need a reminder card? I got you → You’re On Mute 😆).

Here’s What We Covered + The Links I Promised:

📩 Want News Without the Stress?
Try 1440 Newsletter—just the facts, no drama, and even some comics → 1440 News

🎨 Need a Comic Book Fix?
Check out Nerd Crawler—a hub for amazing indie comic artists! → Nerd Crawler

📺 Sick of YouTube Ads?
Try NewPipe—watch YouTube without the annoying interruptions → NewPipe

📱 Upgrade Your Tech Without Going Broke
Find refurbished tech that’s reliable and affordable → Back Market

💰 How Do I Get More Clients?
This video breaks it down → Watch Here

📊 Your Master Contact Sheet (a Lifesaver for Biz Owners!)
Download it here → Master Contact Sheet

📖 Want to Be a Beta Reader for My Next Book?
Join the Beta Reader Hub! → Sign Up Here

⏳ Your Critical 4 Hours a Week
Maximize your productivity using this method → Check It Out

1. 1440 – The News You Can Actually Stand to Read

Ever feel like every news source is designed to stress you out? Enter 1440, a newsletter that delivers just the facts, no fluff, no bias—just actual information curated by humans (not AI, not bots, just people who want you to stay informed without losing your mind). Oh, and they even have comics. Because why not?

2. Nerd Crawler – Your Comic Book Fix

If you’re a comic book lover, artist, or just someone who enjoys geeking out over independent art, Nerd Crawler is your new best friend. Find artists, fan art, and some seriously cool creative work all in one spot.

3. YouTube Without the Ads? Yes, Please.

YouTube is now the number one search engine (sorry, Google), but let’s be real—the ads are unbearable. The solution? NewPipe.net—an open-source tool that lets you watch videos without ads. My tech buddies checked it out, ran through the code (because, of course, they did), and confirmed it’s legit. You’re welcome.

4. Buying Tech Without Breaking the Bank

One of our regulars, Rich Buyer, shared a pro tip on upgrading to a new iPhone without selling a kidney. The secret? Back Market—a trusted platform for refurbished tech that saves you money and keeps perfectly good devices out of landfills.

5. The Number One Entrepreneurial Question: How Do I Get More Clients?

I’ve been answering this question for years, and the answer never changes. If you aren’t tracking your leads, following up, and working your Master Contact Sheet, you’re leaving money on the table.

💡 Pro Tip: If you don’t have a Master Contact Sheet, grab my free resource on how to build one—it’s saved many an entrepreneur from client droughts.

6. The 20th Anniversary Edition of My Book!

I’m currently reworking my book Money… It’s Not Just for Rich People! for its 20th anniversary. If you’ve ever wanted to be a beta reader for an updated edition, now’s your chance! Join my Beta Reader Hub and get an inside look at the rework.

7. Business Burnout? Stop Taking Advice from Non-Business Owners!

This one hit home for a lot of folks. If you’re struggling with burnout, stop listening to advice from people who have never run a business. If they’ve never hired, fired, marketed, or closed a deal, their advice is as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

Key takeaway: Surround yourself with successful entrepreneurs who get it—not people who think they get it.

8. Fear of Success? Let’s Talk.

One of our guests shared that they were struggling with a fear of success. Sound familiar? Here’s something I’ve learned:

If you’re experiencing fear, it’s often tied to future uncertainty.
If you’re angry, it’s usually tied to past experiences.

Fear of success is often just hidden anger—maybe at past failures, at lost opportunities, or at people who didn’t believe in you. The trick? Identify where it’s coming from, and shift your mindset.

9. AI Is Wild—Use It Wisely

Oh, AI. It’s like fire—useful, but dangerous if unchecked. I recently found an AI-generated blog post that had pulled an entire chapter from my 2005 book Cash, Cars, and College. While AI is an incredible tool (I use it daily!), always double-check its sources and make sure it’s your voice, not just regurgitated content.

10. Let’s Get Real About Your Business Growth

One of the biggest takeaways from today’s session? Normal methods aren’t working anymore.

Social media? Overrun with bots.
Traditional marketing? Losing effectiveness.
Word-of-mouth? Still golden.
Direct Mail? Still good.
Chamber of Commerce? Networking? Excellent if done correctly.

What’s the solution? Authenticity, relationships, and community.

So, if you’re feeling stuck, do things differently.

Start attending networking events, collaborate with real people, and think outside the algorithm.