F* It, We'll Do It Live:

Kicking Off the Journey

Hello and welcome to the 1st edition of Alternative Programming! I’m John, and I’m excited to start this journey with you. Having transitioned from military service to entrepreneurship myself, I know firsthand that success doesn’t follow a single path. This newsletter is dedicated to those who are rethinking their approach to success—whether you’re coming from the military, tech, or entrepreneurship, we're here to offer actionable insights, AI-driven tools, and inspiration from real-life stories. Let’s get started!

Do It Live: When Crisis Becomes Opportunity

Have you ever had one of those moments where everything you carefully planned starts falling apart? I mean literally falling apart—like watching your car become engulfed in smoke at 6 AM when you're headed to the most important pitch meeting of your year.

The Smoke Signal

There I was at QT, an hour and a half early for my presentation to secure $50,000 for VendorCall—our platform that connects property managers with trusted vendors for on-demand services. The pitch was rehearsed. The outfit was pressed. The schedule was perfect. Then came the smoke, followed by a loud boom.

The insurance company's automated voice cheerfully informed me it would be 104 minutes before a tow truck could arrive. In Atlanta's rush hour traffic, that meant:

• 104 minutes to wait for the tow

• 45 minutes to get home

• 90 minutes to drive back through traffic

The math was clear: there was no way I'd make the meeting.

The Mental Battle

The thoughts came in waves:

1. Despair: "Why me, Lord?"

2. Self-doubt: "Something like this always happens."

3. Anger: "Why are you begging for money anyway? You've got a good business."

4. Resignation: "Just reschedule. Focus on what you have."

The Military Mindset Kicks In

As I watched the morning crowd at QT—contractors loading supplies, office workers grabbing coffee—I was reminded of another time I had to "do it live." It was our first New Year's in Iraq, morale was low after losing people, and a lieutenant suggested we do a fireworks display. In a war zone. With no fireworks vendors in sight.

Instead of dismissing the idea, we spent two days with our fire direction teams calculating firing solutions by hand. Turns out, white phosphorus artillery shells against the backdrop of desert mountains create quite a spectacular light show. It wasn't conventional, but it lifted spirits and showed me that creative solutions exist if you're willing to think differently.

The T-Method: From Military to Marketplace

That day at QT, I applied the same framework I developed in the military—the T-Method:

1. THINK: I assessed the situation

   • Problem: Disabled car

   • Stakes: $50,000 investment opportunity

   • Resources: Phone, supplies, time before meeting

2. TRAIN: Past experiences kicked in

   • Military adaptability

   • Business pivot experience

   • Pitch preparation

3. TRIAGE: I prioritized what mattered

   • Meeting attendance: Critical

   • Supply deliveries: Important

   • Car situation: Could wait

4. TREAT: I executed the solution

   • Secured supplies from car

   • Called Lyft

   • Mapped efficient route for deliveries

5. TALK: Managed communications

   • Updated clients about slight schedule changes

   • Stayed focused on pitch preparation during rides

   • Maintained professional composure despite chaos

The Gap and the Gain

In that moment of crisis, I remembered what Dan Sullivan talks about in "The Gap and the Gain." Instead of focusing on what was going wrong, I thought about how far I'd come:

• From one of twelve children in poverty to Army veteran

• From military service to successful entrepreneur

• From a $7.25/hour grocery store worker to scaling a business to $6 million in revenue

• From coding novice to launching successful tech platforms

The Execution

Channeling my inner Bill O'Reilly, I screamed, "F* it! We'll do it live!" Then I:

1. Grabbed everything from my trunk

2. Got supplies from QT

3. Called a Lyft

4. Made efficient supply drops between rides

5. Arrived at the Russell Innovation Center 45 minutes early

6. Landed the $50,000 investment

Beyond the Breakdown

This isn't just about dealing with a car crisis. It's about facing those moments that make you want to retreat to your comfort zone:

• Transitioning from military to civilian life

• Leaving a secure job to start a business

• Approaching clients that feel out of your league

• Learning new skills when you feel too old or too late

• Making that presentation when everything goes wrong

Your Turn to "Do It Live"

Remember: What you want is on the other side of that fear. Whether you're:

• A veteran seeking your next mission

• An entrepreneur facing a crucial pitch

• A professional making a career pivot

• Someone learning something completely new

Sometimes, you just have to say "F* it" and do it live. Because in those moments when everything seems to be falling apart, you don't need a perfect plan—you need the courage to adapt and the grit to push through.

What's your "do it live" moment? Share your story in the comments or reply to this newsletter. Let's build a community of people who push through when things get tough.

Because sometimes, the best performances happen when the teleprompter fails.

How AI Can Help You Scale Your Business

Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just for tech giants—it’s an accessible tool for anyone looking to scale their business. Whether you're managing a small startup or a growing service-based business, here’s how AI can give you a competitive edge.

AI Tip: Use AI-powered automation to handle repetitive tasks like customer outreach or appointment scheduling. Tools like Zapier and Mailchimp’s AI features can free up your time for more strategic work.

Try one of these tools and share your results! We’d love to know how AI helps streamline your workflow.

Bootstrapping Success: Tips for Scaling Without Funding

Starting a business without external funding can seem overwhelming, but it’s absolutely doable. As an entrepreneur who’s bootstrapped several ventures, here’s my take on how to scale when you’re working with limited resources.

Key Takeaways:

• Build a strong network—relationships are your biggest asset

• Leverage free and low-cost AI tools for marketing, customer service, and operations

• Be strategic about your time—focus on high-impact activities

Have questions on bootstrapping your business? Reply to this email, and I’ll feature the answers in the next issue or schedule a coaching session.

Top 3 AI Tools to Help You Grow Your Business

Here are three AI tools that can help you streamline your business:

1. Jasper – For automated content creation.

2. HubSpot AI – For smart marketing and CRM automation.

3. Otter.ai – To generate transcriptions and notes from meetings.

Each of these tools is easy to integrate and can have a big impact on efficiency.

Try these out and let us know which one worked best for you!

Community Spotlight: Sarah and Jane Shares Their Journey

In this section, we highlight one of our amazing subscribers—Elizabeth . After years in a traditional career, they transitioned to tech with a focus on AI-powered entrepreneurship. Their story of grit, adaptability, and success serves as inspiration for us all.

Want to share your own journey? Send us your story, and you could be featured in the next issue!

What’s Coming Up: Coaching Sessions, Webinars, and More!

Exciting news! We’ve got several upcoming events designed to help you on your entrepreneurial journey. From webinars to live Q&A sessions, there’s something for everyone.

Upcoming Events:

• November 15th: Webinar on "AI for Business Growth"

• December 5th: Live Q&A Session on Bootstrapping Your Business

• Personalized coaching sessions are now open for booking!

Sign up for these events here or book a call to discuss your business goals.

Keep Moving Forward

As we wrap up this issue, I want to remind you that success comes from taking bold steps forward, even when the path seems unconventional. Whether you’re using AI to grow your business or transitioning to a new career, remember that every action brings you closer to your goal.

Be sure to subscribe, share this newsletter with a friend, and stay connected with us on social media!