Hey fam, tons of you have been messaging me on IG as I've been sharing more of my perspective on how entrepreneurs should respond to Ukraine 🇺🇦 vs. Russia.

I can't summarize everything I've shared there, but if you follow me on Instagram, I've saved it to the highlight ‘NEWS II.’

I'm digging into various perspectives on the pre-existing conflict because I'm curious to understand where we're headed.

Here's an interesting lecture from professor John Mearsheimer (2015) that challenges how we look at foreign policy in case you're interested: https://youtu.be/JrMiSQAGOS4

Politics influences tech, social media, and ultimately business. That’s why we gotta talk about. Here’s an interesting example for context.

If you do business on Telegram, I highly recommend following Durov’s personal channel (he’s the founder). Tech founders and CEOs often set the tone for where platforms are trending and that’s something we should all keep an eye on.

If you follow my posts, you know that on my Mom's side, I trace my family line from Kyiv. Her maiden name is Ukrainian (Ivanenko), and to this day we have many relatives living in Ukraine. That's why this tragic conflict is personal both to me and Telegram.

Some people wondered if Telegram is somehow less secure for Ukrainians, because I once lived in Russia. Let me tell these people how my career in Russia ended.

Nine years ago I was the CEO of VK, which was the largest social network in Russia and Ukraine. In 2013, the Russian security agency, FSB, demanded that I provide them the private data of the Ukrainian users of VK who were protesting against a pro-Russian President.

I refused to comply with these demands, because it would have meant a betrayal of our Ukrainian users. After that, I was fired from the company I founded and was forced to leave Russia.

I lost my company and my home, but would do it again – without hesitation. I smile with pride when I read my VK post from April 2014, which shows the scanned orders from the FSB and my trademark response to them – a dog in a hoodie.

When I defied their demands, the stakes were high for me personally. I was still living in Russia, and my team and my old company were also based in that country.

Many years have passed since then. Many things changed: I no longer live in Russia, no longer have any companies or employees there. But one thing remains the same – I stand for our users no matter what. Their right to privacy is sacred. Now – more than ever.

2030 Agenda: “You’ll own nothing and be happy.”

JP Sears who’s brilliant at telling truth through comedy breaks it all down. Highly recommend looking into this yourself.

https://youtu.be/6G3nWyoQ5CQ

Y’all, I’ve had a sense the world wasn’t trending in the right direction for a couple of years but the attack on small business in 2020 really woke me up…

What made it even scarier was seeing how loads of business leaders were so afraid of the virus, they were advocating for their own demise even when the government regulations made zero sense.

I’ve been following the Kwak brothers for a minute and thought they’re 3-Phase Great Reset assessment is very interesting. Thoughts??

https://youtu.be/Gi2-1PTywMM

What Elon buying Twitter means for the future of social media & my predictions...

First off, this is the most badass move I've seen in a looooong time. If you've been following the story, you know how smart Elon was with the whole process.

It was checkmate from day one, y'all.

Anyway... unto what this means for the future of social:

1. Profits First - The tech world is notorious for building to sell instead of for profits. And while this wasn't necessarily Twitter's end goal, the fact that they've never been profitable is ridiculous.

The Silicone Valley craze of investing in tech with zero path to profit is on its way out, and that's going to position emerging alternative social media platforms for growth.

Not to mention, it will make it far easier for non-tech companies to secure funding.

2. You'll see the current social ad model fizzle away.

Between the privacy-first movement and growing distrust in Big Tech, I'm predicting that social platforms will move away from hyper-targeted, data-focused ad revenue models toward subscription-based services.

ie. MeWe lets businesses pay a nominal fee to reach ALL their followers in their feed (brilliant), and Gab gives you big perks like access to the coveted checkmark verification when you pay for their inexpensive ''PRO'' version.

No more getting stonewalled by Facebook or Twitter because you didn't meet the follower criteria, don't align with their values, or whatever other BS excuses they can think of to not verify you.

3. A big push for groups & micro-communities within the larger platform ecosystem.

I have to credit @startupu for this one because he predicted this, and I agree.

The internet is too big. We have access to too many opinions, and our ancestral instincts are to associate with like-minded people who share our values.

The minute established social media giants, and Big Tech started pushing their views on their audiences, swaying public opinion and controlling narratives, they lost the game.

So in the future, we'll see more congregation around specific interests, values, and beliefs, which will make it FAR easier to find, market to, and win over customers.

4. Free speech has become a massive point of contention over the past few years for no other reason than it's so heavily politicized.

However, we live in a capitalist society (thank goodness!), and the free market will continue to demand free speech.

Eventually, platforms won't have a choice but to deliver for their users, and that includes applying rules equally and with integrity.

5. Transparency will grow in value.

With distrust mounting, platforms will need to be transparent in their rule setting, particularly with businesses, patrons, and advertisers.

This whole, 'you're getting a strike' or 'you're banned'' out of nowhere and with no explanation, won't survive the next era of social.

So those are my initial thoughts... what do YOU think?

I'm a perpetual optimist... always looking for the bright side in most situations while still trying hard to assess the reality (however bleak it might be).

If there's one positive from 2020-now, this abrupt, chaotic change we've all experienced globally has created more opportunity in the online space (and the world) than at any other time in recent history.

Stay on your game, fam. Keep getting stronger mentally, emotionally, physically & spiritually so that you can have clarity of mind and discernment right now when you need it the most.

And so you can find opportunities to grow and prosper in every season too.

SO many opportunities for businesses to flourish are here and even more are on their way. 💕

Happy Sabbath, fam! We’ve been partnered with the Messenger X app for a few months and our entire team has been incredibly blessed by the courses, audios and books on this app!

➡️➡️ Download it free from the App Store here: https://link.messengerx.com/45WAf9ArztsCkaZz8

It’s totally free for you guys and the resources are amazing around faith, health, parenting, finances, and relationships.

Fave courses:

✅ Honor’s Reward
✅ Killing Kryptonite
✅ Lioness Arising
✅ Adamant
✅ The Story of Marriage
✅ The Bait of Satan
✅ Multiply (Must-watch for entrepreneurs!)
✅ Healthy Living

John & Lisa Bevere who founded Messenger Intl are amazing spiritual leaders and @startupu and I have been so blessed personally, relationally & even financially by the biblical principles they share in each course, book, and resource.

I’m going through Honor’s Reward today and I’m taking a million notes of all the principles I can’t wait to implement to refine my character and enter into a new level of effectiveness.

I hope you join in on all the fun over on the Messenger X app!

I'm fascinated by Big Tech wars and this incoming Anti-trust lawsuit by the EU will be super interesting. If you didn't know, one of the core reasons we haven't launched our own app yet is because Apple takes 30% of in-app purchases across the board for all developers (including subscription services).

Yet, some brands like Amazon and Netflix are except from the 30% fees. As a capitalist, I'm all for companies who deliver exceptional value to monetize it. Apple has built incredible hardware and they've been brilliantly smart about monetizing their App Store but...

30% is outrageous for simply participating in a marketplace and not correlated to the value they provide in the form of enabling a transaction.

And that's on top of the cost of developing the app, maintaining it, pushing new updates, paying for server space, marketing, taxes, and then delivering the service itself.

That's crippling to new apps developers (imagine sending $33K of every $100k you generate to Apple and that's just ONE of your expenses).

Not to mention, I don't like that Big Tech tends to apply exceptions to their rules when it benefits them.

In addition, Apple forces app developers to adhere by strict censorship guidelines particularly of it's own content.

Apps are forced to comply with these measures or get 'cancelled' off the App store which currently monopolizes the space via the hardware.

This is something Durov (the founder of Telegram) has discussed extensively.

So, buckle up, folks! More drama coming to Big Tech that we should pay attention to as small business owners operating online: https://9to5mac.com/guides/antitrust/

Happy Mother’s Day mommas!

Gosh! You have the most important job in the entire world. ❤️

At a time where motherhood is devalued by society & culture, I want you to remember your Devine appointment to raise the next generation is the most sacred of callings.

The world needs Moms more than ever before!

We honor you and celebrate your strength, love, and superhuman abilities to do so much for the people around you.

Praying a special blessing for you today and always! Big hugs!

✨📣The same thing that your ideal clients LOVE about you is the same thing people who are not the right fit will criticize and hate.

I've been having so much fun working through obstacles with members inside our newest program, 'The Business Lounge Coaching' or, as we lovingly call it, 'TBLC'...

And lots of our peeps are struggling with attracting their ideal clients, specifically with so many changing tides in today's world.

I realized years ago that everything from the seemingly insignificant things about me (my love for tea, how I use my hands when I speak, my teaching style) to the serious stuff (my values, how I tend to speak my mind, my interest in ideas & politics) were the same things that both my ideal clients adored and the wrong peeps were utterly (and sometimes violently) turned off by. 🤣

Learn to embrace the push back.

Stop seeing unproductive criticism as a failure.

It's likely a sign that you're moving closer to your tribe and your purpose.

What personal growth/business book are you reading right now?

I’m thoroughly re-enjoying Nir Eyal’s ‘Hooked’.

Back from my social media hiatus after releasing some big launches in the business and I missed you, fam!

Remember when I said we’d see more subscription services vs the ad revenue model from Big Tech moving forward?

Elon Musk just announced verification services for $8/mo on Twitter last week.

But other emerging platforms like Gab, MeWe, and even Discord have already been implementing profitable models that position the platform as the core service vs data. I actually think a blend of the current revenue model and subscription services would be ideal.

It will be super interesting to see how this will potentially benefit or hurt small businesses. I’m very optimistic!

(Re-shared my thread from April commenting on Twitter’s potential acquisition and what it means for the future or social and marketing).

First off, this is the most badass move I've seen in a looooong time. If you've been following the story, you know how smart Elon was with the whole process.

It was checkmate from day one, y'all.

Anyway... unto what this means for the future of social:

1. Profits First - The tech world is notorious for building to sell instead of for profits. And while this wasn't necessarily Twitter's end goal, the fact that they've never been profitable is ridiculous.

The Silicone Valley craze of investing in tech with zero path to profit is on its way out, and that's going to position emerging alternative social media platforms for growth.

Not to mention, it will make it far easier for non-tech companies to secure funding.

2. You'll see the current social ad model fizzle away.

Between the privacy-first movement and growing distrust in Big Tech, I'm predicting that social platforms will move away from hyper-targeted, data-focused ad revenue models toward subscription-based services.

ie. MeWe lets businesses pay a nominal fee to reach ALL their followers in their feed (brilliant), and Gab gives you big perks like access to the coveted checkmark verification when you pay for their inexpensive ''PRO'' version.

No more getting stonewalled by Facebook or Twitter because you didn't meet the follower criteria, don't align with their values, or whatever other BS excuses they can think of to not verify you.

3. A big push for groups & micro-communities within the larger platform ecosystem.

I have to credit @startupu for this one because he predicted this, and I agree.

The internet is too big. We have access to too many opinions, and our ancestral instincts are to associate with like-minded people who share our values.

The minute established social media giants, and Big Tech started pushing their views on their audiences, swaying public opinion and controlling narratives, they lost the game.

So in the future, we'll see more congregation around specific interests, values, and beliefs, which will make it FAR easier to find, market to, and win over customers.

4. Free speech has become a massive point of contention over the past few years for no other reason than it's so heavily politicized.

However, we live in a capitalist society (thank goodness!), and the free market will continue to demand free speech.

Eventually, platforms won't have a choice but to deliver for their users, and that includes applying rules equally and with integrity.

5. Transparency will grow in value.

With distrust mounting, platforms will need to be transparent in their rule setting, particularly with businesses, patrons, and advertisers.

This whole, 'you're getting a strike' or 'you're banned'' out of nowhere and with no explanation, won't survive the next era of social.

So those are my initial thoughts... what do YOU think?

We’ll hello there! Let’s try something new and do an ‘Ask Me Anything!’.

It could be about life, marketing or business. Go!

Did you hear? Instagram just launched verification just like Twitter for a small monthly fee. Remember when I mentioned last year that we’d see Big Tech start adopting some of the features emerging platforms with far more vision have offered for years?

Think Gab’s verification subscriptions and MeWe’s access to reach your following in the feed organically…

https://www.instagram.com/p/Co2hM3Wvnk-/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

This is a smart move from Meta. I’ll unpack why in detail in the next post. For now… would you sign up?