# The blog of Dan Schoonmaker
## Entrepreneurship Insights
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
- Published on November 26, 2024
## [A 5-Week Plan to Go from Side Hustler to Solopreneur](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/five-week-plan)
[entrepreneurship](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/entrepreneurship)
Five weeks. That’s all that’s left in 2024.
This plan isn’t about perfection—it’s about action. Commit, simplify, build, launch, and iterate. By the end, you won’t just have an idea; you’ll have progress.
Stop waiting. Start now.
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/five-week-plan)
- Published on October 23, 2024
## [The 8-Second Rule: Designing for Modern Attention Spans](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/8-second-rule)
[content-flywheel](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/content-flywheel) [design](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/design)
Hooking a visitor in 8 seconds can make or break a landing page. In this essay, I share the lessons I’ve learned while building the Content Flywheel landing page, from crafting clear headlines to designing with empathy. Discover how ruthless prioritization and small tweaks can make all the difference.
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/8-second-rule)
- Published on September 20, 2024
## [If You’re Not Scared, You’re Not Growing](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/if-youre-not-scared-youre-not-growing)
[growth](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/growth)
“If you’re not scared, you’re not taking a chance. And if you’re not taking a chance, what the hell are you doing?” – Ted Mosby
An atomic essay on pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone...
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/if-youre-not-scared-youre-not-growing)
- Published on August 20, 2024
## [The Rhythm of Innovation](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-rhythm-of-innovation)
[innovation](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/innovation)
Ideas don’t spread evenly.
Everett Rogers figured this out and called it the _Diffusion of Innovations_. It’s the pattern of how new ideas and technologies move through society.
Here’s how it works...
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-rhythm-of-innovation)
- Published on August 5, 2024
## [The Power of Small Wins](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-power-of-small-wins)
[entrepreneurship](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/entrepreneurship)
Solopreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. The journey can feel daunting, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the distance between where you are and where you want to be.
But progress isn’t measured by giant leaps—it’s found in the little steps forward...
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-power-of-small-wins)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Dan Schoonmaker Sitemap
https://www.danschoonmaker.com/https://www.danschoonmaker.com/abouthttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/nowhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/projectshttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/tagshttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/bloghttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/readinghttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/12-essential-reads-for-solopreneurshttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/12in21https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2013-10-30-timeflies-accoustichttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2013-10-30-timeflies-texas-freestylehttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2015-02-15-go-karts-google-glasshttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2016-05-06-facebook-chatbotshttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2020-04-02-brilliance-blindspothttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2020-04-06-podcast-launchhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2020-04-08-series-ahttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2020-04-27-contact-tracinghttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2020-07-23-friendshttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2020-07-27-austin-fchttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2020-07-27-botthttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2020-11-07-we-re-buying-a-househttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2020-11-25-i-want-to-be-an-inventorhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2020-12-01-rocket-launchhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2020-12-07-transistor-reviewhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2021-11-30-lesson-learnedhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2022-07-19-youbuildthishttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2024-07-02-trendy-sohttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/8-second-rulehttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/bedroom-remodelhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/blockchain-based-loyalty-programshttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/casterkit-launchhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/clipps-react-waveshttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/cockpunch-ai-arthttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/compound-progresshttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/done-is-better-than-perfecthttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/everyday-im-hustlinhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/findpluginshttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/five-week-planhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/focushttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/hacking-on-trusting-cohttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/hacktober-19https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/if-youre-not-scared-youre-not-growinghttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/im-a-product-engineerhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/k1-speedhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/living-security-jobhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/madden-tweethttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/podcast-tech-stackhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/schoonlabshttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/stairstep-approach-in-2024https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/techstackhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-power-of-small-winshttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-rhythm-of-innovationhttps://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/web3-wallets
## Dan Schoonmaker's Journey
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# Hey 👋
My name is Dan, and you have stumbled on my little slice of the internet.
I was born and raised in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of "upstate" New York, just over an hour north of New York City.
After high school, I migrated south to attend university at [Coastal Carolina University](https://coastal.edu/), in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
After school, I moved back to New York for a few years to work for [IBM](https://ibm.com/) before completely giving up on the winter months and moving down to the always sunny Austin, Texas.
Since arriving in Austin in 2012, I have worked for a couple of software companies. I transferred down here with IBM, then I went to work on a [social media management platform](https://www.zdnet.com/article/lithium-reach-social-publishing-platform-launches-to-deliver-extra-engagement) at Lithium Technologies. We later merged with our cross-town competitors at Spredfast, and went on to change our name to [Khoros](https://khoros.com/).
In the summer of 2019, I decided that it was time for my next challenge. I received an awesome opportunity to work with two of my friends from college, and help build their cybersecuity experience training platform at [Living Security](https://livingsecurity.com/).
Since my first time playing "office" at my grandparent's house, I've always had a strong interest in entrepreneurship. That's always driven my interest in software development and my constant obsession with creating new products. I expect this site to feature a lot of content around that topic, and I hope you enjoy!
### Check out what I'm working on [NOW](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/now)
Subscribe to receive updates...
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Dan's Software Journey
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# What I'm working on now...
In July 2019, I joined two friend's from [Coastal Carolina University](https://coastal.edu/) as the second software engineer at their software startup, [Living Security](https://bit.ly/human-risk-management). We've had a lot of success since then, and I'm now a **Lead Frontend Engineer** focused on building our gamified cybersecurity awareness training platform.
In my spare time, I like to stay up on the latest technologies and trends by building a variety of side projects. I find these projects also teach me a ton about other aspects of entrepreneurship, including marketing and sales. Below are some of the projects I've been working on lately...
### Active Side Projects
- [trendy.so](https://bit.ly/trendy-so)
- [ContentFlywheel.com](https://bit.ly/contentflywheel)
- [PuzzleGenerator.ai](https://bit.ly/PuzzleGenerator-ai)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Innovative AI Projects
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# Projects
[NOW](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/now)
[](https://bit.ly/contentflywheel)
## Content Flywheel
Content Flywheel is a side project I'm building to explore generative AI and experiment more with content repurposing. The goal is to have it be able to transform any piece of existing content - a video, blog post, podcast, or social media post - into fresh, unique content types using AI. It's an easy way to maximize content value and engage your audience in new and exciting ways, with AI doing all the heavy lifting.
In Progress
[Learn more →](https://bit.ly/contentflywheel)
[](https://bit.ly/bo-tt)
## Bott
Bott is an innovative AI agent platform I’m developing, where you can create custom agents to handle repetitive tasks effortlessly. Leveraging powerful generative-AI platforms like OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Anthropic, Bott allows your agents to use tools and external data sources to get the job done. Plus, you can share your creations and explore agents crafted by others. It's all about making AI work for you, streamlining tasks, and discovering new possibilities.
In Progress
[Learn more →](https://bit.ly/bo-tt)
[](https://bit.ly/PuzzleGenerator-ai)
## PuzzleGenerator.ai
PuzzleGenerator.ai is a creative endeavor I acquired, which uniquely blends the worlds of e-commerce, generative AI, and jigsaw puzzles. Built on Shopify, this store empowers users to craft their own puzzle designs using generative AI. Once an image is created, it's printed on a high-quality, dropshipped puzzle. To extend the reach of these unique AI-created puzzles, I've also established an Etsy shop where custom AI puzzles, developed through MidJourney, are available. It's a playful, innovative way to explore generative AI while offering a tangible, fun product to consumers.
On Hold
[Learn more →](https://bit.ly/PuzzleGenerator-ai)
[](https://bit.ly/trendy-so)
## Trendy.so
Trendy.so is my latest generative-AI experiment, aiming to simplify how we consume trending stories. Designed to break down the biggest news and trending topics into easy-to-digest snippets using generative AI, Trendy.so delivers once-a-day updates tailored to your interests. It’s all about consuming news the way humans were meant to—calm, clear, and without the constant noise of the 24/7 cycle. Stay informed, stay calm, and discover trending news without the noise.
Abandoned
[Learn more →](https://bit.ly/trendy-so)
[](https://bit.ly/Casts-fm)
## Casts.fm
Casts.fm was a project born out of the Covid lockdown, serving as a podcast discovery network designed to connect listeners with engaging content from around the globe. Although the project is currently on hold due to the high costs associated with data storage, it represents an exploration into the power of audio content and how we can better discover and share it. With future ambitions to transform this into a Web3 podcasting application, my vision is to decentralize podcast hosting beyond the scope of RSS and potentially turn episodes into NFTs, thereby creating a new, innovative model for podcast discovery and distribution.
Abandoned
[Learn more →](https://bit.ly/Casts-fm)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Dan's Tags Overview
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# Tags
[project](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/project) [(12)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/project)
[twitter](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/twitter) [(11)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/twitter)
[youtube](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/youtube) [(8)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/youtube)
[advice](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/advice) [(6)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/advice)
[work](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/work) [(5)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/work)
[living-security](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/living-security) [(4)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/living-security)
[podcasting](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/podcasting) [(4)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/podcasting)
[entrepreneurship](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/entrepreneurship) [(4)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/entrepreneurship)
[indiehackers](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/indiehackers) [(3)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/indiehackers)
[software-dev](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/software-dev) [(3)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/software-dev)
[coding](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/coding) [(3)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/coding)
[solopreneur](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/solopreneur) [(2)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/solopreneur)
[music](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/music) [(2)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/music)
[blockchain](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/blockchain) [(2)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/blockchain)
[nfts](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/nfts) [(2)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/nfts)
[ai](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/ai) [(2)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/ai)
[books](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/books) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/books)
[google-glass](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/google-glass) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/google-glass)
[facebook](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/facebook) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/facebook)
[chatbot](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/chatbot) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/chatbot)
[social-media](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/social-media) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/social-media)
[podcast](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/podcast) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/podcast)
[austin-fc](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/austin-fc) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/austin-fc)
[house](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/house) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/house)
[space-x](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/space-x) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/space-x)
[reviews](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/reviews) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/reviews)
[transistorfm](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/transistorfm) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/transistorfm)
[story](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/story) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/story)
[youbuildthis](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/youbuildthis) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/youbuildthis)
[content-flywheel](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/content-flywheel) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/content-flywheel)
[design](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/design) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/design)
[home](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/home) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/home)
[personal](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/personal) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/personal)
[loyalties](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/loyalties) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/loyalties)
[clipps](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/clipps) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/clipps)
[react-waves](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/react-waves) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/react-waves)
[ai-art](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/ai-art) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/ai-art)
[chatgpt](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/chatgpt) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/chatgpt)
[focus](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/focus) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/focus)
[hacktober](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/hacktober) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/hacktober)
[growth](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/growth) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/growth)
[tech-stack](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/tech-stack) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/tech-stack)
[innovation](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/innovation) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/innovation)
[web3](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/web3) [(1)](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/web3)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Dan Schoonmaker's Blog
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# All Posts
- Published on November 26, 2024
### [A 5-Week Plan to Go from Side Hustler to Solopreneur](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/five-week-plan)
[entrepreneurship](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/entrepreneurship)
Five weeks. That’s all that’s left in 2024.
This plan isn’t about perfection—it’s about action. Commit, simplify, build, launch, and iterate. By the end, you won’t just have an idea; you’ll have progress.
Stop waiting. Start now.
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/five-week-plan)
- Published on October 23, 2024
### [The 8-Second Rule: Designing for Modern Attention Spans](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/8-second-rule)
[content-flywheel](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/content-flywheel) [design](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/design)
Hooking a visitor in 8 seconds can make or break a landing page. In this essay, I share the lessons I’ve learned while building the Content Flywheel landing page, from crafting clear headlines to designing with empathy. Discover how ruthless prioritization and small tweaks can make all the difference.
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/8-second-rule)
- Published on September 20, 2024
### [If You’re Not Scared, You’re Not Growing](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/if-youre-not-scared-youre-not-growing)
[growth](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/growth)
“If you’re not scared, you’re not taking a chance. And if you’re not taking a chance, what the hell are you doing?” – Ted Mosby
An atomic essay on pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone...
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/if-youre-not-scared-youre-not-growing)
- Published on August 20, 2024
### [The Rhythm of Innovation](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-rhythm-of-innovation)
[innovation](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/innovation)
Ideas don’t spread evenly.
Everett Rogers figured this out and called it the _Diffusion of Innovations_. It’s the pattern of how new ideas and technologies move through society.
Here’s how it works...
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-rhythm-of-innovation)
- Published on August 5, 2024
### [The Power of Small Wins](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-power-of-small-wins)
[entrepreneurship](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/entrepreneurship)
Solopreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. The journey can feel daunting, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the distance between where you are and where you want to be.
But progress isn’t measured by giant leaps—it’s found in the little steps forward...
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-power-of-small-wins)
[All Blog Tags](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Dan's Reading List
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# What I'm Reading...
I've already got a few books queued up for 2026. I've got an hour commute to work twice a week, so that should increase my audiobook reading time.
[2026](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading)
[2025](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2025)
[2024](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2024)
[2023](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2023)
[2022](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2022)
[2021](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2021)
[2020](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2020)
[2019](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2019)
[2018](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
[2017](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
[2016](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2016)
[2015](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
[2014](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2014)
[2013](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2013)
[](https://amzn.to/45VsBOL)
## Chip War
By Chris Miller
Next
[Read →](https://amzn.to/45VsBOL)
[](https://amzn.to/3LIZ6c0)
## The Simple Path to Wealth
By JL Collins
Next
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3LIZ6c0)
[](https://amzn.to/49Ffcgh)
## Unscripted: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Entrepreneurship
By MJ DeMarco
Next
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49Ffcgh)
[](https://amzn.to/4a56LuE)
## Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger
By Charles T. Munger
Next
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4a56LuE)
[](https://amzn.to/49N6b3x)
## How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big
By Scott Adams
Next
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49N6b3x)
[](https://amzn.to/4sMK2L8)
## Americana: A 400-Year History of American Capitalism
By Bhu Srinivasan
Next
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4sMK2L8)
[](https://amzn.to/4sQc7Bi)
## Wisdom Takes Work
By Ryan Holiday
Reading
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4sQc7Bi)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Must-Read Books
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
As the new year rolls in, I always find myself getting pumped up for a fresh start and a new set of goals. It's the perfect time for solopreneurs like us to sketch out our learning and growth plans. In the ever-changing, fast-paced world of solopreneurship, keeping up means you need more than tech smarts. You've got to have that entrepreneurial spirit, a good grasp of business, and be ready to bring your innovative ideas to life.
This year, I'm inviting you on a reading journey with me – a new book each month. These aren't just any books, they're ones that have left a big mark on my own path. They're more than typical reads, some are so good I revisit them every year.
With that said, it's been almost 14 years since I've read some of these books, so I'll also be [re-reading](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading) each of these throughout the year. As I do this, I plan on reflecting on my own journey, and sharing my thoughts on how I think each book played a role in my personal development.
Here's my list of books (in no particular order):
## [Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff](https://amzn.to/3R0OfJm)
This book by Jon Acuff is easily one of my all-time favorite reads. I highly recommend the audiobook because Jon's off-script humor adds so much value. As someone who grapples with perfectionism, I find myself revisiting this book yearly. It's packed with insights that resonate deeply, offering practical advice on pushing past perfection to complete your projects.
## [The Lean Startup by Eric Ries](https://amzn.to/3NbHF1u)
It might seem cliché to include 'The Lean Startup' since it's on nearly every recommended list, but it's a must-read for good reason. Eric Ries's ideas felt revolutionary, and now they're almost second nature in the startup world. It's a testament to how well he captured the essence of agile and efficient startup methodologies.
## [The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau](https://amzn.to/3t1ulpq)
This was one of the first "business books" I read and it fundamentally shifted my perspective on entrepreneurship. It debunked my earlier belief that an MBA was necessary for business success. Chris Guillebeau's emphasis on starting lean and resourceful was really eye-opening at the time, although now it's just common knowledge.
## [Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore](https://amzn.to/3T9M3lt)
Geoffrey Moore is, in my opinion, one of the brightest minds in business writing. 'Crossing the Chasm' is a staple in startup circles for a reason. Moore's insights into market dynamics and product adoption are as relevant today as they were at publication.
## [Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson](https://amzn.to/484y3h5)
While I often disagree with the authors' views on Twitter, 'Rework' is undeniably a great book. It really changed my view on work and productivity. It's a great example of how a book can significantly influence your professional philosophy.
## [Deep Work by Cal Newport](https://amzn.to/46HFXfg)
In today's world, we're surrounded by distractions that constantly prevent us from finishing our goals. Cal Newport's rules for deep, concentrated work are similar to the approaches of 'Finish' and 'Atomic Habits', making it a must-read if you truly want to achieve your goals.
## [The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business by Josh Kaufman](https://amzn.to/3uKGwri)
Josh Kaufman's book was a game-changer for me, providing a comprehensive business education without the hefty price tag of an MBA. Its approachable content is a great primer for understanding business fundamentals. I just noticed they released a 10-year anniversary edition, which makes me feel old, and is a good reminder that I should re-read this book. Maybe this time I'll finally understand what EBITA means.
## [Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear](https://amzn.to/3Gp5VJL)
Another obvious choice that is on every list, but it's really hard to leave this one off. 'Atomic Habits' impressed me with its clear and straightforward approach to habit formation. The section on rebounding from habit failures resonated with me, particularly in maintaining momentum in my personal and professional endeavors.
## [Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days by Jake Knapp](https://amzn.to/3tcjV6m)
As a software developer, has become my natural way of approaching everything in my life. This book applies that mindset to broader problem-solving. It’s a refreshing take on tackling big challenges in manageable, time-boxed segments.
## [Start With Why by Simon Sinek](https://amzn.to/3GrwygT)
Another classic that I couldn't leave off the list! Simon Sinek's 'Start With Why' poses an essential question for any entrepreneur or leader. My favorite part of this book is its core question of, "Why are some people and organizations more innovative, more influential, and more profitable than others?"
## [The War of Art by Steven Pressfield](https://amzn.to/3uHKhOj)
Steven Pressfield's work, particularly 'The War of Art', has been a regular on my yearly reading list. His unique approach to tackling resistance and embracing our creative muse is compelling. For anyone struggling with self-doubt or procrastination, this is a must-read. Also, don't miss out on his other works, like 'Turning Pro'.
## [The 10% Entrepreneur: Live Your Startup Dream Without Quitting Your Day Job by Patrick J. McGinnis](https://amzn.to/47GTqoQ)
This book is a fantastic read for those balancing a full-time job with entrepreneurial aspirations. It reinforces the idea that you can nurture your solopreneurial ventures while maintaining the stability of a 9-5 job, a concept I wholeheartedly endorse.
* * *
If you want to read along with me, I've created a [Goodreads list](https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6930214-dan?shelf=solopreneur-2024) with all the books. I'll also be posting my thoughts on each book as I read them, so stay tuned for more!
Twitter Widget Iframe
## 12 in 21 Challenge
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
With the new year upon us, I've decided to use this arbitrary date boundary as an excuse to force myself to experiment with some new technologies. As a result, I've decided to start a little
[#BuildInPublic](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23buildinpublic)
challenge for myself that I'm calling
[12 in 21](https://12in21.com/)
.
I've historically been very bad at advertising the projects I'm working on. Mostly due to fear of failure, fear of judgement, and fear of employers thinking I'm not fully committed. I realize these fears are irrational, but I've always been someone who tries to please everybody, all the time (a
[sure-fire formula for failure](https://www.yourtango.com/sites/default/files/styles/header_slider/public/image_blog/cantmakeeveryonehappyquotes.jpg?itok=LCl2qa5o)
).
Thanks to some of the unplanned circumstances created by the pandemic, in 2020 I made it a point to focus less on being a perfectionist, and more on shipping products more frequently. While it still wasn't enough to keep pace with my domain name addiction, I did manage to release a number of projects that I'm proud of...
- [Schoon.me](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
- [SchoonLabs](https://www.schoonlabs.com/)
- [Casts.fm](https://bit.ly/casts-fm)
(previously
[Clipps](https://www.indiehackers.com/product/clipps/clipps-is-now-casts--MNFgABJxXrLF73Hhqkdhttps://www.indiehackers.com/product/clipps/clipps-is-now-casts--MNFgABJxXrLF73Hhqkd)
)
- [CasterCommunity](https://castercommunity.com/)
- [CasterKit](https://casterkit.com/)
- [TranscribeCast](https://www.transcribecast.com/)
- [CasterData](https://rapidapi.com/schoonlabs-schoonlabs-default/api/casterdata)
(API)
- [SchoonCast](http://schooncast.com/)
My only real regret is that I once again spent most of my time in the building/ideation phase of projects, and not enough time on the content creation side. I feel like this makes the projects feel abandoned, which is obviously a major risk of working on multiple projects at once. So another thing I'd like to focus on is content creation (blog & podcast), and that's where I'm hoping the whole "Build in Public" practice will help out.
This is where [12 in 21](https://12in21.com/) comes into play. There are a lot of ideas that I've been wanting to work on, but due to a lack of experience with the various technologies that I would need to use, I keep falling back to
[tech stacks I'm comfortable with](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1344156778163011585)
. But now that I've seen so many others documenting their entrepreneurial journeys, I've realized that this whole [#BuildInPublic](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23buildinpublic) craze is actually a perfect excuse for experimenting with new things and teaching others what you learn along the way.
Here are some of the ideas I'm currently brainstorming:
- React Native mobile app
- Chrome Browser Extension
- Video Chat application
- Chatbot Builder
- No-code project
- Online Course
- Micro-SaaS service
- Online Marketplace
- Crypto Collectible
- Viral UGC site
- Micro-Blogging app
- Dynamic Audio/Video builder
I'm sure a few of these will be swapped out, but I'm purposefully keeping them vague so there's some flexibility. Honestly, this initial list is mostly based off of my favorite domain names that I own and haven't done anything with yet. Another reason I'm excited about doing this.
## You should join me!
The reason I typically write it out as the [#12in21](https://twitter.com/search?q=%2312in21) hashtag is that I'd love for others to join in. It doesn't necessarily need to be shipping 12 projects like me. Maybe you want to publish 12 podcast episodes? Or read 12 books? Let's aim to complete just one thing a month and I'm sure at the end of the year you'll be grateful you did!
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Timeflies Acoustic Review
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Timeflies (acoustic) - Austin, TX 10/30/13 - YouTube
[Photo image of Dan Schoonmaker](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOrfVXdgcCGEO6vDC8g3_8A?embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com)
Dan Schoonmaker
18 subscribers
[Timeflies (acoustic) - Austin, TX 10/30/13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt_9-wklK0M)
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## Timeflies Texas Freestyle
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Timeflies (Texas freestyle) - Austin, TX 10/30/13 - YouTube
[Photo image of Dan Schoonmaker](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOrfVXdgcCGEO6vDC8g3_8A?embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com)
Dan Schoonmaker
18 subscribers
[Timeflies (Texas freestyle) - Austin, TX 10/30/13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz2M91yHGBQ)
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## Go-Kart Racing Fun
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Go Kart Racing w/ Google Glass - YouTube
[Photo image of Dan Schoonmaker](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOrfVXdgcCGEO6vDC8g3_8A?embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com)
Dan Schoonmaker
18 subscribers
[Go Kart Racing w/ Google Glass](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5SSFDaBlnc)
Dan Schoonmaker
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Twitter Widget Iframe
## Facebook Chatbot Review
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I thought it would be cool to use it as an excuse to try out 1-800-Flower‘s much talked about new Facebook chatbot. As a new feature to Facebook Messenger, my expectations weren’t too high because we all know it takes some time to iron out the kinks. After this first experience, my fears of an imminent robot apocalypse were quickly calmed...
Then of course my credit card did end up getting charged multiple times even though the agent said the order wasn’t placed...
In the end everything worked out just fine. My mom received one flower arrangement (a day early) and all was right in the world. I just wouldn’t go firing your entire customer support team and replacing them with chatbots.
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Brilliance Blindspot
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
[Twitter Embed](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1245819162510929927)
[Visit this post on X](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1245819162510929927?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1245819162510929927%7Ctwgr%5E3be62a67764d0ff70e6ef793c0cef506802e18ce%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1245819162510929927%7Ctwgr%5E3be62a67764d0ff70e6ef793c0cef506802e18ce%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[Dan Schoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1245819162510929927%7Ctwgr%5E3be62a67764d0ff70e6ef793c0cef506802e18ce%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1245819162510929927%7Ctwgr%5E3be62a67764d0ff70e6ef793c0cef506802e18ce%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
·
[Follow](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1245819162510929927%7Ctwgr%5E3be62a67764d0ff70e6ef793c0cef506802e18ce%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&screen_name=DanSchoonmaker)
[View on X](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1245819162510929927?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1245819162510929927%7Ctwgr%5E3be62a67764d0ff70e6ef793c0cef506802e18ce%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
Brilliance Blindspot -- "You’ve been doing something for so long that it comes so naturally to you that you can’t even remember what it feels like to not know how to do it. You just take it for granted." - [@Ramit](https://twitter.com/Ramit?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1245819162510929927%7Ctwgr%5E3be62a67764d0ff70e6ef793c0cef506802e18ce%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[9:03 PM · Apr 2, 2020](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1245819162510929927?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1245819162510929927%7Ctwgr%5E3be62a67764d0ff70e6ef793c0cef506802e18ce%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[X Ads info and privacy](https://help.twitter.com/en/twitter-for-websites-ads-info-and-privacy)
[3](https://twitter.com/intent/like?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1245819162510929927%7Ctwgr%5E3be62a67764d0ff70e6ef793c0cef506802e18ce%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&tweet_id=1245819162510929927) [Reply](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1245819162510929927%7Ctwgr%5E3be62a67764d0ff70e6ef793c0cef506802e18ce%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&in_reply_to=1245819162510929927)
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Twitter Widget Iframe
## Podcast Launch Guide
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
I wish I could explain to you the feeling you get when your podcast shows up on your own podcasting app...
[](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1247349723952025600)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Series A Funding Announcement
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
[Twitter Embed](https://twitter.com/Living_Security/status/1247919863819091968)
[Visit this post on X](https://twitter.com/Living_Security/status/1247919863819091968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[](https://twitter.com/Living_Security?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[Living Security ](https://twitter.com/Living_Security?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[@Living\_Security](https://twitter.com/Living_Security?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
·
[Follow](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&screen_name=Living_Security)
[View on X](https://twitter.com/Living_Security/status/1247919863819091968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
So excited to announce our Series A funding round! We've partnered with some amazing investors and will continue to deliver the solutions you need for your [#SecurityAwareness](https://twitter.com/hashtag/SecurityAwareness?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&src=hashtag_click) program!
[https://hubs.ly/H0pjN870](https://hubs.ly/H0pjN870)[#ExperienceSecurity](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ExperienceSecurity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&src=hashtag_click)[#LivingSecurity](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LivingSecurity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&src=hashtag_click)[#Cybersecurity](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cybersecurity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&src=hashtag_click)[#training](https://twitter.com/hashtag/training?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&src=hashtag_click)[#SeriesA](https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeriesA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&src=hashtag_click)
[news.crunchbase.com\\
\\
Austin-Based Living Security Secures $5M To Make Cybersecurity Training More Fun\\
\\
Living Security saw 1100% growth in ARR (annual recurring revenue) in 2019.](https://t.co/Pjtt6spxYC)
[4:10 PM · Apr 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/Living_Security/status/1247919863819091968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247919863819091968%7Ctwgr%5E92d0b6482cd2e3c2c75dde31c7c5b50a5b28837f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
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Twitter Widget Iframe
## Contact Tracing Insights
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Living Security Intelligence Update - Contact Tracing - YouTube
[Photo image of Dan Schoonmaker](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOrfVXdgcCGEO6vDC8g3_8A?embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com)
Dan Schoonmaker
18 subscribers
[Living Security Intelligence Update - Contact Tracing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKmEvml9N2c)
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Twitter Widget Iframe
## Friendship Over Wealth
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
[Twitter Embed](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1286483497755054091)
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[](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1286483497755054091%7Ctwgr%5E3631d0d3b770807842d6877c8662affdc1ef2b6d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[Dan Schoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1286483497755054091%7Ctwgr%5E3631d0d3b770807842d6877c8662affdc1ef2b6d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1286483497755054091%7Ctwgr%5E3631d0d3b770807842d6877c8662affdc1ef2b6d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
·
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“Friends are better than money. Almost anything money can do, friends can do better. In so many ways a friend with a boat is better than owning a boat.” - [@kevin2kelly](https://twitter.com/kevin2kelly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1286483497755054091%7Ctwgr%5E3631d0d3b770807842d6877c8662affdc1ef2b6d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
h/t [@JamesClear](https://twitter.com/JamesClear?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1286483497755054091%7Ctwgr%5E3631d0d3b770807842d6877c8662affdc1ef2b6d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[2:09 AM · Jul 24, 2020](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1286483497755054091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1286483497755054091%7Ctwgr%5E3631d0d3b770807842d6877c8662affdc1ef2b6d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
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Twitter Widget Iframe
## Austin FC Season Tickets
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
[Twitter Embed](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1287813340815917058)
[Visit this post on X](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1287813340815917058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1287813340815917058%7Ctwgr%5E5ed91b6b05dd73df2fd8695a2321326595d70017%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
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[Dan Schoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1287813340815917058%7Ctwgr%5E5ed91b6b05dd73df2fd8695a2321326595d70017%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1287813340815917058%7Ctwgr%5E5ed91b6b05dd73df2fd8695a2321326595d70017%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
·
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View from my brand new [@AustinFC](https://twitter.com/AustinFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1287813340815917058%7Ctwgr%5E5ed91b6b05dd73df2fd8695a2321326595d70017%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F) season tickets!!
Section 133, Row 13, Seats 19 & 20!!
I am so pumped for next summer 
The media could not be played.
Reload
[6:13 PM · Jul 27, 2020](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1287813340815917058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1287813340815917058%7Ctwgr%5E5ed91b6b05dd73df2fd8695a2321326595d70017%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[X Ads info and privacy](https://help.twitter.com/en/twitter-for-websites-ads-info-and-privacy)
[43](https://twitter.com/intent/like?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1287813340815917058%7Ctwgr%5E5ed91b6b05dd73df2fd8695a2321326595d70017%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&tweet_id=1287813340815917058) [Reply](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1287813340815917058%7Ctwgr%5E5ed91b6b05dd73df2fd8695a2321326595d70017%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&in_reply_to=1287813340815917058)
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Twitter Widget Iframe
## Software Engineering Insights
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Buying a House
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
[Twitter Embed](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1325188045507878912)
[Visit this post on X](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1325188045507878912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1325188045507878912%7Ctwgr%5Ed3b2963fa6f7e33ad2525ea1452655d2e327c9ba%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1325188045507878912%7Ctwgr%5Ed3b2963fa6f7e33ad2525ea1452655d2e327c9ba%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[Dan Schoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1325188045507878912%7Ctwgr%5Ed3b2963fa6f7e33ad2525ea1452655d2e327c9ba%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1325188045507878912%7Ctwgr%5Ed3b2963fa6f7e33ad2525ea1452655d2e327c9ba%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
·
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In other news... WE'RE BUYING A HOUSE!
[9:27 PM · Nov 7, 2020](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1325188045507878912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1325188045507878912%7Ctwgr%5Ed3b2963fa6f7e33ad2525ea1452655d2e327c9ba%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[X Ads info and privacy](https://help.twitter.com/en/twitter-for-websites-ads-info-and-privacy)
[19](https://twitter.com/intent/like?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1325188045507878912%7Ctwgr%5Ed3b2963fa6f7e33ad2525ea1452655d2e327c9ba%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&tweet_id=1325188045507878912) [Reply](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1325188045507878912%7Ctwgr%5Ed3b2963fa6f7e33ad2525ea1452655d2e327c9ba%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&in_reply_to=1325188045507878912)
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Twitter Widget Iframe
## Desire to Invent
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
[Twitter Embed](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1331606435508129798)
[Visit this post on X](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1331606435508129798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1331606435508129798%7Ctwgr%5E159c85e118d9b9c991dce7ad6a8fbdbd6d8580bc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1331606435508129798%7Ctwgr%5E159c85e118d9b9c991dce7ad6a8fbdbd6d8580bc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[Dan Schoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1331606435508129798%7Ctwgr%5E159c85e118d9b9c991dce7ad6a8fbdbd6d8580bc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1331606435508129798%7Ctwgr%5E159c85e118d9b9c991dce7ad6a8fbdbd6d8580bc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
·
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This perfectly sums up my life, and I have had such a hard time explaining that to people...
[Visit this post on X](https://twitter.com/Shpigford/status/1331302144268513281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1331606435508129798%7Ctwgr%5E159c85e118d9b9c991dce7ad6a8fbdbd6d8580bc%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
Josh Pigford
@Shpigford
Something I’ve realized over the past couple of years is that I don’t want to be an entrepreneur, I want to be an inventor.
I don’t want to build companies, I want to build products.
[2:31 PM · Nov 25, 2020](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1331606435508129798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1331606435508129798%7Ctwgr%5E159c85e118d9b9c991dce7ad6a8fbdbd6d8580bc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[X Ads info and privacy](https://help.twitter.com/en/twitter-for-websites-ads-info-and-privacy)
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Twitter Widget Iframe
## Rocket Launch Insights
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Transistor Podcast Review
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
Similar to creating a website, starting a podcast requires that you have a hosting service to serve up your audio files. A lot of people I talk to, who are interested in starting a podcast, don't realize this extra step. I think a lot of the time they just assume that iTunes acts as the "YouTube of podcasts" and has you upload your audio files directly.
The nice thing about this is that, contrary to other media services around the internet (ie. Youtube, Instagram, TikTok), this provides you more ownership over your content. So rather than Youtube running advertisements on your video and making a majority of the ad revenue, you have control over the advertisements and get to keep 100% of the revenue (in most cases).
Before starting " [Schooncast](https://podcast.schoon.me/)" and Crystal's " [Underestimated](https://crystalturnbull.com/podcast)" podcasts, I did a pretty in-depth review of the available hosting services before eventually selecting [Transistor.fm](https://transistor.fm/?via=dan-schoonmaker) as our host. Since there are a lot of options available, I wanted to share some of the key selling points that convinced us to go with Transistor.
### High Quality Product
I talked to a number of people in the [IndieHacker](https://indiehackers.com/) / [#TechTwitter](https://twitter.com/hashtag/TechTwitter?f=live) space, and could immediately tell that Transistor was a high-quality product with all of the important features you'd expect from a podcast host, and rarely any issues or downtime, which I figured was the most important aspect of a service that was going to need to serve your files up to listeners.
### Made By Bootstrapped, IndieHackers!
As an entrepreneurial software engineer, I also loved that the co-founders ( [Jon](https://twitter.com/jonbuda) and [Justin](https://twitter.com/mijustin)) are themselves independent co-founders. When given the option to support an independent company or a big corporation, I would rather support the small guys every time. With that being said, Transistor doesn't feel anything like a product built by a 2-person startup. Everything is very polished, intuitive, and easy to use.
It's also really cool that Jon and Justin host their own bootstrapping SaaS podcast named " [Build Your SaaS](https://saas.transistor.fm/?via=dan-schoonmaker)" that documents their journey of building the company. That level of transparency is really cool to see, and sometimes even provides some insight into upcoming product features being released.
[](https://saas.transistor.fm/?via=dan-schoonmaker)
### Unlimited Shows
Unlike many hosting services, Transistor's cost is based on the number of downloads your account receives rather than the number of shows hosted. Since we knew we were going to have at least 2 shows, this made a lot of sense for our particular usecase. It's also reassuring to know that if we ever want to experiment with a new podcast idea, we can easily just create it without any risk of creating a new account.
### Complete Ownership
I was had this discussion the other day in the [Caster Community](https://community.casts.co/?ref=schoonblog) about why I choose a premium hosting service over something like [Anchor.fm](https://anchor.fm/)'s free hosting service. As the saying goes, “if the product is free, you are the product”. With [Spotify's acquisition of Anchor in February 2019](https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/14/spotify-gimlet-anchor-340-million), I would be very hesitant to trust that my shows will remain platform indepedent, when eventually it could be in Spotify's best interest to make Anchor shows "Spotify Exclusives". In my opinion, that is the opposite of what the podcasting industry was built on, and I really don't want to see the big players like Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and iHeartMedia take-over this decentralized industry.
## Conclusion
When it comes down to it, all podcasts require a hosting service. Sure there are free options, but if you're going to invest in creating a high quality podcast, there's no reason to be cheap with the most important external service you'll need. You likely already spent around a hundred dollars on a quality microphone, and hours planning out your episodes and guests, do yourself a favor and use [Transistor.fm](https://saas.transistor.fm/?via=dan-schoonmaker) for your hosting. You'll thank my later.
[Try Transistor.fm](https://dashboard.transistor.fm/signup/?via=dan-schoonmaker)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Overcoming Content Creation Fear
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
Gather round everyone! It’s story time…
Today I’m going to share an embarrassing story about the time I created a ton of video content and then deleted it all because I was self-conscious and embarrassed that others would judge me.
Let me start by saying that I really admire anyone who records themself and shares it on YouTube. It’s something that I’ve dreamt of doing for years, but every time I start I come up with an excuse and give up. While it’s not much different from sharing on other social networks, something about being on video, and those opinions surfacing years later, get in my head.
Back in 2016 I was getting out of a long-term relationship and found myself with a ton of free time. I thought it would be cool to start a YouTube channel and teach others how to code. At the time, I had about 6 years of professional coding experience, a computer science degree, and thousands of hours of side projects under my belt. I thought it would be _easy_ to share what I knew with others.
I began outlining course after course. Javascript, Node, React, Angular, any framework I had ever worked with.
Now it was time to get to work. But first, I had to make sure my coding environment was perfect. I was a full-stack Java/Javascript developer and had always used [Eclipse](https://www.eclipse.org/ide/) and eventually [IntelliJ](https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/) to write my code. But now I was creating courses on Javascript and every other course/tutorial on YouTube was using Microsoft’s newly release [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/). What would people say if I was using this big, bulky IntelliJ to do my Javascript course? I should download VS Code and use that instead.
I recorded hours and hours of myself fumbling around on my computer, trying to figure out how to use this brand new code-editor. There were long gaps of silence as I tried to figure out where everything was and mentally re-mapped all these keyboard shortcuts I had memorized. It felt like I had never written a line of code in my life.
**This is when I quickly learned what impostor syndrome felt like.**
Who was I to teach others how to code? What are my qualifications? I can’t even figure out how to use VS Code, these other software developers must just be smarter than me.
When it was all said and done, I had recorded hours of the most incoherent course you’ve ever heard. I held onto it for a few months and debated whether or not I should upload it to YouTube. Eventually, I decided to delete the files and pretend like they never existed.
* * *
Fast-forward to today and I can’t believe I was so concerned about what other people would think. It’s not even like I posted the videos and received a bunch of negative comments. I didn’t even give these videos the chance to fail.
On a good note, I learned a valuable lesson around [sticking with what I’m comfortable with](https://www.notion.so/How-I-Prototype-SaaS-Apps-Quickly-dce047679ba94f8e9030889318d3e689) and not chasing trends.
Maybe one day I’ll even get around to starting that YouTube channel 👀 🎬
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Build Your Projects
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
After 36 years on this planet, I'm finally willing to admit that I'm a builder, not an entrepreneur.
Worse than that, I wasn't even acting like an entrepreneur; I was a being a wantrepreneur...
I've been building things on the internet since I was 16 years old. On March 3rd, 2003 (03/03/03), my friend and I launched our video game review website, [Game-Palace.net](https://web.archive.org/web/20040623061853/http://game-palace.net). As you can see from that stellar domain name, I've always been more of an Engineer than a Marketer.
Almost 20 years later, that project is still my most successful (personal) business venture to date, even though I've shipped countless websites since then.
It's very clear that I keep allowing my imagination and desire to be an entrepreneur to sidetrack me into constantly pursuing random new ideas instead of focusing on finding product market fit for the ones I'm truly interested in.
It's time for me to grab the reins and figure out how to correct course.
* * *
There's no doubt in my mind that I'll never be able to commit to just one single project fully; there are just too many exciting ideas and technologies out there. But after taking [Daniel Vassallo](https://twitter.com/dvassallo)'s " [Portfolio of Small Bets](https://smallbets.co/)" course this Spring, I finally feel like I don't have to.
Instead, I'm going to pull a [Marie Kondo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Kondo), organize my ideas, and proceed with a minimalist approach.
A few weeks ago I did an audit of all the domain names that I own and there were over 260, across 4 registrars. This past year, I have been doing a better job of letting the less interesting ones expire, but I probably register 3 or 4 more for each one I let go.
This seems like a great place to start.
* * *
If my dream is to truly create financial freedom, I need to get serious and start focusing.
# Today I'm launching [YouBuildThis.com](https://youbuildthis.com/) 🏗
I'm slowly going through all my domains and documenting my initial idea when I bought it.
### If any of these ideas interest you, or if you've got a better idea, I would love for you to buy the domain and build something of your own!
In some instances, I've even added options to [reach out to me](mailto:dan@schoonlabs.com) if you'd like to hire me to build an initial version for you or if the idea still really interests me, maybe we could even [collaborate](https://forms.gle/y78pgaDJdTXjiQap7) on the project together.
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## Dan's Solopreneur Blog
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
n&w - week #2 update - YouTube
[Photo image of Dan Schoonmaker](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOrfVXdgcCGEO6vDC8g3_8A?embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com)
Dan Schoonmaker
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[n&w - week #2 update](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_pD7DWes-k)
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## Engage in 8 Seconds
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
I’m staring at my screen, trying to figure out how to hook someone in 8 seconds.
That’s the average attention span of a visitor landing on a website. Eight seconds to convince someone to stay. Eight seconds to communicate enough value that they don’t click away.
And here I am, building the landing page for Content Flywheel—a half-built, unproven product—and wondering how to make those seconds count.
The challenge feels huge.
There’s no social proof yet. No glowing testimonials. Just an idea, a prototype, and the hope that someone will see the same potential I do.
So, what do I focus on?
Clarity.
People don’t have time for clever. They don’t want to guess what you’re offering or how it will help them. They want answers... fast.
What problem does this solve? How does it make my life better? Why should I care?
The headline has to punch. The subhead has to resonate. And the call-to-action has to be so obvious a five-year-old could find it.
Next, visuals.
A clean, uncluttered design. One image that reinforces the promise. A layout that flows naturally from problem to solution to action.
And finally, empathy.
What does my visitor feel right now? What pain are they experiencing that I can solve? If I can speak directly to that pain, I’ll earn a few more seconds.
Building a landing page is an exercise in ruthless prioritization. You can’t say everything, so you have to say what matters most.
Will Content Flywheel’s page hook people on the first try? Probably not.
But every test, every tweak, every failed attempt gets me closer.
Eight seconds isn’t much. But it’s enough to start a conversation. And sometimes, that’s all you need.
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## Bedroom Remodeling Ideas
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
We spent the weekend painting and remodeling our bedroom. Check out the before and after...
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## Blockchain Loyalty Programs
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
Loyalty programs, in their current form, are flawed. Points become trapped, expiring before customers feel like they've gotten anything worthwhile in return. I think blockchain technology could improve this whole system, unlocking rewards that are genuinely exciting and empowering for consumers.
Imagine loyalty points becoming tokens, each one a tangible proof of customer support. If secured by a blockchain, these tokens could move freely instead of being locked by one company. This opens up amazing possibilities for exchanges across brands, products, and maybe even entire industries. We're no longer bound by a rigid system; loyalty could gain value across sectors.
Let's break it down. The idea is that NFTs could represent parts of your identity. Blockchain could make loyalty programs transferable, even financially valuable. Imagine being able to bundle and sell your loyalty. Sounds wild, doesn't it? But I think there's something to it. Blockchain and NFTs could create a dynamic, interconnected rewards ecosystem.
Imagine this: you earn points from your morning coffee that turn into a curated playlist from your favorite music streaming service or credits for a ride-share app. Now, think even bigger: businesses owned by huge enterprises could all join a single blockchain loyalty network. You get rewarded for shopping at the department store with free movie tickets and then use those to upgrade your next hotel stay.
This would benefit businesses too. Blockchain provides unmatched security, making fraud harder and protecting their precious profits. Plus, they would gain unprecedented data about how customers spend, leading to rewards with genuine appeal. It's a win-win, forging a stronger, more reciprocal relationship between consumers and brands.
Think about those massive companies that secretly own dozens of your favorite stores, restaurants, or hotel chains. It's mind-blowing, like reading that Business Insider article about how ["10 companies you've never heard of control more than 50 of the biggest restaurant chains in the world"](https://www.businessinsider.com/who-owns-taco-bell-arbys-burger-king-2019-3) (as well as a [similar article](https://www.businessinsider.com/companies-control-everything-we-buy-2017-8) from 2017). Now imagine their loyalty programs merged onto a blockchain. Every burger, every shirt, every night in a hotel suddenly means tokens you can use anywhere within their huge network. Blockchain turns those points into something way more versatile – it creates a marketplace of rewards you actually control.
[Article: "10 companies you've never heard of control more than 50 of the biggest restaurant chains in the world"](https://www.businessinsider.com/who-owns-taco-bell-arbys-burger-king-2019-3)
[Article: "A handful of companies control almost everything we buy"](https://www.businessinsider.com/companies-control-everything-we-buy-2017-8)- [Image: Oxfam International](http://www.behindthebrands.org/)
Obviously, details need sorting out. Regulations, consumer understanding – those take time. Yet, it feels like a change already taking shape. As a software developer, I see a clear trend toward loyalty built on tokens. Blockchain's unique properties provide the backbone for this shift, changing the entire way we view the consumer-brand dynamic.
The world of customer loyalty is ripe for a revamp. While change happens slowly, pioneers are exploring real-world implementations of blockchain solutions for loyalty programs right now. Soon, the old way of thinking – limited programs, expiring points – could feel as old-fashioned as paper coupons. Imagine the possibilities, because as I see it, blockchain is set to rewrite the entire rulebook on how we value loyalty.
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## CasterKit Blog Launch
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
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## React Audio Components
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
With the world's growing interest in virtual assistants, I've been wanting to experiment with more audio-based technologies. This is how my original idea for my clip.ps project got started. I wanted to build something where users could upload audio clips, splice them together, and tell their story.
One thing that I love about modern Javascript libraries is their increased focus on smaller, contained components. This shift has changed the way I approach building larger webapps, as now I start by building smaller (often sharable) pieces, that I can later plug in to my larger vision. At the same time, I can often find open-source components that other developers have created and shared, that can jump-start my progress.
The first component in an audio-based platform should probably be your audio player since that experience is what the rest of the app will focus around.
I started out by researching existing shared components, libraries, and similar webapps. I knew in my head that I wanted my player to display more than just a simple timeline of where the listener was in the audio file. I instead wanted to show (what I later learned was called) a waveform version of the file. I thought this provided a cooler experience for the user as they got to see the actual audio waves the sound was producing. Unfortunately shortly after starting my research, I found an existing webapp that did almost the [exact same idea](https://clyp.it/) that I had come up with. Better yet, their name is super similar, and the guys who made it are based right here in Austin! (there are truly no more original ideas left)
Whatever, time to focus, can’t let myself get distracted by the fact that there’s already a similar product out there. Instead I decided to use their existing player’s (beautiful) UI design as a starting point. If I was going to build something from scratch, I might as well recreate something that had a great user experience. Then from there I could expand on it.
Back to existing libraries. It quickly became clear that [wavesurfer.js](https://wavesurfer-js.org/) was one of the best waveform audio visualization libararies out there. Even better, there was already a [react-wavesurfer](https://github.com/mspae/react-wavesurfer) wrapper component that I could use. This would allow me to focus on the audio player user experience, and not have to worry about the lower level HTML DOM interactions. There was one slight problem though, wavesurfer.js had recently upgraded to v2, and it looked like the react-wavesurfer developers had archived their repo instead of attempting to upgrade it to utilize the new wavesurfer version. Seemed lke another opportunity to me!
Ah where to begin. Once again it was starting to feel like a small passion project was quickly growing out of control to the point where I would likely abandon it and move on to something else.
To keep an already long story, shorter, I’ll fast forward a little. Upgrading the existing react-wavesurfer project to wavesurfer v2 wasn’t bad at all. It almost felt like the wavesurfer team had taken some of the features these 3rd-party libraries had implemented and instead just implemented them natively. A prime example was some of the code required to make the component responsive ( [example code](https://github.com/mspae/react-wavesurfer/blob/master/src/react-wavesurfer.js#L73)). This allowed me to actually rip out a bunch of code that was no longer required and instead just rely on wavesurfer to handle it directly. After a Sunday afternoon of work, I had myself a working version that was just lacking a few features.
(Check out the example -> [HERE](https://dschoon.github.io/react-waves/))
While I was working on my new react-waves library, I also got started on my audio player that I was now calling [ClippPlayer](https://github.com/dschoon/clipp-player). Within this component I had created a very basic [waveform component](https://github.com/dschoon/clipp-player/blob/master/src/Components/Waveform/Waveform.js) that would eventually be replaced by my completed react-waves library.
(Check out the example -> [HERE](https://dschoon.github.io/clipp-player))
As you can see, I took a lot of design inspiration from the [clyp.it](https://clyp.it/) audio player. Now that I’ve created react-waves though, I have a better understanding of a waveform’s properties and can style it however I want once I get an idea of how I want the rest of the webapp to look.
### What’s Next?
Like I alluded to early, I’m pretty good at allowing my passion projects get out of hand to the point where I get overwhelmed and no longer motivated to work on them. Luckily I’m getting better at realizing this, and was able to re-align myself while building these simple components. One way I did this was to constantly come up with clear next-steps of what I was going to work on. So here’s some of the remaining next steps…
- Import my react-waves library in to the ClippPlayer component
- Enhance react-waves to support some of the wavesurfer.js plugins
- Add functionality to ClippPlayer (volume, callbacks, etc)
### Check them out!
I’d love to hear what you think! Here are the NPM packages for these two components, which also link to the associated github repo.
- [https://www.npmjs.com/package/@dschoon/react-waves](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@dschoon/react-waves)
- [https://www.npmjs.com/package/clipp-player](https://www.npmjs.com/package/clipp-player)
Stay tuned for more updates regarding my [clip.ps](https://clip.ps/) project!
[Clipps](https://clip.ps/) has launched!! Check it out and [let me know what you think](http://twitter.com/share?text=%40DanSchoonmaker%20I%20just%20checked%20out%20%40ClippsApp%20and%20...%20%0A%0A&url=https://schoon.me/blog/clipps-react-waves)!
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## A.I. Art Competition
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
## Overview
I recently bought an NFT from Tim Ferriss' new project, [The Legend of CØCKPUNCH](https://cockpunch.com/). On Kevin Rose's [Proof](https://open.spotify.com/episode/197dxLo04WW5ERbNeg5lws?si=500fc91c6bb046bf) podcast, he describes the project as "emergent long fiction" (ELF), with a complex backstory of characters, maps, artwork, and it's very own [CØCKPUNCH](https://open.spotify.com/show/0O9MhcUVpWSjPpMFwia1WH?si=71da75d50d604916) podcast.
Following the NFT mint, Tim decided to run an A.I. art competition to see who could come up with the best AI-generated artwork related to the project. I've been doing a ton of experimenting recently with various A.I. image generation models such as [Dall-E](https://labs.openai.com/) and [Stable Diffusion](https://huggingface.co/spaces/stabilityai/stable-diffusion) and figured I'd give it a shot.
Since I had an entire weekend to submit my artwork, I figured I would use this as an opportunity to try out the mind-blowing new [Midjourney](https://midjourney.com/) A.I. model. Every piece of artwork I've seen come out of this A.I. has looked incredible, so I've been wanting to try it out.
Here's what I came up with!
Contest Details →
[tim.blog](https://tim.blog/2022/12/16/ai-art-competition/)
* * *
## My Art Creation Process
I used my own NFT, [CØCKPUNCH #2017](https://opensea.io/assets/ethereum/0xc178994cb9b66307cd62db8b411759dd36d9c2ee/2017), as the starting point for my artwork.
First, I went the cinematic route and leaned on Midjourney's badass model to do most of the work.
Ironically, I went to Coastal Carolina University, and this came out looking a lot like our mascot, the [Chanticleer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_Carolina_Chanticleers) from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales...
Prompt:
`Rooster warrior with brown feathers, blue mohawk, cinematic view, 4k, high definition, medievilpunk --ar 3:2 --v 4 - Upscaled by @schoon (fast)`
* * *
I quickly learned that Midjourney has no clue what a "boomerang" is.
No matter what I tried, it typically transformed it into a sword (likely because I kept referring to it as a "rooster samurai warrior" 😂)
Prompt:
`Medievalpunk brown rooster warrior holding an Australian boomerang weapon, blue mohawk, big eyes, wide angle, full body, drone footage, 4k, photo realistic, high detail, high definition, unreal engine 5, 4k, cinematic lighting, 3d shading --v 4`
* * *
I eventually decided to instead explicitly tell it "--no sword"...
Prompt:
`Brown rooster warrior with a blue mohawk, brown leather boxing gloves, blue lightning aura, full shot, full body, infinite-landscape drone view, gritty, dark, cinematic lighting, forest, punk, unreal engine 5, 4k, 3d shading --no sword --v 4 - Upscaled by @schoon (fast)`
* * *
After seeing other submissions on Twitter, I figured I'd try to think outside the box to differentiate myself a little.
I tried a ton of different things and liked this "alternative cyberpunk" look the
most.
Not quite a rooster but has a live-action adaptation feel...
Prompt:
`https://s.mj.run/1u7vOdXn89k cyberpunk warrior, blue mohawk, holding a boomerang, silver metal beak as a mouth,
dressed as a samurai, highly detailed photograph, cinematic, 8k --v 4 --ar 2:3 - Upscaled by @schoon (fast)`
* * *
Then I figured I'd move away from the serious "cinematic" look and try some different styles.
I loved how this little aloy sticker came out...
(I added the shadow and background in Photoshop after)
Prompt:
`brown rooster warrior as a flat cartoon aloy sticker, bright blue head feathers, big eyes, 4k, high definition,
extra detail, childbook illustration --ar 3:2 --v 4 - Upscaled by @schoon (fast)`
Followed by some very simple Photoshop work to add a more
vibrant background color and a dropshadow to make it stand-out
* * *
Finally, I figured I'd think way outside the box and abandon the character altogether.
These next few are miniature models of what Varlata might look like.
A colosseum for punching cocks...
Prompt:
`miniature gladiator colosseum in a dark wooded forest, wide angle, cinematic view, 4k, high definition, infinite drone camera, intricate design, medievilpunk --ar 3:2 --v 4 - Upscaled by @schoon (fast)`
* * *
A cock village nestled in the woods...
Prompt:
`miniature roman city set in a dark wooded forest, rooster warrior village, wide angle, cinematic view, 4k, high definition, intricate design, medievilpunk --ar 3:2 --v 4 - Upscaled by @schoon (fast)`
* * *
A cock village along the coast...
Prompt:
`miniature italian city set along a coast, rooster warrior village, wide angle, cinematic view, 4k, high definition, intricate design, medievilpunk --ar 3:2 --v 4 - Upscaled by @schoon (fast)`
* * *
Cock figurines punching each other...
Prompt:
`miniature rooster fighting colosseum set in a dark wooded forest, rooster warrior boxing ring, wide angle, cinematic view, 4k, high definition, intricate design, medievilpunk --ar 3:2 --v 4 - Upscaled by @schoon (fast)`
* * *
Last but not least, I tried to imagine what two giant cocks would look like going head-to-head in a giant colosseum...
Prompt:
`Two giant rooster warriors boxing each other in a colosseum with a large crowd watching, wide angle, cinematic view, 4k, high definition, intricate design, gladiator movies style --ar 3:2 --v 4 - Upscaled by @schoon (fast)`
* * *
### Recording of initial experiments...
Your browser does not support HTML video.
I had recorded my entire night (almost 6 hours) but unfortunately that file timed out and failed to save.
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## Compound Progress Insights
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
It's hard enough to build a successful project, don't continue to sabotage your progress by constantly starting from scratch.
As a technologist at heart, I regularly start side projects just for the sake of playing around with a new technology. Sometimes it's not even intentional. I'll discover a new industry or tool and be intrigued to understand its inner workings. This is how I managed to develop my "Reverse Engineering as a Skill" approach to life and Indie Hacking.
The problem with this approach is that you’re always starting from zero. It also typically results in a large number of half-completed projects because once I gain a basic understanding if the technology, there’s nothing left to motivate me.
I think this is fine to do occasionally, but after years (going on decades! 🤯) of it, you’re left with regrets of all the things you never accomplished.
So what’s the alternative?
Albert Einstein famously said, “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it; he who doesn't, pays it”. Any successful creator you talk to will agree and tell you that compound personal growth is equally impactful.
In the book [**Atomic Habits**](https://amzn.to/41idjSE) by James Clear, he points out that if you improve by 1% every day for a year, you will end up 37 times better than you were when you started. Here’s a graph he shared on Twitter to demonstrate how this looks…
Credit: James Clear (Twitter)
If we take this insight and apply it to our product building, it’s clear that you’ll have trouble making any sort of substantial forward progress by constantly starting over.
Instead, we need to develop habits that compound our growth. One great example of this in software development is bootstrap frameworks like [Serverless SaaS](https://serverless.page/) or [DivJoy](https://divjoy.com/). These allow you to spin up a fully functional SaaS project in a weekend if you plan it carefully.
This is the approach I took a few months ago when I built [AudioHost.io](https://www.contentflywheel.com/) one Sunday afternoon. Here’s the Twitter thread I posted along the way…
* * *
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Time to get back to basics & back to shipping 
The last ~2 months I've been drastically overthinking everything I do, which has crippled my ability to actually finish anything.
So I've planned a simple little project that I'm going to try and ship today...
[5:01 PM · Jun 12, 2022](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker/status/1536030875535740935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1536030875535740935%7Ctwgr%5E257f7cb640149f2b966f1c347412c8c89e27bff8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
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* * *
With this approach, building a portfolio of small bets to increase your opportunity of success is much higher.
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## Progress Over Perfection
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
Every project begins with an ambitious vision.
But as we move from idea to execution, a challenge emerges: perfectionism.
When I started building [Trendy.so](https://www.trendy.so/), I had big dreams. I wanted to change the way people consumed their daily news, bringing calm to a noisy world. That broad vision paralyzed me.
I kept asking myself, "Is it ready"? But the real question I should have asked was, "Is it good enough to start"?
In pursuit of perfection, I risked never launching at all.
So I did the hard thing – I shipped it. Not because it was flawless, but because it was time.
'Done' opens doors to real feedback, iteration, and growth. Perfect is a myth that keeps the world waiting.
[Trendy.so](https://www.trendy.so/) isn't perfect, but it's alive, improving daily. That's how real progress happens.
Start before you're ready. Ship before you're comfortable. Improve as you go.
The war of art is won by those who ship.
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## Dan’s Hustle Journey
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Found some free time this Saturday to finally sit down and really focus on adding some new features to [Casts.co](https://casts.co/). Thought it would be fun to [#BuildInPublic](https://twitter.com/hashtag/BuildInPublic) and record myself while coding. It turns out, I look very angry while coding haha.
Everyday I'm Hustlin' - YouTube
[Photo image of Dan Schoonmaker](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOrfVXdgcCGEO6vDC8g3_8A?embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com)
Dan Schoonmaker
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[Everyday I'm Hustlin'](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADJaIz7ab0Y)
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## Finding Plugins Guide
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
Hey everyone! I wanted to share with you a little bit about a recent project of mine. I've been deep diving into the world of AI and discovered a gap I thought I could fill. So, I set out to create [FindPlugins.ai](https://www.findplugins.ai/), a product review website for plugins built for ChatGPT and other language models. This post is going to go into the libraries I used to put this together...
The core of the website is built with Next.js. I've always appreciated its hybrid static and server rendering capabilities, and it truly shines with this project. Coupled with MongoDB as the database, it's been a smooth ride from the start. This was my first time using their Atlas product as well as the Mongoose ODM. It was really easy to get started with.
MongoDB's Atlas was also really easy to setup, and before I knew it, I was reading and writing to the database a few minutes after installing the NPM package. Honestly, it was refreshing how straightforward it was compared to some tools I've wrestled with in the past. Mongoose, as an ODM, made structuring the data and creating complex queries much simpler.
For the UI, I used Chakra UI and TailwindCSS. These two combined gave me the flexibility and speed I needed to create a responsive, accessible, and stylish website. Chakra UI's component library is comprehensive, and TailwindCSS’s utility-first approach made it easy to customize each part of the website. Plus, hosting the website on Vercel was a breeze and offered great performance right out of the box.
My motivation behind creating this little app all started while I was researching potential plugins for ChatGPT. I quickly found the lack of search functionality quite challenging. I mean, how do you efficiently find the gems hidden in the ocean of plugins? Hence, the birth of [FindPlugins.ai](https://www.findplugins.ai/).
Going forward, I've got a few plans for the website. I'm going to implement user login capabilities using NextAuth. Then, I'm looking to add a feature for rating and reviewing plugins. This will enable users to sort plugins based on ratings, and the reviews will provide insights into the functionality of each plugin.
Who knows if OpenAI will eventually introduce a similar feature that puts this project out of business. But, I'm banking on the value of third-party ratings and reviews that users can trust due to my non-affiliation. Besides, this site could also serve as a launchpad for any ChatGPT plugin I build in the future.
Who knows, maybe I can eventually utilize it to promote my new AI-generated puzzle app, [PuzzleGenerator.ai](https://www.puzzlegenerator.ai/)!
That's all I've got! A little 'behind-the-scenes' tour of building [FindPlugins.ai](https://www.findplugins.ai/). I hope this inspires you to create something of your own or at least give some of these technologies a shot!
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## Five Week Plan
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
Five weeks.
That’s all that’s left in 2024.
Most people are winding down. Waiting for the holidays. Coasting into the new year.
Not you.
You’re here because you want more. You’re here because 2025 isn’t going to be another year of waiting, wishing, and putting it off.
You’re ready to start.
Here’s the plan: five weeks, five steps. Each one a brick in the foundation of your solopreneur journey. By the time the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, you’ll already have momentum built up.
Let’s go...
* * *
### **Week 1: Commit**
Everything starts here.
Commit to yourself, your idea, your future. Write it down. Say it out loud. Tell someone you trust.
This week, you’re setting the foundation.
Define what success looks like. Be specific. “I want to replace my full-time income” or “I want to launch my product by March.” Vague dreams lead to vague actions.
You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need to decide.
* * *
### **Week 2: Simplify**
Stop overcomplicating.
You don’t need the perfect logo, the perfect website, or the perfect product. What’s the smallest, simplest version of your idea that you can launch?
Focus on solving one problem for one customer. [Validate it](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/how-to-validate-your-idea-with-50-and-a-google-form).
Strip away the noise. Pick a familiar tech stack. Start with a niche you already understand.
Complexity kills momentum. Simplicity gets you moving.
* * *
### **Week 3: Build**
It’s time to get your hands dirty.
This week, you create something tangible. A landing page, a prototype, a newsletter—whatever makes your idea real.
Don’t wait for [perfect](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/done-is-better-than-perfect). Progress beats polish every time.
And remember, no one’s paying attention yet. This is your playground. Experiment. Make mistakes. Learn fast.
* * *
### **Week 4: Launch**
This is where most people freeze.
They’ve built something, but they’re scared to show it to the world. What if no one cares? What if it flops?
Here’s the truth: the only failure is hiding.
Launch messy. Launch scrappy. Send the email. Post the link. Share your work.
This week isn’t about perfection—it’s about proving to yourself that you can ship.
* * *
### **Week 5: Iterate**
Now the fun begins.
You’ve launched. You’ve learned. Now, you improve.
Talk to your audience. Get feedback. Fix what’s broken. Double down on what’s working.
Iteration is where the magic happens. It’s how rough ideas turn into polished gems.
By the end of this week, you won’t just have a project. You’ll have momentum.
* * *
Five weeks.
That’s all it takes to turn a side hustle into the start of something real.
This plan won’t make you a millionaire overnight. It won’t solve all your problems. But it will do the one thing that matters most: get you moving.
2025 is just around the corner.
Don’t wait for the perfect time. Don’t wait for someone else’s permission. Don’t let another year slip by.
This is your moment.
Start now. Build momentum. Make 2025 the year you evolve from side hustler to a solopreneur.
Because no one’s going to do it for you.
Five weeks. Let’s go!
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## Focus in Entrepreneurship
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
Curiosity is both the gift and the burden of entrepreneurship.
Every day, there’s a new AI tool, or a new framework, and with each one, endless new opportunities open up.
Following what’s new can distract you from what matters.
I’ve been there. I’ve let myself get pulled in every direction by the shiny allure of what’s new. Switching tech stacks. Testing the latest and greatest frameworks. Jumping into new projects just to “see what’s possible.”
It feels like progress, but it’s really distraction.
Mastery is difficult. It only happens when you focus, improve what you know, and finish what you start.
Focusing doesn’t mean ignoring innovation. You need to channel it. Choose the tools that align with your vision. Explore technologies that solve real problems — not just because they’re cool.
As an innovator, focus can be your competitive edge. While others scatter their energy chasing trends, you can be building something meaningful.
Because the world doesn’t need another half-finished experiment. What it needs are useful products, good ideas, and real solutions.
Innovation isn’t about being early, it’s about building the future.
So here’s the challenge: stop chasing every new trend.
The world doesn’t reward dabblers. It rewards creators.
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## Trusting.co Development
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Some friends recently reached out to me for help creating an MVP ( [minimum viable product](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_viable_product)) for a software idea they had to help families share information. I spent a bunch of time this Saturday hacking away at some new features for that app.
Coming soon at [https://Trusting.co](https://trusting.co/)!
Hacking away on Trusting.co over the weekend... - YouTube
[Photo image of Dan Schoonmaker](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOrfVXdgcCGEO6vDC8g3_8A?embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com)
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[Hacking away on Trusting.co over the weekend...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZjfpXq6ciw)
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## Hacktober Plans
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
What's that? You've never heard of Hacktober? Me either! Well, that is until yesterday, October 1st.
Apparently Hacktober (like all the other ' [tober](https://twitter.com/HurshDev/status/1179033638039674880)' events the internet has suddenly come up with) has quietly become a month-long event where software developers contribute to coding projects outside of their daily workload.
[DigitalOcean](https://digitalocean.com/) (in partnership with [Dev.to](https://dev.to/)) has even begun hosting an annual remote [Hacktoberfest event](https://hacktoberfest.digitalocean.com/) to encourage developers to contribute to open source projects. After opening 4 pull requests on public repositories, they'll send you a limited edition t-shirt and some stickers, because we all know developers love stickers. If you're the maintainer of an open source repository you can also join in on the fun by applying a "Hacktoberfest" label to your open Github issues so others can contribute to them.
I first heard the term 'Hacktober', a couple years ago Facebook started holding an event [to help promote Cybersecurity awareness for it's employees](https://hbr.org/2017/11/how-facebooks-annual-hacktober-campaign-promotes-cybersecurity-to-employees). This all makes much more sense now that [I work for](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/hacktober-19) a cybersecurity awareness training company and have learned that October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month ( [#NCSAM](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/ncsam/)).
### So what are my plans for the new month long holiday?
I'm glad you asked! I'm hoping that I can dedicate each week to a different subject. Seeing that I've only had about 16 hours to think about it, I'll just throw out some of the early ideas I have...
- Update my [two recent](http://localhost:3000/blog/clipps-react-waves) open source libraries that I have ( [ReactWaves](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@dschoon/react-waves) and [ClippPlayer](https://www.npmjs.com/package/clipp-player)). Specifically by upgrading their dependencies to the [new version](https://github.com/katspaugh/wavesurfer.js/tree/3.1.0) of Wavesurfer.js. Then hopefully add support to a few additional [plugins](https://wavesurfer-js.org/plugins/).
- I've recently had this idea to build this 'gamification service' that allows you to setup rules and then triggers when a user performs a particular action, or a time period passes. It may not be very feasible, especially in a week, but we could also use it at my [new job](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/hacktober-19), so win-win!
- Since I just released my [new project Clipps](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/hacktober-19), there's endless amounts of work to do over there. Since I'd like to work on something outside of my typical tasks, I may experiment with adding a new 'podcast builder' feature that I've been dreaming up. Again, pretty ambitious to achieve in a week, but if I could at least get started, it's better than nothing.
- Sticking with the [Clipps](https://clip.ps/) theme, I've been wanting to use the backend of that as an excuse to finally write a React Native app. I think the browser version is far enough along that I can use that as a template on how I want to layout a mobile app. The perfect excuse to finally try mobile development!
So what do you think? Will you be participating in 'hacktober' this year?
[Tweet me](http://twitter.com/share?text=%40DanSchoonmaker%20This%20hacktober%2C%20I%20plan%20on%20working%20on%20...%0A%0A&url=https://schoon.me/blog/hacktober-19) and let me know what you're going to build!
_Live footage of me during Hacktober_
Because obviously the real reason it's Hacktober...
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[](https://twitter.com/kylerankin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1179089577094438913%7Ctwgr%5E32a87d3566aa3a654f08292618578c3908ef0b2b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[Kyle Rankin](https://twitter.com/kylerankin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1179089577094438913%7Ctwgr%5E32a87d3566aa3a654f08292618578c3908ef0b2b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
[@kylerankin](https://twitter.com/kylerankin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1179089577094438913%7Ctwgr%5E32a87d3566aa3a654f08292618578c3908ef0b2b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
·
[Follow](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1179089577094438913%7Ctwgr%5E32a87d3566aa3a654f08292618578c3908ef0b2b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&screen_name=kylerankin)
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It's called [#Hacktober](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hacktober?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1179089577094438913%7Ctwgr%5E32a87d3566aa3a654f08292618578c3908ef0b2b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&src=hashtag_click) because it's finally cold enough to walk around in a black hoodie.
[5:43 PM · Oct 1, 2019](https://twitter.com/kylerankin/status/1179089577094438913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1179089577094438913%7Ctwgr%5E32a87d3566aa3a654f08292618578c3908ef0b2b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F)
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[13](https://twitter.com/intent/like?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1179089577094438913%7Ctwgr%5E32a87d3566aa3a654f08292618578c3908ef0b2b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&tweet_id=1179089577094438913) [Reply](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1179089577094438913%7Ctwgr%5E32a87d3566aa3a654f08292618578c3908ef0b2b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danschoonmaker.com%2F&in_reply_to=1179089577094438913)
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## Growth Through Fear
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
Nerves mean something’s at stake.
Every time I create something new — a newsletter, a post, a product — I feel it. That flutter of doubt. A voice whispering, _" [Nobody wants to read your shit](https://amzn.to/49jDxGx)"_.
It’s uncomfortable. But it’s also a gift.
Nerves mean you’re in the game. They mean you’re doing something that matters.
The moments I wasn’t nervous? They were forgettable. The stakes were too low, the outcomes didn’t matter.
But nerves? They show up when you’re pushing boundaries. They’re proof you’re growing.
As we get older, we tend to shy away from the things that push us outside of our comfort zones. We play it safe, stay small, and rarely feel exposed.
But that’s not where the magic is.
Nerves are fuel. Channel them. Use them. They’re a sign you’re alive, awake, and willing to care deeply.
If you’re nervous, you’re in the arena. And that’s where the bold go to win.
* * *
This atomic essay was inspired by this Ted Mosby quote from the TV show "How I Met Your Mother".
My wife and I have been rewatching the show, and when I heard that line, it really stuck with me:
I hope this inspires you to take a chance, to be bold, and to push yourself outside of your comfort zone.
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## Product Engineer Journey
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
I often have a difficult time trying to describe my dream position for this stage of my career. Over the last 3 years I've managed, through a series of fortunate breaks, to put myself in the closest position I could convince my employer to put me. But when I have a discussion with someone about what I "want" to do, I typically just fallback to some boring cookie-cutter industry-wide title such as "frontend engineer". But what if I want to be so much more than that? This is why I'm going to start working towards a new job title for myself, a "product engineer".
Obviously I'm not the first person to coin the term "product engineer", in fact, based on a quick Google search, it seems this is actually a very common engineering job title. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_engineering) defines it as, "An engineering discipline that deals with both design and manufacturing aspects of a product". So why does the world of software engineering rarely encompass a role like this? I think we can all agree that Marissa Mayer is a good person to blame. Let me explain...
[Marissa Mayer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marissa_Mayer) was Google's 20th employee, one of the search product's early product managers, and an idol of mine when my professional career was just getting started. As a computer science major in 2004, I read a lot about her new position as a "product manager" and found it really interesting that there was a job out there where (and I'm summarizing here) you could just come up with innovative ideas and have a team of talented engineers build it for you. As much as I loved programming, the inner-entrepreneur in me was definitely intrigued.
From this moment on, I've always loved Product Management. The only problem I have with it is the fact that you need to give up that "control" of building the actual product and have to watch someone else get that satisfaction. I may have 15+ years of programming experience under my belt, but I still get a ton of satisfaction every time the code I type results in something magical on my monitor.
So why isn't there a position that spans across these two disciplines? Backend engineers are regularly expected to perform operations tasks with the server infrastructure. So often that in recent years the term ' [DevOps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DevOps)' has gained a ton of popularity to describe this added task, and with it, more clout within the industry. These skills are often important in frontend development as well, but because of their backend nature, they're typically less appealing for those of us who prefer the user interaction side of our work.
The industry tends to put an emphasis on [full-stack](https://codeup.com/what-is-a-full-stack-developer/) engineering, with some companies opting to split this in to more specialized positions of frontend and backend engineers. This makes perfect sense, the only problem is these DevOps tasks provide backend engineers with an extra opportunity to provide value, while us frontend engineers are left to argue on Twitter about which framework we think everyone else should use.
My question now is, what do I really hope to get out of this post?
Well obviously making a public declaration like this doesn't necessarily make it true. Just because I have an interest in Product Management doesn't mean I necessarily have the skills yet to take on these added tasks. Instead, I'm hoping this post acts as more of a kick-off to my new, expanded career. I'd like to identify these skills that are important for making data-driven product decisions, and then take on some projects that will help me build on them.
So what do you think? Any other wannabe Product Engineers out there?
[Tweet me](https://twitter.com/share?text=%40DanSchoonmaker%20I%27m%20a%20product%20engineer%20too%21&url=https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/im-a-product-engineer) and let me know your thoughts!
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## K1 Speed Event
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Had an amazing time at our [@Living\_Security](https://twitter.com/Living_Security) team build event yesterday at [@K1Speed](https://twitter.com/k1speed)! Love getting to work with this awesome group of people!
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## New Chapter in Cybersecurity
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
After 6.5 amazing years, today is my last day working for [Lithium Technologies](https://lithium.com/) / [Khoros](https://khoros.com/). I've had an amazing time working here, with truly some of the smartest, and hardest working people in the world. I can't even begin to describe how much I've grown and managed to learn from them all over the years.
And with that, now begins my next journey! An opportunity to work with two of the best people I know, my friends [Drew](https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-rose?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_pulse_read%3B6woD%2FY2sRGSkh9w8p2V57A%3D%3D) and [Ashley](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-rose-11678463?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_pulse_read%3B6woD%2FY2sRGSkh9w8p2V57A%3D%3D), who I met over 14 years ago while we were all attending [Coastal Carolina University](https://coastal.edu/).
Almost 2 years ago, they founded the company [Living Security](https://www.linkedin.com/company/living-security?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_pulse_read%3B6woD%2FY2sRGSkh9w8p2V57A%3D%3D) ( [https://livingsecurity.com](https://livingsecurity.com/)) to help educate the world on important [cybersecurity](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=%23cybersecurity&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_pulse_read%3B6woD%2FY2sRGSkh9w8p2V57A%3D%3D) topics through fun, team-building escape rooms. As they continue to grow the company at an impressive pace, it's time for us to start focusing on building a world-class software platform to help scale their dream of reducing cyber risk through impactful, human-focused training.
I couldn't be more excited, and more grateful for this opportunity, and I can't wait to see what the future holds! To all my co-workers, both past and present, I appreciate everything you've done for me!
This [article](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/start-new-chapter-dan-schoonmaker/) originally appeared on my LinkedIn page.
Living Security Escape Room Details from Living Security on Vimeo
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## Madden Football Insights
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Missed field goal returned for a TD... so ready for football to be back [#Madden](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Madden?src=hashtag_click)
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## Podcasting Tech Stack
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
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## Dan Schoonmaker's Blog
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
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## Stair-Step Approach 2024
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
I'm kicking off the new year by revisiting Rob Walling's " [stair-step approach](https://robwalling.com/2015/03/26/the-stair-step-method-of-bootstrapping)" ( [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qUJnFyRlyQ)) to ~~bootstrapping~~ solopreneurship. My goal is to create more low-priced digital products, learn to sell my ideas, and (hopefully) gain some street cred in the IndieHacker community.
Or in the wise words of [@ayushtweetshere](https://twitter.com/ayushtweetshere), " [Put more buy buttons on the internet](https://twitter.com/ayushtweetshere/status/1498650577139499009)".
I have a lot of this code already written, and use it in each of my projects. I just want to clean it up, so it's cleaner easier to use. I also want to document the creation process so others can learn from it.
Here's my plan:
- Productize the React/Tailwind component library that I use in all my projects
- Productize the Next.js boilerplate dashboard I use for all my projects (w/ above library)
- Create a couple of Tailwind landing page / dashboard templates for use in the above boilerplate
- Create a simple AI wrapper template (frontend + backend) that demonstrates using this code in production
From there, I'll reassess how things are going and decide what to do next. I think if I can clearly document the process, I may be able to sell it as a course as well. I've been wanting to do that for a while, but I've never had a clear idea of what I wanted to teach.
I'm excited to get started, and I'll be posting updates here as I go. Follow me on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker) for more frequent updates!
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Tech Stack Insights
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
It’s important for Indie Hackers looking to build micro-saas products to have a reliable tech stack that they feel comfortable with. Here’s the tech stack that I currently use to prototype new projects quickly…
**Boilerplate**
- **[Serverless SaaS](https://serverless.page/)**
- I also highly recommend checking out [DivJoy](https://divjoy.com/) by [Gabe Ragland](https://indiehackers.com/Gabe) ( [Twitter](https://twitter.com/gabe_ragland))
- You may also want to read ["37 SaaS Starter Kits & Boilerplates Based On Your Favourite Programming Language / Framework"](https://www.indiehackers.com/post/37-saas-starter-kits-boilerplates-based-on-your-favourite-programming-language-framework-35387161e0) by [Iszuddin Ismail](https://www.indiehackers.com/kidino) ( [Twitter](https://twitter.com/iszuddin))
**Frontend**
- **[Next.js](https://nextjs.org/)** / **[React.js](https://reactjs.org/)** for frontend
- I’ve been using React since 2014 so I have a ton of code that I reuse regularly
- Next.js is newer for me, so I occasionally need to read documentation, but the performance boost over standard React is definitely worth it.
- **[Tailwind CSS](https://tailwindcss.com/) \+ [Tailwind UI](https://tailwindui.com/)**
- I can’t explain what an impact Tailwind has had on my side projects. I was initially hesitant to move away from CSS & SCSS because I was so comfortable using it, but Tailwind UI (and now [Tailwind Templates](https://tailwindui.com/templates)) has completely revolutionized my workflow.
- **[Vercel](https://vercel.com/)**for frontend hosting
- I love what the people at Vercel are building. When using Next.js, hosting on Vercel is a no-brainer.
- **SchoonBlocks**
- This is a private NPM repo I’ve been adding to for years. It has a bunch of common React components and utility functions that I seem to always need.
- I highly recommend creating your own component library. I’m working on a Udemy course to share my approach with others. [Email me](mailto:dschoon@gmail.com) if you’re interested in getting early access.
**Backend**
- **[Typescript](https://www.typescriptlang.org/)**
- After years of Javascript it took me a bit to get used to Typescript. The main benefit I’ve experienced is the ability to quickly jump back into a codebase and have the data types remind you of certain dependencies. The stability this adds to your codebase is well worth the extra time it takes to define the types.
- **[Google Cloud Functions](https://cloud.google.com/functions)**for backend serverless functions
- I sometimes HATE serverless architectures and their horrible logging. For some reason I have a hard time organizing my backend code when they’re just individual functions.
- The main advantage I’ve found here is not needing to monitor and scale servers. For the most part I just deploy and forget about it.
- **[Google Firestore](https://cloud.google.com/firestore)**NoSQL datastore
- I sometimes use Amazon’s DynamoDB if the project is more “enterprise” focused. For quick prototypes, I find that Firestore is much easier to integrate with quickly.
- **[Firebase Auth](https://firebase.google.com/docs/auth)** / **[NextAuth.js](https://next-auth.js.org/)**
- Depending on the project it’s sometimes easier to skip the Firebase step and just use NextAuth to integrate with a social authentication provider. NextAuth also has a Firebase provider, so it works either way.
- **[Elasticsearch](https://www.elastic.co/)**
- I’ve used Elasticsearch at work for years. I love how powerful it is.
- **[Google Sheets](https://jamstack.org/headless-cms/google-drive-cms)**
- I regularly use Google Sheets as a quick data Content Management System (CMS) in my projects.
- I wrote a blog post about using [Google Sheets as a CMS](https://www.notion.so/Google-Sheets-as-a-CMS-87b81a89cc604193b0fbec2616667259).
- **[Stripe](https://stripe.com/en-nl/billing)**payment processing
- I never really looked into anything else. Stripe just seemed to be the easiest.
- **[Postmark](https://postmarkapp.com/)**email delivery service
- I’ve gone back and forth on this one. I previously used Amazon SES, but since I don’t use any other AWS services now, I didn’t want that extra overhead.
- Now I typically use Postmark now because it’s built into the Serverless SaaS boilerplate.
- **[Twilio](https://www.twilio.com/)**
- Twilio is great if you need to add some sort of SMS verification to your app.
- I’ve also used them a few times to quickly prototype video conferencing apps. I have one that I’m still working on.
**Web3**
I’ve been experimenting a ton with different Web3 tools. Here are some of my favorites:
- **[ThirdWeb](https://thirdweb.com/)**
- **[Alchemy](https://alchemy.com/)**
- **[Moralis](https://moralis.io/)**
- **[IPFS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InterPlanetary_File_System)**
- **[Tatum](https://tatum.io/)**
- **[MagicLink](https://magic.link/)**
I cannot stress enough that the most important thing here is that YOU feel comfortable with the tools and languages you’re building with. This is what allows you to reuse common code snippets, iterate quickly, and get feedback from potential users before investing too much time.
A great example of this is my story about ["That time I wasted a month of my life trying to fit in"](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/2021-11-30-lesson-learned) by switching my code IDE from [IntelliJ](https://www.jetbrains.com/idea) to [VSCode](https://code.visualstudio.com/) because it was what every other YouTube tutorial was using. Don’t fall for it. Stick with what you’re comfortable with and [allow your progress to compound](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/compound-progress).
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Power of Small Wins
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
Solopreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. The journey can feel daunting, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the distance between where you are and where you want to be.
But progress isn’t measured by giant leaps — it’s found in the little steps forward.
Landing your first customer, launching a basic version of your product, or even just hitting "publish" on that blog post—these are the small wins that fuel momentum. Each one a reminder that you’re moving, growing, building.
Big success isn’t a single moment. It’s the [accumulation of countless small victories](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/compound-progress). Celebrate them, and you’ll find the strength to keep going.
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## The Rhythm of Innovation
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
Ideas don’t spread evenly.
Everett Rogers figured this out and called it the _Diffusion of Innovations_. It’s the pattern of how new ideas and technologies move through society.
Here’s how it works:
The Innovators go first. They’re the curious ones, always tinkering and testing. They don’t need proof—they’re driven by possibility.
Then come the Early Adopters. They’re your evangelists, the ones who “get it” right away. When they’re in, momentum starts to build.
But then there’s a gap. Geoffrey Moore called it the “chasm.”
Between the Early Adopters and the Early Majority, everything slows down. The masses don’t just need an idea—they need proof it works, and they need someone they trust to show them.
If you’re an Innovator, this is where most of your ideas go to die.
I’ve seen it happen. I’ve built things that Early Adopters loved but couldn’t bridge the gap to the mainstream. It wasn’t the idea—it was the execution.
Crossing the chasm takes intentional strategy.
You have to build a bridge. Early Adopters need to tell the Early Majority, “This is worth it.” It needs to feel safe, proven, even inevitable.
Rogers’ curve isn’t just a theory—it’s a tool. It tells you where to focus and when.
Don’t waste time convincing skeptics (Laggards). Don’t linger too long with Innovators.
Focus on the Early Adopters—they’re the key. Nail the transition, and you’ll turn innovation into momentum.
What’s fascinating to me is how predictable this is. Society naturally falls into these groups, every time.
The pattern repeats itself.
You just need to take the next step.
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## Understanding Web3 Wallets
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
Authors
- NameSchoonTwitter[@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
When talking to friends about getting started in web3, setting up a wallet is often the first confusing step.
As we’ve seen with past innovative technologies, the first version is often raw and not very user-friendly. When it comes to web3, wallets are no different.
This becomes a critical inflection point with wallets now acting as your passport to the quickly evolving metaverse. Web3 is built on decentralization, trust, and ownership; every step of your journey requires a stamp of approval (via a wallet) to verify your intent.
The benefit is that each of these signed transactions then becomes an interaction that you now own. Gone are the days of blindly accepting all terms and conditions by simply signing up for the platforms we now consider web2 (Facebook, Uber, Yelp, etc.).
When your wallet contains the information required to verify every action you take, that information no longer needs to be stored in the database of a Big Tech company. This is the difference between you truly owning your data and them being the ones who ultimately profit from it.
The shift from centralized to decentralized data removes the guardrails that internet consumers have grown accustomed to.
Instead of quickly checking a box and approving every pop-up that covers our screen, we must fundamentally understand the contracts that we sign.
Protect these transactions as if your net worth depends on it because, in some instances, it might. In return, you now get to own your digital assets instead of them simply being a row in someone else’s database.
[Join my newsletter to get my newest articles each week →](https://newsletter.schoon.me/)
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## Dan Schoonmaker GitHub
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Read – Write – Dev
# Dan Schoonmaker dschoon
💻
Read – Write – Dev
[Follow](https://github.com/login?return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fdschoon)
[Sponsor](https://github.com/sponsors/dschoon)
Lead Software Engineer 👨💻 -- [@LivingSecurity](https://github.com/LivingSecurity) 👤 \-\- Coastal Carolina alum👌 -- Podcast fan 🎧 -- Indie Hacker 👾
[27\\
followers](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=followers) · [22\\
following](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=following)
- [@LivingSecurity](https://github.com/LivingSecurity)
- Austin, TX
- [https://DanSchoonmaker.com](https://danschoonmaker.com/)
- X [@DanSchoonmaker](https://twitter.com/DanSchoonmaker)
- LinkedIn[in/DanSchoonmaker](https://linkedin.com/in/DanSchoonmaker)
## [Achievements](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=achievements)
[x3](https://github.com/dschoon?achievement=pair-extraordinaire&tab=achievements) [](https://github.com/dschoon?achievement=quickdraw&tab=achievements) [](https://github.com/dschoon?achievement=yolo&tab=achievements) [x4](https://github.com/dschoon?achievement=pull-shark&tab=achievements) [](https://github.com/dschoon?achievement=starstruck&tab=achievements) [](https://github.com/dschoon?achievement=arctic-code-vault-contributor&tab=achievements)
## [Achievements](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=achievements)
[x3](https://github.com/dschoon?achievement=pair-extraordinaire&tab=achievements) [](https://github.com/dschoon?achievement=quickdraw&tab=achievements) [](https://github.com/dschoon?achievement=yolo&tab=achievements) [x4](https://github.com/dschoon?achievement=pull-shark&tab=achievements) [](https://github.com/dschoon?achievement=starstruck&tab=achievements) [](https://github.com/dschoon?achievement=arctic-code-vault-contributor&tab=achievements)
## Organizations
[](https://github.com/mcp-host)
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[dschoon](https://github.com/dschoon/dschoon)/README.md
[](https://www.schoon.me/)
[mcp.host](https://mcp.host/) \-\- [ContentFlywheel](https://www.contentflywheel.com/) \-\- [DanSchoonmaker.com](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
* * *
### Hello [](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/33fa1ecbfc674cb894fee42114ce8034fc32529090afc1ef7ef03b2d45c87271/68747470733a2f2f6d656469612e67697068792e636f6d2f6d656469612f6876524a434c467a6361737252346961377a2f67697068792e676966)[](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/33fa1ecbfc674cb894fee42114ce8034fc32529090afc1ef7ef03b2d45c87271/68747470733a2f2f6d656469612e67697068792e636f6d2f6d656469612f6876524a434c467a6361737252346961377a2f67697068792e676966)[Open in new window](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/33fa1ecbfc674cb894fee42114ce8034fc32529090afc1ef7ef03b2d45c87271/68747470733a2f2f6d656469612e67697068792e636f6d2f6d656469612f6876524a434c467a6361737252346961377a2f67697068792e676966)
[Permalink: Hello ](https://github.com/dschoon#hello-)
Hi, I'm [Dan Schoonmaker](https://x.com/DanSchoonmaker), a full-stack engineer in Austin, TX.
**Languages and Tools:**
````````
📊 **This Week I Spent My Time On:**
```
TypeScript 16 hrs 8 mins ██████████████████████▒░░ 89.97 %
Markdown 39 mins █░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 03.67 %
Other 35 mins ▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 03.31 %
CSS 16 mins ▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 01.56 %
JSON 7 mins ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 00.66 %
```
If you like what I do, maybe consider buying me a beer 🍻
[](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/schoon)
📈 My GitHub Stats
[](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/408522f05de4125e9d30491de63dd860edf5f81f0c217847741643195a7fc9b2/68747470733a2f2f6769746875622d726561646d652d73746174732e76657263656c2e6170702f6170693f757365726e616d653d647363686f6f6e2673686f775f69636f6e733d74727565267468656d653d676f7468616d)
## Pinned Loading
1. [react-waves](https://github.com/dschoon/react-waves) react-wavesPublic
React component wrapper for wavesurfer.js
JavaScript[73](https://github.com/dschoon/react-waves/stargazers) [21](https://github.com/dschoon/react-waves/forks)
2. [ChatGPT-Plugin-TS](https://github.com/dschoon/ChatGPT-Plugin-TS) ChatGPT-Plugin-TSPublic template
Tutorial on Creating ChatGPT Plugins with Next.js and TypeScript ⤵️
JavaScript[1](https://github.com/dschoon/ChatGPT-Plugin-TS/stargazers)
## 1,833 contributions in the last year
[Skip to contributions year list](https://github.com/dschoon#year-link-2026)
5 contributions on January 19th.10 contributions on January 26th.No contributions on February 2nd.No contributions on February 9th.12 contributions on February 16th.No contributions on February 23rd.6 contributions on March 2nd.No contributions on March 9th.No contributions on March 16th.No contributions on March 23rd.1 contribution on March 30th.No contributions on April 6th.3 contributions on April 13th.No contributions on April 20th.No contributions on April 27th.3 contributions on May 4th.1 contribution on May 11th.No contributions on May 18th.No contributions on May 25th.No contributions on June 1st.No contributions on June 8th.No contributions on June 15th.2 contributions on June 22nd.7 contributions on June 29th.1 contribution on July 6th.2 contributions on July 13th.4 contributions on July 20th.No contributions on July 27th.11 contributions on August 3rd.2 contributions on August 10th.2 contributions on August 17th.15 contributions on August 24th.No contributions on August 31st.No contributions on September 7th.No contributions on September 14th.No contributions on September 21st.No contributions on September 28th.No contributions on October 5th.1 contribution on October 12th.8 contributions on October 19th.No contributions on October 26th.No contributions on November 2nd.No contributions on November 9th.No contributions on November 16th.2 contributions on November 23rd.No contributions on November 30th.8 contributions on December 7th.No contributions on December 14th.2 contributions on December 21st.9 contributions on December 28th.12 contributions on January 4th.14 contributions on January 11th.No contributions on January 18th.10 contributions on January 20th.4 contributions on January 27th.4 contributions on February 3rd.2 contributions on February 10th.5 contributions on February 17th.No contributions on February 24th.No contributions on March 3rd.2 contributions on March 10th.8 contributions on March 17th.No contributions on March 24th.2 contributions on March 31st.2 contributions on April 7th.7 contributions on April 14th.9 contributions on April 21st.2 contributions on April 28th.16 contributions on May 5th.1 contribution on May 12th.13 contributions on May 19th.No contributions on May 26th.No contributions on June 2nd.13 contributions on June 9th.No contributions on June 16th.7 contributions on June 23rd.7 contributions on June 30th.No contributions on July 7th.9 contributions on July 14th.1 contribution on July 21st.11 contributions on July 28th.6 contributions on August 4th.9 contributions on August 11th.6 contributions on August 18th.6 contributions on August 25th.No contributions on September 1st.No contributions on September 8th.No contributions on September 15th.5 contributions on September 22nd.2 contributions on September 29th.8 contributions on October 6th.4 contributions on October 13th.3 contributions on October 20th.16 contributions on October 27th.12 contributions on November 3rd.7 contributions on November 10th.4 contributions on November 17th.6 contributions on November 24th.2 contributions on December 1st.5 contributions on December 8th.1 contribution on December 15th.4 contributions on December 22nd.6 contributions on December 29th.8 contributions on January 5th.8 contributions on January 12th.3 contributions on January 19th.7 contributions on January 21st.No contributions on January 28th.7 contributions on February 4th.No contributions on February 11th.11 contributions on February 18th.2 contributions on February 25th.4 contributions on March 4th.9 contributions on March 11th.1 contribution on March 18th.5 contributions on March 25th.No contributions on April 1st.6 contributions on April 8th.5 contributions on April 15th.7 contributions on April 22nd.10 contributions on April 29th.16 contributions on May 6th.6 contributions on May 13th.23 contributions on May 20th.8 contributions on May 27th.5 contributions on June 3rd.8 contributions on June 10th.No contributions on June 17th.7 contributions on June 24th.7 contributions on July 1st.5 contributions on July 8th.7 contributions on July 15th.1 contribution on July 22nd.5 contributions on July 29th.6 contributions on August 5th.17 contributions on August 12th.7 contributions on August 19th.1 contribution on August 26th.8 contributions on September 2nd.No contributions on September 9th.No contributions on September 16th.4 contributions on September 23rd.6 contributions on September 30th.7 contributions on October 7th.2 contributions on October 14th.13 contributions on October 21st.7 contributions on October 28th.16 contributions on November 4th.10 contributions on November 11th.2 contributions on November 18th.2 contributions on November 25th.3 contributions on December 2nd.No contributions on December 9th.2 contributions on December 16th.2 contributions on December 23rd.7 contributions on December 30th.9 contributions on January 6th.3 contributions on January 13th.3 contributions on January 20th.6 contributions on January 22nd.4 contributions on January 29th.4 contributions on February 5th.7 contributions on February 12th.9 contributions on February 19th.39 contributions on February 26th.10 contributions on March 5th.10 contributions on March 12th.13 contributions on March 19th.No contributions on March 26th.7 contributions on April 2nd.7 contributions on April 9th.5 contributions on April 16th.7 contributions on April 23rd.14 contributions on April 30th.12 contributions on May 7th.6 contributions on May 14th.3 contributions on May 21st.5 contributions on May 28th.11 contributions on June 4th.2 contributions on June 11th.No contributions on June 18th.2 contributions on June 25th.13 contributions on July 2nd.7 contributions on July 9th.9 contributions on July 16th.9 contributions on July 23rd.12 contributions on July 30th.10 contributions on August 6th.8 contributions on August 13th.14 contributions on August 20th.10 contributions on August 27th.6 contributions on September 3rd.No contributions on September 10th.1 contribution on September 17th.1 contribution on September 24th.6 contributions on October 1st.4 contributions on October 8th.5 contributions on October 15th.11 contributions on October 22nd.8 contributions on October 29th.7 contributions on November 5th.5 contributions on November 12th.5 contributions on November 19th.2 contributions on November 26th.2 contributions on December 3rd.7 contributions on December 10th.6 contributions on December 17th.No contributions on December 24th.4 contributions on December 31st.10 contributions on January 7th.No contributions on January 14th.14 contributions on January 23rd.7 contributions on January 30th.2 contributions on February 6th.6 contributions on February 13th.1 contribution on February 20th.3 contributions on February 27th.4 contributions on March 6th.9 contributions on March 13th.4 contributions on March 20th.6 contributions on March 27th.8 contributions on April 3rd.9 contributions on April 10th.8 contributions on April 17th.2 contributions on April 24th.10 contributions on May 1st.1 contribution on May 8th.1 contribution on May 15th.5 contributions on May 22nd.2 contributions on May 29th.11 contributions on June 5th.4 contributions on June 12th.No contributions on June 19th.3 contributions on June 26th.7 contributions on July 3rd.2 contributions on July 10th.10 contributions on July 17th.4 contributions on July 24th.6 contributions on July 31st.13 contributions on August 7th.3 contributions on August 14th.11 contributions on August 21st.23 contributions on August 28th.12 contributions on September 4th.No contributions on September 11th.2 contributions on September 18th.5 contributions on September 25th.11 contributions on October 2nd.5 contributions on October 9th.6 contributions on October 16th.8 contributions on October 23rd.11 contributions on October 30th.4 contributions on November 6th.4 contributions on November 13th.4 contributions on November 20th.No contributions on November 27th.5 contributions on December 4th.2 contributions on December 11th.7 contributions on December 18th.1 contribution on December 25th.6 contributions on January 1st.5 contributions on January 8th.6 contributions on January 15th.7 contributions on January 24th.2 contributions on January 31st.No contributions on February 7th.4 contributions on February 14th.4 contributions on February 21st.4 contributions on February 28th.2 contributions on March 7th.7 contributions on March 14th.No contributions on March 21st.8 contributions on March 28th.1 contribution on April 4th.9 contributions on April 11th.10 contributions on April 18th.6 contributions on April 25th.5 contributions on May 2nd.7 contributions on May 9th.No contributions on May 16th.5 contributions on May 23rd.11 contributions on May 30th.8 contributions on June 6th.6 contributions on June 13th.No contributions on June 20th.6 contributions on June 27th.No contributions on July 4th.3 contributions on July 11th.20 contributions on July 18th.8 contributions on July 25th.5 contributions on August 1st.10 contributions on August 8th.11 contributions on August 15th.9 contributions on August 22nd.5 contributions on August 29th.No contributions on September 5th.No contributions on September 12th.16 contributions on September 19th.1 contribution on September 26th.10 contributions on October 3rd.2 contributions on October 10th.6 contributions on October 17th.2 contributions on October 24th.7 contributions on October 31st.1 contribution on November 7th.5 contributions on November 14th.7 contributions on November 21st.No contributions on November 28th.2 contributions on December 5th.12 contributions on December 12th.4 contributions on December 19th.8 contributions on December 26th.9 contributions on January 2nd.10 contributions on January 9th.4 contributions on January 16th.2 contributions on January 25th.1 contribution on February 1st.No contributions on February 8th.No contributions on February 15th.No contributions on February 22nd.10 contributions on March 1st.21 contributions on March 8th.No contributions on March 15th.No contributions on March 22nd.No contributions on March 29th.No contributions on April 5th.No contributions on April 12th.1 contribution on April 19th.No contributions on April 26th.No contributions on May 3rd.10 contributions on May 10th.No contributions on May 17th.No contributions on May 24th.No contributions on May 31st.No contributions on June 7th.2 contributions on June 14th.No contributions on June 21st.No contributions on June 28th.1 contribution on July 5th.1 contribution on July 12th.5 contributions on July 19th.No contributions on July 26th.15 contributions on August 2nd.23 contributions on August 9th.No contributions on August 16th.No contributions on August 23rd.No contributions on August 30th.No contributions on September 6th.No contributions on September 13th.2 contributions on September 20th.No contributions on September 27th.12 contributions on October 4th.No contributions on October 11th.No contributions on October 18th.No contributions on October 25th.5 contributions on November 1st.1 contribution on November 8th.No contributions on November 15th.No contributions on November 22nd.No contributions on November 29th.No contributions on December 6th.3 contributions on December 13th.6 contributions on December 20th.9 contributions on December 27th.12 contributions on January 3rd.13 contributions on January 10th.3 contributions on January 17th.
| Day of Week | JanuaryJan | FebruaryFeb | MarchMar | AprilApr | MayMay | JuneJun | JulyJul | AugustAug | SeptemberSep | OctoberOct | NovemberNov | DecemberDec | JanuaryJan |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sunday
Sun | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Monday
Mon | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Tuesday
Tue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Wednesday
Wed | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Thursday
Thu | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Friday
Fri | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Saturday
Sat | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contribution Graph
[Learn how we count contributions](https://docs.github.com/articles/why-are-my-contributions-not-showing-up-on-my-profile)
Less
No contributions.
Low contributions.
Medium-low contributions.
Medium-high contributions.
High contributions.
More
- [2026](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2026-01-01&to=2026-01-20)
- [2025](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2025-12-01&to=2025-12-31)
- [2024](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2024-12-01&to=2024-12-31)
- [2023](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2023-12-01&to=2023-12-31)
- [2022](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2022-12-01&to=2022-12-31)
- [2021](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2021-12-01&to=2021-12-31)
- [2020](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2020-12-01&to=2020-12-31)
- [2019](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2019-12-01&to=2019-12-31)
- [2018](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2018-12-01&to=2018-12-31)
- [2017](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2017-12-01&to=2017-12-31)
- [2016](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2016-12-01&to=2016-12-31)
- [2015](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2015-12-01&to=2015-12-31)
- [2014](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2014-12-01&to=2014-12-31)
- [2013](https://github.com/dschoon?tab=overview&from=2013-12-01&to=2013-12-31)
## Contribution activity
### January 2026
Created
1
repository
- [dschoon/artsymap](https://github.com/dschoon/artsymap)Python
This contribution was made on Jan 20
Jan 20
137
contributions
in private repositories
Jan 1 – Jan 20
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## Dan Schoonmaker Profile
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# Dan Schoonmaker
### Austin, Texas, United States Contact Info 2K followers 500+ connections
#### See your mutual connections
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## Curated Daily Digest
[**trendy.so**](https://www.trendy.so/)
Toggle theme
[<](https://www.trendy.so/20260118)
# January 19th, 2026
[>](https://www.trendy.so/20260120)
Today's daily digest in...
9 hours 24 minutes 44 seconds
## Books I Read 2018
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# 13 books I Read in 2018...
A good year of business and personal development reading.
[2026](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading)
[2025](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2025)
[2024](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2024)
[2023](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2023)
[2022](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2022)
[2021](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2021)
[2020](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2020)
[2019](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2019)
[2018](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
[2017](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
[2016](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2016)
[2015](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
[2014](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2014)
[2013](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2013)
[](https://amzn.to/3uMvGRp)
## The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less
By Richard Koch
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3uMvGRp)
[](https://amzn.to/3RkZaij)
## Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big
By Bo Burlingham
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3RkZaij)
[](https://amzn.to/3N5O3Y1)
## Own The Day, Own Your Life
By Aubrey Marcus
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[Read →](https://amzn.to/3N5O3Y1)
[](https://amzn.to/3Guo08Z)
## WTF?: What’s the Future and Why It’s Up to Us
By Tim O’Reilly
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3Guo08Z)
[](https://www.amazon.com/Dealing-with-Darwin-audiobook/dp/B075FXJNDX/)
## Dealing With Darwin: How Great Companies Innovate at Every Phase of Their Evolution
By Geoffrey A. Moore
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/Dealing-with-Darwin-audiobook/dp/B075FXJNDX/)
[](https://amzn.to/3N8YMRk)
## The Magic of Thinking Big
By David J. Schwartz
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3N8YMRk)
[](https://amzn.to/49U3v3j)
## Zone to Win: Organizing to Compete in an Age of Disruption
By Geoffrey A. Moore
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49U3v3j)
[](https://amzn.to/3R0OfJm)
## Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done
By Jon Acuff
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3R0OfJm)
[](https://amzn.to/480yAk5)
## Crushing It!: How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence-and How You Can, Too
By Gary Vaynerchuk
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/480yAk5)
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
## Artemis
By Andy Weir
Finished
[](https://www.amazon.com/Find-Your-Why-Practical-Discovering/dp/0143111728)
## Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team
By Simon Sinek
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[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/Find-Your-Why-Practical-Discovering/dp/0143111728)
[](https://amzn.to/3QWlPjr)
## Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges
By Amy Cuddy
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[Read →](https://amzn.to/3QWlPjr)
[](https://amzn.to/3RfzSCb)
## Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
By Phil Knight
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3RfzSCb)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## 2016 Book Recommendations
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# 11 books I Read in 2016...
Business strategy and entrepreneurship books dominated this year.
[2026](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading)
[2025](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2025)
[2024](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2024)
[2023](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2023)
[2022](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2022)
[2021](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2021)
[2020](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2020)
[2019](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2019)
[2018](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
[2017](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
[2016](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2016)
[2015](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
[2014](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2014)
[2013](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2013)
[](https://amzn.to/3t1s6Cq)
## The Industries of the Future
By Alec Ross
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3t1s6Cq)
[](https://amzn.to/3QYzI0t)
## The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers
By Ben Horowitz
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3QYzI0t)
[](https://amzn.to/3GileDR)
## The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure
By Grant Cardone
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3GileDR)
[](https://amzn.to/46G5uWc)
## Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days
By Jake Knapp
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/46G5uWc)
[](https://amzn.to/46x3W0u)
## The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur’s Vision of the Future
By Steve Case
Finished
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[](https://amzn.to/47LiU4B)
## Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead
By Laszlo Bock
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[](https://amzn.to/3N2RIpl)
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[](https://amzn.to/40Yb1Gn)
## MONEY Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom
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[](https://amzn.to/3QVhzAW)
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[](https://amzn.to/3sSSEWC)
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Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3sSSEWC)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Books Read in 2013
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# 24 books I Read in 2013...
My early reading journey began with business and self-help classics.
[2026](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading)
[2025](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2025)
[2024](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2024)
[2023](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2023)
[2022](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2022)
[2021](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2021)
[2020](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2020)
[2019](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2019)
[2018](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
[2017](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
[2016](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2016)
[2015](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
[2014](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2014)
[2013](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2013)
[](https://amzn.to/3uE7VuM)
## The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly?
By Seth Godin
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3uE7VuM)
[](https://amzn.to/3uE7VuM)
## Naked Statistics: Stripping the Dread from the Data
By Charles Wheelan
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3uE7VuM)
[](https://amzn.to/3SZvpEW)
## The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything... Fast!
By Josh Kaufman
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3SZvpEW)
[](https://amzn.to/3t0pwwx)
## In the Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives
By Steven Levy
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3t0pwwx)
[](https://amzn.to/46xvbYR)
## The Carolina Way
By Dean Smith
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/46xvbYR)
[](https://amzn.to/46w7gZU)
## The Tipping Point
By Malcolm Gladwell
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/46w7gZU)
[](https://amzn.to/3RgMclH)
## The 4-Hour Workweek
By Tim Ferriss
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3RgMclH)
[](https://www.amazon.com/Money-Book-Young-Fabulous-Broke/dp/B0007Y9KDW)
## The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, & Broke
By Suze Orman
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/Money-Book-Young-Fabulous-Broke/dp/B0007Y9KDW)
[](https://amzn.to/49QJivc)
## Wool: Book One of the Silo Series
By Hugh Howey
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49QJivc)
[](https://amzn.to/3Gj6hSc)
## Outliers: The Story of Success
By Malcolm Gladwell
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3Gj6hSc)
[](https://amzn.to/40ZIoZo)
## Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us
By Seth Godin
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/40ZIoZo)
[](https://amzn.to/47RqvOi)
## Your First Home
By Gary Keller
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/47RqvOi)
[](https://amzn.to/3SZ8sBY)
## Eat That Frog!
By Brian Tracy
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3SZ8sBY)
[](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12058263-make-a-million)
## Make a Million!
By Brian Tracy
Finished
[Read →](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12058263-make-a-million)
[](https://amzn.to/49WBOqo)
## Rework
By Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49WBOqo)
[](https://amzn.to/46rRTlb)
## Crush It! Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion
By Gary Vaynerchuk
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/46rRTlb)
[](https://amzn.to/3N5un6v)
## The Thank You Economy
By Gary Vaynerchuk
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3N5un6v)
[](https://amzn.to/3Rgp2f2)
## We Are All Weird: The Rise of Tribes and the End of Normal
By Seth Godin
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3Rgp2f2)
[](https://amzn.to/3MZIL06)
## America Again: Re-becoming the Greatness We Never Weren't
By Stephen Colbert
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3MZIL06)
[](https://amzn.to/3uAqf8k)
## One Click: Jeff Bezos and the Rise of Amazon.com
By Richard L. Brandt
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3uAqf8k)
[](https://amzn.to/3Gi4gFz)
## The Millionaire Real Estate Investor
By Gary Keller
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3Gi4gFz)
[](https://www.amazon.com/Accelerated-Learning-Techniques-audiobook/dp/B00OH76UIS/ref=sr_1_1)
## Accelerated Learning Techniques
By Brian Tracy
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/Accelerated-Learning-Techniques-audiobook/dp/B00OH76UIS/ref=sr_1_1)
[](https://amzn.to/47KRDP4)
## How to Win Friends and Influence People
By Dale Carnegie
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/47KRDP4)
[](https://amzn.to/47RlKnU)
## Rich Dad, Poor Dad
By Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/47RlKnU)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Books Read in 2015
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# 26 books I Read in 2015...
A diverse reading year with startup and personal development focus.
[2026](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading)
[2025](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2025)
[2024](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2024)
[2023](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2023)
[2022](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2022)
[2021](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2021)
[2020](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2020)
[2019](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2019)
[2018](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
[2017](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
[2016](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2016)
[2015](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
[2014](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2014)
[2013](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2013)
[](https://amzn.to/49LXsh0)
## Disrupt You!: Master Personal Transformation, Seize Opportunity, and Thrive in the Era of Endless Innovation
By Jay Samit
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49LXsh0)
[](https://amzn.to/3uyByOi)
## Hold: How to Find, Buy, and Rent Houses for Wealth
By Steve Chader, Jennice Doty, Jim McKissack, Linda McKissack, Jay Papasan, Gary Keller
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3uyByOi)
[](https://amzn.to/3SZHVUX)
## Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
By Greg McKeown
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3SZHVUX)
[](https://amzn.to/3QQLfiu)
## The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business
By Josh Kaufman
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3QQLfiu)
[](https://amzn.to/46D4jGF)
## Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers
By George A. Moore
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/46D4jGF)
[](https://amzn.to/47U5TFr)
## Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
By Simon Sinek
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/47U5TFr)
[](https://amzn.to/40TTgb6)
## Tomorrowland: Our Journey from Science Fiction to Science Fact
By Steven Kotler
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/40TTgb6)
[](https://www.amazon.com/EntreLeadership-Practical-Business-Wisdom-Trenches/dp/1451617852?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=readerrenet-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=6ef21894752362ded25165c40a88bcf8&camp=1789&creative=9325)
## Entreleadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches
By Dave Ramsey
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/EntreLeadership-Practical-Business-Wisdom-Trenches/dp/1451617852?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=readerrenet-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=6ef21894752362ded25165c40a88bcf8&camp=1789&creative=9325)
[](https://amzn.to/47u81nz)
## Free: The Future of a Radical Price
By Chris Anderson
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/47u81nz)
[](https://amzn.to/3GfGKZW)
## The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
By Charles Duhigg
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3GfGKZW)
[](https://amzn.to/3sQoNOu)
## Modern Romance
By Aziz Ansari
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3sQoNOu)
[](https://amzn.to/49Rsqo2)
## The Magic of Thinking Big
By David J. Schwartz
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49Rsqo2)
[](https://amzn.to/3GetRzo)
## Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future
By Ashlee Vance
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3GetRzo)
[](https://amzn.to/3N5un6v)
## The Thank You Economy
By Gary Vaynerchuk
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3N5un6v)
[](https://amzn.to/3QZ1ry8)
## The Lean Startup
By Eric Ries
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3QZ1ry8)
[](https://amzn.to/3sQNhai)
## The Compound Effect
By Darren Hardy
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3sQNhai)
[](https://amzn.to/46wlbPE)
## Do Over: Rescue Monday, Reinvent Your Work, and Never Get Stuck
By Jon Acuff
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/46wlbPE)
[](https://amzn.to/46ugDsR)
## The Travel Hacking Pocket Guide: Work the Airlines' System, Save Money, and Travel the World
By James Zeller
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/46ugDsR)
[](https://www.amazon.com/The-ONE-Thing-audiobook/dp/B00FPVS27W?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=readerrenet-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=0b6630d27813d05c334d7a3f041f8258&camp=1789&creative=9325)
## The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
By Gary Keller
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/The-ONE-Thing-audiobook/dp/B00FPVS27W?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=readerrenet-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=0b6630d27813d05c334d7a3f041f8258&camp=1789&creative=9325)
[](https://amzn.to/49RGcHf)
## Shark Tank Jump Start Your Business: How to Launch and Grow a Business from Concept to Cash
By Michael Parrish DuDell
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49RGcHf)
[](https://amzn.to/3sSSEWC)
## Bold: How to Go Big, Create Wealth and Impact the World
By Peter H. Diamandis & Steven Kotler
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3sSSEWC)
[](https://amzn.to/3N0x0Xm)
## Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think
By Peter H. Diamandis & Steven Kotler
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3N0x0Xm)
[](https://amzn.to/40XBDah)
## The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
By Seth Godin
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/40XBDah)
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
## Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time
By Jeff Sutherland
Finished
[](https://amzn.to/3sO5dm5)
## The End of Power: From Boardrooms to Battlefields and Churches to States, Why Being In Charge Isn’t What It Used to Be
By Moisés Naím
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3sO5dm5)
[](https://amzn.to/3uxLrf7)
## The Alchemist
By Paulo Coelho
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3uxLrf7)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Books for Growth
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# 11 books I Read in 2021...
This year I focused on habits, productivity, and entrepreneurship books.
[2026](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading)
[2025](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2025)
[2024](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2024)
[2023](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2023)
[2022](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2022)
[2021](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2021)
[2020](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2020)
[2019](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2019)
[2018](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
[2017](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
[2016](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2016)
[2015](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
[2014](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2014)
[2013](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2013)
[](https://amzn.to/3xU4Jgz)
## Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs
By John Doerr
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3xU4Jgz)
[](https://amzn.to/4bssOsR)
## Twelve and a Half: Leveraging the Emotional Ingredients Necessary for Business Success
By Gary Vaynerchuk
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4bssOsR)
[](https://amzn.to/3Li16nG)
## Playing with FIRE: How Far Would You Go for Financial Freedom?
By Scott Rieckens
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3Li16nG)
[](https://amzn.to/3zwAPj1)
## The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness
By Eric Jorgenson
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3zwAPj1)
[](https://amzn.to/4cGSnHK)
## The Courage to Be Disliked: The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness
By Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4cGSnHK)
[](https://amzn.to/4f5nZZB)
## Happy Sexy Millionaire: Unexpected Truths about Fulfillment, Love, and Success
By Steven Bartlett
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4f5nZZB)
[](https://amzn.to/4cQbP4M)
## Actionable Gamification: Beyond Points, Badges and Leaderboards
By Yu-kai Chou
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4cQbP4M)
[](https://amzn.to/3XNJYhn)
## Zero to Sold: How to Start, Run, and Sell a Bootstrapped Business
By Arvid Kahl
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3XNJYhn)
[](https://amzn.to/3XRXIaJ)
## Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking
By Jon Acuff
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3XRXIaJ)
[](https://amzn.to/4cqZvYM)
## The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
By Stephen R. Covey
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4cqZvYM)
[](https://amzn.to/45TMZ1y)
## Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
By James Clear
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/45TMZ1y)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## 2019 Reading List
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# 17 books I Read in 2019...
Started reading more about entrepreneurship and side hustles.
[2026](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading)
[2025](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2025)
[2024](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2024)
[2023](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2023)
[2022](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2022)
[2021](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2021)
[2020](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2020)
[2019](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2019)
[2018](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
[2017](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
[2016](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2016)
[2015](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
[2014](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2014)
[2013](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2013)
[](https://amzn.to/4cLBT0P)
## Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days
By Chris Guillebeau
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4cLBT0P)
[](https://amzn.to/3zsCJkB)
## The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future
By Chris Guillebeau
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3zsCJkB)
[](https://amzn.to/3zsDlqx)
## The Start-Up of You
By Reid Hoffman & Ben Casnocha
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3zsDlqx)
[](https://amzn.to/3zsDlqx)
## Blue Ocean Strategy
By W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3zsDlqx)
[](https://amzn.to/3VUoPzf)
## Creative Quest
By Questlove
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3VUoPzf)
[](https://amzn.to/4cLBjAb)
## Company Of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business
By Paul Jarvis
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4cLBjAb)
[](https://amzn.to/3WbkKs4)
## I Will Teach You To Be Rich
By Ramit Sethi
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3WbkKs4)
[](https://amzn.to/3zE8bMO)
## Everything Is F\*cked
By Mark Manson
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3zE8bMO)
[](https://amzn.to/45Py1d3)
## Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity
By Jamie Metzl
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/45Py1d3)
[](https://amzn.to/49WBOqo)
## Rework
By Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49WBOqo)
[](https://amzn.to/49WHQY5)
## It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work
By Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49WHQY5)
[](https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1701381252&sr=1-1&linkCode=li2&tag=readerrenet-20&linkId=1e9af1a409d798056e374654b3dd02a3&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il)
## Never Split The Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It
By Chris Voss
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1701381252&sr=1-1&linkCode=li2&tag=readerrenet-20&linkId=1e9af1a409d798056e374654b3dd02a3&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il)
[](https://amzn.to/3T4GvbS)
## Junk
By Les Bohem
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3T4GvbS)
[](https://www.amazon.com/How-Capitalist-Without-Any-Capital/dp/052553444X)
## How To Be A Capitalist Without Any Capital: The Four Rules You Must Break To Get Rich
By Nathan Latka
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/How-Capitalist-Without-Any-Capital/dp/052553444X)
[](https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Grind-Outperform-Outhustle-Successful/dp/0804189978)
## Rise and Grind: Outperform, Outwork, and Outhustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life
By Daymond John
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Grind-Outperform-Outhustle-Successful/dp/0804189978)
[](https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Life-Work-Ray-Dalio-ebook/dp/B071CTK28D)
## Principles: Life and Work
By Ray Dalio
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Life-Work-Ray-Dalio-ebook/dp/B071CTK28D)
[](https://amzn.to/46Ebrm8)
## Jay-Z: Made in America
By Michael Eric Dyson
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/46Ebrm8)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Books Read in 2020
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# 12 books I Read in 2020...
A year of learning with a focus on startups and business fundamentals.
[2026](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading)
[2025](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2025)
[2024](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2024)
[2023](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2023)
[2022](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2022)
[2021](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2021)
[2020](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2020)
[2019](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2019)
[2018](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
[2017](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
[2016](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2016)
[2015](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
[2014](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2014)
[2013](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2013)
[](https://amzn.to/45QE7d9)
## Start From Zero: Build A Lucrative Business With No Ideas, No Expertise, or Money
By Dane Maxwell
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/45QE7d9)
[](https://amzn.to/4cSTV1j)
## 12 Months to $1 Million: How to Pick a Winning Product, Build a Real Business, and Become a Seven-Figure Entrepreneur
By Ryan Daniel Moran
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4cSTV1j)
[](https://amzn.to/49TGZav)
## Think and Grow Rich
By Napoleon Hill
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49TGZav)
[](https://amzn.to/47RlKnU)
## Rich Dad, Poor Dad
By Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/47RlKnU)
[](https://amzn.to/3W8SvtZ)
## The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare
By Christian Brose
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3W8SvtZ)
[](https://amzn.to/3W9hRYK)
## Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
By Cal Newport
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3W9hRYK)
[](https://amzn.to/3VKZszO)
## Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career
By Scott H. Young
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3VKZszO)
[](https://amzn.to/3VV9LS0)
## The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback
By Dan Olsen
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3VV9LS0)
[](https://amzn.to/3Lb4z7w)
## The Mom Test: How to talk to customers & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you
By Rob Fitzpatrick
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3Lb4z7w)
[](https://amzn.to/4cK6R9q)
## You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth
By Jen Sincero
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4cK6R9q)
[](https://amzn.to/4bvIlbm)
## The End of Jobs: Money, Meaning and Freedom Without the 9-to-5
By Taylor Pearson
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4bvIlbm)
[](https://amzn.to/3RRSlEP)
## Product-Led Growth: How to Build a Product That Sells Itself
By Wes Bush
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3RRSlEP)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## 2023 Reading List
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# 13 books I Read in 2023...
2023 was a big year for reading. I started exploring more business and self-help books.
[2026](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading)
[2025](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2025)
[2024](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2024)
[2023](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2023)
[2022](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2022)
[2021](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2021)
[2020](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2020)
[2019](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2019)
[2018](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
[2017](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
[2016](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2016)
[2015](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
[2014](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2014)
[2013](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2013)
[](https://amzn.to/3sWCBab)
## The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-First Century's Greatest Dilemma
By Mustafa Suleyman
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3sWCBab)
[](https://amzn.to/3T4kCtj)
## The Creative Act: A Way of Being
By Rick Rubin
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3T4kCtj)
[](https://amzn.to/3RntdF1)
## Elon Musk
By Walter Isaacson
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3RntdF1)
[](https://www.amazon.com/Steal-Like-Artist-Audio-Trilogy/dp/B0B6QG5HJ2?crid=L2HE0D3XK8JV&keywords=steal-like-an-artist&qid=1701378545&s=books&sprefix=steal-like-an-artist%2Cstripbooks%2C257&sr=1-4&linkCode=li2&tag=readerrenet-20&linkId=2e420a968a71dc854e04ec1bea58544f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il)
## Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
By Austin Kleon
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/Steal-Like-Artist-Audio-Trilogy/dp/B0B6QG5HJ2?crid=L2HE0D3XK8JV&keywords=steal-like-an-artist&qid=1701378545&s=books&sprefix=steal-like-an-artist%2Cstripbooks%2C257&sr=1-4&linkCode=li2&tag=readerrenet-20&linkId=2e420a968a71dc854e04ec1bea58544f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il)
[](https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Start-Side-Hustle-Work/dp/140023140X?crid=9Q5WX3YPGO9V&keywords=dont-start-a-side-hustle&qid=1701378390&s=books&sprefix=dont-start-a-side-hustle%2Cstripbooks%2C197&sr=1-1&linkCode=li2&tag=readerrenet-20&linkId=57bc30633c99f12de0f834071afc02d9&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il)
## Don't Start a Side Hustle!: Work Less, Earn More, and Live Free
By Brian Page
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Start-Side-Hustle-Work/dp/140023140X?crid=9Q5WX3YPGO9V&keywords=dont-start-a-side-hustle&qid=1701378390&s=books&sprefix=dont-start-a-side-hustle%2Cstripbooks%2C197&sr=1-1&linkCode=li2&tag=readerrenet-20&linkId=57bc30633c99f12de0f834071afc02d9&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il)
[](https://amzn.to/3Wb1NVh)
## Think Big
By Grace Lordan
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3Wb1NVh)
[](https://amzn.to/4cwUlKU)
## Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control
By Ryan Holiday
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4cwUlKU)
[](https://amzn.to/3QZ1ry8)
## The Lean Startup
By Eric Ries
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3QZ1ry8)
[](https://amzn.to/4buIOud)
## How to Get Rich: One of the World's Greatest Entrepreneurs Shares His Secrets
By Felix Dennis
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4buIOud)
[](https://amzn.to/4cxdf4u)
## Never Drop the Ball Again
By H B Pasley
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4cxdf4u)
[](https://amzn.to/45RXaDE)
## $100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No
By Alex Hormozi
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/45RXaDE)
[](https://amzn.to/4cPQFDL)
## Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
By Gino Wickman
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4cPQFDL)
[](https://amzn.to/3zvReEt)
## Man's Search for Meaning
By Viktor E. Frankl & William J. Winslade
Abandoned
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3zvReEt)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## 2014 Reading List
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# 21 books I Read in 2014...
Started getting serious about reading for personal growth.
[2026](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading)
[2025](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2025)
[2024](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2024)
[2023](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2023)
[2022](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2022)
[2021](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2021)
[2020](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2020)
[2019](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2019)
[2018](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
[2017](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
[2016](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2016)
[2015](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
[2014](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2014)
[2013](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2013)
[](https://www.amazon.com/Jab-Right-Hook-Story-Social/dp/B0BZS62R4L?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=readerrenet-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=a05bc02fd2e999af14b30ca88677fcdd&camp=1789&creative=9325)
## Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World
By Gary Vaynerchuk
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/Jab-Right-Hook-Story-Social/dp/B0BZS62R4L?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=readerrenet-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=a05bc02fd2e999af14b30ca88677fcdd&camp=1789&creative=9325)
[](https://www.amazon.com/The-ONE-Thing-audiobook/dp/B00FPVS27W?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=readerrenet-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=0b6630d27813d05c334d7a3f041f8258&camp=1789&creative=9325)
## The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
By Gary Keller
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/The-ONE-Thing-audiobook/dp/B00FPVS27W?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=readerrenet-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=0b6630d27813d05c334d7a3f041f8258&camp=1789&creative=9325)
[](https://www.amazon.com/EntreLeadership-Practical-Business-Wisdom-Trenches/dp/1451617852?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=readerrenet-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=6ef21894752362ded25165c40a88bcf8&camp=1789&creative=9325)
## Entreleadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches
By Dave Ramsey
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/EntreLeadership-Practical-Business-Wisdom-Trenches/dp/1451617852?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=readerrenet-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=6ef21894752362ded25165c40a88bcf8&camp=1789&creative=9325)
[](https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Upgrade/dp/B000EU1JGK)
## Millionaire Upgrade: Lessons in Success From Those Who Travel at the Sharp End of the Plane
By Richard Parkes Cordock
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Upgrade/dp/B000EU1JGK)
[](https://amzn.to/3sTFFnG)
## Think Like Zuck: The Five Business Secrets of Facebook’s Improbably Brilliant CEO Mark Zuckerberg
By Ekatrina Walter
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3sTFFnG)
[](https://amzn.to/49TGZav)
## Think and Grow Rich
By Napoleon Hill
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49TGZav)
[](https://amzn.to/40WZXJt)
## Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck--Why Some Thrive Despite Them All
By Jim Collins
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/40WZXJt)
[](https://amzn.to/46rRTlb)
## Crush It! Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion
By Gary Vaynerchuk
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/46rRTlb)
[](https://amzn.to/47sdBXB)
## Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don’t
By Jim Collins
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/47sdBXB)
[](https://amzn.to/47U5TFr)
## Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
By Simon Sinek
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/47U5TFr)
[](https://amzn.to/3SZHVUX)
## Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
By Greg McKeown
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3SZHVUX)
[](https://amzn.to/3GjFsgG)
## Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
By Daniel H. Pink
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3GjFsgG)
[](https://amzn.to/3QZzN4f)
## Age of Context: Mobile, Sensors, Data and the Future of Privacy
By Robert Scoble & Shel Israel
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3QZzN4f)
[](https://amzn.to/46vnRgo)
## Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t
By Simon Sinek
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/46vnRgo)
[](https://amzn.to/3RcL9TH)
## Start. Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average, and Do Work That Matters
By Jon Acuff
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3RcL9TH)
[](https://amzn.to/3uCfK4s)
## Think Like a Freak
By Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3uCfK4s)
[](https://amzn.to/3uxAEBD)
## Big Data: A Revolution That Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Think
By Viktor Mayer-Schönberger & Kenneth Cukier
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3uxAEBD)
[](https://amzn.to/3uvAISm)
## Rewire Your Brain: Think Your Way to a Better Life
By John B. Arden
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3uvAISm)
[](https://amzn.to/3uvAISm)
## The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution
By Walter Isaacson
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3uvAISm)
[](https://amzn.to/3Go5BdX)
## Veronica Mars: The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line
By Rob Thomas
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3Go5BdX)
[](https://amzn.to/3GjEuRA)
## Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
By Peter Thiel
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3GjEuRA)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Books Read in 2017
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# 11 books I Read in 2017...
Exploring success principles and building better habits.
[2026](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading)
[2025](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2025)
[2024](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2024)
[2023](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2023)
[2022](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2022)
[2021](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2021)
[2020](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2020)
[2019](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2019)
[2018](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
[2017](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
[2016](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2016)
[2015](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
[2014](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2014)
[2013](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2013)
[](https://amzn.to/3uHQo4T)
## I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons
By Kevin Hart
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3uHQo4T)
[](https://www.amazon.com/Ready-Player-One-Ernest-Cline-ebook/dp/B004J4WKUQ?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1701132294&sr=1-1&linkCode=li2&tag=readerrenet-20&linkId=cb686a3fb7c6714f33ac1ebdab66722f)
## Ready Player One
By Ernest Cline
Finished
[Read →](https://www.amazon.com/Ready-Player-One-Ernest-Cline-ebook/dp/B004J4WKUQ?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1701132294&sr=1-1&linkCode=li2&tag=readerrenet-20&linkId=cb686a3fb7c6714f33ac1ebdab66722f)
[](https://amzn.to/47vLW88)
## The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage
By Mel Robbins
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/47vLW88)
[](https://amzn.to/3N0mnUc)
## The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F\*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
By Mark Manson
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3N0mnUc)
[](https://amzn.to/3sVwtza)
## Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook
By Tony Robbins
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3sVwtza)
[](https://amzn.to/49WEaFN)
## Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
By Walter Isaacson
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/49WEaFN)
[](https://amzn.to/47vsbgF)
## Be Obsessed Or Be Average
By Grant Cardone
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/47vsbgF)
[](https://amzn.to/3uAf5QP)
## The 10% Entrepreneur: Live Your Startup Dream Without Quitting Your Day Job
By Patrick J. McGinnis
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3uAf5QP)
[](https://amzn.to/46tdyt6)
## Algorithms To Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions
By Brian Christian & Tom Griffiths
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/46tdyt6)
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
## Wake Up Happy: The Dream Big, Win Big Guide to Transforming Your Life
By Michael Strahan
Finished
[](https://amzn.to/3RhMKrv)
## The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future
By Kevin Kelly
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3RhMKrv)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## 2022 Reading List
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# 6 books I Read in 2022...
Continuing my reading journey with a mix of business and personal development.
[2026](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading)
[2025](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2025)
[2024](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2024)
[2023](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2023)
[2022](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2022)
[2021](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2021)
[2020](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2020)
[2019](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2019)
[2018](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2018)
[2017](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2017)
[2016](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2016)
[2015](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2015)
[2014](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2014)
[2013](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/reading/2013)
[](https://amzn.to/3zv9q17)
## So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love
By Cal Newport
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3zv9q17)
[](https://amzn.to/3XQowYU)
## Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential
By Tiago Forte
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3XQowYU)
[](https://amzn.to/4bC7Asm)
## Contagious: Why Things Catch On
By Jonah Berger
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/4bC7Asm)
[](https://amzn.to/3RWObvl)
## The Minimalist Entrepreneur: How Great Founders Do More with Less
By Sahil Lavingia
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3RWObvl)
[](https://amzn.to/3Wacpoe)
## Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know
By Malcolm Gladwell
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3Wacpoe)
[](https://amzn.to/3zsIHC9)
## No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention
By Reed Hastings & Erin Meyer
Finished
[Read →](https://amzn.to/3zsIHC9)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Entrepreneurship Insights
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# Entrepreneurship
- Published on November 26, 2024
### [A 5-Week Plan to Go from Side Hustler to Solopreneur](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/five-week-plan)
[entrepreneurship](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/entrepreneurship)
Five weeks. That’s all that’s left in 2024.
This plan isn’t about perfection—it’s about action. Commit, simplify, build, launch, and iterate. By the end, you won’t just have an idea; you’ll have progress.
Stop waiting. Start now.
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/five-week-plan)
- Published on August 5, 2024
### [The Power of Small Wins](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-power-of-small-wins)
[entrepreneurship](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/entrepreneurship)
Solopreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. The journey can feel daunting, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the distance between where you are and where you want to be.
But progress isn’t measured by giant leaps—it’s found in the little steps forward...
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-power-of-small-wins)
- Published on July 20, 2024
### [Done is Better Than Perfect](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/done-is-better-than-perfect)
[entrepreneurship](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/entrepreneurship)
Perfectionism paralyzes progress. While building Trendy.so, I learned that waiting for "perfect" nearly stopped me from launching altogether. By shipping early, I opened the door to real feedback, iteration, and growth. Progress isn’t about being flawless—it’s about starting, learning, and improving along the way. Done is always better than perfect.
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/done-is-better-than-perfect)
- Published on May 26, 2023
### [FOCUS](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/focus)
[focus](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/focus) [advice](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/advice) [entrepreneurship](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/entrepreneurship)
Curiosity is both the gift and the burden of entrepreneurship...
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/focus)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Insights on NFTs
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# Nfts
- Published on February 21, 2023
### [Blockchain: Rethinking Customer Loyalty](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/blockchain-based-loyalty-programs)
[Blockchain](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/blockchain) [NFTs](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/nfts) [Loyalties](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/loyalties)
Loyalty programs are stuck in the past. What if your points were actual tokens? Trade them, swap them, maybe even sell them – it's blockchain's next big move. Customers gain power, companies gain data, and loyalty starts to look way more appealing. I see the future of rewards being minted on a blockchain.
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/blockchain-based-loyalty-programs)
- Published on December 20, 2022
### [Cockpunch AI Art Competition](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/cockpunch-ai-art)
[AI](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/ai) [AI-Art](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/ai-art) [NFTs](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/nfts)
Here's a blog post of my Cockpunch NFT AI Art submission. I used my own NFT (#2017) as the starting point...
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/cockpunch-ai-art)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Innovation Insights
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# Innovation
- Published on August 20, 2024
### [The Rhythm of Innovation](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-rhythm-of-innovation)
[innovation](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/innovation)
Ideas don’t spread evenly.
Everett Rogers figured this out and called it the _Diffusion of Innovations_. It’s the pattern of how new ideas and technologies move through society.
Here’s how it works...
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/the-rhythm-of-innovation)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Design Strategies
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# Design
- Published on October 23, 2024
### [The 8-Second Rule: Designing for Modern Attention Spans](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/8-second-rule)
[content-flywheel](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/content-flywheel) [design](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/design)
Hooking a visitor in 8 seconds can make or break a landing page. In this essay, I share the lessons I’ve learned while building the Content Flywheel landing page, from crafting clear headlines to designing with empathy. Discover how ruthless prioritization and small tweaks can make all the difference.
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/8-second-rule)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Growth Insights
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# Growth
- Published on September 20, 2024
### [If You’re Not Scared, You’re Not Growing](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/if-youre-not-scared-youre-not-growing)
[growth](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/growth)
“If you’re not scared, you’re not taking a chance. And if you’re not taking a chance, what the hell are you doing?” – Ted Mosby
An atomic essay on pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone...
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/if-youre-not-scared-youre-not-growing)
Twitter Widget Iframe
## Designing for Modern Attention
[](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/)
Dan Schoonmaker
Software Engineer
Follow my solopreneur journey
# Content-flywheel
- Published on October 23, 2024
### [The 8-Second Rule: Designing for Modern Attention Spans](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/8-second-rule)
[content-flywheel](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/content-flywheel) [design](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/tags/design)
Hooking a visitor in 8 seconds can make or break a landing page. In this essay, I share the lessons I’ve learned while building the Content Flywheel landing page, from crafting clear headlines to designing with empathy. Discover how ruthless prioritization and small tweaks can make all the difference.
[Keep Reading →](https://www.danschoonmaker.com/blog/8-second-rule)
Twitter Widget Iframe