It’s a short one this weekend but still full of scrumptious thoughts on life, marketing, and Gov Newsome. Yep, Governor Newsome.

But first, go on a journey with me. Close your eyes. 

Imagine beautiful white sand beaches. Cold ocean water between your toes. A chilled drink in your hand. Serenity. Peace.

And then the BAM! A football knocks the delicious drink from your hands.
Ten boys run past, laughing and yelling indecipherable words like rizz, sigma, cooked, noob, and beta.

Sand flies into your face, clinging to the sunscreen.
Ah, serenity.

There’s sand in my eyes and every crevice. But this newsletter is still going out.

While I enjoy Spring Break with ten boys under 12 (plus the parent entourage, of course), I trust you’re kicking ass and continuing to deliver… because that’s what we do.

And while a football to the face (or drink) is mildly annoying, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I work hard so I can experience moments like this.

❤️ Kyle

On The Emotional Power of Thousands of iPhone Photos

I think I speak for most of us. I have thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of photos on my phone. 

I take a lot of photos. Hell, we all do. It’s the digital age. We capture all the moments, save them to the cloud, and forget about them. 

Until our trusty technology randomly resurfaces the photo, and we are hit with an unexpected memory and all that damned emotional weight.

It happened to me recently. A photo of my kids from a few years ago popped up on my phone. The past and present collided. I felt the same emotions I had when the picture was taken (at least from what I can remember), with an added layer of nostalgia and regret for how fast time moves. 

It’s surreal. The click of a button doesn’t just document moments. The photo captures memories we will retell, relive, and experience all over again. 

I don’t know about you, but not every photo brings back a smile. Usually, I’m hit with the constant reminder of time, what’s passed… what I can’t get back. Instead of appreciating the moment, I wish I could relive it… when they were younger, when life felt different, when things were simpler (funny enough, they weren’t).

Photos mess with time, shrinking years into a single frame and showing how much has changed. A vacation shot (10 boys playing football) reminds us that what felt ordinary then was something worth remembering. 

Photos should bring us back to the joy of those moments, not just the longing. Even when regret shows up, we can choose to use the thousands of photos as reminders of the fun, love, laughter, and experiences that made them worth capturing in the first place. 

If a photo from five years ago can elicit emotion, what will today’s pictures mean to us in another five years? It’s not about forcing ourselves to savor every second. That’s impossible. It’s about realizing that today’s small moments are tomorrow’s memories. 

Poetic, right?

We can’t slow time, but we can be more aware of it. Sometimes, a single photo is all it takes to remind us to appreciate both where we’ve been and where we’re headed.

On Living Life at 3x Speed with Elaine Zelby

In this week's Revenue Diaries episode, I sat down with Elaine Zelby, co-founder of Tofu. Elaine brings a maker mindset and clear focus to everything she does, balancing family life, startups, and creative work with a carefully planned schedule.

Family, Startups, and Self-Care
Elaine starts her day at 4:30 AM and manages her time by prioritizing work and family. With four kids, a husband, and a startup founder, she keeps her schedule structured and permits herself to slow down on weekends. This approach helps her maintain her energy without burning out.

A Maker at Heart
Even with her busy schedule, Elaine finds time for her creative passions. With a background in mechanical engineering from Stanford, she enjoys working with her hands, from lost wax casting jewelry to building busy boards for kids. She dreams of opening an adult maker camp where people can disconnect and enjoy creative work.

The 3x Speed Philosophy
Elaine processes information quickly and listens to podcasts at 3x speed. This fast-paced approach drives her to explore new ideas and learn constantly. Combining systems thinking with an understanding of human psychology has built strong professional relationships and created opportunities throughout her career.

Advice for the Technically Inclined
Elaine recommends using your analytical skills for those with a technical background as industries become more data-driven. She also stresses the importance of understanding human behavior and being curious about opportunities outside your current role. Making your boss look good can open new doors in your career.

Food, Family, and Future Dreams
When not working on startups or creative projects, Elaine enjoys good food. She values simple, well-made meals and fondly recalls a memorable meal in Italy. Her plans include projects in healthcare and a maker camp that brings people together to create and learn.

Elaine Zelby lives life at 3x speed while focusing on what matters. Visit her on LinkedIn for more insights from her work at Tofu or to connect with her. Stay tuned for more conversations on Revenue Diaries.

Listen to Elaine’s episode by clicking here or wherever you listen to podcasts.

On Newsome, Burner Phones, and Bold Marketing

Honestly, I never thought I would be typing any semblance of this sentence but here it goes. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom just pulled off a marketing move so good, I was impressed. Instead of sending a generic email or random email, he sent prepaid phones (burner phones), actual devices, to 100 top tech CEOs with his personal number pre-programmed in. 

And the message accompanying the phone was perfect… "If you ever need anything, I'm a phone call away."

It’s great marketing. It’s creative and bold. 

But this wouldn’t be an entry in Revenue Diaries without some takeaways from my favorite Governor. :) 

1. Breaking Through the Noise

We all know attention is the most valuable currency. These CEOs are bombarded with messages every day. A LinkedIn DM? Ignored. An email? Buried. Spam. But a prepaid phone with a direct line to the governor? That’s impossible to ignore.

How can marketers use this? Easy. Copy it. Send burner phones. :) Okay. Okay. Think about physical, unexpected, and personalized ways to reach your audience. Could you send a handwritten note? A unique package? Think outside the box. 

2. Creating a Feeling of Exclusivity

Newsom didn’t blast out a press release. He didn’t send these phones to thousands of people, just 100 of his top-tier, grade-A accounts (ABM FTW). That exclusivity makes the recipients feel important. It’s the same reason VIP events, limited releases, and invite-only communities work so well in marketing.

Marketers should ask: How can I make my audience feel part of something exclusive?

3. Making It Easy to Connect

The phones weren’t just a stunt; they were functional. There were no barriers, no friction—just one tap, and you’re talking to the governor. They didn’t need to go to a landing page, throw in some information, and then get another email for the Governor to demo his next fiscal plan. In marketing, we often overcomplicate how people engage with us. We ask for too much info, require too many steps, or bury our CTAs.

Make it dead simple for your audience to take action. Reduce friction. Make the next step obvious and effortless.

Cut Through the Noise

Newsom’s prepaid phone strategy is a lesson in cutting through the noise, creating exclusivity, and making interaction seamless.

Take note, fellow marketers. The best way to connect with your audience isn’t always another email or ad. Sometimes, it’s about sending them something unexpected they can’t ignore.

And if you ever need anything? I’m a phone call away (okay, maybe not a burner phone, but you get the idea).