The Perpetual Raise:

A Crowdfunding Strategy for Founders, Operators, and Investors Who Care About the Payday

Everyone celebrates the raise. Almost nobody asks the only question that matters.

Did the capital create real enterprise value — or did the round just create a higher number on paper?

The startup world worships the mega-round: raise as much as you can, as early as you can, at the highest valuation, from the biggest names. The Perpetual Raise is the opposite discipline — a capital operating system for founders who want to keep control and actually reward the people who backed them.

The sequence is simple and ruthless: Raise. Deploy. Prove. Report. Reprice. Repeat. Exit. Raise the smallest meaningful amount that funds the next milestone. Deploy it fast into the highest-confidence use. Prove the result. Then — and only then — reopen at better terms.

Justin Smith built Contractor+ on under $750,000 raised from the crowd and zero venture capital. In this book he shows founders, operators, and everyday investors how the new rules of capital actually work:

• The real legal lanes — Reg CF, Reg A, and Reg D 506(c) — explained at a strategy level, without the legalese.

• Raise-to-deploy vs. raise-to-survive: the moral line most founders blur — and how to write a use-of-proceeds you can be graded on.

• The Iceberg of Capital Cost — the platform fee you see, and the interest, dilution, investor-acquisition cost, and control you don't.

• Eleven real crowdfunding case studies — RAD Intel, Legion M, RISE Robotics, Miso, Gumroad, Monogram (crowd → Nasdaq → acquisition), Boxabl, Knightscope, Arrive AI, BackerKit, Solectrac — the wins, the warnings, and the line between a markup and a payday.

• The Investor-Whole Doctrine: customers first, investors second, founders last — and why that order is a point of pride.

• The Milestone Stack and a five-year architecture for building a company an acquirer actually wants.

This isn't hype. It's a field manual — hand-drawn diagrams, honest numbers, and a doctrine you can run this quarter.

Investors don't get paid from screenshots. They get paid from cash. Go earn your next round.

Click here to get The Perpetual Raise

on Amazon / Kindle / Kindle Unlimited

25 self-help books to help overcome life struggles

  

25 self-help books to help overcome life struggles

Introduction

If you're struggling with Life, chances are you are out of balance/harmony with how life works.  How does life work?  Life works in threes!  Life consists of YOU, YOUR LIFE and YOUR JOURNEY.  Let's explore each one and get back in balance to overcome any struggles.

LIFE

The process of life is a continuous cycle of growth, change, and adaptation. It begins with the spark of existence, as organisms emerge, develop, and evolve in response to their environment. Life progresses through various stages—learning, struggle,and transformation—where each experience contributes to the unfolding of an individual's journey. Along the way, we humans face challenges, form connections, and seek meaning, all while navigating the delicate balance between survival and change. At its core, life is about resilience, the constant pursuit of balance, and the inevitable progression toward the unknown. 

YOU

Striving for perfection in life is like chasing a mirage in the desert—no matter how hard we try, it always seems just out of reach. It's about constantly measuring ourselves against impossible standards, seeking validation from others, and fearing failure at every turn. In contrast, living authentically is about embracing our imperfections, celebrating our uniqueness, and owning our truth without apology. It's about being genuine, vulnerable, and unapologetically ourselves, flaws and all. Instead of striving for an unattainable ideal, living authentically allows us to cultivate genuine connections, find true fulfillment, and experience a deeper sense of peace and contentment.  

YOUR LIFE

Taking control of your life is like steering your own ship—you're the captain of your destiny, charting your course and navigating the waters of life with confidence and conviction. It's about owning your decisions, embracing your individuality, and staying true to your values, even when others try to steer you off course. While it's natural to seek guidance and support from others, it's essential to remember that ultimately, you're the one in the driver's seat of your life.  

YOUR JOURNEY

Life is a grand adventure, a journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected detours along the way. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, constantly striving for the next milestone or accomplishment. But as the saying goes, it's not about the destination—it's about the journey. Each moment, each experience, each encounter shapes who we are and who we become, guiding us along the path of self-discovery and personal growth.  

SUMMARY

The beauty of life lies in its imperfections—the smudges, the smears, the unexpected splashes of color that add character and depth to the canvas of our existence. It's in these moments of spontaneity and unpredictability that we find the true essence of living—a vibrant, ever-changing tapestry of joy, sorrow, love, and laughter. So, as you embark on the journey of life, remember that the canvas is yours to paint. Choose your colors wisely, embrace the imperfections, and allow the beauty of your unique masterpiece to shine through for all the world to see.  

INVITATION

“If you chase life...it will run from you.” 

Imagine life as a river flowing gently downstream. When you chase life, it’s like trying to swim against the current—you're constantly pushing and striving to make things happen on your own terms. While determination and hard work are important, there's also beauty in allowing life to unfold naturally. Allowing life to come to you is about trusting the flow of the river, where you navigate with ease and openness to what the universe brings your way. 

Click here to Choose from

25 self-help books to help overcome life struggles

www.lifeworksinthrees.com

THE WHISPER IN THE JAR

   

 

THE WHISPER IN THE JAR

Prophecy always demands a witness. She was seventeen when she learned that the gods do not send visions to help. What she saw, she could not unsee. What she warned against, she only hastened. And what she became, no one had a name for. Across the burning cities of the ancient Mediterranean, she walked. She lived among scholars who feared her, slaves who hid her, senators who used her. She loved quietly. She lost everyone. She kept writing letters to a girl who could no longer read them. And when she could bear no more witnessing, she sealed herself inside a clay jar and waited for the world to forget her. The world forgot. Until someone came looking. A literary historical novella in the tradition of Marguerite Yourcenar's Memoirs of Hadrian and Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities. For readers who love quiet, philosophical fiction set in the long shadow of the ancient world.

Click here to get THE WHISPER IN THE JAR

on Amazon / Kindle / Kindle Unlimited 

Help Us Build the Make Peace With Life Movement

 

Help Us Build the

Make Peace With Life Movement

What if one simple message could change someone's life?

What if one podcast episode helped someone realize they weren't broken?

What if one conversation helped someone smile again after months of struggling?

That's why we created the Make Peace With Life Podcast.

This isn't just another podcast.

It's the beginning of a movement.

You Are Not Broken

One of the biggest lies people hear today is that they're somehow "broken."

The world constantly tells us we need to be fixed.

That we're not successful enough.

Not attractive enough.

Not productive enough.

Not spiritual enough.

Not enough.

We believe something very different.

We believe that you are not broken.

You're human.

You're growing.

You're learning.

You're evolving.

Sometimes life knocks us down.

Sometimes we lose our way.

Sometimes we simply need someone to remind us that happiness is still possible.

That's exactly what we're here to do.

Finding Your Happiness Again

Every episode of the Make Peace With Life Podcast is designed to help you:

• Find more peace in everyday life.
• Laugh a little more.
• See life from a different perspective.
• Grow without feeling like you need to become someone else.
• Strengthen your relationships.
• Explore metaphysical ideas with curiosity and fun.
• Appreciate life's simple moments.
• Build confidence.
• Create positive energy.
• Remember that happiness isn't something you find someday—it's something you create every day.

We don't pretend to have every answer.

But together, we can ask better questions.

We Need Your Help

Movements don't grow because of one person.

They grow because thousands of people decide that the message is worth sharing.

That's where you come in.

If you've enjoyed our podcast...

If you've smiled during an episode...

If something we've shared has helped you see life differently...

Please subscribe.

Not because we're chasing numbers.

Because every new subscriber gives this message a chance to reach someone else who may need to hear it.

Someone who may be struggling.

Someone who feels alone.

Someone who simply needs hope.

Every Subscriber Matters

Think about it.

Every time someone subscribes...

The message spreads a little farther.

Every time someone shares an episode...

Another family hears it.

Another friendship benefits from it.

Another person begins believing that maybe...

Just maybe...

They're not broken after all.

That's powerful.

Let's Make This Big

Dreams don't become reality because we hope.

They become reality because communities come together.

We want to build more than a podcast.

We want to build one of the most positive communities on the internet.

A place where people encourage one another.

Laugh together.

Grow together.

Celebrate each other's victories.

Support each other through life's challenges.

A place where making peace with life becomes more than a phrase.

It becomes a way of living.

But we can't do it alone.

We need your voice.

Your encouragement.

Your ideas.

And yes...

Your subscription.

Here's How You Can Help Today

It's simple.

✅ Subscribe to the podcast.

✅ Like your favorite episodes.

✅ Leave a comment.

✅ Share an episode with someone you care about.

✅ Tell a friend about the Make Peace With Life Movement.

Every one of those actions helps us reach more people with a message the world desperately needs.

Join the Movement

Visit us online at:

Website: https://makepeacewithlife.com

YouTube Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@MakePeaceWithLife33

Explore our articles.

Check out our podcast.

Browse our merchandise.

Join our growing community of people choosing peace, positivity, and purpose.

Together We Can Change Lives

The Make Peace With Life Movement isn't about perfection.

It's about progress.

It's about choosing kindness over criticism.

Hope over fear.

Laughter over bitterness.

Peace over chaos.

If you've been looking for a place that reminds you life is still beautiful...

Welcome home.

Now let's make this movement bigger than any one of us ever imagined.

Let's spread the message far and wide.

Let's remind the world that happiness is still possible.

Let's help people realize they are not broken.

And together...

Let's Make Peace With Life. 

Click here to subscribe to

The Make Peace With Life Podcast

Cookie-Led Growth: Find Your Cookie

  

 

Cookie-Led Growth: Find Your Cookie:

The Outside-the-Box Playbook for Growing a Software Startup

You can't out-spend the funded. So out-create them.

Every growth guide is written by someone who had a war chest. Burn millions on ads, buy a growth team, brute-force your way to scale. That's not a playbook — that's a budget. And if you're bootstrapped, it'll bury you.

Cookie-Led Growth (CLG) is the opposite. It's the discipline of finding your cookie: one weird, creative, relationship-driven growth mechanism that lands your best customers at a fraction of the cost of paid ads — and compounds. Named as a deliberate riff on Product-Led Growth, CLG is what you do when you can't buy growth and have to engineer it instead.

Justin Smith bootstrapped Contractor+ into a fast-growing software company with zero venture capital. In this book he opens the kimono — real plays, real numbers, no theory:

• The cookie box: how a Crumbl-style box of fresh-baked cookies, hand-delivered to the right doors, out-converts a $750 cold click.

• The directory hack that landed the first 1,000 users with one gloriously sneaky trick.

• Mobile-led growth: turning $3.60 installs into a ~$120 effective CAC — and the retention trap nobody warns you about.

• The four numbers (CAC, ACV, tenure, LTV) that decide whether a channel lives or dies — with the exact math on the page.

• How to build a growth machine — routing, payroll, an ambassador app — in an afternoon, with AI.

• The viral flywheel that makes your biggest customers recruit your smallest ones.

This isn't a mindset book. It's a field manual — hand-drawn diagrams, honest unit economics, and a dozen concentrated experiments you can run this week, from bootstrapped all the way to the exit.

Stop copying the funded playbook. Go find your cookie.

Click here to get Cookie-Led Growth: Find Your Cookie

on Amazon / Kindle / Kindle Unlimited 

Claude AI for Business: The 10X Playbook

 

Claude AI for Business: The 10X Playbook:

Master Cowork, Claude Code, Skills, Projects, Artifacts, MCP, Plugins, and AI Agents to Automate Work and Build a Smarter Company

Claude isn't a chatbot anymore. Stop prompting — start delegating.

Most people type a question into Claude and copy the answer. That's using a fraction of it. Claude is now a stack for thinking, creating, remembering, connecting, delegating, automating, and orchestrating real business work — and this is the playbook for running it like an operator, not a tourist.

Claude AI for Business: The 10X Playbook takes you from your first good answer to a governed, automated Claude Business OS — beginner to builder, everyone levels up. Written by a founder who runs an agentic AI workforce in production, it's a complete implementation system, not a prompt dump.

You'll master the whole stack:

• Projects, Memory & Context Engineering — give Claude your company's brain so it stops starting from zero.
• Artifacts & finished deliverables — real spreadsheets, decks, docs, dashboards, and mini-apps.
• Skills, Connectors & MCP — teach Claude your procedures and safely connect your tools with least-privilege permissions.
• Cowork — delegate a complete job, schedule recurring work, and run reliable multi-agent workflows behind a human approval gate.
• Claude Code — for operators and founders, not just developers: build tools, automate operations, work in parallel.
• Department playbooks for executive, marketing, sales, customer success, operations, finance, product, and engineering.
• Safety & governance — prompt-injection defense, permissions, evidence, and an ROI scorecard to prove it worked.

Signature frameworks — the Capability Ladder, the BRIEF delegation method, the Governed Business-Agent Pattern, and Proof-Before-Scale — give you a memorable path, plus a living companion vault of workbooks, 101 Power Moves, 50 BRIEFs, and an exhaustive, proven Skill library.

By the last page you'll have built a personal AI chief of staff, at least three recurring Cowork workflows, a governed connector stack, a live dashboard, and a 30-day rollout your whole team can run.

Stop prompting. Start delegating.

An independent, unofficial guide. Not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by Anthropic. "Claude" is a trademark of Anthropic.

Click here to get Claude AI for Business: The 10X Playbook

on Amazon Kindle / Kindle Unlimited 

Agentic Software: The App Layer Wins

   

Agentic Software: The App Layer Wins:

How One Founder Built an AI Workforce That Runs a Real Company

The software era just ended. Here's what replaces it—and how to own it.

For thirty years, business software did one thing: wait for you. You opened the app, clicked the buttons, chased the tasks. That era is over. The next generation of software doesn't wait—it works.

In Agentic Software, Contractor+ founder Justin Smith sends a dispatch from a few years into the future: a real, revenue-generating company increasingly run by a governed AI workforce—a marketing team, a support team, and a success team, all built as software and directed from a chat window while the founder sleeps.

This isn't theory, and it isn't hype. It's a working field guide and a live case study—hand-drawn and plain-spoken—that shows the exact architecture behind a company that markets, sells, supports, and improves on its own, and gets measurably smarter every night.

You'll learn how to:

• Stop operating software and start directing it—the shift from tools to teammates.

• Build the one asset that compounds: a shared "brain" your AI never forgets.

• Draw an org chart of agents—managers, specialists, and validators that scale output without scaling headcount.

• Keep AI aggressive and safe at the same time with an autonomy ladder, a confidence gate, and a kill switch.

• Run the whole thing affordably by routing every task to the cheapest model that can do it well.

• Turn one painful workflow into your first agent—with a concrete 90-day plan you can start Monday.

The winners of the AI era won't be the companies with the biggest model. They'll be the incumbents who move first—the operators who own the data, the workflow, and the customer trust, and wrap a workforce around them before the competitor down the street does.

If you run a business, lead a team, or simply want to understand where software is heading, this is the playbook for the agentic era.

Start with one workflow. Earn trust one rung at a time. Let the loop compound.

Includes original hand-drawn diagrams and a step-by-step blueprint.

Click here to get Agentic Software: The App Layer Wins

on Amazon / Kindle / Kindle Unlimited