Reader,

This week has been a reminder: we don’t have forever.

And because of that I really want to encourage you to go for it.

Whatever 'it' looks like for you whether it's making your first hire, quitting that job, going on that date...taking that holiday.

Just do it.

Something to make you think:

I’ve actually been thinking about Steve Jobs lately.

Do you remember his final note before he died?

“At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realise that all the recognition and wealth I took so much pride in have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death…You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you, but you cannot have someone bear the sickness for you. Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost, life.”

Then I saw something else: We get, on average, 4,000 weeks on this earth.

That hit me.

I’m more motivated than ever to go after everything I want, and everything I deserve. And yes, I say deserve. Because I believe I, and you, deserve to live a good life.

I know many of you are building businesses to change things, for yourself, your family, and in some cases, for complete strangers.

So my note today is simple: 4,000 weeks isn’t that long. Make it count.

Something to make you act:

On that note of time and action, a journalist asked me the other day what it’s like being a Black founder. I’ll be honest: I hate that question.

It’s the same energy as when women are asked, “But how do you balance this with being a mum?” Unless they want to speak about that balance, why do they keep getting asked that?

Here’s how I see it:

I’m not a Black entrepreneur.
I’m an entrepreneur who happens to be Black.
There’s a difference.

Because the more you lead with a label, the more you box yourself in. You start to see yourself through it and so does everyone else.

I’ve never built businesses through the lens of identity.
I’ve built them by solving problems people are willing to pay for. That’s it.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I understand why the label exists. Representation matters. Visibility matters. For a long time, we didn’t have it.

But I’ve always believed this:

- If the product solves a real problem
- If the service delivers value
- If the business is built with intention

Then no one will care what you look like.
They’ll care what you deliver.

That mindset helped me build something I’m proud of.
And it’s the mindset I now share with every founder I speak to.

Identity can be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to be the whole story.

Something to read:

-I thought this was funny: Apple's iPhone stars in the most Gen Z royal portrait ever here​

-The world's "black" billionaires: an inspiring read here​

Something to make you laugh or cringe:

Historic Vids @historyinmemes Love him or hate him, this 2003 Ali G interview with Donald Trump is a bizarre classic 12:50 AM • Apr 25, 2025 4112 Retweets 36978 Likes Read 655 replies

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What's one thing that you you think, act, or even laugh this week?

Drop me an email let's chat.

Timo

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