Issue #1: The Great Escape

What's Happening Today

• Main Quest: Breaking Free from Corporate Life to E …

• Side Quest: From Corporate Warrior to Startup Foun …

• Legendary Loot Drop: Entrepreneurial Gear of the W …

• Boss Battle Insights: Greg’s Entrepreneurial Influ …

• Final Boss: A Word to Fellow Corporate Escapees

Main Quest: Breaking Free from Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship

Well, well, well. Look who's back from a four-month summer sabbatical, refreshed, recharged, and possibly a little sunburnt. That's right, folks – it's me, Greg Mills, your friendly neighbourhood corporate escapee. While you were all busy pretending to work from home (don't worry, your secret's safe with me), I was out there contemplating the meaning of life, business, and why anyone would voluntarily choose pleated khakis over the comfort of a startup founder's jeans and t-shirt uniform.

Now, as I stand on the precipice of my next chapter, I'm reminded of that iconic quote from Morpheus:

"I stand here without fear because I remember. I remember that I am here not because of the path that lies behind me but because of the path that lies before me."

For those who don't remember 2003 (or were too busy watching Friends reruns to catch The Matrix sequels), let me break it down for you:

1. I'm not just some naive newcomer to the world of entrepreneurship. I'm a battle-hardened corporate survivor with the scars (and maybe an ulcer) to prove it.

2. My entrepreneurial courage comes from my experiences, not from ignorance. It's like I've been training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber of Corporate America.

3. Every mind-numbing meeting, every soul-crushing report (monthly operations report, anyone?), every time I wanted to flip my desk – it all led to this moment of entrepreneurial rebellion.

In other words, all those years of corporate ladder-climbing, TPS report-filing, and pretending to care about Glen's golf game weren't for nothing. They've prepared me for this moment – the moment where I throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. It's like I've been unknowingly speedrunning the corporate game, and now I'm ready for the entrepreneurship expansion pack.

Side Quest: From Corporate Warrior to Startup Founder

So here I am, a 50-something ex-corporate executive, trying to navigate the startup ecosystem like a Boomer at a TikTok convention (<—actually GenX). It's... not pretty. But hey, at least I'm not wearing a tie anymore, right?

The transition has been interesting, to say the least. Here are some of the biggest changes I've noticed:

1. Dress Code: I've gone from "business professional" to "whatever doesn't smell." My wardrobe now consists of startup-branded t-shirts and jeans. It's like casual Friday, but every day. And more casual.

2. Office Space: I've traded my corner office for a corner of my dining room table. The view's not as good, but the commute is unbeatable.

3. Meetings: Instead of endless boardroom sessions, I now have endless Teams calls. Progress?

4. Lunch Breaks: No more fancy business lunches. Now it's me, a sad sandwich, and YouTube tutorials on "How to Start a Startup."

5. Job Title: I've gone from having a title longer than a Starbucks order to simply "Founder." It's humbling, really. And by "humbling," I mean "terrifying."

But you know what? Despite the chaos, the uncertainty, and the sudden realization that I have no idea what I'm doing, I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's like I've taken the red pill, and now I'm seeing just how deep the entrepreneurial rabbit hole goes.

Legendary Loot Drop: Entrepreneurial Gear of the Week

Tool: Ownr.co 

Category: Business Formation & Management

Rating: 4.5/5 Red Pills

This week, I'm spotlighting Ownr.co, the online platform that helped me bring LandLogic into existence without drowning in a sea of paperwork. If you're considering taking the entrepreneurial plunge (it's less scary than it looks, I promise), this tool might just be your new best friend.

Key Features:

• Business Registration on Steroids (legally, of course).

• Instant business name search for conflicts.

• Legal Document Generation (faster than you can say "objection!").

• Comprehensive Business Management Tools (like a Swiss Army knife for your startup).

Standout Capabilities:

1. Efficient Incorporation: Register your business in a matter of minutes.

2. Paperwork Management: Ownr handles document submission and creates all the incorporation documents, including your cap table.

3. Business Perks: Access exclusive benefits…the discount at Quick Books online was a nice touch.

Money-Saving Hack: Open an RBC Business Bank Account through Ownr and save $300 off the Ownr incorporation price…they are owned by RBC.

Personal Experience: As an entrepreneur-in-training whose previous idea of corporate planning was “go to the lawyers office and then wait 6 months to hear if your corporate name was accepted," I found Ownr to be a lifesaver. It transformed the daunting task of business registration into something more manageable than assembling IKEA furniture. Contact me (with a reply) if you want to know more about setting up your corporation.

Boss Battle Insights: Greg’s Entrepreneurial Influencer of the Week

Meet Andrew Wilkinson, the Willy Wonka of the tech world, minus the questionable labour practices and candy-based booby traps. As the founder of Tiny Capital, he's made a career out of buying, building, and operating internet businesses. His new book, "Never Enough," explores the rollercoaster of ambition and success - think "Eat, Pray, Love" for the entrepreneurial set, but with more spreadsheets.

One of my medium-term goals is to interview Andrew or perhaps just be acknowledged in a social media post. He is Canadian and lives on the West Coast, so it should be no problem!

Final Boss: A Word to Fellow Corporate Escapees

To all you cubicle dreamers out there plotting your escape during yet another mind-numbing meeting, I see you. I was you. And let me tell you, the grass is indeed greener on this side. Sure, it's also scarier, more uncertain, and at times makes you question your sanity, but it's greener.

Remember, in the game of entrepreneurship, we're all just trying to beat that final boss called "Actually Making Money." Some of us are just doing it with less job security and more caffeine.

Stay tuned for the next update, where I'll dive into the smorgasbord of business ideas I'm considering. Spoiler alert: it involves less spreadsheets and more "why didn't I think of that?" moments.

Until next time, keep grinding those side quests!

Greg "Still Buffering…" Mills

P.S. If you enjoyed this newsletter about entrepreneurship and startups, share it with a friend. If you didn't, share it with a competitor. Either way, spread the entrepreneurial chaos! Just forward it and have them subscribe on the button below…(a real referral program is coming soon…once I figure out what buttons to press...)

P.P.S If you have read this far down, you deserve a treat. Reply to this email and say, “I love Andrew Wilkinson,” and I will enter you in a draw to win a copy of his book…winner in next week’s edition.

1  All images were created in Midjourney and are publically licenced.