The Startup Craft: Why I’m Obsessed with the "Day Zero" Chaos
The Hook
I first felt it in a crowded hall during a grad school pitch competition. I was standing there, defending an idea, and I realized that I wasn’t just interested in the business model—I was addicted to the energy of the room. It was that specific, high-stakes electricity of an idea meeting reality for the first time. I haven’t been able to shake that feeling since, and it’s exactly why I’m launching this project.
The “Why”
I’m starting this Substack and Podcast because I’m tired of “hindsight” content. Most startup advice is written by people looking back from the finish line, which makes everything look like a clear, logical path. I want to talk about the build while it’s still messy.
I care about these topics because:
The Rush of the Messy Middle: The real thrill isn't in the $100M exit; it’s in the high-stakes adrenaline of the week a founder almost missed payroll, or the lightning-bolt moment they realized their product had to change.
Building is a High-Stakes Craft: I view startup growth as an art form. From the way a founder tells their story to the way they hire their first employee, there is a craft to it that deserves to be highlighted.
The Energy of Innovation: Ever since that pitch competition, I’ve been fascinated by the “Day Zero” hustle. I want to spend my time with the people who are brave enough to start something from nothing.
What you’ll find here
This is a hobby-driven project, which means I can be honest. You can expect:
The Growth Playbook: Real-time analysis of how early-stage companies are finding traction in 2026.
Founder Conversations (The Podcast): I’m sitting down with founders to talk about the stuff they usually edit out of their LinkedIn updates—the doubts, the near-misses, and the gritty details of scaling.
Zero-to-One Deep Dives: Breaking down the specific frameworks that help a startup go from an idea to a growing entity.
The Build Continues
I’m here to learn as much as I am to share. If you’re a founder, an early-hire, or just someone who loves the puzzle of a new venture, I’m glad you’re here. Let’s get into the build together.