A book, a baby, and a billionaire

Check out AppSumo’s black friday sale – biggest sale of the year on software tools.

~~

It’s Wednesday, November 27th, 2024.

One month since I last wrote to you.

How are you? I miss you.

Since my daughter was born I’ve slowed down on content—one piece a month now. She just turned four months old, and, well, life’s been BUSY. She’s napping in the other room, so I’m going to try and type quietly. Shhh. 🤫

Today, I want to share three things:

1. Parenting insights (what I’ve been learning lately)
2. A genius business model you can steal
3. A book I’ve been loving

1. Parenting stuff

Becoming a dad has been the hardest, most rewarding experience of my life. It’s overwhelming but deeply grounding.

One big lesson? Who you choose as your partner is everything.

I don’t think we realize the magnitude of this until we’re in the thick of parenting. The sleepless nights, the tough decisions, the shared values—it all hinges on that partnership. I’ve thought about what life would’ve been like with certain exes, and let’s just say it wouldn’t have worked.

So if you’re in a great relationship, give them a high-five (or a pat on the tushy) today. And if you’re not? Take your time. Finding someone who shares your vision for life isn’t just worth it; it’s essential.

Another thing I’ve learned? Parenting forces priority.

My available time has been cut to a quarter of what it used to be. So now I ask: What’s truly important?

I like to always be available for bath time, so I prioritize my nights around it. It’s been a good exercise in what you SAY versus what you DO.

Oh, wait. Do you hear that? Is she waking up already? Hang tight.

…

Ok, I’m back.

2. A genius business model

Let’s talk about Baselang, an online Spanish tutoring platform. (This is not sponsored)

Here’s the premise:

1. They connect people like me, who want to learn Spanish, with native Spanish speakers in South America.
2. Tutors get flexibility to work on their own schedules, and learners get affordable, structured lessons.

Why is it brilliant?

1. It creates value on both sides. Tutors earn money on their terms, and students pay as little as $6 per hour (plus $9 monthly membership).
2. It’s scalable. Baselang provides the platform and curriculum, but the real “work” is done by the tutors and students.

It reminds me of businesses like Airbnb or Turo that unlock unused resources. Except here, it’s untapped teaching talent.

I’m already seeing results, and it’s making me think about how this model could be applied to other industries.

Could you create a platform that matches underutilized skills with people who need them? I can see similar platforms created for other languages, marketing, sales, or a trade skill.

It’s an idea worth pondering.

If you want to sign up for baselang (learn Spanish), here’s my affiliate link (yay!).

3. A book I’ve been loving

I recently started reading Kochland.

It’s one of those companies you’ve heard of but have NO idea about. The two brothers who run it are some of the richest people in America (and it’s the 2nd largest private business in the world). But how they got there, the drama, the business strategy and more are SO good.

I love books that are not mainstream, have great stories and include great tips you can apply to your own business.

Here are my top takeaways (so far):

1. Reinvest your profits.

The Koch brothers reinvested nearly every dollar back into the business instead of taking big payouts. The result? Today, each brother is worth around $44 billion.

This got me thinking: In our own businesses, are we reinvesting intelligently? If you can generate a higher return on investment (say, 10%+) by reinvesting in your business compared to the stock market average (~7%), it’s worth considering. But if your business ROI falls short, maybe the market is the better bet.

2. Focus on ROI—and track it.

The Kochs didn’t just spend money; they meticulously tracked outcomes. If an initiative didn’t produce results, they’d cut it fast. If it worked, they doubled down.

For example, at AppSumo, we’ve started applying this to giveaways. Instead of just hoping for great results, we’re asking: What’s the ROI? How can we improve next time? This level of accountability is something I want to dial up even more.

3. Extend your strengths. 

The Koch brothers expanded by building on their core expertise. Their background in oil and gas enabled them to seamlessly branch into chemicals, paper, and trading. They didn’t stray far from what they knew—they compounded their knowledge and experience.

What’s your unfair advantage? Whether it’s expertise, a proprietary method, or a unique resource, lean into it.

If you’re tired of cookie-cutter business books, give Kochland a try. It’s one of the best I’ve read in years, and I’m not even finished yet.

Alright, that’s it for today.

I’d love to hear from you – how was your year? Hit reply, and let me know.

 

Adios,

Noah 🌮

Ps. At AppSumo, we’re giving away $100,000 to one lucky business owner. Check it out.