This year: Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would be published by Penguin Random House or do a book tour in the Philippines. It was the greatest feeling signing autographs and sharing what we have worked on for 5 years, Startup Mindsets, the book. A lot of people doubted us when we said we were writing a book and going to publish it. Years went by and no offers from publishers, I worked hard to speak with agents, publishing houses, and didn’t see a return for my efforts. We wrote a manuscript that had promise but lacked flow and direction often times.

I went back and forth from wanting to be an entrepreneur and looking for a job. But the whole time I knew I was following my dreams and it’s led to exponential returns in terms of relationships and the ability to take chances because of the perseverance developed. Writing the book was one arduous challenge but once you meet a good team like Penguin’s editors and designers it became easier. I knew I was meant to do something like this.

“Change is hard but it’ll heal you, it forces u to look in the mirror and see the real you, that’s why I let go of everything I know.” — Jim Narvios aka Rocko Steady attorney and rapper

Do me a favor and follow my cousin’s return to rap!

Being born and raised in San Francisco, I was around free spirited people, artists, and progressive politics used to challenging the status quo of politics and innovation. It inspired me to want to express myself through written word. When the tech boom occurred in 2015, startups sprung up in garages and moved into offices in downtown SF. This was not quite well accepted by the city at the time especially due to gentrification, my family had to move out of the city because of it which was hard. But things work out in the end…

It was another pleasant sight when you just walk into a store and see your product on the shelves. I had to close that deal with charisma and spontaneity, I actually just walked into the store in April and talked a big game. The manager, Nick, agreed to buy some copies for the store. It’d be great if you can share the news or grab a copy there.

We also have the book selling directly from Earl and you can purchase a signed book directly via this Stripe link.

Leaving a review on Amazon helps a lot too: Leave a review on Amazon.

I bought real estate in Houston, Texas and moved: I think it was just about time to try a new state and think in decades. Life’s been good, truly a blessing to have the means.

What’s next: If you’re out in Houston or maybe even Austin it’d be cool to link up and grab some BBQ! 🍖 Or if you want to just want to catch up online that’s alright.

Quitting Instagram for 5 months

It’s something I’ve wanting to do for awhile. Social media is quite the addiction, it’s not exactly a bad thing to use but the lack of control over its influence on your life is. I wanted to display discipline and prove to myself that I could go 1 month without it. Moreover, I needed to go buy this house and anything that got in the way, I had to extract. I think we distract ourselves to avoid what we know we are capable of doing because it causes anxiety or could turn out bad. But in the book we published we argue that it’s more important to go after big goals despite those emotional struggles that appear along the way.

I also changed my handle to @dandydan_g lmk if that’s a cool name 😂

One Last Podcast Hurrah

After 5+ years of doing Startup Mindsets Podcast and 150+ guests and unforgettable memories, it’s time to call a spade a spade, whatever that means. Um, but I feel I truly achieved the dream of writing and publishing a book and it’s time for me to direct my focus elsewhere. But I am looking to have a legendary last season of the show.

As much as I love writing books and talking to people on podcasts, I think it’s time I looked for a real job and just experienced that. If you know anyone hiring in operations, marketing, journalism, or just something interesting holla at ya boy! I’ll pay you $300 if I get hired.

Interested in sponsoring your product on this newsletter? Lmk I’d like to spotlight your business to the 1000+ listeners, followers, and podcast guests over the last 5 years we’ve garnered.

Until 2026 comes, Happy New Years

Dan and Earl!