Hello,
If you're returning, thanks. And if you're new, it’s nice to have you!
Check your Pulse has been enjoying a wave of new subscribers, for which I am very grateful. As a result, I’ve decided to reintroduce myself.
My name is Sari. I’m a Colombia-born, Miami-based strategist, design-thinker, and startup investor. My mission is to bring more empathy and creativity to technology and business.
A good amount of my time is spent doing consulting work on new venture creation at Rokk3r Labs. At this point, I’ve created pitch decks and strategies for over 60 ventures across different industries.
The funny thing about consulting is that clients approach consultants expecting magic, waiting for some sort of insight that will trigger a revolution in their business.
I love the work that I do. But the truth is… no strategist or consultant is going to walk in, draw a chart on a wall, and build the foundation for a billion dollar business.
As a founder/CEO, you’re the only person incentivized to start a revolution.
Outsourcing is an essential part of any business strategy, but you shouldn’t outsource the creative genius of your business. A great agency can significantly magnify the impact of your ideas, but it starts with your idea, your enthusiasm, your purpose, and your mission.
Stay real,
🙏🏼
Sari
“A person’s success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.”
- Tim Ferris
caught my attention
Vox asked 15 experts “What do we do now that will be considered unthinkable in 50 years?” and here’s what they said. I, too, agree that people in the future will be horrified that we once ate meat. 🌎
Polite ways to decline a meeting invitation 📩
The original memo the CEO of Slack sent to the company right before launching is worth revisiting in the wake of their IPO. “We are unlikely to be able to sell a group chat system very well: there are just not enough people shopping for group chat system. That’s why what we’re selling is organizational transformation… if we are selling “a reduction in the cost of communication” or “all your team communication, instantly searchable, available wherever you go” or “75% less email” or some other valuable result of adopting Slack, we will find many more buyers.” A great reminder that people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. 💬
The Toolbox Toolbox is a curated list of the best analogue and digital toolboxes and methods from companies, institutions and thinkers. If you are in the business of innovation, digital, product or strategy, this is a fantastic resource. 🛠
The janitor with the billion-dollar idea: There’s so much to love about the story of Richard Montañez, a janitor who had a 4th-grade-level education, and couldn’t read or write, but had an idea — one that would make Frito Lay billions of dollars.“I realized there’s no such thing as ‘just a janitor’ when you believe you’re going to be the best.” An inspiring story of genius and perseverance. 💯
I love this example of employer branding —instead of writing their own team bios, they asked their moms to do it. When it comes to brand building, it’s the little big details that matter. 👩👦
A comprehensive list of exciting, growing, hiring startups that are worthy of consideration as places to start or continue a career in startups. 🚀
Some good documentary recommendations on this crowdsourced list 🎥
A beautifully designed, practical guide that helps designers provoke change and break the cycle of designing for addictive engagement. (and if you’re not a designer, helps you understand how business KPIs that prioritize short term gains over long term product health have impacted our habits). Our relationship with technology is becoming increasingly characterized by dependency, regret, and loss of control. Designers are in a unique position to spark change, by influencing product decisions, C-level execs and users themselves. 📱
In the five years after Spain introduced paid paternity leave for men, the desired number of children dropped for men from 2.12 to 2.05, and it raised for women from 2.07 to 2.11. 👶🏼
Love these 5 questions for deeper gratitude 🙏🏼
What am I taking for granted this week?
Who helps to keep the comforts of my life coming to me?
What systems are helping my life to run right now?
Three mundane things that I do almost daily that I’m grateful for.
Five utilitarian things I use in my life, why I’m grateful for them, and some of the factors and circumstances that help bring those into my life.
have you heard of?
Magic Spoon is an Instagrammable childlike cereal for adults that is rich in protein and tastes too good to be true. Cereal didn’t really catch up with evolving consumer nutritional preferences but for people still nostalgic about Lucky Charms but who don’t want a glob of sugar and carbs, Magic Spoon might just be the Glossier of Cereal. Fast Company ran a great piece on the company.
overheard on twitter
Want more?
Follow me on Twitter, Medium, and Instagram.
Know a founder I should meet?
Drop me a note at sari@level.vc
I always like to hear from readers, so don‘t hesitate to share your thoughts and feedback with me. (I read every email and reply only to those requiring a response.)
And, if you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to a friend, and encourage her to sign up at sariazout.substack.com
Thanks for being here!
Sari