Writing
Essays, letters, and updates. Click any post to read here, or open the original on Substack. Auto-mirrored daily.
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Dear Reader, This is my monthly update email. Just like companies send updates to their investors, I send updates to you.
I am grateful for you.Right now I am sitting in a leather bucket bar stool looking out my window into the green backyards of my neighborhood. The sun trickles through the leaves of trees, and I feel free.
The contents of this update are:
1. TLDR
2. The month in a story
3. Decisions I made
4. Actions Taken
5. Gratitudes and Reflections
6. Goal Completion
7. Feedback RequestsTLDR: Got an apartment in NYC, I’m interviewing 100 people in New York, 60/100 done
My Last Month In A Story
1 month ago I was in sitting on my girlfriend’s flower comforter. In her cozy Brooklyn apartment, my stomach is full of stir fry and salmon, and we had just enjoyed the evening air in our hair on the rooftop.
I had just moved to NYC and didn’t even have an apartment, let alone an attack plan.
The problem was, I almost immediately had to leave NYC, but for good reason.
I surprised my sister, and I flew to Kansas City to do an event with a community I’ve helped build called Quarter Life Crisis.
Once I returned from that I was elated to have no flights anywhere planned, and my focus shifted to NYC. But I still had no action plan.
I had moved, but I needed to choose something big, stake my name on it, and send it.
From some polls I ran to people on LinkedIn and some sharpening from friends I landed on interviewing 100 people in NYC.
The age old strategy of meeting my neighbors, in public (at parks/places), in public (building it in public online).
I’m now at 60/100 people. I’m calling it The Sonder Series.Decisions Made
Where to move
Interview 100 People In NYC
Joining a Business > Starting My Own
Actions Taken
- Moved into new apartment
- Still avg-ing at least one LinkedIn post a day
- Pre-Read 100,000 words in 10 days to vet others books.
- Interviewed 60 People in NYC in 15 days
- I’ve also written 10 poems towards my 100 Page poetry book. I believe I’m close to 70 poems for that book now.
- Changed my website to be more simple.Reflections and Gratitudes
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Once you have established that you will do what you say you’ll do, bite off more than you can chew.
Said differently, change only happens as adaptation. Adaptation only happens as survival.
“𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲” Martin Scorsese said it. The greatest creations, and the most simple ones, pour out of people. “They are compulsions.”- David Senra
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 > 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 (𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆) The heart’s electromagnetic field is 5000x stronger than the brain’s. Your heart’s energy affects the world around you more than your brain’s.
𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 Being kind is better business than being rude or scarce minded.
The energy inside of you will change the energy you perceive externally, and sometimes literally what happens.
𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 Craftsmen and missionaries. Rick Rubin, Steve Jobs — obsess over specific frontiers of technology and skills. Michelin Brothers, Elon Musk — obsess over specific problems and solution sets.
𝗧𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 People so desperately want depth. With so much abundance, depth makes the difference.
𝗔𝗿𝘁.
/ärt/ 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘯
the conscious use of skill and creative imagination, skill acquired by experience, study, or observation.
Artists win through science. Science directed by heart.
There are also patterns I’ve seen in my interviews I will write a separate analysis of, but here are a few.
“𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?”
→ No one starts at birth. Everyone starts when they moved to NYC.
→ Almost no one has it thought out. They figure it out as they speak. The people that do are more grounded and successful.
“𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂?”
→ Division. Lack of empathy. People not listening.
→ Finding community. Not just finding people—finding depth. → Education, young people’s potential not watered well.
“𝗪𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂?”
→ Rarely the people with accolades, more often its resilience that’s admired. → The ones who know themselves well. The ones with strong “no” muscles. → Those that have parents often answer about them
The meta-pattern: Many people react with surprise to my questions. “Wow, that’s deep.” “I wasn’t prepared for that.” People are not used to being asked meaningful questions.Lastly, I am so grateful for the great outdoors that heals soul, mind, and body.
Goal Complete
To summarize: A report on starting a business vs joining a business + plan
The report: I talked to smart people from A16z, the Forbes list, professional sports, and composers to others that know me well. I concluded the following.
1. Specialist > Generalist. Possible to specialize in 2 ways. First, Domain expertise, second being great at a specific skill.
2. If you don’t know what to build, build distribution. I have done this in a smaller way with my network through giving, and am now approaching this is a bigger way through content.
I think that going into a job where I can focus on a specific domain and skill will be the best suited opportunity for me to succeed long term.
Even if I become a CoS again I will choose wisely the domain to consume knowledge on.
After The Sonder Series is done I’ll have data on the problems that mean a lot to the world, and choose meaningful to me.
In addition, I will have established myself in NYC in a big way.
From there I will make content UP towards the positions/people I want to work in and with. This will both create assets for me, practice skills, and get me a job. Just like Casey Rickey made art for his heroes.
Feedback Requests
What frontiers of technology do you see right now?
What problem in the world is most meaningful to you?
What else would you like to see in these updates?
What’s your favorite experiment you’ve run on your life?
Still the biggest stretch ever. Thank you for walking alongside me.
From my heart,
James Floyd
P.S. I love seeing your responses and am so grateful your here!
Past Updates:
The James Update #1
The James Update #2
The James Update #3
The James Update #4
The James Update #5
The James Update #6
The James Update #7 -
Dear Reader,
This is my monthly update email. Just like companies send updates to their investors, I send updates to you. (Past updates linked)
If you are reading this, it is because I am grateful for you.
I’ve moved this to Substack for transparency, sexy-ness, and ease of use for you and me.Right now I am sitting on my girlfriend’s flower comforter in her cozy apartment in Brooklyn, my stomach is full of stir fry and salmon, and we’ve just enjoyed the evening air in our hair on the rooftop.
The contents of this update are:1. TLDR
2. The month in a story
3. Decisions I made
4. Actions Taken
5. Gratitudes and Reflections
7. Plans and goal for this month
8. Feedback Requests
TLDR:
I sold my car, mattress, computer set up, and moved to NYC.UPDATE: I’ve decided that listing the events I attend or people I meet is not helpful in representing progress towards my goals. The lessons or actions that come from each will still be represented here.
Short Story
1 month ago right now I was in Austin, Texas cleaning up trash with a cardboard waiter tray I made with zipties.
That was me showing out and giving my effort to build relationships towards NYC, and it worked.
I got back to Nashville on Thursday the 19th and had some big decisions to make. My lease was ending April 9th, and although I could extend, I felt like my time had come to leave Nashville and take a risk, but how and where and when?
I gathered info, did my financials, and the path became clear. It was time.
So I sold almost everything and moved here to NYC (Looking for a place to rent as we speak).Decisions Made
-I decided to show my heart to a guy and his team at the company Fibe. They host tech events around the country, especially in NYC.
- Decided to sell everything and move to NYC
- Decided to follow through on a commitment, and separately to visit family. (Once I am back in NYC on the 19th I am entirely focused on one goal, starting a business, or getting a job in 3 months or less in NYC)
- Potentially staying in a Co-Living place (like a long-term hostel) in BrooklynActions Taken
- Put 100% effort into pulling off the volunteering at the event stunt. (Cold emails, intros, gift and letter, and volunteering at the event + follow up)
- Posted every day on LinkedIn this month (~40k impressions, avg of 200 words per post)
- Sold car and PC for 12k, plus found a family in need for the rest of my things
- Set up conversations and events for the week of the 20th to hit the ground running, plus did a content series announcing my move to NY
- Dm’ed, Emailed, and Called 50 apartment and Coliving options in the area im looking for
- Escaped an escape room in record time for a friends’ birthday- Read 4 books (Mans search for meaning, Never Enough, Sam Waltons Biography, and Old Charlie’s Almanack | Not including the 2 i’m pre-reading)
Gratitudes and Reflections
Ever since I started exploring next steps from Nashville, and certainly since my girlfriend (9 months ago today), I have thought about moving to NYC. Now I have. There is much emotion in a leap like this, and I am grateful for that depth.
I am grateful for the freedom I enjoy in this season to read and write obsessively. (Two people even invited me to pre-read their books!)
I feel in my heart so much love from the people around me who have been apart of my journey and are now. I am grateful for those that hold me accountable, give me advice, and support me.
(I would not be here, or the man I am, without you.)
- The question I have guided myself with this month is, ‘what is my gut telling me?’- The most personal is the most creative - Martin Scorcese
- Words are magic, and so they matter. That’s why it’s called spelling - Bruce Lee
- He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how - Niethze
This coming month
- Today or Tomorrow I move into a place in NYC
- Thursday I fly to Kansas City to do an event with a community I am helping with.
- Sunday I get back to NYC and all of my focus is finally entirely on my success here
- I will be doing events, coffee chats, stunts, and contentMy goal
is that in the next email I write to you, I will have a report on whether I am starting a business or getting a job, and a specific plan on exactly how that will happen. By then I will have completed all of my commitments to pre-reading books, the community, and established a foundational routine to propel me into this bright future.
Feedback Requests
I have 8.7 months of savings at a $3,400/mo burn rate, not including tapping into some acorns I have tucked away to start a business with - Is that enough or should I fast track a job?
Is there anyone I NEED to know in NYC?What things do you wish you did differently when you took big risks?
I feel this is my biggest stretch ever. Thank you for walking alongside me.
From my heart,James Floyd
Past Updates:
The James Update #1
The James Update #2
The James Update #3
The James Update #4
The James Update #5
The James Update #6 -
My emotions rise at your name, I feel my stomach fill with energy, and my mind races with possibilities. I remember the first time I met you coming out of that long tunnel from New Jersey. The many people, wide streets, and honking cars filled my mind with stimulation. I remember the many buttons on building doors, and the thin wooden-floored hallway to where my sister lived.
As I’ve grown into this business world, I’ve come to respect your prowess and excellence. The kind of respect that your name brings, and the personality you give to your inhabitants. I often think of a customs agent at one of your airports a few years ago, and how he oozed confidence, class, and calm. A lesson in how you sharpen people.
More recently we reconnected on an adventure of mine to attend an event in your heart. The rush of it still fills my memory. The criss-crossing roadways of your airport, the drive over that white bridge as the lights in millions of windows twinkled, and how your traffic at 11pm couldn’t discourage me. As I entered my friend’s room he had nothing but a bed, metal stand-up closet, and empty walls, I was struck by how small it was. I slept on the floor that night, giving him space and thinking about how you must either crush people into their rooms or shoot them out into the world.
My day began early as I walked away from your buildings that scrape the sky and into the splotch of green that is your heart. The fresher air, quieter noise, and my friends faces that Saturday morning energized me. As the event began I met a woman and in the corners of your cafe’s, subways, and under the sun’s rays I got to know her. At 2am on Monday I walked her back to her apartment and said ‘see you later’.
On the plane I was full of emotion unlocked by a conversation about letting down walls and I had to get those feelings out of me. I wrote a poem as I looked out over your skyline wondering how I would indeed see you and her again. I couldn’t get the emotion out of me fast enough, and even when I did, my gut told me ‘go for her’. Despite some logic, and many miles, in the last 264 days she and I have shown that when there is a why strong enough, you can achieve any how.Now, that how is a move to you.
However, there are other gravities that have pulled me to you. There is an essence of excellence that enters my mind when I think of you. The layers of art, innovation, diversity, and history that make up your jungle tell me ‘this is the melting pot to jump into.’ Like a kiln I know some people explode when heated by you, others crack under your pressure, but some will be hardened into art.
For that reason, I am coming to you as clay comes to a kiln. I have some substance, I have some shape, and now look for the heat that solidifies me, glaze that makes me glisten, and upper shelves reserved for work crafted with deep love.
I do not wait for heat, nor do I use hope as a strategy, but if you will humor me for a moment, let me pray and visualize.
Let this experience not add layers on top of me, but rather add to me. I dream that your long blocks, strong people, and boundless action sharpen me further into a formidable man. I dream that I will become more direct, more loving, deeper, more specific, and more wise to the ways of the world.
I see my bias to action growing stronger still, and my taste sharpening from your diverse cultures, smart people, and innovative products. I see my climb up in this world to be from building my own ladder rather than playing some status game. Know that I will stay strong in this pursuit should you tempt me. Let craft, thrift, and love be my compass towards the crowds, my name spelled loud in the papers, and my past self wow-ed.
I set no expectations for when I leave other than that I have created constantly and loved fully. I will compete only against myself and my abilities, for those are the pursuits that are most creative and valuable.
From my soul,
James Floyd
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Abundance is the belief between Yes and no. A vote for faith in the powers that be while internally "there's not enough" may crow. instead of the illusion of choice it is the choice of delusion. To say, there is a way to be wealthy and stealthy, fatherly and healthy, kind and calm, a killer and monster, AND on and on it goes. A ship manned by conviction towards land that is paradise. A place more than nice but may feel like rolling the dice. Not to worry, that is just the price. Because if you believe There is no chess the answer is Yes. Where there is fame or a money rain remember this givers gain.
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I like the little moments like laying on the ground and looking up at the sky... looking at the stars. You like danger Danger, adrenaline, excitement, energy They are why I live Energy when I wake up and think about my day Live hard, die old Days spent resting are filled with thoughts Old mistakes constantly examined Thoughts, dreams, problems, solutions Examine then action, to war! Solutions to this are none, kill or die war I am designed for die if my thoughts consume me For I am a madman Me, I smile at danger Madman I chose and was given Danger is to others what is exciting to me Given a little moment, I am lost in memories Me? Me - oh my craziness is fun Memories remember madmen Fun is created by them Madmen are few Them. The others. The comfortable? Are many. Few are necessary Many are not Necessary to moving a species forward Not by luck, but by toil Forward we march Toil tirelessly until we finally rest March on Madman Hard lie the quest ahead.
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The woes of the wanderer are many and few After all we get life with a view Over mountains, through muck Under water, over clouds our adventures are countless but sometimes we join the crowds For connection or Kindness Longing or Lust it is rare times that we get So recharging is a must The highs and hellos Smiles and hugs are bittersweet and feel like drugs For awhile we float, just like the rest a beautiful memory created but the world nags like a pest Movement begins a slow roll at first and it doesn't come alone. Loss to be nursed as new friends ask for your phone New place, old pain, same ache, new take, and it all begins again.
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I saw a weary woman the other day sandals on as she hobbled along Her shoes scraped the rough asphalt, as she thought about where she had went wrong Even her thank you for letting her cross half-raised and full of pain, face cringing at the next step. I continued on heading to train, but my mind remained on the emotions I'd met It was a gift of perspective, a lesson of some kind It happens always, when you least expect it For me it was a chance to find gratitude a gentle reminder to breathe and reflect There is much hardship in this world the weight of which you need kinship to hold A hug, an ear, a gift or some soft words small actions that say “I see you” Empathy that breaks the pattern, picks them out of the herds a special skill, one to be honed like a color mixed to a hue An artist you are in the painting of reality Sweeping that way and then the other Pulling from your palette is the key a little love, some peace, and then sometimes further Share your hunger and stories too Because in the end what makes a difference is this They are you and you are them so reach out a limb and be true
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Aimless in this whirlpool of distractions, but what do they distract from? Stuck in the wind of wondering Achieving only a fraction of my potential, a refraction Floundering in the muddy puddles of pondering, not great at anything? So 'follow your gut' they say, and towards that I am swayed, except, towards what is my gut even casting it's ray? Although I'm sure I did play, I'm not sure I was able accept an obsession when my childhood was in session What is the lesson? Do I need to seek out some kind of regression? To go back to a day where I indeed did play? Or seek out what people from my childhood may say? Really my question is always will I be okay? No. Will I be great? I refuse to resign myself to some mediocre fate, but even as I write this, the night gets ever so late. At this rate of thoughts there is no possible way I go hit the hay. So instead I must adapt my gait, as a goat does climbing a mountain. I daydream of soaring, yet I can't see on what. It's as though I am God looking down, saying 'put it all around him' I am surrounded and trapped by 'success', I know the way out is my gut I am lashed by the flames inside me. These fantasies crash with feelings in jarring flashes. The reason I believe is solely in evidence I have given myself. In my mad dashes towards the top shelf, away from the 'normalcy' I hate Small windows into a world where I am unmatched. Where onto me others latch as I shoulder the weight. I believe somehow someway THAT is my fate. Actions will take me towards a world I want. Towards wealth I will not flaunt, and evil I will taunt. Towards moments I will haunt the darkness, and many a jaunt. At the least I will write my story in my own font, and have a life not gaunt.
From my heart and soul,
James Floyd
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Howdy,
This is my monthly update email. Just like companies send updates to their investors, I send updates to you. (Past updates linked) If we met recently, consider this a follow up!
If you are reading this, it is because I am grateful for you.
I’ve moved this to Substack for transparency, sexy-ness, and ease of use for you and me.The contents:
1. TLDR
2. People I met
3. Events I attended/Did
4. Lessons/Patterns
5. Projects
6. This coming month
7. Problems I have, Feedback RequestsTLDR:
SF→Arizona→Austin, Tx. People, people, and more people. Sedona, Grand Canyon, SXSW, and much reading and writing.
Thinking about moving to NYC even if there is no A+ opportunity I’ve accepted.Some people I got to talk to/work with:
Bill Gurley - GP @ Benchmark, Author
John Hu - Built Stan in public
Andrew Yeung - Gatsby of tech
Owen Loh - Oxford Physicist, Founder
Katya Marchenko - Founders Run Club, Interactive Game Founder
Andres Concha - Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Founder
Pablo Casilimas - Managing partner at OneSixOne Ventures
Angela Mascarenas - Founder of Furnace Group
Many other amazing people!Lessons/Patterns:
Find creation that feels like play
Rather than giving advice, give challenges
‘Let nerds keep their money and you rule the world’ - Paul Graham
Take wisely and you do not become less - I am the Grand Canyon
Strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet
A strong enough why makes the how happen no matter what
Projects:
1. Reference list is built, and I am updating it as people compliment me
2. Videos for my future kids about my life now - Instagram
3. Still posting every day on LinkedIn
4. A substack article on how to answer the question of ‘What’s Next’This coming month:
I am at SXSW in Austin, Texas for another week, then I will likely head back to Nashville (unless I pop to NYC quickly before back to Nashville).
In mid April I’m going to Kansas city for a summit, then Phoenix for Forbes 30u30.
After that I might roadtrip my car to NYC and find a place to stay.
(BIG SWINGS)Would love your feedback on these problems:
1. Should I move to NYC, before accepting an A+ opportunity?
2. What do you think of my current approach to finding opportunities in NYC? (Content, Connections, Caring)
3. At what point should I hone in on third door-ing specific people instead of finding intros to them or having them be inbound?
4. What’s your process of answering the question of ‘what’s next?’Events:
ImagineArt Launch night in SF
Corgi Cafe Launch in SF
SXSW in Austin (So 10+ or more)
A beautiful weddingIf you think of someone I can help or should meet!
Here is a forwardable blurb!
James Floyd is a digital nomad I know who has run events all over the country. He’s super connected and obsessed with making people smile. He’s an experienced Chief of Staff who you can give a problem and he’ll find the best solution.Highlights:
• Helped run Jets & Capital events in Vegas, Miami, SF, and New York.
bringing together founders, investors, and family offices managing trillions in AUM.
• Directed and Implemented BetterWealth’s website site, funnels, and analytics — raising site health from 33 to 99 (top 3% globally) and doubling SEO visibility. (Ahrefs, G-Suite Analytics, Webflow)
• Designed AI workflows that now save 30+ hours a week and link Organic YouTube traffic directly to booked calls. (N8N, many AIs and APIs)
• Built studios and content systems that accelerated BetterWealth’s audience growth.
• Active network across Family offices, Content Creators, and Operators.Focus: He’s now looking to work more deeply inside connection-driven environments — events, communities, or high-growth teams that bring ambitious people together and make things happen in NY!
As always, please follow-up with me and ask me for anything I can help with!
( I want to help! )My Socials (No not my SSN) + Website
Instagram | LinkedIn | JamesFloyds.WorldPast Updates:
The James Update #1
The James Update #2
The James Update #3
The James Update #4
The James Update #5 -
Howdy,
This is my monthly update email. Just like companies send updates to their investors, I send updates to you. (Past updates linked) If we met recently, consider this a follow up!
If you are reading this, it is because I am grateful for you.
I’ve moved this to Substack for transparency, sexy-ness, and ease of use for you and me.The contents:
1. TLDR
2. People I met
3. Events I attended/Did
4. Lessons/Patterns
5. Projects
6. This coming month
7. Problems I have, Feedback RequestsTLDR:
Produced some sick events, strengthened and started some awesome relationships, lived in 5 cities, read 2 books, posted everyday on LinkedIn (42.2k views)
Some people I got to talk to/work with:
Michael Phelps - Most Gold Medals ever earned.
Kyle Forgeard - Star of NELK Boys, top podcaster, and co-founder of Happy Dad
Said Zewar Shah Saddat - Former Governor in Afghanistan of 1 million people
Rich Sedmak - EIR and Sr.Fellow @ UPenn, Founder of Clarity, Director of a MFO
Lloyd Nimetz - Exited first startup to Kaplan, Stanford MBA, Building Snow.Day
Alex Hansen - Exited Marketing Agency, now partner at a PE firm
James Kimmorley - Broker of Private Assets and an awesome Australian
Migena Agaraj - Connector Extraordinaire
Ilias Anwar - CMO of Cliqk, 20k on LinkedIn, A modern founder through and through
Among many others!Lessons/Patterns:
- Orcas are the #1 predator of moose in coastal regions. (This is just a crazy fact) -AH
- Your unconscious mind is yelling to be seen - Flavio
- Compete against yourself. Energy is lost any other way.
- Zoom out, patterns are found in the entirety.
- When it’s easy is the best time to go hard.
- You can’t solve a problem from the same level of consciousness that created it - AE
+ Infinitely more
Projects:
1. Reference list of credible people who will vouch for me and have (will be live on my site when its finished under /reference)
2. Personal Poetry Book ~65/100 poems written
3. LinkedIn Posts every dayThis coming month:
- Will be in Arizona for the rest of February at least.
- Meeting with the CMO of VaynerX, Mike Ibe, Maria Wlolinska, and some others. I will also be working to catch up on messages and follow ups from my travel.
- What recommendations do you have?Would love your feedback on these problems:
1. I currently have 719 unread messages on my phone from people. Has anyone figured out any good solutions/systems to mitigate this and allow more intentionality?
2. What do you think of my current approach to finding opportunities in NYC? (Content, Connections, Caring)
3. At what point should I hone in on third door-ing specific people instead of finding intros to them or having them be inbound?Events:
Players Impact Superbowl Edition
Jets and Capital SF
Family Office Dinner
Dignifi event @ a secret burning man spot
Fast Start Forum 26’
ImagineArt Launch Night
Also did some dinners!
If you think of someone I can help or should meet!
Here is a forwardable blurb!
James Floyd builds in a way that connect people, capital, and makes ideas reality.Highlights:
• Helped run Jets & Capital events in Vegas, Miami, SF, and New York.
bringing together founders, investors, and family offices managing trillions in AUM.
• Directed and Implemented BetterWealth’s website site, funnels, and analytics — raising site health from 33 to 99 (top 3% globally) and doubling SEO visibility. (Ahrefs, G-Suite Analytics, Webflow)
• Designed AI workflows that now save 30+ hours a week and link Organic YouTube traffic directly to booked calls. (N8N, many AIs and APIs)
• Built studios and content systems that accelerated BetterWealth’s audience growth.
• Active network across Family offices, Content Creators, and Operators.Focus: He’s now looking to work more deeply inside connection-driven environments — events, communities, or high-growth teams that bring ambitious people together and make things happen.
As always, please follow-up with me and ask me for anything I can help with!
( I want to help! )Past Updates:
The James Update #1
The James Update #2
The James Update #3
The James Update #4 -
Howdy,
I’m going to keep this one short.
This is my monthly update email. Just like companies send updates to their investors, I send updates to you all. (Past updates attached)
If you are reading this, it is because I am grateful for you.
In short, I left BetterWealth officially, got 30k views on LinkedIn, published a 100 page poetry book, kept talking to high-level humans, got dinner with strangers in NY, updated my personal site, so I got some things done.
Honestly, I feel a compulsion to create, to get after it and to build, but at the end of last year I had the privilege to show up for someone I care about deeply. I chose to be present there.I am now catching up on many messages (I love follow ups!), posting everyday on LinkedIn, researching skills that are defensible against AI, and FINDING THE BEST WAY INTO NYC.
Will be in Miami/Palm Beach next 2 weeks, then SF for Jets and Capital + Superbowl, then Phoenix. May be back briefly to Nashville. If you are going to be in one of those places LMK!
If any ideas, people, asks, feedback, etc popped up while reading this - hit reply!
Much love.--
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Howdy,
This is my monthly update email. Just like companies send updates to their investors, I send updates to you all.
If you are reading this it is because, in some form, I have met you on my path.
I am grateful for you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Contents:
Wisdoms Collected
Accountability
My future
____________________________________________
First, as always, please let me know what connections, deals, etc would be valuable to you.
Now without further ado:
Wisdoms Collected:
- ‘There are years where weeks happen, and weeks where years happen’ - It’s never an equation of time, and always an equation of Input/time.
- My definition of success is internal peace
- Pain -> Perspective -> Gratitude -> Peace
- Your Internal is your external, but does not have to be vice versa
- The only thing impressive is character.
- I need little to live.
Accountability that I am taking action:
People I had the privilege of talking to:
(Each of these people impressed me with their character, and then their achievements)
Dr. Bailey - Former President of Exxon Arabian Gulf
Xiaochen Zhang - Executive Director of AI 2030
Jessica Greenwalt - Founder of Nice.Industries, Ex Creative Director at Vayner3
Patricia Mangialini - One of the world’s Youngest Diplomats, now a CoS @ an FO
Arielle Shih - Curated Experiences, IR, World Traveler
Hector Djibaou - Founder of Globalpolitan, Ex-Deloitte, US Intelligence Services
Austin Moss - Founder of Capital Collab, Connector/Investor Extraordinaire
Anoop Kansupada - Advises families on emerging technology and ecosystems
Alicia Long - Connector on BIG deals, Shark Tank Season 14, IR at Artest Mgmt
Daniel Puder - Ex-WWE, UFC Fighter building schools, Partnered with Tony Robbins
Among other royalty, storied families, etc who I’m not sure of character.
Events I attended:
Las Vegas F1 - Capital on Track, F1 suite viewing party
Art Basel - Scarface Mansion, Bit Basel, Family Office Forum, Robb Report, Venture Investor Forum x Art Basel
Grant Cardone 10X Hangar Party
Notable Projects completed on top of main work + travel:
- JamesFloyds.World Updated to a new, classier experience.
- Crossed 100 poems written. (Lmk if you would like to see one!)
- Gave a talk on The Third Door
- Created an art piece for an auction {see video on instagram (@ end)}
- Continued Building in Public on Instagram (3 more videos posted)
The next step for me:
- Join a team of the best. I’m interested in experiential marketing, community building, events, chief-of-staff, and other roles well suited for an intrapreneur.
- Starting a Scalable Startup. Some options I’m looking into. - Schools, Portfolio Management tool, Connection Management tool, and some others.
- Deal-Making: I am connecting investors to investments in all kinds of asset classes like Sports Teams, CRE, Energy, etc, and more lifestyle things like jets.
How you can help:
Intros to:
- People who design or host extraordinary experiences (events, retreats, gatherings)
- Chief-of-Staffs and operators inside fast-growing, healthy culture companies.
- Family Offices/Investors @ $100M+ deal size (sports, energy, CRE, Infrastructure, etc)
If you think of anyone I should meet, feel free to forward the short intro below:
Especially in NY!
--
James Floyd builds systems that connect people, capital, and make ideas reality.
Highlights:• Helped run Jets & Capital events in Vegas, Miami, and New York, bringing together founders, investors, and family offices managing trillions in AUM.
• Directed and Implemented BetterWealth’s website site, funnels, and analytics — raising site health from 33 to 99 (top 3% globally) and doubling SEO visibility. (Ahrefs, G-Suite Analytics, Webflow)
• Designed AI workflows that now save 30+ hours a week and link Organic YouTube traffic directly to booked calls. (N8N, many AIs and APIs)
• Built studios and content systems that accelerated BetterWealth’s audience growth.
• Active network across Family offices, Content Creators, and Operators.Focus: He’s now looking to work more deeply inside connection-driven environments — events, communities, or high-growth teams that bring ambitious people together and make things happen.
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I’d love your honest feedback or introductions — even one sentence would mean a lot.
James Floyd
LinkedIn | Website | Instagram
P.S. I do not ask without being willing to give, if there’s something I can give you, let’s have a conversation.
P.P.S. If you’d rather receive this a different way, or not at all just reply - ‘Not my jam’ or ‘too busy’.
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Howdy,
This is my monthly update email. It’s where I hold myself accountable to the people in my network.
If you are reading this, it is because I have met you on my path. I am grateful for you.
~~~~
Contents:
TLDR
Decisions made
Accountability
My future
How you can help
_________________________________
TLDR: Moving to NY Asap, narrowed in on a couple options of how, talked to many high-level humans, would be honored by your support.
_________________________________Decisions made in the last month:
I will work as hard as I possibly can to make moving to NY ASAP possible.
Not interested in Agency or Consulting Model, or starting my own events/experience business yet.
I do not want to try and make money from connecting people personally, I would rather have a different place where cash-flow comes from.
Per Founders Podcast: I want to work with the highest level humans I can, I want to take a lot of asymmetric risk, I want to watch my costs, I want to learn from those who have done it before me.
What follows is accountability:
Here’s who I’ve talked to since my last email:
- Michael Burcham - Partner @ Shore Capital, Vanderbilt Entrepreneurship Center Director, Author
- Max Rattner - Head of Short Form Content @ Mr.Beast
- Yousuf Idris - Builds AI automations for companies like Walmart and Lyft
- Aelia Kos - Private Club Curator, Connector
- Nicholas Ingate - Exited Founder now running Sabbatical Travel
- Jessica Sophia Wong - Founder of Yorkseed
- Mussa Qader- Founding Engineer at GCP, Private Aviation
- Trey Natherson - Next Gen FO, Founder
- Vivek Pandit - Forbes 30u30, TedX speaker, Founder of PeduL
Among many others!
Here are the events I’ve attended:
- Yorkseed NYC Capital Connections Event
- Upstate NY Fall trip with friends who happen to work at Mckinsey, Microsoft, etc
- QLC - call with Forbes 30u30 founders
- Keiretsu and 601 Club Investor Events
The career options I see ahead of me:
- Join a team of the best. Through the 2nd interview from joinhampton.com about an events manager role, looking for similar CoS or events/experience design roles in NY. Looking for Support here!
- Scalable Startup. Some options, Video Card Company, Fundraise Wire Payment Processing, some others. All in the customer discovery phase with smart people, or start my own.
- Deal-Making: I am already connecting people for Lifestyle things like Jets, and Investments in all kinds of assets like Sports Teams, CRE, Energy, etc
How you can help:
- People who design or host extraordinary experiences (events, retreats, gatherings)
- Chief-of-Staffs and operators inside fast-growing, healthy culture companies.
- Family Offices/Investors @ $100M+ deal size (sports, energy, CRE, etc)
If you think of anyone I should meet, feel free to forward the short intro below:
Especially in NY!
--
James Floyd builds systems that connect people, capital, and make ideas reality.
Highlights:• Helped run Jets & Capital events in Vegas, Miami, and New York, bringing together founders, investors, and family offices managing trillions in AUM.
• Directed and Implemented BetterWealth’s website site, funnels, and analytics — raising site health from 33 to 97 (top 7% globally) and doubling SEO visibility. (Ahrefs, G-Suite Analytics, Webflow)
• Designed AI workflows that now save 30+ hours a week and link Organic YouTube traffic directly to booked calls. (N8N, many AIs and APIs)
• Built studios and content systems that accelerated BetterWealth’s audience growth.
• Active network across Family offices, Content Creators, and Operators.Focus: He’s now looking to work more deeply inside connection-driven environments — events, communities, or high-growth teams that bring ambitious people together and make things happen.
--
I’d love your honest feedback or introductions — even one sentence would mean a lot.
James Floyd
LinkedIn | Website | jamesfloydbiz@gmail.com |
P.S. I really do try to lead with my heart, please let me know any and all things I can do better!
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Howdy,
You’re getting this because I’ve met you on my path and I am grateful for it.
I want to share with you what I’ve built this year, where I’m headed, and invite your feedback or introductions as I narrow my focus towards my next chapter.
————————————————————————
So whats been built?
Events:
I helped run gatherings like Jets & Capital (Vegas, Miami, New York), and The Life Insurance Summit. Rooms that contained the best of their industry, and still had a culture of generosity and kindness.Systems:
At BetterWealth, I rebuilt* of our digital foundation — new site, analytics, and SEO.
- Site Health went from 33% to 97% health (top 9% globally) and users are up 300% (Ahrefs, Search Console, Bing Webmaster)
- Built a dashboard that tracks organic youtube vids to revenue
- I’ve built a network of AI agents + automations that now save me 30+ hours a week.
Most (did not rebuild our socials)Content + Media:
Learned production from the ground up cameras, lights, studio design, editing, storytelling, and helped double the subscribers for BetterWealth. AI goodness here too!On a personal side:
Created - JamesFloyds.World, did a side experiment that got 30k views, wrote many poems, and have been seeing the world!
__________________________________________
So where do I go from here?
As David Senra of the Founders Podcast says, ‘Focus’ is the one word description of all the learnings he’s had. So:
My next chapter is about focus - combining connection and systems inside high-speed environments.
_________________________________So, here’s what I’m curious about:
- People who design or host extraordinary experiences (events, retreats, gatherings)
- Chief-of-Staffs and operators inside fast-growing, crazy culture companies
- Founders and Family Offices for their perspective on this pursuit.
Anything from:
Amex Black Card or Imagination to smaller, high-growth companies or intimate communities.
If you think of anyone I should meet, feel free to forward the short intro below:
--
James Floyd builds systems that connect people, capital, and make ideas reality.
Highlights:• Helped run Jets & Capital events in Vegas, Miami, and New York, bringing together founders, investors, and family offices managing trillions in AUM.
• Rebuilt BetterWealth’s digital foundation — new site, funnels, and analytics — raising site health from 33 to 97% (top 7% globally) and doubling SEO visibility.
• Designed AI workflows that now save 30+ hours a week and link Organic YouTube traffic directly to booked calls.
• Built studios and content systems that accelerated BetterWealth’s audience growth.
• Active network across Family offices, Content Creators, and Operators.Focus: He’s now looking to work more deeply inside connection-driven environments — events, communities, or high-growth teams that bring ambitious people together and make things happen.
--
I’d love your honest feedback or introductions — even one sentence would mean a lot.
