How Failure Shaped an Entrepreneur

Today’s email is about friend, Chandler, and how his biggest failure led to a unique product that I think our community could weigh in on. I have always love to see the grittiness of founder who build and put their work out there, even when it isn’t still a work in progress. I asked him to co-write today with me…

As his mentor, I've seen the late-night panic calls, the excited brainstorming sessions, and yes, the tough moments when things weren't working out. His first startup, a gaming brand that looked perfect on paper, crashed and burned. Wrong timing, market wasn't ready – you know how it goes.

But instead of giving up, Chandler got curious. He started asking the hard questions about why founders struggle with the same challenges.

• Trying to do everything at once and feeling overwhelmed

• Throwing money at problems without clear direction

• Feeling isolated despite being part of a huge entrepreneurial community

• Getting stuck in analysis paralysis

Now, he's building something different. Not just another "here's how to be a successful entrepreneur" platform (because we definitely need more of those... not 😉), but something that actually helps founders succeed. He's combining real mentorship with practical tools that make sense for people just starting out.

What makes his platform different? It's built by someone who's face planted spectacularly and lived to tell about it. It's about:

• Getting your priorities straight when everything feels important

• Having someone in your corner when you need advice

• Making decisions based on real data, not just gut feelings

• Connecting with other founders who get what you're going through

So here is the ask. Check out what Chandler's building at antee.io. He's creating this for founders, and he needs your input to make it truly valuable.

Sometimes the best thing we can do is learn from someone else's failures and Chandler's got some great ones to learn from! 😉

-Chan and Scott

Event Announcement: Level Up with an Olympic Gold-Medal Mindset

from Kyle Spencer

Most of us believe there’s a better version of ourselves waiting to break through—whether we’re in a rut or just aiming for that next level. This message isn’t for the arrogant (they think they’ve already peaked), but it’s for the rest of us who know we can grow.

Here’s a familiar list of ways to improve:

• Set goals

• Read books

• Experiment

• Seek feedback

• Ask questions

• Practice consistency

• Observe others

• Stay open-minded

• Find someone to hold you accountable

• Show up

• Work hard

• Celebrate wins (even small ones)

• Step out of your comfort zone

This list is solid, but where do you start? How do you create a plan that actually works for you?

One of the best ways to level up is by borrowing a framework from someone who’s mastered their craft, implementing it, and then adapting it to fit your needs. That’s exactly what Ryan Millar—a gold-medal Olympian—offers with his “Gold-Medal Mindset.”

This Wednesday’s event with Ryan is brought to you by Venture Anyway, The Support Organization for Entrepreneurs. Ryan will share his framework for improvement, helping you tackle obstacles and make each day a step closer to your best self.

I love how Scott Paul and Phi are leading the charge in health and mindset work—leveraging AI to improve health. Their plans for Utah Tech Week 2025 are nothing short of incredible, and it’s awesome to see them working with Olympians like Ryan and collaborating with experts for a phenomenal health, tech, and wellness experience during that week.

You’re invited to this Wednesday’s session to learn actionable tools for growth and transformation. Register here to join us live on Zoom!

I love using my platform to share projects and events happening in our community. I will always share what I feel could be relevant to some readers. If you have something you want to get out there, I will start appending “community notes” at the end of my emails.

Today I am highlighting projects of Chandler and Spencer, and they are two people who give, give, give, so the least I can do is support their efforts.

Below is a picture of Chandler and I earlier this year. He has worked with me in some capacity since 2012. He has been there for me and my family in so many ways and you don’t find more loyalty and love in a friend than you do with Chandler.

Scott X

Happy 420pm on this sunny Saturday