#075 Flywheel Masterclass, Flying Planes, and Building For Creators with Nathan Barry of Convertkit

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Today’s guest is a good friend, Nathan Barry. He’s a pilot, designer, author, and most of all, the founder of ConvertKit.

Behind the scenes: this newsletter is drafted, designed, and sent using ConvertKit. I’ve been a very happy customer for years. This company, founded in Boise, Idaho, outside of the major hubs, is one of the biggest email marketing platforms in the world today.

• Nathan recently ticked off an item on his bucket list: getting his pilot's license. He shares insights into the safety and discipline required for flying small planes.
• Flywheels create momentum and make processes easier and more efficient over time. Flywheels exist at multiple sizes and levels in a well-run company.
• Nathan highlights the transition from hand pump processes, which require constant effort, to flywheel processes, which build momentum and become more efficient over time
• Decision-making flywheels help streamline processes by providing clear, actionable steps for his team members to follow, especially in mid-level management.
• There is huge value of working in public, teaching what you know, and defaulting to generosity as key principles that drive personal and business growth.
• Nathan was advised to either shut down or fully commit to ConvertKit. He did the latter, which led Nathan to focus, hire dedicated staff, invest more capital, and niche down, resulting in massive growth and wealth creation.
• It’s important to structure incentive compensation in a way that balances short-term and long-term rewards, guaranteed and performance-based.
• ConvertKit developed a culture where everyone felt responsible for the company's expenses, reinforcing a sense of ownership.
• Nathan shares four mantras he lives by: create every day, teach everything you know, work in public, and default to generosity.

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