A Founder's Diary: Takeover from Aaron Spivak
Nadia Ladak
Co-Founder and CEO at Marlow | Forbes 30 under 30, Top 25 Women of Influence | Entrepreneurship Advocate and Keynote Speaker
Welcome to A Founder’s Diary! Every night, I grab a cup of peppermint tea, light a candle, and journal about my day. This newsletter is a summary of those thoughts and pages.
In this edition, we have a takeover from Aaron Spivak, Co-Founder of Hush Blankets and now The Founders Club. Keep reading to see how focus, fitness, and community are shaping his journey and The Founders Club.
Hey Everyone!
My name is Aaron Spivak and most people know me from being the Co-Founder of Hush Blankets.
But after building Hush into a multimillion-dollar brand…
I’m now focused on helping Founders navigate the ups and downs of business through The Founders Club.
So, let's dive into what's been happening in my world lately...
What I've Been Working On
This week has been all about Black Friday…
We’ve been deep in Q4 planning over at The Founders Club, and let me tell you, this one’s going to be different…
We’re setting up something totally unique—focusing on how this Q4 is unlike any other.
There’s a new game plan in place, and it’s been exciting seeing all the members gearing up for their biggest sales season yet.
I’ve also been onboarding my new Executive Assistant, which has been a game-changer in reclaiming my time.
It’s one of the best decisions any founder can make...
And, I’ve locked in two amazing speakers for our Tulum Founders Retreat in December.
Big things are cooking!
Learning
A big lesson I've been reflecting on lately is the power of FOCUS.
In the early days of Hush, it was so tempting to pivot to the next shiny object…
But our commitment to staying focused on our core mission is what ultimately led to our success.
We even had a codeword for when we went down rabbit holes: "Focus."
That simple text would snap us back to the most important task at hand…
And here's what I would tell every beginner business owner: in today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in trying to do EVERYTHING.
But success isn't about how much you do - it's about what you CHOOSE to do.
The real winners aren't those grinding 24/7, but those zeroing in on the tasks that truly move the needle.
When you're just starting out, it can be tough to know what's truly important…
The key is to start identifying those high-impact tasks that drive your business forward.
Spend more time on those and less on the stuff that doesn't really matter.
Remember, it's not just about getting things done - it's about getting the RIGHT things done.
By nailing this prioritization game, you'll be miles ahead of those just tackling whatever lands on their plate.
And as founders, staying laser-focused on these crucial needle movers will drive significantly more long-term growth than constantly hopping from one thing to the next.
It's about identifying what truly matters and pouring your energy into that.
Mental Health & Wellness
About a month ago I wrapped up an incredible 90-day experience where fitness coach Cam Russelle lived with me…
And what I learned was every morning started with a choice: Was I going to be IN, or IN THE WAY of my own progress?
It was all about pushing past discomfort and those constant limiting beliefs we all face.
We focused on EVERYTHING - deep breathing, coldture sessions, intense workouts, strict diet, and mindfulness…
And let me tell you, you can change your life in 90 days if you focus on anything with that level of intensity.
Now, I know what you're thinking - "Aaron, having a performance coach live with you for 90 days isn't exactly doable for me." And you're right!
领英推荐
But here's the thing: moving yourself into an environment of like-minded individuals IS.
That's the power of community.
Surrounding yourself with people who want the same things as you, who push you to be better, who understand the grind - that's what it's all about.
Whether it's through intense physical training, meditation, or surrounding yourself with the right people, investing in your mental and physical health is crucial.
It's not just about building a successful business - it's about building a successful LIFE.
Personal Life
On a personal note, I’ve been enjoying some downtime here in Colombia.
Between Black Friday prep and planning the Tulum Founders Retreat…
I’ve been soaking in the culture and playing padel (a new obsession of mine).
It’s been a great way to recharge and reflect on everything we’ve been building.
Colombia has also given me some new perspectives, something about traveling really shifts your mindset.
It opens you up to lessons you wouldn’t get in the usual day-to-day grind.
What I’ve Been Reading/Listening To
Lately, I’ve been revisiting "Who" by Geoff Smart and Randy Street, which is a fantastic guide on how to hire A-players.
It’s been on my mind while onboarding my new EA.
If you haven’t read it yet, it’s a must for any founder looking to build a world-class team.
Resources & Tools
1. LinkedIn: I can't stress this enough - if you're a business owner, you NEED to be active about building your personal brand on LinkedIn. The connections and opportunities that can come from consistent, value-driven posting are incredible. If you have any questions about growing your brand on LinkedIn, feel free to hit me up.
2. Founders Club: If you're looking to connect with other incredible founders from $0 to $100M+ brands and have bi-weekly strategy calls to take your business to the next level, Apply here to join us!
3. Notion: We've recently started using Notion for team collaboration and project management. If you have any tips or templates for Notion, I'd love to hear them!
That’s a wrap for me!
Shout out Nadia for letting me do this takeover…
I wish you all a great rest of your week!
Remember to stay focused, stay driven, and as always, keep crushing it.
Till next time,
~ Aaron
P.S. Got a burning question or want to connect directly with me?
Whether it’s about The Founders Club or business advice in general, I’d love to chat.
DM me here:
?? Instagram: @Aaron.Spivak
?? LinkedIn: Aaron Spivak
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