Seth Yakatan

Raising & Selling 📈 $1B+ Raised 💰 22 Companies Sold 🤝

Are you struggling to communicate your vision to the capital gatekeepers?

Are you exploring selling your business but don’t know anything about:
✘ Due diligence
✘ Term sheets
✘ Earnouts

Friend, you're lucky you found me...

I'm Seth Yakatan.

I have 30-odd years experience as a corporate finance professional.

My specialties are:
💰 Raising money
🤝 Selling companies

And I’m f**king good at it.

I’ve raised over $1B and sold 22 businesses.

My career has mostly been supporting small-cap and major corporations seeking capital to grow, or
to find strategic acquirers.

Most of these companies are in: 
— biotech
— cannabis
— pharmaceuticals
— DTC consumer goods

I’ve been on boards, taken companies public, gone up against multinational corporations, raised from VC and PE funds.

All of it. 
Many times over.
Whatever your problem is, I’ve seen it before.

But let me level with you:

What I REALLY love is helping people to get to the finish line.

Talking to entrepreneurs excites me.

But in my experience, entrepreneurs are mostly s**t at raising capital and selling companies.

** They just don’t understand investors **

And that’s where I come in.

Together, we workshop: 
✔ Your pitch
✔ Your deck
✔ Your strategy 

And help you raise the capital to GROW and SELL your business.

If you need this help—and almost every business does—send me a DM.

Like, now.

Don't lose another potential investor or acquirer with the wrong pitch.

Seth ✌️

Co-Founder

Merchant Bank / Advisory / Family Office

Will there be ONLY ONE California distro left standing?

If that’s true, my money’s on NABIS.

Nabis just acquired assets from Humble Cannabis Solutions.

Distribution. 
Commerce systems. 
Compliance. 
Logistics.

Others chase vibes, Nabis keeps chasing leverage.


>> What’s Happening?

Nabis just picked up assets from Humble Cannabis Solutions.

No hype. Just more control over the infrastructure that moves cannabis.

And now they OWN California…


>> Why This Matters

Infrastructure wins in markets where margins are thin.

And A/R drives the leverage of brands and suppliers.

Owning distribution, commerce, and compliance creates LEVERAGE.


>> What Am I Watching?

Can KSS last?

How many brands realize too late that they don’t control their own destiny?

Whats next for Vince Ning and Jun S. Lee? 

No vibes. No hyperbole. No fanfare.

Just own the damn channel…

The WHOLE DAMN THING.

I LOVE it when someone proves me WRONG… particularly when it’s someone with such a unique and positive character.

Case in point… my main hermano Los Arias and the Green Horizons, you guys have CRUSHED IT.


>> What’s Happening?

A few years back I heard something I thought was crazy

Someone was running around trying to raise big money for a greenhouse in the desert of CA.

A green house? How much $$$?? WTF???

Wrote him off as crazy.

Well, Green Horizons has built one of the best facilities I have walked, PERIOD.

Clean, tighter than a tick, good flower, and serious PASSION…

Impressive, MOST impressive.


>> Why Is This Important?

Sometimes I’m puzzled by the industry and things which I see and hear…

It’s one thing to raise this money. It’s another to know how to use it AND execute…

Cultivation is really easy to do wrong, and very hard to do right…everything about what Los and Green Horizons has built is RIGHT.

And I could not be happier for Los and his whole squad.

Sometimes you just have to BELIVE.


>> What Am I Watching?

Will anyone else have the STONES to build more cultivation in CA?

How soon will this crew stand up facility #2?

Will Green Horizons change the view of CA and the desert?

They sure changed this Joshua Tree’s path…

Abrazos, Jefe…

"You can't fight the desert. You have to ride with it." ~ Louis L'Amour.


Los is an INSPIRING DUDE who just back on LinkedIn, give him a follow and keep up to date with their progress 📈

Am I Trending???

Well you know what I say:

Once is luck, twice is an anomaly…

Three times? Then you’ve got a trend, my friend.

I was highly privileged to be featured alongside the savvy Mitchell Osak in this excellent Forbes piece by Javier Hasse on cannabis M&A in 2026.

Superb reporting, AS ALWAYS Javier.

Essential reading for everyone trying to make moves in the industry this year.

Check it out: https://lnkd.in/gxNfAQ6W

Here’s an idea: why not just sell Hemp TCH Beverages till the last possible second

Eight brands including Cann, Drink DELTA, Wynk™, MAGIC CACTUS, Nectar, HOWDY and NOWADAYS are rolling out at Sprouts (WITH A BAN PENDING).

Yes. A national grocery store! Actual Hemp THC beverage! Next to groceries!


>> What’s Happening?

Sprouts just green lit the sale of THC drinks in stores.

First Target, NOW a mainstream grocer.

So while half the industry is still arguing about about regulation…

….Sprouts says: “Cool. We’ll take the money.”

>> Why Does This Matter?

This is something of a watershed moment for THC beverages.

Alcohol didn’t win because it was moral.

Nicotine didn’t win because it was healthy.

They won because they were available, familiar, and frictionless.

THC drinks just took a HUGE step in that direction.

>> What Am I Watching?

Which retailers will follow? (Because they WILL…)

Which of these eight brands win at grocery, and which dies trying?

How will regulators react now??


Fun fact: The market is moving faster than the rulebook.

Retail just signaled a big fat IDGAF for regulatory clarity.

You’re still debating whether THC beverages are “real”…

Congrats, you’re already two years behind.

No alternative text description for this image

Well...it happened: Wyld + Grön announced a definitive merger yesterday.

If you've been following me or listening to my BS, this is great news.

Why?

1. This represents a hallmark transaction for the industry and can foster a new era of M&A in the future

2. The combined company fully illustrates the importance of PLATFORMS driven by BRANDS

3. This represents the first national platform (and in ANT other industry this would be the basis of a Private Equity roll up deal/strategy)

4. It illustrates that there are companies (i) of scale, (ii) generating revenue and profit, (iii) that can find exits, (iv) that are Founder-led and (v) that can be stronger and grow together !!!

5. With this announcement and some form of Federal change on the horizon, 2026 could be our best year YET.

Congrats to all my friends at both companies on an AMAZING deal...

Aaron Morris and Christine Apple you should both be proud… and thank you both for showing the world what IS POSSIBLE!!!!

And if you know Draper Bender, then you know how and why this got done. Period.

Here is to the future for us all.

P.S. This video was recorded July 17, 2025 with Michael Krefman and Michael Peterson on From the Weeds to the Clouds

Even a broken clock is right twice a day....

Glad you all gave up because some of us just GOT STARTED.

Looks like 2026 is off to a terrible start…


>> What’s Happening?

Nothing at all, just go back to sleep

Cannabist’s VA footprint goes for $130M.

Wyld/Gron pops off.

Illicit does a landmark ESOP.

Sunderstorm grabs Lime.

Nabis grabs Humble.

Key takes Bellrock.

Canopy puts $150M on the balance sheet

But its only January, go back to sleep….


>> Why Does This Matter?

The strong are getting STRONGER.

Notice any similarities in any of these deals? (read any of my posts??)

I have profiled most of these companies as “working”.

And the others have big balance sheets.

THE CONSOLODATION will not be televised.


>> What Am I Watching?

Who and what is NEXT?

SUPER-BRAND V2 is coming. Count on it…

Can someone take control of California?

What am I missing??

First of 12 innings down.

The pitcher has not even warmed up and

Already its a Perfect GAME ….

Germany is officially importing TONS of lettuce.

The EU’s biggest single c@nnabis market is sprinting toward 600 metric tons of annual imports.


>> What's Happening?

Germany's medical cannabis imports have climbed quarter over quarter.

From 41 metric tons in early 2025 to 57 t in Q3 2025, crushing records.

German regulators even raised the annual import ceiling once the original quota was exhausted.

Prescription access is expanding and telemedicine is growing…the trajectory now looks like hundreds of tons annually…

>> Why Is This Important?

Germany is now Europe's largest regulated medical cannabis market and its explosive import growth is a global signal.

Deutschland’s policy reforms have created predictable patient access and a huge upstream opportunity for exporters and supply chain players.

At 600 tons of annual imports, that is global supply chain scale and a new benchmark for what "big cannabis" might look like outside North America.


>> What Am I Watching?

Can anyone in Europe actually grow weed at scale, or will the country remain dependent on imports long term?

How pricing, pharmacy networks, and telemedicine evolve and can a patient market can coexist with both social clubs + adult use.

Which countries and companies position themselves as primary exporters into Europe's hottest cannabis corridor?


Bottom line:

Europe's medical cannabis boom isn't theoretical anymore…

It is measurable, explosive, and reshaping global supply chains.

If you haven't been tracking Germany's trajectory closely, you're late.

In case you missed it 

Wyld and Grön was announced earlier this week...

Have to give props again to both teams on the absolute magnitude of this deal for the industry....I am still amazed by this one....

And do not forget why....and what else is possible and for who...

Jeeter - a DreamFields Brand
Timeless
Nova Farms
Standard Wellness
C3 Industries

Thank you Aaron Morris + Christine Apple for showing the WORLD what this industry CAN DO !!!!

Here is to the future for us all...
and never sleep on Draper Bender (might just be the best in the business) 

P.S. This video was recorded July 17, 2025 with the amazing squad of Michael Krefman and Michael Peterson on From the Weeds to the Clouds
(MORE PROGNOSTICATIONS FORTHCOMING.... )

I am never giving up on California...EVER...

Keep an eye on my friends at Embarc
Keeping it REAL FOR EVERYONE....

CA is still #1 and will be #1 for a while.

We ain't going nowhere...

Just training for the next 12 rounds....

Welcome to Las Vegas !!!!
Wait...did I see you there ?
Well if I did, maybe you made the edit...

Seibo Shen
Elliot Lane + IgniteIt Cannabis
Diana A. + First Citizens Bank
Salvatore (Sal) LaTorre
Aisha Alves + the squad from FlowerHire
My main man Frank Colombo,  CFA + Viridian Capital Advisors
The ever popular Jesse Parenti, TRA 
Marty Higgins
and the ever magnanimous Lisa Williams + Hello Again

Want to thank my good friends from Sweed for all the help !

When does a celebrity brand officially hit the skids?

When it turns into a $50M lawsuit.

Iron Mike Tyson and The Nature Boy Ric Flair just turned their brand in weed biz into federal lawsuit.

And the allegations are wild.


>> What’s Happening?

Tyson and Flair filed a 76-page RICO-heavy lawsuit against their former cannabis partners at Carma Holdings.

Accusations include all the good stuff: wire fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, extortion and securities fraud. 

And further accused management of siphoning off cash and company funds for private jets, yachts, home renovations, mortgages and lavish perks.

NY Post has the scoop if you want to read the details...

Tyson & Flair are seeking more than $50 million in damages.


>> Why This Matters?

RICO is typically reserved for organized fraud and systemic corruption not partner disputes.

Defendants are pushing back hard, calling the suit “fiction dressed up as a lawsuit.” 

Celebrity + cultural icons + weed business + alleged internal theft = BAD LOOK

As an industry we do NOT need further headline drama.


>> What Am I Watching?

Does this show anything about governance, IP control, and fiduciary accountability?

Or does it just becomes another in a long list of “bad-celebrity brand” tabloid footnotes?

Can RICO stick here?

Which is the next celebrity cannabis brand to go ass over tea kettle? 

Bottom line:

Celebrity cannabis brand launches make headlines.

Celebrity cannabis boardroom lawsuits makes worse headlines.

Can we just NOT do any more celebrity brands, PLEASE??

You think its easy to get a deal done?

Think again...

Getting any deal done is HARD:
— Senior Debt
— Equity
— M&A
— Partnerships

It's like walking a drunk person home in the snow.

You might slip and fall a few times before you get there..

You have to realize it is going to fall out of bed once or twice.

And you have to have people around you who know how to get it done....
AND CLOSE.

Appreciate my friends Louis Magazzu and  Rachel Wright, CPA, MST for the discussion and the crew from IgniteIt Cannabis for the platform....

Nothing makes me happier than seeing good people succeed.

Especially those who pulled me up with them on the path.

So it gives me GREAT pleasure to give a huge congratulations to my friend  Austin DeAngelis on his most recent feat with furl.


>> What’s Happening?

A few years back I got pulled into Eaze, one of the better experiences of my life.

Were it not for the software sales veteran boom-mic trio of Nick Fasano, Austin DeAngelis and Owen Ruh…

I would have been left out on Venice Boardwalk.

But they took me in as one of their own and I am eternally grateful for that.

Especially when you have to pivot to make moves in c@annabis.


>> Why is This Important?

Sometimes you hear people leave the industry and hope they land feet first…

Then you check it…

One of the guys who pulled me along at Eaze

Drops a presser about a $10M seed round for his new AI start up deal furl.

With gold plated investors Ten Eleven Ventures, Rapid7 CEO Corey Thomas and Open Opportunity Fund, furl seems like a BANGER.


>> What Am I Watching?

What do I know about AI? Well frankly nothing…

But I do now how hard it is to pivot industries.

I also know how hard it is to RASIE CAPITAL.

SO when you pivot and knock the ball out of the park….

I can only admire the achievement and offer my most sincere congratulations.

Austin, I’m betting on you and furl thats for sure.

And thank you for all the help you have given me.

‘Seth, how did you make it into Forbes AGAIN?’

Well dummy I worked my butt off and I picked the right partner. That’s how…

Last week, Forbes published a piece on cannabis M&A that I was quoted in — alongside Mitchell Osak, who is the most credible and consistently right analyst in Canadian cannabis consulting, full stop.

No hype. No BS. No capital-markets vocabulary tests. This article didn’t come out of thin air.

It was grounded in a long-form piece Mitchell and I debated, pressure-tested, and refined because the loudest narrative in cannabis right now (“M&A is dead”) is… well just lazy.


>> What’s Happening?

M&A narratives dominate headlines, but how?

Behind the curtain, consolidation IS happening.

Private deals, restructurings, recaps, and strategic repositioning is where the action is.


>> Why Does This Matter?

Public markets for the next big cannabis deal? Maybe…

The next wave of exits, value and consolidation will emerge through private channels.

M&A didn’t disappear. It just stopped showing up in places that make for easy screenshots.

Public markets are frozen and private markets are doing the real work.

And anyone still waiting for a headline-grabbing “tsunami” deal from a busted MSO balance sheet is watching the wrong screen.


>> What Am I Watching Next?

How private capital structures continue to adapt to cannabis realities?

Does MORE off-market consolidation accelerate?

Does federal clarity finally unlock the value trapped in state-legal operators?

If you care about where real deal flow lives, this Forbes piece will be a reference point for 2026.

If you’re an operator, investor, or board member still anchoring strategy to press releases instead of private deal flow… good luck.


Two final points:

The Forbes piece is worth your time

Mitchell’s perspective is worth following

And if you want the WHOLE 18 pages behind the article download it here:

https://lnkd.in/eBxsGE7H

Read it. Argue with it. But don’t ignore it.

It's not what they say when you are IN the room
It's ALL ABOUT what they say when you are NOT IN the room...

What happens when two rival founders stop competing and start collaborating? 

Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein find out from Draper Bender, President of Grön, as he shares the unlikely beginning of his friendship with Aaron Morris, CEO of Wyld  the man he once viewed as a bold, untouchable industry persona. 

Remember this was a Founder-led deal, there were no bankers. It was a direct, operator-to-operator discussion and transaction. No financial engineering. Just aligned businesses with similar DNA: bootstrapped, profitable, and deeply operational to their cores...

I was not even close to this one. 
Love you Draper and Christine Apple
And Aaron Morris count on me sending more pictures of boxes....
XO

Props to AnnaRae Grabstein + Ben Larson for the LOVE
And get on High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast
On Apple Podcast (apple.co/40e8I2T )
Spotify (spoti.fi/4iUKphY )
and YouTube (https://lnkd.in/g5CMxNAM)

Here's the latest speculation on Schedule 3…


A few weeks ago a Senator proposed a measure that would direct the AG of the USA to create a commission charged with making recommendations on a c@nnabis regulatory system….


That MODELS for what is currently in place for ALCOHOL….YUP.

>> What's Happening?

Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced the PREPARE Act.


This directs the U.S. Attorney General to establish a Federal Regulation of Cannabis Commission.

This will draft a regulatory framework for post-prohibition cannabis.


Safety standards, labeling, crop and trade practices, banking & revenue systems, and social equity impact.

The bill would effectively give the AG Trump's a formal job to coordinate federal cannabis policy and set rules before full legalization.

>> Why is this Important?

A commission BEFORE legalization is scary.

That's not helping us….that's pre-ordained federal architecture by committee, which seems to create MORE problems.

The industry deserves clarity on issues like taxation, banking, and ADA/FTC guidance.


Not MORE mechanisms based on bureaucracy.


>> What Am I Watching?

Does this commission actually draft binding regulatory standards or just recommendations that Congress can ignore?

Which stakeholders get a seat at the table?

Does this become the new pretext to delay real federal legalization until the next election cycle?

Commissions are easy press releases. Regulation is hard law.

Don't confuse politicking with legalization.

Contact your elected officials today…PLEASE.

Why was I so hyped on Beverage ???

I am a history major
I studied how Alcohol was rolled out over the last 80 years

Why ?

Normalized adoption and distribution...
And they MAKE MONEY
(and its the only thing that we have as an example)

and you know what...they make $$$$$

Thanks to Alex DeFazio and the The High Index for the spot

You want to get in the game ?

Get yourself to a meeting with my folks from IgniteIt Cannabis
thats right...

GARDEN STATE COMING IN HOT...
February 10th, 2026
Westin Jersey City

and make sure you bring me a Hoagie....

Register HERE: https://bit.ly/49pHgUF

and use my CODE: SETH20

Patrick Lane Elliot Lane Javier Hasse

Everything early stage is HARD...
Next to impossible actually

I don't have a solution for early..

C@nnabis
Biotech
SaSS
AI
Retail
CPG/Beverage

All hard...

We just have 2 arms tied behind our backs on top of it all...

Grateful for the spot on From the Weeds to the Clouds
Michael Krefman + Michael Peterson

Where do hemp beverages belong?

Well, what do we know:

1. They sure found a way to enter traditional distribution channels

2. Alcohol use is declining

3. Consumers are driving demand

With the hemp ban looming I'm not sure which way is UP.

So you tell me?

Thank you to my friend Peter Su, PBC-CP, CTP, CCBP, CRS, GRCP, GRCA, IDPP, CBE for having me on...

Lucas Bean

CEO @ Social Proof | Leader, Ai, Adtech, Analytics, AiO, Fintech, Games, Entertainment, Web3, Creator Economy | ex Atari, Sony, Experian, Deloitte | User Acquisition Expert | speaker, advisor, ENTP

I’m a seasoned tech executive with deep entrepreneurial experience ready to help you build, scale and win.

I'm top 3 globally in:
• User acquisition
• Retention
• Community building
• UX optimization

20+ years in marketing, data science and product leadership
Author of Community Market Fit - Published April 2025 
Ex-Atari, Sony Pictures, Experian, Deloitte
Founder, CEO, GM, CMO, COO, SVP of Marketing & Ops

I specialize in scaling businesses fast through:
• User acquisition & retention strategy
• Data-driven marketing
• Product development
• P&L management
• Advanced automation
• Consumer experience design
• Growth operations

Proven wins:
✔️ Helped raise over $50M in venture capital
✔️ Built & exited a solo venture at $500K+/year
✔️ Took an adtech company public (founded in 2008, IPO in 2017)
✔️ Executive roles at 3 companies that exited for $1.4B+ combined

Marketing expertise:
• Copywriting
• SEO
• Email marketing
• Content creation
• Influencer strategy
• Video & display ads
• Marketing automation
• Flywheel effects
• Full-stack paid media (desktop/mobile)

Industry experience:
Fintech, Adtech, Gaming, Entertainment, Dating, Web3, Creator Economy, Social E-commerce

Leadership style:
I’ve built scrappy teams from scratch and turned underperforming teams into high-output machines.

I believe complex systems can be distilled into simple, marketable messages that resonate deeply with customers, fans, and stakeholders.

Now? I’m focused on helping others build fast, scale smart and stand out.
Open to clients, partnerships, and strategic opportunities.

GM & Head of Product 

Strategic Consulting to startups, founders, executive management of fortune 1,000 companies. Providing expert advice and execution on Web3, NFT, Operations, General Management, digital marketing efforts, Web3 onboarding, core operational issues, Data Analysis, Strategy, P&L Management, Product Development, Product Innovation, User Experience, User Acquisition & Retention. 

I help turn new and existing businesses into finely tuned digital powerhouses by auditing current 
 internal processes. I then use analytics, acquisition, retention, mentoring & media management to determine KPI's and hyper improve performance metrics with precise strategic tactics. 

Channels Leveraged: Analytics, Influence Marketing, Community Building, Social, Display, Search Paid + Natural, email, mobile.

Current Business fields of expertise (no one is an expert, always learning):
NFTs
Web3 (P2E Gaming, Metaverse etc.)
Gaming and esports 
Mobile Gaming
Fintech
Influence Marketing
e-commerce (social selling)
Entertainment 
Mobile Apps
Digital Products
Digital & IRL Events

Increase your luck surface area by showing up

90% of success is literally just showing up.

So create your own luck 

How many:

days
weeks
months
decades

were they showing up consistently? 

They showed up everyday and you call it luck?

It only takes that one time to land an opportunity of a lifetime or to miss it. 

Be consistent.


Follow me Lucas Bean for more

undefined undefined

20 years Marketing, Data Science & Product Executive | Author of Community Market Fit | ex Atari, Sony, Experian, Deloitte | User Acquisition & Retention Expert | consultant, speaker, advisor, Ai Automation Expert

Alesia Kapadia

10 things to ask in your next Job Interview,
(And what NOT say):

Interviews are like any first meetings,
Awkward and uncomfortable.

They only give you 60 minutes to:

✅ See if you’re a fit.
✅ Sell your strengths.
✅ Show your enthusiasm.

To do your research is to be prepared
Practice what you'll say and how you'll say it

Avoid saying these 10 things:
(And what to say instead)

1/ "I don't have any questions."
↳ Why: Shows zero preparation or interest
↳ Instead: Ask specific questions about the team's current projects or culture

2/ "I’ll take any job right now."
↳ Why: Signals desperation, kills your negotiating power
↳ Instead: Highlight skills that match specific role

3/ "I don't like taking direction."
↳ Why: Makes you seem un-coachable
↳ Instead: Share how you've grown from feedback

4/ "I don’t have any weaknesses."
↳ Why: Sounds unrealistic and arrogant
↳ Instead: Share a real weakness and how you're improving

5/ "I hate my current boss."
↳ Why: Raises red flags about professionalism
↳ Instead: Focus on your career growth goals

6/ "I'll figure it out as I go."
↳ Why: Suggests you don’t prepare
↳ Instead: Emphasize your (proven) ability to learn quickly

7/ "This is a stepping stone for me."
↳ Why: Companies don't want to invest in short-term employees
↳ Instead: Share your interest in growing with the company

8/ "What's your work-from-home policy?" (too early)
↳ Why: Makes work flexibility seem like your top priority
↳ Instead: First discuss role, fit and get them interested

9/ "What time do people leave?"
↳ Why: Implies you're just watching the clock
↳ Instead: Ask about daily workflows and responsibilities

10/ "I don't handle stress well."
↳ Why: Suggests you'll crack under pressure
↳ Instead: Describe how you organize work to manage deadlines

Remember:
Be Prepared and be positive, they go a long way.


P.S. What's your #1 interview tip? 👇



♻  Repost toinspire your network 
🔔  Follow me (Lucas Bean) for more like this.

Lucas Bean 

Be brave enough to suck at something new 


Scared to:

→ write that article 
→ publish that video
→ post that comment 
→ send that DM to someone
→ Just do it and figure it out later


Your goals should be that of action:

→ have a sense of urgency
→ take action instead of overthinking
→ Focus on the future, not on the past 
→ plan 20% and execute 80% of the time

A ship does not sail on yesterday's wind. 

________________________________

♻️ share to help others take the leap

Follow me Lucas Bean  for more ♥️

I’ve decided in 2026 to not to hold people 
hostage to who 

they used to be.

We all carry outdated versions of ourselves: 

mistakes we’ve made
ignorance we’ve acted on 
pain caused before we knew better 

I’ve seen how one bad chapters can become someone’s whole story in the eyes of others 

But people grow
They stumble
They learn 

They often try to make things right. 

We all have regrets
but that doesn’t mean we can’t begin again.
I’ve watched friends become softer,
more grounded. 

Change isn’t always dramatic
it’s often slow and quiet. 


But it’s real. 


When we dismiss someone for who they were
we miss who they’ve worked to become.

No one should be forever judged
by a version they’ve outgrown.

If we offer ourselves grace
we should offer it to others too.

in 2026 let's all try to do a better job at this. 

♻️ Share this with someone who inspires you 
🔔 Follow me Lucas Bean for more

This is why most people quit.

When
it takes
more work
than we thought
it would.

It’s way easier to:

- quit
- make excuses
- get discouraged
- go watch Netflix
- grab a bottle of booze
- go and smoke weed and zone out 


Instead, set yourself up to win by:

- setting time blocks
- setting expectations
- setting up exact tactics
- setting up a realistic timeline


Our aspirations are always greater
then the reality of how much work it is.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 > 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Don’t let 2026 get away from you 


share this to help others in your community 
Follow me Lucas Bean for more
We miss you Mr. Obama

Hard truth: every relationship is transactional
(here's how to make it work for you)
 
Every connection runs on exchange.
Some trade trust, others trade time or attention
The flow is always there.


Work is clear.
You get paid. You perform.
The deal is direct and defined.

Friendship is quieter.
No terms, but the contract exists.
Support, loyalty and time are traded.


Scarcity mindset
When you meet someone for gain,
you think short term.
You ask before you give.
Trust fades before it grows.


Growth mindset
See people as long term partners.
Invest first. Listen first. Give first.
That is how trust compounds.


Here are 8 ways to build social capital:

1. Play long term games
↳ Act like every bond will last decades.

2. Build before you need
↳ Offer help early, without a return.

3. Make introductions
↳ One link can create years of value.

4. Stay in touch
↳ Send notes. Celebrate wins. Show up.

5. Invest in depth
↳ Spend real time when it matters most.

6. Earn reputation
↳ Do work that speaks when you are silent.

7. Be patient with asks
↳ Quick favors reveal short term thinking.

8. Think in decades
↳ What if this person stayed for 40 years?


Charisma can open doors fast.
But trust keeps them open.
Short term charm fades.
Consistency endures.


Strong relationships are built slowly.
They outlast opportunity.


P.S. Do you agree? 

P.P.S. which is is your favorite? 


♻ Share if you believe real trust compounds.
🔔 Follow me Lucas Bean for more leadership

Here is a list of things that are not doing the thing:

“Preparing to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Scheduling time to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Making a to-do list for the thing isn't doing the thing.

Telling people you're going to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Messaging friends who may or may not be doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Writing a banger tweet about how you're going to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on yourself for not doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on other people who have done the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on the obstacles in the way of doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Fantasizing about all of the adoration you'll receive once you do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading about how to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading about how other people did the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading this essay isn't doing the thing.

The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing.” 

— Strangest Loop

Now go do the thing

7 Simple Rules to Live an Amazing Life: 
(number 2 is my favorite) 

1. Let it go
↳Don't take yourself too serious 
↳ Don'r ruin a good day by thinking about a bad day

2. Ignore them 
↳ Don't listen to what other people think of you
↳ People want you to succeed but not more than them

3. Give it time
↳ Give it time, time heals all 
↳ People act out of emotions, don't let them affect you

4. Don't compare 
↳ Don't compare you act 1 to another act 13
↳ The people you compare yourself to are only human

5. Stay Calm
↳ Stay calm, its ok to not have everything figured out
↳ It's a super power to be calm when others are are upset 

6. It's on you
↳ You are 100% responsible for your life 
↳ Harsh truth, no one is coming to save you

7. Smile 
↳ You will never be as young as you are now
↳Life is short, enjoy the moment, this time right now


Which is your favorite? 
Tell me below  ↓ 



♻️ Repost this to help your community!

🔔 follow Lucas Bean or more.

7 simple rules for an amazing life 

9 biases that derail your decision making: 
(Stop sabotaging yourself)

A bias can destroy your ability to make logical decisions. 

Here are 9 biases that destroy your decision making:

1. Confirmation Bias
 Seeking info that confirms existing beliefs.
 ↳ Why Bad: Blocks objectivity, reinforces bias.
 ↳ Ex: Only reading positive reviews you agree with.
 ↳ Fix: Actively seek and weigh opposing views.

2. Anchoring Bias
 Relying too much on the first info you hear.
 ↳ Why Bad: Skews choices, even if the info is weak.
 ↳ Ex: Price feels fair only after a higher price is shown.
 ↳ Fix: Anchor to value, not the first number shown. 

3. Overconfidence Bias
 Overrating your skills or knowledge.
 ↳ Why Bad: Creates risk, underplays challenges.
 ↳ Ex: Thinking you can text and drive safely.
 ↳ Fix: Check assumptions, plan conservatively.

4. Projection Bias
 Assuming others think or act like you.
 ↳ Why Bad: Causes errors when people don’t think like you.
 ↳ Ex: Expecting friends to react like you would.
 ↳ Fix: Respect differences, avoid assumptions.

5. Hindsight Bias
 Believing past events were predictable.
 ↳ Why Bad: Warps learning, builds false confidence.
 ↳ Ex: “I knew that team would win all along.”
 ↳ Fix: Track predictions, review accuracy later.

6. Bandwagon Effect
 Following what’s popular without review.
 ↳ Why Bad: Promotes blind conformity.
 ↳ Ex: Joining viral trends without research.
 ↳ Fix: Evaluate choices with evidence first.

7. Loss Aversion
 Fearing losses more than wanting gains.
 ↳ Why Bad: Creates caution, limits opportunity.
 ↳ Ex: Skipping a good investment out of fear.
 ↳ Fix: Reframe risks by focusing on possible gains.

8. Status Quo Bias
 Favoring the familiar over change.
 ↳ Why Bad: Stops progress, blocks innovation.
 ↳ Ex: Using outdated tools just for comfort.
 ↳ Fix: Reassess often, weigh new options fairly.

9. Sunk Cost Fallacy
 Clinging to past investments or effort.
 ↳ Why Bad: Deepens loss, blocks fresh choices.
 ↳ Ex: Sticking with a failing project due to past investment. 
 ↳ Fix: Decide on future value, not past cost.


Which Bias do you struggle with?
Tell me below ↓ ↓

♻️ Share this with your friends to prevent biases
🔔 Follow me Lucas Bean for more

9 human biases that lead to bad decisions 

5 Stoic Principles to live a better life:
(And how to apply them daily)


Simple mindset shifts can create powerful changes in your life.


Marcus Aurelius, Rome’s most powerful man, used these principles to stay calm, clear, and in control. 

Now you can use them to: 


1. Control your thoughts
↳ Negative thoughts distort reality and fuel suffering.
↳ Say: “This is temporary. I’m in control of how I view it.”


2. Control your reactions
↳ You can’t control events, only your response.
↳ Say: “I choose how I react—calmly and with perspective.”


3. Appreciate beauty
↳ Overthinking blinds you to joy.
↳ Say: “This moment is enough. Look up, breathe, be here.”


4. Separate facts from meaning
↳ Most things are just opinions, not truth.
↳ Say: “Let me verify before I react or assume.”


5. Don’t seek revenge
↳ Wasting energy on payback keeps you stuck.
↳ Say: “Living well is the only revenge that matters.”


Mastering these five will help you stay unshaken in a chaotic world.


♻️ Repost to help someone in your community. 
🔔 Follow me Lucas Bean for more.

Five tips for a better life Stoic principles

You're never too important to be kind
(weakness or a strength)

I used to think:
Do good work and it will speak for itself
That being too kind was a weakness
Show weakness and you get hurt

that kindness had to be earned
never given freely.

But here’s the truth:

The strongest leaders...
Heck the strongest people I’ve seen?

They lead with kindness.
↳ Its not weakness.
↳ It's not people-pleasing.
↳ Just real kindness.

They set standards ➟ without shame.
 They give tough feedback ➟ without cruelty.
 They inspire ➟ without ego.

Here’s what I’ve come to know  ↓ 

→ Kindness is strength.
 → Fear doesn't buy loyalty.
 → You can can still win without being feared. 

Now I lead with 5 daily rules:

1. Being kind won’t make everyone like you
 ↳ But it will make people feel safe around you.

2. Being kind is infectious 
 ↳ People will start following your lead 

3. Empathy isn't weakness 
 ↳ It unites your team in understanding

4. Kindness doesn’t lower expectations
 ↳ It raises people to meet them.

5. Respect isn’t optional
 ↳ It’s the foundation of true leadership.


💬 Know a leader like this?

 Tag them below 👇

♻️ Repost if you believe being kind is a strength. 
Follow me Lucas Bean for more 

(Shout out to Luke Tobin for the essential message and image)

How to respond to criticism at work:
(and what NOT to say in response)

Most people shut down when they’re criticized.

The truth?
That reaction kills your credibility.

You know what works? Owning it and asking for clarity.

I used to react badly to criticism.

Even when it wasn’t personal:
↳ Yeah, it’s terrible
 ↳ I was wrong
 ↳ I blew it

🚩 Taking criticism poorly hurts growth.

Here’s how high performers handle criticism and stay respected:

Presentation Criticized
 ❌ Yeah, it’s terrible
 ✅ What can I improve?

Decision Questioned
 ❌ I was wrong
 ✅ Explain your concerns?

Work Criticized
 ❌ I failed badly
 ✅ What does good look like?

Missed Deadline
 ❌ I blew it
 ✅ Let’s set a more realistic deadline

Strategy Challenged
 ❌ The plan was flawed
 ✅ Let me walk you through it

Unprepared
 ❌ I’m not ready
 ✅ I don’t know right now, let me get that answer for you

Numbers Are Wrong
 ❌ I’m not wrong
 ✅ I’ll review the numbers and get back to you

Idea Rejected
 ❌ I guess my idea sucks
 ✅ What does a good idea look like to you?

Going Off‑Track
 ❌ I’m lost
 ✅ Let’s get back on track shall we?

Bad Communication
 ❌ I’m awful
 ✅ Let me explain this more clearly

Overstepping
 ❌ My bad, that’s just me
 ✅ Let’s be clear about boundaries up front

Priorities
 ❌ No idea
 ✅ Let’s confirm what’s most important

Your words have meaning.
Your response shapes how you are perceived.
Choose your words wisely.

Take nothing personal even when it was meant that way

P.S. Which one of these will you use in your next tough conversation?

♻️ Repost to help your network elevate 
🔔 follow me for more Lucas Bean

Two things that hold most people back:

1. Fear of failure.
2. Fear of embarrassment. 

Everyone has to climb cringe mountain 
to make it to the land of cool. 
Easy to say right?

The only true way to beat the thing
is by doing the thing. 

So just start doing it.

don't think about doing it
don't write about doing it 
don't say you're gonna do it tomorrow
don't tell someone else you're doing it 

just do the thing. 

when you find one path that doesn't work
take another path.

You're aloud to change course 
anytime you want to, 
as many times as you want. 

who cares what anyone thinks. 


When I ran marketing for a fortune 500 brand
I had major restrictions on me

→ My job
→ My boss
→ The optics 
→ The company I worked for

You're not aloud to be an online person
when you worked at a fortune 500 company
and anytime you're speaking anywhere
you are speaking for that brand

today, its different. 

brands are looking for:

→ people that have audiences already. 
→ that can articulate and communicate well. 
→ That aren't scared to talk to people or the camera. 
→ That think fast on their feet. 

Today you have access to the biggest stage in the world
You don't need a Tedtalk

You need your smart phone and thick skin. 

Thats it. 

Use that smart phone
Develop that thick skin 
or you'll always fear
going for it.

♻️ Share this with some one who needs to hear it 
Follow me Lucas Bean for more

What’s Michael Phelps secret to success? 
 It’s these 3 things:


1.  Show up everyday 


2.  Especially on the days you don’t 
want to, put in the work anyway. 


3.  Do this for 5 years without missing a day. 


This is what it takes to be successful.


Is today is today the day you start? 



Share this with your community ♻️ 


Follow me Lucas Bean for more

I am speaking at Stanford on Monday
How did this happen?

It wasn't just expertise 
It was by accident 
I didn't get lucky

It was deliberately putting myself out there

I kept showing up everyday. 
I kept making connections. 
I kept helping people. 
I made myself visible.

Keep showing up, 
keep putting yourself out there. 

in the famous words of John Kraski 
"Trust me on this one."

People won't remember how much money you made
but 

they will remember how you made them feel.

Anyone can show off their success.
Very few know how to get the best out of people.

This is how Emotionally Intelligent leaders lead:

✅ Make sure everyone feels safe to speak
❌ Don’t speak over people during meetings
➟ Let introverts shine here 

✅ Invest in building relationships that drive team results
❌ Don’t only focus on the core results
➟ build team confidence, everyone wins 

✅ Highlight the whole team and their wins
❌ Don’t take credit for other peoples work
➟ When they are shown winning, you win

✅ Listen to listen first, speak to understand
❌ Don’t push the company agenda at all costs
➟ Let people take ownership on execution 

To get the best out of your team:

1. Give real recognition, not just a pat on the back
 ➟ be specific with your praise
 ➟ Explain how they contributed 

2. Make 1:1's an employee first meeting
 ➟ Ask what you can do for them
 ➟ Don't make this a micro-management meeting 

3. Make an effort to get to know your people 
 ➟ Not all want the spotlight 
 ➟ Everyone does want to know they are doing well 

4. Don't fix the blame, fix the problem 
 ➟ People won't take risk if you react out of emotion 
 ➟ Go over what happened and mutually agree on next steps

Emotionally intelligent leaders get better results. 

When people are appreciated
they wake up with a purpose 
and motivation to do 
their best work

When the team is shown winning in public,
You are shown winning in private.

P.S: Which one is your favorite? 
Tell me in the comments below 👇 

 ♻️ Repost to help your network grow 
 🤝 Follow Lucas Bean for more

What People Think Marketing Is:

→ Cold emails
→ Pop-up ads
→ PR headlines
→ Trendy logos
→ Funny TikToks
→ Clever taglines
→ TV or radio spots
→ Weekly newsletters

What Marketing Really Is:

 → Split testing
 → Earning trust
 → Crafting offers
 → Guiding prospects
 → Tracking data + ROI
 → Mapping experiences
 → Building communities
 → Knowing buyer behavior

And that’s just the start.
Most assume marketing is about being loud, catchy or viral.

But real marketing isn’t surface-level.

It’s about creating trust,
guiding decisions,
and building relationships that last.

♻ Repost if you agree 
🔔 Follow Lucas Bean for more insights.

Post inspiration from Tom Pestridge give him a follow

How to 500% your focus starting right now:


𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The biggest distractions in life:

- Porn
- Drugs
- movies
- Alcohol 
- YouTube
- TV Shows
- twitter (with no plan)
- social media (with no plan) 

Remove these distractions by working somewhere outside of your home and get sh*t done.


𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

It will never be perfect.

- If you just start writing
- If you just started podcasting
- If you just started making videos

Mastery doesn't mean perfect it means you show up anyway. 


Know you are working to something greater than perfection. 

Mastery.


𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲

Things most people do:

• Watch TikTok
• Watch tons of YouTube
• Obsess over cooking videos
• Binge watch Netflix seasons
• Scroll endlessly on Instagram


Things most people don't do:

• Build
• Create
• Share

Do things most people don't do.


𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿

Make sure your purpose is something greater than you 

in service of something that's bigger than you, 

something worth fighting for:

Your team 
Your family
Your company 
You employees

This will destroy distraction and help you get it done.


TLDR:
- Remove distraction
- Mastery over perfection
- Create more > Consume less
- Have a purpose bigger than yourself


♻️ S𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 to someone who needs to hear it
🔔 Follow Lucas Bean  Bear for more

P.S.
We miss you, Mr. President.

taplio

The Battle

Seth Yakatan

Lucas Bean

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreSeth Yakatan's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreLucas Bean's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Seth Yakatan

Lucas Bean

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Seth Yakatan's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreLucas Bean's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreSeth Yakatan's LinkedIn Performance