Chris Vaughn's Linkedin Analytics

Raising money? Use this founder cheatsheet. A simple guide to the difference between: -Angel -Venture -Private Equity -Family Office It's not just about the capital, only select partners who's investment model aligns with your vision. Get this wrong, and you're headed towards conflict. Lessons inside 👇🏼

Netflix didn't just build better technology than Blockbuster. They named it better. — When Netflix said "streaming," they painted effortless flow—content rushing toward you like water. Blockbuster clung to "digital downloads." Which felt like work. Then Netflix delivered the knockout: They rebranded traditional TV as "appointment television." Suddenly, competitors weren't offering convenient entertainment—they were forcing viewers to schedule it. This is strategic naming in action. — History is full of these moments: Churchill's "Iron Curtain" didn't just describe Soviet policy—it created a visual metaphor that defined the Cold War for decades Steve Jobs' "embrace, extend, and extinguish" didn't just criticize Microsoft—it branded them as predators in three words Trump's "Low Energy Jeb" didn't attack policies—it rewired how people saw his opponent forever The pattern? The best strategic minds don't just build better products. They name them in ways that shape how others think, feel, and act. Want to learn how to do this? Full deep-dive below (with real-world examples).

This simple M&A hack could add millions to your deal ↓↓↓ Most founders obsess over their relationship with the buyer, the upfront negotiation, running a bidding process... But completely ignore the relationship between legal counsels. This can cost you millions and derails more deals than you know. Here's a super simple and powerful hack: Select M&A counsel who has previously transacted successfully with the buyer's counsel. Why this matters: → Attorneys engage in subtle positioning battles throughout negotiations → They're the trusted advisors both sides look to when things get complicated → Pre-existing relationships create shortcuts through complex legal hurdles → Trust between counsels prevents small issues from becoming deal-killers Before hiring your exit attorney, ask this simple question: "Have you worked with [buyer's law firm or specific attorney] before? What was the outcome?" The ideal response is a specific deal they closed together smoothly. This simple tactic dramatically increases your chances of getting a deal done—and on better terms. ♻ Find this useful? Follow me, Chris Vaughn, and repost to help your network. 🔗 Get more deal tricks from last Saturday's newsletter at the link below.

She was on welfare, battling depression, writing in cafés between caring for her daughter. Publishers rejected her manuscript 12 times. That woman was J.K. Rowling—and she created Harry Potter. — We're all born with infinite possibility, but spend most of our lives building walls around ourselves. Here's what I've learned after building multiple companies: your potential doesn't expire at 25, 35, or 65. Want proof? ➤ Stephen King — Age 26, janitor who threw his draft in the trash (his wife saved it) ➤ Colonel Sanders — Age 62, broke and living in his car when he built KFC ➤ Arianna Huffington — Age 55, journalist who built Huffington Post and sold it for $315M ➤ Grandma Moses — Age 78, picked up a paintbrush for the first time ➤ Frank McCourt — Age 66, won the Pulitzer Prize for his first book The gap between who you are and who you could become isn't as wide as you think. We're living in the age of infinite teachers. AI can explain quantum physics or songwriting at your exact level. Ignorance is now a choice. The biggest barrier isn't ability—it's ego. The people most willing to look stupid learn fastest. Takeaway: There's a version of you you haven't met yet... and they're waiting for you to show up. What's one thing you'd try if you knew you couldn't fail? Read the full breakdown ↓↓↓