iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

We recently covered this deal, Google's latest updates & how SMBs can use AI in their businesses today! Give me @cofoundersnik.bsky.social a follow for more AI-SMB breakdowns Apple: nikonomics.info/Liz528Ap Spotify: nikonomics.info/Liz528Sp nikonomics.info/Liz528YT

nikonomics.info

OpenAI Paid $6.5B for Johnny Ive—I'm Skeptical

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

So the real question: Is Jony Ive the next Bob Iger? Or the next Marissa Mayer? He’s got the track record, the taste, and the resources. But he’s stepping into a very different world with faster cycles, less patience, & no Steve Jobs at his side.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Marissa Mayer = the bad hire: - Background: Google prodigy - Mistakes: $1.1B Tumblr deal, strategic chaos - Outcome: Yahoo sold for scraps to Verizon She is brilliant but wrong fit, wrong bets, wrong time.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Bob Iger = the good hire: - Background: COO of ABC - Wins: Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Fox - Disney market cap 4x’d under his watch He didn’t just buy assets. He knew what to do with them.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

But here’s the catch: Big splashy hires like this? They’re a coin flip. • Bob Iger turned Disney into a global IP machine • Marissa Mayer burned billions at Yahoo Visionary talent doesn’t always translate to execution.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Why now? Because the AI wearables market is exploding: - Market: $48.8B in 2025 - Projected: $260.3B by 2032 But wearables are a different kind of tech. OpenAI needs trust, design, taste & someone who can make AI desirable. Enter Ive.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Now, OpenAI is betting $6.5B that he can do for AI hardware what he did for consumer electronics. The idea? An AI wearable that feels like magic. Right now, most of them feel like science projects. Think less “Google Glass,” more “Iron Man’s JARVIS.”

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

So how valuable was Jony to Apple? Let's look at Apple's market cap when he became head of design vs when he left: 1997: $2.3 billion 2019: ~$1 trillion That’s a 43,000% increase. He designed the most profitable era in Apple’s history.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

You may not know Jony Ive by name but you definitely know his work. Here are just a few of his hits: 🖥️ iMac G3 – saved Apple 💻 MacBook Air – pulled from a manila envelope 📱 iPhone – redefined phones ⌚ Apple Watch – jewelry 🤝 tech And Apple's $5B spaceship-shaped campus

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Johnny Ive helped turn a bankrupt tech company into the first $1 trillion business. OpenAI is betting $6.5B he can do it again, with AI wearables. Could be Silicon Valley's smartest hire ever... Or a $6.5B Marissa Mayer moment. Is one man really that valuable? 👇

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

I talk to the SMB weirdos quietly building what’s next If you’re ready to stop watching & start building with AI while it’s still early, follow me @cofoundersnik.bsky.social The next wave isn’t coming. It’s already here nikonomics.info/BsNews

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

We’re not late We’re early 1996 = Internet 2001 = SaaS 2009 = Mobile 2020 = Cloud 2025 = AI The opportunity isn’t in watching AI go mainstream: It’s in learning to build with it now, before everyone else catches on!

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

AI 1.0 was: → Prompt toys → Cool demos → Vibes AI 2.0 is: → Agents running ops → Real workflows → Real revenue It’s no longer a playground It’s infrastructure & it’s still EARLY

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Now it’s 2025. VC is down. Layoffs are back. AI feels “overhyped.” Perfect. This is the part of the movie where everyone will get distracted But a few people quietly build the next $100M companies

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

2020: Pandemic chaos. Everyone paused... Except the builders. → Zoom became mission-critical → Remote work went default → GPT-3 launched quietly Cloud + AI 1.0 = new stack A few saw it but most missed it Sound familiar?

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

2008: Total financial collapse. Most froze but mobile exploded. → Uber (2009) → WhatsApp (2009) → Instagram (2010) iPhone was barely a year old but the future was already getting built in your pocket Recessions prune... But they also plant

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

2001: Dot-com crash. The hype died. The tourists left. But SaaS was just getting started: → Salesforce launched CRM → Intuit doubled down on QuickBooks Online → Basecamp tested monthly billing While the market flinched a new model was forming: SaaS = recurring > one-time

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

1991: Recession. Layoffs. Most gave up on tech. But PCs quietly crossed 100M units. Then came: → Yahoo (1994) → Amazon (1995) → Google (1998) The internet stopped being a toy & started becoming oxygen Builders didn’t wait for recovery

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

You don’t see it yet, but the next downturn has already started While most freeze or panic, the ones who thrive will start building Every major tech wave starts this way This time it’s AI Move now (while it’s quiet) & you won’t just survive. You’ll lead. Let me show you👇

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Want to avoid a $50K mistake? Use this framework: Clarity. Control. Stability. → Buy what you know → Avoid owner traps → Pick cash-flowing, operationally sound businesses That’s how I added $11.6M in value. nikonomics.info/BsNews

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Nikonomics

Exploring The Economics of Small Business

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

What I avoid like the plague: - Highly cyclical industries - Trendy businesses tied to consumer “vibes” - Anything with huge skilled labor gaps + declining demand Those deals might work but they don’t fit my buy box.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

💻 Boring Tech & Tech-Enabled Services Not VC-backed rocket ships. Think: • Niche software • SEO/PPC agencies • CRM consultants They solve real problems, have sticky customers, and are easier to run than people think (if you understand the tools).

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

🩺 Healthcare Think: • Home Health • Hospice • Assisted Living • Medical Billing • MedSpas Demographics are in your favor. Margins can be juicy. And most operators don’t optimize systems. (Ask me how I know.)

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

What I actually like right now: 🛠️ Home Services • Fragmented markets • Recurring needs • Easy operational wins (tech, marketing, systems) Think: HVAC, pest, roofing, plumbing, windows. I’ve seen guys go from $0 to $1M+ cash flow just by tightening ops.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Stability = Avoid distressed deals (unless turnarounds are your thing). Too many people buy chaos hoping they’ll "fix it." If you want cash flow, start with: • Consistent revenue • Profitable history • Loyal customers Boring is beautiful.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Control = Avoid owner-dependent businesses. If the biz falls apart when the founder leaves, congrats: you didn’t buy a company. You bought a job. Look for: • A team (even a small one) • Documented processes • Something you can improve, not replace

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Clarity = Buy a business you understand. Worked in healthcare? Buy healthcare. Know construction? Go home services. It’s not cute or clever. But when you know the space, the red flags pop faster and the upside is obvious.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Most people overcomplicate this. They chase trends. Try to “disrupt” something. But the path to a great acquisition is simple and repeatable. It’s built on 3 pillars: Clarity. Control. Stability. Here’s how they work...

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

I lost $50K betting on a searcher. He lost EVERYTHING to the SBA. Brutal. After 200 interviews, one thing is clear: Buying a business isn't what makes you fail. Buying the WRONG one does. Here’s the simple framework I used to buy my first biz & create $11.6M in value👇

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

That would actually be a good thing, no? Reducing our interest? But do you really think he’s playing 4D chess?

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

The craziest part? Now in his 70s, he's still practicing medicine. A self-made billionaire quietly doing what he loves. Who knew you could build wealth this way? Want more stories & strategies like this? Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly insights on wealth-building! (👇) nikonomics.info/BSLM

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Nikonomics

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Doctor Jones amplified his returns using: 1031 exchanges Opportunity Zones Accelerated Depreciation Wetland Credits Trust structures Today, his combined net worth from stocks + real estate exceeds $750M.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Real estate appreciation wasn't his only win—it unlocked massive tax advantages: Depreciation offset gains (lower taxes) Lower taxes = more cash More cash = more deals More deals = more depreciation Repeat indefinitely.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

But he didn't stop there. Whenever stocks got heavy, he diversified into premium coastal real estate: Miami Newport Beach Palm Beach Hawaii La Jolla He bet on location, believing coastal markets outperform. He was right.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Doctor Jones invested early (IPO if possible), invested consistently, and HELD relentlessly. His conviction paid off: 90% of his wealth today comes from just 3 companies: Apple Tesla Amazon Portfolio total: $500,000,000 🤯

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Doctor Jones, an Orthopedic Surgeon, loved investing. Early in his career, anything he earned above a set amount went into promising tech stocks: Good year? Invested more. Practice sold? Invested proceeds. Huge bonus? Straight into stocks.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Brad's my CPA relative. Every time we meet, I grill him about taxes and his clients (mostly clients🤣). Usually, he says, “Nope, nobody interesting.” But last summer, inspired by MFM, I asked: "Anyone get mega-rich in an unsexy way?" Brad: “Oh yeah, a doctor.”

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Me: “Wait. He’s a self-made BILLIONAIRE?” Brad: “Yes.” Me: “And I’ve never heard of him?” Brad: “Positive.” Me: “And he didn’t start a tech company?” Brad: “Correct.” Me: incredulous “Tell me the whole story again...”👇

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

What media property are YOU buying? I got Craig to spill his empire-building secrets on my pod; 80 mins of museum hustle, media hacks, pure gold. Steal his playbook👇 Episode 117 Apple: nikonomics.info/BSapple Spotify: nikonomics.info/BSspot nikonomics.info/Craig

nikonomics.info

Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business

Entrepreneurship Podcast · 131 Episodes · Updated Weekly

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Takeaway Don’t build distribution from scratch. Buy it cheap, wield it smart. Stop begging Google/Facebook for crumbs!. Stop renting. Instead, skip the middleman & OWN the audience! Lesson: Distribution > Product. Buy a legacy media property & pair it with a business

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

His Framework (Why Print) Digital is cheap but distracting so he looks for: • Long-tenured audiences (Lindy Effect: old = lasting) • High-ticket potential (boats, planes, homes) • Indistractable moments (NO digital noise) Lesson: Disney nailed this; memories beat scrolls

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Example Bought Flying Magazine for $2.5M with 50k pilots. Thats a CAC of $50! With that distribution he's cashing in: - Built a fly-in community - Offers plane financing - e-commerce Lesson: Use distribution for high-ticket plays by arbitraging attention

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

He Buys Print, Not Pixels 50+ media properties in 3 years, including: - Flying Magazine - Yachting Magazine - Astronomy Magazine Why? Legacy audiences = instant credibility. Lesson: Trust > TikTok clout

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Why the Shift? He spent years building payment tech no one knew about. Then he saw the American Bankers Association move 400 banks with ONE email. He realized tech alone doesn’t win. Distribution does. Lesson: Control the channel, control the game

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

The Backstory Craig Fuller Raised $3M for FreightWaves as a futures market. It flopped. So he pivoted (hard) into media & focused on distribution. Now? It’s the 100M+ "Bloomberg of Logistics." Lesson: Be inflexible on the what, flexible on the how

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Craig Fuller flipped my brain. He’s built a $100M+ empire (FreightWaves, Sonar, Firecrown) by mastering one thing: Owning Distribution “Build it & they’ll come”? BS! He BUYS audiences. Here’s how 👇

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Good question. Jas lays out a clear path towards monetization. If you have a good product and are willing to spend anywhere between $1-$2 per subscriber, then you can grow a profitable newsletter. It all depends on your retention but I am confident in my quality so felt like a no brainer.

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

If you want to hear the full breakdown, check out the episode below. Give me @cofoundersnik.bsky.social a follow for more business breakdowns. Ep 116 Apple: nikonomics.info/BSapple Spotify: nikonomics.info/BSspot nikonomics.info/Jayne

nikonomics.info

- YouTube

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Cofounders Nik @cofoundersnik.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Jayne has built an awesome business! - Sleep Consulting (small practice) = $115k/yr - Sleep Consulting Certification Program = $750k/yr That was last year and is on track to do $1M in 2025!

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