iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Everyone realizing Substack recommendations and beehiiv boosts are just inflating your audience with people who don’t care

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 16h

Stencil is a vibe coding tool, a lot like Lovable or Claude Code, but it promises to take you farther than the app and help you turn your project into a tech company.

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 16h

Flodesk co-founder Martha Bitar goes public with new app Stencil that promises to be more than just a vibe coding tool. Stencil is Flodesk co-founder Martha Bitar's newest project and it's been slowly coming alive online. www.instagram.com/p/Dd9UCW4mpw...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 18h

Oh joy, Stripe is starting to AI-ify its payments processing. They're about to make us pay for their global domination dreams. They updated their privacy policy today, post-purchase of OpenRouter last month, to authorize agentic payments

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 01/10/2026

I'm hearing complaints about beehiiv's price raise today. I haven't had time to dig into what's different (at first glance, pricing doesn't look...that different) but I'm hearing feature bloat is a big concern for small biz owners More later. For now, here's the before + after (light is before)

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 01/10/2026

Second time in the last week that Meta has attached some random user to a major news story. Last week it was Peter Shankman getting linked to the United masturbation story Today it’s Kelsey Combe being named as Jane Doe in the Columbia 7 case

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 01/10/2026

if you want my Tech Watchlist, you need to be on the newsletter tonight. It's coming in the morning...only to newsletter readers + paid subscribers. Paid subscribers will have permanent access to the live list on the site too (which will change bc...tech news) revenuerulebreaker.com/newsletter

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 30/09/2026

Im coming back in my next life as a watchdog. For now, I'm giving you my Tech Watchlist. Heads up most of these guys pictured aren't on it. We know OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, TikTok, etc suck. My list is more practical. Coming ONLY to the newsletter: revenuerulebreaker.com/newsletter

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 30/09/2026

"There's too many subscriptions" "It's unsustainable" "Can't read. Paywalled" SHUT THE FUCK UP You don't want to throw a few bucks to independent creators, you don't have to, but stop complaining at us. You're dragging the scene down. I will block you so damn fast.

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 30/09/2026

I'm making a tech watch list because y'all ask me enough IS THIS COMPANY OK?!?! And I'm keeping eyes on lots of tech companies so best to just make a single source for you of who I think is potentially gonna cause problems for us *coming Thursday*

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 29/09/2026

Why do I hate Substack? Because they don't know how to help you grow your paid subscription Listen to my conversation with Chelsea Riffe on Notes from the New World open.spotify.com/episode/5gVS...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 29/09/2026

I would never in a million years sell out my audience to a huge corporation, no matter the payout. If you're in indie media for the money, you're in the wrong fucking business. Listen to my conversation with Chelsea Riffe on Notes from the New World podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 29/09/2026

Bluevine, a tech company that provides bank accounts to small businesses, was bought by Valley Bank this week. In their press release materials, Valley explains their motivation to join the digital banking revolution by acquiring Bluevine.

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 29/09/2026

Can't believe it's our last Sub Drivers meeting for Q3 tomorrow! 12 indie publishers joined me this quarter to grow their paid subscriptions. They ran subscriber drives. Plugged in new automations. Sent group subscription appeals. And so much more. Next group starts Oct 14: lexroman.com/subdrivers

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 29/09/2026

We are just 63 Legends away from unlocking a Legends unconference! www.revenuerulebreaker.com/why-become-a...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 29/09/2026

Running out of good TV? ME TOO. How about watching my travel vlog of my trip to Monguí, the soccer ball capital of the world??? Just posted today www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK3X...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 28/09/2026

I spent the weekend in Monguí, Boyacá. That wasn't the plan. A wildfire sent me on a different path. But Monguí is special and I'm glad I made it there. Watch my full travel vlog out now www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK3X...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 27/09/2026

Im done using @bsky.app on mobile. This execution is so fucking lazy. You have to share your location or your age to get into the app. How about if im not sharing my location, there’s absolutely 0 reason to assume Im in Texas?

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 26/09/2026

I want to believe in the dream that batching content is possible but as podcaster and artist Stephanie Graham shows us tomorrow, it’s not always the easy path it’s made out to be Coming to the newsletter: revenuerulebreaker.com/newsletter

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 26/09/2026

Living my best sumercé life in Boyacá ⛰️⚽️🇨🇴

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 26/09/2026

People actually hate my travel vlogs. They’d much rather I talk about beehiiv and Ghost all fucking day but TOO BAD YOU’RE GETTING A TRAVEL VLOG this week youtube.com/@lexromanwashere

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 26/09/2026

The entire philosophy of the tech guys in charge in one quote

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 26/09/2026

There’s a craft brewery here in Monguí called Ciudad Perdida and if you come you get to hang out with beer cat. All the beers are named after Monguí things. They have a beer garden. This place is a treasure. Venga sumercé🇨🇴 www.instagram.com/cerveceriaci...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 25/09/2026

Watch what you post because Threads just might pretend you're the guy who masturbated on the plane. What just happened to Peter Shankman is a warning for all of us using Meta products.

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 25/09/2026

It can feel impossible to take a break as a solo operator. That pressure is worse for podcasters bc they risk losing audience. Sunday, Stephanie Graham tells us about how her 31 Days of Black Business series was going to be the break she needed...until it wasn't. revenuerulebreaker.com/newsletter

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 25/09/2026

The Purse is now offering classifieds for $150!!! Will add this to my newsletter ads sheet when I’m back at my computer but The Purse is a personal finance publication so great for finance-related plugs www.thepurse.co

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 25/09/2026

Monguí is famous for making soccer balls. They have 35 manufacturers in this tiny town. I got to tour one today ⚽️ My vlog on this trip coming soon

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 25/09/2026

Podcaster Stephanie Graham had the perfect plan to take August off...until she realized she worked right through her break. This Sunday, Stephanie tells us about the brilliance and heartbreak of 31 Days of Black Business revenuerulebreaker.com/newsletter

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 25/09/2026

Not the AI flyers taking over the chisme corner. Nowhere is safe 😩

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 25/09/2026

I'm trying to make a shift from me doing everything to letting Legends step in. One thing I'm thinking about is a welcome committee. I'll share more in our Q3 Earnings Call but in the meantime, listen to Seth Resler and me talk about community building www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Kc...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 24/09/2026

Made it to Monguí. You'll never guess what they're famous for.

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 24/09/2026

CreativeMornings steps in to fill the gap Meetup has left with the launch of Clubs. CreativeMornings has long been known for their Friday morning talk series. Last week, CM founder Tina Roth Eisenberg announced they have a new option for gatherings: Clubs. creativemornings.com/blog/introdu...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 24/09/2026

Destroying this nutella roscon and then boarding a bus to Boyacá🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 24/09/2026

This week's indie business news has been actually kind of fun to cover. Enjoy the graphic. Subscribe to the newsletter. revenuerulebreaker.com/newsletter

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 24/09/2026

Wow, we are only 65 Legends away from this year's goal: 500 Legends. When we hit it, we'll unlock a Legends Unconference. Legends will pitch session ideas (talks, panels, workshops, hangouts, activities) They will vote + we will gather. Become a Legend: www.revenuerulebreaker.com/why-become-a...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 23/09/2026

Is your membership about people's relationship to you or their relationship to each other? Subscriptions tend to be the first. Memberships tend to be the latter.

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 23/09/2026

Our mixer postcard! 150 Legends and their guests joined us yesterday. It's important to me that every single Legend feels their time and attention is well-cared for in our spaces. I have some ideas up my sleeve that I'll share with you at our Q3 Earnings Call (Oct 8)! The Legends of the Fall 🍂

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 23/09/2026

God i hate to start the week of news this way. That Create & Cultivate fiasco is nothing compared to this HOWEVER same breed of morally bereft people

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 23/09/2026

We ran a review festival so Legends could learn about and amplify each other's work. 60+ Legends participated. 48 projects submitted. 150+ reviews logged! Meet the winners of Five Star Fest!

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 22/09/2026

After the earthquake here my Spanish tutor was like download this app and now im aware there’s a 5pt earthquake multiple times a day all over Colombia and I dont wanna know

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 22/09/2026

Join me and Outpost TOMORROW to talk about what they've shipped recently and hear what's working for other publishers. This event is FREE www.revenuerulebreaker.com/events/outpo...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 22/09/2026

If you join the mixer early today, you get to see what I did to the "Legends of the Fall" trailer as the zoom waiting room

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 22/09/2026

The more you add to your subscription or membership, the harder it is for members to utilize it...and that makes them feel like they're not getting the full value. I talked with Seth Resler about overexecuting in your membership for his Community Case Study podcast www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Kc...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 22/09/2026

I have notified our Five Star Fest winners and they are choosing their prizes! Shoutout to Stephanie Graham, Blythe Alpern, Vanessa Armstrong and Angie Lake for logging a combined total of 95 reviews for their peers. NOW LET'S SHOW 'EM WHAT THEY'VE WON!

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 22/09/2026

This Wednesday! Outpost will live demo their new events calendar feature. Come check it out! We'll also talk about updates to gift subs, email deliverability, and other cool stuff Outpost has been shipping to help indie publishers www.revenuerulebreaker.com/events/outpo...

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 20/09/2026

Testimonials at the bottom! I am a massive fan of testimonials for your membership sales page/why join page. Being able to put them below your tiers is so smart and these are displayed so well.

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 20/09/2026

Membership drive EXCLUSIVE perks shown right on the tiers. This is genius because it allows you to highlight why you need to JOIN NOW

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Lex Roman @lexroman.com · 20/09/2026

The stretch goals! We can see how more members joining benefits all of us and unlocks more community perks. Again, WHY MORE PLATFORMS DONT BUILD THIS IN IS BEYOND ME

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