A few more readers have been added from another platform. If you do not like the change of scenery I understand, the un-sub button is somewhere in this email. Otherwise give it a chance, you may like what you see!
My last two readings focused on business wins, investment changes, a few learned lessons, and more. To read those click here.
Tonightâs After-Hours reading is more personal.
Family Time
We spent the day just running errands. Nothing glamorous.
Groceries
Camera store to get my Sony Sensor cleaned.
HotPot Restaurant (My wifeâs favorite)
Iâve learned not to underestimate days like that. When your schedule is usually shoots, edits, travel, and deadlines, a normal day becomes valuable.
Valentineâs Project
I worked on a Valentineâs Day themed project with Fola Studios. Iâm excited for this one. When it releases, Iâll drop some BTS in here so you can see how it came together.
Something Changed, PersonallyâŠ
This week, Casey and I both got certified for our CPL license. We went to the range and got some shots off! They have ladies night where women shoot free, that might make a cool inexpensive date!
Weâre currently learning more about self-defense and protecting our home.
The reason? One day, we received an alert from our Ring camera about a home break-in. Not ours of course, but close enough to feel real. Then it hit us at the same time, âIf someone broke into our home at that exact momentâ
We only had our hands and random household objects
We had zero plan
â No strategy
â No coordination
â No protection beyond instinct
That realization didnât sit well with me. As a husband, father and protector, thatâs not a comfortable place to be in.
Protection Isnât Paranoia
This isnât about fear. Itâs about responsibility. We insure our cars. We insure our homes. We build businesses with strategy. Why wouldnât we have a plan for protection?
Knowing where everyone goes, what happens first, how to protect the kids, who called 911. how to move with clarity instead of panic
That conversation alone was worth it.
Growth Isnât Always Financial
Sometimes growth looks like:
â Learning something new
â Facing a blind spot
â Realizing you were unprepared
This week wasnât loud. It wasnât massive business wins. It was alignment. Family first. Preparation second. Everything else after that.
Money/Investments
Added to my swing investment account. ZETA 0.00%â marketing AI, cloud services, and is driving a 600% return for users. I also took this dip to invest in LYFT 0.00%â and RIVN 0.00%â
Chinese companies have been doing well. I added to my BABA 0.00%â position and NIO 0.00%â which has announced their first quarter profit during their earnings call.
Lastly, as per usual⊠I am always adding to retirement accounts so I am not solely dependent on independent companies.
Disclaimer: This is not financial advice, nor would I tell anyone to ever buy or sell anything. After Hours newsletter is simply a personal journey open to subscribers showing my journey as an Entrepreneur, Investor and Creative.
See you next week!
Gene,