A call to margin

Hey, friend.

After several months of strategic planning prep, leadership retreats, and board meetings, Marty and I thought we’d coast downhill for the rest of the year with less activity. Then, as an opportunistic operating business, our plans changed. At the end of October, two opportunities presented themselves, which kicked up the activity and excitement. More to come soon, I hope.

I also had the honor of speaking to a few entrepreneurial groups in the last month. On all occasions, the topic closest to my heart and on my mind the most for the last two years is a war on busyness and a call to margin. If you’re interested, I wrote a short essay based on the talks. Click the link below to read the essay.

Margin

I have the good pleasure of meeting with many business leaders, owners, and creators, including the wonderful people who work with us at Calm Capital. Without question, the biggest recurring challenge they face is not having enough margin in their lives. This lack of margin, or busyness, seems to be

David HorneDavid Horne

The last thing to catch you up on is an interview with Madeline Walsh that Marty and I did for her No Directions newsletter. We had a lot of fun talking with Madeline about how we’re leading and operating at Calm Capital. If you’re interested, click the link below to read the interview.

Rejecting the “Hair on Fire” Approach to Business: Interview with Calm Capital Co-founders, David Horne and Marty Balkema

This week’s interview is with David Horne and Marty Balkema, the co-founders of Calm Capital, a holding company that buys and invests in profitable companies for the long term.

No DirectionsMadeline Walsh

Seen, heard, or read anything interesting? Digging anything right now?

• My friend, Andy, is publishing some wonderful commentary and insights on the impact technology is having on how we work and live. I enjoyed his most recent: Why You Shouldn’t Outsource Your Brainstorming to AI

The lion isn’t worried—it just does what it needs to do. Somewhere else, in a zoo, a caged lion sits around every day and waits for a zookeeper. The lion is comfortable. It gets to relax. It’s not worried much, either. Both animals are lions. Only one is a king. ~ from The Flinch by Julien Smith

Been great catching up.

Talk soon,
David