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This week’s issue is a mix of real talk and real strategy. We’re covering the rise of AI-powered scams, the shiny income promises flooding your feed, and the kind of client experiences that shape your business (and your boundaries), whether you like it or not.

If you’ve been feeling like you're behind, like you're supposed to be scaling faster, earning more, or automating everything overnight, then take a breath. This issue is a reset. A reminder that sustainable business isn’t just possible, it’s powerful.

Let’s get right into it..

BUSINESS NEWS & UPDATES

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• Steven Bartlett Acquires Stake in Stan Store and Launches $100K Creator Giveaway

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• Instagram is testing a dedicated Reels tab for Stories, changing how content is discovered and engaged with.

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• YouTube now features a Top 100 Podcast Chart, giving creators greater visibility.

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• The EU Platform Work Directive will boost freelancer and gig worker protections by 2026, including algorithm transparency and worker classification.

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• TikTok has been charged by the EU for violating online transparency laws and could face serious fines under the Digital Services Act.

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• Meta is offering $50/hour to scan your face and small talk for AI training. Yep.

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• Google is building its own Pinterest-style visual discovery platform.

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• A phishing scam is hijacking Meta and PayPal accounts using fake appeal links via a Google-owned domain. Be careful what you click.​

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• LinkedIn is rolling out new post analytics tools so creators can better understand what’s working (and what’s not).​
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BUSINESS TIPs

Let’s Talk: The Truth Behind “50K Months”

Here’s the thing no one tells you about those viral income claims:

They're usually built on selling the dream - not delivering the service.

Most of those “50K months” come from:
– High-ticket course launches
– Five-figure ad spend
– A full team behind the scenes
– Years of trial, error, pivots, and pressure

And yet they’re marketed to new or solo service providers as if you can recreate it by “just buying this program” or “working smarter, not harder.”

Let’s be clear:
You’re not behind.
You’re not failing.
And your 2–5K consistent months can be wildly successful when they’re built on healthy systems, supportive clients, and a business that doesn’t wreck your nervous system.

Here’s what sustainable growth actually looks like:

• Pricing based on skill and capacity, not comparison
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• Creating offers that align with your energy and values
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• Taking time to learn, build, refine
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• Scaling in a way that supports your life — not consumes it
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If you've been spiralling because your numbers don’t match someone’s flashy screenshot… this is your permission to exhale.

Slow growth is still growth.
And steady businesses are the ones that last.

ON THE PODCAST

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Episode 5: Burnout & Business Systems — The Reality Check I Wish I Had Sooner In this episode, I’m talking honestly about what led me to burnout, how the “just push through” culture nearly cost me everything, and the systems I now rely on to stay steady and scalable. ​ Episode 6: The 50K Month Illusion “I made 50K last month and I’ll show you how!” We’ve all seen the ads - and in this episode, I’m calling them out. From inflated numbers to course-sales sleight-of-hand, I’m breaking down what really goes into those flashy income claims and why they’re not just unrealistic - they’re harmful. ​ ​

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