It Starts With You.

If you’re honest, the reason you started is still in the mirror. Don’t confuse it with the reason the world wants to see.

Jun 14 • 

Jacques van Heerden

1

The Valley Below

The meetings can wait. The emails can wait. But the small moments with my kids out here, that’s what lasts.

Jun 5 • 

Jacques van Heerden

2

May 2025

Ideas Are Free. Love Is Work.

AI can give you a hundred startup ideas by lunch, but it can’t choose your partner, stay in the room, or say “I’m sorry” for you. This week we move from…

May 29 • 

Jacques van Heerden

2

Don’t Finance Stupid

This week starts the 100 Ways series—with 10 lessons on money I had to learn by bleeding, not reading.

May 22 • 

Jacques van Heerden

2

God Doesn’t Make Duplicates

Today’s note is lighter in length, heavier in truth. Capacity isn’t about doing more. It’s about knowing who you are.

May 15 • 

Jacques van Heerden

2

Discipline Is the Edge

Motivation is a myth. Real builders show up anyway, through market cycles, messy mornings, and the grind no one claps for. RIP Pieter Joubert.

May 8 • 

Jacques van Heerden

2

50 Things I'd Tell My Younger Self

Hard-won advice on faith, family, business, and the fight to keep growing.

May 1 • 

Jacques van Heerden

3

April 2025

Remember Who You Were Before You Knew Better

A book from 2010 just reminded me what success quietly stole from me. Also, Biltong is better than Jerky.

Apr 24 • 

Jacques van Heerden

1

Clean Systems. Clear Thinking.

Maybe the solution isn’t reforming the big machine. Maybe it’s replacing it entirely. Thoughts on productivity, funding, a fast car, Ironwood, and more.

Apr 17 • 

Jacques van Heerden

3

A Signal from Silence

Hi. It's been a while. Almost 3600 days since I last hit publish. That's wild. I’m getting back into it. Weekly notes, straight to your inbox, every…

Apr 10 • 

Jacques van Heerden

3

August 2015

How to Find Your First Paying Customer

It’s interesting to look back over the past few years and see how the startup scene has evolved.

Aug 20, 2015 • 

Jacques van Heerden

July 2015

Six Reasons Why You Won't Make it as an Entrepreneur

I was sitting down with some friends Sunday afternoon and we were talking about the likely hood of success.

Jul 8, 2015 • 

Jacques van Heerden