Here at Three Point Four Media, we are big fans of striking out on your own. We both did it as freelancers and did it again when we started this tiny little engine that mostly could. It’s simultaneously very scary (Where is the money going to come from?) and invigorating (What if I didn’t have to work with dummies anymore?).
What’s underrated, I think, is how much easier it is to do than it was in past decades. Things, important things, that previously required hiring a person are now services that cost less than $100 a month. Payroll, invoicing, communications, accounting, website building and hosting, recruiting talent, etc, etc, etc. Logistically, being a small business that looks and feels like a small business has never been easier or cheaper. You don’t even need an office anymore.
This doesn't scale infinitely and it’s not a way to build a billion dollar business, but you know what’s cooler than a million dollars? Not having to go to mandatory workplace compliance meetings.
An Article
And so we start: “One of the few prizes he’s kept, his runner-up platter from the 2006 US Open, lies on the living room coffee table, repurposed as a drink caddy, its surface stained with cocktail glass rings.” Later on, there’s a photo of said platter/drink caddy, water rings and all.
Andy Roddick, the last American to win a Grand Slam has aged into “retirement” nicely, hanging out, working with his foundation, offering the type of insightful and incisive tennis commentary during telecasts that’s pretty far from the on-court bro personality he cultivated (had cultivated for him?) during his playing days. I did not realize how many Grand Slam finals he lost or quite how abruptly he retired. Worked out okay, though.
***
A Project
Blogs about clean energy. Occasionally, we actually do some work around here.
***
A Coffee Shop
TosTao is part of the Casa Bonay industrial complex in Barcelona. The coffee came from Nomad Coffee and was exceptional. (I do not understand how these three places are related so please do not ask.) If I had a qualm or a quibble, it would be that the “batch brew”—TosTao’s attempt at an American-sized coffee—was a wildly insufficient number of ounces. I would have preferred a venti.
I bought some beans to bring home and the options were 250g or 1kg. I went with the latter since the former looked tiny and boy you really don’t realize how many beans are in 2.2. pounds of coffee until the barista hands you a large package and you’re still using them to make coffee three weeks after returning home. They also cost a bajillion euro. That part made me feel right at home.
***
A Podcast and a Newsletter
In our ongoing effort to “do PR,” I went on Talking to Loud with Wistia founder Chris Savage to talk about stuff. From my completely unbiased perspective, it’s not a bad listen.
We’re also pitching in on The Sunday Long Read this Sunday (tomorrow!), listing out our favorite stories of the week. Luv2#longform.
***
A Ride
50 miles in 2:28. I’m a biker now. One who gets caught in a rainstorm, then lost, then almost ends up on 6A after making a wrong turn. I also own three bike “jerseys” and a “bib,” and my butt hurts much less on long rides. Win-win. Except for the getting lost part. That was annoying. I also failed to dry my chain properly and it got a bit rusty. C’est la vie is probably not what they say when this happens on the Tour de France. They probably get fired for incompetence. Luckily, the Three Point Four Media Bike Team has lower maintenance standards.
***
Bill is back in two weeks with insightful and incisive commentary about something other than tennis.