I'm about to share something that still stings a little.

After 25 years in business... After managing $1M+ ad budgets... After generating $100M+ for clients...

I got laid off. For the FOURTH time.

And you know what the worst part was? I had nobody to blame but myself.

Here's What I Realized:

I'd been building empires for everyone else while ignoring the two most basic rules of online business:

The cobbler had no shoes. The mechanic's car was broken down. You get the picture.

So let me share exactly what I did to fix this—because if you're making these same mistakes, they're costing you WAY more than you realize.

First, a message from our Sponsor

FOUNDATION #1: YOUR EMAIL LIST (THE ASSET YOU OWN)

Your social media followers? Not yours. They're renting space on someone else's platform.

Your email list? That's 100% YOUR asset. Nobody can take it away.

Here's my current stack:

→ Platform: Beehiiv (exclusively) → Why: ZERO revenue share for creators → Frequency: 2x per week minimum → Lead Magnet: Module 1 of Revenue Ronin Playbook (free)

Real talk: Every dollar counts when you're scaling. Beehiiv doesn't take a cut of your revenue. That alone has saved me thousands.

Current stats:

FOUNDATION #2: TRACKING & REPORTING (THE COMPASS)

"You can't improve what you don't measure."

I've seen this at every fractional CMO client I work with. No tracking = flying blind = burning cash.

Minimum requirements for 2026:

✓ Google Analytics (table stakes) ✓ CRM System (I use Salesforce/Pardot, but start anywhere) ✓ Track These Metrics:

Without this, you're guessing. Guessing = gambling with your business.

THE REAL-WORLD PROOF:

You heard Will Carter's testimonial at the start of our last call. Let me break down his exact journey:

→ Month 1: Joined Revenue Ronin, brand new to business

→ Month 2: Built email list foundation on Beehiiv

→ Month 3: Set up basic tracking and reporting

→ Month 4-6: Executed daily on fundamentals

→ Result: 110+ entrepreneurs in Unshakeable Entrepreneurs

He didn't try advanced Facebook ads. He didn't chase the latest TikTok hack. He mastered the BASICS first.

That's the difference between building a sustainable business and chasing shiny objects.

THE 2026 REALITY CHECK:

Scroll your LinkedIn feed right now. Count how many "open to work" profiles you see.

Forced entrepreneurship isn't a future trend—it's HERE.

And here's the brutal truth: Those with proper foundations (email + tracking) are thriving. Those without are struggling to pivot.

AI is huge. Everyone talks about AI. But foundations matter MORE.

You can have the best AI tools in the world, but if you're not building an owned audience and tracking your metrics, you're building on sand.

MY PERSONAL JOURNEY:

I'm 2 years into my 5-year plan. Am I where I want to be? Hell no.

But am I building on solid ground this time? Absolutely.

The difference? Discipline. Data. Results. ⚔️📊🎯

Not motivation. Not luck. Not hacks. Just systematic execution on proven foundations.

YOUR ACTION STEPS FOR THIS WEEK:

That's it. Nothing fancy. Just the basics that 90% of businesses skip.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR REVENUE RONIN MEMBERS:

If you sign up for Beehiiv using my link and DM me proof, I'll give you a FREE 30-minute strategy session.

My rate is $500/hour (going to $600 in January). That's real money saved.

We'll audit your current foundations and build your 90-day implementation roadmap.

Just reply to this email with "BEEHIIV" and I'll send you the details.

WHAT'S COMING IN 2026:

More MBA-level masterminds (our daily calls are 🔥) More case studies from community members winning More tactical frameworks (not theory, EXECUTION) Potential partnership with Will Carter on "Unshakeable Ronins" (stay tuned)

And most importantly: Continuing to build this community of high-agency, high-execution entrepreneurs who refuse to follow the herd.

Master the basics.

Scale from strength.

Own your platform.

The Revenue Ronin 🥷 ⚔️ Discipline. 📊 Data. 🎯 Results.

Justin "Results" French Founder, The Revenue Ronin Fractional CMO | Digital Marketing Strategist

P.S. - If you're reading this and thinking "I need to fix my foundations," don't wait. The best time to start was 2 years ago. The second best time is TODAY.

LINKS:

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