Hi hi,
Made it to thirty five and debating continuing or pausing. Recently started trying out YouTube and have enjoyed the video format, and realizing that with a video a week and a Substack a week that this blog seems to be pushed to last on the lineup. I’ve so enjoyed using this as a founders journal and am going to take a little break over here.
I love the idea of being able to go read some of my favorite founders journals on their websites. Although Instagram and Substack and others get more personal than blogs, it seems like websites blogs become often watered down and no longer interesting or personable.
AI suggested using the blog for “how to’s” and product information rather than the journal style I’ve been leaning in towards. I kind of like doing the opposite of what AI says to do to make something feel extra human.
A note on AI - I’ve been using it as a sounding board and to help land the plane. I’m an inventor and a dreamer and like Reese Witherspoon’s Busy Betty books, I’ve got a million billion ideas at all times. Landing the plane isn’t my specialty. Finding new thermals and staying up in the clouds is where I seem to go on my own. And at the same time I love using AI as a test of sorts to see where my own direction is pulling. If it suggests something I don’t agree with, I’ve just realized where I stand and what my next move should be. Not because it told me but because I heard my gut pipe up.
Also on AI - remembering prayer comes first and God is bigger and better than any computer generated suggestion or plan and that this company (and my life) is in the hands of the good God that created me. He’s the creator, we’re created in His image to create and AI is a computer tool that creates things.
My mom said she wished companies would clearly state when AI is used and I love that suggestion. Any time I use it I want to make sure it’s noted, like a cereal box’s enlarged to show texture. On my recent YouTube videos I’ve added a note to the description calling out any AI parts. Currently the image (my image that I then have asked AI to paint like an oil painting, because I love oil paintings) and the question prompts I talk through are the two pieces I’m using AI’s help on. Oh and sometimes the description copy and titles.
The words in the video are fully mine - unscripted and uncut unfiltered and probably a little too long. But it feels kind of good to put up a raw video amidst all of the tiny edits to remove “ums” and “hmms” and “like” and the mess ups. It makes it feel a little more like my QVC background and live TV vs edited film making, and I like it that way.
For now saying a break at thirty five follow-ups but with open hands and hopes to find a new rhythm here.
Also big prayers for my first candle to sell. Going from QVC with an instant audience to my own e-commerce site with crickets and a prayer has been an adjustment. Leaning into new ways to put in the work and trust God with the outcome.
xx
Aubree
PS - image is edited by AI to look like an oil painting for YouTube, everything else fully made by me xx