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About

In 2006, the internet was a lawless frontier. Bloggers were the new outlaws, WordPress was a scrappy underdog, and a 26-year-old David Krug was quietly assembling a crew of digital pioneers. Together, they built empires—blog networks, design studios, hosting platforms—that shaped the early web. Then came exits, equity deals, and enough success to coast.

But coasting is for sailors who fear the storm.

Today, David’s back. Not with a “look-at-me” manifesto, but with a compass recalibrated by failure, reinvention, and the kind of clarity that only comes from losing—and rebuilding—everything.

Chapter 1: The Architect of the Blogging Revolution

Before “content marketing” was a LinkedIn buzzword, David was recruiting talent and turning pixels into empires.

The Golden Era:

  • Blog Networks: Built and sold platforms that became the backbone of early WordPress culture.
  • Hosting Innovator: Launched hosting solutions that powered thousands of sites (and funded a lot of espresso).
  • Talent Scout: Recruited Chris Pearson (DIY Themes) to redefine blog design, partnered with Brian Gardner (Genesis/StudioPress) to pioneer premium themes, and mentored a generation of bloggers-turned-CEOs.

The Philosophy:

  • “Tools don’t build empires—visionaries do.” Give a creative a platform, and they’ll build a cathedral.
  • “Speed wins.” In the Wild West of Web 2.0, the fastest pirate claimed the gold.
  • “Bet on outliers.” (Even if they’re 24-year-olds with a Myspace page and a chip on their shoulder.)

Chapter 2: The Private Equity Gladiator

When the blogs quieted, David went where the stakes were higher—and the sharks circled closer.

The Reinvention:

  • SEO Strategist for Sharks: Turned private equity portfolios into massive exits with ruthless content plays.
  • E-Commerce Alchemist: Scaled brands you’ve impulse-bought from at midnight (we won’t judge).
  • Education Disruptor: Launched startups that taught others the rules—then questioned why the rules existed.

The Lesson:

  • “Winning the game means nothing if you hate the scoreboard.”
  • Metrics matter. But legacy matters more.

Chapter 3: The Shipwreck (And the Treasure in the Wreckage)

Every captain faces a mutiny. Sometimes, the mutineer is in the mirror.

The Catalyst:

  • Burnout: Turns out, 80-hour weeks aren’t a flex. They’re a trap.
  • Irrelevance: AI, TikTok, and a generation that thinks “WordPress” is where millennials go to retire.
  • The Epiphany: “I’ve been teaching people to climb ladders. But what if the ladder’s leaning against the wrong damn wall?”

The Salvage Operation:

  • Kept: The compass (ethics, curiosity, relentless iteration).
  • Burned: The maps (hustle porn, vanity metrics, empty wins).
  • Learned: How to sail lighter, faster, and with purpose.

Chapter 4: The Relaunch (No Lifeboats, No Regrets)

This isn’t a “comeback.” It’s a rebellion against mediocre success.

The Mission Now:

  1. Share Unfiltered Truths: No “7 Secrets to Going Viral” fluff. Just gritty lessons on building businesses that don’t demand your soul.
  2. Mentor Without Mercy: No gatekeeping. No guru nonsense. Raw playbooks from a guy who’s been sucker-punched by failure—and seduced by success.
  3. Redefine “Winning”: Profit without exploitation. Growth without burnout. Impact without ego.

The New Rules:

  • “Your network > your net worth.”
  • “If it’s not fun, you’re doing it wrong.”
  • “Legacy isn’t what you leave behind—it’s who you lift up.”

Why Sail With This Captain?

Let’s skip the sales pitch. You’re here because:

  • You’re tired of LinkedIn platitudes and want tactical wisdom from the trenches.
  • You’ve tasted success but crave meaning—not another trophy.
  • You’re ready to build something that outlives you.

What You’ll Get:

  • War Stories: Boardroom blunders, SEO snake oil, and the time a $10M deal nearly imploded over a typo.
  • Uncensored Playbooks: Frameworks for hiring, scaling, and innovating without losing your soul.
  • A Crew, Not an Audience: Think of this as a mutiny against mediocre advice.

The Call-to-Arms: Chart Your Own Course

Option A: Keep scrolling. Memorize another generic “hack.” Wonder why nothing changes.
Option B: Join a captain who’s weathered storms, rebuilt ships, and learned to navigate by principles—not trends.

First Step: Sign up. Pick a battle. Let’s rewrite the rules.

“Most men die at 25. They’re just buried at 65.” — Ben Franklin (and every entrepreneur who settled for ‘good enough’).

P.S. Still reading? You’re either stubborn, brilliant, or both. Let’s find out.