The 10-Minute Visual That Changed My Career
Sometimes the smallest actions can create the biggest opportunities. This is the story of how a simple visualization—something that took me just 10 minutes to create—completely transformed my career trajectory.
Day Two of Permissionless Projects
On January 2, 2023, I was at a crossroads in my career. Burnt out from running a med-tech agency, I had decided to take a month off to pursue what I called "permissionless projects"—doing valuable things for people I admired without asking for anything in return.
On just the second day of this experiment, I noticed a tweet from Greg Eisenberg about building businesses in 2023. The tweet outlined a formula: "short form video + newsletter + free community + paid community + product." It had about 1,000 likes, and I could tell Greg was trying to communicate something visual.
Reading Between the Lines
I realized that Greg probably wanted to create a visual for this concept but likely didn't have the time. Even though I'm not primarily a designer, I decided to quickly make the visualization he seemed to be reaching for.
From a brand new Twitter account with only 18 followers, I created a simple infographic illustrating Greg's formula and tweeted it as a quote tweet. I wasn't expecting much—I was just practicing "doing things" without permission.
10 Minutes to a Life-Changing Moment
What happened next was surreal. Within 10 minutes of posting the visualization, Greg had slid into my DMs saying, "love the image. Who are you?"
I shared my main account, and moments later, we were on FaceTime. From a complete stranger with a faceless account to a video call with someone whose work I admired—all in the span of 10 minutes.
The Job Offer I Wasn't Looking For
During our conversation, Greg asked about my plans. I shared some ideas I was considering after stepping away from my med-tech agency. Without hesitation, he said, "What if you just came and built Late Checkout?"
That spontaneous connection turned into a full-time role as an operating partner at Late Checkout, where I've worked on growing newsletters from 30,000 to 80,000 subscribers, managed the Startup Ideas podcast, and handled partnerships and operations across multiple businesses.
The Lesson: Value First, Ask Nothing
The key insight from this experience is that providing unexpected value—even something as simple as a 10-minute visualization—can open doors that would otherwise remain closed. I didn't reach out asking for a job or even a conversation. I simply saw a way I could help and acted on it without expectation.
This approach works because it:
- Shows your skills in action rather than just claiming them
- Demonstrates initiative and problem-solving ability
- Creates a positive first impression based on giving rather than asking
- Bypasses traditional gatekeepers and application processes
The best part? Anyone can do this. You don't need advanced skills or connections—just the willingness to spot opportunities to add value and the courage to put your work out there without guarantee of return.
My entire career trajectory changed from one small act of permissionless creation. What could you create today that might change yours?
