Dispatches from the trail.
Thoughts on AI, content, and what's coming next.
Why I left Squarespace and what I create with now
I spent over ten years on Squarespace... I even used to work there. This is the story of why I finally left, what the transaction fees were really costing me, and the five-tool stack I create with now.
How Composure Actually Helped Me, 3 Real Moments
I didn't know what I didn't know, until I left the Squarespace safety net and started building on my own. Three real moments with Composure showed me exactly how much I was missing, and why building without a second set of eyes is building on quicksand.
I Built My Own Workout Tracker Turned AI Trainer
I had years of health data sitting in Apple Health and workout logs collecting dust in Notion. Titan connects them into a system that actually tells me what to do next.
What a Custom Claude Skill Actually Looks Like (And Why I Built One for My Blog)
Most people use AI to write an email. I built a system that runs an entire content category. Here's what a custom Claude Skill actually looks like, including the parts that broke.
The AI Tool Audit: How to Evaluate If a Tool Is Actually Worth Your Time
Most businesses adopt AI because they think they're supposed to. Here's the 3-step evaluation process that separates tools worth your time from expensive distractions.
Why I Ditched Warby Parker for a Local Eyewear Shop
Warby Parker just killed their home try-on program. I needed new glasses anyway, so I tried a friend's recommendation. He nailed my frames on the first try and proved that expertise beats algorithms.
Small Business Spotlight: Bones and Beans Creative
A look at Bones and Beans Creative Studio... 11 years of perfect reviews, custom craftsmanship, and a founder who actually cares. Here's why Monica Baker's small business is worth knowing.
What I Learned Managing Social Media for Big Brands That Small Businesses Get Wrong
Big brands aren't doing anything magical with their marketing. They just don't skip the basics. Here's what I learned at Canon, Scholastic, and Accenture that applies to any size business.
AI Slop Is Killing Consumer Trust... And Here's How Smart Businesses Can Fight Back
AI-generated content is flooding the internet, and consumers can tell. Here's how small businesses can use AI as a real tool without creating the “slop” that's killing brand trust.
From Tutoring to Creativity: What 700 Million ChatGPT Users Reveal About Real-World AI Adoption
Still think AI is just for tech nerds? Half of ChatGPT's 700 million users are women, and most aren't using it for work at all.
The Collapse of Social Media Isn't a Crisis. It's a Reset.
The breakfast posts are gone. The algorithms won. But something new is emerging... and it looks a lot more human than what we're leaving behind.
Follow the build on Threads.
Daily notes from inside the build... wins, misfires, and what's next.
@itsadventureswithrick