A life measured in
miles, deals, and pages.
Triathlete. Man of faith. Avid reader. NYC broker since 2009 — my own firm since 2014. Now I design, code, and ship software in the open. The journey, documented daily.
How I got here
- 2009 Licensed in New York. Manhattan residential — cold calls, open houses, a market learned block by block.
- 2014 Founded my own firm. Broker to broker-owner. The business taught discipline; the books taught the rest.
- Daily Swim. Bike. Run. Triathlon keeps everything honest. Every session on Strava, live, below.
- Always Faith and the library. Scripture, biographies, craft — where the miles and deals get their meaning.
- Now Shipping software. Vibe coder, designer, data architect — building this platform with AI, in public.
In the feed
Such a blessed Thanksgiving, one we’ll never forget! First hosting at my parents in some t
Elon Musk’s Secret Texas Empire Will Shock You 🤯 #ElonMusk #Texas #Tesla #SpaceX #Starbas
Jay-Z Just Lost BILLIONS to a Guy Voting From Zoom Hashtags: #JayZ #NYC #Casino #Queens #M
LA Just Spent $3 BILLION on This Right Before the Olympics 😳 #LA #LosAngeles #Olympics #C
We discuss the recent acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate by Compass for $1.6 billion in a
Attendees came for the kitchen or love island…
If you’ve got a backpack and dreams… pick one.
My bike wants closure and quads know this isn’t Zwift.
Live & long-form
2:29:17
Day 53 - Vibe Coding Apps & SaaS Sites + Sober Day 29
1:38:37
Day 52 - Vibe Coding A Community Of Builders (Fable 5) + Sober Day 25
2:47:56
Day 51 - Vibe Coding A Community Of Builders | Sober Day 22
1:53:16
Day 50 - Vibe Coding A Community (Opus 4.8 High) + Sober Day 15
2:42:23
Day 49 - Vibe Coding A Community (Opus 4.8 High) + Sober Day 12
2:28:23
Day 48 - Vibe Coding A Community (Opus 4.8 High) + Sober Day 8
In your ears
Vibe coder. Designer.
Data architect.
This site, its writing engine, the training feeds — designed and built by me, pairing with AI. The business side lives at Botensten, where builders learn to own their software instead of renting it.
The writing, always growing
New essays on health, money, faith, and habits publish here continuously. Free to read, no funnel.
6 Lead Gen Strategies That Fill Your Pipeline
What's the single biggest lead generation mistake most businesses make?
Most businesses don't have a traffic problem. They have a conversion problem wearing a traffic costume. Thousands of monthly visitors can still leave a pipeline empty if there's no system connecting those clicks to an actual path toward becoming a customer.
The strategies below are drawn from leapyn.com's breakdown of lead generation tactics that connect marketing activity to real revenue—not vanity metrics like impressions or clicks.
How does SEO compare to outbound for lead quality?
SEO leads close at a 14.6% rate. Traditional outbound methods close at just 1.7%. That's not a marginal gap—it's a different category of lead entirely.
The reason is intent. When someone searches a question and finds your content, they've already identified themselves as someone with a problem you solve. They came to you. That changes every conversation that follows.
Articles
See all
Best Metrics for Measuring SaaS Performance
The best SaaS performance metrics are ARR, MRR, CAC, CLV, net dollar retention, and gross margin. Here's how to calculate and use each one.
SaaS Metrics Explained: The 5 Numbers That Matter
SaaS metrics explained: MRR, CAC, CLV, gross margin, and net dollar retention — the five numbers, their formulas, and healthy benchmarks.
What Is the Average Customer Lifetime Value for SaaS?
Average SaaS customer lifetime value runs roughly $1,300 to $1,800, with a common range of $1,000 to $5,000. Here is how to calculate and grow it.
How to Calculate Unit Economics: the Operator's Answer
Calculate unit economics in four steps: unit, contribution margin, CAC, and LTV. Target an LTV:CAC near 3:1 and CAC payback under 12 months.
What Is Emotional Intelligence and How Do You Improve It?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage emotions in yourself and others. Here is what it is and how to improve it with a daily protocol.
How to Boost Self-Confidence Quickly: The Honest Answer
The fastest ways to boost self-confidence: complete small reps, move your body, use specific self-talk, and practice self-compassion. Start today.
How to Be More Confident in Public Speaking
Confidence in public speaking is built through reps, not talent. Rehearse out loud, master your opening, and speak weekly.
Botensten · Venture Studio
Ideas, built fast.
The studio behind BPI, iCharles, Todd & the AI council — idea to clickable prototype in ~5 minutes.
Explore BotenstenMost read by crawlers
What the AI & search bots fetch most.
Newsletter
Join the iCharles community
Building in public — AI, real estate, triathlon, faith. One dispatch when something ships.
Follow the journey.
Training, deals, faith, building — documented daily. Pick a channel.