July 16, 2025

Happy Wednesday, everyone! 💻✨
Good morning! You’re halfway through the week—and that deserves a cheer, a stretch, and maybe a cookie for breakfast (no judgment here).

Let’s talk about something that might’ve once felt out of reach but is more possible than ever: making your first $10K online.

No, not scammy ads or “DM me for crypto tips” vibes—we’re talking real skills, real value, and real income... even if you’re starting from absolute zero. 💡📦💰

Today’s message is about building from scratch—but not alone. Whether you’re offering a service, selling a product, or sharing what you know, there’s space for you to win online. And that first $10K? It’s not just income—it’s proof.

Let’s break it down step by step and show you how real people (like you) are doing it every day.

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

— Plato

Market Update: Today felt like a market-wide exhale—with most of Wall Street slipping into the red. 📉😮‍💨

The Dow Jones took the sharpest hit, falling 0.98%, followed by the S&P 500 dipping 0.40%. The Nasdaq held on by a thread, eking out a modest 0.18% gain.

Bitcoin tumbled 2.00%, leading the risk-off sentiment, and Tesla wasn’t far behind, down 1.93%—clearly running low on charge. ⚡️🔻

Nike and Gold both edged lower, with Silver also slipping 0.33%. Even the safe havens looked a bit tired today.

But not all was gloomy—Alphabet Inc. managed a quiet rally of 0.24%, proving that even on a down day, a little Google magic can still lift the mood. 🧙‍♂️📈

A tough day for bulls, but a reminder: the market loves a reset.

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AI sales tool startup raises $100M to replace cold calls
A Silicon Valley startup called SparkAI just closed a $100 million Series B round for its AI-powered sales platform. The tool automates lead scoring, pitch crafting, and follow-ups—no more awkward cold calls. Investors are betting big that this is the new front line in B2B sales .

VCs shift focus to climate tech amid market uncertainty
With interest rates high and exits rare, venture firms are redirecting capital into climate tech startups. Clean energy storage, carbon capture, and water conservation tools are leading the funding charts. Analysts say this “green pivot” is as much about optics as it is about innovation .

New $500M startup fund aims to back female founders
A new fund called Athena Capital has launched with $500 million earmarked exclusively for women-led startups. The initiative comes amid ongoing scrutiny of gender disparities in venture funding. Backers include Melinda French Gates and top firms like Andreessen Horowitz .

State of California sues major oil companies over climate deception
California’s Attorney General is suing ExxonMobil, Shell, and other oil giants for allegedly misleading the public about the environmental risks of fossil fuels. The case accuses them of decades-long “greenwashing” campaigns that delayed climate action. It’s shaping up to be one of the most consequential environmental lawsuits ever filed in the U.S. .

Meta faces bipartisan heat over teen mental health crisis
Attorneys general from multiple states are intensifying their investigation into Meta over claims that Instagram and Facebook knowingly harmed teen users’ mental health. Leaked internal documents suggest Meta was aware of the dangers but prioritized engagement. A multibillion-dollar lawsuit may be on the horizon .

Elon Musk’s xAI hit with content moderation lawsuit
xAI, Elon Musk’s AI firm behind the Grok chatbot, is facing legal action over content that critics say incited hate speech. Civil rights groups argue that the company failed to implement adequate safeguards. The case could set a precedent for AI platform liability in the U.S. .

Boeing to rework its 737 Max 10 as safety concerns stall certification
Boeing’s 737 Max 10 is still grounded as the company scrambles to meet new safety requirements. FAA officials say there’s no timeline for certification, leaving Boeing’s commercial plans up in the air. Investors are jittery, and airlines aren’t happy about the delays.

Apple’s next-gen AI plans aim to take on OpenAI and Google
Apple’s not just sitting on the sidelines in the AI race anymore. New reports say the company is developing an “Apple Intelligence” suite for iOS 19, with features designed to rival GPT and Gemini. Cue the tech arms race.

Amazon quietly lays off 200+ in cloud gaming as Luna fizzles
Amazon has trimmed its Luna gaming division, letting go of over 200 employees. The company says it's a pivot toward “more strategic areas” in entertainment. Translation: Luna didn’t level up, and they’re moving on.

Inside the $3 billion “South Park” fight that could kill the franchise
Paramount and Warner Bros. are locked in a courtroom showdown over streaming rights for "South Park"—and it could decide the show's future. At the center: who owns what, and how many “exclusive” episodes were too many. With $3 billion at stake, it’s the most expensive cartoon beef ever.

Kevin Hart’s new docuseries dives into comedy, controversy, and comebacks
Kevin Hart is pulling back the curtain on his life with a new docuseries. From car accidents to canceled shows, he's covering it all—while still delivering laughs. It’s part inspiration, part damage control, and all classic Kevin.

Adele drops hints she’s ready to expand her Vegas residency
After wowing crowds with her voice (and humor) in Vegas, Adele might not be saying goodbye just yet. She’s teasing fans about extending her residency, and ticket demand is through the roof. Looks like more emotional ballads and cheeky stage banter are on the way.

Wall Street shrugs off inflation news, keeps riding AI wave
Despite inflation jitters, the stock market remains unusually upbeat—thanks to tech and AI stocks leading the charge. Companies like NVIDIA and Google continue to rally, with investors showing more love for chips than for economic caution. It’s a risky bet, but for now, the bull’s still charging.

Trump’s new tariffs push inflation up as Fed looks on
A fresh round of tariffs proposed by Donald Trump has already begun stirring up inflation concerns. The June numbers show a noticeable uptick, sparking speculation about interest rate hikes. Economists are warning this could throw a wrench into the Fed’s cooling strategy.

U.S. signs off on $3B weapons deal to support Ukraine pipeline
The U.S. has finalized a deal to send billions in weapons to Ukraine—yes, even as ceasefire proposals sit on ice. This latest military aid package is aimed at strengthening the country’s defenses amid ongoing Russian aggression. Critics question the timing, but defense officials say the support is non-negotiable.

Hey friend 👋

Let’s talk about that magical milestone that everyone seems to chase:

Your first $10,000 online.

Not inherited. Not from a job. Not from selling your rare Pokémon cards on eBay (although, respect if that’s your game).

I’m talking about creating, packaging, or offering something valuable — and getting real people to pay you for it.

Whether you’re a full-time employee looking for extra income, a business owner testing new offers, or someone just starting out wondering “where do I even begin?”, this is for you.

Let’s break it down into something real, practical, and dare I say... fun.

Because it’s a powerful proof of concept.

It means:

Once you hit $10K, it’s a lot easier to hit $20K, $50K, or even $100K.
It’s like a mental unlock. You go from “Can I do this?” to “How many ways can I repeat this?”

There are a million ways to make money online. You don’t need them all.

What you need is a simple path that suits your current energy, skills, and audience size (even if it's zero).

Let’s walk through a few proven plays:

The fastest way to cash? Sell your skills.

💬 Start offering your time, packaged around results, not tasks.

Examples:

🎯 Bonus tip: Pick a niche (fitness coaches, real estate agents, ecomm brands). Niches make sales easier.

If you’ve ever solved a specific problem in your life, there’s a product waiting to be created.

Think:

📦 Package. Price. Promote. Repeat.

You don’t need to be an “expert.” You just need to be one step ahead of the person you’re helping.

Create something tiny but super useful.

Examples:

These are perfect if you want to start earning while you build your brand or grow a newsletter/social audience.

And they stack.
100 sales at $100? There’s your $10K.

If you’re the type to share what you’re learning anyway — turn that into income.

As your audience grows, these small links can pay big over time — especially in business, finance, or tech niches.

Great news: you don’t need one (yet).

Here’s how to make money without a massive following:

Audiences are built by helping people. Start with 1, then 3, then 10.
That’s how every six-figure creator or coach got started.

You don’t have to do 10,000 things.

You just have to do one thing that makes $1,000 — and repeat.

The math is flexible. The approach is simple.

Pick one lane. Go deep. Don’t panic. And don’t pivot every 3 days.

You’ll overthink pricing.
You’ll doubt your value.
You’ll wonder if people will buy.

That’s all normal.

But you know what feels better than fear?

Getting that first Stripe notification.

It’s about proving to yourself:

So go build. Go ship. Go charge what you’re worth.

I’m rooting for you.

What’s a startup founder’s favorite exercise?
Running out of runway.

Clue:
Founded in 2008 as an “air bed” rental platform during a design conference, it’s now one of the world’s most disruptive hospitality brands.

July 16, 1995:
Amazon officially launched.
Originally an online bookstore run from Jeff Bezos’s garage, it sold its first book: Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies — a fitting start for a company that would redefine everything-commerce.

A founder gives 10% equity to a co-founder.
Later, they raise money and dilute both stakes by 25%.
How much equity does the co-founder now own?

*Answers at the bottom

Guess the Company - Answer: Airbnb

Brain Teaser - Answer:
Original: 10%
After 25% dilution → 10% × (1 - 0.25) = 7.5%

✅ Co-founder now owns 7.5%