Compounding
Compounding is one of those quiet forces that builds and then gets momentum. fitness, business, reputation, wealth. It’s not loud. It’s not flashy. But if you stay consistent, it adds up.
In this week’s edition, I’m sharing how compounding has shaped my life, both personally and professionally, and how it might shape yours too.
Inside this issue:
A reflection on compounding in fitness, business, and life
The difference between strategic and personal compounding
A personal update
Resources for business growth
Q&A: How to market a generic product
Let’s get into it.
⏳ Estimated Read Time: 6 minutes
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Building and personal growth.
I have hardly stepped foot in a gym this year.
But I’ve done 100 push-ups every day. Usually in reps of 10 or 20 (but now I can bust out 40 in a row no problem).
It doesn’t take much, a floor and segments of five minutes. But I’m in the best shape I’ve been in at 45. Not because of one big workout. Just a small one, done over and over again.
That’s compounding. It doesn’t shout. It stacks, in this case just by falling on the floor for a few minutes each morning. This was my second Mysogi for the year. Whats yours? its not too late.
Business Is No Different
Everyone wants the hack. The shortcut. The rocket ship.
But every great business we’ve built, (SAXX, DOJA, Kitsch Wines, etc) has grown because of the little things we did consistently, especially when nobody was watching.
It felt like details, but it wasn’t. It was compounding. The power of getting 1% better. James Clear illustrates compounding in a graph, over time:
It’s like the rule of 72. The Rule of 72 is a simple way to estimate how long it takes for your investment to double through compound interest. Just divide 72 by your annual rate of return, and you'll get the approximate number of years it’ll take to double your money. Compounding matters.
Two Kinds of Compounding
1. Strategic Compounding
This is your tech stack. Your systems. The people you trust.
When you build well, everything starts working together. The ball starts rolling without you pushing it.
A good VA, an airtight workflow, a CRM that actually does its job, a business plan that you execute and review each year; those might not look like “strategy,” but they compound fast and create a foundation you can continue to lean on.
2. Personal Compounding
Sleep. Health. Reputation. Energy.
If you neglect those, the compounding still happens—but in the wrong direction.
I’ve seen it (and lived it) firsthand.
And the flip side is true, too: when you sleep well, eat well, and treat people well, life starts bending in your favour.
The Most Underrated Engine: Karma
One thing I’ve noticed over the years, do enough good for people, and the right doors open. You’re not chasing. People remember how you made them feel, and it circles back.
It’s not why you do it, but it’s how it works.
You give first. Then one day, the phone rings.
“Hey, you helped me out a few years ago. I want to loop you in on something.”
That’s compounding, too. Don’t forget about that. And don’t think too hard about who you’re helping, that drains the true Karma.
Last Thought
Most of us overestimate what we can do in a day. And we massively underestimate what can happen in a year.
So whether it’s push-ups, product, or people:
Pick something that matters.
Start stacking.
Don’t stop.
The year will pass before you know it and the best day to start other than yesterday, is today.
What do you want to start compounding? We encourage you to try and will cheer you on.
If no one has told you this week that they believe in you, I believe in you.
Updates and Opportunities
I got appointed to BASEBALL CANADA Board of Directors.
Full Circle - 🇨🇦 Thank you @baseballcanada for the opportunity to contribute. Dream come true x 2 (photo 1 is 1997, photo 2 is 2025). Full story here.
We're Hiring a VA or Intern (Part-Time)
The Fountain is growing fast. We’re looking for someone hungry, detail-oriented, and excited to help keep things moving behind the scenes. From organizing workflows to supporting content and community efforts, this is a virtual role that would suit an administrative creative.
If you're passionate about good people, good stories and personal growth, and you want to work closely with a high-performing team, we’d love to hear from you.
📝 Reply to this email with a short one-pager about yourself: what you're great at, what you're looking to learn, and why The Fountain caught your eye.
If you know someone amazing or have a great VA in your network, please send them our way!
Let’s build something meaningful together.
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Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentives - From Canada Gov
The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentives are intended to encourage businesses to conduct research and development in Canada.
Corporations, individuals, trusts, and partnerships that conduct eligible work may be able to claim SR&ED tax incentives for the year.
There are 2 tax incentives:
Claim a deduction against income
Earn an investment tax credit (ITC)
Claimants should submit their SR&ED claim with their income tax return for the year.
Q&A
Question: Marketing Generic Products: There was a question about how to market something that is just another generic product, rather than a unique offering. This was also recognized as a valuable topic to explore further.
Answer: If you’re entering a crowded market, the first thing to do is get clear on why you’re doing it. Not just the surface-level stuff. Ask yourself why this matters to you. What gap do you see? What itch are you trying to scratch? That understanding has to come first.
From there, everything else starts to take shape. You don’t need a completely different product. What makes it different is you. Your story, your style, your beliefs. That’s what people connect with. So bring that to the table. The way you show up is what sets you apart. There’s no one else like you, and if you build with that in mind, your business will reflect it.
Thank you if you’re a new or long-standing member of the Fountain community.
Let’s continue to create a great surface area for ideas.
Let us know what questions you have in your business or life and we will do our best to help and share with the community.
Please share with others who could use some more positivity in their life. I hope the dreams cards are in your wallets and purses.
~ Trent
