Howdy Cowboys & Cowgirls!

Today I want to talk about a journey that begins with burning boats and ends with conquering new lands. Sounds intense?

Well, it is. But it's also the journey that has shaped who I am today.

In 1519, Hernán Cortés arrived in the New World with 600 men. Upon arrival, he made history by burning his ships, sending a clear message to his men: There is no turning back! Two years later, he succeeded in his complete conquest of the Aztec empire.

Like Cortés, I've found that sometimes, you have to burn your boats to move forward. You have to cut off all avenues to the old ways of doing things and embrace the new, even if it's unknown and potentially dangerous.

This "Burn the Boat" mentality has been my guiding principle, leading me to take risks and leap into the unknown, always moving forward without the possibility of retreat. And by doing so, I've learned some invaluable lessons.

• Risk-Taking: Risks are an integral part of the journey towards success. Embrace them.
  

• Courage: It takes courage to burn the boats and remove any possibility of retreat, but the rewards can be substantial.

• Collaboration: Success is a team sport. It's about sharing your expertise for the benefit of a common objective.

• Adaptability: In times of change, learners inherit the earth. Be ready to adapt and embrace the new.

Story time: From adidas to the unknown

I worked as an external consultant at adidas for four years, and it was a super rad experience, especially during the last year when I was part of the team that executed the 'Into the Metaverse' project. Yes, this is the project that made headlines worldwide by generating 24 million dollars in 24 hours and initiating the bull run for Fortune 500 brands entering Web3.

But here's the twist: at the peak of this success, with the world watching and applauding adidas, I decided to leave.

Why? Because I felt a strong calling to not only replicate but also surpass this impact with other Fortune 500 brands, and, hopefully, to create a positive influence in the early stages of the next evolution of the internet.

Now, this wasn't a decision I took lightly. The consultant position at Adidas was my primary source of income. With a 6-month-old son and a recently purchased house in Portugal, there was a lot at risk.

But if there's one thing the "burn the boats" mentality has taught me, it's at those moments that you have to take that leap into the unknown to truly unleash your full potential.

So I did, I dived headfirst into Web3, without any clients or clear expectations, not knowing what the future held.

Fast forward to today, and I'm advising some of the largest brands on the planet. I've onboarded thousands of people to Web3, more than doubled my yearly income, and, apart from BorgoAcademy, I’m soon launching another venture to accelerate the process for brands to enter this space. 👀

This was far from “easy”, and yet, many people tell me that I’m “lucky”. I must acknowledge that I am, because the harder I work, the luckier I become.

Web3 Advisory's Toolkit: Crafting resilience in the Web3 world

When people first hear that I'm full time in Web3, they get excited as it sounds like a lot of fun. However, I must warn you that a 'full-time Web3 career' is like a rollercoaster, and my journey has been no exception. From the buzzing halls of adidas to the uncharted waters of full-time work in this space, every step has required a leap of faith (and continues to do so 😅).

I'm sharing this quick guide not as a Web3 expert, but as someone who's been there, made mistakes, and learned. I hope these lessons, drawn from my own journey, resonate with you as they have with me.

• Dive deep, no fear: Web3 is vast and wild, but that's where the magic happens. Embrace the unknown, and remember: every challenge faced is a level up.

• Trust your path: Every twist, turn, win, or stumble in your journey has shaped you. Trust that. When in doubt, remember where you've been and use it to fuel where you're going.

• Never be a D*ck: In the fast-paced world of Web3, genuine connections are gold. Cherish them. Whether it's a past collab or a future partner, it's the bonds you build that pave the way.

And my favorite one:

• Go all in when you believe: If something sparks that fire in you, commit fully. Burn those boats, eliminate plan Bs, and chase that dream with everything you've got. Because when you're all in, the universe takes notice.

Spotlight: Audius

Since I have mentioned “go all in when you believe", I want to share an interesting project that is living this mantra and caught my ear (pun intended). Audius, a San Francisco-based startup, is harnessing blockchain to champion artists, aiming to redefine the music industry. It's a bold move, a testament to what conviction and innovation can achieve together.

• Blockchain-powered beats: Audius is setting its sights on becoming the blockchain's answer to Spotify. By decentralizing the music industry, it's ensuring artists get more control and a bigger slice of the revenue pie.
  

• Artist-centric approach : Traditional platforms often see middlemen taking a significant cut. In contrast, Audius channels a massive 90% of music revenue straight to the artists, championing their cause.
  

• TikTok ties: Audius isn't just making noise; it's making partnerships. As the first music streaming platform to join forces with TikTok, it's clear that Audius is on a trajectory that could see its user base skyrocket, with over 1 billion TikTok users now having direct access to its tracks.
  

• Future frequencies: As blockchain becomes an integral part of our digital world, Audius is leading the charge in the music sector. Collaborations like the one with TikTok and integrations with wallets like Solana hint at a rhythm that's set to change the industry.

In an industry as vast and competitive as music streaming, Audius's ambition is clear. It's a bold play in a crowded field, and while the outcome remains uncertain, their commitment to their vision is undeniable. Here's to those who dare to dream big and have the courage to chase it.

As I was piecing together this edition of The Wild West of Web3, I found myself reflecting on my own leap from adidas to the wildness of Web3. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most uncertain paths lead to the most rewarding destinations. So, if you're standing at a crossroads, pondering your next move, remember: every great adventure starts with a bold decision.

YOU GOT THIS!

Until next time, keep exploring The Wild Web3!

#LFGrow

Diego Borgo