There’s a growing movement of founders and builders who share their journey openly - revenue numbers, user metrics, failures, and pivots. I’ve been doing this for years, and here’s why I think it matters.
The fear of transparency#
Most business owners guard their numbers jealously. Revenue is a secret. Failures are hidden. The public persona is always “crushing it.”
But here’s the thing: nobody believes that anymore. Audiences are sophisticated enough to spot performative success, and they’re drawn to authenticity instead.
What I share (and what I don’t)#
I share project status honestly - including failures and shutdowns. I share the reasoning behind decisions, the lessons from mistakes, and occasionally specific metrics that illustrate a point.
What I don’t share: client data, team members’ personal information, or anything that could harm someone else.
The unexpected benefits#
- Trust compounds - People who see your failures trust your successes
- Accountability - Public commitments are harder to abandon
- Community - Other builders connect when they see real stories
- Content - Your journey is the content
Getting started#
You don’t need to share revenue dashboards on day one. Start small: share what you’re working on, what challenges you’re facing, and what you’re learning. The rest follows naturally.