Hi Everyone,

We are taking a break this week from the usual long-form Profit+ essay , mostly because I need a rest but also because, behind the scenes, I have been working hard on launching two new businesses. Both are slated to come out soon so watch your inboxes for important updates!

The first is Westward Capital, a new investing platform that will provide real estate investors/entrepreneurs with creative and flexible sources of capital and offer robust, non-correlated income to qualified prospective investors.

The second is the Profit+ Lab, a strategic advisory for select purpose-driven entrepreneurs and leaders looking for help and guidance in applying the principles of Profit+ in their businesses and lives. Over the years, I’ve gotten so many gracious requests from you all for advice, coaching, and consulting that I decided to finally take the plunge. 

Stay tuned for more information on both of these ventures!

Investors have trusted this platform with +$1bn—here’s why

Through COVID, soaring inflation, and today’s crushing interest rates, a group of enterprising investors have collectively entrusted one billion dollars from their portfolios to Masterworks’ art investing platform.

Why? Because the contemporary art Masterworks offers—from legends like Picasso and Banksy—has demonstrated a low correlation to the stock market, inflation resistance, and exceptional appreciation potential. Not to mention Masterworks has completed 23 successful exits to date, distributing over $60+ million in net proceeds to investors in those offerings.

These investors didn’t need art expertise to diversify with blue-chip art, because Masterworks does all the heavy lifting, finding artists with appreciation potential (buying <3% of works offered) and then breaking an art offering into shares for you. If Masterworks sells a piece again for a profit, investors get a return. With 3 illustrative sales, Masterworks investors have realized net annualized returns of +17.6%, +17.8%, and +21.5%.

With 65,000+ investors, offerings can sell out quickly. Luckily, you can get priority access here.

Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investment involves risk. The content is not intended to provide legal, tax, or investment advice. No money is being solicited or will be accepted until the offering statement for a particular offering has been qualified by the SEC. Offers may be revoked at any time. Contacting Masterworks involves no commitment or obligation.  Contemporary art data based on repeat-sales index of historical Post-War & Contemporary Art market prices from 1995 to 2023, developed by Masterworks. There are significant limitations to comparative asset class data. Indices are unmanaged and a Masterworks investor cannot invest directly in an index.   Net proceeds distributed back represents the total liquidation proceeds distributed back to investors, net of all fees, expenses and proceeds reinvested in Masterworks offerings, of all works Masterworks has exited to date. See important Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.

See important Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.

Money Really Can Make You Happier 

We’ve been reminded once again that, while money alone doesn’t guarantee happiness, it certainly can help. A recent study from Dr. Killingnsworth and the Happiness Science project at Wharton reveals that money and happiness are highly correlated and, contrary to popular mythology, people don’t reach a happiness plateau when they reach middle-class status. In fact, more money tends to just continue increasing happiness, no matter how much we are talking about. Who would’ve thought! 

Look, there’s no question that money isn’t the sole answer to the challenges of life. This whole Profit+ project is a testament to that. To live a fulfilling and meaningful life you need much more than money. However, as I always say, “When it comes to money, it’s better to have some than not!”

This is why it’s so important to focus on thriving in financial life, putting yourself in a position to be an owner, and being good with money.

Something Worth Trying?

I came across something the other day that blew my mind. Apparently, AI chatbots, of all sorts and types, are all the rage these days and might be becoming the first mass consumer use case for LLM systems. I knew that things like loneliness and social isolation were bad and, on the rise, but I didn’t realize just how much so. An estimated 3.5M people are talking for over 2 hours a day on average to the Character.AI chatbots. And this is just one of dozens of companies offering AI Chatbots. 

Some people are spending as much as 10 hours a day on this and there are reports of clients getting upset when model changes impact the apparent “personality” of the bots. People complain that it feels like they have lost a friend. Some AI enthusiasts are even talking about the possibility that we will want to marry our AI companions.

Before I pass any judgment, I am going to try a few of these and see how it goes. Maybe there’s something to it. Here are the 3 I’m going to try:

1. Character.AI

2. Replika

3. Janitor.AI

My wife, after all, is always telling me that I talk too much, ask too many questions, and need a new friend. (One of the downsides of working from home so much?). Maybe this can help!

If you end up trying any of these (or have already) and want to share your experiences and perspectives, please hit reply to this email and let me know what you think! 

PS. A major Profit+ Principle has been empirically validated once again!

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