📝 Editor’s Note
This past week was epic. I was cautiously optimistic and it still beat expectations.
We went on a Disney Cruise. Previously, I was proud to say I had never been on a cruise. Now I’m ready to go on my next one.
A big thank you to my in-laws, who took 5 grandkids and the parents on the Disney Wish. I also need to thank my parents for keeping our youngest.
A highlight was watching my 3 year old get swimming pool decision anxiety. He would excitely run back and forth between the pools on deck, having trouble deciding which to go in. He was also star struck when he met Moana.
My mind was constantly going back and forth between living vicariously through him and trying to figure out the P&L and operational procedures. The Disney Wish holds 4,000 passengers and 1,500 crew. It runs every single day with passengers for 5 straight months. The same morning we got off a new set of passangers was coming on.
Lastly, I couldn’t help myself. I made a detailed google doc with my observations and recommendations in case any of you go in the future. Oh, and for those of you still rolling your eyes, yes, this was a melting pot of all walks of life but even Kirk Cousins was on our ship (likely staying in the Concierge Wish Tower).
Without further ado….
Why Myself?
I’m excited that Rambull has grown to almost 6,000 subscribers. Many of you don’t know me. I thought doing a profile would be an interesting way to introduce myself as the guy behind the weekly curation and cringy editor’s notes. And, because we went on a Disney cruise this past week, it was much easier to coordinate a profile with just myself.
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Self-Description
I’ve been told I’m deceptively unathletic and a very poor man’s Zach Morris. I think I’m a hard-working dad who likes to torture himself with Panthers football, bring people together, and chase a business idea.
Rob’s 6 Recommendations
Written in his own words…
1. San Ysidro Ranch
Elizabeth and I spent our honeymoon at the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California. Ironically, we planned to honeymoon in Napa but our hotel burned in a wildfire the Monday of our wedding week. Good luck, like rain on your wedding day? SYR was plan B but it should have always been plan A. The landscaping, the old-world decor, and the restaurant are world-class. Oh, and a cool piece of history — John and Jackie Kennedy stayed here on their honeymoon in 1953. A bucket list hotel.
2. REI Puffy Jacket ($129) x Personal Sauna
Yes, I’m recommending this jacket because of its stated purpose - keeping you warm in the winter. It is shockingly warm for being so light. However, I’ve been using it for a different purpose, and hear me out. I like to sweat as much as possible when I work out. I like to wear the jacket when I hit the Peloton and do a 30-minute Alex T workout. Go for that PR in this thing and you’ll sweat like a pig. It’s a personal sauna.
Amazon has a similar jacket for $40 without the "REI” label.
3. ZeroZeroZero (TV Show on Amazon Prime)
As someone who worked for Call of Duty for 5 years, it may not surprise you that I like action thrillers involving drug cartels and special forces. The story involves smuggling cocaine from Mexico to Italy. Who hasn’t? The show is criminally underappreciated and sports a 94 & 91 rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It barely got the recommendation nod from me over Fauda (Netflix). Watch that too.
4. Designing Your Life ($15)
This book has had a bigger impact on my life than any other in the past few years. The authors, Stanford professors, set out to help you design a life that is joyful and fulfilling - sounds great, right? I am someone who needs tactical work not just theoretical musings. This is essentially a workbook. I come back to it every year to write a new Odyssey Plan. Pictured above is my first Odyssey Plan from 2021. I debated sharing it and apparently, I need to be running a summer camp or maybe a Disney cruise director?
And if you are like me, a night owl who likes to read in bed, this $12 reading light from Amazon is a great way to still read without disturbing your partner.
5. Family Weekly Planner ($28)
I’ve you’ve been reading Rambull for a while you know I’m a shill for my wife’s business. She is very talented and recently created a Family Weekly Planner. After too many oh, I thought I told you’s she created this planner to keep us organized. We sit down together on Sunday morning and fill it out together. It is gum-lined so you can rip off a new sheet each week. It is a great way to stay on top of our busy schedules and feel more connected to one another.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention two products that she has also sold me on:
Custom Stationery — I’m talking to the fellas here. Get custom stationery. It makes a huge difference to start writing thank you notes. Much more professional. Several of my friends from college have bought stationery from Elizabeth and will back me. And ladies, we need help, this is a great gift item for the man in your life.
Matouk — I never thought I’d be recommending bed linens but here I am. We’ve got the comforter, sheets, and pillowcases. Well worth it and she can order it for you at a great price.
6. Remove.bg
My most useful website. I go here at least once a week. The site allows you to copy paste an image and it will remove the background in seconds. For anyone in creative work or buried in powerpoint, this tool is a lifesaver. It is especially helpful for removing the background on company logos. It would have saved me a lot of time as a junior consultant.
Want to get in touch with me? Reach out through email: Rob@Rambull.co
Plug | Small Business Search
I am searching to buy and operate a business - a path known in some circles as Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). Instead of a new idea, I’m looking for a business that has already demonstrated product-market fit and likely has an owner looking to retire or kids who don’t want to take over the business. The Parable of the Talents is a story that has resonated with me since a counselor at Camp Rockmont first read it to me many years ago. I want to put the story into practice.
I’m looking for a single company:
Location: Based in North Carolina
Size: $5m - $15m+ in revenue, 15% margins
Industry: Facility Services (e.g. equipment repair, lawn care, security, cleaning) or Business Services
Because the location and size can be limited, I’m relatively flexible on the industry. If you have any connections, ideas, or know an owner looking to sell their business I’d be grateful for your support. You can email me at rob@legacy1888.com or simply reply to this email.
In the past I’ve looked a commercial dishwashing equipment leasing and repair, commercial fencing, substance abuse prevention and education training, and an airplane parts distributor.
P.S. from Rambull — Time for your AI eyeroll of the day. I asked chatGPT to consider all of my prompts to date. It then used that background to describe me and to create an image of what it thinks I look like. I have never given it a picture of myself but I especially like what it did with my hair…try it and send me what chatGPT shares about you.
I loved this one so much, Rob! From your adorable family photo to the AI generated one, lots of good stuff from start to finish! I too loved ZeroZeroZero (and had totally forgotten about it until now!)
The AI image 😂 LFG Rob!!