@Evan Gastman | June 1, 2025

Opening Note

I’ve picked up so much during the last four years both from leaders at Faire as well as my peers. As I head into a new chapter, I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect and pull together key lessons I’ve been jotting down over the years. I’m sharing them here in case they’re helpful to others.

“It is a good thing for an uneducated man to read books of quotations.”

• Sir Winston Churchill

Lessons

Product Strategy & Goals

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Strategy is only useful if you can act on it.

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💨 Execution eats strategy for breakfast. Velocity is what we need.

⁉️ “Why can’t we just” and “why not” cut through the noise.

🤹‍♀️ Know thy business equation.

🗣️ Build your customer advisory board.

Execution, Craft & Collaboration

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Execution is how we drive impact fast and feel proud of our work.

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🔙 Work backwards.

☕ Design your pod UX to bring out the best of your team - for you and your customers.

🙌 Hold your team to a higher standard than what you think is possible (and then raise the bar).

🔥 Lead with a strong, concise POV, then pressure test it.

⚽ Lean into your strengths, cover your gaps.

🛤️ Even if you don’t have a real plan, have a plan for a plan.

Personal Growth