Hey Reader,

If your business disappeared tomorrow...

Who would you be?

That's not an easy question to answer.

And honestly, it's one I've wrestled with myself over the years.

As entrepreneurs, we pour so much of ourselves into what we're building that it's easy to blur the line between what we do and who we are.

That's exactly what we're talking about in this episode of The Happy Hustle Podcast.​

I sat down with Nic De Castro, founder and CEO of LandTrust, and we had one of the most honest conversations I've had with a founder in a long time.

Nic isn't someone looking back after selling a billion-dollar company.

He's living it right now.

He's raising three daughters, leading a fast-growing company, navigating investors, embracing AI, and figuring out how to build a business without letting it consume the rest of his life.

That honesty is what I loved most about this conversation.

Nic shared that there was a season where his business became his identity.

When things were going well, life felt great.

When things fell apart, so did he.

He opened up about losing weight during stressful seasons, difficult investor relationships, deals that never happened, and learning that surrendering control to God gave him far more peace than trying to control every outcome himself.

That one really resonated with me.

We also talked about something I think every entrepreneur needs to hear.

Just because you can grow faster doesn't always mean you should.

Nic has raised venture capital, built a company with more than 1.5 million acres on the platform, and learned firsthand that outside money comes with tradeoffs.

Freedom has value too.

Another part of our conversation I really enjoyed was how Nic approaches AI.

Instead of replacing people, he treats AI like hiring a new employee.

You don't blindly trust it.

You guide it.

You check its work.

Over time, as it proves itself, you give it more responsibility.

It's such a practical way to think about using AI in business.

But the biggest takeaway for me was this.

Success isn't just about growing your company.

It's about building a life you actually want to wake up to.

One where your business supports your family.

Not competes with it.

One where your ambition and your relationships can thrive together.

That's what Happy Hustlin' has always meant to me.

If you've ever felt like your business has started taking over your life...

Or you've been wondering how to build something meaningful without losing yourself in the process...

I think you're going to love this conversation.

​Listen to the full episode here. ​

I'd love to hear what resonates with you most.

Keep Happy Hustlin',

Cary and The Happy Hustle Team

P.S. If you're looking for a place that helps you stay focused, inspired, and connected with other entrepreneurs and creators, go check out Kiln. The vibe, the community, and the environment are seriously next level. Check them out at kiln.com​