Date: 2026-08-05 3:30 PM EDT Attendees: Michael Houck (Rye Valley), Ashon Avent (Avent Group), Tatem Lindner Full transcript: Granola (id: e72a3f2f-c859-4ca7-a0b9-1f1a09cf6d12) - transcript not available on current plan
Summary
Two main threads: (1) shaping the new Jolt offer structure, and (2) managing client Amil (referred to in notes as Emil in places - Megaphone personal brand client) who is losing confidence and running out of runway.
Jolt is moving toward a “Founder OS”-style offer: one-time implementation fee ($10-15k) with an upsell to ongoing retainer (~$2-3k/month). Cold email was evaluated and deprioritized. The a16z repost of Ben’s content is now a live credibility signal on calls.
Amil (personal brand client) is skeptical, runs out of patience at end of September. Priority is getting one concrete win - viral clip, podcast, or speaking slot - before then.
Decisions
- Jolt offer model: One-time implementation fee ($10-15k) + ongoing retainer (~$2-3k/month). Modeled on Founder OS. Implementation scope to be defined by Michael.
- Cold email deprioritized for Jolt lead gen: AI flooding inboxes; mass outreach commoditized. Better path is targeted ads with qualification funnel, organic content, and newsletter case studies.
- Amil speaking strategy: Target tier-one university (Harvard or Stanford) via personal alumni connections, not cold university outreach. Clubs acceptable as fallback. Logic: one big college unlocks smaller colleges; two big colleges unlocks first conference slot.
- Amil - keep Ben success away from him: Tatem not telling Amil about Ben’s 11k followers and a16z repost. Agreed to maintain this to protect Amil’s focus.
Action Items
| Owner | Action | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Michael | Follow up with no-show prospect (only booked call; needs re-engagement) | Today Aug 5 |
| Michael | Draft first-pass Jolt implementation system (scope, deliverables, self-run handoff) | TBD |
| Michael | Write up Ben case study for email drip | TBD |
| Michael | Lock down tier-one university speaking slot for Amil (alumni connections) | Ongoing |
| Tatem | Brainstorm podcast outreach strategy for Amil with Greg | TBD |
| Tatem + Greg | Personalized podcast pitching for Amil (mid-tier, clippable content) | TBD |
Notable Context
- a16z reposted a video from Ben (Megaphone client). Ben now at 11k followers. Usable as credibility signal on Jolt founder calls.
- Ashon evaluated a cold email service ($35/month, 8k emails/month) - Michael advised against as primary strategy.
- Ashon’s instinct to build a “stalker-level” research list for organic DM outreach - Michael aligned; same playbook used for TikTok founder outreach via Rina.
- Amil’s runway: end of September before he makes a decision on continuing.