A holiday pause (+ kitten pictures)

Thank you for the amazing response to the board governance series. Part 2 is coming in January, but first - a brief holiday update and a quick lesson about rest.

Meet Winifred (Winnie to her friends, which is apparently everyone because she is incredibly sweet), the newest addition to my family and the reason I didn’t put out part two last week. As it turns out, kittens require about as much attention as a new startup (though with more purring and fewer board meetings).

Speaking of startups: At Nori, one of the most important policies I implemented was a complete shutdown between Christmas and New Year's. Not a "flexible holiday" where you're secretly checking emails, but a true pause. Everyone off, everything closed. No exceptions.

Why? Because building something new requires intense focus and creativity. Real rest isn't just about not working - it's about knowing nobody else is working either. No anxiety about missing important updates or falling behind. Just genuine disconnection.

So in that spirit, I'll be taking my own advice. Part 2 of the governance series will launch in early January, diving deep into how to select independent directors who can truly protect your vision.

Until then, enjoy the holidays. Build something amazing in 2025. And remember - sometimes the most productive thing you can do is truly rest.

Happy Holidays, Paul

P.S. If you're working this week because you feel you "should" - consider this your permission to stop. The category you're creating will still need you in January, and you'll be better equipped to build it after a real break.