#04 Building Is Messy — And That’s Where the Magic Happens 🪄
Lessons from second chances, new tech hubs, and why trying matters more than getting it right the first time.
At the Amela Frequency 📡, every Monday, we reflect on tech news, share thoughts from our network ✍️, and hand you tools and frameworks for early-stage builders ⚒️. Basically, if you’re building (or dreaming about it), you’re in the right place.
Hello Amelxs 👋
This week made me reflect on how messy the path to building really is, success doesn’t come from getting it right the first time. It comes from trying, learning, and trying again.
Take, Adam Neumann’s revival story with Flow, which just doubled its valuation.
Yes, part of me feels a bit icked using this as an example — but it’s worth noting: even after failing as publicly as he did, he learned something.
And that's likely why he was backed by VCs again. We do have to ask ourselves: who keeps getting second (and third) chances? 🤔 But the point is — experience counts. Trying again counts.
Then there’s Lucy Guo, former cofounder of Scale AI, now the youngest self-made billionaire 💰 (and probably the woman of the week according to most of my LinkedIn).
Her path wasn't straight: dropping out, launching Scale AI, moving on, starting new ventures.
She kept building — and that persistence paid off.
This week I also had the opportunity to attend the Tech EU Summit 🌍in Malta, and I was encountered with the same spirit: Founders pitching, hustling, putting themselves out there. It’s uncomfortable — but over time, that’s what moves people forward.
And in LatAm, after years of effort, real tech giants are finally emerging.
It didn’t happen overnight. It happened because enough people stayed in the game.
I am excited to be in the business of supporting people as they take that first step to move forward, to build🛠️. Specially keen on the launch of From Zero to Builder next week.
Because thinking isn’t enough.
You build by doing. You learn by trying.
Anais
P.S. Don’t forget to check out who raised last week 📈
🧠This Week’s Food for Thought
A piece of content or image that sparked conversation.
I came across a map of Europe’s growing tech hubs — and while I don’t agree with every company listed, the message is clear. There’s real possibility in building from different places, on different paths.
Decentralization isn’t coming — it’s already underway. 🌍
💜Amela Insider
🎉 This week, we celebrate the launch of From Zero to Builder — Amela’s new 5-week course designed to help you stop overthinking and start building. 
If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect moment” to launch your idea, this is it. Plus, everyone who applies through the newsletter gets an exclusive 20% discount — just mention it when you apply! 🚀
Learn more and join here: https://amela.club/zerotobuilder
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💡Recommendations
Articles, videos, and other resources to learn.
💡 From Door-to-Door to $100M: The Calendly Story
Tope Awotona shares his amazing journey — from emigrating from Nigeria, to building two failed ecommerces on the side of his full-time gig, to jumping full-time and failing to raise venture capital. Today, Calendly is a $100M+ scheduling tool used around the world.
🧠 How do you train an AI model?
Technically breaks it down in simple terms — from data collection and labeling to model selection and evaluation. A quick, accessible read for anyone curious about how AI really learns. Read the article.
🪄 Vibe-Coding & the Future of Software Agencies
If LLMs can now write code from prompts, what happens to agencies that bill by the hour? Dawn Capital explores how AI is unbundling software services — from discovery to delivery — and why trust, not time, might be the new currency. Read more.
🚀 The Founder-Led Growth Playbook
First Round shares a powerful guide on how early-stage founders can lead growth themselves — before hiring a full team. From finding early traction to scaling what works, this playbook is packed with tactical advice for getting your first users and turning them into champions. Read it here.
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