Founder’s Log #1
Iron Gall Media was founded on the principle that business founders, especially those building solo or in small teams, are required to develop a broad, often overwhelming range of skills. From marketing and finance to operations, logistics, and product development, the modern founder wears more hats than any single role should demand. Without the right tools, guidance, and mental frameworks, it can easily become one of the hardest jobs in the world.
I know this firsthand. Over the years, I’ve worked inside and alongside startups and small businesses across multiple industries in addition to founding my own firms. I’ve helped companies scale, built efficient systems where chaos once ruled, and worn nearly every hat in a growing business. Sometimes I’ve been the operations guy. Sometimes the growth strategist. Sometimes the finance bro, analyst, or trainer. And sometimes, all of those at once.
I’ve seen what works. I’ve seen what fails. And yes, I’ve failed too. Plenty.
Lessons from the Field
If you’re reading this, you’re probably a founder, creative, or self-starter yourself. You know the feeling of juggling a dozen things with no time to stop and ask, “Is there a better way?”
Too often, entrepreneurship is glorified as a heroic journey filled with grit, hustle, and sleepless nights. While resilience matters, the truth is that avoidable mistakes waste time, money, and energy. Founders don’t always need to learn everything the hard way. We don’t need to “fall out of the experience tree and hit every branch on the way down.”
That’s where Iron Gall Media comes in.
This site is a curated library of the tools, tactics, and perspectives that I’ve tested and found useful, and sometimes essential, across my career. Everything here is designed to help you move faster, make smarter decisions, and feel a little more in control of the chaos.
You’ll find:
- Product reviews for the tools that help me stay organized and effective, from standing desks and productivity apps to fountain pens and espresso gear (everyone needs a jolt now and then)
- Productivity tactics and workflows that actually work for solo operators and small teams
- Book recommendations that have genuinely changed how I approach business and life
- Insights on what works from operations to mindset to automation, and when to leave things behind
This isn’t a hype site or a shallow affiliate blog. I write every post with the same lens I use in my own work: Does this help a founder do what they do better, faster, or with less stress? If it doesn’t meet that bar, I don’t publish it.
Finally, I’ll share real traffic information and other fun stats about the site. Iron Gall Media is growing and you can be a part of that growth. Share your favorite blogs on social media or leave a comment!
Who This Is For
If you’re building something, either on your own or with a team, Iron Gall Media is for you. Whether you’re trying to build your first product, scale your one-person operation, or just feel like you’re not flying blind every day, this space exists to make your life better.
You’re not alone. You don’t have to guess. You don’t have to burn out. You have Iron Gall Media.
Let’s get to work.
— Trevor Schmidt, CEO | 8/1/2025
YTD 2025 Stats (July ’25 Start):
- 155 Sessions
- 311 Page Views
- 14 Posts
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