Vol. 1Fresno, CaliforniaAutumn 2026
J. Long

I help owner led companies build sales teams that actually work. After hours I build things with my hands: speaker cabinets, websites for people I like, and a 2004 MINI Cooper S that keeps me humble.

This is where all of it lives. Essays on business and selling, notes from the workbench, and a letter I send about once a month. If you came for recruiting advice, that lives over here. Everything else is below.

Latest writing

The full archive
  1. Most sales problems are roster problems wearing a disguiseDraftBusiness
  2. What a supercharger whine taught me about listening to customersDraftGarage
  3. Measure twice, glue once: notes from a first speaker cabinetDraftWorkbench
  4. Comp plans should share risk, not hide itDraftBusiness

Projects

Everything I have made
Drawing No. 01
Line drawing of a two way bookshelf speaker cabinet, front and side views with dimensions9.5 in14 in10 in deepFRONTSECTION Aport1 in dome6.5 inwoofer

Speaker build No. 1Draft

A two way bookshelf speaker designed and built from flat MDF, with a rear port and a simple passive crossover.

In progress · Build · 2026

Site

Clovis Tennis Club

A custom website for a community tennis club, with member registration, payments, league schedules, and event tickets.

Live · Site · 2026

Tool

Advanced sales comp plan builder

A free tool for owners and sales leaders to model base, variable, and accelerators before they put a plan in front of a rep.

Live · Tool · 2026

2004 MINI Cooper S

Supercharged, six speed manual, and older than most of the apps on my phone. I keep a running service record of every diagnosis, part, and fabricated fix. It is the most honest teacher I have.

Read the garage notes
Service recordR53
No.Work performedStatus
014Digital oil pressure and temp gauge installDone
013Bumper surface refinish, factory accent keptDone
012Part fitment check against donor carDone
011Electrical fault triage, round twoOpen

Inspected by J. Long

Shop inventory

What is on the bench, in the garage, and in the yard right now.

  • Garage2004 MINI Cooper S, R53, six speed
  • GarageDigital oil pressure and temperature gauges
  • BenchSpeaker build No. 1, two way bookshelf
  • YardThe smoker, mostly brisket
  • CourtTennis, Clovis Tennis Club
  • CourseGolf clubs, always being tuned

Directory

Basics

Writing

Workbench

Elsewhere

The Logbook

Things I wrote, built, broke, and fixed. One email, plain text, no recruiting pitch. Unsubscribe whenever you like.