🐙 How I'm building a 7-figure longevity brand

Hey there, solopreneur!

I'm writing this from my desk in Cyprus, surrounded by research papers on longevity and wellness. There's something electric in the air - that familiar feeling when you know you're onto something big.

For the past few weeks, I've been deep in the trenches mapping out how to build a perfect monetization flywheel for my new project Longevity Maximalist.

But instead of keeping these insights locked away in my Notion docs, I figured why not share the entire blueprint with you?

Building in public is NOT just about showing your wins. It's about documenting the entire journey, including the strategic thinking that happens before day one.

Right now, I'm:

• Building an AI micro-SaaS with a talented dev (more on this soon)

• Just launched a premium longevity & wellness media company

• Mapping out the entire monetization strategy (which I'm about to share with you)

But before we dive in, here's something most people get wrong about monetization: They treat it as an afterthought. Something to figure out "once we have a big audience."

That's like trying to build a house without a foundation. The real hack? Start with monetization in mind from day zero…

🐢 My New Project: Longevity Maximalist (would love your support!)

I just launched Longevity Maximalist, and I’d love for you to check it out.

It’s a premium media brand spotlighting only the most carefully curated, high-end longevity and health tech products on the market.

I’m cutting through the noise to bring you the best-in-class supplements, wearables, diagnostics, biotech innovations, etc. — the ones that actually move the needle.

Plus, I’m negotiating exclusive deals for subscribers, so you get access to longevity breakthroughs before the rest of the world catches on.

And since I’m building this in public, I’ll be sharing the entire journey here (this edition is a prime example ;)

If you’re interested in increasing your healthspan, I’d love for you to subscribe.

>>> Click here to join Longevity Maximalist for free.

Why a “Premium” niche changes EVERYTHING

Here's something I learned building The AI Solopreneur: the first step of any solid monetization strategy isn't about the product - it's about choosing the right customer.

I'm going all-in on premium longevity products for a simple reason:

These aren't just customers, they're sophisticated investors in their own health. We're talking about people who deeply understand that there's no wealth without health.

Think about it:

• High earners who see health as an investment, not an expense

• Tech professionals diving deep into personal optimization

• Forward-thinking individuals with essentially uncapped spending on health

By targeting this premium segment, you're naturally going to exclude some people. And that's exactly what you want.

A small, highly targeted audience that's ready to invest in their health is worth infinitely more than a massive audience of tire-kickers.

Why Longevity? Why Now?

Two massive shifts are happening simultaneously:

1. Longevity science is finally crossing into mainstream consciousness

2. The tech crowd (with serious spending power) is leading the charge

3. Wellness (think Sauna, Cold Plunge etc is booming)

But here's the real reason I'm betting big on this space - and why I believe we can build this into a 7-figure brand within 12 months:

I'm genuinely obsessed with it.

Every evening for the past couple years, I've been devouring research papers, testing products, and diving deep into the science. When you're truly passionate about a space, monetization becomes a byproduct of serving your audience well.

The Zero to $1M/Year+ Monetization Blueprint

Before I lay out the exact monetization steps, here are some fundamental truths I've learned from building multiple businesses:

• Selling your own products will always make more money than selling someone else's (in the long run)

• Equity value trumps quick cash flow every single time

• Brand trust compounds like a well-managed investment

• Data collection comes before product creation

• Fast MVPs beat perfect plans

Now, let's break down exactly how we're gonna turn Longevity Maximalist into a 7-figure brand...

Phase 1: Traffic-First Sponsorships

Instead of cold-messaging brands begging for sponsorships (we've all been there), we're flipping the script:

• Create detailed posts featuring products I genuinely use and love

• Drive serious traffic to these organic product features

• Let the brands come to us

When I did this with The AI Solopreneur (we routinely posted AI tool content that did tens of millions of views), brands started sliding into my DMs after seeing their traffic spike.

Even if they don't? You've got solid proof for outreach ("Hey, my recent post drove X clicks to your site...").

Phase 2: Strategic Affiliate Partnerships

Once we've proven we can drive traffic, we're moving to high-commission affiliate deals.

But here's the non-negotiable rule:

No product gets featured unless it passes my personal testing phase. I don't care if they offer 90% commission - if it's not exceptional, it's not getting recommended.

We're talking premium products across the entire longevity spectrum:

• High-end spa equipment

• Clean protein formulations

• Cryotherapy gear

• Red light therapy devices

• Non-toxic coffee makers

• Luxury longevity retreats

This phase should generate $5-10k monthly profit. But here's where most people mess up - they stop here. We're just getting started...

Data-Driven Product Creation

Here's what nobody tells you about running sponsorships and affiliate deals: they're actually your market research in disguise.

Every click, every conversion, every customer interaction? Pure gold for developing your own products.

Sure, sponsorships create nice cash flow. But what they really give you is a crystal-clear window into what people actually spend money on. No more guessing games.

Once we know what converts, we have 3 paths forward:

1. Equity Partnerships (50/50 splits with operators)

2. White Label Testing (validate before going all-in)

3. Ground-Up Creation (the full entrepreneur experience)

The strategy? Look at our best-performing affiliate products and ask our audience one simple question:

"What would make this product 10x better?"

But here's where I'm thinking differently from most content creators...

While everyone's focused on physical products, I'm keeping a "Problems Log" - documenting every friction point I discover in the longevity space.

Why? Because each problem is a potential micro-SaaS or physical product opportunity

I've already spotted one while building our product review system - a gap in the market for AI-powered product research (more on this soon!.)

The Real Endgame (12+ Months)

The long-term vision isn't just about building a successful newsletter - it's about creating a longevity empire. Here's some ideas we have on the long-term roadmap:

• Physical products (wearables, supplements)

• Consumer Health Apps

• Modern Lab Testing + AI Guidance

• Premium Directories

• GLP-1 Microdosing Clinics

• High-End Wellness Retreats

• B2B Longevity Consulting

Here's something that might sound crazy in today's hustle culture: I'm perfectly okay making close to zero profit right now.

Why? Because I'm playing a different game.

The real currency is TRUST

You can't rush trust. You can't growth-hack it. And you definitely can't buy it. What you can do is:

• Include your audience in every step of product development

• Build real, tangible relationships with them

• Get on actual calls with your customers

• Run surveys that drive real insights

• Never compromise on quality for quick profits

I've been silent for the past few weeks because I've been heads down building this.

But here's my promise to you:

Every insight, every learning, every win or fail - I'm sharing it all. Consider this your blueprint for building any premium brand, in any niche.

The beauty of building in public? We all grow together.

As I wrap up this newsletter, I can't help but feel insanely hyped for what's ahead.

My desk is covered in product research, my Notion is overflowing with ideas, and we're having fun testing our first content prototypes.

This isn't just about building another business. It's about creating something that genuinely helps people live better, longer lives.

Sometimes the biggest opportunities come from following your genuine obsessions. For me, that's longevity.

What's yours?

Ole's Bookmarks

I love data but NEVER underestimate the power of your intuition (its the most powerful algo out there).

I Don't Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression: Great book on male depression (I don’t think I was ever clinically depressed, but I’m still very interested in learning about depression).

Nothing inspires me more than learning about the biographies of historical figures

See you next week 🫡 

Ole

PS — Don’t forget to join Longevity Maximalist by clicking here.