August 2026 · Issue 03

To Sue My Ex… Or Not?

What happens when business, romance and a brilliant idea get mixed together.

Published August 20, 2026

THE PLOT TWIST

Years ago, I met a man with an incredible water-filtering technology. I suggested putting his filter inside a reusable drinking straw.

We met to develop the idea, and somewhere along the way, business turned into a long romantic fling—and later, a fun friendship.

THE VERBAL COMMITMENT

He verbally committed that I would remain involved, and we discussed a licensing deal.

When he got married, we stopped talking. Then the product moved forward without me.

SO… DO I SUE?

I haven't decided. It hurts that the commitment wasn't honored, but it's also kind of incredible to see the idea succeed.

If nothing else, it proves my instincts were right.

NOW IT'S ONE OF TIME'S BEST INVENTIONS OF 2024.

THIS MONTH'S LESSON

When business, friendship and romance overlap, get it in writing.

Ideas matterBoundariesDocumentationSelf-respect

This month's moves

The Business Move

Follow the fast reaction

Interest is polite. Action is information.

The AI Move

The skeptical buyer prompt

Ask AI to be a skeptical customer and retail buyer. What's confusing, unconvincing or missing?

The Five-Minute Fix

Make a 'waiting on' list

Write down every approval, sample or answer someone owes you.

My Monthly Addictions

Low-Carb Protein Summer Fruit Tart

Makes 8 slices. Chill, slice, pretend you planned dessert.

Ingredients

Crust

  • — 1½ cups almond flour
  • — 3 tbsp melted butter
  • — 2 tbsp monk-fruit sweetener
  • — Pinch of salt

Filling

  • — 1½ cups plain Greek yogurt
  • — 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • — 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • — Zest and juice of ½ lemon
  • — Sweetener to taste

Topping

  • — ½ cup mixed berries
  • — Peach slices

Directions

  1. 1.Heat oven to 350°F.
  2. 2.Mix crust ingredients and press into an 8-inch tart pan.
  3. 3.Bake 10–12 minutes, until lightly golden. Cool completely.
  4. 4.Whisk filling ingredients until smooth. Spoon into the crust.
  5. 5.Top with berries and peach slices.
  6. 6.Chill for 1 hour, then slice.

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