Quick Update: Building Up Just Got More Official

Since our last newsletter, something exciting happened — I officially purchased the domain building-up.ca!

Now every post lives on a proper website, making it easier to browse past articles, share with friends, and build something long-term. This feels like the first real step in turning Building Up from a passion project into a legit platform. I’m all in — and excited to see where it goes from here! 😁🚀

I Co-Founded a New Startup!

That’s right — apparently launching one thing wasn’t enough! I’ve just co-founded a new business with one of my closest friends, Corey Lund: it’s called Book-It!

Book-It! is a monthly subscription box focused on self-improvement and personal growth. Each month, you’ll receive a bestselling book alongside curated self-care items like snacks, cozy extras, and surprise tools designed to help you reflect, reset, and recharge.

Whether you’re working on your own growth or looking for a meaningful gift, Book-It! makes personal development feel fun (and a little indulgent).

We just launched, and you can check out the first box and learn more here:

🏡 Coming Soon: How I Bought a House in the Middle of a Financial Dumpster Fire

In my next post, I’ll share the story of how I bought my first home at 23 — right when the Canadian housing market was basically on fire (and not in a good way).

With soaring prices, rising interest rates, and plenty of “maybe this isn’t the best idea” moments, it wasn’t exactly a smooth ride. But through smart planning, stubborn optimism, and a few lessons I wish someone had told me, I made it work.

I’ll break down the steps I took, what I learned, and how you can apply those lessons — or at least avoid crying in your mortgage broker’s parking lot.

After that, I’ll dive into career pivots and the big life decisions nobody warns you about once student loans start kicking in. University might give you a degree, but life throws curveballs — and we’ll talk about both.

In Case You Missed It: Business With Family - Don’t Do It (Maybe)

My last post shared some real talk about the highs and lows of starting a mobile foot care business with my mum. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, definitely check it out!

The experience was truly irreplaceable — from learning how to balance family dynamics with business demands, to navigating the unexpected challenges that come with working closely with loved ones. While there were many rewarding moments, I can honestly say it taught me lessons I won’t forget — and why, despite everything, I probably wouldn’t do it again.

If you’re thinking about going into business with family, this post breaks down what to expect, what to watch out for, and how to decide if it’s the right move for you.

👉 Read the full post here and find out why mixing family and business isn’t always a recipe for success.

That’s all folks!

Thanks for reading this week’s new inbox. To recap: we’re now officially building-up.ca (woo!). Be sure to check out book-it-box.ca and see what my co-founder and I have been up to.

In my next post, I’ll be diving into how I bought my first home — and how I managed to pull it off during one of the toughest financial times Canada has faced in the modern era.

With that, cheers for reading, and I’ll see you in two weeks, on Thursday.

Instead of a book recommendation this time, I’ll leave you with a quote from my mate that I thought was rather clever:

“It’s Friday junior, having a pint is just fine.”
— Daniel Hughes

~Alex.