From Living in a Car to a Dream Island Home

My Madeira journey + HighLevel hacks, AI breakthroughs, and wearable futures.

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Automated Marketer & NUNO TAVARES
January 07, 2025

From Dreams to Reality: A Little House on an Island

For those of you who’ve been following my journey, you might remember that over eight months ago, my wife and I made the wild decision to buy a property on the breathtaking Portuguese island of Madeira. It’s been a rollercoaster ride, filled with countless "oh shit" moments and a never-ending stream of "why did we do this?" questions. But just when we’re on the brink of despair, we visit the island, and—every single time—it steals our hearts all over again.

This latest trip, during the holiday season, was nothing short of magical. For the first time, we had working bathrooms, furniture we could actually sit on, and toilets that flushed (a huge win, trust me). The Portuguese really know how to celebrate, and Madeira didn’t hold back. From fireworks exploding so close to our house that the whole place shook, to bands serenading the streets with charming folklore songs, the festive atmosphere was pure joy.

Add in espressos paired with pastel de nata (those heavenly custard tarts), sunsets from our balcony, black sand beaches, and dipping our feet into natural pools, and suddenly, all the stress and doubt fades away. Every ounce of effort, every nerve-wracking moment, becomes worth it.

But let me be real with you: this wasn’t easy. It was the scariest, most nerve-wracking purchase of my life. Coming from absolutely nothing—at one point even living in a car—it’s been a long, grueling journey to get here. This isn’t an overnight success story. It’s a tale of hard work, persistence, and believing in a dream, no matter how far out of reach it seemed.

I’m sharing this to remind you that if someone like me can make it, so can you. Let this be the year you chase what you deserve. Let it be the start of something extraordinary—a year where your hard work pays off, your dreams take shape, and you create your own little slice of paradise, whatever that looks like for you.

Don’t give up. Follow your heart. Believe in yourself. You’ve got this.

Now, with that inspiration in mind, let’s dive into this incredible newsletter and make this year unforgettable! 💪✨

HighLevel: The CRM That’s Changing the Game in 2025

If you’re running a business or agency in 2025, you’ve probably heard the buzz around HighLevel (or Go HighLevel, depending on who you ask). Spoiler alert: it’s not just another CRM. This platform is redefining what an all-in-one solution looks like for businesses of all sizes. Let’s dig into why HighLevel deserves your attention and how it’s leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs.

What Sets HighLevel Apart?

HighLevel isn’t your average CRM. Sure, it has all the standard customer relationship management tools, but it’s the extras that make it shine—especially when compared to pricey competitors like HubSpot and Kartra.

Here’s why HighLevel is a standout:

  • Community-Driven Development: HighLevel listens to its users. It’s the only CRM with an upvote board where customers influence the development roadmap. The result? A platform that evolves based on real needs.

  • Affordability: Unlike other CRMs that hit you with steep costs as you grow, HighLevel offers more value even at its basic $97/month plan. Want unlimited sub-accounts? The $297 plan has you covered. Ready to white-label and scale your own SaaS? That’s where the $497 plan shines.

  • All-in-One Features:

    • Automation: Build workflows to streamline client interactions.

    • Campaigns: Run multi-channel campaigns across email, text, and more.

    • Website & Funnel Builders: Create landing pages, full sites, and even WordPress integrations.

    • AI-Powered Tools: From voice bots to conversational AI, it’s all here.

    • Social Media & Reviews Management: Plan posts and respond to Google/Facebook reviews in one place.

    • Advanced Reporting: Track pipelines, calls, and ad performance.

    • Membership & Community Building: Host courses and engage with your audience directly.

    • Third-Party Integrations: Google, Microsoft, Apple—you name it.

The Plans: A Breakdown

HighLevel’s pricing model is designed to scale with your needs:

  • $97/month: Includes 3 sub-accounts, automation tools, campaign builders, and more.

  • $297/month: Unlimited sub-accounts, API access, and the ability to resell HighLevel as a partner.

  • $497/month: White-label SaaS capabilities with full customization, advanced reporting, and unlimited sub-accounts.

💡Pro Tip: If you’re an agency, the $497 plan can turn you into a SaaS powerhouse. Create custom templates (called “snapshots”) and sell a personalized CRM experience to clients. It’s like launching your own software company without building it from scratch.

Why HighLevel is the Future

HighLevel isn’t just software; it’s a system for growth. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur looking to automate tasks or an agency scaling with multiple clients, the platform adapts to your needs. Plus, with new features rolling out regularly (hello, AI bots and video hosting!), it’s clear HighLevel is here to stay.

HighLevel’s mission is simple: empower businesses to succeed online without breaking the bank. From its robust features to its flexible pricing, it’s no surprise that HighLevel continues to dominate the CRM space. If you’ve been searching for a tool to simplify, scale, and supercharge your business, this might just be the one.

HL Pro Tools Theme Builder – Customization Made Easy

If you're an agency owner using HighLevel (or Go HighLevel, for the uninitiated), you’ve likely dreamt of making your SaaS offering feel uniquely yours. The HL Pro Tools Theme Builder is the solution you didn’t know you needed. This built-in tool allows you to customize your HighLevel platform's look and feel, delivering a seamless, branded experience to your clients. Let’s explore what makes this feature a game-changer for agencies.

What is the Theme Builder?

The Theme Builder is a tool included with every HL Pro Tools subscription tier. It gives you full control over the design and user interface of your white-labeled HighLevel platform. From colors to layouts, you can tailor the platform to reflect your brand and even customize it for specific client groups.

Here’s what it offers:

  • Preset Themes: Start with one of eight or nine professionally designed templates as a base for customization.

  • Full CSS Control: Adjust sidebar colors, navigation placements, button styles, and more to match your brand identity.

  • Advanced Customization: Fine-tune elements like login screens, membership portals, and dashboard banners. Perfect for agencies serving niche markets.

Key Features to Love

  1. Custom Branding:

    • Change colors, logos, and layouts to make the platform look completely distinct from HighLevel’s standard UI.

    • Adjust the login screen and dashboard for a polished first impression.

  2. Multi-Niche Flexibility:

    • Serve diverse client groups—like real estate agents and schools—with unique themes for each.

    • Use pre-configured settings or create entirely custom themes.

  3. Hide and Lock Features:

    • Restrict access to specific features based on a client’s subscription tier.

    • Add "locked" icons with upgrade prompts to upsell features seamlessly.

  4. Global and Sub-Account Settings:

    • Apply consistent themes across all accounts or tweak them individually for a hyper-personalized experience.

  5. Automation Integration:

    • Leverage HL Pro Tools' Zapier integration to automate theme and feature settings based on client purchases.

Why This Matters

In the competitive SaaS landscape, first impressions—and ongoing user experience—matter. A customized, branded UI builds trust and loyalty, making it less likely for clients to recognize they’re using HighLevel and jump ship to another agency. Plus, the ability to automate theme applications and lock/unlock features streamlines onboarding and upselling.

💡Pro Tip - Create modular themes for scalability. Design separate templates for common client types (e.g., real estate agents, e-commerce brands) and automate their application. This saves time while delivering a tailored experience that wows your customers.

The HL Pro Tools Theme Builder is more than just a design tool—it’s a business asset. It lets you create a cohesive brand experience, serve multiple niches with ease, and unlock new revenue streams through upsells and customizations. If you haven’t explored this feature yet, now’s the time to start.

Ready to take your white-label SaaS to the next level? The Theme Builder is your gateway to a fully branded, standout platform.

Welcome to 2025, where AI continues to reshape industries faster than we can say "quantum computing." While the holiday season didn’t bring many announcements, we have some exciting developments and bold predictions for the year. Here’s a roundup of what’s happening and how it could impact your business and marketing strategies.

AI Developments to Watch

  • OpenAI’s Shift to For-Profit: OpenAI announced plans to convert from a nonprofit to a public benefit corporation. While controversial, this shift aims to balance profit with societal benefits. However, critics like Elon Musk and Geoffrey Hinton warn this move could set a troubling precedent for AI ethics.

  • Missed Deadlines: OpenAI’s promised Media Manager tool for content creators to opt-out of AI training data didn’t launch as expected by 2025. Its absence highlights the challenges of balancing innovation with accountability.

  • Google’s AI Momentum: After a slow 2023-24, Google ramped up its AI game with groundbreaking tools like the Gemini model and its Willow Quantum chip. CEO Sundar Pichai has declared 2025 a pivotal year for innovation, and the company’s recent progress suggests it’s ready to deliver.

  • Meta’s “Fake People”: Meta plans to introduce AI-generated “users” on Facebook and Instagram to increase engagement for real users. While intended to make the platforms “stickier,” this raises concerns about transparency and trust in online interactions.

  • Hugging Face’s Agentic Toolkit: Hugging Face launched a suite of tools for creating AI agents, enabling developers to build systems that use external tools and act autonomously. This development aligns with 2025’s predicted focus on AI agents.

2025 Predictions: What to Expect

  1. The Year of AI Agents:

    • Think Siri or Alexa, but smarter. AI agents will schedule meetings, book flights, and handle tasks autonomously.

    • Major players like Google, Amazon, and Meta are integrating agentic AI into their platforms. OpenAI plans to roll out tool use for ChatGPT, while Anthropic has already tested its own version.

  2. AI in Wearables:

    • AI-powered glasses, earbuds, and wristbands are expected to hit the mainstream. Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses might soon feature heads-up displays, while Google and Apple are rumored to enhance their wearable tech with advanced AI.

  3. AI-Generated Video:

    • AI videos are set to become indistinguishable from real footage, paving the way for innovations in marketing, entertainment, and content creation.

    • Expect tools like Pika and Runway to deliver higher-quality, longer videos with realistic physics and environments.

  4. Self-Driving Tech Advances:

    • Companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Amazon are racing to dominate autonomous vehicle technology. Expect to see more self-driving cabs and delivery bots in urban areas.

  5. Quantum Computing Breakthroughs:

    • With Google’s Willow chip and IBM’s advancements, quantum computing could revolutionize AI development, leading to faster, more efficient systems.

What This Means for Marketers

AI isn’t just about cool gadgets; it’s about transformation. Here’s how you can leverage these trends:

  • Embrace AI Agents: Automate repetitive tasks, from customer service to social media scheduling. Tools like ChatGPT and Claude will soon handle entire workflows for you.

  • Leverage AI Video: Use tools like Opus Clip to repurpose long-form content into viral short clips. With video models improving, marketers can create high-quality visuals faster and cheaper.

  • Prepare for AI-Powered SEO: As search evolves into a conversational model, focus on creating content that directly answers user questions. Think less about keywords and more about relevance.

💡Pro Tip: - Combine AI tools for maximum impact - For example, pair AI-generated videos with advanced wearables for interactive marketing campaigns. Imagine a customer scanning your product with AI-enabled glasses and instantly seeing a 3D demo video. The possibilities are endless.

AI in 2025 is about empowerment and automation. From intelligent agents to immersive wearables, the tools are here to revolutionize how we work, market, and live. However, with great power comes responsibility—transparency and ethical considerations will be more critical than ever.

Marketers, stay ahead of the curve by experimenting with these innovations. The future is now, and it’s driven by AI.

Google’s Android XR Glasses – The Future is Here (Almost)

Wearable tech often feels like a sci-fi promise that never quite arrives, but Google’s latest Android XR glasses, developed in partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm, are aiming to change that. Blending augmented reality (AR) and AI, these futuristic specs might finally deliver on the dream of practical, everyday wearables.

What Are Android XR Glasses?

Android XR is Google’s new wearable platform powered by Gemini 2.0 Z, their most advanced AI model to date. These glasses combine real-time processing, AR, and AI to integrate technology seamlessly into daily life.

Here’s what they can do:

  • Real-Time Navigation: Directions appear directly in your line of sight, adapting as you move.

  • Language Translation: Instantly translate signs or conversations when traveling.

  • Interactive Tutorials: Get step-by-step visual guides for tasks like cooking or assembling furniture.

Why it’s cool: Instead of pulling out your phone, the world becomes your interface. No more fumbling for screens—your glasses just know what you need.

Two Devices, One Platform

Android XR supports two types of wearables:

  • Headsets: Built for immersive experiences like VR games or 3D city maps. Think “episodic tools” for specific tasks.

  • Glasses: Designed for all-day use, focusing on practical, hands-free functionality. Lightweight and portable, they aim to complement—not replace—your phone.

Why it’s cool: This division makes the platform versatile, catering to both productivity and entertainment.

A Power Trio: Google, Samsung, Qualcomm

Each partner brings unique expertise to Android XR:

  • Google: Advanced AI and software capabilities.

  • Samsung: Sleek, functional hardware designs.

  • Qualcomm: High-performance processors for seamless multitasking.

This collaboration ensures these glasses aren’t just flashy prototypes but practical tools that work in real-world scenarios.

Practical Applications

The potential of Android XR is immense:

  • Cooking: Glasses guide you through recipes, adjusting instructions as you go.

  • Lost Keys: AI-powered spatial recognition helps you locate misplaced items.

  • Travel: AR navigation and live translation make exploring new places effortless.

  • Communication: Real-time updates for calls and messages let you stay connected without constant phone-checking.

Why it’s cool: These features are about enhancing your life, not overwhelming it with unnecessary tech.

Challenges Ahead

Even the coolest tech faces hurdles:

  1. Design: Current prototypes are slightly bulky, and achieving lightweight, stylish designs remains a challenge.

  2. Adoption: Will people actually want to wear glasses all day?

  3. Cost: Pricing will play a critical role in whether this tech becomes mainstream.

What’s Next?

The first Android XR product, Samsung’s Project Muhan, is slated for a 2025 release. If it succeeds, the platform could expand into healthcare, education, and entertainment, becoming a go-to tool for developers.

Why it’s cool: This is more evolution than revolution, but it’s a meaningful step toward making tech feel less like an intrusion and more like a natural extension of life.

Are AI Glasses the Future?

Google’s Android XR glasses might not replace your phone or laptop, but they offer a glimpse into a world where tech feels less obtrusive and more integrated. Whether these glasses become the next big thing or another niche gadget depends on how well Google and its partners tackle the challenges ahead.

But one thing is clear: Wearables like these are no longer a distant dream—they’re almost here. What do you think? Are AI glasses the future or just another tech experiment?

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