Welcome to Operating by John Brewton
The Newsletter That Turns Operating Complexity Into Competitive Advantage
Every week, 30,000+ operators, founders, and strategic professionals face the same challenge: How do you build companies that win in an AI-enabled, rapidly changing business environment?
Most get advice that’s either too theoretical (academic papers disconnected from reality) or too tactical (tips without strategic context). Operating by John Brewton bridges that gap.
What You’ll Get:
Each week, I synthesize insights from economic history, business strategy, and real-world operating experience to help you:
Navigate AI transformation with frameworks grounded in economic theory and proven practice
Optimize operations using lessons from companies that successfully scaled
Make better decisions by understanding the historical patterns that shape today’s business landscape
Build antifragile systems that gain from volatility rather than break under pressure
You’re an operator, founder, strategic professional or student who:
Leads teams through transformation and growth
Makes decisions that shape your company’s trajectory
Values deep analysis over superficial hot takes
Wants to understand why things work, not just what to do
I’m a Harvard-trained economist who spent two decades in the operating trenches.
Scaled a B2B industrial company from $27.5M to $75M (while reducing headcount 40%, managing the company to grow EBITDA, and ultimately achieve a successful exit).
Economics PhD candidate at the University of Chicago
Now advise founders and operators through 6A East Partners
Research and write about the future of companies daily
Build an audience of +30,000 operators on LinkedIn
I started this newsletter because operating is hard. Very hard. The best operators combine historical understanding, economic frameworks, and practical execution.
But that knowledge is scattered. I synthesize it for you.
Learn more about John here and on Linkedin.
“Operating by John Brewton delivers career-changing insights that challenge conventional thinking.”
“The only newsletter I read that combines academic depth with immediately actionable advice.”
“John’s analysis of AI transformation completely changed how I approach change management in my company.”
“John’s work studying Amazon’s innovative work driving operational efficiency change throughout their organization has provided ample, actionable inspiration for the work my team and I are doing right now.”
FREE SUBSCRIBERS GET:
Weekly Operating Insights (1-2 deep-dives per week)
Access to select case studies and frameworks
Community chat participation
PAID SUBSCRIBERS GET: ($17/month or $95/year)
3x Weekly Operating Notes: Actionable insights you can implement immediately
Epic Operating Resource Articles: Comprehensive case studies and historical analyses
Operating Working Group: Direct access to solve your specific challenges with John and fellow operators
Quarterly Live Q&A Sessions: Real-time strategy discussions
Full Archive: Every framework, case study, and analysis since day one
Expense it: Most subscribers expense this as professional development
OPERATING FOUNDERS GET: ($550/year)
Everything above, PLUS:
Four 1:1 Sessions (30 minutes each) to work through your specific operating challenges
Priority access to new research and frameworks
Founding member recognition
Suppose you’re serious about becoming an elite operator, someone who understands how to build, scale, and optimize companies in our AI-enabled future. In that case, this newsletter gives you the frameworks, historical context, and community support you need.
Ready to elevate your operating game?
Subscribe Free
Subscribe Paid - $95/year
Operating Founder - $550/year
Questions? Reply to any email or message me directly at john@6aep.com
