Articles by Julian Mercer

Willpower - Book Review
Blog // August 19, 2026

Willpower – Book Review

“One of the most common reasons for the self-control problem is overconfidence in willpower.” Willpower is a resource that we need to…

Julian Mercer
Monk Manual Review
Blog // August 19, 2022

Monk Manual Review

Before I started using this notebook I couldn’t answer this. Over the past month I’ve made the monk manual a daily habit…

Julian Mercer

Julian Mercer

Julian Mercer is a Senior Editor covering the intersection of emerging technology, global markets, and digital culture. With over a decade of experience in financial journalism and digital publishing, he provides authoritative analysis on the trends shaping tomorrow's economy.

Why Customer Reviews Matter for Business Growth

A business with no reviews is invisible in a specific way: not absent from search results, just untrustworthy once found. In a market where customers can compare five providers before ever picking up the phone, reviews have quietly become the deciding factor most owners still treat as an afterthought. Reviews Are Now Part of Your … Read more

How to Create a Business Budget That Actually Works

Most business budgets fail for the same reason most diets do: they’re built around what should happen instead of what actually does. A budget that works isn’t the most ambitious one — it’s the one you’ll still be using in six months. Here’s how to build that kind. Start With History, Not Hopes Before you … Read more

Simple Ways to Improve Customer Service in a Small Business

Big companies buy customer loyalty with loyalty programs and call centers. Small businesses win it a different way — by being noticeably easier to deal with than everyone else. That advantage doesn’t require software or a budget. It requires a handful of habits applied consistently. Answer Faster Than Your Competitors Response time is the single … Read more

How Small Businesses Can Build a Strong Online Presence

Most small business owners know they need to “be online.” Far fewer know what that actually means beyond posting occasionally and hoping for the best. A strong online presence isn’t about being everywhere — it’s about being findable, credible, and easy to contact in the few places your customers actually look. Here’s how to build … Read more

Willpower – Book Review

Willpower - Book Review

“One of the most common reasons for the self-control problem is overconfidence in willpower.” Willpower is a resource that we need to spend time exercising and using wisely to avoid overwhelming ourselves and failing to achieve personal goals.  This book helps explain what willpower really is, what it can do for us, and the limits … Read more

HydroNote: A Simple Way to Keep Your Notes Organized

hydronote

Note taking is a way of life. Individuals make notes when having meetings, formulate study notes, take notes that can be remembered and keep a record of personal duties. There is so much information and it comes in various sources and a simple manner of grouping them can result in making everyday work much easier. … Read more

An Honest and Unpaid Remarkable 2 Tablet Review

We have all seen the Remarkable tablet ads and the reviews about how well they work, right? After seeing all of this, I want to write a clear and honest review of this $300 tablet that is not tied to referral codes or ads. In short, this tablet is like a bridge between analog and … Read more

The Orange Notebook from Don’t Look Up

Up

The first time I saw this movie, the red notebook that Leonardo DiCaprio is holding in his meeting with the president caught my eye. It’s a red hardcover notebook with a really interesting grid line pattern layout. At first I thought it was a simple moleskin with meeting note layouts bit it didn’t look exactly … Read more

Netflix x Baronfig Notebook and Pen Review

Netflix

For as long as I can remember my brother, Andy, and I have loved quizzing each other on movie quotes. See if you know any of these from the 80’s: “You’re not dying. You just can’t think of anything good to do.” “Dead or alive, you’re coming with me.” “You keep using that word, I … Read more

How to Modernize Your Home Without a Major Renovation

How to Modernize Your Home Without a Major Renovation

Modernizing your home doesn’t necessarily mean tearing down walls, replacing every cabinet, or spending months on a major renovation. With the right improvements, you can create a fresher, more functional, and contemporary living space while keeping your budget and disruption under control. Small changes to lighting, color, hardware, furniture, technology, and energy efficiency can dramatically … Read more

Monk Manual Review

Monk Manual Review

Before I started using this notebook I couldn’t answer this. Over the past month I’ve made the monk manual a daily habit and I wanted to share some of the things I found and also do a thorough review on the quality and craftsmanship that has clearly gone into this book. The monk manual is … Read more

How Eight Startup Notebook Companies Raised $3.3 Million in Crowdfunding

Eight

Over the past year, there has been a growing trend with notebooks on crowdfunding sites such as Kickstarter and Indigogo.  While moleskins have been popular within the tech startup world, the surge in premium notebook startups made me curious as to why they have been doing so well in this digital landscape.  To show you what … Read more