Kushal Shah

CEO/Co-founder at Trestle. We are building the next generation of Identity APIs. Ex-Ekata (sold to Mastercard), Microsoft.

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

This is pretty exciting! Some of the ecosystem things are a bit out there, so we will see, but major credit to Apple to 're-think' the F1 viewing experience. I am certainly getting an Apple TV subscription!

[Vincenzo Landino @vincenzolandino]

https://t.co/HdApdqLDcZ

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

This is critical. Removing QSBS will decrease funding and hurt local jobs. If you care about WA tech, please speak up against SB 6229. Start by sending emails to your local representatives. #WAleg #SB6229

[aviel @aviel]

Friends, Washington State SB 6229 (removes QSBS) is moving forward. No matter where you stand on raising income for the State, we cannot let this move forward as it will both decrease funding and damage an already struggling startup ecosystem. Our legislature is trying to kick us while we're down (startup formation is already in an absolute free fall) and we need your help to make sure that they know that.

Please email Senators and their legislative aides. Below are links to a sample letter and their contact information.

Personal outreach matters. Tell your startup story:

Why did you choose Washington?
Why this company?
How long have you been building it?
What does it mean to you and your team?
How would a 9.9% tax on QSBS impact your future here?

Senators: https://t.co/kO77ZWYRgO

Sample Letter: https://t.co/6YcLotSOtf

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

In other words, "We are going to win and probably for a while. Start dealing with it...." #F1
https://t.co/jydliqqUGf

[dharmesh @dharmesh]

I'm biased (being an immigrant), but wholeheartedly agree.

One of the most powerful advantages the U.S. has, and very hard to recreate if lost.

[Harrison Schenck @FractionalList]

Parents ask me all the time for activity ideas to do with their kids.

Most of the time they're overthinking it. Our kids generally just want to hang out with us and do whatever we're doing (especially when they're young).

But in case you need more concrete ideas, here's a list of 101 activities you can do with your kids.

Save it so you never run out of ideas:

1. Play chess: or play any other quiet, strategic game that emphasizes critical thinking

2. Bird Watching: look out the window and identify local birds to develop an appreciation for animals and nature

3. Design a family crest: work on it together, share ideas, get it printed somewhere nice

4. Read together: seems obvious, but most parents don't do this enough (older kids like to be read to, too)

5. Cooking class: go as a family, emphasize dual skills of precision and creativity

6. Hiking: go outside and walk around, talk about the animals and plants

7. Fishing trip: talk about patience and the reward of quiet contemplation

8. Woodworking: introduce basic carpentry skills while creating something your family will actually use

9. Watch a documentary: find subjects everyone has an interest in, watch and discuss

10. Astronomy night: identify constellations, contemplate how everything got there

11. Gardening: find a small patch of land and grow something together

12. Art gallery visit: talk about the pieces you like/dislike, understand the business side of art

13. Yoga: take a class together, or just go outside and do a class from youtube

14. Volunteering: find a cause that means something to your family

15. Weightlifting: teach the basics, especially bodyweight exercises

16. Photography walk: teach the basics of photography while finding beauty in every day surroundings

17. Write letters: write letters to family members with your kids; emphasize importance of written correspondence

18. Museum visit: history/science/art museums spur endless discussion

19. Car maintenance: change oil/change a tire; teach practical skills in a constructive setting

20. Home DIY project: install a new shower head together, let them help put down new tile etc

21. Investment: let them research/pick stocks and buy shares (easy to do through robinhood or similar)

22. Historical landmark tour: find landmarks of note in your area, connect present to the past

23. Go biking: opportunity to teach road safety while getting great exercise

24. Geocaching: do a GPS-based outdoor activity and hone navigational skills

25. Map reading: same idea, learn how to get around without technology

26. Family book club: everyone reads a book, discuss as a family

27. Public speaking drills: let kids present topics to the family (make it a competition if your kids would like that)

28. Go to a farmer's market: teach about local produce and the food supply chain

29. Music appreciation: sit down and listen to music together, talk about what you like/don't like

30. Basic coding lessons: teach your kids if you know how, or take an intro class together

31. Pottery class: emphasize patience, steadiness and creativity

32. Planetarium: learn about the sky, the universe, and our place in it

33. Philosophy: engage in back-and-forth debates around philosophical questions

34. Bonsai trimming: haven't done this one personally, but could be fun

35. Make a telescope: build a simple telescope and understanding of mirrors/lenses (plenty of tutorials online)

36. Architectural walk: look at the coolest buildings in your area, talk about the different styles

37. Write poetry: read the classics together and let your kids create their own

38. Battle robots: build robot kits and let them fight it out

39. Calligraphy: practice penmanship and keep tradition of fine handwriting alive

40. Family history project: draw your family tree together...how far back can you go?

41. Work with leather: create simple belts or bracelets together

42. Canoeing: emphasize teamwork and coordination in a tranquil setting

43. Nature sketching: pick something outside near your house and draw it together

44. Physics experiments: conduct simple experiments at home to foster and explore curiosity

45. Scuba diving: if your kids are older, consider getting certified and going diving

46. Build a computer: get a simple kit online, learn about the different components that make technology work

47. Visit a courtroom: these are often open to the public, learn about our legal system

48. Tie knots: teach different types of knots, learn what they're for and how to tie them

49. Camping: go spend a night outside, cook your meals over fire, tell stories

50. Storytelling: help them understand the components of a good story, practice reciting them out loud

51. Restore an antique: find something everyone in the family likes and make it new again

52. Orchestra concert: appreciate the skill of the musicians and the complexity of the compositions

53. Meteorology basics: learn about weather patterns, predict upcoming weather

54. Make a business plan: be the "investor", teach how to analyze the strength of a plan

55. Herb gardening: grow your own herbs, then use them to cook meals together

56. Etiquette lessons: teach proper manners and social etiquette, practice it at home

57. Aquarium visit: learn about marine life, food chains, watch the fish swim around

58. Start a collection: stamps, baseball cards, coins, freaking buttons, whatever

59. Learn about ancestors: Who were they? Where did they live? What did they do?

60. Distance running: sign up for a 10k as a family, trian together

61. Morse code: understand the history and usage of Morse code, practice it together

62. Visit a war memorial: pay respects to fallen veterans and talk about their sacrifices

63. Sudoku challenge: solve puzzles together, or make it a competition

64. Write a screenplay: write a movie script our outline together, let your kids mock "pitch" it

65. Build a model ship: use it as an opportunity learn about maritime technology

66. Family math bowl: race doing basic equations or math problems, winner gets a prize

67. Family quiz bowl: same idea, but with trivia questions, winner gets a prize

68. Crossword challenge: do crossword puzzles together

69. Cook an ancestor meal: cook a meal your ancestors would have eaten, enjoy as a family

70. Historical reenactment: pick an important historical event and re-enact it with your kids

71. Origami: do it together, teach about precision, attention to detail, patience

72. Community cleanup: go outside in your community and clean up some trash

73. Start a podcast: even if you never publish it, learn about recording and content creation

74. Film analysis: actively consume a movie and discuss it as a family

75. Microbiology: get a microscope and look at microbes, talk about biology

76. Survival skills lessons: foster understanding of basic wilderness survival techniques

77. Visit a power plant: many will happily give you a tour; learn about how our lives are powered

78. Bake sourdough bread: tbt to lockdowns; learn the science and art of baking from scratch

79. Visit an old books store: let them pick out some books they like

80. Build model rockets: construct and launch model rockets to learn about aerodynamics and physics

81. Family pickle ball tournament: self explanatory... find some space and make it happen

82. Build a radio: assemble a simple am/fm radio to understand the basics of radio technology

83. Attend a public lecture: go to a university or community center, listen and discuss

84. Film a documentary: pick a subject your kids like and write/record/edit the movie

85. Visit a construction site: younger kids especially love this...just go look at the equipment

86. Build a birdhouse: learn basic carpentry skills, build a place for local bird family to live

87. Martial arts training: learn a martial art to improve fitness, discipline, and self defense skills

88. Go to a shooting range: learn about firearm safety and self defense

89. Classical sculpture study: study classical sculptures (even if you just use google images) and understand historical techniques

90. Whittling: find some sticks outside and whittle them into something cool

91. Write a family diary together: every day write a few sentences about the day

92. Visit local factory: take a tour of a factory and talk about how things are made

93. Rock climbing: go to a rock climbing gym together, foster patience, deliberate movement, and strength

94. Write a family song: teach about the basics of music composition, bonus points if you record it together

95. Write a family code of values: let your kids help you come up with values that matter to everyone

96. Learn magic tricks: do this together, learn some tricks, then stage a family magic show

97. Home appliance repair: if something breaks, involve your kids in figuring out the problem and fixing it

98. Attend any kind of auction: understand the dynamics of bidding and the value of different items

99. Go to the zoo: simple, go look at some animals, talk about them

100. Visit a fire station: especially cool for younger kids, learn about keeping your community safe

101. Sew a button: everyone should know how to do this; do it together

Hopefully this keeps you occupied for a while.

This took me some time to write up, so if you got value out of it, bookmark it and share it so others may as well.

[Abhay Agarwal @AbhayHodl]

https://t.co/YJSJP6BLSE is live in Beta. Instantly gift as little as $1 from US to India with zero fees. Powered by Bitcoin lightning. The future of money is here, are you ready? #Bitcoin #LightningNetwork Read more here

https://t.co/ijE1aKyTjH

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

@CGISFO @nagentv @IndianEmbassyUS
@DrSJaishankar @CPVIndia

Any help here would be much appreciated. It is a family emergency and so looking for speedy approval of the visa. Thank you.

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

@CGISFO - Applied for emergency (for family emergency) visa for my wife for India entry early last week (last Tue). No updates yet. Can you please look into it?
Cc: @CPVIndia @DrSJaishankar

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

@CGISFO - Applied for emergency (for family emergency) visa for my wife for India entry early last week (last Tue). No updates yet. Can you please look into it?
Cc: @CPVIndia @DrSJaishankar

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

@gilbert @sanjay_puri @RealFlyhomes @remitly @ExtraHop @outreach_io @zipwhip @twilio @kirbywinfield @EkataGlobal being acquired by Mastercard for $850 MM

[dharmesh @dharmesh]

Just the initiative I was looking for.

I will match @balajis donation of $50/RT up to $100k to help India fight the COVID tragedy.

Thank you. 🙏

[surojit @surojit]

COVID situation in India is extremely dire. Thanks to Sandeep for setting this up. Urging the global crypto community to help.

For every RT, I’ll donate $50 to fight COVID in India, up to $50k. #cryptovscovid

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

You realize this as you get into more and more senior roles. Sometimes a tad late, but better realizing later than never.

[Rand Fishkin (follow @randderuiter on Threads) @randfish]

I love all of their stuff, but this one rings especially true.

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

Simple but very effective rules to build the execution muscle within any organization or a team. Thank you @ckindel for laying them down crisply and succinctly.

[Tig @tigkindel]

A Path To Green (PTG) is clear, crisp, and complete statement describing a team's plan for how to get a project from yellow/red status to green. This post describes the concept and provides some tips on how to be excellent at articulating a PTG. https://t.co/nm0pLfNV4d

[David Perell @david_perell]

These Amazon writing tips are fantastic.

👏

[Norgard @BrianNorgard]

Most product strategy comes down to saying no.

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

The entire thread has some awesome suggestions ;-)

[Jeff Morris Jr. @jmj]

2 years ago, every Thanksgiving dinner table was talking about Bitcoin & cryptocurrency.

A few topics if you want to stir the pot tomorrow night:

1. Cybertruck
2. WeWork
3. Softbank
4. AirPods Pro
5. Bloomberg
6. Facebook
7. Recessions
8. Juul
9. Uber
10. VCs

What else?

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

Tough skill to build for sure!

[Jeff Morris Jr. @jmj]

Incredibly tough to find founders who are strong at both product and distribution.

Left brain: distribution
Right brain: product

Most often, I see great product minds who do not understand distribution.

This generally catches up with them as they raise their Series A.

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

Just for this, I am eagerly awaiting #netflix Drive to Survive next season! https://t.co/cb668E4YOI

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

One heck of a grand prix. I always wonder what does project management looks like, what kind of scrums or coordination tools do they use to manage this massive event in the middle of a city? https://t.co/Bs3m4Dtkv2

[Kushal Shah @kshah24]

Hmm, unfortunately not going to help much. End of the road for Vettel, I think. https://t.co/rLzUjyV4hf