Work, Rockets, and Redemption
Workaholism, space entrepreneurs, and the surprising return of a familiar name in health tech
Val’s Sunday morning random thoughts
Hi everyone, and long time no see! After a few months of trying new things and figuring out what works for me (and what doesn’t), I’m happy to say I’m back—with new energy and ideas for this (almost) weekly newsletter.
This week, I wanted to share a New York Times article that inspired me to return, talk about the book I’m currently reading, and reflect on how we can carve out time for what matters most. Grab your coffee, and let’s get started!
Life
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of work—so much so that I’ve barely had time for things I enjoy, like running or making progress on the book I hope to publish this summer. I’d love to say that things have calmed down, but the truth is... I’m writing this on a beautiful Sunday, from my desk at the office.
I’ve realized I’m in a bit of an unhealthy relationship with work. I love what I do and I give it everything, but deep down, I also know jobs are temporary. I could be let go tomorrow. That lingering uncertainty makes me admire those who dedicate their lives to work that’s both personal and impactful—not for fame or money, but out of passion.
That’s what draws me to entrepreneurship. It’s not the success stories or the big exits—it’s the people who care so deeply about their projects that they pour themselves into them completely. I lost a bit of that spark over the past few months, but I’m working on getting it back. My new resolution? Schedule time every week for personal projects, and treat that time like work time. No pushing it back. No cancellations. Just me, building something that matters to me.
Books
This week’s book fits perfectly with the theme of people dedicating themselves to something meaningful: When the Heavens Went on Sale by Ashlee Vance.
I first discovered Ashlee Vance through his biography of Elon Musk, but this book has a different focus: it’s about scrappy space entrepreneurs. Instead of retelling the SpaceX and Blue Origin stories, Vance dives into lesser-known companies trying to carve out their place in the space economy.
I haven’t finished it yet, but I’m hoping to wrap it up this week. So far, it’s sharp, honest, and surprisingly critical in all the right ways. It’s not just cheerleading for capitalism-in-orbit—it’s a thoughtful look at the risks and rewards of commercializing space.
Here’s the quote that gave the book its name, and made me immediately want to read it:
Silicon Valley’s unending pursuit of wealth, control, and power has turned straight up. To put a fine point on things, space is now open for business. The heavens-like everything else-have gone on sale.
I’ll post a full review soon on my website: www.valentinhervouet.com.
Learning and Productivity
Although this week didn’t feel particularly productive, there’s one thing I’m really excited about: I’m getting close to finishing the final polish on my book!
Here’s a sneak peek:
Tech talk
Tech can be good for humanity. Tech can also lead to awful things that make life worse for everyone. And sometimes, tech can simply be a lie!
That was the case with Theranos, the now-infamous startup led by Elizabeth Holmes, which promised revolutionary blood testing with just a finger prick. We know how that ended—deception, lost money, and a prison sentence.
So imagine my surprise when I came across a recent New York Times article profiling Billy Evans—Holmes’ husband—who’s now the CEO of a new health tech startup: Haemanthus.
Evans claims this new device can test blood, urine, and saliva at home using a single machine. Sound familiar?
Given his connection to Theranos, the scrutiny is enormous. Whether this will turn out to be a success story or another health tech disappointment, only time will tell. But regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: trying to build something better after being so close to a massive failure takes boldness—and maybe just a little bit of madness.
Let’s hope this time it’s grounded in truth.
That’s all for this week’s newsletter. If you enjoyed it or have any comments, please reply with advice! I appreciate all constructive feedback—I’m new to this and would love to improve over time. Thank you!
- Val