Buy ... or Lease?

And what that choice says about your brand.

Author

Michele Kasl
September 22, 2025

"Never mistake a clear view for a short distance."

Paul Saffo


This past week, my in-laws went car shopping. After weighing the pros and cons of leasing vs. buying, they went all in.

“Feels good when you can own something,” my father-in-law said.

His comment really stuck.

Because a lot of folks right now are treating their websites and branding like a lease. Trying to shortcut the investment and commitment.

But at what cost?

***

The best AI tools, powerful as they are … they’re just another type of lease.

In the U.S., any work created solely by AI — without enough human creative input to make it unique — is not protected by copyright. It’s considered public domain.

Anyone can use it. Remix it. Sell it. Post it. Even claim it as their own.

And there’s not a single thing you can do about it.

[ Ouch, right? ]

***

One of our clients learned this the hard way.

He tried an AI website builder that promised to “launch a site in minutes.” And was pretty shocked to realize that his shiny new site looked (and sounded) JUST like a major competitor’s.

The AI tool had referenced it for inspiration and lifted the entire structure, content and design.

Adding insult to injury, there was:

NO back-end access.
NO SEO or GEO management.
NO ownership of the design, codebase or content.
NO flexibility to grow with his business.

Lesson learned: shortcuts often lead to dead-ends.

He scrapped the whole thing and started fresh with us. Thirty days later, he had a site built to grow with his business — and one he actually owns.

***

I’m starting to view AI as a bit of a siren, singing sweet songs of time-savings and quick fixes. And we’re all being lured in by its mystery and appeal.

But if you want real control, long-term ROI, and brand equity that grows over time — “leasing” your creative is not an option.

You really do have to OWN IT.

***

♟️YOUR MOVE: 

If you’re done leasing your website and ready to own every pixel, let’s talk. I’ll run your site through our proprietary visibility audit and show you how to leverage missed opportunities — without the guesswork.

Upgrade Your Money Mindset.


Money stress isn’t always about the math. It’s emotional.

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking:

“I’m not good with money.”

“Spending is irresponsible.”

“I’ll never catch up for retirement, so why bother.”

This free guide from expert wealth coach Morgan Blackman will help.

She walks you through releasing shame, shifting money stories, and building real wealth habits that stick.

Victory Points

By: Mike Shary
My board-game-loving, copywriter extraordinaire and mentor, Dad ❤️

 
In Sunset Over Water (#affiliate) you and up to three other landscape artists navigate a shared grid to create and sell the masterpieces represented on the cards.

Each day, you secretly pick a planning card that determines three things: what time you wake up, how far you can move, and in which direction. Early risers pick first but have limited range. Sleep in, and you move farther — but might miss your perfect spot.

You collect landscape cards by matching terrain with public or private commission goals. Only paintings sold to commissions score points.

If you move too fast, you might miss the big picture. Wait too long, and someone else could paint your perfect vista.

Daily goals and tight space create tension. Should you go for the flashy move now? Or make the quiet play that sets up three turns from now?

Sunset Over Water is more than a game about painting. It’s about patience, timing, and designing your path with intention.

Make it a great week! 🙌

Ready for Expert Help?

15 minutes of quick, no-pressure clarity. I’ll pinpoint one thing holding your brand back, and how to fix it.

Best For: Founders who want actionable, expert insight.

Our signature service. We build your high-converting brand and website: strategy, design, tech, and messaging, in just 60 days.

Best For: Business owners who want fast results, without DIY guesswork.

You received this email because you're a client of Premier Designs or subscribed to the Monday Mantra newsletter. Update your preferences or unsubscribe anytime.

The links in our “Victory Points” section are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase.